Active living 2015 by Wacotrib.com

AcTIvE lIvING HITTING THE ROAD encore entrepreneurs multigenerational living airline travel tips ... AND MUCH MORE!

02 WACO TRIBUNE-HERALD

Sunday, May 03, 2015

More Seniors Hitting the Road Long life expectancies, active lifestyles and a strong sense of independence. There are many factors sparking the increase of senior citizens on the roadways. According to a recent AAA study, 84 percent of Americans age 65-and-older have a valid driver’s license — compared to barely half in the early 1970s. In addition, 68 percent of drivers at least 85 years old report driving five days a week or more. Especially if you have spent a large amount of time traveling in the past, it may be the taste of freedom that keeps you behind the wheel — the freedom to see new things, take care of your own errands and visit friends and family.

Safety First A nationwide study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says seniors are the safest group of drivers on our roads today. According to a 2012 poll of all age demographics, senior drivers (per capita) have the lowest rate of policereported crash involvements. The AAA also recently found that the majority of seniors favor tougher driving laws, from bans on wireless devices to ignition interlocks

for DUI offenders. More than 80 percent of elderly drivers also support more stringent requirements for the license-renewal process for themselves and their peers.

When to Hand Over the Keys There are certain limitations that may start affecting your ability to drive — limitations that are out of your

control and attributed to the natural aging process. If things like your vision or reaction time are dramatically lessened compared to other drivers around you, it may be time to hang up the keys. The best way of dealing with this situation is being honest with yourself and realizing when your physical or mental health may be getting in the way. Schedule a sit down with your physician at the first sign of trouble and have a candid conversation about

next steps. Police officers and highway safety administrators urge those around senior citizens — family, friends or co-workers — to remain just as vigilant about their driving skills. And instead of demanding they stop driving, help them first meet with their physician or a certified driver rehabilitation specialist, as the suggestion can sometimes be more effective coming from a professional.

Sunday, May 03, 2015

03 WACO TRIBUNE-HERALD

Encore Entrepreneurs When would you guess is the best age to start a new business? 25? 30? 40? How about 60? A 2010 survey conducted by the Kauffman Foundation found that Americans ages 55 to 64 launch a new business venture at a higher rate than any other age group. In fact, nearly one-quarter of all people 44 to 70 are interested in starting their own company or nonprofit organization within the next five to 10 years. This new class of “encore entrepreneurs” is taking the business world by storm – and you can easily become one of them.

The Motivation

Helpful Resources

So why are more seniors starting their own companies? Senior citizens have long been a driving factor in new business development because they have more free time and financial flexibility after retirement. They may have had an idea for many years and are now ready to act on it. Also, with most baby boomers in their 50s and 60s, there has been a rapid growth in the senior population. More people mean more business ideas, especially for a generation most known for its free spirit and redefinition of traditional values.

As with any entrepreneur, one of the most helpful resources at the disposal of a senior citizen business owner is the U.S. Small Business Administration. The organization is passionate about helping foster and advance creative ideas – especially ones that come from the largest population of new business owners. The SBA recently partnered with the American Association of Retired Persons to form National Encore Entrepreneur Mentor Month, which brought nationwide training to 119,000 individuals in April 2013. The or-

ganizations offered workshops, conferences and seminars throughout April to help guide entrepreneurs ages 50 and older in starting their own business.

04 WACO TRIBUNE-HERALD

Sunday, May 03, 2015

Multigenerational Living By the time people reach senior citizen status, they have likely cared for children, making sure they were safe, sound and healthy.

So when the time comes to consider late-in-life living situations, it’s no wonder that their adult children are opening their homes to return the favor.

Multigenerational Living: By the Numbers According to a Pew Research Center analysis, approximately 51 million Americans (16.7 percent of the population) live in a house with at least two adult generations – such as a grandparent and at least one other generation – under one roof. The Pew analysis also reported a 10.5 percent increase in multigenerational households from 2007 to 2009. A survey by national home builder PulteGroup found that 32 percent of adult children expect to eventually share their home with a parent.

Why the Growth? A 2012 MetLife Mature Market Institute Survey put the average annual cost of a private nursing-home room at $90,520, a semiprivate at $81,030 and assisted living at $42,600. Retirement shortcomings, high medical bills and other financial challenges can put these prices out of reach for many seniors.

Eliminate those costs and add the value associated with knowing that an elderly loved one is cared for by family members. That is the primary reason that so many people choose multigenerational living. Multigenerational Home Plans In 2011, national builder Lennar introduced its first Next Gen house geared for more than one generation. The company and many others now offer floor plans in hundreds of communities across the United States to meet an uptick in demand. Space is the main feature of a home built specifically for multigenerational living. Gener-

ally, the main home has three or four bedrooms with an attached unit that has its own front entrance, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. An adjoining door is usually added so the house does not

have to appear as two separate homes. Because, though fostering an accommodating environment is important in a multigenerational home, privacy can be just as paramount.

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Sunday, May 03, 2015

05 WACO TRIBUNE-HERALD

Getting Healthy: It’s Never Too Late Maybe you’ve been sneaking a few too many bites of red meat or skipping your morning walk lately. Before you come down too hard on yourself, realize that it’s never too late to redesign how you approach your lifestyle choices. We all know the simple way to losing weight and finding more energy is through exercise and healthy eating. But what about a senior with a slower metabolism or even a physical disability? Everyone’s situation is unique and may call for a differentiated strategy to achieve healthier living. But one thing remains consistent throughout everyone’s personal journey: You can positively impact your well-being by making smart, health-focused decisions. Here’s how:

Take Control Sometimes, we are our own biggest obstacle to following through on our healthy choices. We make excuses, re-schedule workouts and find reasons to indulge in foods that we know aren’t good for us. It might be time for a long look in the mirror. Are you serious about incorporating more exercise into your daily routine? Do you plan to execute your meal plan without any major slip-ups?

Educate Yourself

If the answers to the afore-

mentioned questions are no, remember that unhealthy choices are major catalysts in the worldwide increase of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and arthritis. These diseases lead to a substantial number of preventable deaths and disabilities, as well as negative effects to our healthcare system. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 75 percent of our healthcare dollars go to the treatment of chronic diseases.

Don’t Forget Mental Health Being healthy isn’t constrained to physical well-being.

Seniors should maintain their mental sharpness as the years go by to achieve increased vitality, social function and life satisfaction. Doing so requires a little extra attention to the things

that can stimulate your brain – such as reading the newspaper, watching a live play or solving a crossword puzzle. Conversing with others about current events also can help you maintain your mental health.

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Sunday, May 03, 2015

Babysitting Your Grandchildren

Grandchildren can be some of the greatest blessings that life has to offer. Though the primary care responsibilities will go to the parents in most cases, grandparents also can play a pivotal role in the upbringing of a child. If you’ve recently joined the grandparent club, it is only a matter of time before you are recruited as sitter. Are you ready? Things have certainly changed since you brought up your children, but you are still more than capable of doing the job in today’s world.

Car Seats

Discipline Consistency

Unless you’ve used a car seat in the past five to 10 years, you may be surprised at how far they have come – especially considering they probably weren’t even a requirement when you were raising your children! Today, all infants must ride in rear-facing seats with multi-point harnesses. Consider purchasing one for day trips with your grandchild, and be sure to install it correctly. Most cars are equipped with the latch system for easy installation, but check with the seat’s manufacturer manual to find out how to safely set it up.

There is nothing wrong with spoiling your grandchildren – in fact, it is an expected rite of passage for all new grandparents. But when baby turns into a toddler it is important to carry over the same discipline he or she receives at home. This will require a quick sit-down with your children to understand how they handle certain situations at home. Maintaining this consistency will keep your grandchild from being confused about certain rules and will lead to a more structured upbringing.

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Sunday, May 03, 2015

07 WACO TRIBUNE-HERALD

How to Lower Your Credit Card Rates Do you think your credit card interest rate is too high, but you’re not sure what to do about it? New research says you should simply ask to have it reduced. A 2014 survey by CreditCards.com found that about 80 percent of senior citizens who asked their credit card companies for a lower rate got it. Also, the odds of a card issuer showing leniency on late payments improved with age. For instance, one-third of people ages 18 to 29 received a lower rate for asking, according to the poll. That success rate reached 80 percent among those 50 to 64.

Senior Advantages Older consumers have some factors working in their favor when it comes to bartering with credit card companies. Among the main advantages is they are likely to have higher incomes and longer credit track records with their card companies. The existing relationships can be the primary differencemaker, so be sure to keep up with timely payments over the course of your agreement. Be sure to share you good habits with younger family members. They may be surprised to find out about the potential for lowering their credit rates, as well.

Negotiate Your Rate You can easily check to see if your card’s rate is in line with the latest figures. This information is online at sites such as CreditCards.com, Bankrate. com and CardRatings.com. A quick scan of those sites in late 2014 found the average annual interest rate to be around 15 percent. If your rate is hovering around 19 or 20 percent, it could be worth a call to your credit card company to negotiate a better rate.

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08 WACO TRIBUNE-HERALD

Sunday, May 03, 2015

Airplane Travel Tips shorter line. The Transportation Security Administration has updated several parts of its security policies to make the process easier for senior citizens. Passengers 75 and older can leave on their shoes and light jackets when going through security. Passengers in wheelchairs who are unable to stand are afforded extra leeway when it comes to the screening process. If you have a pacemaker, be sure to request a pat-down rather than going through the scanner. Security professionals are sensitive to making sure your needs are accommodated.

Everyone deserves an enjoyable flight experience, especially seniors who may be looking forward to a vacation. Some airlines provide cheaper airfare for senior citizens but this is certainly not the case across the industry. The best way to find out about special offers or discounts is to simply ask your airline. Keep in mind that you may need to book directly with the airline rather than a third party to be eligible for any special discounts. By simply calling the airline’s customer service department or checking with you travel agent, you may be able to save yourself a nice chunk of money.

Airport Assistance

Traveling with Medications If you need to transport special medications, be sure to bring a valid prescription for anything not sold over the counter. Otherwise you may be forced to leave them behind. The Federal Aviation Administration advises seniors with oxygen tanks to bring an approved portable oxygen concentrator, as common tanks cannot be used on board because of pressure inconsistencies that can make the tanks unstable. Give your airline 48 hours notice so they can make the proper preparations.

taking care of each other is what community is all about.

As a senior citizen, you are able to request assistance in the airport from the time you arrive to the time you board. Don’t be afraid to ask for help with your bags, especially if you have mobility issues or a large number of items. Airport personnel are standing by to fulfill your requests for a cart or wheelchair, too. Take advantage of these offerings to ensure a stress-free airport experience.

Eased Restrictions Seniors can request assistance at security, where they may be able to go through a

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