Boomtips is now Vintage Care, LLC

Hi Everyone,

A lot has happened since February of this year.  Boomtips.com took a break, obviously, but now a new company we have formed called Vintage Care, LLC has taken it’s place.  Vintage Care, LLC strives to be a wealth of resources for both seniors and baby boomers by (1) providing news-related items of interest that they would be interested in (2) providing “life hacks” to improve every aspect of their lives and (3) being available to them to answer any specific questions that come up.   We will be designing a new website at http://www.vintagecare.com at some point in the future, but for now we will be microblogging at:

http://www.twitter.com/vintagecare

Just click on the above link, sign up for a Twitter account (takes two seconds) and click on “follow” to follow our updates.

Look forward to helping you,

 

Joe Freudenthal

Vintage Care, LLC

*If you need help with anything, email me at:  joefreudenthal@gmail.com

Boom Tip #73: Work with a “Life Coach”

From my observation, the baby boomer generation no longer desires the “typical” retirement. You know, the play golf every day, lay in a hammock, and read a book at your condo in Florida. That doesn’t sound half-bad for a vacation, but what I see is Boomers wanting a “purposeful” retirement. A retirement that is heading toward leaving a legacy of giving and helping others reach their goals. Is that you?

If it is, but you do not know where to start to begin that new type of retirement life, you may want to consider a “life coach” that specializes in helping Boomers decide what they really desire the rest of their lives to look like. It is a new concept that is gaining traction, and it could be a powerful help for most Boomers.

Have a great day,

Joe Freudenthal

Vintage Senior Living

St. Joseph, MO

Boom Tip #72: Be Aware of “Little Changes”

A gentleman whom I have come to admire from afar, David Solie, has started a blog and has a recent post that is just spot on. In this post he recognizes and educates boomers on the importance of paying attention to the impact their actions, no matter how small and insignificant, have on their aging parents and why.

Here is a quote and the link to the full post:

“…there are no “little” changes in the world of aging parents. Any action, throwing out old magazines, scheduling an appointment without telling them, or not including a sibling in what seems a minor decision can trigger a temporary “system shut down.”

Click here to read the full post.

Great stuff. I hope you enjoy.

Joe Freudenthal

Vintage Senior Living

St. Joseph, MO

Boom Tip #71: Encourage Your Grandkids to Become Nurses

The Boomers are going to need them…

Read this article: “Seriously, Who Will Take Care of the Babyboomers?”

I had no idea that…”the U.S. is expected to be short more than 800,000 nurses when some 80 million baby boomers retire over the next decade.” Wow.

Good career choice for your grandkids.

Have a great day,

Joe Freudenthal

Vintage Senior Living

St. Joseph, MO

Boom Tip #70: Avoid Seconds

I saw the following great post from one of my favorite fitness writers, Stefan Aschan, and thought that it would be very helpful for my BoomTip family. So here it is:

“This is the scenario: A dinner party at my place over the weekend. Of course I serve only quality organic food. You must imagine that the food is very flavorful and not processed. Hence, many of my dinner guests started to indulge.

Yes, indulge. One guest has heart issues, high cholesterol and weight issues. That individual could not stop eating. The 1st serving, the 2nd, and the 3rd. Yes, it was good but let’s think about the calories. And ask yourself: “How active are you?”

Is this you? Are you going for seconds and thirds? This might kill you over time as fat will accumulate around your waist. 230 lbs for an individual in the late 40’s is obese.

Analyze your eating patterns when you go out. Write down what you eat on a plain piece of paper and review it after one week. Or log on to the ‘Community’ and use your foodlog right there.

Look into following: How much greens are there? How much fresh food? Or is it dominated by processed food that came in packaged or fried forms. Make adjustments accordingly. This is your first step.

Don’t let food kill you.”

Great stuff.

Have a great weekend,

Joe Freudenthal

Vintage Senior Living

St. Joseph, MO

Boom Tip #69: Make three small New Year’s Resolutions in these categories…

It is good to be back in the swing of things after a short holiday break. At the start of this new year, I want to say that I am thankful for the growing number of readers of this blog. It has been great to get to know several of you, and I look forward to developing relationships with more of you this year.

My Boom Tip for this week is to set a New Year Resolution in each of three categories: Happiness, Health, and Character. If you are thinking, "I have set resolutions before, and I never stick with them." Well, we ALL have set New Year's Resolutions and then not stuck with them. However, my thinking is that it is better to have set a goal and missed the mark, than to never set the goal in the first place.

Set a goal to be happier. What do you do that makes you the MOST happy? Whatever it is, do more of it. Look for opportunities to do that ONE thing more often. This ONE thing is a natural talent that comes easy to you, so instead of working on your weaknesses this year and trying to improve those things that do not come naturally, try working on those things that do come easy and build on your talents and stregths. You will be much happier and be SO much more effective.

Set a goal to be healthier. Pick one small thing for January that you can do to be healthier. Whether it is to go for a walk every day, or drink 8 glasses of water every day; just choose one thing to do in January. When you stick with that one thing for January, keep doing it and then add another small thing in February, and so on. The key is to make sure it is a very small, very easy to do action. By the end of the year you will be on your way to a much healthier lifestyle.

Set a goal to improve your character this year. Pick out one part of your character that needs help. Maybe you have a tendency to gossip. Well, choose to not gossip. Just choose ONE thing to work on. Make it specific. If you mess up and gossip, then start again and keep going with that ONE goal. See how many days in a row you can go without gossiping. Pretty soon, you will whip it and you will have molded a better character within yourself.

Have a wonderful year,

Joe Freudenthal

Vintage Senior Living

St. Joseph, MO

Boom Tip #68: Begin Your “Encore Career”

As millions of you Baby Boomers exit the corporate world, many of you will turn and start your Encore Career. An Encore Career is, according to Mark Freedman, author of “Encore: Finding Work That Matters in the Second Half, a career where you can earn income, but also find meaning and use accumulated experience in ways that have a positive impact on society.

Attached to this post is a great interview with Mark done by Business Week magazine (click on the following link):

BW Interview with Mark Freedman

Encore Careers are a wonderful way for Baby Boomers to give back to society, if they choose, in an effective and legacy-building manner. Let me know if you are in an Encore Career right now!

Have a great weekend,

Joe Freudenthal

Vintage Senior Living

St. Joseph, MO

Boom Tip #67: Follow These Tips When Communicating With Your Aging Parents

Your aging parents are the kind of people that I care for on a daily basis at Vintage Senior Living in St. Joseph, MO. After communicating with seniors for the last 11 years, I have come to realize that if you keep the following points in mind, communicating with your aging parents will go much smoother. That would be a blessing, right?

1. When talking with them, get at eye-level and face to face. A majority of seniors have some hearing loss whether they will admit it or not. I have found that just getting on their level face-to-face makes a tremendous difference because many, whether they know it or not, use lip reading to help them understand.

2. Speak in a clear “firm” voice and annunciate your words. I don’t mean to yell, but clear and audible. Mumbling is the worst because they will not be able to hear you and they cannot read your lips.

3. Use body language that conveys the message you want them to hear. For example, if you are talking about a basketball, then bring your hands up like you are grabbing a basketball. If you are telling them a sad story, make sure that your body language coveys that so that it is easier for them to understand what messages you are trying to convey.

4. Finally, ask them frequently if they are understanding what you are telling them. Pausing and making sure they are following you will prevent miscommunication in many cases.

If you follow those four tips, your communication with your aging parents will improve dramatically. Pass this on to people you know that have parents reaching their late 70s and 80s.

God bless you,

Joe Freudenthal

Vintage Senior Living

Boom Tip #66: Stay Alive By Staying Active

I know I have been posting a lot lately on the importance of staying active and exercising, but I ran across a very interesting straight-forward article about this subject that I think every baby boomer should read.

Click here to read!

The most eye-opening quote from the story:

“More than 40% of women and 30% of men over 70 years old said they never exercise, according to U.S. News and World Report.”

I do not want the readers of BoomTips to be a part of that group!

Only because I care,

Joe Freudenthal
Senior Care Specialist
Vintage Senior Living
St. Joseph, MO

Boom Tip #65: Talk to avoid surprises like the “sidestep”

A new trend is emerging called “sidestepping.” “Sidestepping” is where parents of baby boomers do not include them in their wills. Instead, the much anticipated inheritances – often considered the icing on their already large cakes – are being passed directly to the struggling younger generation.

Now, you have some sort of reaction to this trend. It may be surprise, it may be elation (I doubt it!), it may be intense stress. However, now that you know that this trend is happening, I suggest a simple solution: Talk with your aging parents!

This conversation may not be the most comfortable one you have ever had (especially if you find out the plan is to “sidestep” you!), but talking it out will help you plan for your future better. Information and communication always help. Set an appointment today with your aging parents and discuss this trend and get on the same page. You will be glad you did.

Have a great weekend,

Joe Freudenthal
Senior Care Specialist
Vintage Senior Living
St. Joseph, MO

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