Fun Things to Do on a Fixed Income

Senior Thursday

 

Many seniors are on a fixed income. Living expenses come first—rent or mortgage, food, medication and utilities. Then there's clothing and transportation, and maybe pet expenses. Before long, their monthly income is used up, leaving little, if anything, for entertainment.

That isn't to say that seniors can't be entertained on a fixed income. There are events and places to go that are free or very low cost. There are options to Broadway plays and gourmet restaurants. Here are a few ideas.

Become a Volunteer – By volunteering at film festivals, sporting events and other venues, one can experience the entertainment, and sometimes even get a free meal. Other places to volunteer are community centers, gardens and local parks. Not only do these places provide fun things to do, they are great opportunities for socializing.

Check out Your Local College or University – They often have cultural events or access to free/low cost college-level classes. Auditing classes is a way to have access to the college library and performances.

Use Your Library – Your local library contains a wealth of free entertainment. In addition to thousands of books, there are magazines, newspapers, movies and CDs. You can also access the internet for free to keep in touch with friends via email.

Check Out Community Events – Many communities have neighborhood concerts, and plays at colleges and in churches. Scour your newspaper for notices. There are also seasonal festivals, like music festivals in the summer and harvest festivals in the fall.

Enjoy Nature – So many adventures out of doors are free. Hiking, biking, picnics, etc., are all for you to enjoy at no cost. Find trails in your area.

Watch for Free Days at Museums – Many museums have one day a week that is free or very low cost for entry. Find out what these days are for the museums in your area. Arrive early and be prepared for long lines.

There's lots out there to do! Enjoy!

Planning Summer Picnics and Barbecues

Tips for Tuesday

It’s that time of year again—graduations, Father’s Day, baseball games.  The weather is getting warmer, and that means picnics and barbecues.  Did you ever find yourself at one of these events, only to discover that you forgot the knife to cut the watermelon, or the buns for the hot dogs?  Here is a checklist of items you should pack so you won’t leave anything behind.

FOOD PREPARATION AND SERVING

·         Paper or plastic plates/bowls

·         Napkins

·         Paper cups, glassware

·         Eating utensils (forks, spoons, knives, corn cob holders etc.)

·         Serving utensils (spoons, dishes, etc.)

·         Can/bottle opener

·         Corkscrew

·         Cutting board and small knife

·         Large knife

·         Grill

·         Grilling utensils

·         Charcoal and lighter fluid or propane for grill

·         Lighter or matches

·         Baking soda in case of grilling mishap

FOOD AND DRINK

·         Bottled water

·         Beverages—non-alcoholic (soda, juice, etc.)

·         Beverages—alcoholic (beer, wine, etc.)

·         Main dish and associated items (i.e., buns for burgers)

·         Side salads

·         Snacks

·         Condiments (mustard, ketchup, salt, pepper, butter, mayo, relish, sugar or sweetener, dressings)

·         Marshmallows and skewers for roasting

·         Dessert—watermelon or other fruit, brownies or cookies

·         Candles for cake if necessary

ENTERTAINMENT

·         Portable radio or CD/MP3 player

·         Extra batteries

·         Sports equipment (volleyball and net, baseball and mitts, soccer ball and cones, etc.)

·         Outdoor games (yard darts, Frisbee, croquet set, jump rope, water gun, etc.)

·         Deck of cards

·         Digital Camera

GENERAL ITEMS

·         A blanket or tablecloth—plastic if grass is damp

·         Portable chairs or cushions

·         Cooler and ice for beverages

·         Cooler and ice for food

·         Insect repellent

·         Citronella candles

·         After-bite medication

·         Sun screen

·         First aid supplies

·         Flashlight

·         Cellular phone

·         Apron

·         Sweater or jacket

·         Change of clothes if you’ll be around water

CLEAN-UP

·         Plastic wrap or baggies for leftovers

·         Aluminum foil for hot foods or cooking

·         Large trash bag for garbage

·         Paper towels

·         Baby wipes or wet wipes

·         Hand sanitizer

Stay safe by washing hands before and after food preparation, keeping cold foods cold, refrigerating leftovers immediately, cooking meat thoroughly, and dousing all coals or fires before leaving the area.

Safety in the Home When Entertaining Seniors

Senior Thursday

We love being surrounded by family, especially when we are celebrating a milestone. We invite friends and family over, from the very young to the very old. Our homes will be filled with people who normally aren't part of the routine. If your children are older or grown, you aren't used to toddlers being around. So you take care to protect them from obvious dangers like electrical cords or outlets.

So too, should you protect the other extreme—the aging senior. For the senior, the dangers are different. They know better than to eat the plants or stick their hand in an outlet. But they don't always see other dangers, especially those that can cause falls. It is up to you to prepare your house for their arrival. Here are some things you should do to protect against accidents.

• Pick up all throw rugs. They are tripping hazards.
• Provide normal height seating for meals—no bar stools or picnic tables.
• Provide a chair in the conversation area that is easy to sit in and get up from.
• Be aware of dietary restrictions such as low sodium, diabetic or gluten-free.
• Hold activities on the main level of the home so they don't have to up/down stairs.
• If stairs are necessary, make sure the railing is secure.
• Watch young children around them when they are walking.
• Keep pets locked up so they don't jump up and knock them over, or get under their feet and trip them.
• Don't hand them anything to hold that is hot (coffee) or heavy (plate of food). Carry it for them and set it down.
Being aware of these hazards will protect your elderly guests. How do you keep seniors safe in your home?

Safety During the Holidays--Entertaining

Tips for Tuesday

The holidays are fast approaching. Along with them, are the stresses for preparations. Part of the holiday tradition is entertaining family and friends, whether it's a cozy cookie exchange with the ladies or a formal dinner with the boss.

While these are fun times, there are some hazards associated with entertaining. Take cautions so you aren't a victim.

• Keep an eye on the stove, oven or grill when cooking. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of house fires in the U.S.
• If deep frying a turkey, keep the fryer at least ten feet away from the house.
• Turn pot handles in when cooking so you don't bump into them and little hands can't grab them.
• Unplug small electric appliances such as mixers and waffle irons when you are done with them so they don't get turned back on accidentally.
• Keep dangling cords on the counter and set back so kids or pets can't reach them.
• Don't leave hot dishes or liquids near the edge of the counter. Kids or pets might pull them over, or someone might brush up against the counter and knock them over.
• Supervise children when they are in the kitchen.
• Test all food for temperature before serving so it isn't too hot.
• Test internal temperature of meats to ensure they are cooked enough.
• When cooking on the stove top, always have a lid handy. If a grease fire starts, slide the cover over the pan and turn off the heat.
• Test smoke alarms before guests arrive.
• Place hot pots and pans on hot pads or towels. Never place them directly from the oven onto the counter or table.