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.

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:

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.

Age 55 seems to be a life milestone when many think more seriously about future eventualities like retirement or moving out of the family home. The latter can be driven by many motivations:

• The existing home feels too big once the kids have moved out
• Home maintenance has become overwhelming
• The neighborhood has turned over, and old friends have moved away
• The current multi-level home has stairs that will become a concern with age
• A change in health status that makes the current residence impractical
• The local climate forces consideration about a place with better weather
• A desire to be closer to family

Questions to Ask

No matter the reasons, the decision to move can only be made after certain questions have been answered.

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:

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.

In previous blogs, we reviewed the process of creating and setting up accounts for Facebook and Instagram. In this blog, we will explain how to create an account and set up a Twitter profile. To learn more about the differences between the social media platforms, check out our recent blog, Social Media: What is it All About?. With Twitter being the most popular social media site for users over 55 years old, now is a great time to set up an account. 

Step 1: Create an Account

Go to www.twitter.com and click “Sign up for Twitter” at the bottom of the page. Your screen will now look like this: