Umirovljenici Vukovar
In an era where medical breakthroughs have extended the human lifespan considerably, more and more people are able to live long past their employment years. When they reach that stage in life, these older men and women are called seniors or retirees.
In a world where young children are overwhelmed by studies and extracurricular activities, their parents are busy earning a living, and are trying to survive their many social responsibilities, many senior relatives are left stranded and on their own. Many elderly do not mind living their own lives, joining clubs and staying active, but others may have a harder time of letting go of their offspring. They need the closeness of a family, and miss it.
Seniors make up a large portion of the population, and require many special services. An entire industry has evolved around the elderly, offering home meal deliveries and in-house health care services, leisure and hobby clubs for seniors, and even senior housing. These developments will only accept retirees as residents.
Unfortunately, more and more elderly cannot afford luxury services, and with reduced government pension funds and high living costs, many older men and women have to postpone their retirement way past the age of sixty, or sixty five. To be able to pay for their basic needs these recessional victims may have to stay in, or re-enter the work force, take a part-time or even fulltime job, and put their dreams of a peaceful ‘old age’ on hold until their financial situation improves.
Too many seniors are lonely! - featuring article
There is a difference between alone and lonely. Many people live by themselves and are quite content. They have hobbies, belong to clubs where they are able to socialize, and they find useful activities to fill their evenings. But then, there are the single men and women who are unable to deal with their fate of living alone, and feel emotionally and socially deprived.
With age, the chances we end up alone increase. The universal divorce rate has risen drastically, children no longer stay close to home and move where they can find employment, and the older we get, the higher the chances grow that a partner in a close relationship gets sick and dies. That is life, and there is nothing we can do change that.
Loneliness is not so much about the number of friends and relatives in our lives, but rather about whether or not we feel connected to these people. Relating to today’s society may be fairly difficult for the elderly, who were raised on different principles and standards. Understanding the younger generations surrounding them may be virtually impossible, and vice versa.
Older men and women, who no longer are distracted by employment issues, may feel lonely after the death of the spouse they viewed so many years as a trusted companion, wonderful lover, confidante, and friend. Losing such a partner is like removing a supporting beam out of a house. That too, will soon crumble and collapse.
Nobody needs to be lonely! There are several things a senior can do to reclaim some fulfillment and joy in life. They can buy a pet to keep them company, or they can reach out to people. Joining a senior club is a great option, even for those who are shy. With a ‘smile’ and ‘friendly greeting’ any new member will soon be integrated into the group. Those seniors who are still active can volunteer. It will make them feel good, and it is a great way to meet new people and possible friends.
The community may not know about their emotional distress, so seniors who no longer want to be lonely and/or depressed will have to take their chances and look for opportunities to get out. Only by moving out of their familiar circle will they be able to meet new people and leave their loneliness behind!
Health and Seniors
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There are many concerns when you consider health and seniors. Among the issues faced by seniors are basic mental and physical healthcare, social needs, dangers like injuries and emergencies, living conditions that may include abuse or neglect, and general needs of life such as diet, exercise, and drugs.
Most seniors enjoy living independently, or they may settle into an assisted care situation with family, friends, or at a healthcare facility. It is important for physical and mental well being that seniors have adequate food, shelter, and social interactions. A cared for individual who is able to obtain proper food and exercise will be happier, stronger, and less likely to become ill than one who is in an improper or dangerous situation without basic living care and nutrition.
Being stronger and healthier is better for everyone, especially the seniors. Health and seniors should be a concern to all people as the costs of medical care skyrocket. Every senior needs to be able to have resources upon which to call when help is needed. The senior is no different than any other human when it comes to quality of life. Basics needs on the nutritional, medical, and health levels need to be met to achieve a better quality of living.
Isolation will bring on disease, mental depression, and injuries as the senior becomes lonely and feels unwanted. Depression alone can cause disease to spread, while a happy person enjoys well being. Transportation is another need to be addressed, so the senior can attend classes, obtain assistance, visit the doctor's or dentist's office, enjoy social events and church, and visit family.
Health and seniors is an important societal issue. Seniors can find direction, information, and assistance from many government agencies, starting with Medicare and Medicaid, and the Social Security Administration websites and offices.
Glow Sticks For A Senior Citizen Party
If you want to see some really good smiles, the next time that your local Senior Citizens organization throws a night-time fundraising party, show up with a big bag of glow sticks to pass out to everybody in the room. We had such a good time watching the seniors wave their sticks in the air like kids. Glow sticks are just the right toy to branch across all generation levels; they’re fun for everybody to play with.
Divorce
According to current statistics, the divorce rate for a first marriage is now 41%. That percentage increases greatly with second marriages (60%) and third marriages (73%). While we will never be able to stop divorce completely, there are things couples can do to help remedy situations in their marriage before they become insurmountable. Marriage counselors report that the most effective marriage counseling involves seeing both the husband and wife together, as opposed to seeing each partner separately. While making progress can take longer this way, good marriage counselors report much more satisfactory results in their therapy, and stronger, longer-lasting marriages.