A common health problem that shows up as we age is high blood pressure. The percentage of adults with hypertension is certainly cause for concern and should be a wake-up call to both men and women approaching the age of 50.

And those who are just entering the senior class may not realize the importance of having regular blood pressure exams, especially if their overall health is good or they have recently moved and need to find a new doctor.

A temporary alternative is the free use of the blood pressure monitors in pharmacies.

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Carolyn Schneider, Senior Class

A few years ago I was contacted by my friend Ann who asked if I could recommend a good attorney, someone that I had used for personal matters and that was reasonably priced. She said there was a problem and she needed help.

Ann went on to explain that ever since the doctor ordered her husband, Bob, moved into a care facility, she was not able to run their household.

It seems that while Bob and Ann had a close and loving marriage, Ann was left in the dark when it came to their personal business. Apparently Bob didn’t want to burden his wife with such things as taxes, investments and paying the bills, yet that was vital information that Ann needed to have.

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By Carolyn Schneider, Senior Class

Sometimes I can’t make heads or tails out of what our young people are saying these days. Now that I’m in the senior class so much has changed.

It used to be simply a case of what part of our nation you hailed from – North, South, East or West – or if you were raised in the city or the country.

For instance, there might be two different words for the same thing. One person might say “billfold” while someone might use the word “wallet.” Both refer to the same item. What you call “trousers,” I call “pants.”

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By Carolyn Schneider, Senior Class

Several publications that I have researched lately concerning seniors touch on the subject of self-awareness. At our age, that can only mean looking in the mirror, or taking stock of our senior status.

All of us are at different levels of proficiency in this regard:Therefore, I will gladly share what I’ve learned.

To begin, you should ask yourself, “Am I in a rut? Not moving forward? Is there nothing new or different in my life? Do I like where I am now? Where do I want to be next year?”

Your answers should be in terms of physical condition, activity, social life, appearance and self improvement.

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By Carolyn Schneider, Senior Class

I recently had an appointment with my eye doctor. As I sat in the waiting area, I glanced around the room at the other people who had also come to see the doctor.

I noticed that most of them were from the senior class like me, and I realized, too, that few of them were smiling. Later on, when the technician dilated my eyes, my vision became distorted.

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By Carolyn Schneider, Senior Class

To quote Eleanor Roosevelt: “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift; that’s why they call it the present.”

Her words ring true even today, especially as we begin another year and welcome many newcomers to our senior class.

The media has been full of articles and photos lately labeled, “The Year in Review,” which gives us the opportunity to relive the high points of the past 12 months.

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By Carolyn Schneider, Senior Class

Staying healthy is very important to senior class members. The goal is to maintain our lifestyle and a reasonable level of activity.

Those of us who choose to give up on being healthy just because we reach “that certain age” are really missing out.

Sixty-five to 75 is a speed limit guideline, they are not numbers meant for us to slow down on life.

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By Carolyn Schneider, Senior Class

The tradition of sending greeting cards and gifts at this time of year really overloads the mailman but he never complains.

I imagine it’s not easy to be jolly with heavy packages and a carton load of mail to deliver.

Only Santa is designed to do that. Besides, the colorful packaging and stamps can’t help but put all of us in a festive mood.

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By Carolyn Schneider, Senior Class

Those of us in the senior class often find ourselves also becoming members of another group entitled: senior singles.

Whether through choice or circumstances, some older men and women experience a very difficult adjustment period when it comes to living alone.

It seems that life is backward in a way. The golden years should be a time when we can treasure companionship and loving concern, when we can share our leisure days with someone. And yet we may find ourselves depressed or angry at being left alone in our later years.

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By Carolyn Schneider, Senior Class

Why is it, do you suppose, that when we travel out of town, it seems to take forever to get there? Yet the return trip feels like no time at all: it passes very quickly.

The conclusion I’ve come to is, that while traveling away from home is partially an unknown element, the return trip means coming back to our familiar surroundings, our comfort zone, and our secure base.

Nevertheless, as seniors approach retirement, many of them choose to relocate. For some, it’s a question of health, while others want to live closer to family members. There are a myriad of other reasons, of course. However, the important factor here is to be as comfortable as possible in your new place.

Facing retirement is an adjustment in itself, and the possibility of moving is an added burden.

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