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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 30, 2019)
6A — THE OBSERVER WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019 3 issues that can make living with your kids problematic If you’re planning to move in with your child’s family, it’s important to be clear about what everyone’s expectations are from the outset. Here are three issues that can prove troublesome and some quick tips for suc- cessfully navigating past them. 3. MONEY Make sure you clarify what you can contri- EXWH¿QDQFLDOO\IURPWKHJHWJR,WPD\HYHQ be a good idea to sign an agreement or lease with your family regarding what payments you’ll make and when. 1. PRIVACY It’s important that everyone living in the household has a reasonable degree of pri- vacy. Make sure all family members know to respect your perso- nal space and reassure them that you’ll res- pect theirs. Living with your child and their family can EHDIXO¿OOLQJHQMR\DEOHH[SHULHQFH7RHQ- sure everyone cohabitates harmoniously, communicating openly and honestly is key. 2. CHORES Ideally, everyone will be responsible for some aspect of managing the home. This can include cooking, cleaning, child care and yard work. No matter how chores are divided, it’s impor- tant to be clear about what everyone’s role is in this regard. 3 tips for paying off debt after you retire A reduction in your monthly income once you retire can make managing debt dif- ¿FXOW+HUHDUHWKUHHVWUDWHJLHVWKDWFDQ help. 3. MAXIMIZE YOUR REVENUE Depending on your situation, you may want to consider returning to the work- force on a part-time basis. You should DOVRPDNHVXUH\RXEHQH¿WIURPHYHU\ 1. MAKE A BUDGET tax credit you’re eligible for, including :KHQLWFRPHVWRPDQDJLQJGHEWWKH¿UVW those for home care and home improve- thing you should do is get a clear picture ments. Finally, spend some time advan- RI\RXU¿QDQFLDOVLWXDWLRQE\OLVWLQJZKDW FLQJ\RXUXQGHUVWDQGLQJRIKRZ¿QDQFLDO you owe, your expenses and your in- matters work to help you make more in- come as fully and precisely as possible. formed spending and saving choices. Knowing how much money you make every month, how much you need to If you need more help, contact a profes- spend and how much you have left over VLRQDO0DQ\¿QDQFLDOH[SHUWVVSHFLDOL]H will make it easier to determine where in helping retirees. you can save money. 2. THINK ABOUT INTEREST RATES Tackle debts with the highest LQWHUHVW UDWHV ¿UVW 3D\LQJ these down sooner rather than later will save you mo- ney. You may also be able to consolidate your debts (possibly by refinancing your mortgage) and thereby pay a lot less in interest. How to increase your appetite Have you noticed that your appetite isn’t what it used to be? A slower metabolism and decreased activity levels may mean you need fewer calories than you once did. Alternatively, certain medical is- sues and medications may cause your appetite to shrink. Plus, your taste buds can change as you get older, making meals you once enjoyed seem bland and unappealing. However, though there may be perfectly legitimate reasons for the reduction in your appetite, not eating enough can lead WR VLJQL¿FDQW ZHLJKW ORVV DQG PDOQXWUL- tion. Here are a few ways to make meals more appealing and to get the calories and nutrients you need. • Use spices and herbs. Try to avoid using excessive salt and sugar to improve taste, as these can be unhealthy. • Eat with others. 6RPHVHQLRUV¿QGFRR- NLQJIRURQHGLI¿FXOWRUORVHWKHLUDS- petite due to depression or loneliness. If you’re faced with this issue, invite friends and family members to join you for meals. Alternatively, consider plan- ning weekly meals with a church or com- munity group in your area. • Pack your meals with calories. A large plate of food may seem daunting when you’re used to eating small meals. There- fore, instead of upping your portion sizes, add nutrient- and calorie-dense foods to your meals and snacks like avocado, nuts, whole milk products and olive oil. (PEUDFH ¿QJHU IRRGV Do arthritis or VKDN\KDQGVPDNHXVLQJXWHQVLOVGLI¿- cult? If so, choose meals that can be eaten with your hands like sandwiches, fruit and pizza. If none of these prac- tices help, meal re- placement drinks can provide you with the calories you need to ÀRXULVK ,W PD\ DOVR be a good idea to ask your doctor about appetite-enhancing medications. 4 reasons to go back to school as a senior If you’re looking for something to do when 4. Avoid isolation. Social isolation is a se- rious concern for seniors and going back you retire, consider going back to school. It to school can help prevent it. Some classes FDQEHDFKDOOHQJLQJHQJDJLQJDQGIXO¿OOLQJ DUH VSHFL¿FDOO\ GHVLJQHG IRU ROGHU VWX way to occupy your golden years. Here are dents, which allows you to learn new some reasons it may be right for you. skills while building your network. Social connections can be a source of support )LQDQFLDO EHQH¿WV Learning new skills at and improve your overall quality of life. school could lead to you securing an addi- tional source of income, thereby making your retirement more comfortable and kee- Many universities and colleges offer dis- ping you busy to boot. If, for any reason, counted rates for senior students, and you you need to stay employed after you reach may be able to audit some classes for free. the age of retirement, developing new skills This information is usually available online. or honing the ones you have could open Otherwise, you can call the institution you’re LQWHUHVWHGLQWR¿QGRXWPRUH the door to better jobs. )XO¿OO \RXU \RXU JRDOV )XO¿OO JRDOV Many Many people people end up up putting their youthful end putting aside aside their youthful DVSLUDWLRQVWRGHDOZLWKWKH¿QDQ- DVSLUDWLRQVWRGHDOZLWKWKH¿QDQ- cial realities realities of life. this of type of cial of life. In this In type case, retirement retirement be an oppor- case, could could be an oppor- tunity for for to pursue tunity you you to pursue passions passions if preplanned funeral arrangements are you had had to put on and hold com- and com- you to put on hold plete courses, courses, or even a degree, plete or even a degree, in a in a transferable from one funeral home to ¿HOGRIVWXG\\RXORYH another. The simple answer is yes, they are. ¿HOGRIVWXG\\RXORYH M any people have been asking And the process is easy. 3590 3. Be Be mentally mentally stimulated. Research 3. stimulated. Research suggests seniors who are men- suggests that that seniors who are men- Call Loveland tally active active less likely tally are are less likely to show to show signs of of Alzheimer’s or signs Alzheimer’s disease disease or Funeral Chapel dementia. Plus, taking dementia. Plus, taking courses courses can can today, and let us take care KDYH EHQH¿FLDO EHQH¿FLDO SV\FKRORJLFDO HI- KDYH SV\FKRORJLFDO HI- fects and and provide you some- with some- of the details for you. fects provide you with thing to to focus on work and towards. work towards. thing focus on and and Union County’s Crematory 1508 Fourth St. 541-963-5022 For help with ALL your Medicare Coverage options LOCALLY! 541-975-1364 Toll Free 1-866-282-1925 www.reed-insurance.net WILDFLOWER LODGE DEMENTIA CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP Join us for our monthly support group created for family members or caregivers just like you. This group will help get you re-energized by sharing, talking through challenges and building a mutual support system. Every 1st & 3rd Wednesday | October – December | Noon – 1 p.m. 508 16th Street | LaGrande, OR 97850 For more information on upcoming topics, please call 541-780-0769. Assisted Living | Memory Care | 70M256 WWW.SENIORLIFESTYLE.COM CONFUSED? 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