Cantissimo Senior Living Blog

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.

You are likely familiar with the old saying, "messy closet, messy life." This adage implies that someone with a cluttered closet has an unorganized life. It has been around as long as closets themselves, but it still holds true in the modern world. While centuries-year-old sayings might not be an exact science, the state of your closet can be a direct indicator of your lifestyle. Maybe you don't have the time, space, or physical ability to keep your closet tidy. Perhaps you choose to live a more carefree, throw-it-and-leave-it type of lifestyle.

With the right organization tips, even the busiest or most carefree individuals will still be able to maintain a tidy, well-organized closet. Here are ten easy closet organization tips that help you tidy your closet and de-clutter your life!

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.

As lifespans have increased, the idea of "aging in place" has gained popularity. Defined as "…remaining living in the community, with some level of independence, rather than in residential care.", this typically means living in one's private residence for as long as possible. These days, a combination of family help, home health aides, and adaptions to living quarters have allowed older adults to stay in their homes longer.

For many, however, health or other problems crop up and lead to a senior living arrangement outside the home. Very often, this is assisted living.

Assisted living emerged as a concept in the early 1980s in response to the hospital-like, institutional nature of nursing homes. At the outset, assisted living focused on providing mostly non-medical support for older adults in a more home-like setting structured to preserve their independence, dignity, privacy, and choice.

Within a few years, it became apparent there was an issue for residents whose health declined beyond the facility's ability to support them. While it was clear that their increased needs weren't being met, residents were reluctant to move for two reasons. First, the move from their original home was a difficult, significant life change. Second, the move from assisted living often was to a nursing home; the very place most hoped to avoid by moving to assisted living. Residents desired an opportunity to age in place in an assisted living setting.

One of the principal factors in maintaining independence for older adults is the ability to drive a car. Yet, drivers 65 and older are 16% more likely to cause an accident compared to drivers 25-64. With age, health conditions may arise that affect vision, cognition, and movement, which can pose a higher risk while operating a vehicle. Even though some seniors may be healthy and capable enough to drive, the fragility of an older body is more susceptible to injury and fatality during a crash. Although it is common to resist giving up the independence of driving, there are alternative transportation options available that provide various perks.

By giving up driving, the cost of a car, car insurance, gas, and maintenance are eliminated. Using alternative forms of transportation instead of driving can save someone over $10,000 a year. In addition to saving money, not having a car allows for more exercise such as walking or biking. This provides an opportunity to feel more connected to the world and surroundings. Saving money, staying active, and being more connected to the community are healthy and safe ways to remain independent while using alternative transportation options.

Sleep is vital when growing up, and the same is true as we age. However, for older adults, sleeping patterns frequently change. Often, older adults begin experiencing trouble falling asleep or waking up. Others struggle to reach a state of deep sleep. That said, when this happens, don't assume it's a normal part of aging. These could be symptoms of insomnia or other sleep-related conditions. Therefore, ensuring you receive a good night's sleep is important and needs to be consistent, just like when you were younger.

Through a good night's sleep, your mental health and memory improve. Your body can repair worn-out cells and tissues, and your immune is refreshed. With this, your body can better fight diseases and stay healthy. On the other hand, a poor night's sleep can make you susceptible to memory problems, attention issues, and even depression. Further, it leads to a sense of fatigue during the day and worsened focus.

Best Sleeping Positions for Older Adults

If you want to enhance your sleep quality and health, your sleeping position may be a great place to start. For a full and restorative sleep, consider changing to one of the following recommended sleep positions:

As we age, falling becomes a significantly greater threat to health. According to the CDC, more than 1 in 4 adults 65+ fall each year. An act that, years ago, might have been met with a laugh, now must be taken more seriously. Interestingly, the causes of falls are often not dramatic and uncommon events. Frequently, falls result from small and everyday occurrences that we ignore and even consider insignificant in and out of the house, such as wet floors, scattered items, or a ruffled floor rug. However, merely watching your step closely is not always enough to prevent a fall. Health-related matters also contribute to falling, such as impaired vision or new medications.

A simple fall can cause severe complications for older adults. Common problems include bone fractures, hip fractures, dislocations, head injuries, and even depression resulting from injury or fear of falling again. As stated by the CDC, falling once doubles the chances a second fall will occur.

Thus, if you are concerned about the possibility of experiencing a fall, you are not alone! It is essential to learn how to prevent falls. That's why we've compiled the following tips to help keep you safe and minimize your chances of an unfortunate fall. First, let's take a look at the major causes of falls:

If you are age 50 or older, Joseph Coughlin, founder and director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology AgeLab, thinks you are misunderstood.

In his 2017 book, "The Longevity Economy: Inside the World's Fastest-Growing, Most Misunderstood Market," Coughlin contends consumer marketing companies and society, in general, underestimate the potential of the older generation.

He says this underestimation is exemplified in the false narrative that older adults are a less important demographic than groups under 50. This attitude particularly pervades marketers who spend 500% more on millennials than all other age categories combined.

Coughlin's message to companies overlooking older adults is: Do so at your own peril.

As the fall comes to an end, the harsh and sometimes unforgiving months of winter set in. The first snowfalls of the year are exciting and enchanting. However, it is essential to remember that the winter season brings inherent risks to safety and wellness. Prepare accordingly to ensure you have a pleasant and safe winter!

     1. Keep Warm

The first step for older adults to stay safe throughout the winter is to keep warm. This is the best remedy against cold-related health risks that are common during this period. Even at home, it is possible to expose yourself to too cold of temperatures. Follow the tips below to stay safe:

Behind only water, tea is the most popular drink in the world. But when you take a sip of tea, are you aware of how many gifts you may be giving yourself?

Drinking hot tea can raise your spirit and even help keep your body strong and healthy. With that, the question arises, what types of tea should you be drinking? Teas are not all created equally, and depending on your goals, you should choose the type that best fits your needs. For this purpose, we have created a list of some popular styles of tea and their associated benefits. Let's start with why you should be drinking tea: