Posted on August 31, 2011 by Erin
We all know that sleep is good for us and I’m sure the majority of people out there would like to have more of it. So just in case you need another excuse, here’s another reason to make time for sleep – not getting enough of it can cause hypertension. And not just any kind of sleep will do. We’re talking about wonderful deep slumber. According to a new study that was done by researchers at the Harvard Medical School, it’s quality and not quantity that matter here. It was found that the less deep sleep the men in the study had, (women were not a focus of this study though many believe the results would be the same) the greater their chances were for developing sleep apnea and getting less sleep in general.
So why the drop in blood pressure for the heavy sleepers? During deep sleep, the brain slows down as well as the heart rate, adrenaline levels and the blood pressure. When a lack of sleep occurs, these dips in vitals do not happen. And when the dips do not happen, the risk for heart disease increases and blood pressure can rise. The only way to know if you’re not getting enough of the deep sleep is to go your doctor and request an overnight sleep study. But if you remain physically and mentally active throughout the day and still do not feel well rested after a full night’s sleep, it may be a good idea to talk to your doctor.
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Posted on August 30, 2011 by Erin
Earlier this month, consumers seemed to be scared to spend their money and it makes sense when you remember what was happening – the debt ceiling standoff and the downgrade of the U.S. credit rating. But now it appears that American consumers are beginning to spend once again. For August, it is expected that we will not cut our spending and that we will likely spend more money than in the previous three months.
It appears that more vacations are being taken and consumers are planning on purchasing big ticket items such as cars and appliances soon. But do you think it’s simply because people have had to hold off on these types of purchases for so long and now they just cannot wait any longer? Do you think the start of schools around the nation factors into the equation? Are you yourself spending money again or are you still pinching pennies?
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Posted on August 29, 2011 by Erin
Have you or someone you know begun the process of choosing Medicare coverage? In a new study, it was found that many Americans are not choosing the best plan for them because of how complex Medicare is. According to assistant professor of health care policy and medicine at Harvard Medical School Dr. J. Michael McWilliams, “We are providing the most complex insurance choices to the very population that is least equipped to make these high-stakes decisions.” Many times, seniors with impaired brain functions are becoming overwhelmed by the choices that are available to them. And often times when more confusing options are presented to seniors, the default plan is chosen out of frustration and this results in people not taking advantage of the plan that could potentially serve them better.
What has been your experience with Medicare? Are you frustrated? Confused? Or do you now understand why people find it so confusing?
Want more information on Medicare Supplemental Insurance? Click here to read more.
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Posted on August 26, 2011 by Erin
Are you social media savvy? A new report shows that half of all American adults are on social networks such as Facebook or Twitter. And use among baby boomers is continuing to grow. In fact, 32 percent of boomers say they use social networking sites every day. That’s 20 percent more than a just a year ago!
The rise in social media among older folks probably has a lot to do with parents and grandparents wanting to stay close to their loved ones. Sites such as Skype allow people to video conference so families can talk and see each other’s faces – many times for no cost to the consumer. With so many people relocating and not staying in place for too long, it’s no wonder why social networking is taking off in the adult community.
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Posted on August 25, 2011 by Erin
Are you someone who lived in the city when you were younger, got a little older, met someone special and moved out to the suburbs promising that when your kids were grown, you’d move back to the big city? Developers and home builders have been counting on the boomer generation to do just that. Unfortunately for them, this just isn’t the case. In fact, the major urban areas are losing people in their 50s and 60s.
So where are all the boomers going? They’re going nowhere and staying put in their homes that they are currently living in. Some think it’s due to the economy and some even think that the unemployed children of boomers living with their parents may have something to do with it. And it may simply be that people do not want to leave the home they started their family in. What about you? Do you plan on staying put or do you want to move back to the hustle and bustle of city life?
Want to stay in your home but want to access to the equity? A reverse mortgage may be right for you!
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Posted on August 24, 2011 by Erin
Imagine walking to your local bank to make a transaction and you find all of your accounts have been closed because you’ve been declared dead. It sounds impossible, but it happens more than you think. Each year, Social Security declares 14,000 wrongly dead. That averages out to 38 mistakes a day! While it may seem amusing at first, it’s no laughing matter. Mistaken death entries lead to Social Security benefit cutoffs and can result in the living person’s Social Security number being released in files available to the public.
For some people that have been declared dead by the Social Security Administration, the mistake has cost them financially too. One woman was accidentally entered into a funeral home’s death notice and therefore declared dead. She then racked up $400 of bounced check fees and never received the more than $1,000 in disability payments she was owed. Even when she was declared alive again, the administration refused to reimburse her. If you are ever declared dead, the first step is to find out who made the mistake then get a copy of your death certificate and fill out a form to amend it. You will probably also have to have the individual who reported your death, sign the certificate.
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Posted on August 23, 2011 by Erin
You would think that with Baby Boomers hitting their 60s, America would be ready to age with them. Think again. In a survey entitled, “The Maturing of America. Getting Communities on Track for an Aging Population,” it was found that only 46 percent of American communities have begun to address the needs of our aging population.
What are some changes that would help support the effort to make places more senior friendly? Things such as road signs that are easier to read, adjusting the timing on pedestrian crosswalks to allow for mobility impaired adults, supporting meal delivery services and creating community centers where older adults can easily access recreation are just a few ways to create a better environment for older adults. Click here to read the full report and see what’s being done to support communities maturing with their population.
Is your community prepared to age with you? What are some suggestions you would give your city planners to improve where you live?
Are you planning on living out your golden years in your current home or exploring other options? Check out your different options, here.
Looking for a way to stay in your home and tap into it’s equity? A reverse mortgage may be right for you.
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Posted on August 22, 2011 by Erin
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced last week that they will be extending the $625,000 maximum loan amount for a Reverse Mortgage through December of this year. There has been major support in pushing Congress to approve this extension. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, the temporary loan limits have benefited consumers and the housing market during these very turbulent times in our economy. With the extension, homeowners who live in high home value areas can continue to be approved for a loan of up to $625,000.
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Posted on August 19, 2011 by Erin
Do you find it difficult to simply “ride the storm” when it comes to the stock market and your investments? Most people do! It’s easy to want to see what impact the huge dips in the market do to your accounts even though we know the rule – If you don’t need the money anytime soon, leave it alone. Well, here’s some motivation to follow that rule of thumb if you still don’t think you can. It was reported that those who stuck with it in the madness that was 2008 and 2009, saw their 401k account balances increase more than those who took their money and ran
What did you do during that time period with your money? Did you leave it in your accounts or pull out? Are you happy with the decision you made?
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Need help with your investments? A financial planner may be a good option for you. See why, here.
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Posted on August 18, 2011 by Erin
So you’ve retired. You took your first trip and now the thrill of not going to work every morning is slowly turning into your new routine. What can you do to fill your time? How about volunteer work! Only 30 percent of boomers currently volunteer, but what a perfect time to start. Afterall, someone that is turning 65 this year, on general, can expect to live until they are 83. That’s a lot of time to fill so why not help out those in your community? You don’t have to put in long and strenuous hours to make a difference. A few hours a week doing something like reading to children in the hospital or helping to bathe or feed animals at your local shelter can really make a difference. And volunteering not only helps others, it also makes you feel good! Want more ideas on how you can volunteer your time? Check them out here.
Do you volunteer? Tell us what activities you do and how they impact your life and others!
How much longer until you can afford to retire so you can get started on changing the world by volunteering? Use our Retirement Calculator to find out!
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