One of the biggest silver linings to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic is the acceleration of access to online learning. With the entire world forced indoors, universities, community colleges and internet-startups alike all had to adapt and construct new methods of e-learning.

Here are a few of our favorite online learning sites for older adults:

Senior Planet
There are thousands of classes to broaden your horizons on Senior Planet. They have designed courses specifically in mind for those over the age of 60, focused on five impact areas: social engagement, financial security, health and wellness, civic engagement and advocacy, and creativity. The best part? Live classes are free for anyone to enroll!

GetSetUp
This online community connects users with others to learn new skills and unlock new life experiences. Their content is focused on adults over the age of 55, now reaching four million learners in over 160 countries. Classes range from fitness to healthcare, drawing, foreign language, cooking, music, business and more. They offer a free plan with limited access, or for $19.99 per month you can have access to their entire library and over 500 live interactive classes every week!

Full Sail University
Are you a tech-savvy person, interested in the world of entertainment, videography, media, gaming, visual arts and communications? Check out Full Sail University. Full Sail focuses on creating real-world industry experience and creative problem solving with online degree programs. It’s easy to fit in your course schedule because they offer 24/7 flexibility with your e-learning plan.

One Day University
Founded on the belief that “every day you learn something new is a good day,” One Day University has established a unique angle in the online learning space. They have gathered a group of the most thoughtful and entertaining professors from the country’s most prestigious universities and asked them to provide their single most fascinating lecture. You can listen to live-streamed talks with these professors, access hundreds of these “best-selected lectures” and participate in small group discussions with peers. There is a free limited-trial, but you will eventually have to pay $8.99 per month for access.

Academic Earth
Whether you are looking for a certificate, a bachelor’s degree, or even a doctorate, Academic Earth has the lessons to get you on your path to more knowledge. They’ve been around since 2009, offering free online college courses from the world’s top universities. Explore more than 60 complete courses in art, business, engineering, humanities, medicine, science, math and more!
 
If you are just looking to dip your toe in the water with e-learning, YouTube is a good choice. You can also explore thousands of the free apps available for download to your phone, like Duolingo, PictureThis and Brainly.  

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Your house, and what it contains, is a minefield in the eyes of your grown children. They can see from your example that collections of stuff are a curse; such objects are superfluous to a life well lived. They want a clean, clear field in which to live their lives. Your grown children will not agree to be the recipients of your downsizing if it means their up sizing.

The following list of the "Top Ten Objects Your Kids Do Not Want" (by author, Elizabeth Stewart)  was inspired by conversations with family as well as by similar conversations with hundreds of boomer clients and their millennial heirs. There is a remedy for dealing with each:

No. 10: Books

Unless your grown kids are professors, they don't want your books. There are a couple common mistakes my clients make in valuing books:

The 17th-century books are likely to be theological or grammar-based, and are not rare. The 19th-century books are probably not in good condition, and since most came in a series or set, it's unlikely you'll have a full (valuable) set.

Remedy: If you think the book is relatively common plug the title, author, year of publication, and publisher into a resource, such as Biblio.com. Once you have background information, call a book antiquarian.


No. 9: Paper Ephemera

Things like family snapshots, old greeting cards and postcards are called paper ephemera. Old photos are not worth anything unless the sitter is a celebrity or linked with an important historical event or the subject is extremely macabre, like a death memorial image. Old greeting cards are not valuable unless handmade by a famous artist or sent by Jackie O. Postcards are valued mainly for the stamps.

Remedy: Take all your family snapshots and have them made into digital files. The other option is to sell those old snapshots to greeting card publishers who use them on funny cards or give family photos to image archive businesses like Getty. If the archive is a not-for-profit, take the donation write-off.


No. 8: Steamer Trunks, Sewing Machines and Film Projectors

Trust me, every family has at least three steamer trunks from the 19th century. They are so abundant that they are not valuable, unless the maker is Louis Vuitton, Asprey, Goyard or some other famous luggage house. Likewise, every family has an old sewing machine. They are rarely valuable.

And every family has a projector for home movies. Thrift stores are full of these items, so, unless your family member was a professional and the item is top-notch, yours can go there as well.

Remedy: Donate this category and don't look back.


No. 7: Porcelain Figurine Collections and Bradford Exchange “Cabinet” Plates

These collections of frogs, chickens, bells, shoes, flowers, bees, trolls, ladies in big gowns, pirates, monks, figures on steins, dogs, horses, pigs, cars, babies, Hummel's, and Precious Moments are not desired by your grown children, grandchildren or any other relation. Even though they are filled with memories of those who gave them to your mom, they have no market value. And they do not fit into the Zen-like tranquil aesthetic of a 20- or 30-something's home.

Remedy: Find a retirement home that does a gift exchange at Christmas and donate the figurines. If you want to hold on to a memory of your mom's collection, have a professional photographer set them up, light them well and make a framed photo for your wall. Collector's plates will not sell anywhere to anyone. Donate these to a retirement village as well or to anyone who will take them.


No. 6: Silver-Plated Objects

Your grown children will not polish silver-plate, this I can guarantee. If you give them covered casserole dishes, meat platters, candy dishes, serving bowls, tea services, gravy boats, butter dishes and candelabra, you will be persona-non-grata. They might polish sterling silver flatware and objects, but they won't polish the silver-plated items your mom entertained with. The exception may be silver-plated items from Cristofle, Tiffany, Cartier, Asprey, and other manufacturers of note.

Remedy: None. Give it away to any place or person who will take it.


No. 5: Heavy, Dark, Antique Furniture

There is still a market for this sort of furniture, and that market, in the fashionable areas of the U.S., is most often the secondhand shop. You'll receive less than a quarter of purchase price if you sell on consignment in one. Unless your furniture is mid-century modern, there's a good chance you will have to pay someone to take it off your hands.

Remedy: Donate it and take a non-cash charitable contribution using fair market valuation. Use reporting services such as P4A.com to find where this class of furniture sells.


No. 4: Persian Rugs

The modern tranquility aimed for in the décor of the 20- to 30-somethings does not lend itself to a collection of multicolored (and sometimes threadbare) Persian rugs.

Remedy: The high-end market is still collecting in certain parts of the U.S. (think Martha's Vineyard), but unless the rug is rare, it is one of the hardest things to sell these days. If you think the value of the rug is below $2,000, it will be a hard sell. Like antique furniture, it may be best to donate.


No. 3: Linens

Go ahead, offer to send your daughter five boxes of hand-embroidered pillowcases, guest towels, napkins, and table linens. She might not even own an iron or ironing board, and she definitely doesn't set that kind of table.

Remedy: Source those needlewomen who make handmade Christening clothes, wedding dresses, and quinceañera gowns. Also, often you can donate linens to costume shops of theaters and deduct the donation. A site like P4a.com has auction results to establish the fair market value of such objects.


No. 2: Sterling Silver Flatware and Crystal Wine Services

Unless the scrap value for silver is high enough for a meltdown, matching sets of sterling flatware are hard to sell because they rarely go for "antique" value. Formal entertaining is not a priority these days. And of course, sterling must be hand-washed and dried. Can you see your kids choosing to use the silver? Same goes for crystal.

Remedy: Sites like Replacements.com offer matching services for folks who DO enjoy silver flatware and have recognized patterns. Because they sell per piece, and therefore buy per piece, sellers get a rather good price. Sell your whole silver service; it will be "pieced out."
Unless your crystal is Lalique, Moser, Steuben, Baccarat or another great name, you will not be able to sell your "nice set." Give "unknown maker" sets away, fast.


No. 1: Fine Porcelain Dinnerware

Your grown children may not want to store four sets of fancy porcelain dinnerware, and frankly don't see the glory in unpacking it once a year for a holiday or event.

Just remember: your grown kids and grown grand kids DO NOT want and will NEVER want five or more fine china services. They don't even want one. They do not see the logic.

Remedy: Like silverware, china is something to consider for sale to a replacement matching service like Replacements.com. Know your pattern to get a quote from one. Because such replacement companies buy per piece, the aggregate of the selling price is always more than a bulk sale at a consignment store, which might be your only other option.

For more info on the topic of Downsizing, Click Here.

Good Riddance

The holidays aren’t that far behind us and many of us are still “celebrating” going into the month of March. Spring is upon us my friends! According to climatologist, Spring is the season of the year between winter and summer. During such time temperatures progressively rise. In the Northern Hemisphere, Spring is ranging within the vernal equinox (day and night are equivalent in time). Typically, March 21, to the summer solstice (longest day), June 21. But I am not a climatologist, although I do agree with their definition. Spring to Stevie and myself means a rebirth, new life breathed into cold dormant bodies. Spring is a time to renew oneself, physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Revitalize Rejuvenate Recharge

Replenishing, Reconditioning, or renew whichever moniker you choose the importance is just the same. During the holidays and winter months we tend to become lax in our diet and exercise routines. It is difficult to leave behind the celebrating and overindulging; after all it was enjoyable. But now you feel…not so good. You really can’t place it. You endure digestive stress, uncontrollable food cravings (usually sugar), and poor sleep. Your sluggish, experiencing a low mood and dwindling energy. Your drive has stalled, and the scale has not. Your joints ache and your hormones are swinging like a pendulum. Now that its all spelled out like that…you probably feel horrible. Well good news! It’s never too late to clean up!

Let Nature Be the Guide

We at Khronology Fitness & Nutrition believe in going with the flow of nature. Nature itself is being renewed and riding itself of the old and impurities. Animals come out of hibernation and purge their bodies of waste, clean themselves and start to replenish and regrow. The trees begin to sprout leaves through crusted cloaked buddings. Seedlings sprout and eggs hatch, growth, birth, rebirth.

Choosing the Right Detox

There are many diverse kinds of cleanses to choose from. Often people will take on a detox they found online without paying regard to the validity in which it was created. Not all detoxes are created equal. Be careful. It is best to follow qualified, certified individuals. A few examples of detoxes are a Liver detox and Juice detox. A liver detox consists of ridding yourself of anything that the liver would need to process, (mostly contaminates, adulterates, and chemicals), giving it a sort of rest and extra time to cleanse itself. A liver detox can be very powerful. A fact most don’t know is we carry and hold on to anger and negative emotions in our liver. So, cleansing yourself of negativity will also aid in cleansing the liver. The time length for the liver detox depends upon the person and their condition. But it will usually last anywhere from 1-4 weeks. A juice cleanse supplies the body with necessary nutrients to aid in the cleanse while giving the digestive tract a rest from solid foods. The most common length for a juice cleanse is 2-3 days. But this depends on the person’s current health and experience with detoxing. These are just two of a myriad of examples of cleanses. The best thing to do is contact a professional and have them guide you through the cleanse.

Get It Done

So, should we all do a detox? Most certainly. A detox will benefit everyone. In the modern world we are faced with toxins in our everyday life, through the air, water, and our food. This builds up over time and will eventually cause greater health issues. So now is the time, a start of a new season. Let’s get together and cleanse ourselves and get ready for warm sunny days.
Right now, at Khronology Fitness & Nutrition we are offering a spring cleanse special. Plea drop by our website and take a peek. Take control of your health and let’s get clean!
 
~Will

https://www.khronologyfit.com/

Just that quickly my life changed. My mother suffered a minor stroke and a subsequent pulmonary embolus. She was hospitalized twice and was also battling the beginnings of dementia. My mom had always been so independent, even to the point of joining my friends and me for an occasional Happy Hour (pre-COVID 19). However now, she really needed my help. Her memory wasn't that good anymore, and while she wasn't incapacitated she did need assistance with keeping track of medications, doctor appointments and light housekeeping.

Of course, at the time my mom became ill, my corporate job was busier than ever. I often found myself working long hours, albeit at home, to stay on top of things while also trying to keep an eye on mom Any life I had outside of work and my mom seemed to disappear. Burnout was on the horizon.

Juggling care giving and full-time work are not uncommon. According to researchers, in 2014 there were an estimated 23.9 million caregivers that also had outside jobs. So how do you find a balance between caregiving and having a full-time job? Here are some things I learned:

Get organized. That means organize your life so you can be effective at both caregiving and your job. I started my mornings an hour earlier than usual. This way I was able to get in some early morning meditation, breakfast and get a jump on my paperwork before I was flooded with emails and phone calls. I also set up a calendar for my mom, so she could easily keep track of her doctor appointments. The family invested in a 30-day pillbox, with an alarm that made it easier for my mom to know which pills to take and when.

Reach out for help. Though my sisters lived on the opposite coast, they came out to help care for my mom. While a full-time nurse wasn't necessary, we were able to have a nurse come in twice a week to check on my mom and her medications. The home health nurse was covered by Medicare. This assistance from others was invaluable. I was able to regroup and spend time on things that needed my attention at home.

Make time for yourself, even if you only have 30 minutes to spare, spend it on you. The "me time" can be used to relax, meditate, spend time with friends or just take a long bath. You also need to take care of your health. Get in some exercise like a nice walk and eat well. If you start to feel ill, make time to get medical attention. You can't be of assistance to a loved one if you are not healthy.

Talk to others who might be in the same situation. Reach out to peers who have also taken care of an ill or aging loved one. Not only are these people be a source of wisdom and encouragement, but they will help you feel you are not alone.

Juggling care giving and full-time work is never easy. But if you have a plan, doing both is possible.

Leslie Smith is a lifestyle strategist for women over 50. For more from Leslie check out her blog at [http://www.reinventinggrandma.com]

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Leslie_C_Smith/228387

For more Healthy Living: How to Boost Your Sleep Quality as You Grow Older

In recent years, there has been a push towards minimalism, especially during the pandemic.

"People are at home more and are face to face with all that stuff,” says Ryan Nicodemus, one half of The Minimalists, a pair on a mission to help others trim down their possessions, and the coauthor of Love People, Use Things: Because the Opposite Never Works. “They're starting to question what actually does add value to their lives.”

His coauthor, Joshua Fields Millburn, is quick to point out that minimalism isn't living in a stark white house with empty walls and no furniture; it's about keeping what enhances your life and getting rid of what doesn't.

The duo of Fields Millburn and Nicodemus is quick to point out that the average American home contains a whopping 300,000 items. Minimalism, Nicodemus says, is what helps people sift through all of that.

Clutter has been linked to stress and anxiety and can even lead to overeating junk food and procrastinating. And Fields Millburn adds that it can have a negative impact on many areas of life.
Clutter, according to the Minimalists, does more than take up space. Purchasing an item costs money, which can lead to financial stress and the need to work harder to acquire more. Items require storage and space, which can lead to mental and psychological stress. And while people's first instinct is to tame clutter by purchasing products to help organize it, the Minimalists say this is not the answer. The best way to “organize your stuff,” per the experts, is to keep the things that add
value to your life and get rid of any items that don't.

Ready to start eliminating things in order to make room for what matters the most? This expert guide will tell you exactly what to toss.

1. Anything that doesn't add value
Fields Millburn says to ask yourself: “How might my life be better with less?” This can help you understand why you want to downsize, which is highly individual. For instance, some people want to quit their buying habit for more financial freedom, while others want fewer items to care for and more time to spend with family and friends.

2. Just-in-case items
To the Minimalists, “just in case” are three dangerous words. “If you look around your house, you'll likely find thousands of items you're storing just in case you might need them in some nonexistent hypothetical future,” Fields Millburn says. These items can usually be replaced, if need be, for less than $20 and in less than 20 minutes. The exceptions to this, Fields Millburn notes, are emergency items like first aid kits, which you should definitely keep handy.

3. Photos and paper
"It's about saving less,” says Courtney Carver, author of Be More With Less and creator of the minimalist fashion challenge called Project 333. Give yourself permission to get rid of duplicate, similar or blurry photos, coupons or mailers you aren't using, bills and statements you can get online, old newspapers and magazines, and things you've ripped out of a magazine. Dana K. White suggests that you scan photos or take a photo of a photo to create a digital version and then toss the physical copies.

4. Actual trash
Start your de-cluttering process by emptying the trash around the house. You have no emotional attachment to it, and it helps you start to see individual items that need to be thrown away. Empty your wastebaskets, shred piles of papers you've been meaning to shred and get rid of the junk mail piling up on your kitchen counter. It's a great start both physically and mentally!

5. Damaged items
Holding onto a favorite mug that's chipped or necklace that's fallen apart? Time to let go. “Be honest about what things are damaged and toss them,” White says — even if you were meaning to sell them. “If it's damaged, it probably does not have the value you've been assuming it was going to have one day.”

6. Extras/duplicates
"You always use your favorites but still have extras for a variety of reasons,” Carver says. Maybe something was on sale, or you think you should own more of a certain item, but you ultimately get to determine how much of what is enough. Items that fall into this category, she says, can include coffee cups, measuring cups and spoons, wooden spoons, wire whisks, handbags, sunglasses and pens.

7. Stuff you never use
"If you are holding on thinking, "It's not hurting anything", re-frame and ask yourself how it's helping and contributing to your life,” Carver suggests. “If it's not, you don't have room for it.” This often includes things like random spices and sauces, uncomfortable shoes, empty frames and containers, books you've already read or never plan on reading, junk drawer items (or the whole drawer), knickknacks, freebies or gifts you were given but don't like.

8. An abandoned hobby
Be realistic about which hobbies you've moved on from and toss the related materials you're not using. “Maybe you collected stuff for knitting and tried it once and didn't like it,” White says. Then it's time to donate the yarn. And if you come across hobby materials and want to finish the project, go ahead. Allowing finishing a project to count as de-cluttering “is a really helpful mindset shift,” White says. Keeping brushes for a painting hobby you're never going to have is not.

9. Items from a past phase
If you don't have a dog anymore and don't plan on getting a new one, give yourself permission to get rid of the dog bed, bowl and leash. And if you're retired, pack up the majority of your professional clothes and office supplies. This, White says, will give you more space for items that serve the phase of life you're in right now.

10. Anything expired
This includes medications, food and makeup. If you can't find the motivation to de-clutter here, do it for your health, says Julie Coraccio, a professional organizer and author of Clear Your Clutter Inside & Out. Yes, ladies, this includes old and expired makeup! Also, properly dispose of expired medications and toss out old food for your safety as well.

11. Things that bring up bad memories
If an item doesn't make you feel good, send it on its way. “Release the unflattering photos, the gift from your no-longer friend or mementos from an ex,” Coraccio suggests. “Clear your space to welcome new experiences and people into your life.” Sites like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and Offer Up are easy ways to list things to sell or give away.

12. Clothes that don't fit
"Many of us have skinny jeans or T-shirts from high school that no longer fit us. Every time we see these items, whether we are aware of it or not, it's an unpleasant reminder,” Coraccio says. Your closet should house items you look forward to wearing instead of being a place to cast aside what you know you're not going to wear.

13. Digital clutter
Digital clutter can build up as well, Carver says. Unsubscribe to podcasts you don't listen to and delete music you don't enjoy from iTunes. Drag documents you saved and never access, or email you don't need, to the trash. Unsubscribe from email subscriptions you aren't using and from people on social media you don't want to follow anymore. Delete apps that drain your time and energy and social media platforms you don't care about.

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