SENIOR LIVING

A Career Restart after 50

Written by DANA PEVELER. Executive Director of Senior Living—Leisure Living Communities

“But do you think I’m too old to start a career like that at 55?” Even as I said it, I felt myself bracing for the scolding I was about to take. My friend, shutting me right down said, “Good Heavens, NO! You have 10, 20, maybe even 30 years left to do it! Why would you cheat yourself out of all that joy?” I’m all about aging gracefully, but let’s be honest, at frst, you don’t feel like there’s anything graceful about it! No, I’m not saying we’re less than enough, because we certainly are not! I’m saying we’re changing again – this is just another stage of life! Along with the physical changes, our priorities, goals, and dreams begin to transform. It isn’t surprising that we may also start considering a career change to make a way for realizing those. It’s terrifying, though. Especially in this uncertain climate we’ve found ourselves in. That’s a notable diference between our younger years and now - we have life experience that has taught us to be more calculated and reserved about our choices. Fortunately, we likely have some luxuries afording us more options in this period of our lives. We’re emptynesters which opens up all kinds of scheduling options; our experiences have helped us to distinctly identify our likes and dislikes; we have the fnancial resources to invest in our new goals; and we’re motivated by joy more than need! So how does one press that big, fat, red, restart button? For me it was with shaky fngers and eyes clinched shut! For some, it comes after taking time of after retirement, traveling a bit, visiting kids and grandkids, realizing there’s only so much fshing, golf, gardening, and reading one can do before the decision is made to reenter the workforce. For others, the plans are made while continuing to work in their current feld. According to the Department of Labor, between the years of 2014 and 2024, there is an expected growth rate of 55% for those 65-74 years of age returning to work, and an even greater 86% for those 75 and over! Why? There are lots of reasons folks want to retire and change gears! It could be that your health is pushing you to reduce your hours, or your stress. Does this make you less valuable? It most defnitely does not! You still hold within you all the experience, the wisdom, the skillsets, the talent, the expertise … and when you recreate yourself, remember to include those insights when you’re discussing what you bring to the table with another employer. Write it down, put it in your resume, on your LinkedIn profle, join social media groups that help keep you focused … practice your speech (out loud) for when they ask you why you’re

making the career change. The right employer will see what prime real estate you are! It may be that you’ve worked for someone else all your career and want to turn a hobby, new trade, or even a new interest into a business of your own! To create exactly what you’ve always wanted to do, on your terms - what a wonderful new season that can bring! There are many resources out there to help someone become a small business owner! Start with the Small Business Administration in your area. https://www.sba.gov. Maybe you want to learn something completely diferent than anything you’ve ever done. Even if it means going back to school for a period of time, you’re going to be here those years anyway, may as well use them to work toward your goals! Depending on your age, there are large discounts, and even programs that are completely cost-free at local colleges, and online. Decide what you want to do, look up online, or ask someone you know what’s required, and then start talking to the providers of those programs. Calling any trade school, college, or university and asking a few questions can set you well on your way. Know, though, that you may need to lower your fnancial expectations with your career change. After all, you spent years building your salary and now you’re starting over. Fortunately, retirement makes that manageable. However, before you take the fnal plunge, discuss with your fnancial advisor how it will impact you. There may be considerations with Social Security, Medicare, or Health Insurance that you’ll want to be aware of. If you can’t imagine where to begin, make an appointment with a career counselor. You can reach out to your local career center for guidance. There are courses you can take on sites like LinkedIn. They’ll even review your resume for you – for free if you want them to, and help you rewrite it if necessary. Don’t know how to use social networks? That’s okay, too! Find a tech savvy person, and have them help you. Whatever your reasons for hitting that restart button, whether it came unexpectedly, or it was planned as a way to spend more time with your grandkids, fulfll that life-long dream, or put a little extra play money in the bank, embrace it! You’re in a good group! Colonel Sanders, Julia Child, Dame Judi Dench, Ray Kroc, John Glenn, Martha Stewart, and President Ronald Reagan are just a few of those who made career changes late in life, some more than once! In fact, I think I’ll follow President Reagan’s lead when he said, “Thomas Jeferson once said, ‘We should never judge a president by his age, only by his works.’ And ever since he told me that, I stopped worrying.” OL

Keeping Pets Safe in the Garden

If you have pets that enjoy spending time outdoors, it’s important to make sure your yard is a safe place for them to be. Consider these hazards that can negatively impact the well-being of your furry friends.

POISONOUS PLANTS:

Some common plants can be dangerous for animals, causing anything from mild oral irritations and upset stomachs to cardiovascular damage and even death. For example, these are some of the toxic plants the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has identifed as harmful for either cats or dogs:

Aloe – can cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, anorexia and depression Azalea – can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, weakness, coma, cardiovascular collapse and death Burning bush – can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and weakness, as well as heart rhythm abnormalities with large doses Caladium – can cause burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting and difculty swallowing Daylilies – can cause kidney failure in cats Hibiscus – can cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and anorexia

MULCH AND COMPOST:

The decomposing elements that make compost good can be bad for pets, according to the National Garden Society. Keep compost in a secure container or fenced of area so pets can’t get to it. Cocoa mulch can be a particular problem for dogs. A byproduct of chocolate production, cocoa mulch can cause digestive problems and even seizures in dogs. Shredded pine or cedar mulch is a safer choice.

FERTILIZER AND INSECTICIDES:

The chemicals used to get rid of pests or make your lawn lush can be toxic to pets. Some of the most dangerous pesticides include snail bait with metaldehyde, fy bait with methomyl, systemic insecticides with disyston or disulfoton, mole or gopher bait with zinc phosphide and most forms of rat poison, according to the ASPCA. Follow all instructions carefully, and store pesticides and fertilizers in a secure area out of the reach of animals.

FLEAS AND TICKS:

In addition to using appropriate fea and tick prevention methods such as collars and sprays, make sure your yard isn’t a welcoming environment for these pests. Keep the lawn trimmed and remove brush and detritus, where feas and ticks often lurk. Fleas can cause hair loss, scabs, excessive scratching, tapeworms and anemia. Ticks can do all of that, plus bring you and your family in contact with diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease.

Find more tips for keeping pets safe in your yard at eLivingtoday.com. OL

COPING WITH ANXIETY AS WE RETURN TO NORMAL

AS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC CALMS DOWN, A NEW WAVE OF EMOTIONAL CHALLENGES MAY BE BEGINNING FOR SOME. RETURNING TO “NORMAL” AFTER TWO YEARS OF ISOLATING OR WORKING FROM HOME MAY FEEL OVERWHELMING.

Chesley Jones, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner for Owensboro Health, said he expects many employees returning to inperson work may have mild anxiety, even if they did not have it before the pandemic. The change may be particularly challenging for those who already struggle with generalized anxiety, social anxiety or panic disorders. “In mental health, we often talk with our patients about mindfulness,” Jones said. “In essence, being aware of your own body and how your body reacts and interacts with the environment around you. Also, we frequently work to identify specifc triggers to learn how your body responds to them.” Ideally, if you recognize when your anxiety is escalating, you can use healthy coping skills to avoid more severe symptoms. Common symptoms of escalated anxiety may be elevated heart rate, heart palpitations, increased respirations, fushing of the face, feeling on edge or irritable and poor concentration. Jones recommends deep breathing exercises to help ease these symptoms. “An example of this would be taking slow deep breaths in through the nose over three to fve seconds, holding for three to fve seconds, and then slowly releasing through the mouth over three to fve seconds,” he said. “This works to slow your breathing and heart rate, and focusing on your breathing can distract you from triggers and help to lower anxiety.” Other helpful tips include: » Make healthier choices at the table and eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Monitoring carbohydrates and limiting cafeine levels is especially important. Cafeine is a stimulant that can increase heart rate and anxiety. » Adding exercise routines can be very benefcial. Going to the gym in the morning before starting your workday can help work out built-up energy or anxiety. » Get a good night’s rest. Develop healthy sleep hygiene habits and establish routines to help you wind down. Have a warm shower or bath in the evening and avoid cafeine for at least 6 hours before bed. Leave your phone or other electronics out of your bedtime routine, as the light from these devices can stimulate the mind and make it difcult to fall asleep. If you lay in bed longer than 15 minutes without falling asleep, get up and go to the bathroom or sit on the couch for a few minutes to rest and then lay back down. » Consider Yoga or other forms of meditation. » Use a support system. Whether your support system is family, a close friend, or a pastor at church, it is important to vent your feelings and struggles. Sometimes, getting it of your chest can go a long way to help. Check with your employer to see what counseling services are available. » Use the free resources at HealthyMind.CredibleMind.com, a mental health platform with access to thousands of tools to support emotional wellbeing and strengthen mental health. For anxiety that does not improve using the tips above, talk to your primary care provider about medication options. There are many options shown to be efective in treating symptoms associated with anxiety. If you’re struggling with anxiety, contact your primary care provider or reach out to a counselor. You can also call or text the RiverValley Crisis Line 24/7 at 1-800-433-7291. OL