Sharon's Senior Living Blog

What's life like for a retiree in a senior community? Staying too busy to get sick, according to Jerry Guralsky, a retiree who chose to live in a senior golf community in Florida. Even with his days and nights jam-packed with activities, Jerry found the time to muse about what life looks like for him. Check out A Retiree's Diary, a funny and bittersweet look at one retiree's life.

One of the biggest challenges that caregivers face is keeping hope alive - for themselves and the people they care for - while facing the realities of a serious illness. In For Caregivers: How to Maintain Hope, a doctor offers advice to caregivers and their loved ones about expressing your hopes, acknowledging reality, respecting each other's vision for the future, letting go of old dreams, and creating new ones.
_{Photo by Alex Ward}

Grandparents traveling with grandchildren is becoming so popular that someone gave it a name: Grand Travel. Many travel tour organizations now offer grand travel vacations specifically designed to provide rewarding intergenerational travel experiences, and here are details about three of the best.

_{Photo by Freddy Hinojosa}

These five free U.S. government publications can help you understand Social Security benefits, including how Social Security works, which Social Security benefits you may be entitled to, how to protect yourself and your Social Security number from fraud, how to understand and work with the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, and how the future of Social Security is shaping up.

_{Photo by Steve McAlister/Getty Images}

No one wants to go to a hospital emergency room, but if you have an illness or injury that requires a trip to the ER, these emergency room survival tips can help to ensure that you get the best quality of care for the lowest possible out-of-pocket expense.
_{Photo by Kenn Kiser}

The EPA reports that indoor and outdoor pollution, unsafe drinking water, and household chemicals all increase the risk of heart disease and stroke in older adults. Learn how these environmental hazards contribute to heart disease and stroke--and what you can do to reduce your risk.
_{Photo by Kenn Kiser}

According to a leading pet products company, more than 70 percent of pet owners prefer take pets along on vacation. Older adults especially enjoy the prospect of pet travel, so if you are part of this growing group of pet lovers who like to travel with their furry companions, these 10 tips can make pet travel safer for your pet--and more fun for you.
_{Photo by Lolahowle}

Every older adult experiences unexpected aches and pains, but if you make stretching part of your daily routine you can slow--or avoid--a downward slide into chronic pain, stiffness, and immobility. Just a few minutes of stretching every day, especially when combined with a safe exercise program, can help you live with vibrancy, energy, and independence. These stretching tips from fitness expert Margaret Richard will help you safely make stretching part of your healthy lifestyle.
_{Photo: Caroline Woodham/Getty}

Unfortunately, seniors are often the targets of scam artists. To help protect yourself from becoming a senior scam victim, follow these 6 tips to avoid senior scams.

Suggested Reading:

Why Older Adults are More Vulnerable to Scams

_{Photo by Kjetil Valen}

Did you know that prescription drugs are the second-fastest growing health care cost in the United States? And that Americans pay the highest prices in the world for brand-name drugs? This is especially hard on older adults, low-income people, working families, and people with chronic illnesses who require regular medication. Compare Obama vs McCain on prescription drugs to determine how the next U.S. president will deal with the growing problem of high prescription drug costs.
_{Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images}