Cantissimo Senior Living Blog

Whether you live with your grandchildren or are visiting via Zoom or other virtual meeting tools, there are many fun and engaging things that can be done with your grandchildren. These activities can be teaching experiences in many ways. Even the youngest grandchild will do well listening to your voice as you tell stories or read to them. To help get you started, here are some of my favorite activities to do with grandchildren, even if we are not in the same room:

Have you found yourself stuck in your writing? Perhaps your pen was flying across the page, and then it seems as if, suddenly, the creativity has run dry? This experience is commonly known as writer's block. It may be discouraging and even frustrating, but you are not alone. Writer's block is a normal sensation. To help get past this roadblock in your writing, consider the following tips!

     10. Freewrite

Freewriting can be extremely helpful to plow through writer's block. The idea is to set a time limit (we recommend starting with 5 or 10 minutes) and just write. It does not have to be on the topic you were writing about before or even make much sense. Just get words and sentences on paper. This has been known to help inspire new ideas or get past those that were holding you back. Some of the most significant issues with writer's block are self-criticism and doubt, which prevent you from putting pen to paper in fear of anything you write being unworthy of saving. Sometimes, it helps to see it on paper, progress, and you can always go back and edit later.

In our recent blog (Participating in the Gig Economy: Part 1 - Driver and Delivery Jobs), we reviewed the gig economy and job opportunities involving driving and delivery. In this blog, we will outline gig economy jobs related to corporate and freelance work. While driving jobs can be a great way to get out of the house and make your own work schedule, there are many work opportunities within the gig economy.

Within the past five years, the number of freelance workers in the United States increased from 53 to 57 million. 61% of those freelancers went into this work by choice for the many benefits. Twenty-five percent of freelancers say their ideal work environment is at home. Twenty-five percent also say they can find work within 24 hours. More than half of freelancers say they will never go back to traditional work because of the vast opportunities and flexibility.

Many people choose to work after retirement, whether to stay busy, be social, stay active, or to make some extra money. The gig economy has many opportunities for older adults looking for post-retirement work.

The gig economy consists of part-time workers, independent contractors, freelance workers, and seasonal employees. Having a job in the gig economy provides flexibility for those who don't want to be held down by a strict or busy work schedule.

The gig economy began in the 1940s with part-time work during World War II but has expanded substantially due to the rise of technology. As of 2017, freelance workers accounted for more than one-third of the U.S. workforce. By 2027, the proportion is estimated to be over 50%.

Today, older adults alone make up 37 percent of all gig economy workers. Although many workers participate in the gig economy to fill their time, there is also an economic advantage. For workers ages 65 and older, independent contractors had the highest median weekly earnings in 2017, sometimes earning, on average, thirty percent of their pre-retirement income.

If the benefits of working in the gig economy sound attractive, there are many different opportunities to investigate to find the right fit. In this blog, the focus is on driver and delivery jobs. In an upcoming blog, other types of freelance work will be covered.

Retirement can be a big step. It impacts you physically, mentally, and emotionally. It changes your life structure and takes away the schedule that most humans need to stay happy and productive. One of the biggest obstacles in retirement is time management, as many individuals don't know how to spend their time. It may sound simple, but it's a roadblock that retirees face every day.

Time management is challenging for everyone, but it can be even more complicated when a free schedule is suddenly thrust upon you after years and years of hard work. With a little guidance in time management and productivity, anyone can successfully navigate retirement.

Here are five ways retirees can manage their time and make the most out of their day.

Finally, you are retired. Now you have all the time to accomplish anything you desire without worrying about official duties. But did you plan for this? Have you prepared a bucket list of things to do? And then what's next after you accomplish everything on your to-do list?

Do you want to enjoy the coming years to the fullest? Too many fall prey to a retirement trap of repeating the same routine, failing to experience new things, and ultimately suffering from boredom. If you are among those who want to lead an exciting life after retiring, then you are in the right place! However, sometimes things don't go as you may have planned. You might be faced with financial setbacks or any other reasons that spoil your plans. And it's at this point where boredom creeps in.

Many become frustrated and even depressed for not being able to accomplish their goals. Regardless of the situation you are in, it is important to note that boredom presents a serious health risk.

In recent blogs, we have reviewed social media and how to get started with popular networks. Although social media has been continuously rising in popularity for the past sixteen years, web forums were an early way to communicate online, and they continue to be widely used today.

Web forums are sections of a website that allows users to post messages to an online discussion board. Most web forums can be viewed by anyone anonymously without having to create an account, making it easy to find help online through advice from real people. Although web forums are most commonly used online by random users, they are also becoming a more common mode of communication for work and school as private web forums rise in popularity.

Did you ever imagine that drawing could do wonders for your well-being?

Drawing is not just an activity enjoyed by children. Many older adults can benefit from activities like drawing and painting. Art therapy is a relaxing, fun experience for lots of older adults, while allowing them to enhance communication, cognitive, social, and motor skills. When older adults take part in such activities, they are utilizing both the right and left hemispheres of their brains by using both creativity and logic.

Read on to discover the twelve benefits of drawing or art therapy:

In previous blogs, we reviewed the process of creating and setting up Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts. In this blog, you will learn how to create an account and set up a Pinterest profile. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has limited access to a busy social life, it has provided more time to get back into an old hobby or develop a new hobby to keep you busy. Pinterest is the perfect place to find inspiration and ideas for your next project. Follow along to create your account today:

     Step 1: Create an Account

Go to www.pinterest.com and click "Sign up" at the top right-hand corner of the page. Your screen will now look like this:

As fall arrives and students return to school, it might seem difficult to spend as much time with grandchildren. However, fall presents many fantastic opportunities to try new activities and make the most of your quality time together. Many of which can easily be done at home and safely socially distanced. If you could use some ideas, we've got you covered in this article. We will show you our top 10 best autumn activities to do with your grandchildren:

     1. Apple Picking

Going for apple picking with your grandchildren is a great way to get some exercise, fresh air, and delicious fruit. Look for the best apples in the orchard and bring them home to make a pie or other tasty treats. An apple orchard also makes a fantastic setting for some family photos that will be cherished for years to come.