I found a ton of money saving tips on Health.com; I hope you are able to take a few & apply to your life! If there are any tips you have that aren't listed below, please share. Have a wonderful weekend!

It's no secret that medical costs are rising. Here's how to fight back:

Order medication in bulk

Ordering a 90-day supply of medication by mail often costs less than hitting up your local pharmacy once a month. When you use this method for long-term meds (generally what these mail-orders are designed for—check for restrictions), you can also get automatic refills so you never run out.

To continue reading the entire article click HERE

I wanted to share this article...By Amanda Gardner, Health.com(Health.com) -- People who have symptoms of depression in middle age may be at increased risk of dementia decades later, a new study suggests. To continue reading the entire article click HERE

Chances are if you haven't yet yourself gotten a cold this Spring, you know someone who has. It's most definately that time of year: when tempatures fluctuate at remarkable speeds and the pollen is flying everywhere. So here's to finding some natural ways to curb the cold!

 Lead writer: Amanda Gardner

Bob Martin says he hasn't caught a cold in years, not since he discovered echinacea and goldenseal. For the past decade, the 60-year-old teacher from Placitas, N.M., has taken the herbal supplements in megadoses three times a day at the first sign of a sniffle. Now he only gets sick if he doesn't dose himself in time, he says.

To continue reading the entire article click HERE

We are half way through our week & this is about the time when I start to feel the Wednesday Slump. Can you relate? I thought a post focusing on energy would do us all some good at this point. I think my favorite is the banana & peanut butter combo! What's your favorite energy-boosting snack?

Snacks with staying power

If you're fighting the urge to nap on your desk after lunch, then maybe that midday cup of coffee just isn't cutting it. Stave off the afternoon slump by swapping your caffeine for one of these five light, low-cal bites. They'll fight fatigue and keep you going between meals.

To continue reading the entire article click HERE

Natural heartburn remedies

By Caroline MurrayNothing ruins a great meal as much as a painful bout of heartburn.Although over-the-counter meds are often effective, home remedies might help without the trip to the pharmacy.

To continue reading the entire article click HERE

Not only am I excited about dedicating a week of posts to better health, but I'm anxious to see what good stuff I can unearth & share with you all. I hope you are looking forward to it too. For Day 1, we'll start with a post on lowering blood pressure. Young or less-young, we can all benefit from these tips provided by Health.com.Please let me know if there's something specific you'd like to know more about during out Better Health Week & I'll be glad to dig that topic up. Cheers, to good health!

How to lower blood pressure

By Anne HardingPeople with hypertension often need several medications to control blood pressure. But lifestyle changes can ratchet it down too, and maybe even eliminate the need for drugs.

To continue reading the entire article click HERE

Aging Care provides some scenarios & solutions for those who have a loved one dealing with Parkinson's:

Parkinson’s Disease: Tips for Dealing with Common Symptoms

By Anne-Marie Botek

The symptoms of Parkinson's disease can be frustratingly disruptive to a senior's daily life, even in the early stages of the ailment.

To continue reading the entire article click HERE

Insightful article on what steps to take in case you find yourself miles away for your loved one that may need your help.

Caring For An Elder From Far Away: Geriatric Care Managers

by Terry Weaver, M.P.S., A.C.C.

As an adult, balancing work and elder care can be a challenge whether your parent lives next door or out of state. Add children to this, and the situation becomes compounded. Legal, financial and long-term planning for elder care is crucial, and long distance caregivers need to prepare for travel and time off from work... To continue reading the entire article click HERE

I thought it was time for another fun post.  Remember this one?  The AARP has some great lists in their personal growth section of their website!I also wanted to take a moment to express my thanks & gratitude for all that I'm learning through this blog.  All this makes me feel more connected to my very own Grandparents, Cecil & Lois, who live hundreds of miles away.  It's been way too long since I've seen them & they are the best Grandparents a girl could ask for.  This particluar post has me thinking of some advice my Grandma gave me when I saw a small girl & it makes me laugh to think about it.  She said, "take smaller bites."  It's funny because I still eat like there's no tomorrow.  I guess that's a product of being one of six children!  Anyways..  Have a wonderful weekend & may you  have fond memories of the advice you've given & received over the years.

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And why our grown-up children would be wise to pay attention to these words of wisdom

by: Jacquelyn Mitchard | from: AARP Bulletin | October 14, 2011Although it's a cliché to say that Jewish moms are famous for advice, best-selling novelist Erica Jong (famous as a best-selling novelist but also the mother of a grown daughter) says, "Advice is what you ask for when you already know the answer and don't want to face it."

To continue reading the entire article click HERE

The AARP voices concern over some overused, unnecessary procedures that happen in the doctors office.  Have you felt you were tested for something you didn't really need?  It's always hard to question doctors, I know.  Maybe their article will be a helpful read!

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Think twice before getting these procedures or meds

by: Elizabeth Agnvall | from: AARP Bulletin | April 4, 2012The exercise stress test that's part of your yearly physical. The MRI you got when you threw out your back moving the couch. The antibiotics you took for your sinus infection.You probably didn't need any of them... To continue reading the entire article click HERE

Here's wonderful article written by Sandra Hoban over at Long Term Living Magazine on the theraputic nature of music.  Enjoy!

Innovative music therapies engage seniors

March 22, 2012 by Sandra Hoban, Executive Editor

What if you could hear your favorite songs at the press of a button? Isn’t this a wonderful way to reconnect with the past and bring it into the present? Or create your own music with the wave of a wand, tapping your imagination. iPods and  laser beams are 21st-century tools that provide that therapeutic edge at Bethany Village, located near Mechanicsburg, Penna.

To continue reading the entire article click HERE

I know...we talked tennis yesterday & now arthritis!  I promise I'm not trying to scare anyone away from tennis, but I saw this and thought it would be good to share this comparision, between arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.  I had no idea that rheumatoid affected your joints symmetrically.A big thanks to CSN 50 and Better for sharing this comparison!

Identifying Rheumatoid Arthritis

Although rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can occur in people of all ages, its effects on the elderly can be especially debilitating. Diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis can be done by studying the symptoms, but another more conclusive method includes blood work that looks for signs of inflammation throughout the body, not just externally. X-rays, ultrasounds, and MRIs can also be used as tools to help doctors in diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis.

To continue reading the entire article click HERE

Looking for ways to get out of winter hibernation? Tennis is a great way to get the blood flowing! Does anyone have a favorite court in the Chicagoland area they'd like to share?

If you want an idea of how good tennis can be for your health, just take a look at some of the participants of senior tennis tournaments . If what you see on the courts during these events--chasing balls and swinging rackets like silver-haired athletic gods--isn't enough to convince you that playing tennis just might be the secret to ultimate longevity, then you're not paying attention. Either that, or you're at the wrong tennis tourney.

To continue reading the entire article click HERE

I thought it was time for a fun post!  Now go ahead, SPLURGE!  Everyone can agree one of the best things in life to splurge when you can. Here's a list from the AARP of 13 reasonable splurges.Do you find anything you'd love in it?  What are your lifes little splurges?

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Indulge in some of life's well-earned treats

by: Jacquelyn Mitchard | from: AARP Bulletin | November 4, 2011One of the kids asks, "What's the good thing about growing up?"There is one.It's a mixed blessing for sure, but the best part may be that you really have earned some of life's treats. You really are worth it, and you really do deserve it. For us, it's more than a marketing tool, it is truth, an axiom for the good life...

To continue reading the entire article click HERE

Personally, the connection to a hospital stay & a cognitive decline makes sense, at least from a psycological standpoint. This report by CNN not only shows the toll a trip to the hospital can take on Seniors, but it shows, indirectly, the important role of the Caregiver.

 March 21st, 2012Post by: Caitlin Hagan - CNN Medical ProducerPeople 65 years of age and older experience cognitive decline an average of 2.4 times faster if they have been hospitalized, compared to people of the same age who haven't, according to a new study. To continue reading the entire article click HERE

As always, Senior Living Experts is here to help you in the process of searching for a Continuing Care Retirement Community. Please contact us at 773-938-3772 or info@seniorlivingexperts.com if you would like assistance! In the meantime, here are some personal stories from an article in the Chicago Tribune that shows you what others have done.

Like a lot of people, Bob and Judie Knott took care of their mothers in their later years. Though both of their mothers lived in assisted care facilities, the Knotts spent a fair amount of time taking them to doctor's appointments and making sure that everything was done right. They were happy to help. But when it came time for the couple to pick a retirement spot for themselves, they settled on a place that would be able to provide complete care.

To continue reading the entire article click HERE

Another great article found on Long-Term Living Magazine about the correlation between hearing loss & increaed risk of falling.   This is good information to have as Caregivers.  Please keep an eye on the ears of your loved ones!  

Hearing loss linked to 3-fold increased risk of falling

February 28, 2012 by Kevin Kolus

Hearing loss has been linked with a variety of medical, social and cognitive ills. According to a new study by a Johns Hopkins researcher, serious physical health problems may also be added to that list—specifically, hearing loss can be a risk factor of falls.

To continue reading the entire article click HERE

Guest post by a reader, Sherri Cash who wanted to share HER story about searching for a community for her parents.  Thank you so much Sherri for telling us your story!

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I had been listening to the concerns voiced by my parents for a few weeks before we engaged in a conversation to make a move into an assisted living community. My father is diabetic, and on a sliding scale medication which we all have difficulty keeping track of; at first we entertained the idea of brings in a nurse to monitor his dosage. My mother’s mobility has decreased as of late, and the expansive distances she traveled to get to social events and appointments was starting to wear on her.

However, our final decision coupled with a dissatisfaction my parents had with their changing East Boston neighborhood (streets bad to drive on, friends moving and neighbors they could not relate to.) Rent was ever increasing, traffic was getting worse, and my parents were just ready to be in a community environment that would soften the stress that their life had been sustaining.

My parents are quite independent and refused to budge on many issues. One of the biggest ones was deciding what to do with their automobile situation. My father, who refuses to budge on giving up the Cadillac he inherited from his father, did not think we could find a community that would allow him to bring his car. Luckily, with proper research, I was able to prove that his personal stigma of assisted living was not up-to-date with the wonderful facilities available now.

The list of stipulations given to me by my family was surprisingly easy to deal with- a kitchenette (my father cannot live without some recipes my mother has to perfection,) four private walls, and obviously car-friendly.

My mother was ecstatic to get rid of her automobile in preparation for paring down to Pop’s Caddy, the cost of maintenance, gas, and insurance on the vehicle she was no longer comfortable driving. We invested in an electric wheelchair for her to get around outside easily (visit her neighbors, get to the community center, etc,) which when combined with savings on such things as in-home nurses, former car costs, and bills made their move much more cost efficient than living on their own.

We located and moved my Mom and Dad into a wonderful assisted living facility in New England, which houses free-standing townhomes for their resident’s comfort (quaint kitchen provided coupled with meals in the community.) It is a joy to see the dignity my parents maintain in holding on to their independence, while being in a fulfilling community of their peers and have professionals nearby for specialized healthcare. 

I write this to emphasize the importance of listening and working with the elder members of your family when you consider assisted living.

My parents are proud of their independence, and broaching a subject like this made me feel like I was disrespectful of their freedom. Luckily, with an active ear and commitment to researching all possibilities and with the amazing amenities offered in modern assisted communities, we were able to fine tune and happily move somewhere where my folks are happy and I feel safe with them being there. 

Recently I received a note about term life insurance for seniors.  It is not a subject I know anything about, so I thought I would just share the readers note and the link to her article about it if you are looking for information on the subject.

Dear Lisa:

My name is Kathleen Firtle and I also enjoy developing content relevant to retirees. I particularly enjoy how your blog can aid seniors in the Chicago area! I really like how you can combine issues like financial planning, assisted living and local events to provide such a wonderful resource to seniors!

I see that you've written about seniors and taxes; however, did you know that term life insurance can help your loved ones pay estate taxes? It can be a great retirement tool!

I have recently written an article that may be of particular interest to your base of readers. It has been published on an informational life insurance site and advises retirees on things like: when they can still be approved for life insurance, the rates they should expect to pay, why they might want to purchase a life insurance policy and scams they should be wary of. It is very informative and compliments a lot of the content found on your site.

The article can be found here:  https://www.lifeinsurancematters.org/articles/term-life-insurance-for-seniors/

When it's time to discuss assisted living, no one wants to do it. There are risks of hurt feelings, offending your parents, or even suggestions that you 'don't care' about them or don't want to take care of them yourself. Fortunately, the right way to approach the situation will help you avoid all of these issues. In order to get the right outcome and send the right message, here are some things to keep in mind.-Don't gang up on the person. While it might seem effective to have the whole family present, when your loved one sees all of you against them, it might feel like they are being ganged up on and attacked. Approach them individually, or start a discussion that doesn't come off like an attack.-Be honest. The worst thing that you can do is sugarcoat the situation or not be open about your concerns. Let them know that you DO care and that you want to make sure that they are protected.-Give them power. Too often, these discussions go bad because the child creates an impression that the parent has no say in the matter. Discuss your concerns and make sure that you give them the opportunity to understand and choose what they feel is best.-Create a pro/con list. Putting it on paper can often help your parents realize that they really would be better off in assisted living.-Don't rush and don't push. Have a nice, relaxing discussion and don't make your parents feel pressured. You might make the wrong decision if you are too hurried to find the best possible solution.It's not about taking the hassle off of your hands. It's about making sure that your parents are where they need to be at this stage in life. The bottom line is to have a discussion, be open, and listen to each other instead of attacking them or telling them they 'need' assisted living.

Top 5 tips on talking to your parents about assisted living

Every family is different and everyone is going to have their way of approaching uncomfortable conversations. Here a 5 things to remember when having this discussion.1. Do not wait for a crisis to occur to have the talk. By then it may be too late2. Do not try to tackle everything at once. Do it over multiple conversations3. Get the support of other family members or a professional if necessary4. Ask open ended questions5. Be factual. Do your research before you have the conversation.Today's blog post contributed by Mary Albert, a blogger for a senior lifestyle and senior health web site that provides advice for the 55+ age group as well as medical alert systems.