the baby boomers generation Archives - Dr. KarenTurnerPhD

Elderly Abuse and Neglect: Boomers Alert

Karen Turner — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 16:56:48 +0000

Psychological articles reviewed by Boomer Yearbook inform us that as one’s quality of life increases, so does one’s life expectancy. Our population is aging rapidly and by the year 2030, the elderly population will be twice its present number. A fair amount of this growth is due to the fact that the baby boomers generation is aging, and 61 million of us will be between 64 and 86 years old by the year 2030! With the increase in the aging boomer population it is no surprise that reports of elderly problems such as abuse and neglect, have become far more prevalent, and are an incoming risk to the large aging baby boomer generation.

Types:

While there is a wide scope of issues under the umbrella term of abuse, the main categories can be summarized as follows:

Physical abuse: consists of all acts of physical violence i.e. acts carried out with the intention to inflict physical pain or injury. This includes assault, confinement, and administration of an improper type or amount of drugs.

Psychological/emotional abuse: consists of any verbal aggression that causes emotional distress. Most common are insults, humiliating comments, and threats-in elderly cases, especially those of institutionalization or abandonment.

Neglect– one of the most common of the elderly problems, consists of the failure of the caretaker to meet the needs of the elderly dependant; whether intentional or otherwise.

Financial exploitation– consists of the embezzlement of money or property. This includes the use of credit cards without consent, theft of pension checks, and the forceful changing of legal documents.

Detection:

One of the basic needs for the prevention of the abusive type of elderly problems is the ability to detect them. However, it is not easy to detect as it is usually confused with other conditions such as dementia or frailty and can be a combination of international abuse along with some natural causality.

Signs of physical abuse: usually bruises, abrasions, sprains and in severe cases fractures and burns. Also, medication taken at irregular time intervals should be carefully assessed to see if it is a symptom of an abusive situation.

Signs of psychological abuse: talking to oneself, wetting oneself, rocking, pulling or picking at one’s hair or face.

Signs of neglect– poor hygiene, soiled clothing, malnutrition or dehydration.

Signs of financial exploitation: sudden change of wills or legal documents, significant withdrawal from accounts etc.

Causes of the elderly problem of abuse

Although many caretakers have the best intentions for the care of an elderly dependant, the additional burden, stress and other factors may cause the elderly problems of abuse and neglect to arise. Similarly, the employees of health care institutions might be over worked and exhausted. The anxiety of elderly care is a significant contributor to the stemming of the elderly problems of abuse and neglect and leads to exhaustion, irritability, impatience, and the failure to resist from doing harm.

Care takers who are more susceptible to the mental and physical health problems that elderly care entails usually have anxiety, depression, substance abuse problems, and are in a bad financial situation. Likewise, certain elderly persons are more likely to be abused. These include individuals who are already timid, have dementias or the like, and have a prior history of domestic violence.

Educate yourself:

Abuse and neglect are amongst the elderly problems that the baby boomers generation should face head on as prevention is vital to the well being of the global baby boomers generation. A pro-active strategy entails education regarding the symptoms of abuse and encouraging the abused elderly to come forward and let others know what is happening. Additionally, seniors should be encouraged to develop a social network either in their neighborhoods or through an online network such as ones provided by Boomer Yearbook’s website for baby boomers.

Boomer Yearbook, a free social networking site for the baby boomers or those concerned with the elderly problems of the baby boomers generation, is based on the vision that the baby boomers want to connect and reconnect, but in our own way and on our own terms.

As a clinical psychologist, Dr. Karen Turner provides free psychological articles on baby boomer relevant topics such as dream analysis, coaching, self-help, baby boomer relevant forums, the latest news on baby boomers cosmetic enhancements and weekly updates on the baby boomers generation mental and medical wellness.

Join now to discover the numerous ways in which this website for baby boomers can contribute to optimal physical and emotional wellness. The baby boomers generation changed the world. We’re not done yet!

The post Elderly Abuse and Neglect: Boomers Alert appeared first on Dr. KarenTurnerPhD.

Elderly Problems: Detecting a Stroke

Karen Turner — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 16:11:26 +0000

In a study conducted by the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, it was found that though the elderly are most likely to suffer a stroke, they most often fail to correctly recognize the symptoms.

The same health problems that are responsible for a heart attack are also responsible for a stroke, and elderly people are more susceptible because of the elderly problems of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arteriosclerosis and diabetes.
One of the major conditions that increase the risk of a stroke is Arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Arteriosclerosis can narrow or block the carotid arteries, which are large arteries in the neck, and cause a stroke. Elderly problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes, cause arteriosclerosis of the small blood vessels inside the brain, thus escalating the risk of a stroke. However, psychological articles on elderly problems have also said that there are cases of persons who experience a stroke for no identifiable reason.
Basically a stroke occurs when an area of the brain is deprived of its blood supply; either due to a blockage or a burst blood vessel. If deprived of oxygen long enough, vital brain tissue can die, and it is essential to take immediate action. Detecting the symptoms of stroke is therefore critical, and although at times some strokes seem almost asymptomatic, (without symptoms) being able to identify stroke symptoms, as with most health related elderly problems, can help save your life!

Stroke is a major concern for anyone dealing with elderly problems. Understanding the early symptoms of the onset of a stroke can help to prevent loss of life. At Boomer Yearbook, the website for baby boomers, we are trying to assist people in understanding problems faced by our generation in the hope that it may help them better understand our aging bodies and needs.

Amongst the manifested symptoms of a stroke is paralysis or loss in sensation in one side of the body, such as the arm or leg. Loss in verbal lucidity, slurred or nonsensical speech is also a symptom. Some people are unable to swallow, have unexplained memory loss and double vision. Drooping on one side of the face is known to occur as is unexplained memory loss, severe headache and sudden mental confusion.

Although some disabilities caused by strokes are irreversible a new treatment, called thrombolysis, can reduce disability from stroke. However, it must be given within three hours of the onset of symptoms, so time is of the essence. Other common elderly problems related to medical conditions such as high blood sugar, dehydration, and hazardously elevated blood pressure may also require immediate attention. Even if the damage done by the stroke is not recoverable, it is very important to understand the cause of the stroke so future incidences can be prevented. Psychological articles and studies have shown that the sooner patients receive physical therapy and rehabilitation, the better the chances of recovery.
If a person has already suffered a stroke, more strokes can be prevented only if the cause of the previous stroke is understood. There are many treatments and preventive measures available depending upon the nature of the stroke. If it was the blockage of the carotid arteries that caused the stroke, surgery can help increase blood flow through the veins. Blood thinning medicines (anticoagulants) can help if the blockage is less severe or if blood clots have formed that might break off and travel to the brain. If high blood pressure is the cause, which tops the list of elderly problems related to health, than it should be kept in control. Also, alcoholic beverages are hazardous to those who have already suffered a stroke and should be avoided.
Strokes can be successfully treated and can also be prevented. Following a healthy diet, monitoring your blood pressure, getting regular exercise, controlling alcohol intake, and not smoking, can dramatically decrease the chances of suffering a stroke.

We at BoomerYearbook are committed to the health and quality of life of the baby boomers generation and hope you will check in for weekly newsfeeds and updates.

As a clinical psychologist, Dr. Karen Turner provides free psychological articles on baby boomer relevant topics such as dream analysis, coaching, self-help, topical boomer forums, the latest news on the baby boomers cosmetic enhancements, and weekly updates on the baby boomers generations mental and medical wellness.

The post Elderly Problems: Detecting a Stroke appeared first on Dr. KarenTurnerPhD.

Elderly Problems: Health Benefits of Honey

Karen Turner — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 16:05:53 +0000

Honey has numerous benefits for everyone, from children (excluding infants) to the echo-boomers to the retirement boomers, and booming seniors. It is not a mere sweetener or substitute for sugar; it is a proven remedy that can help to treat ulcers, dandruff, and diseases related to respiration and eczema. It’s easy to see why throughout time this natural sweetener has been cherished by both allopathic and homeopathic doctors.

As psychological articles and research attest, there is much modern evidence to justify the great regard for the therapeutic aspects of honey. It is a known and proven fact that honey is useful in preventing the growth of certain viruses, bacteria, and fungi, and honey can efficiently handle the job of maintaining optimal blood sugar levels in theretirement boomers.

Many elderly problems can be resolved or curtailed by the use of this miracle substance. One of the most important advantages of consuming honey lies in its anti-oxidant properties. Therefore, substituting honey for other sweeteners can be extremely useful in helping aging boomers remain in peak health.

The retirement boomers who fought in wars have some firsthand experience with the healing property of honey. When used as a topical antiseptic, it can treat first degree burns, ulcers, and minor cuts. Psychological articles have also reported that common elderly problems such as constipation, high cholesterol levels and unregulated blood pressure show an excellent favorable response in baby boomers who are ingesting honey.

Additionally, honey has been known to help with a hugeretirement boomersproblem: insomnia! As it raises blood pressure levels, it leads to a slight increase in insulin levels which triggers hormones in the brain that causes one to relax and get a good night’s sleep. A tablespoon before going to bed could really help people with depression and related sleep disorders.

Here is another one! We retirement boomers are fond of traveling. This may take us to places like a beach hut on the Caribbean or some exotic jungle in Malaysia. Sure enough, we are going to be easy targets for insect bites. The solution? A paste of honey and cinnamon. Yes, keep one handy and as soon as you feel the dreaded sting and itch just rub some onto the affected area. You will see the swelling and redness recede right in front of your eyes!

Arthritis is one of the most common elderly problems. Here is another way honey can help. Take a cup of water and add honey and cinnamon in a 2:1 proportion. Drink it in the mornings or before going to bed.

And if any of you baby boomers are experiencing coughing episodes, taking a teaspoon of honey with a light sprinkling of black pepper can do wonders to provide relief.

I could probably go on and on relating the many ways honey can be the new best friend for retirement boomers in helping us with our elderly problems, but I guess you get my point! Keep a good supply of honey nearby. You never know when you might need some.

My favorite honey remedy is to put a teaspoon into my chamomile tea before I go to sleep. Do you have a favorite? Come let us know at Boomeryearbook.

www.boomeryearbook.com is a free social networking site connecting the baby boomer generation. Whether you are a member of the baby boomers generation or are related to someone who is, Boomer Yearbook will provide you with free psychological articles on a vast variety of topics such as dream analysis, coaching and self-help, elderly problems, examinations and proposed solutions for types of discrimination along with weekly updates on mental and medical health. Share your thoughts, upload pictures and find old friends, or use our online optical illusions and brain games, provided by clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Turner, to expand your mind and help ward off the possibility of depression, dementia and Alzheimer’s. Join now to discover the numerous ways in which this online social networking site for the baby boomers generation and boomers of all ages can contribute to optimal physical and emotional wellness. The baby boomers generation changed the world. We’re not done yet!

The post Elderly Problems: Health Benefits of Honey appeared first on Dr. KarenTurnerPhD.

Elderly Problems: Sex in Nursing Homes

Karen Turner — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 15:17:45 +0000

Sex is an integral part of our lives and is as undeniable as any other bodily need. It is a normal, healthy human drive, and down playing its importance in nursing homes will create an unnecessary disturbance as we, the baby boomer generation start residing there.

First and most importantly, psychological articles and research reveal that most elderly people exhibit a diminished sex drive due to common elderly problems but our sex drive does not completely disappear. Therefore, sex in nursing homes is an issue that needs to be discussed and properly addressed. One thing is certain. The baby boomer generation and our beliefs about sexual freedom and civil rights will surely bring about a change in many current “restrictive” aspects of the nursing home environment which will undoubtedly include sexual activity.

Psychological articles report that younger people are uncomfortable with the older generation engaging in intimate acts. They argue it’s hard for them to imagine their parents having sex, let alone their grandparents (or anyone of an older age). It is therefore important that concerned agencies explain to nurses and staff the importance of sexuality for older adults, identifying and attempting to eliminate barriers of any elderly problems to fulfill sexual desires and devising strategies to assist the residents. Sometimes rearranging the furniture or arranging the bed for someone who requires physical therapy is all that is required.

Psychological articles frequently remind us that our senior years can be very lonely and intimacy and companionship can go a long way in alleviating the elderly problem of these negative emotional states. Being a part of the baby boomer generation, sexuality means more to us than just its physical aspect, as it is also a great way to ease loneliness and depression. Barring elderly nursing home residents from this normal part of life will almost guaranteedly cause difficulties for the nursing home administration, and additional elderly problems for the populace. Moreover, if sexual interest is present in the elderly nursing home population and psychological articles tell us it is, it will continue to manifest regardless of any elderly problems such as unavailability of a suitable partner, lack of privacy or poor health.

In many psychological articles, Viagra is touted as a miracle medication as it assists sexuality by allowing the baby boomer generation to overcome elderly problems and be able to participate in sex. However, this oral administration of virility amongst aging boomers and booming senior men is an increasing concern for the administration of nursing homes as it allows more residents to engage in sexual behaviors. On the positive side, psychological articles have reported that Viagra has forced nursing home administrators to address this issue and rethink their ignorant or provincial attitudes towards elderly sex.

It is important to take note that some of the nursing home administrators and family members concerns regarding elderly residents’ sexuality are valid and should not be overlooked. For instance, adult children of nursing home residents and other family members may worry about the health of their elderly loved one if active sexuality is pursued, and how these new relationships might take a toll on their parents’ well being. It is therefore imperative that administrators ensure that all elderly residents’ behaviors are safe and do not in any way compromise health. And then there is the emotional issue wherein the elderly resident’s children might fear that the bonds of a new sexual relationship might be strong enough to lead to exploitation or the adult child’s taking a back seat in importance compared to the elders new intimate partner.

In addition to the aforementioned elderly problems, there are other safety measures that need to be addressed. For instance, residents need to be properly educated about HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, and some might even need extensive physical therapy to achieve coitus. However, the most complicated situations arise due to residents suffering from Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, as their inappropriate sexual behavior creates havoc for themselves, their potential partners, their family members and nursing home staff.
Religion and beliefs play an important role in this situation as well. There are some nursing homes which are run by religious groups that might oppose the baby boomer generation mindset of liberal sexuality. The staff members view their work as a religious motivation and thus would view this issue from the perspective of their religious beliefs and ethical teachings.

Nursing homes administration and staff need to adjust their attitude towards elderly sex and recognize residents as consenting adults who have the right, within reason, to do what they want to do. The family, too, should encourage their elderly loved ones to enjoy life despite their elderly problems.
We at Boomer Yearbook recognizing that nursing home sex can be a sensitive subject. We welcome your thoughts and opinions.

As a clinical psychologist, Dr. Karen Turner provides free psychological articles on baby boomer relevant topics such as dream analysis, coaching, self-help, baby boomer relevant forums, fun online optical illusions and brain teasers to help ward off senior moments, depression and Alzheimer’s, the latest news on baby boomers cosmetic enhancements and weekly updates on the baby boomers generation mental and medical wellness.

Join now to discover the numerous ways in which this online baby boomer social networking website can contribute to optimal physical and emotional wellness.

The post Elderly Problems: Sex in Nursing Homes appeared first on Dr. KarenTurnerPhD.

Favorite boomers flicks: new and old

Karen Turner — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 14:37:27 +0000

I love going to the movies, I love watching movies at home, I love my DVD collection … I just can’t get enough of movies! There’s nothing like curling up with a good book, but by the same token there’s nothing like a good movie and some popcorn. I grew up watching movies, and like most baby boomers, I remember it being an all day affair as it was never just one flick but always two. The boomer generation wasn’t all about rock and roll or hippies, we managed to fit in a few movies too! We were theater goers, but with increasing technology, many of the baby boomer generation are perfectly content to watch DVDs at home.

Here’s a list and a line or two about some great movies from our time: the boomer generations time. And some movies that are recent releases.

Shirley Valentine: This movie was actually based on a play. An unhappy wife was going through a mid life crisis when a holiday in Greece changed and refreshed her in more ways than one. I loved it.

West Side Story: The film released in 1961 and it wasn’t just another spin off of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet; we remembered it. The songs were amazing, and while watching the movie might not be as great as seeing the play, I’d definitely count it as an all time favorite of the boomer generation. Wasn’t Natalie Wood just breathtaking?!

Dr Zhivago is another favorite of the boomer generation. (So far all the movies listed were either books or plays before being adapted to the big screen … hmm interesting) Anyway, this epic romance/war movie starred a gorgeous Omar Sharif in the lead role and an equally gorgeous Julie Christie. The film was released in 1965.

GREASE (Yes, originally a play). Do I need to explain this movie? Everybody, not only the boomer generation loved this movie. Olivia Newton John and John Travolta set the screen on fire.

The boomer generation has adapted rather well to today’s life. Really, it takes a great effort on our part to tolerate and digest some of the stuff our children and grandchildren watch and some stuff that is ostensible stimulating adult cinema.

However, we were fortunate as this past year turned out quite a few good movies. “Slumdog Millionaire” has been making waves ever since it was released. I think the movie is ageless and particularly relevant for those of the boomer generation in the sense that we grew up in a prosperous time and yet, so many years of ‘development’ later there are still those who don’t have what we had decades ago. While I thought the actors were impeccably played, I found the movie “Revolutionary Road” (another movie adapted from a novel), set in the post war, pre-Abortion era, a little slow and being one of millions of baby boomer women, I personally couldn’t relate to the world “prior” to the right to choose.

Do you have favorite flick; old or new? Come share your thoughts with others at Boomeryearbook.

www.boomeryearbook.com is a free social networking site connecting the baby boomers generation. Whether you are a member of the baby boomers generation or are related to someone who is, you will find plenty to do here. Free psychological articles on a vast variety of topics such as dream analysis, coaching and self-help, elderly problems, examinations and proposed solutions for types of discrimination along with weekly updates on mental and medical health. You can also become a non-member subscriber to our free newsletter to receive these articles directly in your inbox so you don’t miss out.

At Boomer Yearbook you can share your thoughts, upload pictures and find old friends, or use our online optical illusions and brain games, provided by clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Turner, to expand your mind and help ward off the possibility of depression, dementia and Alzheimer’s. Join now to discover the numerous ways in which this online social networking site for the baby boomers and boomers of all ages can contribute to optimal physical and emotional wellness. The baby boomers generation changed the world. We’re not done yet!

The post Favorite boomers flicks: new and old appeared first on Dr. KarenTurnerPhD.

Healthy Eating for Preventing and Solving Elderly Problems

Karen Turner — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 17:31:35 +0000

Improvements in medicine, science and healthcare have enabled today’s citizens to live a longer healthier life. The elderly want to retain an independent, active lifestyle and society wants to reduce the economic costs associated with the elderly problems of chronic disease and age related disability. The science of aging suggests that these elderly problems can be overcome in a great way by healthy eating.

Though healthy eating is a smart lifestyle choice for all ages it is almost essential to the well being of us aging boomers. As psychological articles explain there are a number of reasons for this, the prime ones being that as our body’s age we experience a weakening of muscle tone and increases in arthritic related conditions and bone loss. A number of basic health tips can promote healthy living and are recommended to young as well as the aging boomers.

Water

As we age, one of the most common elderly problems encountered is the body’s reduced ability to retain water. To avoid dehydration we at Boomer Yearbook, the social network website for baby boomers, recommend that you daily drink 6 glasses of water per 100 pounds of weight.

Energy

Elderly people have a lot less energy than a young person and need to supplement their daily diets with high protein, low fat foods to avoid the elderly problems of low energy levels and muscle wasting.

Carbohydrate and Fiber

Eating foods high in carbohydrates and fibers helps regulate bowel movement and prevents chronic constipation and associated diseases.

Fat

Though not entirely removed from the diet, aging boomers should reduce their processed fat intake and substitute olive oil and omega fats. Alternate cooking techniques can lessen the fat content and help avoid the elderly problems of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Iron

As we age, we also exhibit a decrease in the body’s reserves of iron. Aging boomers should not use iron supplements, particularly not menopausal baby boomer women, unless instructed by their doctors to do so, but the aging boomer generation should eat three servings or iron rich food such as liver per week to help strengthen the body.

Zinc

As we age, our bodies lessen in our ability to retain zinc. Therefore, aging boomers should supplement our diets with chicken, liver, and tuna as they provide excellent natural sources of this needed mineral.

Calcium

Since bone density decreases with age, having a source of calcium or a supplement is highly recommended in order to avoid the elderly problems of osteoporosis (especially women) and fractures due to bone weakening.

Vitamin B12

Psychological articles have reported that deficiencies of the vitamin Cobalamin is linked to memory loss, a frequent elderly problem found in 90% of the elderly population! The vitamin is naturally found in mollusks and clams and is also present, though to a lesser degree in liver.

Healthy eating now is a smart choice as caring for oneself in the present, can prevent many future elderly problems.

That’s what we at BoomerYearbook believe. What do you think?
Boomer Yearbook, a free social networking site for the baby boomers or those concerned with the elderly problems of the baby boomers generation, is based on the vision that the baby boomers want to connect and reconnect, but in our own way and on our own terms.

As a clinical psychologist, Dr. Karen Turner provides free psychological articles on baby boomer relevant topics such as dream analysis, coaching, self-help, boomer forums, the latest news on the baby boomers cosmetic enhancements and weekly updates on the baby boomers generations mental and medical wellness.

The post Healthy Eating for Preventing and Solving Elderly Problems appeared first on Dr. KarenTurnerPhD.

Home Alone? The Pros and Cons of Baby Boomers Renting Out Part of Your Home

Karen Turner — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 12:18:46 +0000

Before you consider renting out a part of your home, go to the DVD store and pick up “Duplex” starring Ben Stiller and Reese Witherspoon. If you still have the desire to rent after watching that movie, then go ahead and read this article.
Renting out a part of your home is an easy way to earn some extra income, but there are some considerations you must take into account before deciding to share your home with paying strangers. If you do not own your own home, then you need to consult with your landlord or read through your lease to make sure that you can legally rent out part of the home.
If you do own your home, but you reside in a gated community or complex of some sort then you need to check with your property manager to find out whether you can rent out the property to other persons, and if so, what the extra fees are that have to be paid or any extra arrangements such as parking, security etc.
If you have a single family home on your own lot, then you can move to the next step of thinking about the future of your home. Do you have children that may need to move back in with you? Are you finished having children? Do you have an elderly parent that may need to move in with you? In other words, are you absolutely sure that you will not have a purpose for that extra space you are willing to rent out?
Then you move on to the next question- is there enough space for you to live comfortably with your tenants? If not, and you are thinking of making renovations or adding on to the structure make sure you get all the required permits and plans and work out the budget to see if it is worth it in the end.
Now that you’ve done all your investigation, you can realistically examine the pros and cons of renting your property.

Pros
• You’ll earn an extra income.
• It’s nice to have other people around or, at least, know that they are very near.
• More persons in the space will reduce the risk of danger (i.e. safety in numbers)
• There’s someone there to help you in your time of need. For example, you won’t have to walk far to borrow the sugar.
• You can carpool and buy bulk groceries to save on living expenses.

Cons
• Someone will always be in your space; if that bothers you, renting is not a good idea.
• The duties of a landlord can be tedious as you are responsible for any and everything that goes wrong.
• The tenants may not be the wonderful neighbors that you’d dreamed of.
• They may be careless in taking care of your property, thus bringing down its value.
• They don’t have to walk far to borrow your sugar.
• You will have to spend money before you earn money, and if the place is not done right the first time you will lose more money than you spend.
• Your property becomes open to people other than your tenants as they’ll invite their own guests to their home.

Renting out a part of your home is a sacrifice of your space, your time, your privacy somewhat and your money initially. However, if the extra income is worth it and your home and personality are such that disturbances of the sort that arise with tenants in close proximity do not affect adversely, renting out a part of your home can be good money-making idea.

The post Home Alone? The Pros and Cons of Baby Boomers Renting Out Part of Your Home appeared first on Dr. KarenTurnerPhD.

How Boomers Can Get the Best Deal For Your Mortgage

Karen Turner — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 12:08:29 +0000

Impeccable research is key when deciding the best place to go for your mortgage. With so many advertisements bombarding the market, it can be a confusing choice, but with careful investigation and deliberation, you will find the best mortgage out there for you.
The main competition lies between banks and building societies. Traditionally, mortgages were solely offered by building societies, as the profit that they yielded was minimal. However, the market expanded and the banks became eager to get on board. The question then arose as to who offered the better deal on mortgages.

Building Societies:, if they operate as mutual societies belong to the members of the society and do not pay out to any other shareholders. This translates to lower interest fees for borrowers which is always good news. However, a building society is not allowed to borrow money from the wealth market that exceeds 50% of its assets. What this means for you is a longer loan period. Simply put, because the building society cannot borrow more than a certain amount you will have more payments in smaller sums. Depending on your income and your lifestyle, this may be the most suitable option for a mortgage.

Banks, on the other hand, are not owned by its customers and so charge fees for services and loans so as to pay their shareholders. This results in higher mortgage rates, but because banks have a free reign on the amount they can borrow from the wealth market, you may end up having a shorter mortgage period. In other words, larger sums with a shorter time to pay. This will probably be a good option if you have money set aside to set off the first couple months of the mortgage as well as access to enough income to support it for its duration without making too many sacrifices. If you have already retired and your pension payments and other resources filter in slowly then going to a building society would perhaps be best.

Boomers need to explore their options thoroughly, even more so where the possibility of future income is uncertain. Typically, credit institutions offer discounts or lower rates for first time buyers. If you do not fall within that category then you need to ensure that your credit is in good order so that the possibility of negotiating for a lower rate will be open to you. Some banks offer a lower rate of interest for persons within retirement age; however, the properties for which these discounts are offered are very limited, often including complexes and gated communities. If you are building your home, this may be an even more difficult process for you as the mortgage you take out will need to cover any unforeseen expenses that could arise- this in itself will push up your mortgage rate.
Using the internet for comparisons for different mortgage rates is a good idea, but this should not replace actually going into a financial institution and getting the information needed firsthand. If you are mindful of your present financial situation and of what your future situation could be like, then a building society might be your best bet. The process of getting a mortgage is a long one, but it will be worth it to see the amount of money you have saved when you go with the option that is best for you.

The state of mortgages all across the US is the topic of discussion at everyone’s dinner table nowadays. What have you been talking about? Share with us at BoomerYearbook.com.

www.boomeryearbook.com is a free social networking site connecting the Baby Boomer generation. Share your thoughts, upload pictures and find old friends, or use our online optical illusions and brain games, provided by clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Turner, to expand your mind and help ward off the possibility of depression, dementia and Alzheimer’s. Join now to discover the numerous ways in which this online social networking site for the baby boomers and boomers of all ages can contribute to optimal physical and emotional wellness. The baby boomers generation changed the world. We’re not done yet!

The post How Boomers Can Get the Best Deal For Your Mortgage appeared first on Dr. KarenTurnerPhD.

Illusion In Motion: Psychological or Physiological?

Karen Turner — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 09:18:14 +0000

We have likely all been introduced to optical illusions that either appear to be in motion or have varying directions of motion dependent upon the person observing the illusion. Many a psychological article has been written to explain how and why these optical illusions either appear to be moving or appear to be moving in different directions. Regardless of which psychological articles we read and who we listen to, the explanations are in the very least really interesting.

The Spinning Girl is a more popular illusion that takes observers by surprise. Psychological articles generally agree among their reasons for the difference in directional perception of The Spinning Girl. Most psychological articles’ explanations include the dominance of either the right side or the left side of the brain. Depending upon brain dominance, the observer of The Spinning Girl illusion perceives the silhouette’s motion to be either clockwise or counter-clockwise. There are, however, psychological articles that refute such rationalizations, noting the brain’s plasticity and flexible nature when affected by illness or injury. The Spinning Girl is not the only optical illusion in motion receiving attention in a large number of psychological articles. Other illusions that either include definite motion or simply perceived motion are addressed in multiple ways by various online psychological articles and postings.

Spinning Dot Optical Illusion

This classic online optical illusion is an example of how easily our brains can be fooled. At first glance, the red stripes seem to move in only one direction, but if you stare at the black dot, the red stripes will shift directions.

This candy stripe circle is another optical illusion that has been addressed by psychological articles focusing on illusions in motion. The candy stripe circle differs from The Spinning Girl simply because the movement of the circle is simply perceived rather than actually existing; in contrast, The Spinning Girl is in motion, but her direction is in question. What psychological articles and other medical explanations offer us regarding the supposed motion of the candy stripe circle is related to our vision and how the structure of the eye relays messages to the brain. Scientists and psychologists alike are interested in how and why motion is detected simply from the design and color of a still object. What some psychological articles suggest is that visual perceptions in combination with images familiar to the brain create the optical illusion of motion. Other psychological articles explain the sense of movement by noting the juxtaposition of colors and shapes, forcing the eye to engage in small movements of its own. Kitaoka and Ashida profess in a 2078 psychological article that both color and luminance contribute to the optical illusion of motion.

Whatever the explanation optical illusions are a fascination on multiple levels. While some are easily explained in the simplest psychological articles, others are investigated in-depth with no concrete explanation at all. What is your opinion regarding why we see motion that does not exist or differ in the type of motion we do see? Tell us what you think at BoomerYearbook.com.

www.boomeryearbook.com is a free social networking site connecting the baby boomers generation. Whether you are a member of the baby boomers generation or are related to someone who is, you will find plenty to do here. Free psychological articles on a vast variety of topics such as dream analysis, coaching and self-help, elderly problems, examinations and proposed solutions for types of discrimination and weekly updates on mental and medical health. You can also become a non-member subscriber to our free newsletter to receive these articles directly in your inbox so you never miss out.

At Boomer Yearbook you can share your thoughts, upload pictures and find old friends. Use our online optical illusions and brain games, provided by clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Turner, to expand your mind and help ward off the possibility of depression, dementia and Alzheimer’s. Join now to discover the numerous ways in which this online social networking site for the baby boomers and boomers of all ages can contribute to optimal physical and emotional wellness. The baby boomers generation changed the world. We’re not done yet!

The post Illusion In Motion: Psychological or Physiological? appeared first on Dr. KarenTurnerPhD.

Knowing Your Family Medical History

Karen Turner — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 08:34:18 +0000

In this day and age, there are many different options available to keep yourself healthy when you know what you are up against. For some, it seems as if some diagnoses just come out of the blue. What you may not know is that your grandmother or uncle had the same ailment or disease years ago. This is why it is important for you, especially as part of the Baby Boomers generation, to know your family’s medical history. It can prepare you for what is inevitable and save you from what can be prevented. There are several steps to take in order to organize this information to benefit you in the long run.

Research
All of the information you need is going to take a lot of research. First you should create a family tree if you do not already have one. You have to interview as many relatives as you can to truly get the full picture. Start with immediate family members such as your parents and siblings, and record as much information as possible. Next, move on to grandparents and aunts, uncles, and cousins. The more people you are able to interview the better your chances are of getting accurate information. Death certificates and obituaries can also be an insightful resource in this search.

What To Ask

When speaking with your family members it is important to ask about lifestyle factors that affected your relative’s health, immunizations, childhood illnesses and chronic diseases that are prevalent in the family. Knowing the age of onset or age of death is also a vital part of information to be aware of. It is important to know about any cases of mental illness or other emotional disorders that are known to be genetic.

The Next Step

After your research is complete, relay all this information to a trusted physician and ask as many questions as you can. Take all the tests necessary to screen for any signs of any ailments or diseases. It is important that you do not wait until it is too late to start this process. Be proactive and know what you may be up against. You should also keep this information as current as possible. You never know when some new information may come to light. As you take control of your health and your future, you can save your life and maybe even the lives of loved ones in your family.

The post Knowing Your Family Medical History appeared first on Dr. KarenTurnerPhD.