Singles and Seniors
I thought it might be useful to the seniors that read this page if we had a listing of organizations and agencies that contain helpful information for the Senior Citizen. Therefore, here is a listing, not complete by any means, of places that you can visit on the web to find out information that might be helpful to you. Admittedly, this page has information that is for those living in the USA. As we are a world community I’m asking you to send me links to sites in your country that you think are particularly helpful to the senior. I will add them to this list. With your help we can create a useful list we can all rely on for the information that we need.
AARP –
AARP is the ultimate guide for Senior Citizens. They offer discounts on everything from auto insurance to hotel reservations and so much more. AARP membership is available to anyone 50 years or older. It is a worldwide organization.
http://www.aarp.org/
The National Institute on Aging –
The NIA studies aging and its effects and promotes good health through eating healthy and getting exercise. There is a lot of information on age related diseases as well as problems related to aging. Many good links.
The Department of Labor Pension Welfare Benefits Administration –
All the information that you need to protect your benefit rights. They deter and correct violations under the law.
The United States Government Resources Site –
Topics include, but are not limited to, housing, taxes, retirement, health and travel.
http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Seniors.shtml
The Corporation for National Service – Senior Corps -
A listing of news, employment, research materials, fellowships, internships, volunteer opportunities and much more for the active Senior Citizen.
http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/programs/seniorcorps.asp
Access America on Aging –
Consumer protection. Health, retirement planning, services, tax assistance and more are all available on this site. They also have links to state sites that contain information for Seniors.
http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Seniors.shtml
HUD –
This is a link to the section of HUD’s site that deals with Senior Citizens. There is invaluable information on how to protect yourself against fraud and discrimination as well as home ownership.
http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/seniors/index.cfm
The Office of Disability, Aging, and Long Term Care Policy –
A branch of Health and Human Services, this site is concerned with long term care for children, working aged adults and Seniors with long term disabilities. Lots of very good information here!
http://aspe.hhs.gov/daltcp/home.shtml
Senior Citizens – HUD –
Do you, a friend, or parent need assisted living but you aren’t sure where to start? What will health insurance cover? What can you afford? What type of assisted living do you need? These are just a few of the topics that are covered here. A great resource when you really need one!
http://www.hud.gov/groups/seniors.cfm
The National Senior Citizen’s Law Center –
This group devotes its time and talents to helping low income Seniors as well as those with disabilities.
Social Security –
For information on Social Security programs and benefits, this site is the place to go. They have all the information and contact numbers you will need to get the information you need.
The Administration on Aging –
Information for Seniors as well as caregivers of Senior Citizens. There are also links to others sites that contain information for Seniors.
Health Care Financing Administration –
This government agency administers Medicaid, Medicare, as well as The State Children’s Health Insurance Program. This sight contains a lot of very good information for caregivers as well as Seniors and parents. There are also several important links to more information.
http://www.os.dhhs.gov/about/opdivs/hcfa.html
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission –
Aides in the advocacy of equal opportunity for employment through judicial enforcement of the law. They also provide education and technical assistance.
Medicare –
Part of the U.S. Department Health and Human Services site, this page offers search and compare tools for information on everything from health to nursing homes. All the information you need to navigate Medicare.
Medicaid -
This web page is a part of the US Government’s Health and Human Services web site. It has all the information that you might need plus the contact numbers for the departments that you can access.
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/home/medicaid.asp
The National Counsel of Senior Citizens –
This agency works to improve the quality of life for Senior Citizens by providing information on housing and nursing homes. Join and receive the latest news from NCSC.
The Department of Veteran’s Affairs –
Provides information on program, benefits and facilities for the American veteran as well as programs to help the homeless, disabled, minority and women veterans.
The Department of Health and Human Services –
This government agency administers over 300 programs that are all greared toward improving health and the services related to the health industry.
BootsnAll Travel Network – Europe –
BritRail, France Railpass, Norway Railpass, and Scanrail Pass can save you real money when traveling throughout Europe. Read all about them at:
http://www.bootsnall.com/eurail/passes/senior.shtml
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Volunteer!
Whether you are a young single person looking for a career, or retired and looking for a way to give back to the community, volunteering is a great way to explore an interest. There are literally hundreds of way you can volunteer with organizations that truly need your help.
First, choose three things that interest you. Architecture and building? Why not volunteer with habitat for Humanity? History? Volunteer with a local museum or contact your state university for information on volunteering on an archaeological dig. Many archaeological societies hold annual field schools where you can learn more about archaeology. Love music or art? Volunteer with a school’s music department. Schools can always use volunteer help! Thinking about being a D-Jay or radio talk host? Some radio stations accept volunteers for late night shows. Whatever your interest there is a program just made for you and this is also a great way to meet other people.
For those of you who are looking for a larger volunteer experience there a re hundreds of volunteer vacations available. Whether you are interested in working with animals or people there is a great experience waiting for you and you will come away with much more then you gave. If this is an idea that interests you then go to http://www.learningholiday.com/ and see what’s out there for you!
_____________________________________________________
Crime Prevention
One of the most frightening aspects of living alone is the fear of crime. Crime comes in many disguises. There are burglars, con-artists, phone solicitors, computer related crime, etc. Here are a few ways you can protect yourself.
1. Start a neighborhood watch program. These programs have been credited with helping to make many a community safer for all its residents.
2. Make friends of your neighbors and get to know them and their children. From this core group make a neighborhood vacation watch group. While you’re neighbor is on vacation, you can watch their house for them. Your children can feed pets and water plants (for a small fee) and you will have peace of mind. Be sure to return the favor.
3. If possible, have an alarm system installed in your home. Be sure to talk to your local police about the penalty for false alarms before you have a system installed.
4. Lighting is very important in preventing crime and also accidents. Be sure to install small “dusk to dawn” type lights along walkways on your property to make the walkways easily visible and to help to prevent falls. Flood lights can be installed under the eaves of your roof at the corners of your house and will light up all of your property. Thieves don’t want to be seen so keep your yard lit up!
5. Install a peep hole at your front door so that you can see who is knocking before you open the door. If someone knocks on your door and you don’t know who they are or you do not want to open the door, be sure that you make enough noise that they will know that someone is home. Turn up the TV or radio to let them know you are there.
6. Always lock windows and doors when you are going out even if your just going for a short trip. Lock windows and doors when going to bed.
7. Do not hide an extra key on your property. Thieves can find them more easily then you might think.
8. Keep landscaping away from windows and doors. Make sure you have an unobstructed view from every window.
9. Carry your purse, briefcase or backpack close to your body and keep your arm over it. This is especially important in crowded areas like subways and elevators.
10. Carry your valuables in your pocket, not in something that can be snatched from your grip.
11. When you are out in the public, be aware of your surroundings at all times. If you look to be vigilant most purse snatchers won’t bother you. They want an easy target. Stay in a crowd and be aware of the people around you.
12. If you feel unsafe walking to your car from a mall or other building, ask that security walk with you. That’s what they are there for. If they say that you will have to wait a minute for a guard to walk you, wait a minute. A minute of your time is not more valuable then your life.
13. Do not carry large sums of money, large numbers of credit cards, and your identification with you. A small amount of cash and one credit card should be plenty for one day. Keep your ID separate from your credit card.
14. Never resist a robber.
15. Remember that the panic alarm on your car key is a great way to scare off a predator. If you are in range of your car, hit the panic button!
16. Never give out personal information to someone you don’t know, whether on the phone or in a store. Use your common sense.
17. Always check your credit card and bank statements for unauthorized purchases.
18. If in doubt, check it out! The Better Business Bureau is a wonderful tool for separating out the honest businesses from the shady ones. Also, never buy from a phone solicitor, especially if they are pressuring you. If it’s too good to be true, it isn’t true.
_________________________________________
Get yourself a roomie!
You can get a roommate and that can cut down on a lot of expenses and a roomie can make for great company too. I have heard of some wonderful roommate matches and some real horror stories. Be very sure to check out anyone who you might consider letting room in your house. Check references, employer, and that means checking them out with the police too. You can never be too careful.
If a two legged roomie is not for you then consider a four legged one. Your local animal shelter has many wonderful animals who would be eternally grateful to you if you were to give them a home, and the rewards of sharing your life with a pet are immeasurable. Save a life and enrich you own.
______________________________________________________________
Give Yourself a Vacation!
You work hard all week long and now you’ve acquired some vacation time. Don’t waste it! You deserve a vacation! There are thousands of vacation possibilities out there. Which one is right for you? Start by making a list. What are you interested in? Rock climbing? Bungee Jumping? Skydiving? Maybe something a little less stressful like museums or a week at the beach? Make a list of the things that you would like to do and then Google the types of vacations that suite you. There are hundreds of weekend mini vacation ideas too and there is no way on earth better for relieving stress then just getting away for a day or two. AND you never know who you might meet on your vacation!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dinner Anyone?
There is no doubt about it. It’s hard to cook for just one person, especially if you are used to cooking for a large family. Why not continue to cook for that large family and freeze single serving portions just for you. It makes it easy to prepare a meal when friends drop by too. Here’s some ideas.
I find it convenient to do my cooking on Sunday afternoon. I try to fix “no fuss” meals, like chili or a chicken dish. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Chili -
For Chili I just brown a large package of ground beef and pour off the grease. I add lots of chopped onions, peppers, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chili powder to taste (or you can buy a prepared chili sauce but add plenty to your beef, onion, pepper, tomato mixture.) I bake mine in a large pot the oven for about 2 hours at 375 degrees. You can cook your chili on the stove top too. It really doesn’t matter.
I’m usually able to freeze 10 to 12 containers of chili from one big pot.
Wishbone Chicken
2 package of skinless/boneless chicken breasts
2 fresh green pepper
2 fresh sweet onion (Vidalia if available)
2 14 oz. can of diced tomatoes
Sliced fresh mushrooms
Any other veggies that you would like to include.
Wishbone Italian dressing
Drizzle some Wishbone Italian dressing on the bottom of a large cooking pot.
Rotate pot so that the dressing runs all over the bottom covering the bottom of the pot.
Place the chicken breasts on the bottom of the pot.
If the chicken breasts are large, you might want to cut them in half before placing them into the pot.
Clean the onion and green pepper and dice them.
Place diced green pepper and onion on top of the chicken.
Slice the mushrooms and place them on top of the green peppers and onions.
Add any other veggies you would like.
Drizzle a small amount of Wishbone Italian dressing over the veggies.
Bake at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes or until the chicken is completely cooked.
Chicken al la?
There are many wonderful tasting marinades that you can buy. Lawry’s makes several marinades that are out of this world good. Choose from; Caribbean jerk with papaya juice, Dijon Honey with lemon juice, Hawaiian with tropical fruit juices, Herb and garlic with lemon, Lemon Pepper with lemon, Mesquite with lime juice, Sesame Ginger with Mandarin Orange Juice, Tequila Lime with Lime juice, and Teriyaki Pineapple juice. These marinades are all wonderful served hot with potato or rice and a salad, or they may be served chilled on a salad.
I rinse and drain 2 large packages of chicken and divide the chicken between 2 baking dishes. Put a very small amount of water (about 1/8th of a cup) in the bottom of each pan. Then take two different bottles of marinade and pour one over the first pan of chicken and the second over the second pan of chicken. Be sure to cover the chicken. Place pans in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, but an hour is even better. Cook both together at 375 for 1 1/2 hours or until chicken is thoroughly cooked. I usually get 8 meals out of each pan of chicken that I prepare and freeze. Try these marinades on fish and pork too. They are also wonderful on the grill.
I’m sure that there are many other marinades out there that are great and your local store will have regional favorites too. Explore and enjoy!
If you make and freeze one large pot/pan entire every week you’ll soon have a freezer full of healthy easy to reheat (microwave) meals that you can serve to guests too. Just add a veggie and a roll (frozen single serving rolls are available in most groceries) and you’ve got a feast!
____________________________________________
Getting to know new people
One of the best way I know to meet new people is to put a sign-up sheet in the cafeteria at your work/school/church etc. asking for people who are interested in starting a “Dinner and a Movie” night. Get the group to come together and decide which night of the week would suit the greatest number of people or vary the night so as to include everyone. Make sure that everyone who wants to come is included and ask them if they have any friends outside of work who would be interested in joining. The more people who join the more friends you may meet. You can vary the night out to include a ski trip or a night of putt-putt golf. The point is to make new friends and to have fun.