Seniors shell out money for necessity items every day without even checking if there are more affordable alternatives. Below are the five things seniors are overpaying for:

1 – Landline telephones. Now that most seniors are online and have cell phones, they can trim expenses by either dropping their landlines completely or replacing their home phones with VOIP telephones. In many cases, they can also keep the same phone number they’ve had for years.

2 – Cable TV. The same Internet connection that brings the grandchildren closer can bring Hulu and Netflix to seniors and allow seniors to access quality entertainment options for less than the cost of a monthly cable TV subscription.

3 – Hearing aids. Custom aids typically cost $5000-$7000 per ear and are not covered by Medicare or most insurance policies. Off-the-shelf, FDA-registered options available from companies like LifeEar at $1599 offer a companion mobile app to program and tune the setting, assisting the 80% of Americans who need hearing aids but cannot afford them.

4 – Transportation. Seniors who live in urban areas may be able to cut their costs by using services like Uber and Lyft to get to doctors’ appointments and run errands instead of using their cars or taking taxis. Seniors can also inquire about senior discounts for public transportation.

5 – Prescription drugs. Everyone knows that meds can burn a hole in your checkbook. CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid all have prescription discount programs that can yield substantial savings. For the more tech-savvy apps like GoodRX and LowestMed allow users to comparison-shop many pharmacies from their phones to zero in on the best prices.

As people age, they are unfortunately exposed to far more health problems than when they were younger. This can sometimes throw a spanner in the works when it comes to enjoying the same activities they used to, but it doesn’t mean you can’t live a long and healthy life. However, it is only natural to worry about emerging health problems when you age, especially when they could affect how you spend time with your loved ones. Although you can’t turn back the clock, there are many ways in which you can tackle some of the most common problems associated with growing older.

Fatigue

Nobody is a stranger to feelings of intense fatigue as they go through life, but this is something that lots of older adults struggle with the older they get. Usually, fatigue is a sign of an underlying health problem, like depression, which is beginning to affect more seniors than ever before. More often than not, in men it can be linked to low testosterone levels, which can affect anybody over the age of 30. To combat the fatigue and any other problems that come with low testosterone, it is wise to consider TRT to help improve energy levels. [Read more…]

Retirement comes with some perks, including that you will be able to spend more time in your home. Perhaps you will want to do some remodeling, even set up a home office, or get a new entertainment system.

You will not only want to make your home more comfortable but you may want to add some safety features as well. With retirement, we also must face the fact that we’re aging, and with that comes risks and hazards we may not have faced before.

Here are some tips for making your retirement home safer and more comfortable.

Be Alarmed

While home alarms used to be fairly simple, they are now far more sophisticated and can integrate with smart devices that are voice activated, your watch, your phone, and more.

Not only will your alarm protect your home and call police in the case of an emergency, but they can be set up to respond to voice commands, call both authorities, first responders, and alert family by text message or automated phone call should you have an issue. On top of that, you can install cameras you can view from your smartphone or tablet anywhere you have access to the internet. [Read more…]

A lot of the time, aging is something that people fear. For some, it’s the thought of becoming old and gray, while for others it’s the thought of declining health and becoming dependent on others. However, times seem to be changing as people are seeing that you can age gracefully and being elderly can be some of the best years if your life. In light of this, as you continue aging, you may be thinking of ways to do so in the healthiest way possible. There are some common ways that you’ve probably heard a million times over, and perhaps a few others that you’ve never thought of. To spark your memory and ensure you’re aging in a way that you’ll be proud of, this article is going to give you a few tips for maintaining good health as you age.

Remain Physically Active

You have likely heard this time and time again, but remaining physically active as you age is a major key to healthy living. The first thing that may come to mind when you hear about remaining active is doing an insane workout at the gym, but that isn’t always necessary. Staying active is more about ensuring that you keep your body moving as this helps prevent illnesses as you age. If you’re wondering why exercise is so important for the elderly, it strengthens your muscle tissue which helps with mobility, helps to keep the heart muscle in shape which is beneficial in preventing cardiac problems, and also can help enhance your mood which is great for mental health. Overall, the many problems that are often associated with growing old can improve if you make a conscious decision to stay active, even if it’s only by taking long walks or stretching a few times a week. [Read more…]

By John Bonanni

You think you are ahead of the game, having dutifully sat on your 401 k like a plump chicken anticipating a mother lode hatch. You delude yourself, thinking you are the new thirty, at sixty plus years. You associate with those who could be your children; forgetting that your accumulated years have stored a wealth of experience and priceless advice. You plunge into new and contemporary environments, revel in brash viewpoints, spontaneous exploration, indulge in every youth-enhancing activity and feel good medication.  You buy all the over-the-counter help you can get your hands on.

Not satisfied with that, you coerce your doctor to prescribe a myriad of medications to alleviate depression, breathe easier from your lungs, urinate on schedule and perform on demand. Thanks to creative advertising, you have discarded the unhappy mask from your face, the overweight elephant off your chest, the billowing balloons of urgency that accompany you everywhere and the acquisition of a motorcycle to impress a potential date with your significant other. [Read more…]

An aging body may slow down, but this should not be used as an excuse to stop moving altogether. The upkeep of your fitness should be a priority in order to maintain flexible muscles and a sturdy balance while warding off disease and boredom. The trick here is to make exercise seem fun, which isn’t as impossible as you may think. Use the following 10 suggestions to enjoy your magical retirement years in good health:

1. Play with an Animal

Pets come with many health benefits, including the decrease of loneliness and an element of responsibility placed back into a senior’s hands. Certain animals (like dogs) require a lot of attention and won’t be ideal for everyone’s situation, but you could always ask whether a neighboring pet needs a walk once in a while.

2. Play Video Games

Modern video games have come a long way since their reputation as unhealthy antisocial time-wasters. The Wii consoles, for example, incorporate the challenges of mental puzzles with genuine fitness, allowing players to bowl, golf, or perform aerobics without even leaving the comfort of their own home.

3. Go for a Stroll

With the fresh oxygen clearing your thoughts, the sunshine basking your skin in vitamin D, and your legs stretching out their muscles, what’s not to love about a simple walk outside? Utilize a stable walking aid like a rollator walker if you need to and then go on an adventure to explore new places such as the beach, forests, or even famous landmarks in your town. [Read more…]