Three Numbers to Know to Prevent Heart Disease

The equation for a healthy heart is pretty simple: all you need to know are three numbers to help prevent heart disease.

 

By Diana Rodriguez

Medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH

 

If you're active and you feel healthy, you may think you've got plenty of time before you have to start worrying about medical issues like heart disease.  But don't assume that you have a healthy heart just because you haven't been diagnosed with heart disease. The beginnings of heart disease could be present in your body even if you feel well.

To know whether you’re at risk, you need to know three numbers: your cholesterol, your blood pressure, and your waist circumference.

Cholesterol Numbers

High cholesterol puts you at risk for heart disease and other cardiovascular problems, such as stroke. Cholesterol is often reported as a single number referred to as “total cholesterol”. But there are both bad and good forms of cholesterol. The bad kind — LDL cholesterol — flows through your blood and sticks to the inside your blood vessels, forming plaques and making it tough for blood to flow freely and get to your heart and brain. The good cholesterol — HDL — can help to minimize this damage. Your levels of LDL and HDL cholesterol are more important than your total cholesterol level.

If your total cholesterol is too high — above 200 mg/dL — you also need to know your LDL cholesterol level. Your LDL cholesterol should ideally be below 100 mg/dL, says C. Noel Bairey Merz, MD, spokesperson for the American College of Cardiology and director of the Women's Heart Center and the Preventive and Rehabilitative Cardiac Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. And you want your HDL cholesterol to be as high as possible; 60 mg/dL or higher is the most protective level for your heart.

Blood Pressure Numbers

High blood pressure can make your arteries rigid instead of flexible, which can also restrict blood flow to essential areas such as your heart and brain. When your blood pressure numbers go up, you're at an increased risk of developing heart disease or having a heart attack or stroke.

Ideally, you want your blood pressure numbers at 120/80 or below. Prehypertension is considered anything above that level up to 139/89, and full-blown hypertension is 140/90 and up. If you fall into these categories, it's time to take action to help prevent heart disease.

Waist Size

You may already know that obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease — and it's a huge problem in the United States. If you carry your weight in your belly (think of a body shape like an apple), you're at an even greater risk. Women should have a waist circumference of no more than 35 inches, while men need to stay below 40 inches. Above those measurements, heart disease risk rises.

Keeping Tabs on Your Numbers

Knowing your heart-health numbers is one of the first steps in preventing heart disease.

While you may know if your waist size is getting too large, high cholesterol and high blood pressure usually don’t cause symptoms. So it’s important to have these numbers checked regularly by a family physician. If the numbers start creeping up, your doctor can advise whether you need to take medication.

The best option to prevent heart disease is to keep your heart numbers in control before they get too high. And monitoring these numbers regularly is key to a healthy heart.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

The signs of bipolar disorder can vary, but are often a combination of extreme highs and extreme lows.

By Krisha McCoy, MS

Medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH

People with bipolar disorder can have a range of symptoms. Many experience dramatic mood swings, going from emotional highs to emotional lows with more normal moods in between, while others have much milder mood changes.

Bipolar Symptoms: Mania

Mania is a term that describes the emotional highs of bipolar disorder. Mania, or a manic episode, is usually characterized by feelings of extreme energy, restlessness, or irritability.
In general, symptoms of a manic episode may include:

• High energy, excessive activity, and/or restlessness
• Overly good mood
• Irritability
• Fast, erratic talking
• Racing thoughts
• Inability to concentrate
• Little need for sleep
• Feelings of power
• Poor judgment
• Reckless spending
• High sex drive
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Aggression
• Refusal to admit that there is a problem

The severity of manic symptoms can vary in bipolar disorder, and most people will not experience all symptoms. In some forms of bipolar disorder, people will experience hypomania, a milder form of mania that usually feels good. People who are experiencing hypomania often can function well and be more productive than usual. But if left untreated, hypomania can develop into severe mania or can change to depression.

If your elevated or irritable mood is accompanied by manic symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least one week, your doctor may diagnose a manic episode.

Bipolar Symptoms: Depression

In bipolar disorder, manic episodes alternate with periods of emotional lows, which are known as depressive episodes. Signs of a depressive episode may include:

• Sadness, anxiety, or a feeling of emptiness
• Hopelessness
• Feelings of guilt, feeling worthless, or feeling helpless
• Lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyable, such as sex
• Low energy
• Trouble with concentration or memory
• Restlessness or irritability
• Excessive sleeping or insomnia
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Pain or other physical symptoms not explained by an illness or injury
• Thoughts of death, or suicidal thoughts or attempts

A diagnosis of depressive episodes is made if at least five of these symptoms are present for most of the day, nearly every day, for two weeks or longer.

Bipolar Symptoms: Mood Swings

Symptoms of mania and depression can vary dramatically among people with bipolar disorder. All people with bipolar disorder experience mood swings, but the severity of these mood swings can vary.

In the form of bipolar disorder known as bipolar I, there are recurrent episodes of mania and depression. In bipolar II, severe mania never develops, but periods of hypomania alternate with depressive episodes.

The severity and symptoms of bipolar disorder can change over time, and the way the condition is treated may need to change as well.

If you are experiencing mood swings that are disrupting your life, speak to your doctor, who can recommend a mental health professional. Mental health professionals can talk with you about the symptoms, and diagnose and treat bipolar disorder if that is necessary.

Medication and other therapies can help you manage the bipolar symptoms and smooth out the highs and lows that interfere with living a normal, productive life.

Source:  www.everydayhealth.com

Greater Purpose For Internet Communities and Games in Caregiving

More than 65 million Americans are caregivers to family members with a vast array of illnesses, including Alzheimer's Disease, advanced diabetes, Parkinson's Disease and many others, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. Government data show they experience a higher risk of stroke, double the rate of chronic health conditions and enjoy a 40% to 70% increase in the rate of suffering from depression. In addition, they cost U.S. businesses more than $33billion in lost productivity, which makes job security an additional source of stress.
"What's more is that caregivers never give themselves a break," says Sharon Brothers, a social worker with nearly two decades experience with caregivers and their families. "Most caregivers are adding this role on top of their work, their children, marriage and other commitments. Just finding time for a break can seem impossible, given the increased demands on an already busy life."
A Cyber Space Solution

Brothers is also executive vice president of Caregiver Village, an omnibus internet community and resource hub for caregivers that includes expert forum hosts and even an online caregiver game. Her view is caregivers need real tools with a side order of recreation to relieve their stresses.

"Caregivers really value contact with other caregivers who share their experiences and challenges," Brothers says. "Despite the large numbers of people affected, you'd be amazed how alone they often feel. And the truth is that no matter the situation that made them a caregiver, many of the challenges they face are the same. They have more in common with each other than just about any other group of Americans."
Gaming the Stress Away

The lack of recreation is also a factor, which is why Brothers and the Caregiver Village team created an interactive online game for caregivers to help them enjoy a little guilt-free entertainment.

"Computer games are being used productively in a wide array of critical pursuits," says Brothers. "Just recently it was announced that a group of gamers used a puzzle game they created to help AIDS researchers map a key enzyme that could be used as a protease inhibitor for AIDS patients. Researchers had worked for 10 years to unlock the code that gamers deciphered in three weeks. If they can use games to save lives, we figured we could use a game that is based on the mission of caregiving to offer people a little relief from their daily grind.
"We've divided the game into episodes that can be played in a short amount of time and we've embedded information that can help caregivers in their mission," continues Brothers. "That way, they don't have to feel guilty about playing it -- they're actually learning from it. At the end of the day, we believe some of these elements can help bring a little stress relief to people whose days never truly end."
Info:Sharon Brothers, Executive VP of Caregiver Village, holds a masters degree in social work from the University of British Columbia. She built and managed some of the very first specialty care centers for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia in both Washington and California, and has more recently developed an e-learning company for caregiving professionals. She works with family caregivers both in
Caregiver Village and in her leadership of a family support group for her community hospital.
Caregiver Institute LLC, the parent company of Caregiver Village, is headquartered at 12 East 49th Street, 40th Floor, New York, NY, 10017; phone: 212/355-1954.
To learn more about Caregiver Village, please visit http://www.caregivervillage.com/

Feeling Lousy? Here's What You Should (and Shouldn't) Eat

By Charles Stuart Platkin

When you have one of the following aliments, there are certain foods and/or activities that can make you feel either better or worse. What are they and why?

Condition: Headache

What is it?
Headaches come in many forms, but all cause pain in the area of the upper head and skull. The pain may be dull and steady or throbbing, on one side or both. Visual changes, nausea and vomiting may also occur, says Holly L. Phillips, M.D., the medical correspondent for CBS 2 News and an internist in New York City. According to the National Institutes of Health, there are four types of headaches: “vascular, muscle contraction (tension), traction and inflammatory. The most common type of vascular headache is migraine.”

Does food cause or affect this condition?
Many foods are thought to trigger headaches. Some of the biggest offenders: aged foods (in particular cheese and red wine) and tyramine (which is a breakdown product of amino acids, basically a metabolic waste product) found in foods like canned, cured or processed meats, pickles, canned soups and nuts. Foods with preservatives and additives (sausage, hot dogs, luncheon meats, MSG in Chinese food), can also cause headaches, says Phillips.

Alcohol can cause headaches through dehydration or, some say, the byproducts associated with the metabolism of alcohol. But, according to George R. Nissan, D.O., of the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago and spokesperson for the National Headache Foundation, alcohol is not necessarily a trigger, whereas red wine, sparkling wine and beer (particularly draft), because they’re aged, can cause headaches.

Cold foods and liquids may also trigger headaches. Controlled trials suggest that caffeine withdrawal can increase the likelihood of migraine and tension headaches. There is also some evidence that missing meals could cause headaches.

Some foods that contain niacin (even some specialty waters such as Propel contain this nutrient) can cause headaches because niacin is a vasodilator, says Nissan. There is also some controversy surrounding the use of artificial sweeteners, in particular Aspartame, and headaches; however, according to Nissan, there is not enough supportive evidence, and it is still anecdotal. And there is no particular physiological mechanism for Aspartame to cause headaches, says Nissan.

What should I eat?
If dehydration (e.g. after drinking alcohol) is contributing to the headache, drink electrolyte-rich fluids like Gatorade or clear juices. Ginger ale is also a stomach-soothing hangover option. You should also have more water, adds Nissan.

What foods shouldn’t I eat?
Avoid any known triggers as above.

Should I avoid physical activity?
Avoid exercise if you’re dehydrated, says Phillips. However, regular exercise, such as swimming or vigorous walking, can also reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches.

Condition: Vomiting and Nausea What is it?
Nausea is, according to the National Institutes of Health, “an unpleasant, wavelike sensation experienced in the back of the throat and/or the epigastrium [the upper-middle part of the abdomen] that may or may not culminate in vomiting.” Vomiting is not an illness in itself; rather, it’s a symptom of another illness. It’s the forceful expulsion or spitting up of food (the contents of your stomach) associated with contractions of the stomach and nausea, says Phillips.

Does food cause or affect this condition?
Having too much of any food often exacerbates vomiting, says Phillips. Also, according to Lisa Feinberg, M.D., a doctor of pediatric gastroenterology at the Cleveland Clinic, “Vomiting can be prevented, once nausea sets in, by consuming small amounts of clear, sugary liquids such as soda, fruit juices and popsicles.”

If you are trying to prevent nausea, eat small meals throughout the day, eat slowly, avoid hard-to-digest foods and avoid foods that have smells (you might have to eat cold foods, because heating foods up creates odor). If you wake up nauseated, eat crackers in the morning or have a low-fat, high-protein snack before you go to sleep, says Feinberg.

What should I eat?
For vomiting, Phillips recommends starting with 4-ounce portions of clear liquids (chicken broth, apple juice, ginger ale), then work your way up to soft foods like Jell-O, bananas, rice, applesauce and oatmeal. It’s most important to avoid dehydration, she adds. Feinberg says to “Consume your foods and drinks slowly and eat smaller, more frequent meals. Do not mix hot and cold foods. Avoid brushing your teeth after eating. Choose foods from all the food groups as you can tolerate them to get adequate nutrition.”

Are there certain foods that I should definitely NOT eat?
Avoid milk and dairy products as they can contribute to nausea, says Phillips. And according to Feinberg, for nausea you “should avoid fried, greasy or sweet foods.”

Should I avoid physical activity?
Avoid exercise to prevent further dehydration. Plus, activity might make nausea worse and could lead to increased likelihood of vomiting.

Condition: Diarrhea

What it is it?
Diarrhea is characterized by frequent, loose, watery stools. It is usually not an illness in itself but rather a symptom of another illness, says Phillips.

Does food cause or affect this condition?
“Food poisoning” is a common cause of diarrhea. It may be viral or bacterial and can be spread by contaminated food products. Diarrhea can be caused by an acute problem, such as an infection (usually viral) or a food intolerance (such as lactose). Chronic diarrhea can be caused by intestinal diseases (like celiac sprue or ulcerative colitis) or functional bowel disorders (like irritable bowel syndrome, also known as "spastic colon"), says James Tebbe, M.D., a doctor of internal medicine at the Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans.

What should I eat?
With diarrhea, one should drink plenty of clear liquids (water, juices, bouillon/broth) to help prevent dehydration. Sugared liquids are preferred, because they provide calories as well. “I often recommend half-strength sports drinks (like Gatorade), to add some electrolytes (like potassium and sodium). I usually don’t recommend OTC (over-the-counter) diarrhea medications. Some intestinal infections can be made worse by these medications,” says Tebbe. Some encourage the BRAT diet: Bananas (great for potassium), Rice, Applesauce and Toast. If the diarrhea is accompanied by nausea, ice chips may help.

Are there certain foods that I should definitely NOT eat?
Avoid fatty, greasy foods, which may worsen symptoms. Avoid alcohol and spicy foods, which can also worsen diarrhea. And, according to Tebbe, once symptoms are controlled for 24 hours, the diet can be advanced slowly. Start with starches (breads, pastas, etc.), then eggs and lean meats. Avoid dairy products, spicy foods and fried foods for about one week.

Should I avoid physical activity?
You can resume physical activity in a few days, once your fluid losses have been replaced. “If your urine is clear, you're probably well-hydrated. If your urine is dark, you probably still need to replace some of the fluid loss. Also remember that your stamina will not be exactly what it was before your illness,” says Tebbe.

Talking About Independent Living

As your parents get older, they probably will feel very strongly about wanting to continue living independently, despite health problems or other concerns. While adult children often worry about their parents’ situation, it can be difficult to know whether they need or want their children’s help. Finding out what to do means talking with your parents about issues such as their health, finances, and day-to-day capabilities. Because such topics can make both parents and children uncomfortable, many families never discuss, until a crisis occurs, what might be needed for parents to remain living independently.

What You Can Do

For your parents’ welfare and your peace of mind, it’s important to have family conversations about staying at home before problems arise. In fact, an AARP survey found that most parents feel better about having this discussion when things are going well, as part of the planning for their future. Here are some tips for beginning the conversation, dealing with resistance, focusing on the most important points, and keeping the conversation positive.

Beginning the Conversation

For many adult children, finding the right way to bring up the subject of independent living is a major stumbling block. Experts in communication and aging suggest the following ways to break the ice:

- Let your parents know what you need.
Example: “What kind of help would you want if you were not able to do everything yourself and you wanted to continue to live safely in your home?”

- Share your own emotions about your parents’ changing situation, and encourage them to do the same.
Example: “Dad, I know you’ve always prided yourself on being independent. I imagine it’s very difficult for you to ask for help. Is that right?”

- Raise the issues indirectly, related to someone else’s experience or something you have read about or seen on the news.
Example: “I know you’re taking pills for arthritis, your heart, and cholesterol. How do you keep track of which pills to take when? Would it help if you had one of those medication organizers you can buy in the drugstore? There is a compartment for each day of the week so you can put all your pills in at the beginning of the week, and then know if you’ve taken what you need for each day.”

- Watch for openings your parents give.
Example: “You mentioned having problems with your eyesight. Have you seen the eye doctor lately? How does it affect what you normally do, like reading or driving?”

- Give your parents a list of questions or concerns you have about their current and future situations, and schedule a later time to sit down and talk about them. (Consider your own relationship with your parents when attempting this.)
Dealing with Resistance

Your parents may not want to talk about these issues; in fact, some resistance is normal. They may put you off with reassuring statements or tell you to mind your own business. Should you back off or stick with it? Professionals offer this advice:

- Respect your parents’ feelings when they make it clear they want to avoid a subject. You may want to try again another time using another approach.

- Consider pushing the issue if your parents’ health or safety is at risk. This must be a personal decision, recognizing your parents’ right to be in charge of their own lives. Other kinds of crisis situations may also increase your sense of urgency, such as health care expenses depleting a bank account or parents denying the need for critical legal documents.

- Act firmly, but with compassion, if you decide you cannot avoid intervening.
Example: “Dad, we can’t ignore this any longer. We have to deal with it.”

- Involve others, such as other family members or a third party that your parent respects. You may want to hold a family meeting during which everyone discusses concerns and develops a specific, mutually acceptable plan to resolve them.

- Find out on your own about community resources to help older people remain independent, such as transportation or home health care. Then, if it’s clear to you that your parents do need assistance, you’ll be ready to share the options with them.

Focusing on Key Points

The first topic to address is your parents’ own perceptions about their current needs, concerns, worries about the future, and hopes and goals for their older years. Guessing or making assumptions about your parent’s preferences and needs can be destructive. While each situation is unique, major issues that can affect an older parent’s ability to remain independent include those listed below:

- Where they live.
Questions to ask: Is your home still appropriate for your needs? Can you still manage the stairs in your home, or could you do better on only one floor? Does your home have safety hazards that could be removed? Could simple modifications make it easier or more convenient? Should you think about living somewhere else?

- Everyday activities.
Questions to ask: Do you need help with household chores, such as cleaning, fixing meals, or taking care of the house or yard? Does trouble seeing interfere with your daily activities? Can you hear a knock at the door or the telephone ring?

- Getting around.
Questions to ask: Can you get out to your doctor appointments? Is driving the car getting difficult? Do you have reliable transportation for shopping, medical visits, religious services, and visiting with family and friends?

- Health.
Questions to ask: What health problems do you have? Are your prescriptions current? Have you been to your doctor lately? What did he or she say about your health? Did the doctor review all your medications for possible bad reactions? Are you having any problems with taking your medications? Could you use some help remembering what pills to take and when to take them? Can you pay for the medicines the doctor tells you to take?

- Money.
This topic is a particularly tricky area for adult children and their parents to discuss. You may want to be less direct than the following questions, depending on your comfort level.
Questions to ask: What are your current and likely future bills? Can you pay for what you need? Do you need help getting government or pension benefits? Would it be useful to get financial planning help to make your money last? Are your Social Security and pension checks deposited directly in the bank? Is all your financial information in one place? What about getting extra income from the equity in your house? Have you thought about how you might need money in the future to help pay for assistance with everyday activities you might not be able to do yourself? Do you have any bills you can’t pay?

- Paying for health care.
Questions to ask: What kind of health insurance do you have? Medicare? Medicaid? Other insurance, such as a Medigap supplement policy? Has it paid your health care bills so far? Do you have long-term care insurance or life insurance? Have you paid your insurance premiums, and are they up-to-date? Would you like some help in filling out forms like insurance claims? Have you been told that insurance won’t cover some medical tests or procedures that the doctor has ordered? Do you have any questions about Medicare or Medicaid?

While you probably won’t want to discuss all these matters in one conversation, they are issues to keep in mind and to raise as your parents’ situation changes. You may want to ask your parents what issues concern them the most.

Keeping It Positive

Even in the closest families, communicating with parents about their needs is likely to require focus and determination. Several strategies can help keep your interactions positive and productive.

- Use communication that states your concern in the “I” form. Terms like “I feel,” “I need,” or “I expect” are less threatening than “you” statements.
Example: “I’m feeling concerned that you may fall coming down the stairs. I could put a 100-watt bulb at the bottom of the stairs and install a handrail. That would make the stairs safer for everyone.” NOT "Going upstairs in your condition is ridiculous. You’re sure to fall.”

- Avoid role reversal. Talking to parents and helping them meet their needs doesn’t mean you are "parenting” them. The most productive interactions come when parents and adult children are equal in the relationship.

- Be prepared to let your parents make their own life choices, even if you don’t agree with them. Your parents have a right to make their own decisions (as long as they are not cognitively impaired with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia). Growing older does not diminish that right. Even when they make what you consider an unsafe choice, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are no longer capable of living independently. You should set your own limits as to how involved you can be, so that their decisions don’t run your life.

Article written by AARP.

Elder Care Case Management by Touching Hearts Senior Care

Touching Hearts Senior Care is a privately owned company that specializes in offering assistance to seniors to help them maintain their independence. THSC provides in-home non-medical services to seniors and those with disabilities. As such, THSC's caregivers can help with anything ranging from light housekeeping and laundry to bathing and dressing needs to incidental transportation. All THSC caregivers are thoroughly screened before hire and are licensed, bonded, and insured. Caregivers are available for time frames ranging from one hour to around-the-clock care.

THSC also specializes in Elder Care Case Management. With these services, THSC Case Managers are able to help older adults and their loved ones with all of the following:

CARE MANAGEMENT
THSC works with older adults and their loved ones to develop a plan of care and services that promotes autonomy and independence. We assist with Long-term Care Policy Reviews, Asset Protection Planning, Alabama Medicaid Exempt Trust Accounts, and Medicaid/VA Eligibility.

FAMILY MEDIATION
We work with the older adult and their loved ones to facilitate communication and informed decision making. This process can help avoid expensive and emotionally taxing court involvement. Voluntary mediation can help families confidentially settle disputes concerning: Care assessment and assignment of responsibilities; Living arrangements; Who should be appointed power of attorney, health care proxy, etc.; How finances should be managed; Estate and trust planning and administration.

DAILY MONEY MANAGEMENT
We encourage individuals to remain in control while receiving the right amount of support in an effort to avoid errors that could potentially lead to both financial loss and loss of independence. We can assist the senior with any of the following: Paying bills and resolving billing discrepancies; Identifying need to create or update important legal documents; Inventorying documents for monthly budget and year-end tax planning; Negotiating with creditors.

MEDICAID AND VETERAN'S BENEFITS
We can help in accessing public and private benefits and entitlements, and can answer the following questions: How can I qualify for Medicaid and still protect my home and assets? How do I possibly avoid Medicaid spend-down and understand look-back periods? What is a Medicaid Exempt Trust and how does it benefit me? Do I understand VA benefits and what is Aid & Attendance? Do I understand what my long-term care policy provides?

PATIENT NAVIGATION
Have you or a loved one just been released from the hospital? We can help you identify and prioritize your unique needs such as utilizing employee benefits and health and long-term care insurance claim reconciliation.

Questions? Please contact Certified Senior Advisor Gina Germany
Phone 251.445.4204
gina@touchingheartsseniorcare.com

Ten tips to help you adjust to retirement....

1. Partial disengagement - In order to transition smoothly, you must partially disengage yourself from your full time working life. This isn't to say that you must go cold turkey. Instead, you have to develop a different mindset that retirement, although a time for change, is a period of new growth and a time for self fulfillment. At this point, many go from full time to part time and some go from full time to no work at all. Trust your instincts and go with what you feel works for you.

2. Changing our image - You must change your internal image about what your career means. After all, don't focus on 'What am I to do now that I'm retired?" instead think "What will I become once I'm refocused and retired?" Therefore, you have to change your perception and realize that you can succeed as a retiree if you believe that you can.

3. Appreciating ourselves - Remember that you're a unique individual and you need to celebrate this fact, every single day! Your personal worth is far beyond the work you did in the past. You have so much to give and contribute to the world and retirement is the perfect time to let your "inner light shine" and let this light shine as far as you can see.

4. Staying connected - You should be committed to interacting with people with whom you have a common interest. Finding such people can be done by improving your social life to include more people, places and things. Make it a point to get to know people with similar interests as yours. Join clubs and groups, participate in activities, and have a great time.

5. Remain active - Do not think of retirement as only a period of rest and relaxation. Times have changed, and so has the concept of retirement. Being inactive is "OK" if this is all that you want to do. This is about you. Some people take a period of a few months to a year to just cool out and relax before moving on into a more active life. Whether you decide to be "active" or "inactive" and how long, it is totally up to you. You know yourself better than anyone else and you must do whatever makes you happy.

6. Consider your options- Consider your many available options. Whether you 'ease' into retirement, take a course at a college, or work some part time job or pursue a volunteer position, do what you want to do and let no one tell you what you need to do while in retirement. This is your personal time and you are in control of your life.

7. Increase our knowledge - There is no end to educating yourselves. As long as you've got breath in your body, you should increase your knowledge base. After all, learning is a lifelong process and there are many things that you can do to increase your knowledge and in the process share your knowledge with others. For instance, you can learn computers. You can learn how they operate, how to fix them, and many other things. The possibilities are endless.

8. Explore Your Dreams - Retirement is a perfect time to fulfill your dreams, especially now that you have some time to devote primarily to your needs. Take some time and really think about what you want to accomplish in life and then make those dreams a reality!

9. Join a Cause - Retirement does not mean that you are worthless. To derive a feeling of self worth and fulfillment, commit yourself to a worthy cause that you truly believe in. For instance, you might chose to help people become aware of the devastation of HIV or breast cancer.

10. Maintaining youthful attitude - Retirement from a job does not mean that you give up everything and retire to 'watering plants'. Just because you are so does not mean you have to act your age! It is the attitude that counts.

Redefining yourself after retirement is not as difficult as you might imagine. By maintaining a youthful attitude, joining a cause, exploring your dreams, increasing your knowledge, considering your options, remaining active, staying connected, appreciating ourselves, changing your image and partially disengaging from work force, you can redefine yourself.