Programs

Oh, I don’t have time.

Nope I can’t afford it.

It’s too expensive.

Who will take care of the dog?

I can’t because my husband, mother, sister isn’t feeling well.

I have to be available for my grandchildren.

There is no one else.

Next time I will.

Next year I will.

After I retire I will.

Yes, I really really want to but….

Have you heard and or said these things?

Is this what stops you from doing the things you dream about? The things you want to do?

Is this what stops you from making that bucket list.

Well you know what – there will come a time when you really won’t be able to do those things. It will be when your spouse or traveling partner is dead. When you have lost the ability to travel. When you truly have no money left because you gave it all to the kids.

So, change all of those things. Stop being that person who always has a reason to not do something. Become the person who is out and about. The person executing the plans.

My in-laws died before they could do any of the above things because they always had those reasons of why not to and unfortunately, they both died within 3 months of each other in their late 60’s.

My husband and I learned to get out there and travel, remodel the house, visit relatives, learn new things, question our wants and needs.

Live in the now. Don’t delay! Make your plans for 2019! Be present.

And you know what you’ll be happier. You’ll enjoy life more. You’ll have new stories to tell. And you’ll find more things you can and want to do. Get out there and enjoy life.

Don’t we all want something for nothing? Do you look for the bargains and ways to stretch every dollar? I’m drawn to the clearance signs like a bee to honey! So, I’ve come up with this list of discounts and free stuff for seniors, veterans and everyone else. And remember if you don’t ask you miss out.

1. Look on Craigslist. They have a “free” listing under “for sale”.
2. Facebook has any number of resale/yard sale pages.
3. Free Hunting and fishing licenses if you are 65+.
4. State parks + CT registration = free entrance. This is now included in our car registrations.
5. Some Banks offer free checking and more.
6. Free college tuition if you are 62+. Finish your degree. Take classes that interest you.
7. Income tax returns – free with AARP trained preparers- check local senior centers for appt.
8. Save 5-10% off your auto ins for taking a driving class – check senior center for AARP class.
9. Retention dept for utilities – reduction for staying with that provider. This will take some time – maybe a half hour – but the discount will last 12-24 months.
10. Prescription assistance for non-covered unaffordable meds – ask at your doctor’s office and ask your pharmacist.
11. Legal assistance is available from several resources. Call 1-800-296-1467 or 1-800-453-3320 to get started.
12. Your library – free and reduced passes to museums and attractions, e-books, e-audio.
13. Discounts at restaurants and stores – one example is Kohl’s 15% every Wed for those 60+.
14. Community Resources – Call or visit your Area Agency on Aging, Senior Centers or your Town’s Municipal Agent.
15. Call your Town Hall. Town Clerks are a wealth of information.
16. Don’t forget calling 211 – 211ct.org

17 Browse the internet. Check any number of websites. BUT be sure to check the date for when the article was published to help judge if the information is current.

There will always be times in our lives when we offer care to others. Friends, parents, children and spouses have life events happen to them. We by instinct reach out and offer to help.

When those life events happen a plan comes about, care and healing happen and the world rights itself at some point. During that time life becomes quite crazy and hectic.

We could do a lot of our caregiving better and easier if we plan ahead. When a baby is about to be born plans are made for a doctor, aftercare for mom, cribs and more are bought. Questions are asked and answered. Babysitters, daycare decided on.

But for lots of other caregiving situations no planning is done at all. We age, our parents age. We don’t talk about what will happen as we lose some of our independence. Who will care for who? What agency do we want and what don’t we want?

Now is the time to look at the home, the budget and other options. Is it safe to stay at home? Is a move needed? What resources are there to pay for help? What will insurance pay for? What insurance is available? Is there a care plan manager? Are there resources from an employer available?

Start looking for the answers to some of these questions now.

Plus, start planning how the caregivers will get some respite. It is not unheard of for the caregiver to die before the one they are taking care of. Caregiving is stressful, a lot of work, demanding and exhausting.

We all need time for ourselves and so do the caregivers. They need time away from the situation. Whether it’s going out to lunch, shopping, taking a nap, gardening or reading a book they need a break.

Take care of the caregiver so they can continue to care for their loved one.

As we proceed towards the November elections, we’ll hear lots and lots of chatter. Some that we agreed with and some that we dislike greatly. But now is the time to voice your opinion on what matters the most to you. Do you find certain issues are not even mentioned by those who are running for office? Do you think that those running ignore you? Do you feel left out?

Well now is the time. Call, email, text and/or write to those who are going to be on the ballot in November. Attend events where the politicians will be. Work on a campaign. Hold a sign stating what you want. And make your own sign if need be.

If we continue to leave the outcome of the elections up to others we can not continue to complain about the direction our state and country are going in. We must give voice to what is important to us!

I learned a long time ago that if 5 to 6 people contact a politician about any one issue, that issue is very important to a lot of people and they will respond. A recent example is Governor Malloy cut the Medicare Savings Program and when word got out lots of phone calls were made to CT Senators and Representatives and the program was fully restored.

Your voice does matter! Be reasonable. Be rational. Your opinion is important. Tell your story about why change should be made and how that change should look.

And you can make things better for lots of others when you become a part of the solution. Be a voice. Be an advocate.

Have you heard this statement? Now think about it…

As we work longer and care for others, time for ourselves can be limited but that lack of social engagement does affect our brain health as well. Now you might ask how do I increase my interactions with others?

Think of those things you would like to do. Make a written list.  Explore other ideas. A book club, a dance class, lunch out, a day trip, learning a new skill. Whatever it is, now look for those things on your list. Ahh, they have that very thing at your Senior Center, Parks and Rec, Adult Ed…

Now to go for the first time. Just how scary is that. Yup, that’s why you haven’t gone in the past, isn’t it? You don’t know anyone who will go with you and you don’t want to go alone…

Do you remember your first day of school? The first day of every new school you ever went to? The first day of every new job? The first day at a new church? The first time you went to a new doctor’s office?

All of those were scary too! But you got very comfortable in a short period of time didn’t you? Most times it worked out really well by the end of the first week.

Well do the same thing now. Pick that thing you have always wanted to do. Sign up. Then show up. There will be other people there for their first time as well. In a few visits you’ll be making new friends and perhaps finding folks you know from the past.

But now you’ll be getting out, having some “me” time and experiencing new activities and making new friends. All very good things to be doing!

Give it a try! “You’re not too old and it’s not too late” – Rainer Maria Rilke