Focus 50 2013

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FOCUS 50 A Guide for Mature Adults

A Publication of

Country Peddler

Plus

-June 2013-

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Interesting Articles You Won’t Want To Miss • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Travel Ideas For Active Seniors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Things We Should Probably Never Do After 50 . . . . . . . . . 6 These Are Not Your Grandmother’s Retirement Homes . . . . . . 8 Don’t Hide That Smile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Popular Baby Boomer Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Unsung Heroes: America’s Servicewomen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Things To Do In 30 Minutes Or Less...

That Will Make You Happy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Shedding Pounds After 50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 The Great Thing About Getting Older . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Grow Your Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Furnishing The Empty Nest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Keep The Energy Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Avoid Overspending As Retirement Nears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

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T ra velIdea s For A ctive S eniors Those who have said goodbye to the work-a-day grind now have many hours to settle down and relax. People who have continually put off vacations in lieu of work responsibilities may now have all the time they need to explore the world.

Traveling for seniors can be rewarding and relaxing. Those with a substantial retirement nest egg have numerous destinations at their disposal. Mature vacationers travel more frequently and stay longer than any other age group. Travel ranks among the top leisure activities for men and women over 50, according to the Web site Suddenly Senior.

Seniors can find several travel advantages at their disposal. Also, thanks to special senior discounts, travel may be even more affordable than first expected.

While certain destinations are not always practical for certain age brackets, there are many places which seniors can visit comfortably and enjoy a wealth of memories.

• Theme Parks: Although theme parks may seem carved out entirely for the adventure-seekers, there are many other more placid activities that would appeal to those who prefer to keep their feet firmly on the ground rather than looping through the air on a rocket-propelled coaster. With animal preserves, water parks, fine dining, and a bevy of hotels either in the park or directly on the outskirts, theme parks provide many activities for older travelers. Although theme parks require a lot of walking, many provide wheelchairs or motorized scooters for those who need to get off of their feet. They also make a great option for seniors who will be traveling with the entire family, including children.

• Beach Resorts: Provided flying is medically safe, a beachside vacation can be the ideal trip for seniors looking for the utmost in relaxation. For those who have passports, the possibilities are endless. Those who prefer to remain on relatively domestic soil can retreat to Puerto Rico, south Florida, the California coast, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

• Cruising: Cruising is a preferred vacation choice for the 50+ set because it offers the convenience of an all-inclusive package and transportation all in one. With the myriad activities offered on board, cruises are a versatile vacation option for seniors. Also, there is no need to worry about traveling far for meals and other entertainment options, as everything is selfcontained on the cruise ship. For more active seniors who enjoy the daily getaway, excursions in ports of call can provide the variety desired.

• Guided Tours: Seniors who want to experience a piece of history can sign up for tour packages backed by reputable companies. The tours may involve train or bus travel, and various attractions will be visited. At the end of the tour, individuals can choose to extend the vacation by checking into a hotel nearby.

• RV Trips: Another self-contained vacation that is entirely up to the people traveling is vacationing by recreational vehicle. Seniors can customize their routes depending on which areas they want to see. Companies like Cruise America RV enable people to rent an RV so they needn’t worry about the expense of buying one outright. However, should RV traveling become addictive, there always is the option of buying a camper later on. Setting an itinerary and then establishing the pace enables travelers to tour the country or cross the border as desired. From beaches to national parks, many areas offer RV hook-up areas and amenities.

• Exotic Tour: Seniors who were never able to afford or spare the time for an extensive vacation may now want to visit those exotic locations that have beckoned for years. Now could be the time to book a ticket for Europe and visit all of the cities that have made the history books. Those looking for even more adventure can travel to the South Pacific and explore tropical islands. Others may want to go “down under” and experience the rugged Outback or the culture of Australian city centers.

With a bevy of free time and fewer restrictions holding them back, seniors could be ready for the next great travel

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T hings W e S hould Proba bly

N E VE R Do A ga in A fter 5 0 !

By Jacquelyn Mitchard

There is just about nothing I could do when I was 16 that I cannot do now … except hang-up calls and the splits. I can’t explain to my children the sheer innocent malice of hang-up calls, a simple pleasure robbed from them by caller ID. But I digress.

There are things I did at 16 so excruciating in retrospect that simply thinking about them in that shadow hour before dawn causes me to make the sound you make when you hit your tailbone really hard — more than a moan, less than a shriek.

Some of my friends still can do splits. One even played a starring role in a French farce (requiring splits and a harem costume) that she first acted in 25 years ago.

When I cried, “Brava!” I was cheering for her just-plain moxie. But, also, I was cheering for my just-plain joy that it was she rather than I up there in the I Dream of Jeannie outfit, sliding slowly into that really precarious position, as we all held our collective breath.

Last summer, when my brother did the limbo, I had similar agita. Now, my brother is a hockey ref. He’s fit, flexible and only recently 50. In this case, his feat was perhaps technically more egregious since it was not tropical-resort limbo, but graduation-barbecue-suburban-lawn limbo; the question “How low can you go?” was as much philosophical as physical. How low he could go, in other words, had as much to do with the comfort of his teenage children (who, with their friends, made like Secretariat for the nearest break in the hedge) as it had to do with my brother.

By the way, he indeed did get very low, with very little pain — in part because he was so far past feeling any.

That’s the thing about throwing a kegger after the age of 50. A person might feel limber enough to limbo. Everything might be uproarious fun, in the moment. The risk is hindsight: You might look back at some lasting damage, up to and including moderate disability. When you’re 16, or 22, or 25, or even 31 and 3 months … well, tides of youth, and fortunes of war. However, at 50, as George Orwell said, everyone has the face he deserves. Now, at 50, we might not all have the face or the fate we deserve. (I sure don’t.) Still, we must all do what we can to avoid doing what we must not.

With fate and that rearview mirror in mind, here are a few things beyond the limbo I’m quite probably beyond doing.

So, join me in just saying no to:

• Jell-O shots.

• Karaoke after Jell-O shots.

• Trying to break a plank with your head.

• Mud wrestling (intentional).

• Crowd surfing to the mosh pit.

• Joining the circus.

• Xtreme bingo cruises.

• Collecting owls made of shells, frogs made of ceramic or lawn gnomes made of anything — really, really anything.

• Playing basketball in high heels. • Throwing a wet T-shirt contest.

• Explaining your personal role in starting the rumor that Paul was dead.

• Single-spacing your Christmas letter.

About the Author: Jacquelyn Mitchard, the best-selling author of 20 books, lives • The Dougie.• Giving up — ever. near Madison, Wis., with her family. Her next novel, Second Nature: A Love Story, was published in September, 2011 by Random House. Visit this site for more interesting articles: www.babyboomerlifeboat.com

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P lanning N ow for P eace of M ind

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270-843-3111 • www.jckirbyandson.com 7

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These Are Not Your

Grandmother’s Retirement Homes!

As the Baby Boomer generation enters retirement age, there has been an increased demand for services that meet the needs of this segment of the population. Amenities such as active-living communities that boast top-of-the-line features typically are the first things individuals seek.

Age-restricted, 55-plus communities cater to what the name implies — people who are age 55 and older. However, these home developments are a far cry from what they used to be. Now they rival some of the best resorts in their features and are designed entirely around the needs of a group of active, amenity driven people. Plus, considering there now are more Americans age 65 and older than in any other point in history, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, developers understand the benefits of catering to this group of people.

Therefore, there are more high-end active-living communities now than ever before.

There are many choices with regard to active adult retirement communities. Many of these communities boast everything from detached, single-family homes to villas to condominiums. These residences are built with the active adult in mind. Here are some of the benefits that these communities boast.

• Community companionship - Due to the age-restricted nature of active-adult-homedevelopments, the residents are all in a similar age range, and may have similar interests. At a time in life when friendships from work may waver due to retirement, and older children may be busy with their own lives, these communities can help foster new friendships. Whether through communitysponsored activities or just through home proximity, residents can enjoy one another’s company and never worry about feeling lonely into their retirement years.

• Low- or no-maintenance living - One of the biggest attractions to active-adult living is that these homes are built to provide worryfree living. Included in home ownership fees are provisions to take care of much of the interior and exterior maintenance. That means should a pipe leak or the lawn needs mowing, maintenance staff will handle the problem. This peace of mind enables residents to pursue interests rather than worry about the upkeep on their homes.

• Activity-based fun - Many communities build activities into the living plan. Therefore, there may be a workout room, the game center, exercise classes, movie nights, and many other attractions to keep residents busy. Active-adult communities may be similar to all-inclusive vacations and cruises in that they have their own activities coordinator on staff. Should residents prefer solo activities, the property on which these homes are built are often created with recreation in mind. There can be walking paths or areas for cycling.

• Concierge services - Some of the more exclusive communities may have staff who can help with everything from booking vacations to helping with moving details.

There also are developments that offer transitional homes, and someone may be available to help with the transition from an active-style home to one that has nursing staff or assisted living offerings at that time in life when it is needed.

Active-living communities offer many of the features that recently retired people seek in homes that do not compromise on amenities. Individuals who are looking for comfortable, maintenance-free homes often seek out these developments for the convenience and services they offer.

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It’s easy to forget sometimes that your mouth and teeth are aging right along with the rest of your body. Your mouth and teeth require the same amount of quality health care as the rest of you. Taking care of your oral health (mouth and teeth) is as important to seniors as it is to kids. Not taking care of your oral health can lead to serious diseases.

CAUSES FOR CONCERN ✦ Cavities/tooth decay. No matter how old you are, your natural teeth can still get cavities. Improper cleaning and gum disease leads to decay. In addition to brushing, using fluoride gel, mouth wash, and toothpaste will help protect your teeth from decay. ✦ Gum disease. Infections that harm your gums and the bone that holds your teeth in place are called gum disease. The medical name is periodontal or gingival disease. If your gums are swollen and bleed easily, you may have a condition called gingivitis.

Infections, if they aren’t treated, will cause your teeth to loosen and fall out. ✦ Dentures (false teeth). As we age, our mouth changes in shape, and dentures need to be adjusted or replaced. Partial or full dentures require the same careful cleaning as your natural teeth.

✦ Dental implants. Dental implants are small metal pieces that hold false teeth or partial dentures in place.

Only a dentist can determine if you should have dental implants. ✦ Dry mouth. Diseases and medical conditions (such as radiation therapy) can cause dry mouth which makes it difficult to eat, swallow, and speak. There are medications that improve saliva flow and reduce dry mouth. ✦ Oral cancer. People over 40 are at greater risk for oral cancer. Treatment is most effective with early detection.

Even if you have no teeth of your own, a dentist should examine your mouth for oral cancer.

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Popula r Ba by B oom er A ctivities Exercise & Staying Healthy Hitting the gym and playing sports are popular among baby boomers. They focus on feeling healthy and young while also combating obesity and other health-related problems.

Boomers participate in a mix of solitary and group activities such as tennis, golf, jogging, walking and aerobic exercise, to name a few. They take their well-being seriously.

Enjoying Music

Changing Careers Reaching 65 years of age is an exciting time for those easing into retirement. But for baby boomers, such a vision won’t cut it, as many plan to continue working well after 65. Of the group staying in the work force, two-thirds plan to make a career change

DATING Hitched or divorced, baby boomers are keeping the romance alive. Even though the majority of boomers are still married, the group has the highest divorce rates among all age groups, leaving many candidates looking for love. Dating has reclaimed popularity among baby boomers. The group’s postmarriage dating activities differ from what was forbidden for previous generations, which makes the trend all the more appealing.

Advanced communication, including the internet, brings dating to boomers’ fingertips. In contrast to searching for love interests locally, conducting extensive searches for that perfect someone is now an easy option.

How could the generation that attended Woodstock and coined the term rock’n’ roll ever fall out of music’s sweet embrace?

Boomers still wax nostalgic about their concert-going past and enjoy listening to good tunes, particularly if they’re performed live. Groups such as the Rolling Stones — and even U2, a multigenerational favorite made up of boomers themselves — have the highest-grossing tours, even today.

HOME IMPROVEMENT & DIY Baby boomers’ independence and innovation leads them to activities to do on their own. Home improvement projects and do-it-yourself endeavors are popular among the group.

Improving quality of home makes sense for boomers looking to stay at their current residence as they age.

Home improvement activities for boomers who want to downsize as well as smaller living spaces could lead to higher quality decorative touches. Boomers are set on being self-sufficient. Gardening and crafting handmade products are a few thrifty activities boomers do well.

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Spiritual & Social Experiences Though their approaches in life may vary, most boomers strive to participate in activities spiritually and socially meaningful.

Maintaining a level of solidarity and friendship is a balance everyone must strike, but boomers are more adamant about doing certain things alone or within small social groups of close family and friends. The generation has endured much social and political uncertainty over the years, and most boomers find relaxing with friends and family to be the key to happiness.

Many prefer more public, faceto-face outings, which is why socials, art galleries, sporting events and cultural experiences are so popular among the group.

Interacting with people in public rather than staying at home comes natural to this outgoing generation.

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U ns ung H eroes : A m erica ’s S ervicew om en (NAPS)—The numbers are staggering: Women make up 1.8 million veterans. The average age of women veterans is 48 years, compared to 63 years for their male counterparts, and their issues and needs are very different, something that is oftentimes going unnoticed.

Consider the case of Jaspen Boothe, or “Jas” as she’s called. She’s but one story in a new book, “Portraits of Service: Looking into the Faces of Veterans,” published by Patton Publishing. The book, by photographers Robert Miller and Andrew Wakeford, presents vig_nettes on a cross section of living war veterans who have made personal sacrifices and, in many cases, have undergone the horrors of combat. It is a touching and powerful collection of photo essays that capture the fears, emotions and unique stories of all who serve in the military.

Boothe endured two catastrophic events in her life.

In 2005, she was a single parent with a civilian job living in New Orleans while serving in the Army Reserves. That spring she received her orders to deploy to Iraq. She left her civilian job and then endured what for many might be the end of the road.

First, her home was destroyed during Hurricane Katrina and she lost everything. As if that’s not devastating enough, she learned that she had cancer.

A new book about veterans depicts the lives In a cruel twist of fate, she learned that when her of women like Jaspen cancer treatment was completed, the full-time military Boothe and many more. pay that she was earning would be terminated.

Homeless and with a young son, she could no longer turn to the military for support and care unless she stayed in the Army Reserves.

Fortunately, Boothe’s story has a happy ending. Her cancer went into remission, she found a job and later moved to Washington, D.C. Not content to just live her life out peacefully, she supported fellow female veterans by starting a nonprofit agency to support female veterans, called Final Salute, which provides safe and suitable housing for homeless female veterans and their children.

“Portraits of Service” honors a broad cross section of veterans from five different wars. They are young and old, active and retired, male, female, of every race and representing all military branches. Each story is told with a common theme of putting one’s life on the line for freedom and people giving their lives to their country.

Helen Patton, granddaughter of the late General George S. Patton, is the founder of the Patton Foundation, sponsor of the book’s publication. The Foundation supports soldiers, veterans and their families by helping them mend, heal and reintegrate into their families and communities.

The book is more than a keepsake, says Robert Miller; it is an enduring account of the men and women in uniform who serve and protect our ideal of freedom. “Their stories must be told and revered for generations to come.”

The Patton Foundation will donate a portion of the net profits from the sale of “Portraits of Service” to benefit veterans and their families through organizations such as Final Salute Inc., Wounded Warrior Project, the National Military Family Association and the Gary Sinise Foundation.

Copies of the book are available on www.Portraitsofservice.com and www.Amazon.com.

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T hings To Do In 3 0 M inutes Or Les s ... T ha t W illM a ke Do you measure happiness based on how long a favorable experience lasted in your life?

The longer an experience lasts, the happier we think we’ll be. Truth is, life is simply a string of small, independent moments that are always changing. So, a few minutes well spent here and there can make a big difference in what we get out of life in the long-term.

Here are a few things you can do in 30 minutes or less that will have a positive emotional effect on you and those closest to you. Some will likely take longer than 30 minutes to complete - go ahead and do the hardest part, use the next 30 minutes to START, and then pick up where you left off tomorrow.

You H a ppy!

Learn something new - every day!

Listen to good music classics, a new artist, an old favorite.

Stop to help someone. In life, you get what you put in.

When you make a positive impact in someone else’s life, you also make a positive impact in your own life.

Email or call a close friend or family member you haven’t spoken to in awhile and reconnect with them.

Spend time with, or talk with, someone who makes you smile.

Take a 30 minute break and work on something that’s meaningful to you.

Play with a child. Admire their enthusiasm. Watch how they interact, how they dream, how they ask questions.

Give out compliments.

Give sincere praise every chance you get.

Watch the sunset with someone you care about.

Appreciate being able to share it with someone special.

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Blue Distinction速 Centers are hospitals recognized for their expertise in delivering specialty care.

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S hedding Pounds A fter 5 0 Losing some weight is a goal for many people regardless of age. While youngsters and young adults might be able to get away with a few extra pounds without any significant consequences, older adults carrying some extra weight might be putting their overall health at considerable risk.

Shedding weight after the age of 50 is not always easy. As a person ages, muscle mass tends to dwindle while body fat tends to increase. Since fat burns fewer calories than muscle, weight gain as a person ages is bound to happen. But that doesn’t mean it is inevitable. Men and women willing to make certain changes with regard to diet and exercise can shed pounds after 50 while preventing future weight gain.

DIET - Men and women need fewer calories as they age. For example, men and women in their 40s may need as many as 200 calories more per day than they will when they reach their 50s. Counting calories might seem difficult, so men and women in their 50s and older who don’t think they can count calories can try to eat more low-calorie foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Consuming fewer calories often requires changing dietary habits, not only what you’re eating but how you’re eating and how you shop for food.

Men and women used to dining out for lunch every day can start bringing their own lunches for more control of their daily calories. Those who are frequently too exhausted to cook each night, can prepare meals in advance to have healthy, homemade meals waiting instead of always ordering takeout or delivery. Avoid grocery shopping on an empty stomach to be less inclined You don’t have to gain weight as you get older. Some simple dietary changes and a commitment to routine exercise is all to buy unhealthy snacks. it takes to shed weight after 50 and keep that weight off.

EXERCISE - Exercise is an essential component to shedding pounds after 50, though men and women over 50 should always consult a physician before they begin a new exercise regimen. Regular exercise can help older men and women prevent the onset of a host of ailments, including heart disease and diabetes. Regular physical activity as one ages helps muscles grow stronger, which increases the chances that an individual will be able to perform necessary daily activities without the assistance of others. Maintaining that independence is a goal for many men and women, and it’s a goal that’s far more realistic for men and women who exercise than it is for those who don’t.

A healthy, low-calorie diet and routine exercise can help men and women over 50 shed extra weight and keep the weight off. Older adults need at least 2 1/2 hours of moderateintensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, every week and muscle-strengthening activities on 2 more days a week. These muscle-strengthening activities should work all the major muscle groups, including the legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms.

Muscle-strengthening activities include lifting weights, working out with resistance bands, exercise such as push-ups and sit-ups that use body weight for resistance, and yoga. Even gardening that involves digging and shoveling can be considered a muscle-strengthening.

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our G a rden Y w o r G

As food prices skyrocket, cutting W itho grocery bills by ut growing your own fruits, vegetables and herbs can seem like an appealing way to save cash.

The National Gardening Association estimates you’ll get a half-pound of vegetables for each square foot in your garden.

A word of caution...a garden can be a real money pit. It’s easy to spend a small fortune on young plants, fertilizers and other supplies, only to find pests, bad weather and improper care have depleted your harvest.

Here are some ways to garden on the cheap and enjoy a good harvest:

G row ing Your Expens es

Save scraps Start a compost pile! Adding a few key leftovers can do wonders for soil instead of buying expensive fertilizers. Toss these into your compost pile: coffee grounds, tea leaves, grass clippings, and crushed eggshells

need to start growing them indoors. A pack of tomato seeds that might yield dozens of plants sells for $1; one seedling, $4 or more at your local farmer’s market.

Share Split seed packets and plants with another gardener. Experienced gardeners may also be able to give you a cutting from their own plant, such as tomatoes or blackberries, with which to grow your own.

Pick the right plants Some garden staples, including peppers, basil and salad greens, take very little effort and offer big harvests.

Consider location Choose the right plantings for your climate and location of the garden

Use household pest deterrents Crushed eggshells also serve as slug deterrent, so does beer. Cayenne pepper, Epsom salts and Dial soap are other remedies that have some effectiveness in repelling insects, rabbits and deer.

Repurpose household goods Instead of buying mulch, recycle newspaper for that purpose. Coffee cans, empty soda bottles and other containers can make useful planters or seed starters.

Add a few perennials If cared for properly they’ll come back every year: strawberries, kale, collard greens, garlic, sage, mint, thyme and blueberries.

Buy seeds It’s significantly cheaper. You’ll just

With a little planning and hard work you’ll be able to enjoy the fruits and vegetables of your labor - and save on your groceries!

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We’ll Cure You With Kindness

Dr. Todd Douglas FAAFP, Family Medicine Board Certified

Dr. Kevin Kelly AAP, IM,Pediatrics, Board Certified

Dr. Jack Glasser FAAFP, Family Medicine Board Certified

Dr. Do uglas and Dr. K elly are no w accepting new patients aged 10 and o ver 270-901-3454 1325 Andrea Street, Suite 100 Bowling Green, KY 42104 For more information about Greenview Medical Group, call TriStar MedLine® at 800-242-5662.

LEGACY:

Specialized Treatment Program for Senior Adults The Legacy Unit at Rivendell is an acute psychiatric inpatient program designed to address the unique mental health needs of our older adult population.

The eight bed unit features three semi-private and two private rooms. Our program delivers evidence based psychiatric interventions in a positive, secure and compassionate environment. The Legacy program addresses a wide range of mental health problems faced by older adults including depression, anxiety disorders, and other cognitive disorders. The Legacy program utilizes a multi-disciplinary treatment team approach to include a psychiatrist, a licensed mental health therapist, a dietician, recreational/ occupational therapy, nurses, the client and client’s family. Treatment plans are individualized based upon a thorough assessment of each client’s unique needs. The Legacy Unit staff are trained and qualified to work with clients with certain co-occurring medical issues.

r i v e n d e l l

b e h a v i o r a l

h e a l t h

Referrals are accepted 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Rivendell accepts referrals from all 120 Kentucky counties. Assessments can be completed at the facility, or mobile assessments are available by appointment.

Rivendell accepts Medicaid (child and adolescent clients), Medicare and most commercial payors including Tri-Care, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana and Aetna.

1035 Porter Pike • Bowling Green KY 42103 • www.rivendellbehavioral.com 270.843.1199 or 800.548.2621 19

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Furnis hing the Em pty N es t For parents, experiencing their kids leaving the nest can not only be a momentous event, but it can also be one sometimes tinged with a bit of sadness.

After all, your little boy or little girl is all grown up now. However, looking at the bright side, this means you now have one or more rooms that can be turned from a kid’s bedroom into a space you can now enjoy. You may have been making do with storing your personal effects in rooms in the house simply because of necessity. Now that the kids have flown the coop, it’s possible to take over their rooms and turn them into something tailored to you and your spouse. The following are a few transformations that can take place.

Craft Center. Many people enjoy making things with their hands, be it painting ceramics or knitting sweaters. A room that is set aside for different types of craft projects can keep work undisturbed and organized. Walls filled with shelves and storage containers alongside bulletin boards will create a utilitarian feel to the room. Have a large task table so you can spread out work and comfortable sitting chairs. Stick with a flooring material that can be cleaned quickly, like tile or wood, in the event of spills.

Sports Room. Sports enthusiasts may want to set up a room devoted to collections of trophies, collector cards, memorabilia, and any other sportsrelated items. Add a sofa or recliners in the room as well as a big-screen TV, and this spot can be the perfect place for watching the game undisturbed.

Home Office. For those who have been doing bills at the kitchen table or trying to work from home amid the noise of the kitchen or the television in the family room, a home office can be just the solution. If the room is large enough, place two desks face-to-face so it can be a his-and-her work center. Use neutral paint colors so that it will be more of a gender-neutral space.

Guest Retreat. Many times guests are forced to sleep on a pull-out bed or sleeper sofa when staying over at a loved one’s. Having an extra bedroom available can enable friends and family members to stay overnight with comfort and ease now. Decorate the room in neutral colors and invest in comfortable, hotel-quality linens for the utmost in luxury.

Library. Some people simply enjoy the ability to curl up with a good book in a quiet space. Turn a vacated bedroom into a cozy nook complete with bookshelves, a plush chair and decorative reading lamp.

Fill the nook with favorite books, decorations and a side table to house a cup of tea or coffee.

Regardless of how you feel when your children leave home, redecorating empty rooms into new, functional spaces can help add a positive spin to your suddenly empty nest.

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K eep Your

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The next time you feel your energy flagging, consider this...

(NAPS)

Energy Up

Getting a balance of protein and nutrients in your diet is the key to keeping your energy up all day. That means eating a variety of whole grains, fruit, veggies and protein at each meal.

• Have a good breakfast. A nutritious breakfast helps provide energy for an active day. A breakfast filled with a balance of nutrients—protein, grains, fruit and dairy— will give your brain as well as your body what it needs to get you through the morning at your best.

• Get moving. Getting a little physical activity each day, activities like taking a 30-minute walk around the neighborhood or mowing the lawn, can help you build strong bones and muscles, reduce body fat and feel great. Being active uses energy, and you’ll feel invigorated.

• Snack smart. Rather than empty calories, enjoy something like this:

24/7 Energy Snack Mix 2 cups roasted peanuts 1 cup toasted sunflower seeds 1/4 cup dried mango, diced 1/4 cup dried apples, diced 1/2 cup M&Ms

•Toss ingredients together in large bowl.

• Portion: 16 servings 1/4-cup each

Walk-in Appointments available for Established Patients • Tues.-Fri. Noon-6PM • PLEASE CALL FOR DETAILS ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS • SAME DAY APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE

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S im ple W a ys

To A void O vers pending As R etirem ent Empty nesters can track their monthly expenses, including N ea rs how much they spend on dining out, to ensure they aren’t overspending as they inch closer to retirement.

When the nest is empty and the kids no longer need financial support, many men and women find themselves with some extra money in their budget. Fewer mouths to feed and no more college tuition bills can give parents a sense of financial freedom they may not have had since before starting their family. But that freedom can also lead to overspending, something that can put retirement in jeopardy if people are not careful.

Though it’s understandable for men and women to splurge on a well-deserved getaway once the kids have finally left the house, it’s important for adults to ensure that such splurging does not become routine. The following are a few ways men and women with some newfound disposable income can avoid overspending and putting themselves in financial hot water as they get closer to retirement.

• PAY WITH CASH WHENEVER POSSIBLE. Swiping a debit card or credit card is certainly a convenient way to shop, but it can also be dangerous. Many people find it difficult to keep track of their spending when they use debit cards or credit cards to make their purchases. Using cash to make purchases, especially daily purchases like a morning cup of coffee, reduces the likelihood of overspending. This can help you get a better idea of how much money you’re spending and if there are any steps you can take to curtail that spending.

An effective way to use cash is to withdraw money from the bank once per week and use that as your weekly supply of money. If you find yourself frequently running out of money each week, then you’re likely spending more than you should.

• KEEP A FINANCIAL JOURNAL. Men and women who must adapt to having newfound disposable income may find it is not much different from younger men and women learning to manage their money when they first start working. Some of those lessons, like saving more than you spend, might need to be relearned.

One way to get a grip on your spending is to keep a financial journal to track your daily and monthly expenses as well as larger purchases like a new television. Write down the monthly expenses you know you have each month, such as a mortgage payment or a car note, and each and every purchase you make, including how much you spend on dining out each month. Do this for at least a couple of months. When you have logged several months’ activity, examine your journal to see if there are any expenses that can be trimmed to save money.

• DON’T GO OVERBOARD REWARDING YOURSELF. Once your last child has left the nest, the temptation to reward yourself with a luxury item or two might prove overwhelming. After all, raising a family and paying for college tuition has no doubt required substantial sacrifice on your part, so it’s well within reason that you want to reward yourself after all these years. Avoid overdoing it so your finances aren’t stretched too thinly. A vacation with your spouse is reasonable, but buying a villa overseas might be a little over the top. Luxuries can be nice, but they can also drain a budget. Your monthly expenses once the kids have moved out should be lower, so if you find your cost of living has increased now that your nest is empty, you might be forced to determine which of your expenses are luxuries and which are necessities.

• TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR “EXPERIENCE.” Though accepting a “senior” discount might be a blow to your pride, it also can be a boon to your bottom line. Many establishments, including gyms, restaurants and movie theaters, offer discounts to men and women age 55 and older. This can help you save a substantial amount of money over time, and no one has to know you’ve started cashing in on your experience.

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270-904-4201 1510 Campbell Lane Bowling Green, KY Kenneth Cone - Licensed Funeral Director since 1972 Member: Kentucky Funeral Directors Association & Tennessee Funeral Directors Association 23

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Love and Commitment When you’re in love and ready to show you want them in your life forever, Jewelry Barn is committed to providing you with quality merchandise, low prices and great service.

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