Baby Boomer Going Like Sixty – Baby boomer man humorously looking at life after 60, retirement in Costa Rica and Florida.

Common Health Issues and How to Handle Them

Posted on October 30, 2022 by goinglikesixtyOctober 30, 2022

We all get older and encounter health issues such as hearing issues, eyesight issues, bladder issues, and more. It can be disconcerting when your body changes and you have to visit a medical professional, but it’s the best route forward. These days, there are many treatments. In this article, you can read about some of the most common issues people face as they get older.

Hearing Issues

Hearing issues are common, especially in people over the age of fifty. You might have had excellent hearing all your life, then one day, it changes, and it’s the start of a hearing journey. There are many things that affect your hearing, such as ageing and exposure to loud noise.

If you have reduced hearing or tinnitus, you have several options. When the little hairs in your inner ear disappear, they don’t come back, so, unfortunately, you have to turn to hearing devices; the good news is hearing devices are easy to acquire when you visit an audiologist.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition that occurs when you sleep. While sleeping, your breathing can stop and restart again. One of the main causes of sleep apnea is weight gain; the throat becomes obstructed by soft tissue when you sleep. There are several ways to respond to this condition.

When you visit a medical professional, they might recommend that you take some exercise and lose some extra weight; this can be very effective. You can also consider changing your diet, giving up smoking, and changing your medication. Sleep apnea is not a dangerous condition.

Bladder Issues

Bladder problems can affect people of any age, but they are more common in older people. Bladder issues can be very uncomfortable and inconvenient; they can also be painful. If your bladder is retaining urine, you might require a catheter kit to bring relief to the daily discomfort.

A catheter kit contains everything you need to stay healthy and might be recommended by your medical professional. A typical catheter kit includes an underpad, exam gloves, a collection bag, some swab sticks, sterilization wipes and lubrication jelly. If you need one, you can order online.

Eyesight Issues

Along with hearing, eyesight starts to diminish with age. One day you have 20/20 vision, and the next, you are short or long-sighted. If you notice a change in your eyesight, it’s important that you visit your eye specialist as soon as possible. It’s even more important when you drive a car.

There are three ways to improve general eyesight; these are spectacles, contact lenses, and laser eye surgery. Each option has its advantages and drawbacks. Spectacles are common but clumsy, contact lenses are discrete but awkward, and laser eye surgery is excellent but pricey.

Aging Skin

As we age, our cells start to break down, and wrinkles appear on the skin. Skin wrinkles are a good way to tell how healthy your lifestyle is, but you can also improve the quality of your skin in later years by staying hydrated, wearing sunscreen, and eating foods that contain natural oils

How to make downsizing easier as you age

Posted on June 16, 2022 by goinglikesixtyJune 22, 2022

Our stuff after downsizing had to fit in a overseas shipping container.

You want motivation to downsize? Move to Costa Rica like we did. But it doesn’t have to be that dramatic.

Downsizing is not easy, but there are so many reasons to downsize as you age, and downsizing in general, has many benefits. Wondering how to make downsizing easier as you age? This post is for you! It was one of the best decisions I have ever made (to downsize), but it definitely was not simple and easy. It can actually be pretty challenging, timely, and trying. As you go through the process, special memories will definitely pop up and it’s completely normal to have big feelings while going through your things that bring up memories. If your downsizing process also includes moving away from the home that your kids grew up in, there might also be tears, sadness, and maybe some anger, as well, that arise during the transition. Don’t worry, though. Even if the process is hard, the end result is well worth it.

If you are in the process of downsizing and if the process has been very emotionally trying and draining for you, please continue reading. Know one thing first: it is normal and you will get through it. This process takes time. Time to physically downsize and time to accept the process (mentally). Are you wondering how to make downsizing easier as you age? Here are a few tips:

Take your time

Sometimes, it just takes time. If you go through your home and you are not ready to get rid of something, or multiple things, set them aside for a few weeks and come back to it. You will eventually be ready when it’s time. If you are moving, you might be a bit more rushed and in this case, it might be time to call someone to help you out. Give yourself time and a lot of grace during this process. It is not easy, or quick.

Focus on the positive memories

Yes, you are “leaving behind,” or selling some of your best memories, but that doesn’t mean that they are gone. Your memories will always be with you and I need you to keep that in mind. There are many different types of downsizing, so let me just give you a small example that a lot of people can relate to – retired individuals to parents, and everyone in between. The baby stage (especially if it is your first or last baby) is so precious and so many memories are being made. When that stage is over, you might consider selling or donating some of your baby items – it makes sense, right? You probably need to make room for other toys and bigger sizes of clothing. When you go to sell or donate the items, all of the emotions hit you at once. Your baby isn’t a baby anymore. This mindset can be so hard to get past and honestly, most people do not get past it. Instead, they keep the clothes and toys stored away, in hopes that they will come in handy one day, but newsflash: they probably won’t.

Does this mindset sound familiar to you? I bet it does! So many people go through this with children, old homes, wedding items, etc. and it can be so hard to get past those feelings of not wanting to get rid of the items because they are special. But, you can do it. This is extremely important to remember as a grandparent who is downsizing. You have created so many memories and you need to know that you can do it! Instead of thinking about how you are losing the items, you need to think about all of the positive memories that the items created and you need to think about how they will make another family so incredibly happy. That’s how you get through it by focusing on positive memories, instead of the fact that you are ‘losing’ the memories – because you are not!

Get help from professionals

There are a few professionals that you might want to consider using:

A junk removal team: they can help you if you need help with throwing a lot of things away. Even if you have a trash service that comes to your home, there might be way more than you can toss through them. Hire a dumpster or junk removal team and it will save you time!
An estate company: these people are so skilled in selling a ton of items at once. If you are really downsizing your entire home and selling a lot, this might be the way to go.
A counselor: if you are really struggling with the emotional toll of downsizing and/or moving, you might need to talk to someone. Definitely keep this in mind!
A moving company: if you need a moving company, there’s one in FL that I recently heard of called MT. Zion Moving & Storage LLC. They do long distance moving Tampa, residential moving, office moving, junk removal, senior moving, and more.

Involve the entire family

To make the process easier on yourself and everyone involved, get everyone in on the decluttering and downsizing process! This will 100% help with closure, moving on, and it will definitely make the process easier for you, as well.

Look forward to the future

Last but not least, start looking forward to the future! Things are looking up and if you downsized, you probably feel a lot lighter and freer. The possibilities are endless and you can do ANYTHING you set your mind to. Congratulations!

Savvy Boomers Shop for DME

Posted on March 28, 2022 by goinglikesixtyMarch 28, 2022

“Negative Ghost Rider, the pattern is full.”

Some people are savvy shoppers by choice. Others are savvy shoppers according to need. And, sadly, some people simply are not savvy. Consumers exist in every arena; however, rarely do we think of durable medical equipment (DME) and health care supplies when we think of shopping.

According to the United States National Institute of Health1, at least 2.5 million people in the United States rely on durable medical equipment as of May 2021. Grandview Research company also indicates that the U.S. durable medical equipment market was valued at USD 52.9 billion in 2020. That industry market includes a steady growth rate of 5.8% annually. Moreover, the expected product demand is based on the growing geriatric population that is susceptible to chronic diseases like cancer, mobility, and neurological disorders, diabetes, and more2.

For those in need of DME (patients and caregivers alike), there is a keen awareness of cost. Durable medical equipment includes common items like walking aids, bathing supports, wheelchairs, wound care supplies, incontinence items, and customised beds. Additional DME items that may not be considered so common – or reusable – are machines for breathing, vests for cardiac rhythm regulation, and syringes or needles of any kind. The cost of care can be overwhelming, especially for those persons who are impacted by unemployment, limited income, little – or no – insurance coverage, and/or the compounding condition of fragile health. Managing chronic health care costs has been noted at an estimated cost of $1373 per month. Many have lived with monthly expenses to be well over $3,000 per month.

Daily living is subjective. The host of influences that can impact one person during a single day is almost countless. Imagine how much greater those influences can be for someone who experiences life with limitations. Like Medcy.org, The Elder Expo is an affiliated retailer that provides an array of specialty devices to help people enhance mobility and safety in their homes. Equipment can be found for home exercise routines; weighted cutlery can be selected for better control while eating meals; and ergonomic trays can be purchased to make relaxing in the home easier.

Savvy shopping is not simply a matter of choice or need. Savvy shopping is also a matter of product knowledge and availability. As we acquire knowledge, let its application be fruitful for many. This is a distinctive trait of wisdom. Medcy.org has a very specific scope of knowledge concerning durable medical equipment – both its costs and its benefits. Their willingness to make the product, the knowledge, and the access to the masses exemplifies a wisdom beyond measure. Savvy to this degree is a distinct sophistication.

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