The mental and physical decline that accompanies the aging process – is it inevitable? Or is it a result of cultural influences and how we live?
Gerontologist John W. Rowe, MD, believes, as do many other experts, that 70 percent of the aging process is controllable with wise lifestyle choices. The remaining 30 percent is the result of heredity.
If the answer is yes, are you preparing financially? If so, that means you will have enough money to do all the fun things you looked forward to doing, instead of having to think twice about the smallest purchase. And, hopefully, you will plan so well that you will have more than enough money to pay for medical services not covered by insurance or Medicare. Unfortunately, many folks retire thinking, “I won’t need as much money anymore.” Wrong!
They don't call it middle-aged for nothing. We are the Sandwich Generation. That's a term coined by syndicated columnist and recognized elder care expert, Carol Abaya. We're sandwiched between our parents and our kids, and usually, they both need us for very different reasons.
For most of us, our own lives have become pretty stable. But the competing needs of two generations are pulling us in opposite directions. The kids may be "on their own." But when they hit financial disasters, it's probably the bank of Mom and Dad they turn to. Then again, if you're a younger Boomer, your kids may still be at home. When they were little, our kids needed our support both physically and financially. As they mature, they no longer need physical support, but the financial needs are still there, sometimes stronger than ever.
Call it a work/life strategy, or just a creative way to decorate. Feng Shui (pronounced “fung shway”) has interesting ideas that some people swear by. Studies show that people who are unhappy with their physical environment at work or home tend to be dissatisfied in general, and suffer high stress. The principles of Feng Shui suggest positive changes you can make to your working and living space to perk up your life and increase your well being. And the best part is... most of them cost little or nothing.
Put your creative genius to work with some clever landscaping, and you can do more than just cloak your home and property in beauty. You can also cut your energy bills year round, protect your home from wind and sun damage, cut your use of water and pesticides, and help control the noise and air pollution near your home.
The U.S. Department of Energy reports that carefully positioning trees around your home to provide shade can cut your household energy consumption for heating and cooling up to 25 percent. After all, most of the need for air conditioning is caused by sun coming through windows.
You've had one “prime of life”. Now, as an active Boomer, you’re ready for your “Second Prime!” Be part of our testing phase and share your ideas with us. Click here to take our Survey.
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Life Skills - Living Life Optimistically(Open) (12/07/07)
