Traveling Seniors

Italy, Germany, Alaska, Graceland and more! The sky is the limit with the active senior adult travel group Boomers and Beyond! Southern Companions' friend, Susan Rogers, began Boomers and Beyond for individuals 50+ as a way to meet new people and have the chance for seniors to travel to place they have always wanted to go.

This summer Susan and her husband, Mark went on a European Riverboat Cruise. Over a period of about a month Mark and Susan visited various European countries and made some golden memories. Soon after their return, Susan was off to New Orleans where she enjoyed Cajun cuisine and historic sights. Boomers and Beyond also plans local tours as well such as a recent trip this fall to Gibbs Gardens in Ballground, GA.

Whatever your interest or whether you want to travel abroad or in the U.S., Boomers and Beyond has a wide variety of travel tours planned year round. You can travel with your closest friends or meet a new travel buddy. Maybe you would have a fun and new adventure idea for the group. Even with limitations, this is a group that will help those with 'special needs' to keep you traveling.

Being an AARP member doesn't mean you are too old to cut the mustard. It means you have senior discounts and a chance to be an active traveler and explorer!

Go check out Boomers and Beyond on Meetup.com or LinkedIn for info on upcoming travel opportunities for you!!!

Where to live after 55?

In this day and age, we are seeing more senior adult communities popping up all across the country. We are aware that there is a large number of baby boomers in the United States and the senior population is only going to increase. The numbers are in. And, it is projected that the number of senior citizens will double by 2030. With the increase of our seniors we see a surge in ways to ensure that seniors can maintain the lifestyle and independence they want.

Seniors are getting active and keeping a quality of life by choosing to live in a community where there are people of like interests and many activities to keep them fulfilled. These communities include walking paths, pools, theaters, pet parks, libraries and fitness centers. Some of these communities have chapels as well. There are many other advantages to living in a 55 and older community. One favorite is that the lawn care is included. Also, the homes are designed for aging individuals and some units include special assisted living or an Alzheimer's or memory care areas.

Senior Living Communities are designed for a community of comfort and to be surrounded with a rich environment of social and cultural events. Keeping our bodies and our minds active are important for a healthy and whole life as we age. Fitness programs, nutrition presentations, live music and entertainment, and dining are all perks for living in a 55+ Community. Getting a few years on us doesn't have to take away who we are or the things we enjoy. We are never too old to be adventurous and certainly never too old to learn something new and live a little..or a lot.

Taking It To The Streets

Bells were ringing, folks were singing Jingle Bells, The Star Spangled Banner and dancing. This started our day at the Senior Center in Gainesville, Georgia. We were all smiles!

We enjoy the privilege of doing presentations, educating and being a part of our local communities Senior Centers and active Senior communities. An active life for senior citizens and those with disabilities is crucial for a feeling of connected and sustained good health. The last two weeks we have been taking it to the streets and teaching and doing presentations in senior centers where we have had overwhelmingly great responses and welcomes.

Last week we met a lady that is 98 years old. While she can't hear very well, she is extremely sprite and does weekly water aerobics and participates in Silver Sneakers with her friends at the senior center. She was so cheerful and laughed a lot. What an inspiration!

Today, we had the opportunity to provide a Alzheimer's presentation to a group of seniors. We provided educational information including signs of Alzheimer's and Dementia, personal experience with caring for individuals with Alzheimer's and helpful tips for caretakers. There was at least 6 or 7 individuals there who had a family member with Alzheimer's Disease and we had a few share their story with us all. 

Talking about experiences and being a part of an Alzheimer's Support Group is very helpful for family members who are frustrated or just plain give out from the 24/7 care it demands. Awareness is key to early detection but also learning about prevention and hopefully someday, a cure. We are glad to be making a difference in our community.

We also had some pumpkin bread for the group and it was gone in a hurry! What a wonderful fall day meeting some new wonderful folks and helping out in a small way.

~April Cummings, Marketing Director
Southern Companions

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www.southerncompanions.net

For more info on Alzheimer's Disease or Dementia visit http://www.alz.org/