Just_For_Seniors_11

just for

SENIORS 2011

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Be supplement savvy in the vitamin aisle FAMILY FEATURES

A walk down the vitamin aisle at your local pharmacy or grocery store can be confusing. There are so many options available that it can be difficult to choose between products and brands. How can you determine which vitamins are right for your individual needs? And how can you differentiate between the quality, purity and potency of products on the shelf ?

Suzy Cohen, America’s most trusted pharmacist, author and frequent television guest, understands the confusion people face when considering vitamins. “A recent study by the National Institutes of Health found that about 50 percent of the U.S. population use dietary supplements, a slight increase from previous studies,” Cohen said. “However, most users aren’t aware that all vitamins are not created equal, and you can’t always believe everything printed on a label.”

Cohen offers these tips to help you make smart decisions and get the most out of your vitamins.

Talk to your physician or pharmacist. It’s essential to consult with your medical professional before taking new vitamins. Talk about your goals, your lifestyle, current prescriptions and dietary supplements. He or she can recommend what you need, and in what dosages. “I only recommend brands that meet the highest standards of purity and potency, those that follow rigorous quality testing and verification programs, to ensure that what’s on the label is what’s in the bottle,” says Cohen. “That is why I recommend Nature Made vitamins and supplements, a brand I trust for safe and effective products that meet the highest standards in the industry.”

Look for the USP Verified Dietary Supple-

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ment mark. Seek brands that participate in third-party verification programs with such organizations as United States Pharmacopeia (USP), which has established federally recognized standards for dietary supplement quality, purity and potency. Finding this distinctive green and gold mark on a product label helps to assure consumers that the supplements they buy meet the quality standards they expect.

Think twice about chasing the latest headline. Sound health advice is generally based on research over time, not a single study.

Consider vitamins and minerals for overall health and be wary of results claiming a quick fix or one study suggesting a certain result.

Do your research. There are a number of helpful resources available: * Visit the American Academy of Family Physicians’ website, FamilyDoctor.org, for credible, physician-reviewed information on health and wellness topics, including the role vitamins and supplements can play in a healthy, active and balanced lifestyle. * United States Pharmacopeia’s “Choosing a Dietary Supplement” Interactive Educational Tool, www.usp.org/USPVerified. * Nature Made, www.naturemade.com, has helpful information, including a new Vitamin Assessment tool to help provide customized vitamin recommendations.

Read the label and follow dosage instructions carefully. Just as with prescriptions, follow the dosage instruction on the label. Look for any warning statements such as combining certain supplements with prescriptions or over-the-counter medicines. Be wary of claims that seem too good to be true.

Keep these tips in mind and you can walk the vitamin aisle with confidence and make savvy choices with ease.

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How to choose the right hearing aid FAMILY FEATURES

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FAMILY FEATURES

Technological advances have made it possible to house full wireless connectivity in one small hearing aid - at the push of a button, you can connect a hearing device to telephones, TV, MP3 music players and other audio transmitters.

n e i n eve r y t e n Americans has hearing loss. Yet research indicates that most wait up to ten years before seeking help. While 95 percent of Americans with hearing loss could be successfully treated with hearing aids, only 22 percent currently use them.

Often neglected due to the stigma associated with the condition, hearing loss can create social and emotional barriers for the individuals living with it, or the families of those it affects. When left untreated, hearing loss can lead to reduced earning power, disruptions in family life and can cause a wide range of other psychological problems.

If you are experiencing

hearing loss, speak to a local hearing health professional who can do a full hearing screening and walk you through available solutions. Modern hearing aids are small, comfortable, nearly invisible and work with digital technology to ensure better sound quality and even wireless connectivity. The Audéo S Smar t by Phonak, for example, is the world’s smallest hearing system with full wireless functionality - allowing you to connect to telephones, TV, MP3 music players and other audio transmitters at the push of a button. Modern hearing devices improve hearing ability, speech recognition and hearing comfort and have made it possible for those who need a hearing aid to wear their

devices with ease and confidence.

The earlier you recognize hearing loss and take action, the earlier you are able to recover your hearing ability and increase your quality of life. There are two basic types of hearing aids: • Custom models are made to fit the shape of your ear canal for maximum benefit, cosmetic appeal and the best possible comfort. These models are suitable for mild to severe hearing loss.

• Behind-the-ear models are available for all degrees of hearing loss and can be worn comfortably behind the ear. Incoming signals are amplified and transmitted into the ear via very small, unobtrusive tubes.

If it’s time to improve

your hearing with a hearing aid, or you need to upgrade to a new one, here are three easy steps to choosing the one that’s right for you.

• Step 1: Consult with a hearing health professional or ENT doctor When deciding what hearing aid is best for you, it is important to consider the degree of hearing loss you have, the shape of your ear canals, your personal needs, your taste and your budget. Your local hearing health professional or ENT doctor can help you answer these questions.

• Step 2: Have your hearing aids fitted Your hearing health professional will adjust your hearing aid to your hearing loss and your hearing preferences. Over the first

few days, you should wear it for a few hours per day to familiarize yourself with it. Take note on how you feel in different hearing situations. Additional fine-tuning might be necessary after your initial fitting.

• Step 3: Using your new hearing aids Just like glasses or contact lenses, a hearing aid can feel strange at first.

This will change. Give yourself a little time to get used to it. You will learn how to make the best use of your hearing aid and will soon be enjoying all the benefits it has to offer.

However, if you experience any problems or pain, please contact your local hearing health professional.

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Working after retirement

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here’s no longer a magic number for retirement.

Some people find that they want to work past the traditional retirement age, while others discover they need to. In addition, some retirees discover that they actually liked working and want to return to work rather than settle into retirement.

Sixty-five is no longer the required age to stop working. In fact, many people are foregoing retirement and staying with the workforce.

Why? No single reason applies to everyone, but finances often come into

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play.

Thanks to a troubled economy that has carried over into the workplace, pensions and severance packages are no longer the norm for retiring workers.

When faced with the prospect of reduced funds and dwindling Social Security benefits, many choose to simply keep on working.

Furthermore, individuals who retire before 65 are often faced with finding their own health insurance plans because Medicare doesn’t start until age 65.

Even still, high prescription costs for chronic conditions can exceed the allowance of

Medicare. Employee insurance plans tend to have better options, and that often factors into an employee’s retirement decision.

There are many people who continue working because they actually enjoy it, and not because of some financial necessity.

Working tends to keep the mind shar p and helps seniors feel like contributing members of society.

According to a study conducted by the American Psychiatric Association, retirees who continued to work in a bridge job (meanPlease see WORK, Page 9

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METRO SERVICES PHOTO

Brushing up on computer skills and drafting a new resume can help older adults successfully re-enter the work force after retirement.

The UPSIDE to getting older

The standard for people entering their golden years has long been to fib about their ages. Growing older hasn’t always been seen as a positive. But increasing perks for seniors have made it more advanta g eous for older adults to be proud of their age.

It used to be that a senior discount meant a reduced fare on the bus or a couple of cents saved on that morning cup of coffee. However, as more of the Baby METRO SERVICES PHOTO Boomer generation Seniors can receive discounts on everything from cof- enters retirement years, businesses are fee to plane fares. All it takes is an inquiry.

catering to Boomers’ active lifestyles with discounts and perks in a variety of ways.

“It pays to do a little research, especially at stores where you shop frequently,” says Albert, a retail store manager in New York. “They don’t often advertise their discounts, but many stores do have a policy for senior savings if you simply ask.”

D i s c o u n t s m ay vary by franchise or retailer, so it’s important to inquire with customer service or the manager about age requirements and the percentages off purchases. Stores like Kohl’s offer discounts on a certain day of the week. Other businesses may have a standard percentage that they

take off regardless of the day or time the purchases are being made. Dunkin Donuts, KB Toys, Banana Republic, and many other retailers offer anywhere from 10 to 15 percent off on purchases. That can add up to considerable savings, especially for older adults living on fixed incomes.

And individuals need not be retirement age to reap store perks. Some businesses offer discounts for customers over the age of 62.

Many others start the cutoff at 50 to 55.

The earlier Boomers find out about discounts, the sooner they can start saving.

Stores aren’t the only ones offering

perks to seniors, either. Discounts may be available on airline flights and other modes of transportation.

Reduced rates on hotel rooms, car rentals and other travel industry items are also available.

Community services may be made possible for seniors as well, including low- or no-cost financial counseling.

Health companies also may have discounted programs for seniors, including fitness clubs, prescription programs and therapy. Anyone age 50 and up is eligible for enrollment i n A A R P, w h i c h boasts its own collection of discounts and recommended businesses.

Let’s not forget

senior housing, which h a s evo l ve d w ay beyond the retirement communities of the past. Today’s senior living facilities often boast state-ofthe-art fitness centers, theaters, pools, transportation for shopping, recreational activities, and much more in addition to the steeply reduced purchase price for a home. Retirement homes are often several thousand dollars cheaper than an onpar house of similar size sold to a younger buyer.

Before anyone 50 years or older pays full price when shopping, dining out or traveling, he or she should investigate whether there are discounts in place that can quickly add up to savings.

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Inspired dinner dates at home

FAMILY FEATURES

This couple enjoys a restuarant meal delivered to their door giving ‘the cook’ the night off.

FAMILY FEATURES

It is challenging to make meals at home for two that are fun, delicious and restaurant quality, but no one can eat out every night without breaking the bank.

Having restaurant-inspired meals at home brings the fun to you in a budgetfriendly, exciting new way without ever leaving home.

Here are some ways to have delicious restaurant meals at home while making time for your significant other: Make a Date. Pick a night of the week and set it aside as date night. No appointments, no meetings with friends, and no distractions (like phones or emails).

Clearing the schedule and making time for your spouse a priority communicates just how important it is.

Restaurant Meals DelivT6

ered to Your Door. Give the cook the night off and enjoy the great taste of take-out without ever leaving home thanks to Schwan’s Home Service.

Award-winning chef Jet Tila, master of Asianfusion cuisine, has a new line of frozen meals that are ready to serve in 30 minutes or less, and use a new patented steam technology to lock in the nutrients, quality and taste of the food. Available exclusively through Schwan’s Home Service, you can enjoy traditionally-inspired Asian cuisine for less than you could spend on a meal out. Chef Jet’s restaurantquality Asian meals are “flash frozen” to lock in great taste. For more information visit www.schwans. com/chefjet, and www. schwans.com for the full line of 350 plus offerings.

Plan a Picnic. Pack up a picnic basket with a restaurant-inspired dinner and get some good wine or soft drinks. Grab a blanket, some candles and music and you have the makings for a sweet and simple dinner in the back yard. And if the weather’s not cooperating, dim the lights inside and set up your picnic in the living room.

Have a Movie-Themed Meal. What’s on your mustsee list that you can rent or stream? “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”? Try Salmon Teriyaki or Chicken Lo Mein. Feeling Italian? Try watching “Roman Holiday” and serving Six Cheese Tortellini or Pasta Primavera. The possibilit i e s a re e n d l e s s w i t h Schwan’s Home Service have fun matching up your favorite flicks with delicious dinners.

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Best exercises for the over-50 crowd

The human body needs exercise to operate at full capacity. Exercise is important at any age, but can be particularly beneficial for individuals in their golden years. The key is finding exercises that are both safe and effective.

Benefits of Exercise The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 28 to 44 percent of seniors ages 65 to 75 are inactive, meaning they don’t get enough daily exercise for optimal health. Studies indicate that there are many reasons that seniors should engage in regular exercise.

• It can help stave off illness and chronic conditions by keeping the immune system healthy.

• It paves the way for better sleep, including falling asleep easier and sleeping more deeply.

• Exercise releases natural

endorphins, which help a person feel good about him or herself and can boost mood.

• Regular exercise can promote weight loss, especially when done in conjunction with a healthy diet.

• Improved muscle tone can take pressure off of joints and help with mobility.

• Research indicates that exercise can boost brain function and keep dementia at bay.

• When participating in social exercise, seniors realize companionship and stress relief.

• Exercise can keep systems of the body in check, reducing constipation and helping circulatory issues.

Engaging In the Right Exercises While it may have been the norm to do multiple, rigorous repetitions of exercises during one’s youth, older adults should employ different strat-

egies. Certain exercises are better than others and can help reduce the risk of injury.

Before starting any type of exercise regimen, seniors should talk with a physician about the pros and cons of certain activities. The doctor may be able to provide guidance as to which activities are better for specific conditions a person has. For example, an individual with arthritis may want to seek low-impact workouts, such as water aerobics.

Once a doctor gives the goahead, here are some exercises many 50+ people can try.

• Wa l k i n g : Wa l k i n g remains one of the best exercises for people of any age.

The pace and resistance can be set by each individual by walking faster or slower, uphill or downhill. Adding light weights can make the workout even more effective.

Walking is also easier on the legs and knees than jogging,

but can be just as effective a cardiovascular workout.

• Leg extensions: Repetitions of leg extensions stretch the muscles of the legs and flex the knee joint. This can promote longevity of the knees and keep knee replacements at bay.

• Swimming: Enrolling in a local gym or YMCA that has a pool can be a boon to seniors.

Swimming is a low-impact workout that targets most areas of the body as well as providing a cardiovascular workout. Plus, since swimming can be relaxing and enjoyable, it’s an exercise that many people don’t mind doing.

• Strength training: Moderate weight lifting can keep muscles strong and promote a healthy metabolism, consider-

ing muscle burns more calories than fat.

• Endurance exercise: Just about any activity that gets the heart rate up for an extended period of time is good for the body. This can be raking leaves, mowing the lawn, walking, bicycling, playing a game of catch, etc. Be sure the doctor cleans any such activities beforehand.

Who's part of the Meals on Wheels Family?

We get calls from mothers, fathers, sons, daughters,

and more who need help. We also get calls from pre-teens, thirty-somethings, retirees, and others who want to help.

Meals on Wheels provides nutritious, reliable meals to people who need them for health and independence.

We also provide ancillary services such as holiday remembrances and Meals for Pets. Just as we serve more than one age group, we need all generations to make hunger relief happen.

Route drivers urgently needed for Tri-Cities meal deliveries

Whether you want to fund meal deliveries, give time to others, or know someone who needs our services, our family is just a call or visit away.

feedmore.org • 804-673-5035 • Contact us today to become part of our family too!

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Learning to live on a fixed income

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ifficult financial times have forced many people young and old to alter their lifestyles in order to stay afloat financially.

Though unemployment has garnered most of the headlines as the economy has struggled the last several years, it’s not just men and women of working age who have felt the pinch.

In a 2010 study from the University of Michigan Law School, researchers found that people age 65 and older are the fastestgrowing segment of the U.S. population seeking bankruptcy protection.

While there’s no single culprit for the rise in bankr u p t cy f i l i n g s a m o n g seniors, the state of Florida could offer valuable insight

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as to why the nation’s older citizens are increasingly filing for bankruptcy.

Many retirees call Florida home, and in the past such retirees could tap into their home equity whenever they began to struggle financially. However, like most of the country, Florida’s housing market is depressed, making it less viable for seniors to tap into their home equity to solve their financial problems. In fact, according to a study by the Administrative Of fice of the U.S. Courts, bankruptcy filings increased by 118 percent in states where the home price index decreased.

For many seniors fearful of financial struggles, living on a fixed income can be a helpful way of ensuring their future does not

involve filing for bankruptcy. Though living on a fixed income is a definite challenge and certainly offers no guarantee that bankruptcy can be avoided, it does provide a framework seniors can rely on to keep their heads above water during difficult economic times.

• Make an honest assessment. Living on a fixed income involves being honest with yourself and a d m i t t i n g wh a t yo u r resources truly are. Write d ow n a ny s o u rc e s o f income, including Social Security payments, pension payouts, investments, etc.

Then write down how much money you have in savings or print out a statem e n t o f a l l s av i n g s accounts.

Once you have an accu-

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rate figure of both income and savings, write down all your monthly expenses, including all expenses, no matter how minute they may seem. From here you can determine just how much you can spend each month.

• Prioritize spending habits. Some expenses, including medications and monthly utility bills, will always remain a top priority. However, men and women who must begin living on a fixed income need to prioritize how they spend their discretionary funds.

For instance, a membership at the local country club can cost several thousands of dollars per year, whereas the local public golf course only charges players each time they play.

While the country club

might have a better course, it could be more prudent to choose the public course and save the cost of a private membership instead.

• Find it for free. Men and women pay for many services each month that they could very well find for free.

For example, in addition to books, many local libraries now allow members to check out CDs and DVDs at no cost. The same also goes for magazines. Instead of paying a monthly subscription cost, visit the local library and read the magazines there for free. If the local library does not have your favorite periodical, the content could very well be available for free online.

• Expect the unexpected.

One of the worst things that can happen to a person on a fixed income is to encounter

an unexpected cost. This can include an unforeseen hospital visit, a costly auto repair or even inflation that wasn’t factored into your initial fixed income budget.

Men and women on fixed incomes should expect such emergencies and save accordingly each month.

Saving money should never go out of style, and those on fixed incomes should still attempt to save money each month. Coming in under budget and making the most of it can make the difference between capably handling an emergency or being forced to consider unattractive alternatives such as filing for bankruptcy.

For more information on living on a fixed income, visit the AARP at www. aarp.org.

Help fight fraud

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eniors are too often victimized by telemarketing fraud. Studies from the American Association of Retired Persons have shown that many elderly fraud victims simply don’t suspect the person soliciting money on the phone could be a criminal.

The FBI reports that there are as many as 14,000 illegal telemarketing operations going on at any given time. These illegal operations generate as much as $40 billion a year. Relatives of seniors are understandably concerned, particularly if those seniors live alone and no one is around to monitor how many calls they’re receiving from telemarketers. Concerned relatives can share the following information with seniors to reduce their loved ones’ risks of being victimized by telemarketing fraud.

• Legitimate marketers are not in a rush to sell products or secure donations. A legitimate marketer or charity will not try to pressure prospective buyers into making a purchase over the phone or prospective donors into making immediate contributions. Explain to seniors that a legitimate marketer will accept a person’s desire for written information about the products or charity and will gladly send such information to a prospective buyer or donor’s home.

• Payments are typically not picked up by a courier service. Telemarketing fraudsters often employ couriers to pick up payments. This is not the action of a reputable charity or business, and seniors

should never agree to buy a product or donate money to any telemarketer who offers to send a courier to their home to pick up payment.

• Sweepstakes cannot legally require payment to win a prize. It is not legal for contests or sweepstakes to require “winners” pay a fee before they can enter a contest or claim a prize. Seniors should be made aware that this is the law and that any contest or sweepstakes demanding payment is bogus.

• Be especially wary of companies offering to recover money paid to fraudulent telemarketers in the past. Companies offering to recover past money lost to fraud are often fraudulent themselves. These companies will offer their fraudulent services for a fee.

• Money lost to a fraudulent telemarketer is likely lost forever. Men and women concerned about elderly friends or relatives being victimized by telemarketing fraud should explain to their loved ones that money lost in a telemarketing scam is not likely to be recovered. This should help highlight the importance of receiving official documentation from any telemarketers before buying a product or making a donation. If seniors are aware their money isn’t likely to be recovered should it be going to a criminal, they are much less likely to make hasty decisions over the phone.

To learn more about fraud, visit the National Consumer League’s Fraud Center at www.fraud.org.

WORK

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ing part time or temporary employment) experienced fewer major diseases and fewer functional limitations than those who fully retired. Researchers considered only physician-diagnosed health problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, lung disease, heart disease, stroke and psychiatric problems.

Those thinking of remaining in the work force can check with employers to see if retirement is mandatory or voluntary.

Seniors re-entering the workforce may want to brush up on some skills and reconnect with former employers or colleagues to make the transition easier. Here are some other strategies to consider.

• Refurbish your resume. Focus on what things you can do rather than what you did in the past. You may be up against younger applicants and will have to make a case for your hire.

• Be flexible. You may need health benefits more so than a high salary. You can work with an employer to develop a compensation package that is mutually beneficial.

• Develop computer skills. Today’s work environment relies heavily on computer

skills. It is unwise for you to think you’ll get by on experience alone. Obtain a rudimentary education in computer usage and common office programs, which can set you apart from other older applicants.

• Know there’s nothing to prove. Retirees have the benefit of taking their time and finding the right fit in a post-retirement job.

Unless money is an issue, shop around until you find the job that appeals to you, even if it’s part-time or for a lower salary.

Social security funds running out U.S. Congressional predictions say that Social Security funds will run out by 2037, with a deficit each and every year until that time. Many financial experts blame the poor economy for the disparity between payroll taxes collected and Social Security benefits paid out, the theory being that a poor economy resulted in more l ayo f f s a n d l e s s c o l l e c t e d m o n e y through payroll. A debt commission has already been appointed by President Obama to establish ideas that can get Social Security back on track.

Still, the wise person should not rely

on Social Security alone to fund his or her retirement. That means it will be up to personal savings and investment plans to manage during retirement. Most people aspire to live on 75 percent of their current income during retirement. When factoring for life expectancy and inflation, that could mean a few million dollars will be needed in savings to comfortably take a person through the 20 odd years of retirement living. For those who haven’t yet started to save, it’s best to get started.

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Understanding and preventing osteoporosis

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ost adults recall a time or times when their mothers insisted they drink their milk. Though it might not have been preferred at the time, adults might now recognize Mom was doing her best to help her kids build and maintain strong bones.

Those who didn’t listen to Mommy dearest might find themselves among the 44 million Americans whom the National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates live with osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and increases the risk of unexpected fractures.

But why milk? While milk alone won’t prevent osteoporosis, dairy products like milk are rich in calcium, an essential nutrient for building and maintaining strong bones. In addition, getting an early start is especially important, as the NOF notes that roughly 85-90 percent of adult bone mass is acquired by age 18 in girls and age 20 in boys. Though this still might not inspire kids to pour themselves a glass of milk, perhaps a better understanding of osteoporosis and its potentially debilitating effects can inspire adults and children alike to do all they can to prevent the onset of osteoporosis.

WHAT IS OSTEOPOROSIS?

rosis. When osteoporosis has established itself, the bones have weakened and become thin and are highly susceptible to fracture. For example, it’s not impossible for a person with osteoporosis to lift a bag of groceries and break a bone or suffer a collapsed vertebra in the back. Such a task might otherwise seem trivial, but to a person with osteoporosis, no physical activity is without risk.

Osteoporosis is often mistaken as a condition that only affects little old ladies.

While osteoporosis is most common in older women, anyone can develop it. As many as half of all women and a quarter of men older than 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis, which many men and women are not even aware they have until that initial injury occurs.

CAN OSTEOPOROSIS BE PREVENTED?

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A PERSON HAS OSTEOPOROSIS?

Fortunately, osteoporosis and any resulting fractures can often be prevented. As previously mentioned, thanks to bone mass development it’s important for parents to encourage kids to increase the amount of calcium in their diet. Milk and dairy products, preferably low fat versions; dark g reen leafy ve getables (including broccoli, collards and kale); and calcium-fortified orange juice are great sources of calcium.

Another way to prevent osteoporosis is to exercise regularly. Routine exercise helps strengthen bones and muscles and prevent bone loss. Weight-bearing exercises, which include walking, jogging and even dancing, done three to four times a week are the best for preventing osteoporosis.

When discussing osteoporosis, it’s best to first discuss osteopenia, a silent condition the precedes osteoporosis, often robbing bones of their strength. Osteopenia is related to bone mineral density, which measures the levels of minerals in the bones. When BMD levels are low, a person is said to have osteopenia, which can, and often does, gradually become osteoporosis.

Osteopenia is akin to an accomplished art thief.

Methodical and often unnoticed, osteopenia exhibits no physical signs, and even the most physically active people could have osteopenia and not know it. The first warning sign could be a fractured bone.

When a person has fractured a bone, he or she might already have osteopo-

Strength and balance exercises also help avoid falling, decreasing the risk of broken bones.

Adequate calcium is necessary to prevent osteoporosis, but men and women must also make sure to include vitamin D in their diet. Vitamin D, which can be found in eggs, fatty fish (including salmon), cereal, and even some supplements, is necessary for the body to absorb calcium. Research continues to indicate that people are simply not getting enough vitamin D. Discuss vitamin D with a physician to determine the best way to get more of it in your daily diet. A vitamin D supplement might be the most viable option.

To lear n more about osteoporosis, visit the National Osteoporosis Foundation at www.nof.org.

METRO SERVICES PHOTO

An activity as simple as a walk in the park can help men and women reduce their risk for osteoporosis.

Wellness is the result of superior, personalized care Hopewell Health Care Center is the leading provider of post acute care and long term living in the Tri-Cities area.

To schedule a visit of our facility, or for more information, please call

458-6325

905 Cousins Avenue in Hopewell • right off I-295

www.care-virginia.com/hopewell

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Dating after 50 The rules have largely remained the same

Men and women who die without a will do not automatically have their assets seized by the government.

When men and women die without a will, they leave what is known as intestacy.

The only time a deceased person’s assets end up with the government is when the deceased has no living next of kin. Should a man or woman with living family or dependents perish without a will, a formula is then used to distribute the

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deceased’s assets. While this formula ensures family or dependents get some of the deceased person’s assets, it does not necessarily mean the deceased’s wishes will be honored. To ensure their wishes are honored, a person must have a will in place. Otherwise, the formula will be used to distribute assets.

Contrary to popular belief, children do not have to be born from legal marriage to share in the distribution

of assets. What’s more, laws have changed to include de facto partners in the distribution of assets when the deceased leaves no will.

P rev i o u s ly, t h i s o n ly applied to spouses. However, now same sex-couples have entitlements when their partners die without a will. To determine the rules of asset distribution when a man or woman dies without a will, consult an attorney.

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Some of the same concepts apply whether you’re dating at 50 or at 20. single acquaintances. People can participate in activities they enjoy and chat with others who share the same likes. Simply being friendly and getting the word out that there is an interest in dating may help.

• Get a makeover. Now may be the time to explore some new wardrobe options or experiment with a different haircut. Potential mates will likely want a date who looks put together and current. Although you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, most people still do.

• Remember to be safe. Those who plan to date and become sexually active should take precautions against diseases -- they don’t discriminate based on age. Keep in mind that, although rare, pregnancies are possible even for a women in her 50s if she hasn’t yet gone through menopause. Individuals may find themselves at the pharmacy once again sheepishly purchasing condoms.

• Realize it may take time. Finding the right match may take several dates and patience. Just because a person is now older doesn’t mean he or she has to be desperate and accept the first person who comes along.

If there’s no chemistry, say so and move on.

Once that special person is found, it will be worth the effort.

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growing number of people entering the world of dating are over the age of 50. While some things have changed since they did this the first time around, the rules of dating have largely remained the same.

During an episode of the popular sitcom, “Seinfeld,” George Costanza experiences extreme anxiety from the thought of his recently separated mother being “out there” in the dating world.

“I’m out there,” offers Estelle.

“No, you’re not! Because I’m out there, and if I see you out there, there’s not enough voltage in the universe to electroshock me back into coherency,” George says.

However, the fact remains that many seniors are re-entering the dating world after divorces or the death of a spouse. Some eternal bachelors and bachelorettes may have never left.

For those about to re-enter the dating game in their senior years, these tips and tidbits may help make the process a bit easier.

• Use dating sites. For those shy about simply mingling in the singles’ social scene, online sites offer a measure of anonymity and can take away some of the pressure.

Plus they enable daters to pool from a wide array of potential mates. Dating sites also give those seeking mates a chance to learn a little about what makes the other person tick, which can be a good starting point for conversation when a date is eventually set.

• The numbers are favorable for men.

Senior men entering the dating world have an easier time of finding a potential date simply because there are more women than men in the senior age bracket. Women tend to live longer than men, which widens the dating pool for gentlemen.

• Use tried and true tactics. Some of the same ways people landed a date in the past remain the best ways to land one now. Individuals can ask to be set up by friends with

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