Due to the high cost of living and the low income, most seniors feel their travelling days are over. This could not be further from the truth! A home exchange is a great way for seniors to continue to travel to desired locations. If you are a senior homeowner, you can trade your home with another senior. The trade is for a specified time and both parties will travel to the households. This is an affordable and safe way for seniors to travel without worrying about the expense. Home exchanges for seniors have many benefits. A few are listed below.

1. Travel becomes affordable. This is an important aspect for seniors living on a fixed income.

2. A home is much more comfortable than a hotel room.

3. Location choices. Since you will be exchanging your own home for another, you have the opportunity to travel to anywhere.

4. Eliminate other travel costs. Some home exchanges also include a vehicle, so the need for a rental car is eliminated.

5. The process is simple. The internet has many sites for seniors who are looking to exchange a home.

Source: transitionsabroad.com

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Seniors have often been portrayed as vulnerable and physically week in the media and in movies and TV shows. It’s been a highly publicized stereotype that little old ladies are the subject of purse snatchers and muggers; but today’s seniors are changing everything and are admonishing those misconceptions about older adults. In recent times, seniors have been portrayed in the media, defending themselves against muggers; leaving them begging for mercy, and even against animals like mountain lions while out on a hike. All seniors can follow in the footsteps of these empowered elderly by implementing the following tips:

1. Use what you have – a form of martial arts using canes has become popular and even if seniors don’t have specific training (which will be available across the US in nursing homes and senior centers) they can use their cane in self-defense

2. Remain fit – physically strong seniors have a better chance of fending off attackers, so all older adults should work out with cardiovascular activity, weight training, balance and flexibility activities

3. Take regular self-defense classes – knowing the points to hit on an attacker are crucial for surviving an attack. Self defense classes can teach these areas and also help seniors make sure that they remain safe and free from injury even when defending themselves.

Watch Elderly Sisters Fight Off Home Invader

Sources:

1. Canemasters

2. TrendHunter

3. AJC

Image: theblazingcenter.com

For many San Diego seniors, their income from pensions, SSI, Social Security and other forms of government assistance are not enough to provide for their costs of daily living and medical expenses that are either ongoing or unexpected, and things are only getting worse. After the state tried to decrease their budget gap last month by reducing SSI by $37 for seniors and disabled citizens last month, this month, payments have been reduced by an additional $20.

For seniors who have already been struggling to make ends meet, this can make or break their accessibility to health care and senior care services. While some seniors might be able to cut back on other expenses in order to make up for a loss of supplemental income, there are many San Diego seniors that rely on the funds to survive; and now that they’re no longer being distributed, seniors might have to choose between eating that week, picking up their required prescriptions, receiving in-home senior care services, or even going to the hospital or doctor when they believe they need treatment or medical attention.

As the country suffers as a result of the economic downturn, it’s those who need the assistance most that are finding themselves at a disadvantage; without other sources of income to support themselves, a reduction in supplemental assistance can make the difference between a healthy, happy life and an early trip to the grave.

Sources:

1. 10 News

Image Source: pro.corbis.com