Men who marry later in life have are also usually college-educated and more established to take care of a family than younger men who often marry several times. But the question remains is it ever too old to get married? Some take love into consideration and will not slip those engagement rings on anyone until they find their Mister or Misses Right, even if it means marrying at a later age. Older adults are more likely more mature both emotionally and mentally and can handle the aspects of a committed relationship better than those who are younger. Marriage should not be taken lightly by anyone who is considering this option for their lives. Marriage is long established institution and requires a lot of work in order to maintain the relationship and cause it to grow and develop.

Often older adults get married to someone they have known for a very long time and have established ties with over the years. The decision to get married is usually a mutual one and these people tend to get along better and deal with the stresses of marriage in a more mature way. They have learned about each other by first having established a long and lasting friendship that has only grown throughout their lives. If they choose to get married later in life, they stand a better chance of having a successful and loving relationship that is apart from their friendship.

Women tend to view marriage differently than men. Women often want families and choose to marry young so they can produce children. These women are usually not college-educated and do not have careers that demand their time and attention. Men view marriage and family life as a way of settling down from bachelorhood. Older men who marry are looking for love and companionship and a partner they can share their adventures with. Usually these men have a more stable and established career life and are looking for the same.

Post from: Active Living Community

Is One Ever Too Old to Get Married?

Image guided techniques may be applied to the diagnosis stage or the actual procedure with the application of small internal cameras such as endoscopes, borescopes, fiber optic guides, etc. The hand held probe captures the patient’s internal images and projects them onto a 3D screen, thus giving the physician a live time road map for exploration. One of the most common uses for medical imaging is applied to the sinuses. This minimally invasive procedure allows for delicate maneuvering around the sensitive brain area for minimal risk of neurological damage.

Patients suffering from brain tumors have benefited greatly from the technology of image guided Stereotactic Radiosurgery. The process allows the doctor to view the brain tumor on the screen and target the cancerous tumors with absolute accuracy, thus sending the corrective radiation treatment directly to the tumor, while avoiding and preserving the healthy tissue surrounding the cancer. The procedure is performed with an MRI signal to send a computerized calculation of the necessary dose of radiation; no more and no less than what is needed to kill the cancerous cells.

Although Radiosurgery has gained ground in the international medical community and has proven invaluable for smaller-sized brain tumors, the technique is not deemed appropriate to treat larger cancerous lesions. In the case where the tumor has wrapped around healthy brain tissue, a responsible and cautious physician may opt out of Radiosurgery in favor of a gamma knife procedure, which is more adept at treating larger cancer regions while preserving the healthy tissue from the radiation.

Post from: Active Living Community

Most Common Surgeries Using Medical Imaging

When is the right time to make the move?

This depends on several factors including your health, financial situation, and retirement goals. If your house is paid for it’s probably wise to stay as long as your health and lifestyle make it possible. Having no monthly housing payment is obviously less expensive than monthly rent. Consider making the move if holding on to the house is more expensive or your health doesn’t allow you to maintain your property. When making plans for a new apartment remember to consider security, lifestyle & activities, medical care, and the weather.

What should I do with all of my belongings?

Though it’s unpleasant to think about, most older folks have accumulated more possessions in their homes than will fit reasonably into the average apartment. You’ll have to sort through your things and decide what’s most important to you. Family heirlooms you might want to keep in the family can be given to children or grandchildren. Keep small mementos that are important to you including photos and videos. If you have bulky items like golf clubs, holiday decorations, etc., you can rent a self-storage unit from storage Ottawa if your new apartment doesn’t include one.

Should I stay in the area to be close to the kids?

The answer to this depends purely on your desire to be near them. If wanting a change in climate or some other circumstance would take you out of the area, and you can be happy seeing them only a few times a year, then by all means go. On the other hand, if being near your family is more important to you, you might have to find a place near by. In either case, don’t make your decision based on the perception that your kids need you to be near. Unless they have a specific need that can’t be met any other way, you need to concentrate on what’s best for you. You’ll all be happier that way, too.

Should I sell my home, deed it to my kids, or rent it?

By all means, don’t rent your house unless you have someone you can hire to be your property manager. As a general rule, seniors have a difficult time being landlords for a variety of reasons. Deeding your house to one or more of your children has some financial and tax benefits so it might be a good move if your family relationships are solid. Selling your home though, is probably the best option for most people. It allows a complete break and freedom from the headaches that may accompany the other two options.

Growing old certainly has its challenges, but with a good plan and some family support, it can be the most rewarding part of your life. Enjoy!

Post from: Active Living Community

Life Changes for Seniors: Leaving Your House for an Apartment

Though knowledge of a particular industry will certainly give you a head start, the most important factor is enthusiasm. If you select a business or industry that excites you, the learning and retention process will be a piece of cake. You may expect some long hours invested into the first year of operation, so be sure this is an industry that motivates you.

A hosted exchange service is always a good idea for your small business, as it will protect and archive all your emails, which you are now legally required to save for up to five years.

If you need some ideas or industry statistics, Entrepreneur Magazine is a good place to start. You may access them online or purchase their hardcopy edition to investigate hundreds of business possibilities and market trends. They also list the nation’s leading franchise opportunities along with all the essential information to buy in. When purchasing a franchise, you need little skill and understanding of the industry, as the new franchise owners are put through extensive training and orientation to comply with corporate policies. However, you will need a natural gravitational pull towards that venture to have the stamina and enthusiasm to make it a go.

The time is right to investigate the realm of business ownership and send yourself off on another exciting journey. There are many organizations that might be able to help you with a small business loan in Canada or the U.S. You may opt for a home based business or static type venture, which caters to walk in customers at a commercial address. Whatever your interest, ability and investment limits are, if you use a little creativity and passion, you can make your dreams come true, again.

Post from: Active Living Community

You’re Never Too Old to Start Your Own Business

One of the best places to start is with an online magazine called AssociatedContent.com. The up front payments generally range from $2.50 to $4.00 per 400 page text and you may write about any topic you wish, as long as it contains “shelf life”. This means that the story must not contain time-sensitive material such as current events or news topics. Rather, AC prefers that you write “how to” articles or something that will engage and educate its readers. In addition to the up front payment, delivered by PayPal only, you will get small residual payments each time your page is viewed. The content goes right in to the Google search engines, so you never know what story you write will be a hit.

Another source to earn income comes from Examiner.com, which caters to nearly every topic in and out of the news. The Examiner will ask you for which geographical location you believe yourself to be an expert in, then you will be assigned that territory to write about anything you feel is of interest to the public. Perhaps you love to travel and would like to become their expert for European travel or the ultimate critic and review writer for cruise ships. Many Examiner writers simply state their hometown area and are free to contribute on any topic they see fit. Payments from the Examiner are via PayPal and calculated on a pay-per-view basis. As viewers click on the page, the writer is paid an ongoing royalty.

For the avid writer with some skill in research and textbook style of writing, try TextBroker.com for individual assignments posted on the website. You are free to browse topics and select only those articles that suit your knowledge and/or research skills. TextBroker will never require you take a minimum number of assignments or work with difficult clients. The TextBroker system is finely tuned for fast and efficient service to both you and your clients, making this writing vehicle the number one choice for some of the best freelancers in the business. After your article is accepted, you will be promptly paid for your accumulated totals on the 5th and 20th of each month via PayPal.

Post from: Active Living Community

Make Some Extra Money as a Freelance Writer

In these tough economic times, cruise lines are fiercely competitive for your business and will bend over backwards to make you a sweet deal. And seniors are in the best position to take advantage of deep discounts, family vacation packages, and promotional fares. Some of the top luxury liners are hurting for business, often slashing ticket prices in half in hopes of filling the ship just days before departure. People with full time employment may have difficulty booking this kind of discounted ticket, but for an active senior with minimal time constraints, the last minute travel deals will afford you significant savings.

In addition to last minute travel discounts, there are many companies offering special discounts to seniors. However, not all agencies use the same classification for a senior, so be sure to check the websites for the minimum age requirements. In most cases, its just 55, yet there are some that set the bar at 62. If you have located a cruise you would like to take but don’t have the fine print information on it, just hand the information over to a travel agent and let him or her book your cruise. Their services are free to you and they are privy to inside deals and discounts to ensure you are getting your full share of senior discounts.

When planning your next cruise, don’t forget to check the itineraries for world cruise sailing dates. This type of cruise may be 90 days or longer, but may be divided up by continent or region. You need not book the entire world itinerary to take advantage of the section in the Mediterranean or Southeast Asia. By carving up the package, you will have more travel options and receive better pricing for extended cruise tours. In addition, look for cruise lines that offer their clients a reward program with bonus points to apply to your next cruise. There are not only great savings here, but you will become a “regular” on the ship and get to know the waiters and attendants.

Post from: Active Living Community

Vacation Cruises For Seniors

The purpose of Facebook is to gather all your newsy information, photo albums and messages to family and friends, and send them to one central location for everyone to see. Until this new and improved form of communication was introduced, we had to prepare individual emails and check our address book to be sure no one was missed. However with the technology from Facebook, all our photos and messages may be kept on your page and available to family and friends at all times.

To set up a Facebook account, you need only surrender basic personal information and give your home page a name. As you add new photography and messages, you may send an automated message for your loved ones to respond to by visiting the site. You will have creative control over your content at all times, as you may add and delete information regularly. It only takes a few minutes to set up the page, and the site is user-friendly with prompting to assist you. Once you are up and running, try adding clever quips and splash your page with humor. Facebook is a great way to inform while having fun and allows you wonderful creative expression of thought. The site has a function to allow your readers to comment back, and you’d be surprised at how many people you made smile that day.

One of the best features about using a centrally located meeting place to inform family and friends, is that you can view pictures and chat back and forth, even while on vacation or away from your personal computer. Since the email function is not posted publicly, you may get the latest news from the middle of the Atlantic on your cruise to France. The Facebook website may be pulled up on any computer and eliminates the need to open dozens of emails while you’re away. In addition to posting your own newsletters, Facebook is a fast and convenient way for you to keep current with the busy lives of your grandchildren with just one click of the mouse.

Though the Facebook site is safe and secure, there are a few precautionary habits that are strongly advised. You should refrain from posting information containing your home address or other sensitive material that you would not want made public. When you invite family and friends, they should already know that type of information, so you have no need to add it to your content.

Post from: Active Living Community

Facebooking for Seniors

No, my most valued piece of jewelry is a bracelet he bought me on our honeymoon in Egypt. It came from a small shop tucked away on the lower deck of our Nile cruise ship. Nothing fancy or esteemed; just a little jeweler working from a cubby hole. Both my husband and I have been life long Egyptology and archaeology buffs, making this first trip to Egypt together very special. The bracelet itself is silver and quite ordinary in appearance, but it has one special feature that could never be replaced: the inscription. I’m not one to study and interpret dead languages, but the shop keeper talked us in to having both our initials engraved in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. This was the first item we ever bought that intertwined us together as a unit, bringing us closer together on the trip. I cannot read the writing, but it stirs up precious memories of our wonderful journey through time and antiquity we had on our first three weeks of marriage, and for that reason, the hieroglyphic bracelet is my most valued piece of jewelry.

When you become emotional over a piece of jewelry, it’s rarely ever due to the cost or market value to the piece. But rather, it’s the item itself that stirs up old memories making your life’s highlights seem like yesterday. Like an old song bringing back memories, so can an inanimate object when it was purchased with a story around it. Take my wedding ring, take my pearls, but no one touches my Egyptian bracelet.

Post from: Active Living Community

My Most Valued Piece of Jewelry

Passenger vans, used trucks and SUVs provide plenty of cargo space, but may have a step too high for senior patrons to manage. Upon entering this type of transport, the senior passenger may need assistance must bend at the waist while moving towards the seat. It’s an awkward position that may contribute to a fall and certainly not worth the consequences. Rather than buying a traditional SUV, try a crossover model that is lower to the ground and still maintains the cargo space.

Some of the best cars for seniors are the standard sized sedans which can be easily entered and exited on one leg. Seats that are too high require additional posturing and may be difficult for seniors with hip or back problems. On the other hand, seating that is too low requires a steady hand to balance on the upper portion on the opened door to slowly lower the body into position. This can be a strain on someone with diminished capacity in their legs and a car to be avoided by seniors. The perfect seat for comfort is one that may be taken quickly with one foot remaining firmly planted on the ground.

Senior cars should have a firm interior with proper lumbar support and wide body seats to keep the spine in a secure, upright position. A moderately high headrest is necessary as a higher one will obstruct the vision when backing out. If the senior has to twist and turn to see over the headrest, this may cause spinal column damage and a strained neck. For comfort driving, you may elect to replace the high headrest with a fully functional lower one. In addition, the interior should have a layout where all necessary accessories and functions can be reached from a belted-in position. If the driver is not able to operate the vehicle in comfort, that can spell disaster on the road. So be sure the feel of the car measures up to your body type and fits you like a glove.

Post from: Active Living Community

Senior-Friendly Vehicles

There are physical changes that occur in women’s health during and after menopause. There are ways to cope with these changes, however. About 20 percent of women experience vaginal dryness. This can be combated with over-the-counter water-based lubricants. Petroleum-based lubricants should be avoided because they can lead to vaginal infections. Some women may also experience itching or burning during intercourse due to the thinning and decreased flexibility of vaginal walls. Lubricants are also effective in dealing with these issues. There are also vaginal moisturizers available. It’s recommended that women avoid perfumed bath products, douches, and other agents that contribute to dryness.

Some women may find that more stimulation is required to achieve orgasm following menopause. Orgasms may not be as frequent or intense. Regular intercourse or even masturbation maintains sexual responsiveness. Kegal exercises maintain and strengthen the vaginal muscles. The exercises involve tightening your pelvic floor muscles which support your uterus, bowel, and bladder. These exercises not only strengthen vaginal muscles but also reduce risks of urinary incontinence.

There are some women who report a decrease in sexual desire following menopause, but this can be attributed to several factors not related to menopause. Certain medications such as tranquilizers, antidepressants, and anti-hypertensives can all effect feelings toward sex. Diseases common in older individuals such as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis can also alter sexual desire. If you aren’t feeling well, sex isn’t always appealing. A woman’s self-image is an extremely important element of sexual desire. Many womens’ perceptions of their own sexual desirability is related to their sexual desire. This idea seems to be supported by researchers in Minnesota who surveyed more than 3,600 women and found that women who are more satisfied with their bodies are not only more likely to initiate sex, they also have more sex. High levels of stress can be detrimental to an individual’s sex drive as well. Many women have a belief that a loss of interest in sex is a natural part of menopause. These women are more likely, according to scientists, to experience exactly this phenomenon.

Sexual intimacy after menopause can actually open up opportunities to explore new sexual experiences. There are many ways, after all, to express sensuality in a relationship. Massage, hugging, stroking, oral sex, and manual stimulation are all options for finding pleasure with your partner. As men grow older, they typically require more stimulation before intercourse as well. This can lead to more foreplay which is appealing to many women. Embrace this time in your life. You may find more intimacy with your partner than you’ve ever had.

Post from: Active Living Community

Sex After Menopause