Senior Living u Interesting ways to enjoy travel u Getting outdoors can have positive effects on your overall health u Great part-time jobs for retirees u How to avoid heat stroke on hot summer days u Tips to improve memory u Adopting a dog or cat later in life u How empty nesters can transform their homes u Coping with an empty nest
June 22, 2019 A special publication of
THE ROGERSVILLE
REVIEW
2 • Senior Living • June 22, 2019 | The Rogersville Review
Interesting ways to enjoy travel Travel is a way to see the world, meet new people and experience various cultures. Seniors increasingly embrace travel because they have both the time and the means to take vacations. Research indicates that traveling is at the top of the list of interests motivating today’s men and women over the age of 50. Seniors are perhaps the most likely demographic to indulge their love of traveling. Retirement leaves lots of time for recreation, and many choose to spend that time on the road. Those in the travel industry understand that men and women over 50 comprise a large percentage of their customers and have catered many travel packages toward this influential demographic. The following is a look at some of the more popular travel opportunities for men and women over 50. Genealogical tourism. This is one of the fastest-growing markets in vacation travel. Genealogical tourism involves individuals traveling to areas of historical significance for their families, such as churches where past relatives may have married and villages where grandparents or cousins once resided or were employed. This can create a tangible link to one’s past and open up more opportunities to learn the varied genealogical history that has shaped a family, and even one’s personal identity.
Extended vacations. Seniors may have the capacity to devote more time to travel and not be caged in by strict time constraints. That makes them eligible for extended vacations. These can include long-term rentals in tropical locales, several-week sightseeing cruises or guided tours overseas that touch on several different countries or cities during the trip. Enjoy a relaxing seaside trip. A seaside vacation can be the perfect trip for seniors who want to put their feet up and sip some cocktails while watching the waves lap the shores. Many beach resorts offer all-inclusive packages for different age groups. Meals, excursions and hotel rooms can be bundled into one affordable, confusion-free price. • Go cruising. Speaking of allinclusive vacationing, cruising seems tailor-made for those ages 50 and older because it offers the convenience of accommodations, food, entertainment, and transportation all in one. The various activities offered on the ship mean travelers can find ways to spend their time how they see fit. Cruising couples can opt to spend all of their time on the ship enjoying carefully
prepared meals and entertainment or disembark and explore the various ports of call along the way. Road trips rule. Taking to the highways and byways is an excellent way to see the country. Seniors can customize their routes depending on which places they want to visit. RV travel can be as comfortable or as rustic as travelers prefer. Many seniors spend months traveling in their campers, which offer many of the same amenities of home. Campsites and special RV hook-up sites offer the other necessities of traveling the open road. Off the beaten path. Adventurous travelers may not be content to stick to the resort lifestyle or standard vacation options. Active men and women over 50 are charting their own vacation courses with bucket list-style vacations that may be off the beaten path. Travelers who have always aspired to climb a mountain or see a rain forest may be inclined to realize
these goals as they get older. Nontraditional tours can include living like indigenous peoples or following the footsteps of early explorers. All-inclusive tours. All-inclusive packages remain a popular option for travelers of all ages. These vacation packages charge one price for accommodations, entertainment, sightseeing, food, and many other amenities. All-inclusive vacations remove some of the headaches associated with organizing various components of travel so that a person can focus on relaxation and having fun. Singles meets. Single vacationers over 50 may want to meet other men or women in their age bracket in the hopes of finding romance. These vacations double as relationship mixers and give men and women the opportunity to mingle with others in similar situations without the pressure of traditional dating.
The Rogersville Review | Senior Living • June 22, 2019 3
Great part-time jobs for retirees Many retirees continue to work to fill their time and make a little extra money along the way.
Getting outdoors can have positive effects on your overall health
Living close to nature and spending time outside has wide-ranging health benefits, including a reduced risk for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature death, preterm birth, stress, and high blood pressure. Researchers cannot pinpoint exactly why people who spend ample time in greenspaces enjoy better health. However, the benefits appear to be so wide-ranging as to suggest that people who currently do not spend much time in greenspaces should make a concerted effort to do so. The following are a handful of ways busy individuals can start spending more time outdoors. • Dine al fresco. On summer evenings, take dinner into the great outdoors. People who live in private homes can dine on the patio or on the deck in the backyard, while apartment dwellers can make use of local parks for nighttime picnics or dine on balconies or rooftop recreational areas. • Get off the couch. Don’t hesitate to get outside when night falls. Spend time in the backyard or go for nightly walks around the neighborhood or in a nearby park. Say so long to
Upon retiring, many newly minted retirees find themselves looking for ways to fill their free time. Hobbies may not take up too much time, and travel can stretch retirees’ budgets. One way that retirees can make great use of their free time and make a little extra money is to find parttime employment. Part-time jobs can help retirees maintain their connections with their communities, whether it’s their professional community or the community in which they live, while also providing a sense of purpose. Retirees interested in finding part-time work may want to consider the following jobs. Consulting work: Many retirees have long résumés, and that experience is still valuable even after retirement. Consulting firms often hire experienced businesspeople on a project or contract basis, which can be great opportunities for retirees to fill their time and make sizable amounts of money without having to commit to long-term employment.
Part-time consultant work may be just what retirees are looking for to fill their time and earn some extra money. Seasonal work: Seasonal work is another great way for retirees to fill their time and make a little extra money along the way. Come the holiday season, retirees should have no trouble finding seasonal retail work at their local malls or shopping centers. In warmer months, retirees may find seasonal employment at area beaches, golf courses or parks.
Sports teams: Retirees who live in cities with professional sports teams television binging sessions, making may be able to find work with their healthier and more beneficial use of favorite franchise. Professional sports nightly free time by utilizing nearby franchises often rely on retirees to greenspaces. staff in-game positions like ushers • Go hiking. Even city dwellers no and concessions employees, and doubt live within driving distance of some may even hire retirees to greet Teaching: Retirees can also put their local hiking areas. Hiking provides a professional experience to work in the fans. While the pay might not be host of cardiovascular benefits and great, such positions are ideal for classroom. Inquire about teaching can make for a great, full-body retirees who happen to be big sports opportunities at a nearby university workout. fans. or even the local high school. Such • Visit nearby parks in Bulls Gap, opportunities may only be available Crafts: Retirees with a love of crafting Church Hill, Surgoinsville, Rogersville, on a volunteer basis, but some might can turn their hobby into income. For and Bays Mountain for hiking and pay part-time salaries or small example, Etsy.com makes it easy for picnics. stipends. Either way, many retirees creative entrepreneurs to post their People who think that accessing find that working with young people creations and sell them to buyers all nature is helping them to stay healthy helps them stay young, and passing over the globe. Sellers often dictate aren’t wrong. In fact, making time to on lessons learned to younger how quickly they can make and ship include nature in your daily or weekly generations can provide a strong products, so retirees need not feel routine can have positive and widesense of purpose. worried about being rushed. ranging effects on your overall health.
4 • Senior Living • June 22, 2019 | The Rogersville Review
How to avoid heat stroke on hot summer days
Summer weather draws many people outside. Warm air and sunshine can be hard to resist, even when temperatures rise to potentially dangerous levels. Sunburn may be the first thing that comes to mind when people think of spending too much time soaking up summer sun. But while sunburn is a significant health problem that can increase a person’s risk for skin cancer, it poses a less immediate threat than heat stroke, a well-known yet often misunderstood condition.
life at risk as a result. Heat stroke develops rapidly and requires immediate medical treatment. If not treated immediately, heat stroke can prove fatal.
What is heat stroke? Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency and the most severe form of heat illness that results from long, extreme exposure to the sun. During this exposure, a person’s built-in cooling system may fail to produce enough sweat to lower body his or her body temperature, putting his or her
Are some people more at risk for heat stroke than others? The elderly, infants, people whose occupations require them to work outdoors, and the mentally ill are among the people with an especially
THE R
ci Offi
BEST OF THE OF TH H BES BEST ESSTT
2018 20 2 01 0 018 18 1 8
Th The he Roger Rogersville Rog ooge gger ge er eersv rrssv ssville svil vill vi illl ille il lle le Review Rev R Reev ev www.therogersvillereview.com www.therog www.thero www ww ww. ww w.the w.t ttherog herog he ero er rog oge gersvillereview.co g eersville ersv ersvill ersvillerev rssv svviil i le lerev ere review eeview evi view viieew ew. w.co .co co o
ANTS • SPIDERS • MICE • RATS • ROACHES FLEAS • LADY BUGS • BED BUGS • SLUGS TERMITES • OLD HOUSE BORERS • BEETLES We can help with moisture control and vent installation.
Year After YYear! TN #207
423-272-2521 • 800-247-7317 217 East Main St. • Rogersville, TN
Rehabilitation Skilled Nursing Long Term Care
Mark Albert Skelton Amy Kathleen Skelton Attorneys At Law
Consumer Bankruptcy Social Security Disability
AVOID HEAT STROKE
— From page 6
ERSVILLE R OG
al Re eA ade err’s Choic
FULL SERVICE COMPANY
Can heat stroke be prevented? The simplest way to prevent heat stroke is to avoid spending time outdoors in the sun on hot days. If you must go outdoors, do so when temperatures are mild and the sun is
W EVIE
You do not want to be invaded in your home. When it comes to pest control, we do it all!
Symptoms of heat stroke One person may experience heat stroke differently than another. In addition, because it develops so rapidly, heat stroke can be hard to
w ar ds
Protect your investment... Protect your family.
high risk of heat stroke. Obesity and poor circulation also increase a person’s risk of suffering heat stroke. Alcohol and certain types of medications also can make people more at risk for heat stroke.
identify before a person is in serious danger. But Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that some of the more common heat stroke symptoms include: • headache, • dizziness, • disorientation, agitation, or confusion, • sluggishness or fatigue, • seizure, • hot, dry skin that is flushed but not sweaty, • high body temperature, • loss of consciousness, • rapid heartbeat, and • hallucinations.
Estate Planning & Probate Adoption, Divorce & Family Law
Here to Serve You
1423 Main Street • Sneedville, TN 37869 423-733-4783 • Fax 423-733-2944 www.hancockmanor.com
423.272.4812 Serving East Tennessee Since 1983
121 South Depot Street Rogersville, Tennessee 37857 www.MarkSkeltonLawOffice.com
The Rogersville Review | Senior Living • June 22, 2019 5
6 • Senior Living • June 22, 2019 | The Rogersville Review
Tips to improve memory Forgetfulness can affect anyone. For example, few, if any, adults can say they have not experienced moments when they could not find their keys. And once the keys are found, people move on without giving much thought to why they did not immediately remember where they left their keys. Isolated incidents where people cannot recall where they placed their car keys or other minor bouts with forgetfulness do not occur by accident. In fact, they are likely byproducts of age-related changes in thinking skills. When people reach their 50s, chemical and structural changes in the brain may begin to occur, and these changes can affect a person’s ability to process memories. Father Time may be a formidable foe, but people can take steps to give their memories a boost as they get older.
Embrace recognition instead of trusting recall. Human beings are better at recognition than recall. That means people are more likely to remember something they read, such as a note or a list, than something they’re simply told. Recognize the value of repetition. People might be more inclined to remember what they hear if they repeat it out loud. Names and addresses might be more easily remembered after they’re repeated out loud because repetition increases the likelihood that the brain will record the information and be capable of retrieving it later. Eat a healthy diet. A study published in 2015 in the journal Neurology found that people who eat healthy diets with lots of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and fish and
little alcohol and red meat may be less likely to experience declines in their memory and thinking skills. . Those who ate the healthiest diets were 24 percent less likely to experience cognitive decline than people with the least healthy diets. Break things down. Breaking things down into small chunks also can help improve memory. If tasked with remembering something extensive, such as a speech, focus on a single sentence at a time, only moving on to the next sentence when you’re confident you have successfully committed the preceding sentence to memory. Periodic memory lapses are often nothing to worry about. But men and women concerned about maintaining their memories can employ various strategies to do just that.
AVOID HEAT STROKE — From page 4 low, such as in the early morning or evening. In addition to being wise about when you spend time in the sun, you can do the following to prevent heat stroke. • Drink plenty of fluids, such as water and sports drinks that can help your body maintain its electrolyte balance, when spending time outdoors. In addition, avoid caffeinated beverages like coffee, soda and tea as well as alcohol. • Wear lightweight, tightly woven and loose-fitting clothing in light colors. • Always wear a hat and sunglasses when going outdoors, and use an umbrella on especially hot days. • Take frequent drinks during outdoor activities and mist yourself with a spray bottle to reduce the likelihood of becoming overheated. Because heat stroke can escalate rapidly, people must be especially cautious and mindful of their bodies when spending time outdoors in the summer.
Adopting a dog or cat later in life
Companion animals bring great joy to their owners. The unconditional love cats and dogs provide appeals to people of all ages. While many people associate pets with kids who can’t wait to welcome the first cat or dog into their homes, pets can benefit aging men and women as well. It’s not uncommon for seniors to feel lonely or depressed when they retire, their children move away or they lose a spouse or close friend or friends. The American Humane Society states that studies show pets help seniors overcome loneliness and depression by providing affection, company and entertainment. Pets also provide much-needed mental stimulation, and many pet owners find their pets help them become more physically active as well.
Companion animals bring great joy to their owners.
Seniors who adopt pets may also feel a sense of purpose when helping animals who may not have anywhere to live. This is particularly true of older companion animals, which many young families are understandably hesitant to adopt. Mature pets might be an ideal fit for seniors. When seniors are looking to adopt a pet, there are various reasons why older pets or particular animals might be the perfect fit for them. • Adult pets may already be house trained, saving seniors the trouble and effort of training them.
• Seniors may find cats fit their lifestyles more than dogs, as cats are less active and do not need to be walked or played with as much as dogs. Cats also are small and easily maneuverable, meaning even seniors who have arthritis or other physical limitations can easily care for cats. Many cats are also content to spend long periods of time sleeping on their owners’ laps. • Small dogs that can be active within the house might be a good idea as well, especially for seniors with mobility issues. They’re also easily transported to and from vet appointments. It’s important that seniors carefully weigh the benefits of adopting a pet against any limitations they may have. Having a backup plan for care is
advantageous as well. Seniors should not adopt a pet if they anticipate frequent travel or medical care that requires they be away from home for long periods of time.
The Rogersville Review | Senior Living • June 22, 2019 7
How empty nesters can transform their homes An empty nest can be a bittersweet experience, but parents can make such situations work for them by transforming their homes to better reflect their current needs. After bringing home a bubbly baby boy or girl, it can be hard for parents to imagine that a day will come when their kids are off to college and then onto their own apartment or house. After spending decades nurturing and caring for children, parents are then left with a suddenly quiet house and probably much more time to spare. If saying goodbye to the kids also means extra house, there’s the option to downsize or make that extra space more useful. Homeowners who choose to stay put can renovate vacant rooms into spaces that meet their newfound needs. • Hobby haven: If you’ve always meant to set up a crafting room, home-brewing station or an artist’s studio, now is an ideal time to do just that. Figure out which supplies you will need and begin reworking that former bedroom into a new sanctuary for leisure interests. • Guest suite: If you’ve never had a
Coping with an empty nest Empty nest syndrome is real, but there are many ways to move past the mixed emotions synonymous with this phenomenon.
spare bedroom to entertain guests, a child’s former bedroom can fit the bill. It may not be that difficult to transform such spaces into relaxing and inviting rooms for overnight guests. Be sure there is at least a queen-sized bed and a dresser or chest of drawers to stash belongings. Select paint colors and linens in neutral tones so the room will be inviting to guests. • Living room redo: When there’s an entire soccer team coming over to hang out, that large sectional sofa or modular seating may be ideal. Now that the kids are out of the house and their friends are no longer coming over for movie night, living rooms can be made more intimate with smallscale seating. A small sofa and two comfortable chairs may be a more fitting option. • At-home gym: Save on gym membership fees by building a mini studio right at home. Choose one of the larger bedrooms and then fill it
with some fitness equipment, such as an elliptical trainer, a bench press bench and some free weights. Store rolled-up mats in the closet for yoga or Pilates sessions. • Expanded bathroom: If space has always been at a premium in the bathroom, borrow area from an empty bedroom and turn it into a spa. Install a soaking tub separate from the shower, and fill the room with
other amenities, such as a warming lamp or even a small sauna. • Home office: Working from home a few days a week may be more plausible when nearing retirement, as it will be a smoother transition from heading to the office each day to spending more time at home. Turn a bedroom or den into an office space with a new desk and bookshelves.
• Keep friends close. Use this opportunity to spend more time with close friends and put yourself first. Schedule all of those activities you may have temporarily put on hold while caring for children through the years. • Make time for travel. New experiences can broaden anyone’s horizons. Travel as a couple or with a group of friends. Put the focus on fun and then share the experiences later on with your adult children.
• Redefine yourself. The experts at Psychology Today suggest finding new roles and interests to explore, or spend more time exploring existing hobbies. For example, if you’ve thought about doing community theater, do so now that you have some free time. Or maybe you’ve always had a goal of going back to school? Now may be the time to make that happen. • Reconnect with your partner. Recall the years before you had children
when it was only the two of you and devote time to making more memories as a couple. Plan date nights, go to sporting events, attend a summer concert, or pursue other shared interests. • Change things up at home. Turn children’s rooms into spaces you can use for your own interests. One can be a crafting room or a home office. Another may be a home theater. No longer labeling those rooms as the kids’ spaces can help the transition.
An empty bedroom can be turned into a cozy sitting room.
8 • Senior Living • June 22, 2019 | The Rogersville Review
Release yourself back into the wild.
The 2019 Subaru Outback. It’s easy to get to all the action with standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive + 32 mpg.3 You have 8.7 inches of ground clearance plus X-MODE® to take any terrain in stride. Love. It’s what makes a Subaru, a Subaru.
8729 Kingston Pike | Knoxville, TN 37923
888-660-0184 www.graysonsubaru.com Subaru, Forester, Outback, EyeSight, and X-MODE are registered trademarks. 3EPA-estimated highway fuel economy for 2019 Subaru Outback 2.5i models. Actual mileage may vary.