It’s time to see the world.
Whether your dream is to canoe the Cache River Wetlands in Illinois, or explore Mahabalipuram and the sandstone temples that arose in south India more than a thousand years ago, the Exploritas program can help you to realize that dream.
Formerly called Elderhostel, Exploritas is a not-for-profit group travel program that combines exceptional educational and hostelling opportunities for adults over 55 and their guests. The program is based on the belief that retirement is still an active and exciting time in one’s life, and that learning is an integral part of a healthy, fulfilling existence. Exploritas has two special features: it provides safe, stimulating, learning environments at good value.
This was the nation’s first—and the world’s largest—educational travel organization founded for older adults. Exploritas pledges to provide its participants with instruction by knowledgeable, professional group leaders; talks presented by experts in their fields; in-depth field trips; and the combination of travel and adventure. Since its creation by Marty Knowlton in 1975, more than four million adults have taken part in its various programs.
Thirty-four years and approximately 8,000 programs later, Exploritas continues to squire intrepid travelers throughout North America and to more than 90 countries across the world. Currently, the program is composed of a network of more than 1,800 colleges, universities, environmental education schools, museums, state and national parks, along with other academic and cultural institutions.
All Exploritas programs include accommodations, lectures, activities, gratuities, travel insurance, and most meals. Each program has its own distinct aspects: some are geared toward outdoor experience; some pertain to individual skills; a specific location; a topic of interest, such as culture, food, or wine. There are literally hundreds of choices.
Some programs are more traditional, while others, such as Adventures Afloat, involve traveling off the beaten path to some of the most remote and exquisite locations in the world. What better way to discover diverse histories, cultures, and natural environments than from the deck of a floating classroom?
Another program that Exploritas offers is called Outdoor adventures, one of the more active choices. It includes bicycling, hiking, bird-watching, and water sports such as kayaking, rafting, and canoeing. Local experts share in-depth information while venturing with travelers into some of the Earth’s most fascinating environments. Participants get to experience the wonders of the natural world by exercising their bodies and their minds at the same time.
A unique facet of this program is the intergenerational component. This is a major draw for many because it offers grandparents, their children, and grandchildren the opportunity to investigate mutual interests, such as geology, dinosaurs, outer space, genealogy--you name it. Exploritas provides the learning experiences that bridge the generations.
This travel program is a celebration of the curiosity, enthusiasm, and passion of senior adults from all walks of life. Its travelers are open to fresh ideas, broadening experiences, and making new friends. They are well-educated: almost half have four-year college degrees; 20 percent have earned advanced degrees. But the defining characteristic of them all is that they love to learn new things: Exploritas vacationers enjoy exploring the world.
Additional information is available at www.exploritas.org or www.roadscholar.org
Enjoy your travels,
Laraine Jablon
(Excerpt from her CSA Journal article, Elderhostel: From Alaska to Zimbabwe, September 2009.)
Laraine Jablon, BA, MA, is a writer specializing in social, health, and spiritual concerns of seniors. She lives in Nesconset, New York, and welcomes your thoughts. Lhjablon@gmail.com
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
2012 Limits You Need to Know: Government Programs and Tax Deductibility on LTC Insurance
Register for CSAs February educational webinar, 2012 Limits You Need to Know: Government Programs and Tax Deductibility on LTC Insurance, presented by Nancy Dykeman. Nancy will be providing you with a one-stop experience, to enhance your discussions about the limits or increases in:
• Medicare
• Medicaid
• Social Security
• and updating the tax incentives for long-term care insurance premium payments
Nancy Dykeman is the owner of Long-Term Care Planning Consultant, LLC and founder/principal of LTCares, an education and planning company. Nancy provides education to individuals and business groups on planning for Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Senior Housing, Final Planning and Long-term Care.
She is recognized nationally as a premier educator in the LTCi field, serving as a core instructor for The Corporation for Long-Term Care Certification, and is a Director of the CLTC Board of Standards. She is a faculty member of the Society of Certified Senior Advisors, and an instructor of the Colorado Partnership Plan Training for LTC Connection.
As a speaker and lead presenter, she and her team of top presenters represent the nation’s large-group LTCi carriers, conducting onsite informational meetings across the country. She and her team positively impact LTCi group benefits participation.
Nancy’s experience in planning began more than 30 years ago as co-owner of her family-owned funeral services company and Pre-Planning Specialist. After becoming a licensed nursing home administrator, she operated large retirement communities, assisted living facilities and nursing homes. She was a caregiver for her mother for 20 years, her father for five years, and most recently, her husband, who has severe degenerative back problems. Nancy’s goal is to help families prepare for aging issues.
Knowing as much as you can to help your customers is the goal of this new webinar.
Date: Thursday, February 2, 2012
Time: 11:00am (PST); 12:00 Noon (MST); 1:00pm (CST); 2:00pm (EST)
Cost: Free for CSAs; $49 public
Register Now!
• Medicare
• Medicaid
• Social Security
• and updating the tax incentives for long-term care insurance premium payments
Nancy Dykeman is the owner of Long-Term Care Planning Consultant, LLC and founder/principal of LTCares, an education and planning company. Nancy provides education to individuals and business groups on planning for Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Senior Housing, Final Planning and Long-term Care.
She is recognized nationally as a premier educator in the LTCi field, serving as a core instructor for The Corporation for Long-Term Care Certification, and is a Director of the CLTC Board of Standards. She is a faculty member of the Society of Certified Senior Advisors, and an instructor of the Colorado Partnership Plan Training for LTC Connection.
As a speaker and lead presenter, she and her team of top presenters represent the nation’s large-group LTCi carriers, conducting onsite informational meetings across the country. She and her team positively impact LTCi group benefits participation.
Nancy’s experience in planning began more than 30 years ago as co-owner of her family-owned funeral services company and Pre-Planning Specialist. After becoming a licensed nursing home administrator, she operated large retirement communities, assisted living facilities and nursing homes. She was a caregiver for her mother for 20 years, her father for five years, and most recently, her husband, who has severe degenerative back problems. Nancy’s goal is to help families prepare for aging issues.
Knowing as much as you can to help your customers is the goal of this new webinar.
Date: Thursday, February 2, 2012
Time: 11:00am (PST); 12:00 Noon (MST); 1:00pm (CST); 2:00pm (EST)
Cost: Free for CSAs; $49 public
Register Now!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Growing Senior Market Creates Demand for Resources on Aging
(December, 2011 – Parker, CO) A Colorado company has come to the aid of well intended, yet often stressed and uninformed, senior caregivers. Research shows that approximately 83% of caregivers are related to the care recipient and are not professional caregivers. UniversalSeniorLiving.com may be the first online site of it’s kind to help hold the “cyber” hand of seniors and their families by giving them the resources they need to be able to navigate through the mass of information on the aging process. UniversalSeniorLiving.com, launched in Beta on 11-11-11, and is a one-stop shop geared at providing easy to find resources on over 300 senior related topics, providing a non-threatening ‘entry point’ into the planning process for seniors and their families.
Starting in 2011, and continuing for the next 20 years, America will witness an explosion of the senior population as 10,000 baby-boomers begin to turn 65 every day. They will become the nations fastest growing demographic group, putting a heavy strain not only on our nations resources, like Medicare and Medicaid, but also putting an enormous strain on the psyche and pocketbooks of the adult children and caretakers of this greying population.
“Seniors demand for resources, care and information is staggering. Unfortunately we’ve seen how the enormous emotional strain of a crisis can tear families apart at a time when they most need to come together. Without a plan in place many seniors and their families will continue to suffer needlessly. We believe that aging is inevitable, but crisis is not, and know that we can help families avert, or at least better manage, tragedy.” says Carrie Roberts, Co-Founder at UniversalSeniorLiving.com.
The new site is unique in that it integrates a large provider network (currently over 50,000 providers in 20+ industries, all related to senior care needs) with it’s content rich Resource Library, which consists of over 1500 articles, videos, and expert advice, a combination of which creates a powerful resource to captivate and educate users.
“We believe we’ve created the first site of its kind aimed at helping seniors and their families navigate and plan for the future by providing a complete, comprehensive and easy-to-navigate website. Instead of browsing hundreds of other sites and trying to piece information together, or flipping through volumes of print trying to find service providers, we have created a site that centralizes information for users. Whether looking for information on assisted living, information on applying for Medicare, caregiver stress, or a multitude of other senior related topics, it may all be found on one site. UniversalSeniorLiving.com now contains massive amounts of information (over 9000 pages already indexed by Google), yet is designed to be very easy to navigate and is user friendly. The site is a free resource for seniors and their families to use.” Roberts said.
“Our goal for 2012 is to help 10 million seniors and their families. Some people have said that we could never accomplish that in just 1 year. We say it’s just a start.”
For further information, please contact: Carrie Roberts, Co-Founder, 303-929-8786, carrie.roberts@usl-usa.com, or visit www.universalseniorliving.com.
Starting in 2011, and continuing for the next 20 years, America will witness an explosion of the senior population as 10,000 baby-boomers begin to turn 65 every day. They will become the nations fastest growing demographic group, putting a heavy strain not only on our nations resources, like Medicare and Medicaid, but also putting an enormous strain on the psyche and pocketbooks of the adult children and caretakers of this greying population.
“Seniors demand for resources, care and information is staggering. Unfortunately we’ve seen how the enormous emotional strain of a crisis can tear families apart at a time when they most need to come together. Without a plan in place many seniors and their families will continue to suffer needlessly. We believe that aging is inevitable, but crisis is not, and know that we can help families avert, or at least better manage, tragedy.” says Carrie Roberts, Co-Founder at UniversalSeniorLiving.com.
The new site is unique in that it integrates a large provider network (currently over 50,000 providers in 20+ industries, all related to senior care needs) with it’s content rich Resource Library, which consists of over 1500 articles, videos, and expert advice, a combination of which creates a powerful resource to captivate and educate users.
“We believe we’ve created the first site of its kind aimed at helping seniors and their families navigate and plan for the future by providing a complete, comprehensive and easy-to-navigate website. Instead of browsing hundreds of other sites and trying to piece information together, or flipping through volumes of print trying to find service providers, we have created a site that centralizes information for users. Whether looking for information on assisted living, information on applying for Medicare, caregiver stress, or a multitude of other senior related topics, it may all be found on one site. UniversalSeniorLiving.com now contains massive amounts of information (over 9000 pages already indexed by Google), yet is designed to be very easy to navigate and is user friendly. The site is a free resource for seniors and their families to use.” Roberts said.
“Our goal for 2012 is to help 10 million seniors and their families. Some people have said that we could never accomplish that in just 1 year. We say it’s just a start.”
For further information, please contact: Carrie Roberts, Co-Founder, 303-929-8786, carrie.roberts@usl-usa.com, or visit www.universalseniorliving.com.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Tax Preparation Help for Seniors
Tax season is overwhelming for many seniors. Many services are available to assist seniors with both federal and state income taxes. Supermarkets and malls have preparers from a variety of firms. Senior centers often host tax preparation days with professionals available to assist with preparation. And, this year the IRS is providing a new service for preparing and filing federal returns, called “Free File”, in conjunction with approximately 20 tax preparation software companies. The tax software providers must meet specific government standards and must qualify with the required security systems. Information transferred over the Internet must be appropriately encrypted so it is protected.
Two programs are available. Taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes of $57,000 or less can use the software programs without charge by linking to www.irs.gov/freefile. Taxpayers of any income level may use “Free File Fillable Forms” from www.irs.gov. Both programs permit E-filing at no charge. The Fillable Forms system requires a basic understanding of IRS tax forms and includes some basic calculations and links to IRS publications.
Frank Vidin, CSA, CFP, has more than 30 years experience in financial and nonprofit services. He teaches the financial and government sections of the CSA training program.
Two programs are available. Taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes of $57,000 or less can use the software programs without charge by linking to www.irs.gov/freefile. Taxpayers of any income level may use “Free File Fillable Forms” from www.irs.gov. Both programs permit E-filing at no charge. The Fillable Forms system requires a basic understanding of IRS tax forms and includes some basic calculations and links to IRS publications.
Frank Vidin, CSA, CFP, has more than 30 years experience in financial and nonprofit services. He teaches the financial and government sections of the CSA training program.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
2012 Limits You Need to Know: Government Programs and Tax Deductibility on LTC Insurance
Registration is now open for February's educational webinar, 2012 Limits You Need to Know: Government Programs and Tax Deductibility on LTC Insurance, presented by Nancy Dykeman. Nancy will be providing you with a one-stop experience, to enhance your discussions about the limits or increases in:
• Medicare
• Medicaid
• Social Security
• and updating the tax incentives for long-term care insurance premium payments
Nancy Dykeman is the owner of Long-Term Care Planning Consultant, LLC and founder/principal of LTCares, an education and planning company. Nancy provides education to individuals and business groups on planning for Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Senior Housing, Final Planning and Long-term Care.
She is recognized nationally as a premier educator in the LTCi field, serving as a core instructor for The Corporation for Long-Term Care Certification, and is a Director of the CLTC Board of Standards. She is a faculty member of the Society of Certified Senior Advisors, and an instructor of the Colorado Partnership Plan Training for LTC Connection.
As a speaker and lead presenter, she and her team of top presenters represent the nation’s large-group LTCi carriers, conducting onsite informational meetings across the country. She and her team positively impact LTCi group benefits participation.
Nancy’s experience in planning began more than 30 years ago as co-owner of her family-owned funeral services company and Pre-Planning Specialist. After becoming a licensed nursing home administrator, she operated large retirement communities, assisted living facilities and nursing homes. She was a caregiver for her mother for 20 years, her father for five years, and most recently, her husband, who has severe degenerative back problems. Nancy’s goal is to help families prepare for aging issues.
Knowing as much as you can to help your customers is the goal of this new webinar.
Date: Thursday, February 2, 2012
Time: 11:00am (PST); 12:00 Noon (MST); 1:00pm (CST); 2:00pm (EST)
Cost: Free for CSAs; $49 public
Register Now!
• Medicare
• Medicaid
• Social Security
• and updating the tax incentives for long-term care insurance premium payments
Nancy Dykeman is the owner of Long-Term Care Planning Consultant, LLC and founder/principal of LTCares, an education and planning company. Nancy provides education to individuals and business groups on planning for Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Senior Housing, Final Planning and Long-term Care.
She is recognized nationally as a premier educator in the LTCi field, serving as a core instructor for The Corporation for Long-Term Care Certification, and is a Director of the CLTC Board of Standards. She is a faculty member of the Society of Certified Senior Advisors, and an instructor of the Colorado Partnership Plan Training for LTC Connection.
As a speaker and lead presenter, she and her team of top presenters represent the nation’s large-group LTCi carriers, conducting onsite informational meetings across the country. She and her team positively impact LTCi group benefits participation.
Nancy’s experience in planning began more than 30 years ago as co-owner of her family-owned funeral services company and Pre-Planning Specialist. After becoming a licensed nursing home administrator, she operated large retirement communities, assisted living facilities and nursing homes. She was a caregiver for her mother for 20 years, her father for five years, and most recently, her husband, who has severe degenerative back problems. Nancy’s goal is to help families prepare for aging issues.
Knowing as much as you can to help your customers is the goal of this new webinar.
Date: Thursday, February 2, 2012
Time: 11:00am (PST); 12:00 Noon (MST); 1:00pm (CST); 2:00pm (EST)
Cost: Free for CSAs; $49 public
Register Now!
Monday, January 16, 2012
On the Market Again
Baby boomers and their parents are dating again. Death and divorce are causing single seniors to search for someone special—again.
In the past, people in their 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s who have lost a spouse would live alone for the rest of their lives. But social norms have changed dramatically, and people are living longer than ever before. Today, more older people are looking to fill the gap, share their lives with another person. They’re looking for relationships.
If you are thinking about dating again, here are a few things to consider:
• Tell people you’re interesting in finding a new relationship. This is just another form of networking. Tell family members, friends, peers, fellow-office workers or volunteers that you’re ready. Perhaps someone can introduce you a lovely individual he or she knows. Readiness is the key here.
• Explore your options for meeting new people. There are dozens of places to find new partners: church or temple, classes, the gym, civic organizations, museums, book stores, sporting events…you can meet people of both genders with whom you can take part in different activities. And then there’s on-line dating which is increasingly popular among seniors who seem to be more successful at it than younger generations. There are numerous websites that are designed specifically for seniors.
• Relax. Enjoy meeting new people and try not to put pressure on yourself to find someone immediately. Things happen when they happen.
You may find this site helpful: www.top10bestdatingsites.com/SeniorDatingServices-Comparison
~Laraine Jablon
Laraine Jablon, BA, MA, is a freelance writer specializing in social, health, and spiritual concerns of seniors. She lives in Nesconset, New York, and welcomes your thoughts. Lhjablon@gmail.com
In the past, people in their 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s who have lost a spouse would live alone for the rest of their lives. But social norms have changed dramatically, and people are living longer than ever before. Today, more older people are looking to fill the gap, share their lives with another person. They’re looking for relationships.
If you are thinking about dating again, here are a few things to consider:
• Tell people you’re interesting in finding a new relationship. This is just another form of networking. Tell family members, friends, peers, fellow-office workers or volunteers that you’re ready. Perhaps someone can introduce you a lovely individual he or she knows. Readiness is the key here.
• Explore your options for meeting new people. There are dozens of places to find new partners: church or temple, classes, the gym, civic organizations, museums, book stores, sporting events…you can meet people of both genders with whom you can take part in different activities. And then there’s on-line dating which is increasingly popular among seniors who seem to be more successful at it than younger generations. There are numerous websites that are designed specifically for seniors.
• Relax. Enjoy meeting new people and try not to put pressure on yourself to find someone immediately. Things happen when they happen.
You may find this site helpful: www.top10bestdatingsites.com/SeniorDatingServices-Comparison
~Laraine Jablon
Laraine Jablon, BA, MA, is a freelance writer specializing in social, health, and spiritual concerns of seniors. She lives in Nesconset, New York, and welcomes your thoughts. Lhjablon@gmail.com
Friday, January 13, 2012
The Last Great Game: Scrabble
Just ask Alec Baldwin how compelling a game this is for many of us. Recently, he was asked to leave an American Airlines flight for refusing to turn off his cell phone…he was playing Words with Friends at the time and it was his turn.
There are dozens of word games that have been invented over the years. Some have greater longevity than others, and Scrabble is one that has thrived over time. This true classic in the category of word games was invented in 1938 by Alfred Mosher Butts--interestingly, an architect.
We all weaned our children on the game, imparting the joy of making words for the greatest number of points. Of course word knowledge is important, but a truly challenging game of Scrabble depends on more than that alone. Strategy is key: one must consider the balance of his rack of letters, a solid offense, along with a strong defense. This can get complex and competitive—much like Chess.
Smart phones have revolutionized the game by allowing it to be played 24/7 in cyberspace with family, friends, and complete strangers. And if you’re looking for a reliable word source, you can use the 4th edition of the Official Scrabble Player’s Dictionary, or the Enable List which can be downloaded.
I’m guessing that few are thrown off planes for playing Scrabble, but many of us still enjoy a good game with our children who probably beat us these days.
This blog is posted by Laraine Jablon whose favorite word is qat.
Laraine Jablon, BA, MA, is a writer specializing in social and health concerns of seniors. She is based in Nesconset, New York, and welcomes your thoughts. Lhjablon@gmail.com
There are dozens of word games that have been invented over the years. Some have greater longevity than others, and Scrabble is one that has thrived over time. This true classic in the category of word games was invented in 1938 by Alfred Mosher Butts--interestingly, an architect.
We all weaned our children on the game, imparting the joy of making words for the greatest number of points. Of course word knowledge is important, but a truly challenging game of Scrabble depends on more than that alone. Strategy is key: one must consider the balance of his rack of letters, a solid offense, along with a strong defense. This can get complex and competitive—much like Chess.
Smart phones have revolutionized the game by allowing it to be played 24/7 in cyberspace with family, friends, and complete strangers. And if you’re looking for a reliable word source, you can use the 4th edition of the Official Scrabble Player’s Dictionary, or the Enable List which can be downloaded.
I’m guessing that few are thrown off planes for playing Scrabble, but many of us still enjoy a good game with our children who probably beat us these days.
This blog is posted by Laraine Jablon whose favorite word is qat.
Laraine Jablon, BA, MA, is a writer specializing in social and health concerns of seniors. She is based in Nesconset, New York, and welcomes your thoughts. Lhjablon@gmail.com
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