Attacked by my Microwave!

There are numerous articles and statistics to support the theory that over 75% of accidents happen right in your home and I certainly have helped to prove that theory.

I’ve had a few accidents in my home and until this microwave incident; the oddest accident happened when I fell while trying to get out of my recliner and broke my right foot.   While it hurt a lot physically, I think more than anything it hurt my pride because I just felt so stupid and careless.   And since it happened in September (off ski season), I couldn’t even make up a good story, “like I was flying down a double-black diamond” when I lost control.

But nothing prepared me for the injury I suffered recently when I hit myself on the left side of my head while closing the microwave door.  Yes, I know, it’s hard to picture that happening, but my microwave is elevated above the stove and again while hurrying, I slammed the door into the left side of my head.  I didn’t think much about it until 2 days later when I suffered severe episodes of vertigo. 

After much research and talking to nurse Ginny (my sister), I discovered I was suffering from BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) which is caused by the crystals in your inner ear being knocked loose.  See http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vertigo/DS00534/DSECTION=causes

I had to go to a therapist for a canalith repositioning procedure during which I was rolled off the edge of a table to try and knock the crystals back in place.   It’s so dis-orienting, that I felt like I was being rolled around in a washing machine!  

While it’s not life-threatening, it’s devastating because before I experienced this, I hadn’t really thought much about how important balance it.   And as we get older one of our biggest fears is our loss of independence and I learned first-hand how your ability to stay balanced affects everything – walking, doing daily chores and especially driving.

So, learn from me and slow down because the therapist told me this is not an uncommon injury, especially for older people.    It's so hard for me to break those habits, as I've been a fast-paced, type A person my entire life.   Also, protect your balance by doing some strengthening exercises.  Check out http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/CardiacRehab/Strength-and-Balance-Exercises_UCM_307384_Article.jsp

It's a good time of the year to check out your home for potential accident areas, so for additional home safety tips, go to: https://www.westmetrofire.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/553

Are you having FUN?

Since I'd last written in February about losing a friend, I have suffered the loss of 3 more friends and 1 cousin in just 4 months!    It's definitely had an impact on me as one of the hardest things I'm dealing with as I get older is "acceptance". 

I just don't want to accept the fact that as I age:

•  time really does seem to move faster (it's already JUNE).
•  I have to deal with even more unexpected medical issues.
•  I can't do things as fast as I did before.
•  I have to deal more frequently with the death of family and friends.

Every time I hear of another death, it's like a cold, hard slap of reality hitting me across the face, reminding me that life really is so short that all I want to do is have more fun before I'm too tired or it's too late.

Only you can define "what's fun" or what activities put a smile on your face -- but I sincerely encourage you to follow Nike's famous slogan and "JUST DO IT".     Don't be sitting in your rocking chair at 80, saying "I wish I had" when you still have the time to build new, exciting memories.

So, STOP right now and plan a fun activity - be it a hike, movie or concert - something you can look forward to!

Single? Retired? Need Money?

WHO DOESN'T?
You've all seen those ads offering you ways to make more money in retirement doing everything from addressing envelopes to phone soliciting.  99% of them are schemes and you actually spend more money than you'll make.

But you might be able to increase your monthly retirement income just by reviewing your Social Security (SS) Benefits!   That simple -- YES!!

As I talk with divorced and widowed retirees (especially single women), I'm finding out that many of them are not getting the maximum SS benefit that they could receive in retirement because they have had to take their SS payment at the earliest eligibility date rather than wait until age 70.

What they are unaware of is that they "might" be eligible to claim benefits from their former or deceased spouse instead when they reach the minimum eligibility age, and hold off collecting under their own work record.   I stress "might" because each case is different and there are certain criteria that have to be met.   The exact wording from the SSA website:

"If you qualify for benefits as a widow, widower or surviving divorced spouse on another record, you may choose to apply for survivors benefits now and delay your retirement benefit until later."
http://www.ssa.gov/retire2/otherthings.htm

In cases of divorce, your EX must be retirement age eligible, BUT the EX does not have to be retired.

To apply you must have a copy of your marriage certificate, divorce papers or proof of death and that other person's SS number.  You can easily start your research online, but I highly recommend you go in person to a SS office for a final determination of your benefits.

Why not take a few minutes and explore the SS website?  Who knows, you just might be one of the lucky ones and find hundreds of dollars in unclaimed benefits waiting for you!

Downsizing your Keepsakes

Have you decided to downsize to a smaller home?

Do you have to move your parents out of their home?

In either situation, you're faced with the overwhelming tasks of deciding where to move, what to keep and what do I really need in my new home?   

With moving being one of life's most stressful events, it's even more traumatic for older adults especially when they feel forced to move.  It's so upsetting for them to have to sort through piles of items that may mean nothing to you but are jam-packed with special memories for them.

Like my mom who has lived in her home for more than 50 years.   She has a collection of miniatures that reek of cigarette smoke and have been discolored over the years which I'd love to toss out.   But when she looks at them she has wonderful memories of the many hours she babysat and watched her grandchildren playing with them.

The book "Don't Toss my Memories in the Trash" provides a thorough step-by-step guide to break down the move into manageable tasks. Chapter 2 lists detailed questions that you can discuss with your parents to help them make the choice while they still can rather than you having to force them out of their home.

As many BOOMERS and their parents have been in their current home for years, they have no idea how to plan for a move, so Chapter 13 is helpful as it provides a checklist of everything you need to know before signing the mover's contract.  Forms provided in the final section will help you stay organized during the move and give you some peace of mind during this stressful event.    

Don't start packing until you've read it!
Check out the book and other tips at:  www.organizationrules.com

Great Retirement, Great Sex!

Do I dare mention "sex" in the same sentence with retirement as it seems the younger generation think of us as shriveled up and half dead? 

 

Several studies have shown that instead of enjoying a blissful sex life in retirement, many Boomers find that stopping work is a depressing and demoralizing experience, resulting in a loss of confidence in both social situations and the bedroom.

 

But Mr. Gould busts right through many of the myths surrounding older-age sex and tackles the delicate issues of body image, sexual dysfunction, and overcoming the embarrassment of re-entering the dating field.    I especially liked Chapter 5, "The Magic Three", referring to your physical health, your mindset, and your sex life. 

 

Great Retirement, Great Sex  will take you through the pleasures and pitfalls of life after work, showing you how to plot a more satisfying, joyful course for retirement.   Check out his BLOG at: http://greatretirementgreatsex.blogspot.com/ 

 

For more info:   http://www.amazon.com/Great-Retirement-Sex-retire-Volume/dp/0985333006

 

Retirement News

I recently came across a website that has tons of info on retirement issues ranging from housing to part-time employment to finances! http://www.retirement-online.com/index.html

MAKE A WISH

Today I volunteered for the annual Frank's Ride for Children. It was rather ironic that my job was to serve pork to the famished riders because I don't eat meat! Over 1500 bikers paid $20 to enter the Poker Run with all the proceeds going to the Colorado Make a Wish Foundation.

The best part of the event was the arrival by motorcycle sidecar of 6 Wish Kids. They looked so cute in their autographed, custom-made helmets. They were so excited! Their joy was contagious and just so heartwarming. For more on the event: http://www.franksrideforchildren.org/

This week I also completed Wish Grantor training for MAW......so I'll get to meet with Wish Kids and their families to find out what their Wish is. I'm really looking forward to helping making their dreams come true.

In Retirement, most of us have more time than money, so why not donate some time? It's simple......especially if you want to work a special event. Just look up your favorite charity on the Internet, see what's happening this summer and call them!

Comments/???

Hey Boomers -- I know some of you would like to comment, but haven't quite figured it out. It's easy, just click on the word "comments" at the end of my BLOG article and then you can enter your comment or question. Or you could email me at Retired.Rosie@gmail.com I'd love to hear from you!

If you think one of my BLOGs might be of interest to a friend, click on the "envelope" and you can then email it to them.

Michael, one of my United Kingdom (UK) readers, sent me the link for discounts in the UK -- so whether you live there or are planning a trip abroad, go to: http://www.seniorsdiscounts.co.uk/

Thanks for your continued interest in my Retirement World!

WANTED: New Friends

Retired…but most of your friends still work or are not as active as you? Then, it’s time to leave your comfort zone and expand your social circle.

Here’s a few tips on how to get started.
*Identify your passions. Make a list of your interests and hobbies. Surf the WEB for clubs in your area. If you’re not comfortable with surfing, then go to the Yellow Pages under CLUBS. Look for church organizations, community center education classes, or college classes which retirees can usually audit for free. Be creative in your research. A lot of groups would love to have some new members!

*Become more involved. Working with others on committees or special projects is a great way to build new relationships with people who have similar interests.

*Hit the gym. Try a new exercise class like Pilago (Pilates and Yoga) or join a racquetball or tennis.

A cute new movie about a guy who's having trouble making new male friends is “I Love You, Man”. Check it out for a good laugh! You can find a review of it at: http://chicago.metromix.com/movies/movie_review/movie-review-i-love/1031605/content

The Gift of Time

Everyone loves to get a gift.........but the most precious gift of all is someone's time!

Think about -- one size fits all, it's always the right color, and it's something that everyone can use.

As we age, we usually need more help especially with some of our daily activities. If you're like me and live away from your family, it's wonderful to have friends who generously give you their time. My friend, Carole, is always there for me and I really appreciate that. She spent several hours with me yesterday as I couldn't drive home after a test at the doctor's office.

We're all given the same amount of time every day -- 1440 minutes. Unlike other resources that are continually diminishing, each day our time bank is replenished with another 1440 minutes. It's how you use those minutes that counts!

Why not take a few minutes today and think about who in your family or circle of friends might need some help? Give them a call now and offer a few hours of your time. You'll feel good about it and the offer of your time will definitely brighten their day!

If you're retired, you might have more time than money, so please consider volunteering with the Senior Services in your area. Whether you need help or want to volunteer, you can find out about Senior Services offered in your State on Google.

Just type in: Senior Services + your state For example: Senior Services + Colorado (which gave me the following link)

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&gfns=1&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GZHY_enUS243US243&q=senior+services+%2b+colorado

There I found numerous links on everything from recreation services to health care.

Skiing

I had a fabulous day on the mountain -- no wind, sunny, in the 40s and wide-open groomed runs. It just doesn't get much better than that unless there were a few inches of fresh powder!

I'm so blessed - I'm spending 5 weeks skiing in Colorado, sharing a condo with my sister, Paula and her husband, Ken.

Today we skied Keystone, tomorrow Breckenridge; and next week, it'll be Vail and Beaver Creek too. Vail Resorts offers the best deal for skiers with their Colorado Pass - only $449.00 and it covers 5 resorts with just a few restrictions (http://www.coloradopass.com/).

My friend, Don, is enjoying his retirement because he's fulfilled his life-long dream of living on a ranch in Texas. His passion is riding and he gets to ride every day.

My wish for you is to find something you're passionate about because to truly succeed at retirement, you've got to find a sport or hobby that you love. How else will you fill all those spare hours since you're no longer working? If you're still looking for your passion, I strongly encourage you to talk to your friends about their interests, visit your local Senior Center or check out classes at your local Junior College.

So what are you passionate about? I'd love to hear from you about your favorite sport or hobby. Just add a comment below or send me an email to Retired.Rosie@gmail.com

Who writes the checks?

Many married couples have continually argued about money during their marriage -- who earns the most, how to spend it, how much to save. Just because you're older, doesn't mean that the 2 of you have gotten wiser about how to manage your money.

In fact, if you're retired and living on a fixed-income you might even have more money problems than ever!

What concerns me most about money management and retired Boomer women is the fact the whoever writes the checks is usually the one who has control of the money. In many traditional marriages , the man has had total control of the checkbook and other financial records; so, the wife doesn't know where they stand financially.

60, suddenly single, financially strapped -- That's where you'll be if you don't get involved in the process of managing the marital money.

I'd like to encourage you to have a frank discussion with your husband regarding your finances. You need a financial snapshot of exactly what you have right now in January 2009 and where the financial records are located.

Some critical documents to have include: monthly pensions (what portion of it do you get if he dies first and how do you claim it); 401Ks, other IRAs, interest income, insurance policies, your will, deed to your home, income tax returns, computer passwords to your accounts and your monthly expenses. Get a binder with clear plastic pockets and put everything together in one place.

I know it's a tough topic. Some people just don't like to discuss money. Most spouses don't want to have that "when I die" conversation, but just do it this weekend and get it over with. Taking the time to have that 'talk' is a very loving gesture because it helps ensure your spouse can handle things when you're gone.

Where's my Money?

DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR MONEY WENT??

Since you have to get your tax records together anyway, this is the perfect time of the year to take a look at how you're spending your money.

You may have several sources of income from your salary, a pension, dividends, interest, maybe even rental income. It's pretty easy to determine your sources of income, but do you really have any idea where it goes -- other than maybe your house or car payment.

An easy way to get a handle on what you spent in 2008 is to begin with your checkbook and make a handwritten spreadsheet of what you bought by check. Or you might want to use a computerized program like Quicken http://quicken.intuit.com/

For charges, like Master Card, American Express, etc., look at the actual statements to determine the categories of expense. Some of the credit card companies actually give you a breakout at year end either with the final statement or by going to their website.

You might be reading this and thinking "what a waste of time".

BUT, how do you know where you might be able to cut back and save money, if you don't know where your $$$$ went. You really need to determine your minimum financial monthly outlay way before you retire just to make sure that you can afford the lifestyle you currently have. Frankly, I've not met anyone who gets 100% of their salary in retirement and I live in a retirement community!

So, most of us Boomers have to either cut back some in retirement or get a part-time job!

If you don't know where to start with making a budget, I found some good info and free worksheets at: http://www.betterbudgeting.com/budgetformsfree.htm

Here's a quick calculator that will give you an idea of whether your expenses will go up or down in retirement

http://moneycentral.msn.com/personal-finance/calculators/Determine_Your_Retirement_Expenses_Calculator/home.aspx

Happy Holidays!

I hope you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends! We had such a great time at my sister Ginny's home. It was just so much fun -- more than 30 people were there. Being Italian, we're all very, very loud; so with that many people we should've passed out ear plugs at the door!

Here's a picture of my mom, Eleanor, on the left of Santa -- she's 83 and had 9 kids. We range in age from 49 to 60 -- so she was always on the go. On the right is my 90 year old aunt who we affectionately call Betty Boop.

There were 4 generations of my family there ranging in age from 5 weeks to 83. I felt a little over the hill when my brother-in-law reminded me that next to my mom and aunt, I was the oldest person there. I just hadn't thought about that, but it was true.

It was a joyous celebration and now I'm looking forward to New Year's Eve!

Nintendo Wii

The Nintendo Wii is still one of the hottest Christmas gifts this year.

I visited with my brother and his wife today. We had a great time this afternoon bowling, playing tennis and skiing (even though I'm in St. Louis).

It's really fun......and something you can do with your grandkids or even your much older parents.

I love to ski and when playing with the skiing video, I actually felt like I was flying down a mountain. It's just so realistic, with the various elements coming into play....riding the chairlift, the wind, snow, moguls, jumps and even dodging other skiers on the mountain.

We even got my 83 year old mom to bowl! At first, she had a hard time with the Wii Remote, but finally got the hang of it and bowled a few lanes.

Nintendo Wii games are becoming very popular in retirement communities and many are even organizing senior Wii tournaments. Check out the YouTube Video of a Wii Sports bowling championship tournament among residents at Erickson senior living communities.

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/03/old-people-wii-bowling-is-awesome-episode-1/

Housing Options

Have you thought about moving after you retire?


People move during their lifetime for many reasons -- for their job, getting married, needing a larger home; but the top 3 reasons why retirees move are: to be close to their family; to reduce their living costs; or a change in marital status due to death or divorce.

Some of the housing options to consider depending upon your age, health, financial position and marital status are:

• APARTMENT - requires minimal cash, little maintenance, but you have to deal with other tenants and a smaller space
• CONDO - builds up equity, but you have other homeowners close by
• SINGLE FAMILY HOME - offers privacy and ownership, but more expensive and requires maintenance
• BOARDING IN A PRIVATE HOME - offers a homelike setting with other people, but homeowners exert too much control
• COHOUSING - similar to owning a single family home, but in a cohousing community you're committed to eat common meals, allocate dues, and pay for the common buildings
• CONTINUING CARE COMMUNITIES - offers prepaid health care, social activities and you don't have to move if you need more medical care, but this is usually the most expensive option.

Don't rush your decision!! Before you pack your bags and call the movers, be sure you spend time further researching the many housing options. Plan to spend time visiting that area or housing situation and talk frankly to the people living there. It'll save you time and money and give you peace of mind in knowing you made an informed decision.

Healthy Hearts

Ladies - please pay attention to your heart!

I was 44 when I had a heart attack and it was the ton of bricks and elephant sitting on my chest type of feeling. (Symptoms more common to a man having a heart attack.) I was immediately rushed to the hospital and thank God, I made it. I'm bringing it to your attention because the Holiday Season is a very stressful time of the year for Superwomen who are trying to play so many roles - mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, friend, cookie-maker.

But more importantly, because a good friend of mine recently had a heart attack. We had been playing telephone tag and when I finally reached Mary, I couldn't believe that just 4 weeks after retiring and 2 weeks after running a half-marathon, she had a heart attack. What is most frightening is that because she had symptoms she described as more flu-like , she put off going to the hospital for several days. By the time she went to the emergency room, the doctors found that she had 4 blocked arteries.

Don't delay--call 911 immediately--if you experience any of the following symptoms :

Pain or discomfort in the center of the chest.

Pain or discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach

Other symptoms, such as a shortness of breath, breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness.

.......and during this Holiday Season -- don't stress yourself out -- if the planning, shopping and cooking gets to be too much -- either do less or ask for help!

For additional info on Women and Heart Attacks, go to http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/actintime/haws/women.htm

Holiday Parties!

RETIRED?

If so, I bet you're just like me at this time of the year and you miss work -- well, not really work, but all the Christmas Parties and holiday cheer. I love the Christmas Holidays and it was always so much fun at work -- decorating the office, participating in Toys for Tots, cookies and candy everywhere and Secret Santa.

We all had a Secret Santa in our office when I worked in Germany. Our personal Secret Santa would leave a small gift on our desk every day for 1 week. The most fun though was that one employee played the Grinch and she would leave mean gifts on your desk, like a beautiful sweater with big holes cut in it or she gave one of the guys a Sports Illustrated Calendar with clothes drawn on all the models.

A big advantage of being retired is that now I don't worry so much about what happens at a Christmas Party like I did when working. I pretty much behaved at office Christmas parties, because I didn't want to come back from Christmas vacation and be reminded that I had been dancing on someone's desk.

The holiday activities have already started for me. On Saturday I went to a fun Holiday Party hosted by the Rocky Mountain Over the Hill Gang, the local Ski Club for anyone over 50. Then on Sunday afternoon we had a holiday singalong at our Clubhouse. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I can't carry a tune, but I still love to sing the Christmas favorites.

Office Christmas Parties are a national past time and have created many humorous situations. I'm sure many of them are captured in the annual play "Bob's Office Party" http://www.bobsofficeparty.com/ Check it out if you live in Los Angeles!

So, get out during this Holiday Season, socialize and have some fun. If you're looking for a Holiday Party, check out your local Senior Center. I'm sure they have several interesting activities planned for the Holdiays!

What's for lunch, honey?

I’m single, so I don’t have to answer that question, but this topic came to me one day when we were sitting around the clubhouse and I overheard a lady say, “Oh no, it’s 11:30 so I’ve got to run home and get lunch for Bill”.

I could tell by her tone that she really didn't want to leave.

Many couples have a tough time adjusting to retirement when all of a sudden they are thrust together for 24 hours a day. Those first few months after retirement are often filled with conflict as they attempt to renegotiate the boundaries of their relationship, especially when the wife hasn't worked full time and has a set routine that she's not ready to give up.

To ease the transition, spend a lot of time before you retire talking to each other and jointly deciding how much time you plan to spend together in a typical retirement day. Some things to think about:

• Keep your own friends. When working, I’m sure you both had your own set of friends. Don’t drop them now when you need them the most. Plan to still get together with your female friends for lunch or the theater. And for the men, why not start a ROMEO’s club and get together once a week. Oh, yeah, ROMEO stands for Really Old Men Eating Out


• Be prepared. If you are both retiring at the same time after having had full time jobs, you will now find yourself together at least 50 more hours a week. How are you going to creatively spend that time so that you don’t get into each other’s hair? You’ll not only have to rework the time spent together aspect of your relationship but also the space boundaries – like what will the wife do if all of a sudden your husband want’s to take over the cooking? Can you willingly give up your old turf or perhaps a compromise to cook dinner together is the best solution.
  
• Develop separate hobbies. It’s been proven people are happier after retirement if the have a part-time job or do volunteer work. Find something you’ve always wanted to do but before just didn’t have the time before--- perhaps it’s drawing, golf or volunteering for your favorite charity; then suggest that your spouse pursue a new hobby on their own. You need to spend time alone so that you can both bring something new to the relationship.

And the best answer to that question above is ---

Let's go out for lunch, dear and you can pick the place!

Medical Expenses

Lack of money is the number one concern of all retirees. I had planned well to meet my monthly expenses in retirement and I'm fortunate that as a Federal Retiree I have continuing medical coverage, but I still feared an unexpected major medical crisis. How could I possibly handle that? I have been retired 4 years now and have been hospitalized 5 times, 2 of which were serious medical injuries and illnesses. Even though I have major medical coverage, I still have spent more than $30,000 during this time. While it was difficult at times to cover those unforeseen medical expenses, I managed by cutting my variable expenses like eating out and traveling. But without major medical coverage, I would have been faced with medical bills in excess of $160,000. I'm sharing this, because after my last hospitalization just 3 months ago, I found out that the #1 cause of bankruptcy in America, especially for retirees, is due to lack of adequate health coverage.

Since you don't have a crystal ball to predict how healthy you will be in retirement, you must plan for adequate major medical health care coverage. Some of the things to consider are: does your company offer health coverage in retirement; if so, how do you apply for it and how much will it cost per month? If coverage is not available, you might be eligible under a COBRA policy. An explanation of benefits can be found by looking up COBRA Insurance Plans online. Or, if married, can you be covered in retirement under your spouse's plan? The best time to be concerned about how you will cover your medical coverage in retirement is 5 years prior to actually retiring as some medical plans require coverage that far in advance. Above all, be prepared --- don't let unexpected medical expenses steal your financial security and retirement dreams.