Senior Romance : Finding Love in Your Later Years

It is never too late to find love. Just because you are 65 or older doesn’t mean you cannot date and find a meaningful relationship. In fact, by going out there and finding that special someone, you are doing a great deal of good for yourself. You don’t have to stop having fun because of your age! Now is just as good a time as any to go out and meet new people and rekindle your love life.

Finding other singles

If you take the time to look, there are plenty of ways to meet fellow single seniors in your community or elsewhere. Community centers generally organize socials for seniors to get together and mingle. What are your hobbies? By joining groups or clubs that bring people together with similar interests, you can potentially find a fellow member who you could end up going out with for a cup of coffee.

But your community isn’t the only resource you have for finding a date. If you are reading this article, chances are you know your way around a computer. Nowadays there are plenty of online dating websites where you can browse fellow singles and fellow singles can browse you, allowing you to ensure compatibility even before you meet up in person. Don’t be afraid to give it a shot – the internet, when used properly, is a great resource for getting in touch with people you could see yourself forming a wonderful relationship with.

The dating scene

Let’s face it – no matter what your age, no matter how experienced you are with the dating scene, it is never easy to escape the first-date jitters, especially if you haven’t done it in years.  So try and put your first date in an environment that will ease the tension between the two of you. Lunches are generally better than dinners as dinners tend to be more intimate settings. If the two of you have a shared interest, try and involve that in what you plan on doing. Both book fans? Go to a public reading.  Music lovers? An outdoor concert or a jazz club can be nice. Don’t be afraid to be interesting with the setting of your first date. If you make it interesting you are more likely to stimulate some conversation between the two of you. Consider suggesting a group date, too – by involving more people you may be more familiar with, conversation can run smoothly.

Also be sure to have an exit strategy. There is no need to continue a date if your date makes you feel uncomfortable. Have a friend know where you are and make sure he or she will pick up their phone if you want to leave and need someone to pick you up.

Taking the first step in senior dating is not always easy. It is something people might typically shy away from. But remember that there is no need to be shy. It’s your life, and if you want to be happy and find a meaningful relationship, it’s up to you to make it happen.

FDA Approves First Compact Heart Assist Device

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday, April 21, approved a heart assist device with a novel design that is the first to mechanically support the weakened heart of a small-sized adult man or woman with heart failure who is at risk of dying while awaiting a heart transplant.

Heart assist devices are surgically implanted mechanical pumps that help the heart’s ventricle do its work of pumping blood to the rest of the body. Previous models were too large to be placed in the upper abdomen of some women and small-sized men.

But the Thoratec HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist System employs a first-of-a-kind design. Instead of the standard pulsatile pump that simulates the action of the heart, the device uses a continuous flow pump that constantly moves blood with a single moving part, a spinning rotor.

This allows the device to be slimmed down to a mere three inches in length and a weight of approximately one pound.

“The HeartMate II is an important advance in mechanical heart technology,” said Daniel Schultz, M.D., director of FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “Until now, some heart transplant candidates have been underserved due to the large size of previously approved heart assist devices.”

An electrical cable that powers the blood pump passes through the patient’s skin to an external controller that the patient wears on his or her waist. The controller is powered either by batteries or connected to an electrical power outlet.

Blood flow is set through the pump based on the patient’s need, and the controller monitors pump performance, sounding alarms if it detects dangerous conditions or a possible malfunction. The system can operate on two external batteries, allowing the patient to move freely for up to three hours.

In a clinical study of 126 patients at 26 transplant centers, 57 percent of patients with the HeartMate II survived to heart transplant, which is comparable to the survival of patients treated with currently approved heart assist devices.

The product’s manufacturer, Thoratec Corporation of Pleasanton, Calif., is required to conduct a post-approval study to further evaluate the HeartMate II’s performance during commercialization.

Apple Bites : The Interview Project

Date: Wednesday, May 21 , 2008
Time: 2:00 pm

Cost: $5*

This funny, touching, and inspiring one-hour play with music explores the lives of real New Yorkers - our memories, dreams, stumbles, triumphs and everyday miracles. Roots&Branches Intergenerational Theater brings elder and young actors together to challenge stereotypes about age and aging, as they forge new links from generation to generation. The Roots&Branches Theater is pleased to offer a special matinée rate to SeniorPlanet subscribers of $5 (free to groups of 10 or more). Be sure to mention SP when you make your reservations! For more info and full performance schedule, please click here.

Location:
Hudson Guild Theater
441 W. 26th St.

Gray and Green : How to Use Our Gray Matter to Keep Things Green

Date: Tuesday, May 13 , 2008
Time: 6:00 pm

Cost: Free!

The Gray and Green Coalition, the exciting new initiative of the Gray Panthers, holds its monthly meeting about how climate change affects an aging population and how older persons can contribute to a healthier and ‘greener’ environment. This meeting will focus on education, jobs, and other opportunities.

Location:
Hudson Guild Elliott Center
441 W. 26th St. (9th &10th Aves.)
(212) 799-7572

Relationships : How To Fight The Right Way

Anyone that has ever been in a relationship can attest to the fact that fighting is always a part of relationships. No matter how much you love and care for your partner there are going to be times when you disagree and fight. But that’s ok, fighting is healthy, as long as you fight fairly.

When you and your partner get into that inevitable fight there are unwritten rules that should be followed. There are rules about what you should say and rules about how you should say it. If you follow these rules and fight fairly, fights can actually be healthy for the relationship. It has been proven that couples who fight fairly actually have a more intimate relationship and deeper understanding of one another.

What To Say?

• When you want to talk to your significant other about something that has been bothering you, make sure that you are specific when you initiate the conversation. This will help them understand what you think is wrong right away.

• When you bring up your grievances, make sure that you are criticizing your partner’s behavior not their character. Do not insult or belittle them. If your partner feels that you are attacking their character, they will feel hurt and betrayed. For example, if you think that they were rude to you, do not call them rude, specifically say that they were acting rude. There’s a difference.

• Don’t simply complain. State what you think is wrong, why you think it’s wrong, and how you would like it fixed.

• Do not bring your partner’s family into the argument. This will just make them become defensive.

• Don’t try to tell your partner how they feel. They know how they feel so let them tell you.

How To Say It?

• Do not yell. Yelling can be very harmful both to your significant other and others witnessing the fight, especially if there are children around. Remember, if you fight in front of your kids, you change them forever.

• Do not be sarcastic or angry. Both tones are very hurtful and they do not help to convey a point.

• Listen! Don’t cut each other off. Let your significant other say what they need to say, and when they are finished speaking, it will be your turn to respond.

• Be tolerant. Listen to everything your spouse has to say without getting defensive. If they are fighting fairly, they are not trying to hurt you.
   
• Focus on one thing at a time. When you have resolved one issue then you can move on to another one. This will keep you from overloading your partner with grievances, making them feel overwhelmed and hopeless.

• Give your partner some time to react and respond. Don’t demand an instantaneous solution. Sometimes just giving each other some space and walking away from each other to think is beneficial.

Ending The Fight

• Saying the right things and saying them the right way is only half of a fair fight. In order to make sure that the fight is truly fair you need to end it the right way also.

• Do not go to bed without resolving a fight. As more time passes, the fight will become harder and harder to resolve. It is better to stay up and fight all night than to go to sleep angry. Holding a grudge over a small thing can snowball into a huge problem.

• Always try to come to a compromise. It is the best way to resolve a fight. Don’t begin a fight with the mindset that it has to end the way you want it to.

• At the end of the fight apologize, especially if you hurt your partner. The fight shouldn’t be about right and wrong, it should be about fixing a problem and strengthening the relationship.

Arguments are the hardest part of relationships, but they are necessary and if done in the right manner, they can strengthen your bond even more. Even though it may seem hard at times, try to always fight fairly. Fair fights will only strengthen relationships. When fighting with your partner, remember that you still love and care about them and you still need to respect them. People who keep this in mind during a fight only benefit from it.

How Can NYC Be Improved for Older Adults?

Date: Wednesday, April 23 , 2008
Time: 2:00 pm

Cost: Free!

Age-friendly New York City Community Forum wants your input on various topics including: transportation, housing, civic engagement, employment, health, tenants’ rights, culture and social services. The City Council has partnered with the NY Academy of Medicine to develop a blueprint for action…that can make our city a better place in which to grow older. This forum is presented by Council Member Inez E. Dickens.

Location:
Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.
State Office Building
163 W. 125th St., 8th fl.
(212) 678-4505

LI Senior Softball

ATTENTION SENIORS 59 YEARS AND OLDER
PLAY SENIOR SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL
FIELDS IN NASSAU AND SUFFOLK COUNTIES
A GREAT WAY TO GET OUT AND EXERCISE AND STAY YOUNG
MEET FINE PEOPLE AND MAKE NEW FRIENDS
MEMBER OF LISSA (LONG ISLAND SENIOR SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION)
FOR MORE DETAILS CONTACT GENE
631.878.0014
631.455.2200
LEAVE A MESSAGE, YOU WILL BE CONTACTED PROMPTLY
IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE
AND KEEP YOU IN GREAT SHAPE

Living on Long Island : Something for Every Senior

Long Island truly is one of the best places in the United States to live, especially for senior citizens. It is far enough outside of New York City to have a nice suburban feel, but close enough to the city to have plenty to do. In fact, there is so much to do on the island that there is something for everyone, no matter what your interests and hobbies are.

 

For the music lover, there are plenty of local concerts. As the spring and summer months approach many concerts are held outdoors in parks and arboretums. A popular summer concert is the New York Philharmonic at Heckscher State Park. There are also concerts for the different holidays throughout the year, including a traditional Irish concert in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. If musical theatre is where your heart belongs, Long Island has plenty of that too. There are so many local theatres that put on outstanding productions. Long Island also has programs that put an educational spin on theatre.

 

While spending your days at concerts and the theatre can be exhilarating, it can also be tiring. But don’t worry - Long Island is also the home to many senior communities where quieter activities are offered daily. For example, the Wyandanch Senior Nutrition Center offers bridge games each day and there is no cost to play. Out in East Hampton, the Senior/Youth Center hosts an arts and crafts session each Thursday and Friday.

 

When you have had your fun going to concerts, seeing a show, playing bridge, or expressing your creativity, you can exercise your brain by attending one of the many senior educational programs that can be found on Long Island. Many recreation centers offer mah jong games in order to help seniors keep their minds young and fresh. There are also self-help classes which can be beneficial as well. A senior complex in Smithtown hosts a seminar that helps seniors know how to avoid being trapped in a scam that targets their demographic.

 

In addition to the many organized activities, you can find plenty of things to do on your own when you live on Long Island. There are beaches and parks all over where you can spend a nice day going for a walk or reading a book. You can visit the different historical sites on the island, the aquarium, or go whale watching off the Montauk shore.

 

No matter how you like to spend your days, you will be able to find activities on Long Island that interest you. Long Island is a great place to live and a great place to spend your golden years.

Hypertension : Walk It Off

Hypertension or what is more commonly referred to as high blood pressure is a medical condition where elevated blood pressure levels are sustained. Studies have shown that there is an easy and enjoyable fix to this medical condition. Hypertension is classified into two groups : essential and secondary. Here’s a run-down on the two groups and how you can lower or even stop high blood pressure.

Essential Hypertension

Essential hypertension means that there is no other medical cause that can explain the high blood pressure. This makes up about 90 percent of all hypertension cases. The most common way to get high blood pressure without a pre-existing medical condition is by having a high sodium intake. Increasing the amount of salt in the bloodstream causes the blood vessels to release water in order to equalize the ratio of salt and water in the blood. This increases the pressure that is placed on the blood vessel walls, causing essential hypertension.

In addition to salt intake, essential hypertension can also be caused by genetics and age. 30 percent of high blood pressure cases are genetic. Studies on genetic hypertension have associated 50 genes with the disease. Age can also increase one’s chances of having high blood pressure. Time causes blood vessels to become more constricted so that the blood cells cannot flow through them as easily. This causes blood pressure to rise.

Secondary Hypertension

Secondary hypertension is relatively uncommon, only causing 5-10 percent of high blood pressure cases. It can be caused by kidney disease or certain tumors.

Both essential and secondary hypertension can lead to serious health problems. High blood pressure has been linked to strokes, heart attacks, heart failure, and kidney failure.

Lower Your Blood Pressure !

One of the best ways to lower the risk of hypertension is to walk. Recent research studied 28 men, half of which were in their 60’s and the others were in their 20’s. The blood vessels of the older men tended to be more constricted than those of the younger men. This increased their risk of hypertension. The study then had 8 of the men begin to walk five hours each week. After only three months, their blood vessels were working just as efficiently as the younger mens’ blood vessels. Simply walking for 30 minutes a day can greatly lower your risk of high blood pressure.

Making Walking Fun

Walking 30 minutes a day may seem like it could become monotonous quickly. So do things to keep it interesting and entertaining. Find a walking buddy or even better find two. This will give you someone to talk to while you walk. Instead of meeting your friends for catch-up lunch, meet them for a catch-up walk. If your friends aren’t up for a walk, bring an iPod and take the 30 minutes to listen to your favorite music.

You can also walk in different places. Try walking along a beach or another scenic route. If you want to walk a track, try going to a school at the end of day and watch the students practice sports or maybe there will be a game to watch while you walk.

In bad weather, walk on a treadmill, but put your treadmill in front of your television so you can walk during your favorite T.V. program. This will definitely make the time go by fast. You may even start walking for a longer period of time.  

Regardless of how you prefer to walk, be sure to get your 30 minutes of walking in each day and walk your way to better health!

Seniors : Vitamin D Can Lower Your Risk of Death

Do you love to spend time in the sun? Sun exposure is one of the best ways to increase your vitamin D level and recent studies have concluded that it can lower your risk of death from certain diseases. Some potentially fatal diseases that are being connected with a deficiency of vitamin D are multiple sclerosis, high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer. One study reported that participants that took a vitamin D supplement each day for 5 years were at a 7 percent lower risk of death from such diseases.

How does vitamin D prevent disease?

A vitamin D deficiency has been linked to many different forms of cancer including breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer. Research has found that people living in high latitudes with low exposure to sun have an increased risk of cancer. A recent study concluded that participants who took vitamin D supplements for one year had a 57 percent reduction in cancer.

It is also healthy for your heart. A vitamin D deficiency is linked to high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. After people with such conditions were exposed to UV rays, their conditions improved.

This vitamin also plays a role in the functioning of the immune system. A vitamin D deficiency is common in cases of diabetes, arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. Recent studies have shown that it may have a preventive effect on such diseases. 

Who needs to watch their vitamin D levels in order to prevent a deficiency?  

• Infants that are breastfed
• Adults age 50 and over
• People living in northern latitudes who have limited sun exposure
• People with a high skin melanin content

How can I get more Vitamin D?

Increase the amount of nutrient rich foods that you eat. Most fortified foods are rich in vitamin D. One cup of fortified milk contains one-half of the daily recommended amount for adults. Dairy products made with fortified milk also contain vitamin D, but the levels are lower than milk itself. Some breakfast cereals are also vitamin D fortified. In addition to fortified foods, it can also be found in some fish including shrimp, wild salmon, and Atlantic mackerel.

Sun exposure is another way to increase vitamin D levels. Exposure to the sun is actually how most people get the amount that their bodies require. The UV rays trigger vitamin D synthesis, allowing the body to produce its own vitamin D. Sunscreens with an SPF of 8 or higher will block the UV rays needed to produce vitamin D. However, in order for this process to work all you need is about 15 minutes of sun exposure a few days a week without sunscreen. After those 15 minutes, it is important to apply sunscreen in order to protect yourself against the negative side effects of UV rays.

Since vitamin D rich foods are limited and it is not always possible to spend time in the sun, you can also increase your levels by taking a supplement. Multivitamins contain at least the recommended daily amount. If you are already taking calcium supplements, you can switch to one that also contains vitamin D.

An increase in your vitamin D intake can greatly reduce your risk for potentially fatal diseases. So, go spend some time in the sun and lower your risk for disease!