​Being a retired employee means that you will be living off your retirement savings or insurance funds. You have worked so hard all these years to generate a steady income and prepare for your retirement years. Now there are three things you can do when you retire. One, you can spend your savings to enjoy all the good things life has to offer. Two, you can start a business. Or three, you can have the best of both worlds–start a business that you love and enjoy it!

​There are countless business ideas that you can start with. Especially with your experience, no matter what field you excelled in, there must be at least one expertise, idea, or hobby that you know could be a moneymaker. From consulting and coaching to selling expert services, for sure you can find one that best suits you. Even if you’re one of many retirees in active living communities, there’s no reason not to get those creative juices flowing and come up with a business idea.

​After you get a promising idea that shows great potential for success, it’s now time to get funding to start turning the idea into reality. If you don’t want to touch your retirement savings, or maybe your savings are not enough for startup capital, you can consider getting small business loans that offer affordable interest. You can also look at grants that the government or enterprises are offering and see if you are qualified to apply.

​Building your small business from the ground up may require a lot of legwork and networking, which may be hard for you to do all by yourself. You can hire a trustworthy and qualified individual to help you get your business off the ground. It would be best to get someone who is knowledgeable about business processing, marketing, and sales.

​When you get everything ready–your (home) office has been set up, you get people on board, and you are ready for your first client, it’s time to market your new business. The quickest and cheapest way to get your business out there is through word-of-mouth and the use of social media marketing. If you are not familiar with this, for sure your hired marketing expert does. Brief your employees or your contractors about your business and branding and let them do the rest. Of course, have everything approved by you first before they put out the marketing campaigns.

​Do well on handling your first client. If you promise good services or a good experience with your product and the customer’s expectations are met, chances are, you will land your next customer right away. This is the power of referrals. Always do well to keep away from having bad reviews and scaring your target customers away.

​Your small business can turn into an enterprise someday, especially if it has a potential to become one and you work hard to reach success. Your small business can become the legacy you pass on to your children. There’s nothing better to impart to your children and their families than the stability of their future. Enjoy what it has to give to you and your family. Do it for passion and purpose, not just for the money.

Of the 35 million adults in the United States who are over the age of 65, approximately 6.5 million suffer from depression. 

If you have a parent or loved one who is exhibiting signs of depression (feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy, increased fatigue), it can be hard to know what to do to help them feel more like their old self. 

These four tips are a great place to start when it comes to caring for a loved one who’s battling depression.

Several studies show that regular physical activity has a major impact on older adults’ happiness and general health. 

Not only does exercise aid in the production of endorphins, chemicals that minimize pain and promote positive feelings, but it’s also essential for seniors who want to maintain their independence. 

Seniors who exercise on a regular basis -- specifically those who lift weights and focus on building strength -- are less likely to suffer from falls and fractures that can severely limit their mobility.

Regular social interaction is also important, especially for seniors who live alone. In addition to helping seniors feel happier and more optimistic, some other benefits that come with an active social life include:

• Lower levels of inflammatory factors related to conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis
• Greater preference for healthy eating and maintaining healthy habits like avoiding smoking
• Decreased blood pressure

There are lots of ways to help seniors get more social time. Arrange for family members to drop by on a regular basis, or encourage them to attend events at a local senior center. 

If they struggle with physical limitations caused by illness or aging, it’s easy for seniors to start to feel depressed and isolated. 

One way to minimize these feelings is to outfit their home with tools that promote independence and make daily tasks easier. Some tools that many seniors can benefit from include:

• Writing aids that improve control and ability to grip a pen or pencil
• Doorknob adapters to make opening and closing doors less taxing
• Reaching tools to make tasks like cleaning and cooking easier
• Portable handrails to help them get in and out of cars with ease
• Portable toilets so those managing incontinence can prevent potentially embarrassing accidents

Many seniors are hesitant to seek out a psychiatrist on their own to treat their depression, but you should still try to encourage your parent or loved one to sit down with a professional and talk about what they’re experiencing. 

You may also want to see if they’re willing to let you participate in the appointment with them. 

Seeing a psychiatrist might be less intimidating if you’re present. You’ll also be familiar with the psychiatrist’s recommendations and can make sure they’re following their advice and taking medications as prescribed.

It can be hard to see a parent or loved one struggle with depression. But, fortunately, there are lots of ways that you can help them feel better. Be sure to keep these tips in mind and don’t forget to be on the lookout for early signs of depression.

Letterheads are to photographers as offers for product providers. Letterheads are the headings of official internal and external documents. They usually include your name and address, logo and personalized elements that emphasize your photography style. 

Letterheads empower your photographer brand. By including it, you will look professional to collaborators and potential clients. The letterhead works as a logo maker which also includes essential information that customers no longer need to write down or keep on a card. This paper representation of your photography brand creates credibility. It takes part in marketing or business communication that you inevitably encounter throughout your career. Documents are usually necessary when you are hired for an event or a business photo shoot and you sign preliminary papers.

Each photographer has a unique style that defines his or her work. You can emphasize it once more through the letterhead templates for each occasion. You download a personal letterhead design or create your own by following the guidelines of main categories of business communication.

1. Standard: The standard letterhead template is the back-up you need for any occasion. You might sign a contract with a collaborating photographer, an equipment supplier or send a press release for a project. These letterheads are useful even when you make a price offer to an event hall or let brands know of your work. 
2. Business: The business template works for every contract you will sign with clients. If you take pictures at an event, you can also include flyers with your letterhead. Additionally, this should feature a formal design with your name and address one one side of the head. You can create a modern design for the template, but make sure it follows the official style of the documents.
3. Customized: You can create a template design that emphasized your photography style and unique elements. After all, these are the reasons why some clients choose your work instead of other photographers. You can use the customized letterhead for updates and news regarding your projects, and informal communication. Think about even including pictures or quotes.
4. Event: If you want to pitch for a wedding, a halloween party, romantic occassions or Christmas holidays, then the event letterhead is suitable. This template shows consideration for the client’s request. You can insert a specific element or color for the event and even update your logo with that element. It’s not avisable to use such a template for the following communication with the client. However, first impression matters and can make you stand out. 
5. Specialized: This template work best for internal communication, such as potential suppliers, collaborators and offer distributors. If you own a small photography business, then you can also use it to communicate with employees. Also, they work for sending offers to companies that organize certain events. This template looks both corporate and personalized, as it shows your values and mission. You can make more specialized template designs to ensure you cover all such occassions.

​For some, living alone is a dream come true, with your own space, the relaxing quiet, and a rewarding sense of independence as you age in place. However, in your senior years, your body is not what it used to be, and when there is no one immediately by your side, some additional concerns are bound to come up. Ease your family’s mind (and yours) with these essential tips for seniors who live alone:

First and foremost, you need to ensure that your fitness is still functioning at a reasonable level, no excuses. Thankfully, improving your physical condition can be as simple as getting out of the house and walking around as much as possible. The fresh air will help destress and calm you, the movement will strengthen your muscles and bones to avoid falls, and the outdoor scenery will rejuvenate your spirit and minimize your brooding.

Exercise is nothing, however, without a healthy diet to complement it. Stock up on lean protein, colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat alternatives, without forgetting to drink plenty of water. If mobility is a concern for you, look at online services who will deliver groceries to your door, and while you’re at it, ask if there is an option to order your medication too! 

​Speaking of medication, you should regularly go for health check-ups and speak to your doctor about your prescriptions. Even if you are not experiencing any negative side effects, it is still a good idea to reevaluate their benefits and get a professional’s opinion about other choices on the market. During this conversation, you might want to ask if you can get some additional boxes too, as these can be your safety net if you run out and can’t get to the pharmacy for whatever reason. 

Without anyone to remind you, it is imperative to have a foolproof system which tracks your medication schedule. Set up a calendar or (for the more tech savvy) install one of the many available smartphone apps which can keep inventory of your medicine for you, alert you when it’s time to take pills, and remind you when refills are due.

One of the biggest risks that seniors face when living by themselves, is that dark feeling of loneliness, known to aggravate depression, impair physical health, and even deteriorate cognitive performance. Fortunately, there are ways to combat it: go out and see more people! Get to know your neighbors, participate in community activities, make an appearance at local gatherings, and attend classes which focus on your hobbies. 

For family members, it’s important to frequently check in with your loved ones who live alone. Establish a routine visiting agenda, and use technologies like Skype to make contact when a personal stopover isn’t possible. When you do come around, ask about these isolation troubles and review their current medication situation, but only after you’ve given them a big hug! 

The best way to deal with a fall is to not have one at all, which is why the home needs to be set up in ways to avoid this common occurrence. Walk through each room and remove any potentially dangerous trip hazards, such as loose rugs, exposed wires, and general clutter. Reorganize furniture until there is a clear path from one end of the house to the other, and confirm that each room is bright enough to see where you’re going. Install hand railings in the bathrooms and up the stairs, use non-slip covering on tiles, and purchase a fall mat to place next to the bed, preventing any potential injuries from falls at night. 

For additional peace of mind, investigate the security of your house. Are the front door and any other protective gates easy to lock? Does the neighborhood warrant an alarm system? Would a motion-activated light sensor protect against any break-ins? These are only some of the questions which need to be addressed. 

Finally, spare a thought towards preparing for the worst. If a natural disaster strikes or the power goes out, how will this affect someone without a helping hand? Minimize any severe predicaments by keeping a flashlight next to the bed, a collection of spare batteries in an easy to reach location, and a large reserve bottle of water just in case. And, of course, test those smoke alarms every week! 

​At the end of the day, accidents are going to happen, which is why there are certain essentials which cannot be overlooked. List all crucial numbers next to the phone for easy access, purchase a wearable alert system to call for help if you’re unable to move, and keep an ID bracelet on your person at all times, detailing any existing conditions to inform emergency professionals when you are unable to. 

The aftermath of a personal injury accident can be stressful, painful and can seem overwhelming. Being able to simplify, even by a small fraction, the tasks that arise as a result can help victims recover and look forward to obtaining just compensation for their injuries.

A personal injury calculator, like the one offered to victims by our team of Los Angeles personal injury lawyers helps you estimate the worth of your claim by summing up the most common types of expenses that will be incurred by a victim following an accident.

A personal injury calculator is a useful tool that provides guidance on how victims should estimate the total amount of the settlement. It can be used prior to negotiating with an insurance company or with the defendant or even prior to meeting a personal injury lawyer. 

Even if you haven’t dealt with calculating damages after an accident before, you have the opportunity to enter a discussion informed about what should be covered by the insurance company or by the party at fault.

The role of the personal injury calculator is purely an informative one and does not substitute the experience of a personal injury lawyer who will know how to approximate with more accuracy the true worth of your case.

Including all of the proper expenses

The settlement for a personal injury accident will most often include two different categories of compensations. The ones that refer strictly to economic losses and can be easily quantified are the special damages and there are those offered for non-economic damages, like pain and suffering, the general damages.

Special damages will include the compensation for medical bills, lost wages during hospitalization, property damage as well as future medical bills and future lost wages and economic opportunities, as best as they can be predicted. General damages will include those for physical pain and suffering, physical impairment and loss of companionship and/or quality of life.

The personal injury calculator helps you add up the special damages. There are five distinct categories and users are advised to fill in each category as accurately as they can. For this purpose, it is advisable to consult with your treating physician in order to estimate the value of the future medical care and even with a car repair shop to calculate the value of autovehicle damage, in vehicle accident cases. Being able to estimate each amount as accurately as possible will allow you to make a realistic prediction of the settlement and you will thus be able to adjust that amount to allow for a negotiation advantage.

Using a personal injury calculator is only a first step and seeking professional legal aid for negotiation and filing a personal injury claim is always advisable.

Did you know that almost 40% of adults over 65 report living with at least one disability? The most common disability among seniors is mobility problems, whether it’s climbing stairs or simply walking.
​Additional mobility warning signs may include:

• Difficulty standing for more than 10 minutes at a time
• Fatigue when walking short distances
• Experiencing frequent falls
• Feeling dizzy and losing balance
• Trouble navigating stairs
• Leg/foot pain, weakness, or numbness

If any of those ring true for you, you may want to talk to your doctor about using a supportive mobility aid (if you haven’t already). From canes to walkers, knee scooters, forearm crutches, manual and motorized wheelchairs, mobility aids had made great strides in the past decades in both engineering and design.

Rather than serving as a “crutch” on which you must rely to get around, mobility aids are instead meant to serve as a supportive device with empowers you to keep moving, keep exercising, and keep getting out of the house. One of the most dangerous consequences of mobility problems isn’t just your increased risk for injury if you don’t have proper support, but you’re potential social isolation and ensuing inactivity that can rapidly degrade your physical and emotional health.

If you have gotten your hands on a top-notch mobility aid to strengthen your movements and keep you active, don’t miss these 5 fun ideas for upgrading it with helpful accessories and style:

Wheelchair Bags - make sure you have everything you need with handy, portable bags and pockets that strap right onto the back or side of your wheelchair or walker. Keep personal items like your keys and phone with you at all times, and even carry around your reusable water bottle or the morning paper.

Cushions - if your wheelchair or walker is lacking in the comfort department, it might be time to upgrade to a better seat cushion. Professional-grade memory foam and gel materials have taken wheelchair cushions to the next level, offering better weight distribution to combat pressure ulcers, better alignment for your hips and spine, and more cushioning for long bouts of sitting.

Lighting - did you know you can add utility lighting to most mobility aids? Affix specially-designed mounted lighting to a cane, walker, or wheelchair and improve your own visibility (and safety) especially at night without having to hold a flashlight or your smartphone while also maneuvering your mobility aid. 

Eating tray - looking for easier ways to eat meals? Oftentimes scooting right up to the table in a wheelchair can be difficult depending on the legs and height of the table. Portable tray tables can attach to a variety of mobility aids including wheelchairs and walkers, offering seniors better access to eating their meals with ease no matter where they are. 

Flare - if mobility issues have you feeling less confident, give your mood a boost by adding some flare and style to your mobility aid. Light-ups casters that fit over your wheelchair or walker wheels add color and light when you’re on the move, and even a fun paint job or colorful tassel or tip for your cane could be a form of self-expression.

In addition to these five fun ideas, don’t forget about:

• Cup holders
• Umbrella holders
• Custom-designed cushion covers
• Grade-aids for wheelchair locks
• Extra-large brake grips

You can find a variety of mobility aid accessories online, in your local big box store, or at your local pharmacy. 

Retiring can be socially isolating. Not only does it mean that you no longer interact with your coworkers on a daily basis, but you may not be able to get together with friends and family members who are still working. You need to make a plan to make new friends and have new adventures.
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Today’s seniors are living longer, are better educated and more physically active than past generations. They have more time and more options to stay socially active as they age. Some common ways older people engage socially are going to museums and the theater, participating in activities at a senior center or joining a card club. But, there are more ways to connect with others, too. Think outside the box to stay young and engaged. Try these ideas.

​Consider taking a community or university class to meet other people with similar interests. Pick subjects that you’ve always wanted to learn more about, such as biology, political science, history, psychology or foreign languages. Or take a class that can help you learn a new hobby or skill, such as photography, scrapbooking art or carpentry. Keep up with advances in technology by enrolling in computer or technology classes. Some universities have classes designed for seniors without tests or credits and may be offered for free. Check if a college near you offers this perk. 

​Some people start a second career or pick up new skills on the job. Try something new like becoming an Uber/Lyft driver or go back to school or launch a new business or foundation. 

​Get involved in special clubs with events like recreational vehicle groups, quilting clubs, fishing groups, religious study groups, travel groups, society or book clubs. Whether it’s a passion you’ve had your whole life or a newfound interest you want to try, exploring a hobby with a group can expose you to new ideas and adventures. 

​Volunteer your time at schools, churches, libraries, non-profit organizations and community centers. Find something you are passionate about. It is a great way to get together socially with others who have interests similar to yours and help those in need. It also gives purpose to life.

It’s important to stay physically active as you age. Check out groups that provide both physical and social activities, such as dance, yoga, charity walks, biking groups, swimming, golf, pickle ball or lawn bowling. You could even become a referee for your favorite sport.
​
Some activities are open to all age groups, while others are for seniors only. Silver Sneakers is a program designed to keep adults 65 years and older healthy and moving. The program includes 13,000 participating facilities, such as YMCAs, across the U.S. It offers access to exclusive fitness classes, meetups and even Medicare health plans. As a member, you can attend any participating gyms at any time. 
Opportunities abound. It may take a step out of your comfort zone to try something new, but you won’t regret taking the leap.