Simplified Smartphones For Boomers And Seniors

Dear Savvy Senior: Are there any smartphones specifically designed for seniors that you know of? I'm interested in getting one, but at age 69, I want to find one that's easy to see and use.
-- Semi-Smart Senior
Dear Semi-Smart: There are actually several manufacturers who are now making simplified smartphones with features designed primarily for older users who have limited experience with modern gadgetry. Here's a rundown of what's currently and soon-to-be available.
Pantech Flex: One of the best and most affordable age-friendly smartphones on the market today is the Pantech Flex, sold through AT&T for only $1 with a two-year contract. Read More.

Baby boomers and driving vision - maintaining safety and independence

 (BPT) - Baby boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, are aging differently than any generation in U.S. history. Today, older Americans remain more active later in life, working longer and engaging in hobbies and recreational activities.

It is estimated that by 2030, nearly one in five adults will be 65 and older. In 2050, this group is projected to reach 88 million - more than double the 40 million in 2010. This will lead to a significant increase in older adults driving vehicles for both necessity and pleasure. Unfortunately vision, cognitive skills and motor functions decline as we age.
As many as 5,288 people age 65 and older were killed and 187,000 were injured in traffic accidents, according to 2009 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That group accounted for 16 percent of all traffic deaths and 8 percent of the injured, but accounted for only 13-percent of the population. As the 65 and over demographic increases to 20 percent of the population in 2030, the number of accidents and fatalities among this group is expected to increase.
Most states have minimum vision requirements to possess a driver's license. A 2006 Vision Council report indicates that the 10 states with the highest rate of fatal crashes include four that require no vision screening for license renewal and four that only require vision screenings at intervals of eight or more years. The Vision Council also reported that only 20 states require more frequent vision screenings for older drivers.
Importantly, there are proactive measures seniors can take to preserve and enhance their vision. Many clinical research studies have demonstrated that older drivers can improve their vision by eating foods rich in the nutrients zeaxanthin (zee-uh-zan-thin) and lutein or taking eye vitamins containing these nutrients. These nutrients create a protective film in the back of the eye known as, "macular pigment" to protect and improve vision. These nutrients have been scientifically proven to enhance driving vision and driver confidence. -Your eye care professional and the American Optometric Association website are excellent sources of information regarding nutrition and eye health.
Glare is a common complaint among older drivers, particularly at night. When a driver is "blinded" by an oncoming car's lights, they are literally "driving blind" for a period of time until vision recovers.- Imagine driving at 60 mph with your eyes closed for five seconds. You would travel 440 feet during that five second period - the equivalent of one and a half football fields. Studies have demonstrated that recovery time from bright light-induced glare can be reduced by as much as five seconds by increasing macular pigment density through zeaxanthin and lutein supplementation.
Dense or thick MPOD (Macular Pigment Optical Density) can reduce uncomfortable and dangerous glare caused by oncoming headlights, street lights, and traffic lights; enhance contrast sensitivity to help drivers see pedestrians, vehicles, and other objects; and help diminish discomfort or sensitivity to bright sunlight. -
While lutein is commonly available in the average diet from dark green leafy vegetables like spinach and broccoli, dietary zeaxanthin is scarce in the average U.S. daily diet. Corn, orange peppers, brightly colored fruits and vegetables, and eggs contain low quantities of zeaxanthin, which means one would have to eat approximately 20 ears of corn to obtain the daily recommended amount of dietary zeaxanthin associated with healthy macular pigment.
Eye vitamins like EyePromise are doctor recommended, proven and guaranteed to increase macular pigment. The dietary zeaxanthin contained in EyePromise eye vitamin formulas is derived from unique orange paprika peppers, a natural botanical source rich in this important nutrient.
Many Optometrists and Ophthalmologists offer MPOD (Macular Pigment Optical Density) measurement through a simple, fast, and inexpensive exam. Contact your eye care professional about having your macular pigment measured, and increasing your MPOD if needed.
Driving safety is important at any age, but as our population ages at an unprecedented pace, proactively taking care of your vision is vital to safety and independence.

Retirement Hobbies bring JOY to your retired life!

Retirement hobbies are really very good for you -- they keep you active! We need activity, mental and physical, in retirement. We need to socialize and meet new friends -- and hobbies help there too!

What will YOU do all day, every day, 24/7? Read More.
 

Why Seniors Love iPads

These days, tablet computers are skyrocketing in popularity, particularly among the senior set. Although mini-computers and thin laptops like the Macbook Air provide excellent portability and function, something about swiping fingers on a screen has appealed seniors to become one of the largest users of the iPad. Here’s why: Read More.

Simple ways to save energy at home in just minutes

 (BPT) - Home is where the heart is. But it's also a place where families can be more conscious of their energy use. While conserving energy helps save the planet, it also helps homeowners save money.

According to Christine Ackerson, sustainability manager at LG Electronics USA, by adopting a green mindset and taking a few simple steps to be more eco-friendly, you'll help preserve our planet's resources and your budget.
Reduce, reuse and e-cycle
Phantom energy waste - the amount of energy plugged-in appliances and other electronics draw even when turned off - can add up. You can reduce phantom energy drain by unplugging appliances you don't frequently use or installing power strips that can easily be turned off. -Remember to unplug your cell phone charger when not in use. And use motion sensing exterior lighting and timers so that electronics such as space heaters and fans don't run longer than intended.
The average consumer household has about 24 electronic products, according to the Consumer Electronics Association, and old or outdated electronics represent one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world. Recycling electronic waste, or e-waste, such as cell phones, televisions and computers can save energy and scarce resources by reducing the amount of raw materials extracted from the earth, as well as preventing harmful materials from ending up in the environment. For example, recycling one million laptops saves the energy equivalent of the electricity used by 3,657 homes each year in the U.S., according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.-
Recycling your old electronics is easy, and there are a number of resources to help. Manufacturers and retailers often offer recycling services or take-back programs - LG offers an online search tool at www.lgerecycling program.com to find free drop off locations near you. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also offers online resources for safe e-waste disposal, or you can ask your local municipality if they offer e-waste collection programs.
The waste, the washer and the wardrobe
Doing laundry is a household necessity. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average household does 392 loads of laundry each year; that translates to 7.5 loads per week. Upgrading an old, inefficient washer can not only lead to water and energy savings, it can also mean cleaner clothes.
Energy Star-qualified washers use about 20 percent less energy and 35 percent less water than standard washers. Larger-capacity machines save energy because you can wash more clothes in fewer loads. One new "mega-capacity" washer from LG has the largest capacity in the industry at 5.1 cubic feet. Plus, it features a special turbo wash technology that saves up to 20 minutes per load.
The "mega-capacity" washer also earned the "Energy Star Most Efficient" designation in 2013. This new program recognizes the most efficient products on the market.-Washers that earn this distinction can save consumers the equivalent of at least 68,000 bottles of water a year.
A bright idea: LED bulbs
When available, use natural lighting to light your home. On dark days and after sunset, light your home only in the areas you are using. When it comes to lights, one of the simplest yet most impactful ways to go green is to switch to LED light bulbs. They're the most energy efficient option and last 10 times longer than compact fluorescent bulbs. A cool lighting option, LED bulbs do not use mercury, so you're not putting extra toxins into landfills when the bulb does expire.
When shopping for new bulbs, look for the Energy Star label. If just one light bulb in every American home was replaced with an Energy Star bulb, we would save about $600 million in annual energy costs, plus save enough energy to light 3 million homes for an entire year!
Go autopilot to heat and cool your home
The energy used to heat and cool your home throughout the year can mean big utility bills. Adopt a green mindset and change the temperature just a few degrees and the savings will come naturally. Try adjusting your thermostat three or more degrees - you might not even feel a difference. During periods when you're not in the home, adjust it even more. According to the Department of Energy, you can save as much as 1 percent for each degree by turning your thermostat back if the setback period is eight hours long.
An easy way to control your home's temperature is to get a programmable thermostat. Put your home's heating and cooling on autopilot by programming temperature settings for each day of the week. Depending on whether you're home or away at work, you can set your seasonal preferences so your home maximizes energy conservation while keeping temperatures comfortable. Adopt these ideas and you can make a difference in helping to address climate change and protect the planet, and also save money. Take the "Change the World, Start with Energy Star Pledge" at the Energy Star website, www.energystar.gov, and make a promise to make simple behavioral changes to make your home more energy efficient and preserve resources for future generations.

Listen up: For better hearing, work with an audiologist

(BPT) - When it comes to startling health statistics, here are several you may not have heard: 36 million American have a hearing loss, yet only one out of every four people who could benefit from a hearing aid actually wears one, according to the National Institutes of Health's National Information Center on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Millions of Americans "miss or misunderstand" much of everyday conversation."People who experience hearing loss are often like Joni Mitchell's song 'Big Yellow Taxi,' " says Dr. Kathy Landau Goodman, chair of the Audiology Awareness Campaign. " 'You don't know what you've got till it's gone.' We often take our hearing for granted until we have difficulty hearing and communicating with our family, friends and coworkers. Yet searching for a quality, cost-effective solution can be confusing."
The first step for finding the right hearing aid is to see an audiologist. Audiologists hold doctoral degrees and are uniquely qualified to evaluate hearing loss and communication needs such as hearing in noisy environments like restaurants, in business meetings, church services, lectures, or just listening to the TV or an iPod. An audiologist can prescribe, program, fit and customize a hearing aid's high tech capabilities to improve your listening and communication experiences.
"Today's hearing aids are quite amazing," Goodman says. "They are natural sounding, fashionable and they work. There is no reason you should miss out on what could be the most important conversation of your life. Consumers have numerous options for purchasing hearing aids, and an audiologist can help you find the right solution for your communication challenges."
No best model or brand
Finding the right hearing aid is not about the model or brand - or even price. While it may not be necessary to pay a lot to find the hearing technology that works well for you, keep in mind that rock-bottom-prices often come with poorer quality. It is not just about a product--being fitted with hearing aids is a process.-
Modern hearing aids are sophisticated high-tech digital devices, with capabilities and options that vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Every ear is unique. Every brain deciphers sound differently. There is no "one size fits all." What works for your friend may not work for you. It's important to work with an audiologist that can help you select and optimize the hearing aids to meet your needs.
Finding the right hearing professional
Having a hearing test and getting fitted for hearing aids are the next steps, but it's also important to get counseling on how to use your hearing aids most effectively in different listening situations. You'll need adjustments to get the settings just right, and audiologists can manage this for you. Remember, an audiologist who carries several brands is more likely to help you find the best hearing aids for your communication needs. Your audiologist should have:
* Well-established credentials and all applicable licenses.
* Satisfied clients who are willing to give a recommendation.
* Courteous support staff.
* Convenient office hours.
* A convenient location.
* Multiple brands of hearing aids.
* Hearing assistive technologies such as listening devices for phones or televisions.
* Services beyond the sale of hearing aids, such as communication training and auditory training.
The nonprofit Audiology Awareness Campaign, which provides the public with information on hearing loss, is sponsoring the sixth annual "Listen Up America Week, National Hearing Screening Week" May 13 to 17, 2013. In communities throughout the country, audiologists will offer free hearing screenings. Call (888) 833-EARS (3277) or visit www.audiologyawareness.com to find an audiologist in your area.