Tag Archive for seniors

Winning an Argument with a Loved One

The more politics invades our lives, the more conflicting news and half-truths bombard us, the harder it is to avoid “discussions” that turn into arguments. And–darn it!–we’re right, so we deserve to win! This is especially hard with older adults, who feel they’ve lived long enough to have a very good perspective on life and how things should be.

The best way to win an argument with a friend or loved one is to avoid letting it come between you and, if nothing else, finally agree to disagree. Getting there is the problem, though.

How to Avoid Arguments When Discussing Politics with a Loved One was written with our seniors in mind but offers good advice for such discussions with any of our loved ones–or others, for that matter. It explains the dynamics of those situations and offers six concrete ways we can, in fact, have an animated discussion and still share a hug afterwards.

Seniors & Social Security Scares

Do you know someone who was among the 35,000 seniors who lost over $10 million in 2018 (according to the FTC) by responding to a phone call from “Social Security”? Yes, that many people and that much money!

Scammers target seniors because Social Security is, for most of them, the difference between homed and homeless, eating and malnutrition or starvation, quality of life and despair. Their fear of being cut off from the Social Security money they earned makes them very vulnerable.

If this is you or you have a loved one who might be in such danger, remember this–and pass it on to every senior you know. The real Social Security Administration will never 1) call without warning, 2) threaten or say that your benefits will be cancelled, or 3) say that the problem can be solved if you send money or gift cards to a location they give you.

If you have any doubts that what the caller is saying could be true, hang up and call the real Social Security at (800)772-1213.

B of A = Bad guys of America

Yesterday’s post was on corporate generosity.  Today’s is on corporate greed–Bank of America’s.

If you are a Bank of America customer who, like many people, does NOT have at least a $250 direct deposit into your account each month OR you can’t keep a constant balance of at least $1500, you’re losing $144 a year.  B of A is now charging $12 a month if we can’t meet one of those conditions.  When we signed on for our free checking account, we met whatever criteria they asked us to meet.  Now they’re going back on their original agreement so they can rake in even more profits.  Yes, there is that fine print that says they can change the rules at their own whim, but bankers assured us that nothing would really change.

Maybe you don’t mind giving them that $12 a month.  Maybe it doesn’t hurt you.  But it does hurt seniors on fixed incomes, sick people who have to scrape together enough dollars to pay medical costs, single parents working two jobs to provide food and shelter for their kids–the poor and vulnerable among us.

That’s just not right.  Tell B of A it isn’t right.  Tell them they need to rescind that decision NOW.  I’m a lucky one because I have a direct deposit.  And I’ve been with B of A for decades.  I won’t be for long, though, if they don’t get rid of that unfair charge.

 

A Joy-Ride for Seniors

Check out this video.  It’s  a great idea.  There  must be SOME way we could do this in our own communities.

https://www.facebook.com/DavidAvocadoWolfe/videos/10154711180561512/

Healthy Seniors

Two days from now (May 25) is National Senior Health and Fitness Day.  It’s a day when we older people think seriously about how we’re treating our bodies. The theme for this 23rd annual event is “Improve Yourself for a Better Self.”  All sorts of organizations are planning events we can participate in, including free health screenings and workouts :

  • Area Agencies on Aging
  • Banks
  • Health Clubs
  • Houses of Worship
  • Hospitals
  • Malls/Shopping Centers
  • Park & Recreation Departments
  • Retirement Communities
  • Senior Centers
  • State/Local/Aging Departments
  • And Many More!

You have a couple of days to call one of these or look in your local newspaper to find an event near you.  Be healthy!