Today’s quote is very relevant and timely for these tough times. None of us have vast resources and especially these days, our resources are even scarce. But that doesn’t mean we should give up on our dreams, our goals or our vision. That is where strategy comes into play. This simple quote summarizes it beautifully…

“Strategy is about stretching limited resources to fit ambitious aspirations”

            – C. K. Prahlad, co-author of Competing for the Future and many more books

Popularity: 11% [?]

By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist, Blogging at The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Guest Blogger

We usually have mild winter weather in the Pacific Northwest, but yesterday we had sprinkling of snow when I got out of bed.

I debated about taking my morning walk, bit I decided to try it. The snow was slushy and melting. I was careful and my 20-minute walk went well.

Beth Webber, 51, wasn’t so lucky. She fell in December during a walk with her husband neighborhood, according to an article on Indystar.com. About two blocks from the house, Webber, who was wearing walking shoes, slipped and broke her left arm.

I thought of the harsh winter conditions many people are having throughout the U.S. I also remembered the image I had of injured people in the orthopedic surgeon’s office when I fractured my arm and knee cap because I fell.

I decided to write this post on how to avoid the slips and falls that can occur during the winter months.

Nearly two-thirds of mishaps occur on snow, ice, or wet surfaces near entrances or on parking lots, according to the Utah Safety Council.

The council offers these tips to help you prevent falls this winter season:

• Wear shoes that provide good traction.

• Dress warmly. Being cold might cause you to hurry or tense your muscles – both of which can affect your balance.

• Give yourself plenty of time. Take short steps with your feet pointed slightly outward. This will help keep your center of balance under you and provide a stable base for support.

• Be extremely careful getting out of your vehicle. If possible, swing your legs around and place both feet on the pavement before you attempt to stand. Steady yourself on the door frame until you have gained your balance. Avoid reaching beyond your center of balance to take hold of the door, because this might cause a fall.

• Don’t take shortcuts. Always use sidewalks and the cleared paths in parking lots. Never walk between parked cars. Be especially careful when stepping to different levels — down or up steps or from curbs (don’t step on curbs). And remember, grassy slopes can be as dangerous as snowy steps.

• Pay attention to the walking surface. It might become wetter or slicker ahead of you. Look down, however, only with your eyes. If you bow your head, it could propel you forward.

• When walking after sunset or in shadowed areas, be alert for black ice — particularly in the days after a storm. Once parking lots, sidewalks, and steps have been cleared, a thin layer of water remains and re-freezes when the temperature drops.

• Carry only those items necessary. Carrying weighted or bulky packages is also risky.

Here are additional tips from the Indystar article:

• Stay inside when it’s icy or snowy if you’re prone to falls, waiting until the sidewalks are salted or the ice and snow melts.

• Be prepared by being informed about the weather so you aren’t caught by surprise by freezing rain.

• Keep salt by your front door so you don’t slip on that first step.

• Stay on the porch while you dog goes out in the yard.

• Spread the impact out over a wider area if you fall rather than having one focused spot of impact.

• Change your gait to a slow shuffle and move slowly, walk flat-footed, and take mincing steps if you realize the surface underfoot is slippery.

Good luck in the winter weather. I hope the rest of the season is a safe one for you.

Popularity: 14% [?]

By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist, Blogging at The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Guest Blogger

Although many women think high heels make them look glamorous, wearing heels can lead to foot problems.

Wearing heels changes the way women walk. It puts the center of gravity on the ball of the foot.

High heels – and tight shoes – can cause or worsen bunions, corns, and hammertoes. Foot pain, including significant pain in the ball of the foot, is common. Lower back, knee, and ankle pain also may be a problem. The higher the heel, the worse the problems.

Your chances of falling also are increased if you wear high heels.

If you must wear heels, alternate wearing them with flat shoes. You can also try calf-stretching exercises daily. Shoe padding also may help because the front part of shoe soles are often thin.

You’re less likely to have foot problems if you wear a lower heel, two inches or under.

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends no more than three hours in three-inch heels.

Look for shoes that are comfortable when you buy them. You need to be able to wiggle your toes. Shoes also should have strong sole that flexes at the ball of your foot. Look for wide toes, more cushioning, and more arch support.

Make sure that you’re wearing the right size shoe. Shoe size can change as you get older because the feet may spread and lengthen.

More companies are now making more walker friendly, fashionable shoes. Among them are Naturalizer, Ecco, Aerosole, Cole Hahn, and Taryn Rose.

See these references for more information:

“High-Heeled Shoes – Bad for the Body” – About.com

“In the Relentless Pursuit of Fashion, the Feet Pay the Price” – The New York Times

“On Your Feet” – Washingtonpost.com

“Tips to Avoid Foot Pain From High Heels” – WebMD

“Proper Footwear Can Reduce Foot Problems” – American Podiatric Medical Association

“Winter Is Tough on Feet” – U.S. News and World Report

“Footwear” – American Podiatric Medical Association

“Footwear Guide” – American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

“If the Shoe Fits, Wear It” – American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Popularity: 19% [?]

 By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist, Blogging at The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

• Document as many of the facts of the discrimination as possible so you’ll have a record that you can use if a claim is filed.
• Consider making a formal complaint with your employer.
• File a complaint with the nearest field office of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or EEOC.
• File a complaint with your state EEOC.
• Contact an attorney.

Popularity: 24% [?]

By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist, Blogging at The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

The technology is being used now. Sensors attached to older people’s medicine cabinets, beds, and toilets and room sensors to monitor whether they’re moving around in their assisted living facilities. The information is available to family members and caregivers to determine whether the older person needs assistance.

How technology can help baby boomers will be the topic of discussion at the Silvers Summit from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday Jan. 10 in Las Vegas as part of the 2009 International Computer Electronics Show.

The summit will display a variety of technologies for boomer as they use digital devices for texting their kids in college, caring for elderly parents, traveling, or reinventing their careers in a home office. About a dozen speakers will offer the latest information on technological advances for boomer consumers.

One of the presenters at the summit, Majd Alwan, Ph.D., director, Center for Aging Services Technologies, agreed to answer the following questions about technology and aging:

Rita: What do you see as the biggest need for baby boomers as they grow older?

Majd: The ability to remain independent, safe, socially engaged, and connected, and the ability to manage chronic conditions.

Rita: What does your organization offer to help boomers age in place?

Majd: The Center for Aging Services Technologies advocates a vision for independent living with the support of a caregiver network that includes the family (informal caregiver), the primary care provider, and aging services connected and empowered with technology and information.

We raise awareness to available solutions, conduct research to identify barriers, and advocate to remove such barriers. We encourage technology companies to partner with providers to design needs-driven solutions with the intended target users. We also help providers objectively evaluate technology, adopt best practices, and share the lessons learned with other providers.

Rita: What technology do you see working today to help older people and how will it be able to assist boomers in the years ahead? How expensive is this technology now? Will it become more affordable in coming years?

Majd: That’s a big question. Please see the state of technology report. Some technologies are quite affordable even today (personal emergency response systems at $35 a month and behavioral monitoring systems at $99 plus $60 a month). With mass production and sales, prices will come down.

See the Silvers Summit Web site for further information on presenters at the summit.

Popularity: 27% [?]