In the early 1900s, the average life expectancy was 47 years. Compare it to the 80-90 years of life expectancy you see tomorrow. Invariably, you live a few decades past your retirement, which can happen in your 50s or 60s. You have all the rights to enjoy the retirement life, because you have contributed to your family, society, the companies you have worked for and for the society. And, a healthy, enjoyable life is your right, because you have laid all the foundations for a happy retired life.

It is not for everyone to find all the benefits and opportunities available to senior citizens. You don’t find them in the newspapers. There are a few websites by both government and senior citizen organizations of all different sizes and type. They provide you the information, guidelines and tips to avail the benefits and preferential treatments that are due to you. Healthcare, taxes, travel, etc all have the best favorable deals for the seniors.

How to find them and how best to use them are the biggest questions. They are not automatically delivered to you (except in certain cases). You need assistance finding them and using them, because you may not always be in a position to do the research yourself and identify what is best for you. There are some senior citizen organizations in all different parts of the United States, which have people research the concessions and benefits available to seniors.

Then again, there is another problem. Not every senior citizen organization is instituted with your best interests in mind. Some are just suckers of money, only interested in membership fees and selling you stuff you don’t need. Always avoid such organizations that promise big and deliver nothing. You need to be extra cautious about avoiding them because every penny you have is valuable and not to be spent on people who don’t care enough about you.

There are also free resources in the internet that you can always use. The government website is an example. Equally important are the websites that provide senior citizen information. Bookmark such sites because you can easily find the information you want, whenever you need it

In the early 1900s, the average life expectancy was 47 years. Compare it to the 80-90 years of life expectancy you see tomorrow. Invariably, you live a few decades past your retirement, which can happen in your 50s or 60s. You have all the rights to enjoy the retirement life, because you have contributed to your family, society, the companies you have worked for and for the society. And, a healthy, enjoyable life is your right, because you have laid all the foundations for a happy retired life.

It is not for everyone to find all the benefits and opportunities available to senior citizens. You don’t find them in the newspapers. There are a few websites by both government and senior citizen organizations of all different sizes and type. They provide you the information, guidelines and tips to avail the benefits and preferential treatments that are due to you. Healthcare, taxes, travel, etc all have the best favorable deals for the seniors.

How to find them and how best to use them are the biggest questions. They are not automatically delivered to you (except in certain cases). You need assistance finding them and using them, because you may not always be in a position to do the research yourself and identify what is best for you. There are some senior citizen organizations in all different parts of the United States, which have people research the concessions and benefits available to seniors.

Then again, there is another problem. Not every senior citizen organization is instituted with your best interests in mind. Some are just suckers of money, only interested in membership fees and selling you stuff you don’t need. Always avoid such organizations that promise big and deliver nothing. You need to be extra cautious about avoiding them because every penny you have is valuable and not to be spent on people who don’t care enough about you.

There are also free resources in the internet that you can always use. The government website is an example. Equally important are the websites that provide senior citizen information. Bookmark such sites because you can easily find the information you want, whenever you need it.

–

#1 –> The Advance Planner

This is the person who starts their research early, taking their time to become an educated consumer and exploring all the options that are available. Usually this type of person is not afraid of the tough questions, willing to discuss end-of-life issues and engage in deep, meaningful conversations with loved ones. The advanced planner is the one who makes a move before they have to and stays in control of the process.

#2 –> The Reluctant Consumer

This person is somewhat reluctantly pulled into the research process by their spouse or adult children. They really don?t want to have to face the idea of making changes in their lives, but grudgingly participate in the process.

#3 –> The Wake-Up Call

This is the person who finally concedes to make a move after a near crisis: when the health challenge cannot be denied any longer and a change must happen. If the person is fortunate, they may still be capable of functioning in an independent living community.

#4 –> The Scrambler

This is the person who suffers a more serious health challenge that necessitates an immediate move. It usually involves family making all the choices because the older adult can no longer handle processing the options or changes. Most times it involves moving directly into assisted living or skilled nursing care.

Unfortunately I sometimes experience seniors that choose to put their head in the sand and play ostrich about their aging process, thinking they are staying in control of their lives, when the reality is just the opposite. Then, when a serious crisis occurs, someone else will have to scramble around and make the decisions for them as to where they will live and who will care for them.

The wonderful thing is we are all ?at choice? in life and each person can choose how they want to approach this aspect of their journey. So the question to ask yourself or your loved ones is? How will you decide?

The senior life settlement plan has benefited many senior citizens across the United States. The life insurance policy of a senior citizen can be sold off to a third party in lieu of a sum of money which is decided on the basis of various factors. Some factors to be considered under a senior life settlement plan is the age and medical health of the life insurance policy holder, the market value of the policy and the premiums paid so far. All these factors in combination with few others, can help a retired individual get easy and instant access to cash. The life settlement policy benefits both the seller as well as the buyer. The policy holder will get ready cash in exchange for his policy while the buyer can either gain by selling it off to another party or reap the benefits of the policy once it reaches its expiry date.

The sale of your life insurance policy through senior life settlement plan can provide you with the option of steady household income even after retirement. The policy that you had bought in order to secure your family?s finances even after you were no longer present, can now indeed help to solve your financial problems. However, since this is a financial transaction that can affect your future, it is immensely advisable to seek the expert advice and counsel of a financial advisor or consultant. Let him explain the clear meaning of the terms and conditions of entering such a deal, before you make up your mind about going in for a senior life settlement plan.

Many online websites have the provisions wherein a senior citizen can easily find out all that he needs to know about senior life settlement through his life insurance policy. It is best to compare the prices and rates offered on various plans, read the terms carefully, do a thorough market research both on your financial advisor as well as the third party that you are dealing with. Once you are completely satisfied with the deal you can safely transact your life insurance policy for a life settlement option. Once the deal is through you will no longer be responsible for paying any of the premiums and nor will you be entitled to any further benefits from the policy. So think carefully and choose wisely to have a smooth life with financial security.

2008- Toronto, Canada – Rick Palmerio, Senior Product Specialist with New Toronto Group, will be speaking at the 2008 Government and Health Technologies Conference and Expo.

Rick has worked with Adobe Connect since the early days of Macromedia Breeze, working with customers across Canada and across industries. With knowledge both on the technical and end-user sides of Connect, Rick is able to help customers maximize their effectiveness with online communication and training.

To register for Early-Bird Passes please visit http://gov.wowgao.com/registration OR call (416) 292-0038 Ext. 812.

About NTG

New Toronto Group (?NTG?) is a preeminent provider of Adobe products and professional services for Connect, Acrobat Connect, Flex, Flash, Flash Media Server, and LiveCycle in North America.

NTG is the Vendor of Record with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care for software and consulting services for e-learning solutions. In addition, in May 2007, New Toronto Group was awarded a contract by the Ontario Ministry of Education to equip every school board and Faculty of Education in Ontario with Adobe Connect, a highly functional Internet-based training tool.

About the 2008 Government and Health Technologies Conference & Expo:

The 2008 Government and Health Technologies Conference and Expo will focus on the latest IT products and solutions being developed and sought after in the healthcare and public service sector, including Web 2.0, Patient Monitoring Systems, Document Management, Business Intelligence, Mobile Data Systems, RFID Solutions, Biometrics and much more.

As one of Canada’s leading annual IT conference and exposition, the event features ground breaking IT applications that aim to educate key IT professionals, Government officials, developers, architects, engineers and medical professionals with the necessary tools and techniques for the reliable, effective management of all public information services across Canada. For more information about the event, please visit http://gov.wowgao.com

About WowGao Inc.

WowGao Inc. is an award winning leading event management company that produces, since 2003, internationally renowned conferences and expositions that address the latest innovations and developments in the information technology industry. Our featured events include:

Wireless & Mobile Expo and Conference, July 15 & 16, 2008

RFID Forum, July 15 & 16, 2008

Financial Services Technology Forum, October 2008

For more information about the events, please visit http://www.wowgao.com/

For conference inquiries:

Conference Producer

(416) 292 – 0038 ext. 840 | conference@wowgao.com

WowGao Inc. | www.wowgao.com

The first Member Company, GAO Research Inc., was founded on June 2, 1992 and it quickly established its reputation as an R & D power house in the embedded industry. GAO Group has continually grown and has become a conglomerate of fast growing companies with an enormous international customer base and an extensive network of VARs, distributors, resellers, and strategic partners in diversified industries worldwide.

With the aim of providing unparalleled services to its enormous customer base spread out over the world, GAO Group has developed and deployed state of the art technologies among all its facilities to support such functions as e-commerce, inventory management, CRM, project management, and supply chain management.

Self defense classes are not very practical for senior citizens due to health concerns and the lack of physical strength to defend themselves; however, there are numerous lethal and non-lethal weapons available to senior citizens for the use of self defense. For example: taser guns.

Self defense instructors and law official alike agree that the Taser C2 model stun gun is a highly effective instrument for self defense. The Taser C2 is a non-lethal type of device that will not leave any permanent damage.

The Taser C2 is small, light weight and easy to carry. Yet, this does not affect its performance; which allows senior citizens the ability to carry the weapon without any restraints or inconvenience. This weapon works by the shooting of two probes at its target. The darts are connected to the unit by wires which can reach up to 15 feet. This allows the victim to defend themselves and taser their assailant from a distance; avoiding contact and immediate risk of harm.

The darts deliver an electric shock that interferes with the body’s nervous system, incapicitating the attacker and preventing their ability to move or further attack. Neither the person’s size nor their level of intoxification matters. The Taser C2 works by creating a physical reaction and not by pain compliance. The person being tasered cannot move their muscles.

So what if the darts miss the attacker? Though the Taser C2 has a built in laser to aid in successfully hitting your target, in case you miss, the Taser C2 also can be used as a stun gun for direct contact. With the Taser C2 it is hard to go wrong.

Tasers and stun guns are legal to carry in most all United States and do not require a license or permit to own or carry.

Though most senior citizens never imagine being the victim of a crime, they are particularly vulnerable. It is best to be prepared than not and the Taser C2 is an effective non-lethal means of self defense that is easy to use and convenient to carry.

Andrew Carle, an assistant professor and founding director of the program in Assisted Living/Senior Housing Administration at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, explains the phenomenon. “Boomers came of age in the dorms. They still go to the games, wear the sweatshirts, and love the idea of continuing education. People feel younger when they are surrounded by 20-year-olds. And they want the perks that come with college life: theater, classes, guest speakers, the library, even hanging out. This is the only model community that is intergenerational by definition. To me, it’s the future of senior housing.”

Numbers alone seem to support Carle?s opinion. Although AARP surveys have found that the vast majority of Baby Boomers don?t plan to move out of their homes or away from their communities when they retire, 10 percent of those aged sixty-plus actually do so. Considering the fact that there are 78 million Boomers, perhaps as many as eight million of them would consider a different lifestyle?including UBRCs.

Noting that there are more than 4,000 colleges and universities in the U. S., Professor Carle concludes that college- and university-affiliated housing “has the potential to be literally the future of senior housing in this country.”

Some of these properties offer assisted living housing, although most, according to AARP, are senior apartments or continuing care retirement communities. The appeal, of course, is the availability of college coursework, as well as such campus amenities as computer labs, fitness facilities, sporting events, and medical and dental services.

Here?s an example. Oak Hammock is a 270-unit independent living senior project situated on 136 acres at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Residents are issued campus identification cards that allow them unlimited use of campus facilities and activities. Oak Hammock?s Institute of Learning, a cooperative venture that involves the university and Elderhostel, provides continuing education coursework taught by university professors and experts in particular fields of study. Classes are held on the project campus, and are free to residents. Gainesville residents aged 55 and older are also eligible to attend.

The Institute of Learning offers classes in art and music appreciation, literature, creative writing, current events, philosophy, and many others, all of which have no prerequisites, tests or grades?even homework is optional. “The Role of the Media in the 21st Century,” “Ancient Peoples of the Western Hemisphere,” “Why Mathematics Really Does Count,?” “Energy for the Future,” and “Africa: A Continent in Change” are representative courses.

The 22,000-square foot, state-of-the-art, health club is outfitted with two heated pools, massage and physical therapy facilities, and is staffed by graduate students who serve as instructors and personal trainers. Wellness programs are available at the facility as well. There?s a 70,000-square foot Commons Area that features a theater venue, auditorium, art studios, and a business and computer center.

Oak Hammock boasts about its elegant dining, which is available in formal and casual settings. There?s also a sports bar and grill, and an ice cream parlor. There?s a pet park and an on-site veterinary clinic that provides routing checkups and pet-sitting. Transportation services and customized group travel packages and programs are provided. There are walking trails, gardens and lakes. Housekeeping services are available, and 24-hour security is provided, with gate-controlled community access.

In addition, the project offers a “Life Care” guarantee, which is a lifetime contract that provides unlimited access to assisted living, skilled nursing and memory support as these services become necessary. The Life Care program includes on-site wellness clinics and a rehabilitation center, all designed to help residents remain independent as long as possible.

College students also benefit by working on-site at UBRCs, or by serving in internships. Universities provide the communities with one-on-one training conducted by computer science majors, for instance, or ceramics or painting workshops taught by art students.

George Mason?s Carle, an unabashed fan of these projects, sums up the appeal of university-based retirement centers. “Schools find additional employment and work-related experiences for their students and maintain that connection between alumni and faculty,” he said. “Residents get an intergenerational, active, intellectually stimulating environment. It’s a win-win.”

There are many options to keep you busy. You can dig up a few hobbies from the past that you used to do. Go back and get your dancing shoes on, or if you never danced, learn how to. A fun part of active senior living can include dancing.

Sewing is another mentally stimulating challenge, and you could make a few outfits to head out on the town, and look great. Many community centers recognize that active senior living is important and they offer sewing classes to both men and women who are retired.

Ask your church or local synagogue, if you can start up a study group just for the other seniors. Another way to be active physically and mentally is to home visit others, and bring a little companionship to them. People who are confined to their homes love having company. Active senior living means that you can visit others in nursing homes too.

The point is to stay physically invigorated and mentally active. However, that doesn’t mean that you take on more that you don’t need, or your doctor advises you not to. Active senior living doesn’t mean becoming exhausted, and it should be a relaxing time of your life. If you feel that it’s too much, cut back on some activities, and take a few moments for yourself. There’s nothing wrong with sitting on a garden patio, or curled up by a warm fireplace with a good book in hand. You’ll still be getting needed mental stimulation, but a way to relax your body at the same time. Active senior living is a choice now that you’re older.

Perhaps you’d enjoy a small part-time job. A lot of seniors love the routine even after they’ve retried of getting up and going to a job. It makes them feel useful again, and this might fit your personality to a tee. If it is, consult with your doctor about taking on a job, if you have any serious medical conditions that might limit what you do. You don’t need any other serious complications to develop from any health issue you might have, so it’s best to ask. Active senior living is the way to live once you’re older, but remember to always make it a pleasant experience for your mind and body.

Mature adults are the fastest growing demographic segment of the population and at age sixty-five, 23% are still working for a variety of reasons ? to supplement their income or their health insurance benefits; to not have to be dependent upon relatives; or just to continue to make use of their talents and abilities by working. (1)

Private Industry Taking Notice

Privately-held corporations are taking notice. A Clearwater, Florida-based corporation, PostcardMania, started hiring more senior citizens. When the CEO?s mother passed away due to cancer, Gendusa started looking for something for her father to do.

?His whole life revolved around my mother,? said Joy, ?I noticed that without something to create on, he was not as happy.? Joy hired her father, not expecting the surprising outcome.

?The staff loved him ? and he loved them. I saw him light up when he got to contribute to the overall expansion of the company.?

Not only did Joy?s father, Bernie Lebowitz, get attention, but he was invaluable in working on a much needed project to identify reasons for failed sales calls so that targeted marketing messages could be tailored to those past prospects and clients to generate more revenue.

?He was so conscientious – he would work on the weekends to ensure that he got his job done and ensured it he did more than he did the week before – every week,? said Joy.

Bernie, a successful entrepreneur in the shipping industry before retirement, recommended his friend, Murray Schact, for hire to the PostcardMania employee roster as well. Schact, a former IBM executive, applied and came on board to help PostcardMania maximize their database for increased sales.

Before hiring her father, the majority of PostcardMania was a large percentage of young aspiring adults with little or no experience. That younger demographic ? willing, eager minds that could learn a trade – excelled into Gendusa?s top executives, being paid well above the norm. Gendusa quickly boomed her enterprise into the fastest-growing direct mail marketing firm in the nation recognized by Inc. Magazine in 2005. But bringing experienced, well-educated, elderly employees into the mix changed the chemistry of the company ? a change that was a welcome to Joy.

?It?s not that I thought that elderly employees would not be an asset,? Joy said, ?Senior citizens rarely came in to apply for jobs here.? Since the hire of Bernie and Murray, PostcardMania?s Human Resources has expanded its hiring pools to more mature applicants. There is a bevy of older generation employees that work at PostcardMania now ? many on their 2nd and 3rd careers.

The prevailing thought around the country is that people want to quit working when they are done with their 25, 30, or 50 year career. ?I have found that the majority of seniors that apply (at PostcardMania) still want to be able to contribute to be useful in their lives,? said Cindy Wilson, PostcardMania?s VP of Human Resources.

Murray, now a Boca Raton citizen who in his career-life at IBM created the flight software for the airline industry, had been retired for over 15 years. He now works for PostcardMania remotely from home. PostcardMania?s IT division set Murray up to be able to access the company?s database and continue his work from afar.

?I am so thankful to be able to work on something worthwhile and meaningful,? said Murray, ?It (PostcardMania) literally gave me my life back ? I mean that.?

Corporate Giants Also Take Heed

Corporate giants are also taking notice of the elderly as a valuable resource and enlisting senior citizens for help ? not just in volunteer activities, but in creating new careers that allows them to exercise their hard-won experience and expertise. Likewise this ?help? is giving these veterans their 2nd and 3rd careers.

Publix, the largest employee-owned supermarket chain in the United States, founded by the late George W. Jenkins in 1930 in Winter Haven, Florida, has a corporate philosophy to provide a diverse workforce and is known for its employment of senior citizens, where one of out every five Publix employees are older than 50. These ?mature associates? are a large part of the Publix workforce and make up 30,000 of their 141,000 total employees.

?Mature Associates offer valuable skills, maturity and experience,? said Shannon Patten, Publix Media and Community Relations Manager. ?They have a strong work ethic, many skills and job knowledge that they share with our younger associates.? Shannon says the corporate philosophy is such that they encourage an environment where senior citizens will want to apply.

Even Wal-Mart, despite their recent bad rap in the media, is one of the leading employers of senior citizens in the United States, employing nearly a quarter million associates – just less than 20% of Wal-Mart?s workforce is at least 55 years old.

Senior citizens or ?mature associates? are becoming an integral part of the workforce and is one of the ways corporations can take responsibility for the social and economic welfare of our country.

(1) taken from www.seniorjobbank.org

Strenuous exercise by itself does not give optimum results. Any exercise procedure should include a controlled and monitored diet. If you are exercising daily and eating junk food without giving any thought to the calorie intake, the benefits derived from exercise is bound to be nullified. More than that, exercise and healthy diet need to become a way of living rather than means to only build muscles or loose weight.

Exercise will help you to keep fit but it is no guarantee that you will remain fit always. Exercise and diet should go together to make it a lifestyle which can last long. Once that is accomplished, both become a habit and help in old age.

Moreover, as age catches up on us we need different exercises, say, seniors exercise, than what we are accustomed to during our prime years. A regulated diet and a typically supportive lifestyle complement exercise and stand in good stead when it is time to convert to a seniors exercise regimen.

Fact is as we grow older, we need to keep in shape more than the younger generation. With age the capabilities of the entire body system, muscles, organs, and mind, deteriorate and need more care than before. The changed lifestyle that you adopt in younger age comes in handy later in life. It then becomes simply a matter of shifting from the earlier exercises to a seniors exercise regime.

Many places, like YMCAs have separate sections for seniors exercise. They take special care by providing them with swimming pools, sauna baths, and hot tubs, which are more suitable for seniors than an exhausting workout. Seniors exercise coupled with some multivitamin tablets and sufficient water intake is more than enough for seniors. At their age, seniors cannot be expected to undergo the stress of a 15 miles treadmill run or a bench of 350. The idea of a personal trainer at that age is another option that should be considered if it is affordable. A personal trainer for seniors exercise will guide you through with his expertise.

When we are young we feel that all talk of a regulated diet, change in lifestyle is irrelevant. We ignore it at a great cost to us. The realization comes when, as seniors, we find it difficult to even do the simplest of exercise which appeared mundane earlier.