| Abraham Lincoln's famous words have lived on for | | | | parents. Once reliable and caring in-home care is |
| ages after they were spoken. It's quite possible that | | | | arranged, both seniors and their families breathe |
| he had no idea the impact those words would make | | | | easier and can get back to the task of living life to |
| on societies born well after his death. But how true | | | | the fullest. |
| those words are; And in the end, it's not the years in | | | | As important as it is to enjoy continued |
| your life that count. It's the life in your years. | | | | independence, seniors must not forget to get out |
| Retirement doesn't signal the end of life, only the end | | | | and enjoy the freedom they have in this stage of |
| of an era. For those who have embraced the many | | | | life. The kids are grown and well into their child |
| changes that have surely visited them throughout a | | | | rearing years. You have contributed to the work |
| long and healthy existence, life after retirement can | | | | force for decades and enjoyed the sweet success |
| be active and full of satisfying activities. Growing into | | | | of your career. Now is the time to think of |
| your seventies and eighties is oftentimes a life event | | | | something you may immensely enjoy doing. Perhaps |
| that you and your family tiptoe towards, worried | | | | you've always wanted to learn a new language. It's |
| about your health and safety. If you are the retiree, | | | | not too late to begin learning! In fact, studies have |
| the worry about health and safety is most likely | | | | shown that seniors who spend time on educational |
| more on the part of your children than on your part. | | | | activities have better cognitive function and retain |
| Adult children worry that their parents are well taken | | | | their memories longer than seniors who do not. In |
| care of, and yet don't want to take away the | | | | addition to the health benefits, attending educational |
| valuable independence that they have enjoyed for so | | | | programs give seniors the opportunity to interact |
| many years. It is a situation that, working closely | | | | with others of their age group and younger people |
| together, can be handled with grace and dignity. | | | | as well. Engaging in a group activity also helps alleviate |
| Maintaining independence is vitally important to the | | | | the isolation and depression that inactive seniors |
| emotional well-being of our senior community. Those | | | | often develop. |
| who care for and are planning the living arrangements | | | | Here are a few pulsating activities to keep you |
| of seniors will do well to keep this in mind when | | | | young at heart: Eight is Enough ... Bridge Team |
| working with them. These are people who have lived | | | | Games, Pie Socials, Play Poker, Greeting Card |
| through years of ups and downs; decades of raising | | | | recycling, Group Trail Walks, Group Bike Rides, |
| children and holding down successful careers. The | | | | karaoke, Digital Photography¦ |
| latter years of a person's life are still full of potential | | | | If language is not your thing, there are still a wide |
| and vitality; that is a fact. | | | | variety of options open to you. Exercise classes, |
| Staying in your own home as you grow older is | | | | chess clubs, even square dancing or ballroom dancing |
| something that you may have strong feelings about. | | | | are all thriving classes in our local community center. |
| Your home is as much a part of your life as your | | | | The bottom line is that as you have embraced every |
| family. It is where so many memories live that leaving | | | | other life change that has come your way, embracing |
| it is almost always a last resort. Obtaining quality | | | | the changes that come along with retirement and |
| in-home care when it becomes necessary can | | | | senior living is what will keep you the most healthy |
| alleviate fears that may go along with independent | | | | and happy. |
| living. Knowing that you have a caretaker that comes | | | | Attitude determines so much in life. This is something |
| and goes as needed can give you and your family a | | | | all who have lived long have discovered. When you |
| peace of mind, and allow you to live more freely | | | | and your family can look at this time in life as just |
| doing the things that make you happy. | | | | another adventure in a long journey, then you can |
| There are so many activities that seniors can engage | | | | find the things that make your heart sing as loudly as |
| in that will not only give them something to do, but | | | | it did when you were just beginning. Making sure that |
| will also continue to enhance their lives. After all, | | | | everything at home is taken care of by a home |
| learning and experiencing new things is good for | | | | health agency you are comfortable with leaves the |
| everyone, no matter what their age. Making this a | | | | doors wide open for you to branch out and continue |
| fulfilling part of a healthy life is easily done when a | | | | leaving your mark on the world. Life does not stop at |
| family has taken the time to engage in discussions | | | | a certain age, it goes on as long as you continue |
| about the importance of independence to aging | | | | walking down that road. |