Tag: Baby Boomers

Find A Roommate. What At My Age?

Published on by Brigitte Nioche4 Comments

 

Did you have roommates when you were young? When you went to college? Or before you got married?

I recently came across some information  I want to share with you, but first let me say this.

In the beginning of life we make concessions and find it quite normal. Now being older, being  at the other spectrum of life compromising might be the answer again for the daily increasing number of baby boomers. Many of them live alone because their spouse died and the children, besides having their own life, live far away. A lot of advice is given on how to keep busy, how to connect with the world, how to make new friends, but all this is easier said than done. And not everybody is proactive enough to create a new life for themselves, making loneliness their biggest enemy.

One way to overcome this is to  step back in time – be somebody’s roommate again. It will help to overcome:

  • loneliness – you won’t get up every morning and not see another face
  •  paying a high rent – sharing a house you will pay less
  • receiving rent –  will help pay expenses of your house
  • staying in your home because you share expenses with a roommate
  • you have support when you get sick
  • you can share interests
  • it will avoid moving into a retirement community one day
  • it will be good for your health – (it is commonly known today that people who live alone are more at risk to get depressed or ill.)

Whenever I speak to someone who complains about being alone and I suggest that maybe a roommate could be the answer, the reaction is “Oh, this is not for me, I couldn’t live with a stranger.” (remember they won’t be a stranger for long once you move in together).

I read an article recently about two women who were living together but had been total strangers before becoming roommates. They admitted that it was an adjustment, but  once they had overcome some hurdles, now enjoy life again. One of the women described their success this way: “I learned to love her dog, and she learned to love my cat! And now we have things to share and we don’t feel alone anymore”

Of course how to find the right person is a big question – and here is what I want to share with you, a website that has all the answers.

http://www.silvernest.biz

Home Sweet Shared HomeFind Your Perfect Housemate

A unique roommate matching service for baby boomers and empty nesters

Even if you don’t think this is ever for you, spend some time to check it out. If nothing else it shows possibilities and ways of how others manage to overcome loneliness.

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And never forget – A Smile Changes Everything!

Brigitte

 

PS. Silvernest covers all states in the US

 

7 Books that Will Keep You Younger

7 Books that Will Keep You Younger

Published on by Brigitte NiocheLeave a comment

Are you ready to live longer? It’s never too late to start enjoying a healthier, more fulfilling life. Learn brain exercises, financial wisdom, and lifestyles that will reset your genes with these seven books on aging from the bestsellers list on Amazon.

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1. The Blue Zones, Second Edition: 9 Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest

Region by region, Buettner reveals the “secrets” of longevity through stories of his travels and interviews with some of the most remarkable–and happily long-living people on the planet. It’s not coincidence that the way they eat, interact with each other, shed stress, heal themselves, avoid disease, and view their world yield them more good years of life. Buettner’s easy to follow “best practices” and list of healthy lifestyle choices from the Blue Zones will empower readers to live longer, healthier, more fulfilling lives.

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2. 399 Games, Puzzles & Trivia Challenges Specially Designed to Keep Your Brain Young.

Based on the science that shows that people middle-aged or older who solve word games and brainteasers have a significant cognitive advantage over those who do not, 399 Games, Puzzles & Trivia Challenges is the illustrated game book specifically created to cross-train the brain. Here are 399 games to stretch, challenge, and push the reader, all of which stimulate the formation of neurons—literally, regrowing the brain.

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3. Aging Backwards: Reverse the Aging Process and Look 10 Years Younger in 30 Minutes a Day

The body is programmed to self-destruct as we age, but the speed at which it self-destructs is up to us. Recent scientific studies have proven this fact! In Aging Backwards, Miranda Esmonde-White offers a groundbreaking guide on how to maintain and repair our cells, through scientifically designed workouts.

Healthy cells prevent joint pain, muscle loss and weak bones—helping to control weight, increase energy, and improve strength and mobility. Miranda offers readers of all ages the tools they need to look and feel young. Complete with tips, tools, and her Eight Basic Age-Reversing Workouts accompanied by instructional photos and web clips, Aging Backwards will help you grow younger, not older!

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4. Younger Next Year: Live Strong, Fit, and Sexy – Until You’re 80 and Beyond

Both men and women can become functionally younger every year for the next five to ten years, then continue to live with newfound vitality and pleasure deep into our 80s and beyond.

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5. How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free: Retirement Wisdom That You Won’t Get from Your Financial Advisor

World-class author and innovator Ernie J. Zelinski guides you to:

  • Gain courage to take early retirement; in fact, the earlier the better.
  • Put money in proper perspective so that you don’t need a million dollars to retire.
  • Generate purpose in your retirement life with meaningful creative pursuits.
  • Follow your dreams instead of someone else’s.
  • Take charge of your mental, physical, and spiritual health.
  • Better envision you retirement goals — including where you want to live.
  • Above all, make you retirement years the best time of your life.

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This book is written for you…
  • If you want to thrive and find spiritual strength, wellbeing, wisdom, and wonder as you grow older.
  • If you are willing to recognize that we live in a new period of history where we can live longer and with more vitality than people ever have.
  • If you are ready to embrace this new reality and live the fourth quarter of your life creatively, lovingly, and joyfully.

 

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7. Younger: A Breakthrough Program to Reset Your Genes, Reverse Aging, and Turn Back the Clock 10 Years

The scientific reality is that 90 percent of the signs of aging and disease are caused by lifestyle choices, not your genes. In other words, you have the capability to overcome and transform your genetic history and tendencies. Harvard/MIT—trained physician Sara Gottfried, M.D. has created a revolutionary 7-week program that empowers us to make the critical choices necessary to not just look young, but also feel young.

Have you read any of these books on aging?

Which one would you recommend?

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And never forget – A Smile Changes Everything!

Brigitte

ALEXA – Have you met her?

Published on by Brigitte Nioche3 Comments

If you haven’t met Alexa don’t feel bad. Until a few days ago I didn’t know her either. I met her while visiting my friend Helen. We were enjoying a glass of fine when Helen suddenly called out,

“Alexa when do we have to leave for the movies?”

Confused I looked around to see who she was talking to, because I was under the impression we were alone, “Who are you talking to?”

“Oh, that’s  Alexa, our Echo Speaker.” Helen answered.

“Echo Speaker?” What is that?”

Helen told me all about it and while she demonstrated it I felt I had been transferred to another planet. But no, I was right here on earth, and  listening and looking in awe at the black cylinder on the table, I found out that by using nothing but your voice Alexa can help with tasks like:echo-fullres-1784-1-630-jpg-alexa

  • shop on-line
  • create a to-do or shopping lists
  • search the web
  • dim or turn on the light
  • get the weather report and so on and so on……..

These are just a few things Alexa can do. There is so much more; too much to tell you about here – besides I doubt that my explanation could do justice to this little miracle. But if you go on Amazon (yes, where else do we buy anything today?) you can find out all about it, and it might just tempt you to have Alexa as a friend too!

What about me? Did she become my friend? No! Yet, I do admit it’s a really cool idea and she could help me do many things, but this is where I have a problem. Being  at an age when it is important to keep active and move, a device that will stop me from doing things myself is not what I need. So I will wait a few years!

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By the way Alexa was named after the ancient library in Alexandria, Egypt –  a tall order to follow indeed., but she seems to manage well.libraryofalexandria

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And never forger – A Smile Changes Everything!

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OLDER BUT NOT DOWN AND OUT

Published on by Brigitte NiocheLeave a comment

Many people under 50 are putting people over 60 in a different category.

I don’t understand why? Because looking around one sees many vibrant, busy, contributing elders around. Some of them are far beyond retirement age of 65, but are still out there making a difference to the world.

Recently I had a chance to change someone’s mind about who we are. It was at the Bottomless Closet where we help women with proper clothes for an upcoming interview. I was helping Sheila, who is in her  40s and is applying for a retail position.

When we were done, I showed her a pretty, glittering top and asked,

“How do you like this?”

“I love it, but it’s not work appropriated, is it?”

“No! But you won’t only work, you can wear this when you go out.”

“You mean when I hang out with my friends in a bar, or restaurant?” and then looking at me a little closer asked,

“Do you still hang out?”

“Of course I do. What makes you think I don’t?” Hesitantly she answered,

“You are retired, right? I just thought ……. retired people don’t do those things anymore!” (I think she meant older but not wanting to hurt my feelings choose to say retired).

“We do – and many other things that would surprise you.”  IMG_2984

 

 

 

 

 

When she left, hugging me she said, “Thanks for your help and the pretty top  —– maybe I see you when I hang out next time?”

Was she telling me she saw retired people differently now?

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And never forget – A Smile Changes Everything

Brigitte