Responsible Computer Use after Retirement - Safety and Netiquette

Once we retire, most of us discover that we have more free time than ever.  Many people use that extra time to go to the gym, garden, take long walks, enjoy movies in the afternoon, play bridge, socialize with friends and engage in other healthy, positive activities. However, over the past five years of my retirement, I have noticed that far too many of my friends spend countless hours on the computer in unhealthy, unproductive and even harmful ways.  Often, their computer activities actually alienate their friends and relatives.

There are probably more ways to misuse the computer than I can ever imagine.  However, below are a few issues which everyone should avoid.  If you find yourself slipping into one of these behaviors, the best thing to do is push yourself away from the computer and go take a walk or call a friend!  You need an intervention! 

Online Do's and Don'ts

1.  Don't send chain emails to everyone on your contact list - Periodically, I have had to ask my friends to take me off their list of people to whom they send chain emails.  Some of these emails relay "warnings" which are completely untrue or as unlikely to happen as being struck by lightning while sitting in your living room.  Other emails contain suspicious links I would never consider clicking on.  Who needs another virus on their computer?  Far too frequently, the emails are political in nature and, whether I support that candidate or not, I'm not interested in getting endless emails about politics. I am perfectly capable of choosing my own political campaigns to follow! I always delete these emails when I read the first line.  In a few cases, I have blocked the sender so they can no longer email me.  Don't be tempted to fall into the trap of thinking that, just because you are retired, you can now create a new career for yourself by constantly emailing everyone you know in an attempt to "rescue them," "convert them" or "help them."  Your help is not wanted.

2.  Don't spend hours playing computer games - One of my friends confessed to me that she sometimes plays "Bejeweled" and other computer games for so many hours that her arms and hands have become tingly and felt as if they had fallen asleep.  Sometimes, she sits at the desk so long, she has trouble standing up afterwards. Frequently, she stays up until 1:00 in the morning or later playing these games, and it is hard for her to fall asleep afterwards.  It may be fine to play games for a few minutes in order to fill up some empty time or relax yourself.  A few games can even be mentally stimulating and exercise your brain.  However, if you are playing for so long that your hands become numb or you cannot stand up, it is time to find a more active hobby.  Making real jewelry would be much better for you, and more rewarding, than spending hours on a game like Bejeweled!

3.  Don't share fake news stories on social media - Many people enjoy the social aspect of being able to stay in touch with old friends on Facebook, Instagram and similar sites.  It is fun to see the latest photos of your friends and their grandkids, and share pictures of your own.  However, the March, 2019 issue of the AARP Bulletin reported that people over the age of 65 are seven times more likely to share a fake news story on Facebook than a person between the ages of 18 and 29.  Think about that.  At our age, you would think we would have more sense than a 20 year-old!  Of course, since it can be challenging to know if a news story is true or not, it is important to check with a verification site like Snopes.com before spreading news stories, especially ones which could be inflammatory or come from questionable sites.  This extra caution is important whether you are spreading "news" on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or by email.  Use some discretion and be cautious about what you share online.

4.  Don't constantly complain online - Residents of our retirement community share information about estate sales, coyote sightings, new shops, and power outages on a site called Nextdoor. It is a very handy way to be kept up-to-date on events which could interest people in our neighborhood.  However, some people use the site to relentlessly complain about everything they believe is wrong.  This would not be such a problem if people only occasionally brought up a concern or question.  However, a few of our local retirees post complaints nearly every day, to the point that some of them have been banned from the site.  You do not want to become that "grouchy old man or woman" who never seems to find anything good about your life.  Go out and participate in an activity you enjoy, so you do not have time to spend your days complaining.

5.  Don't be rude to others online - Far too many people say things online which they would never say to someone in person.  Whether it is a celebrity or an ordinary person, simply because you can message them through the internet does not mean you have the right to say cruel and hurtful things to them.  Do not tell people they are stupid, ugly, or fat. Do not call them racist or insulting names, even if you disagree with their political or lifestyle beliefs.  Basic etiquette, sometimes referred to as netiquette, still applies to the online world.  People have committed suicide because of the cruelty of others on sites like Twitter and Facebook.  Do not succumb to the mob instinct of saying whatever you want online.  Practice the same thoughtfulness and consideration you would in person.  If you cannot say something kind, it is better to say nothing at all.  

6.  Don't become engaged in illegal activities online - Whether you are tempted by online gambling, pornography, or the sale of illegal products, don't use your extra time to indulge your baser instincts.  Who wants to go to jail in their 60s or 70s for online criminal activity?  It would be a terrible way to spend the last few years of your life.

7.  Don't forget to protect your privacy - Have you ever wondered about all those cute questionnaires on Facebook which ask you about the kind of pets you have, your pet's name, the town where you grew up, the year you were born, your Zodiac sign, your childhood nickname, etc.?  Often, the designers of these so-called surveys can use the information you provide to narrow in on your potential passwords. Don't participate.  Make sure you are using privacy settings on all the sites you use, and don't give away any information unnecessarily.  In addition, be extremely careful with people you meet on dating websites and similar places online. Even sites like Twitter are populated with people who post they are only there to find "someone special."  Since Twitter lacks even the minimal protections you get with a dating site, getting involved with a stranger this way can be extremely risky.  You do not even know if they are using their own name and photos!

8.  Do not harass other people - Some people have become discouraged using the internet because members of the opposite sex harass them, try to get dates with them, and will not leave them alone.  If you are lonely, get involved in activities in your community and meet people in person.  Avoid trolling and harassing people online.  Either they will be upset by the unwanted attention, or they could be trying to lure you in and take advantage of you.  Stick with people you know or take the time to find legitimate ways to meet new people.  Make friends through your clubs, classes, place of worship, and similar activities.

9.  Do sign up for computer classes - No matter how long you have used a computer, there are always new things to learn.  Everyone should occasionally take a computer class so they are up-to-date on the latest technology, programs and online risks.  Since modern smart phones are simply small computers we can carry in our purse or pocket, you should even consider taking a brief lesson when you get a new phone.  It could save you a lot of frustration.

10.  Do teach your grandchildren to stay safe on the computer.  You may want to get your grandchildren the book, "Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive in Their Digital World."  (Ad) Of course, you will want to read it, too, and discuss the book with them.  It could help keep you both safe when you are online. 

The bottom line is that we all need to be responsible computer users, especially after retirement.  It is easy to get addicted to sitting in front of your computer, endlessly pushing buttons, playing games, forwarding chain emails, and not thinking about what you are saying and doing. However, while computers can be useful tools for staying in touch with family and friends, doing your shopping, reading, learning, and banking, it needs to be used responsibly.  Now, get off the computer and go take that walk!

For more information about retirement planning, where to retire, Social Security, Medicare, common medical issues, travel and more, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of helpful articles on a variety of topics.

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

Photo credit:  Photo property of the author; all rights reserved.

Alzheimers Disease Linked to Gum Infections

If you are concerned about reducing your risk of Alzheimer's Disease as you age, see your dentist regularly.  Researchers have known for some time that general inflammation in the body could be connected to Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.  More recently, researchers reported in the journal "Science Advances" in January, 2019 that inflammation caused specifically by gum disease may also be linked to Alzheimer's Disease.  At the same time, gum disease inflammation is also known to be a risk factor for heart disease, so failing to care for your teeth puts you at double risk. More and more, we are learning that dementia does not develop in a vacuum.  It is a result of the general care we give our minds and bodies.

Oral Bacteria Linked to Alzheimer's

The research on periodontal or gum disease and its link to Alzheimer's was performed by Dr. Stephen Dominy and Casey Lynch, the founders of the pharmaceutical firm Cortexyme.  They discovered the presence of the bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis, known as Pg, in 50 out of 53 brains of Alzheimer's patients they autopsied.  Pg is the cause of periodontitis, which leads to chronic inflammation and tooth loss.  Discovering the presence of this oral bacteria in the brains of Alzheimer's patients is a major breakthrough and could lead to treatments to reduce the risk of developing this serious form of dementia.

Can Bacterial Pg be Blocked from Entering the Brain?

Without getting too deep into the science, the researchers were able to use small molecules to target Pg in mice, enabling them to reduce brain degeneration.  However, the research is extremely early, which means it could be a decade or longer before a medication could be designed to protect human brains from the consequences of gun disease.  Much more research, as well as large clinical trials, will need to be completed before a protective treatment can be released to the public.

Protect Your Brain - Take Care of Your Teeth and Gums

In addition to the research done by Dominy and Lynch, other researchers have discovered that Alzheimer's patients who are diagnosed with oral infections often develop more intense cognitive decline during the following six months, when compared to patients who do are not diagnosed with gum disease.

Whether or not the bacteria which cause gum disease are also one of the causes of Alzheimer's Disease, everyone who wants to avoid this debilitating form of dementia would be wise to brush their teeth twice a day, floss daily, and visit their dentist every three to six months for a thorough cleaning.  Patients should also follow the recommendations of their dentist to prevent periodontal disease.  In some cases, this may involved gum surgery or other treatments. 

If you use good oral hygiene in addition to following other recommended aspects of brain health, you will be doing everything researchers suggest in order to avoid or postpone dementia.

The other tips for maintaining good brain health, often referred to as The Six Pillars of Brain Health, are: 

Getting frequent physical exercise
Eating the MIND diet
Having fun with stimulating brain exercises
Getting plenty of sleep and relaxation
Socializing with others
Taking care of your general physical health.

If you are unsure how to follow the MIND diet, read  The MIND Diet Plan and Cookbook.  (Ad) You will find that it is similar to the Mediterranean diet, with many delicious and easy to prepare meals.

If you want to find some stimulating brain exercises, you may also be interested in brain game books (Ad) to regularly give yourself a mental workout.

If you are interested in learning more about dealing with common health problems as we age, where to retire in the US and overseas, financial planning, Social Security, Medicare, and more, use the tabs or pull-down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional articles on this blog.

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

Photo credit:  Google images - Dental care in Mexico - Yucatan Times

The Villages Retirement Community in Florida - A Popular Choice!

One of the most popular, well-known and appealing retirement communities in the United States is The Villages.  It is a master planned community in Central Florida, about 45 miles northwest of Orlando.  It is divided into a number of special-purpose communities.  Most of the housing is reserved for seniors, which means at least one resident in at least 80 percent of the homes must be over the age of 55, and no one under the age of 19 can be a permanent resident. There are also three subdivisions which have been reserved for families. The Villages planned community has an estimated population of nearly 123,000 people in 2019 and was one of the fastest growing communities in the country between 2010 and 2017.

There is so much for residents to do while living in The Villages, including many of the activities you would find in a top-rated country club, such as golf and tennis.  In 2017, Forbes listed The Villages as one of The 25 Best Places to Retire in the United States.  The same year, 55Places rated it as the number one most popular active adult community for the fifth year in a row.

How to Learn More about The Villages

If you are interested in learning more about what life is like for residents of The Villages, North American Moving Services has published a very comprehensive relocation guide which covers nearly every question you are likely to have about the community ... home sizes and prices, amenities and activities, restaurants, job and educational opportunities, and more.

Ann Crislip with North American Moving Services contacted me recently and offered to provide me with a link to their online guide, which my readers are welcome to download in order to get in-depth information about everything The Villages has to offer.  Ann also wrote a brief introduction (below) to the guide and you will find the link to the guide at the end of her introduction.  This guide is completely free and is a great tool to help readers decide if The Villages could be the right retirement destination for them.  There is no obligation for you to use the services of North American Moving Services in order to read their guide, so I am especially appreciative of their offer to publish a link to it on my blog. 

Introduction to The Villages Moving Guide
by Ann Crislip

Are you looking for a place to settle down in retirement and make friends of a similar age? Listed as one of Forbes’ 2018 25 Best Places to Retire, The Villages offers the best of your favorite activities and pursuits, including golf, shopping, dining, performing arts, social clubs, exercise, swimming, and socializing, all organized around old-fashioned town squares. A move to The Villages offers the promise of a retirement that's full of fun, relaxation, and Florida sunshine.

Moving to The Villages, Florida: https://www.northamerican.com/moving-resources/relocation-guides/moving-to-the-villages (Ad)

Thank you to Ann Crislip for introducing us to your company's outstanding resource!

Attention Readers:  The author of this blog does not recommend one retirement community over another.  I simply report the findings of various companies, and provide you with the necessary information to make your own decision about the best retirement community for you.  However, I do try to point out places which seem to be particularly appealing to most people over the age of 55, including The Villages.

If you are interested in learning more about great places to retire in the United States and other countries, financial planning, Social Security, Medicare, common medical problems and more, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional articles.

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

Photo credit:  North American moving services

Heart Attack and Stroke Risk - Know Your Numbers!

It is so easy to think our bodies are doing just fine, simply because we have not yet suffered from a health crisis.  As a result, we often ignore subtle signs which suggest something is wrong, especially when the only indicators are lab numbers which are slightly outside the ideal range.  We begin to ask ourselves, "how important could it be?" when our numbers are abnormal.

In March, 2019, the AARP Magazine ran an article on the numbers they consider most important in reducing our risk of heart attacks and strokes.  It also explained when we should be concerned about abnormal numbers and what we can do by ourselves to improve our test scores.

Personally, I found the article interesting.  I checked my numbers from my last physical and discovered that most of them were in the normal range.   However, like a lot of Americans, my BMI was too high and that is an issue I need to work on.  One number which was a new one to me was my VO2 MAX.  It was easy to calculate, however, and I was delighted that, despite my excess weight, it calculated that my fitness level was that of someone nearly three years younger than my real age.  I would like to reduce it even more than that. You'll learn more about how to calculate your VO2 MAX later in this article.

Below is a brief recap of the AARP recommendations, so you can see how you are doing, too.

Maintain a Healthy Cholesterol

Ideally, your cholesterol should be below 200.  However, according to AARP, a score of up to 240 may still be considered borderline.  Above 240, you should be concerned.  You will want to limit your consumption of red meat and full-fat dairy products if your number is too high.  Having a vegetarian day once or twice a week can also make a difference.  In addition, increase the amount you exercise until you are able to remain continuously active for at least 30 minutes, five days a week.

Watch Your Blood Pressure

Everyone should have a good quality blood pressure monitor (Ad) at home.  It is not enough to track it once a year at your doctor's office, when you may be nervous.  Ideally, your best blood pressure of the day should be under 130/80, although some doctors are still comfortable if it is as high as 140/80.  Try taking your blood pressure at different times of day, especially before you have exercised and consumed anything with caffeine in it.  If it is running a little high, eat more home cooked meals.  It is much easier to control your salt intake when you cook at home, and salt is one cause of high blood pressure.  In addition to lowering your salt intake, increase your potassium levels by eating avocados, bananas, potatoes, spinach and other vegetables.  Potassium reduces the sodium and water retention in your body, thereby lowering your blood pressure.

Measure Your Resting Heart Rate

Many modern blood pressure monitors and fitness trackers, such as newer models of Fitbit, (Ad) will also report your resting heart rate.  If not, you can measure it by using an ordinary watch. Count your heart beats for 15 seconds and multiply by 4.  Ideally, it should be between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Athletes are likely to have a lower resting heart rate.  If it is outside this range, ask your doctor if you should be concerned.

Watch Your Blood Glucose and AlC Levels

When your body becomes unable to regulate your blood glucose, you are at higher risk of diabetes, which also increases your heart attack and stroke risk.  Your blood glucose should be under 100.  In addition, your doctor will want to measure your A1C blood sugar level.  This test actually indicates your blood sugar levels over the preceding three months, so simply eating right for a day or two before your blood is tested will not lower your score.  A normal reading is under 5.7 percent.  In order to maintain healthy blood glucose and A1C levels, you should eat a diet which is low in sugar and high in protein, fruits, vegetables and whole grains.  Avoid sodas and juices.  According to the AARP article, you may also want to talk to your doctor about taking Vitamin D, which can lower your blood glucose levels and help other systems in your body, as well.

Check your Body Mass Index - BMI

Doctors have discovered that your Body Mass Index is a better indicator of health than your actual weight.  However, it is not always accurate.  Often, athletic people will appear to have a high BMI, when in reality their body fat is quite low.  Ideally, your BMI should be below 24.9.  If it is between 25 and 29.9, you are considered overweight.  A BMI over 30 would be considered obese.  The best way to lower your BMI is to drop some weight.  Even a reduction of 5 percent of your current weight can make a significant difference in your health.

Know Your Waist Circumference

A simple tape measure can help you know whether or not you are carrying too much of your weight in your stomach.  Exhale, and measure your waist.  Bend to one side for a moment to find your waist, if you are not certain where to measure.  Most men should have a waist circumference under 40 inches; women should have one under 35 inches.

Learn Your VO2 MAX Score

This was a number which was totally new to me.  If you belong to a gym, they may be able to calculate it for you by asking you to run on a treadmill to the point of exhaustion.  This was not realistic for me!  However, the good news is that there is a written online questionnaire which is remarkably accurate at making the calculations for you.  Go to worldfitnesslevel.org and take a few minutes to answer their questions.  When I did mine, they determined that my fitness age was three years younger than my real age, and the ability of my body to get oxygen to my heart was "good."  If you are unhappy with your score, you can improve it by increasing the intensity of your exercise and losing a little weight.

Keep Track of Other Numbers

Although AARP Magazine primarily discussed the numbers mentioned above, you may also want to discuss any other abnormal readings you have with your physician.  They do not always take the time to go over your lab work with you.  However, if your kidney function is beginning to decline (measured by rising creatinine levels), the sooner you change your diet, the more you will be able to slow down the decline in your kidneys.

Other lab tests can also be meaningful and help you determine whether your liver enzymes are optimal, as well as the condition of your thyroid and other glands. Find out the meaning of abnormal readings, whether the doctor mentions them to you or not.  Make a point of emailing your doctor about any abnormal test results and ask what you can do to get them back into the normal range.  Look up what an abnormal reading means, and check reputable online sites like WebMD, the Mayo Clinic or the Cleveland Clinic to learn more about the significance of your blood tests and what you can do to improve them.

If you hope to maintain optimal health as you age, you may also want to read "The Blue Zones Solution: Eating and Living Like the World's Healthiest People."  (Ad) It is based on research into why people in some areas of the world, including parts of the U.S., tend to live unusually long, healthy lives.

In addition, you can learn more about common health issues as you age, Medicare, Social Security, where to retire, financial planning and more by using the tabs or pull-down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional articles on this blog.

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

Photo credit:  clipart-library-free-images