As fall takes over outside, it’s the perfect time to pull up your favorite chair and relax with a new book or settle down in front of the computer screen. There are always plenty of books and Web sites to explore.
If winter’s approach brings thoughts of warmer climates, the latest edition of “Where to Retire: American’s Best and Most Affordable Places” (Globe Pequot Press, $17.95) has some tantalizing prospects. Author John Howells covers retirement living in cities across the country, listing such pertinent facts as weather, tax profiles and cost of living. Besides describing the physical geography, he includes information on the arts and recreation, and he’s not shy about mentioning drawbacks.
How can you bring happiness to someone whose memory is gone and only the senses remain? In “The Last Childhood” (Three Rivers Press, $12), Carrie Knowles shares her family’s story after her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. She chronicles the tough decisions, the toll the illness took on everyone and their struggles to comfort her mother. The book is a realistic look at one family’s experience. It’s also intended to provide practical information and inspiration to others.
It’s always great when information is free and it’s even better when it’s useful. “Who? What? Where? Resources for Women’s Health and Aging” is a free guide published by the National Institute on Aging and the Alliance for Aging Research. It lists almost 100 organizations–including telephone numbers, addresses and Web sites–that can help women extend their healthy, active years. The 36-page booklet also contains basic information on such topics as osteoporosis, heart disease, finances and widowhood. To request a copy, call 800-222-2225.
So you’re retired. Is there life after employment? Absolutely say Mary Helen and Shuford Smith, authors of “101 Secrets for a Great Retirement” (Lowell House, $12.95). They share their insights on the differences between an average retirement and a great one. It’s not how much you have saved, they argue, but remaining active, pursuing lifelong dreams and rediscovering personal relationships.
Love has gone high tech. But using the Internet to find dates and soul mates is a gamble. In “50+ and Looking for Love Online” (Crossing Press, $12.95), Barbara Harrison describes the risks and rewards of online relationships. She also covers the basics, including how to write a personal ad, where to place it and how to handle responses. Scattered throughout are the personal experiences of singles over age 50. The book ends with “happy ever after stories” of five computer couples.
One of the Web sites mentioned in Harrison’s book is www.seniorscircle.com. It’s a personal ad and dating Web site for those over 50. Joining is free as are the first three e-mail contacts you make. Thereafter you must become a member, and membership fees vary from $14.95 a month to $79.95 a year. The site walks newcomers through the steps of setting up a personal profile and finding matches. Members can remain anonymous for as long as they like.
For computer novices who want to learn more, Computers Made Easy for Senior Citizens can help. The Web address is a little long, but it’s worth writing down: www.csuchico.edu/(tilde)csu/seniors/computing.html. The site explains how computers work and how to locate resources to improve computing skills. In addition to a glossary that simplifies “computerize,” there are links to many free do-it-yourself Internet tutorials and computer training resources.
Looking for something to do with the grandkids? Check out www.cyberparent.com/gran/. “CyberGran” is a Web site for grandparents and grandchildren with such sections as fun at grandma’s house, tips for keeping in touch, birthday books, science/math fun of the week and even discipline. There are links to related sites and a list of articles to peruse. For those who want to share ideas or just brag, click on the grandparents’ discussion web.
Senior housing alternatives abound. To explore the options, www.seniorhousing.net offers a guide to retirement communities, assisted living residences, Alzheimer’s facilities and nursing homes nationwide. Included are detailed descriptions, photographs and floor plans as well as virtual tours. For help in sorting through and evaluating the options, there is a handy checklist.
Finally, as the holidays approach, shopping on line can be especially convenient. One site that caters to seniors is www.seniorstore.com, with gift ideas for friends, grandchildren, caregivers and anyone approaching their “over-the-hill” birthday. There are also suggestions on books, videos and games for older adults. From clothing to low vision and arthritis products, SeniorStore offers a range of items to browse through.
