Helpful Smart Phone Apps for Baby Boomers

Smart Phone apps have been designed to make our lives easier.  If you are a Baby Boomer, there are certain apps that you may find especially helpful.  Whether you own an Android or iPhone, make sure you are getting the most out of this handy piece of technology.  What are some Smart Phone applications that could benefit you?

Your Bank's Mobile App

Nearly all large banks now have a mobile app and you will find this extremely helpful if you travel very much.  I have used the app that is linked to my bank to transfer money from savings to checking, and to pay a bill while I was away from my home computer.  You can use the app to instantly see if a check has cleared, or to check your account balance. 

Red Laser

If you are a very careful shopper, this mobile app can save you a lot of time and frustration.  It allows you to scan in a bar code and check for price comparisons.  Before you drive from WalMart to Target to Costco, and back again, to compare the price of the same camera or a similar item, go to the store that is closest to you and scan the bar code.  It will tell you the price of the item in a variety of stores.

My Fitness Pal

Are you trying to stay in shape, and you just want to keep track of your calories, weight and the amount of exercise you are getting?  This app makes it easy to see how well you are doing.  Since most of us always have our phones with us, we are much less likely to forget to enter the data when we are on the go.

Value Diary

If you have used Weight Watchers in the past and want to keep track of your points, without paying a monthly fee, download the very inexpensive Value Diary app.  When I downloaded it, it cost $2.99.  You can manually enter your foods or look them up on their database.  Keep track of your points and maintain your weight without going to meetings or paying a monthly fee.

The Weather Channel

Are you concerned about storms in your area?  Do you want to know the weather at your travel destination?  The Weather Channel app is a convenient way to instantly know about weather alerts, expected precipitation and anything else that could affect your travel plans.

A Local News Station

I have the app for my both my Los Angles ABC  and CBS affiliates, as well as CNN.  Whenever there is a breaking news story, I am immediately notified.  This is particularly handy whenever there is an earthquake or major traffic stoppage in my area.  It also keeps me informed of major news stories, no matter where I am.

Skype

Want to talk to your family and see your grandkids at the same time?  If you and your family members have iPhones, you all have Facetime, which is similar to Skype.  However, if you have an Android phone or sometimes talk with people on one, having Skype is a wonderful way to visually see the person you are talking to. You grandkids will love it!

WAZE

One of my used apps is WAZE, a free GPS navigation system.  It uses real time data to guide you around heavy traffic and warns you of obstructions or vehicles that may be parked along the side of the road.  It is invaluable if you live in a large city where traffic is a daily problem.

There are thousands of other useful cell phone applications, as well.  If you are interested in some apps that are recommended for senior citizens, you may want to read "Smart Phone Apps for Senior Citizens."  It has reviews of a number of other handy smart phone apps including Dragon Dictation, SitorSquat, Shazam, Pandora, WebMD, Google Translate, and more.  Use these apps to make sure your phone is providing you with every possible type of assistance.

If you have any other apps that you have found helpful, feel free to leave a comment below and share your knowledge with others.

If you are looking for additional information that is helpful to retirees and Baby Boomers, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional articles on where to retire, financial planning, health issues and more.

You are reading from the blog: http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

photo courtesy of photoxpress.com

Life Alert Bracelets for Peace of Mind



Life Alert can help you worry less
about elderly family members.

Although Baby Boomers have begun to turn 65, most of us do not feel as though we need any help taking care of ourselves.  We travel, live in our homes, walk our dogs and often hold down jobs without any difficulty.  Many of us feel healthy and in the prime of our lives.

Why People Need Medical Alert Bracelets

However, some of us may have elderly parents, aunts and uncles or other relatives who are still alive and living alone.  If they are not in an assisted living facility where someone checks on them several times a day, they could fall, faint or have a heart attack and days could pass before anyone realizes there is a problem.  I have a friend whose elderly aunt fell and was injured.  It was several days before she was found on the floor of her bedroom, dehydrated and in pain.

Even Baby Boomers are not always in perfect health. By the time we have reached our 60's, there are many Boomers who are facing serious health problems, such as diabetes, that could cause us to need emergency medical care.

As someone who lives in a senior community, I often worry about some of my friends and neighbors who live here.  Many of them live alone.  Although most of them are active and busy, days could go by before I might realize that I hadn't seen them recently.  Since I don't go door to door in my neighborhood checking on people, there is no way that I would know if a neighbor was inside their home, sick or injured.

How Loved Ones Can Be Protected

Because of these common worries, the Life Alert company and several other manufacturers have come up with medical alert bracelets that seniors can wear.  They need only push a button in order to summon emergency help.   Another type of bracelet that is popular is the GreatCall medical alert system that can be ordered on Amazon or directly from the company.  You may want to do a little comparison shopping and see which system will work best for you.

I know it would bring me peace of mind to know that more of my neighbors used one of these services.

If you are interested in learning more about the different emergency services for seniors offered by the Life Alert company, you may also want to read this article, written by a friend whose grandmother actually uses the service: http://www.infobarrel.com/Life_Alert_Bracelets_for_Seniors

Hopefully, you can make sure the people who live alone in your family are safer because they use one of these services.

If you wish to stay in touch about other matters that could affect retiring Baby Boomers, including where to retire, financial planning, health concerns and more, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of this page to find links to hundreds of additional articles.

You are reading from the blog: http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com 


Artwork provided by photoxpress.com

A Bit of Good News About Social Security

Do you think Social Security is
doomed?

Many people have heard for so long that the Social Security Administration is broke, that a substantial number of people believe that no benefits will be paid in the near future.  However, according to AARP and government estimates, this is not actually true.  In fact, this is one of the common myths about Social Security that needs to be dispelled.

The Truth about Social Security

First, although changes do need to be made if Social Security is going to be able to fully pay all the promised benefits for the next 100 years, there are a number of proposals under consideration that would solve these issues and fully fund the Social Security trust funds for the future.  When people say that "there will be nothing left when I retire," they are actually misinformed.

The Social Security trust fund can continue to pay full benefits until 2037, and about 75% of promised benefits after that ... and this is true even if they do absolutely nothing to solve the projected Social Security deficit. In even this worst case scenario, there may not be as much money available as we have been promised, but there will certainly be benefits paid to everyone who has earned them.  In addition, with a few little tweeks, such as raising the cap on the wages that are subject to the Social Security payroll tax, the shortage could be avoided and there could be enough money to meet all the promised future obligations.  One way or another, Social Security will be there when you retire, although you may not receive as much as you hoped.  In truth, most people cannot live on Social Security alone anyway.  Everyone should be saving as a way to supplement what Social Security does provide.

Few People Could Produce Better a Higher Income Than Social Security

Second, many people believe they could invest the money better themselves.  There is nothing preventing these people from investing some of their income in a 401(k) or IRA and seeing if this is true.  The truth is that very few people have managed to invest their money in such a way that they can get the return that Social Security will provide them.  However, it is highly recommended that everyone put aside as much money as possible in their own retirement accounts so they can have a more comfortable retirement than they could manage on Social Security alone.

Social Security is meant to provide a base of income for everyone who has worked during their adult life.  They receive this money whether or not they are able to invest their own money well.  Currently, Social Security provides the majority of retirement income for at least 1/2 of Americans over the age of 65.  In fact, it provides 90% of the income for single senior citizens.  If the government stopped collecting Social Security taxes and eliminated Social Security benefits, most of these people would end up on other government programs, such as welfare, and general taxes would have to be raised to cover those services.  Social Security works, and works well, for people who have worked hard all their lives and deserve a secure pension.

The Future of Social Security

Personally, I was relieved to read this information that was provided by AARP and based on government estimates.  I know that Social Security will be important to me and to other family members when I retire, and I encourage the government to take steps to keep the program healthy and capable of providing all the promised benefits. 

However, even if the current Congress fails to act responsibly, I am relieved to know that the program can keep going on some level until we have some responsible legislators who will make sure the program is solvent.

Meanwhile, I encourage you to write your Congressman and make your feelings known.

If you are interested in learning more about financial planning for retirement, where to retire, health issues or family relationships, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page.  They contain links to hundreds of additional articles.

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo courtesy of http://www.morguefile.com/

Source of information about benefits: http://www.aarp.org/work/social-security/info-05-2011/social-security-fears.2.html

New FDA Advice About Statin Risks

 

Statin drugs have been shown to be quite effective in lowering cholesterol levels. However, like nearly all drugs, there are some potential side effects that many people only vaguely know about.

Recently, the Food and Drug Administration issued new guidelines about statin risks, and I felt it was important to let our readers know about these risks so they could watch for any symptoms.  Below are the new guidelines from the FDA.

Good News About Statins

First, the good news.  It is no longer necessary for your doctor to routinely monitor your liver enzymes.  Serious liver injury from statin use is considered very rare.

Statins have been shown to be one of the most effective ways we have to lower cholesterol levels.

Potential Risks While Taking Statins

Memory loss, forgetfulness and confusion have been reported by some statin users.  Researchers have said that, when this occurs, they have found that the confusion can be reversed within weeks after stopping the statin. This may be the result of getting cholesterol levels too low. The brain needs a certain amount of cholesterol in order to function properly. Make sure your doctor is not over-zealous about lowering your cholesterol to the point where it affects your thinking.

Some people on statins have experienced an increase in blood sugar levels, which can lead to Type 2 diabetes.  The number of people who experience this increased risk appears to be small.  However, it is good to be aware of the possibility.

Some medications interact with lovastatin and can increase the risk of muscle damage.  (Since I take lovastatin, I was particularly interested in this potential health risk.)  The new labels for lovastatin are going to list what drugs to avoid taking with lovastatin, and the maximum dose of lovastatin you should take if these other medications cannot be avoided.  Since these drugs were not listed in the FDA article that I read, everyone who is on lovastatin needs to read the insert on their next prescription refill very carefully.

Sore muscles are another possible side effect of statin use.  My doctor suggested that I take 200 mg. of CoQ10 with my statin every day in order to minimize the muscle problem. I have been using this combo for three years and the combination seems to be working.

If you are looking for more heath and retirement information of important to Baby Boomers and retirees, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of this page.  They contain links to hundreds of additional articles.

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo of pills courtesy of photoxpress.com

Information about statin risks from the government website at: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm293330.htm?source=govdelivery