The summer can be a great time for relaxing with family and enjoying the nice weather. But it can also be a dangerous time of the year if you don’t take the proper precautions. This is especially true for young children and the elderly.

Your body works hard every day to maintain a normal temperature. Excessive heat forces your body to work harder than normal, essentially forcing your body to work above and beyond its normal limits. For senior citizens in particular, this can be deadly. While the sun can affect anyone and everyone, it is even more important for people in poor health to take extra precautions, regardless of their age.

For the most part, heat-related illnesses are a direct result of exposure to the sun and heat. This includes simple sunburns, heat exhaustion and sometimes even heat stroke. There are many different ways to combat these illnesses, however, some of which are very simple and easy to do.

Here are some of the easiest ways for senior citizens to stay safe over the summer months:

Protect your skin. Use sunscreen when you know you’ll be outside for a prolonged period of time during the day. It doesn’t take long to apply, and can save you a lot of suffering later. Wear a hat to lessen sun exposure to the face and neck – two spots extremely vulnerable to contact with the sun.

Drink plenty of water. The easiest way to stay cool is also often the most overlooked. Drinking plenty of water during the hot summer months is a great way to stay hydrated and safe while out in the sun. The heat can dehydrate you quickly, so make sure to have plenty of water on hand during the day, whether you’re outdoors or not.

Take frequent breaks to cool down. When spending time out in the hot sun, it’s beneficial to take numerous breaks to allow your body to recover. Having a cool area in your home in which to recover can also be beneficial. Make sure your cooling device – whether you have an electric fan, a portable air conditioner or central AC – is working properly to ensure faster recovery.

Limit strenuous activity and exercise. Your body works hard enough during the hot days that adding strenuous physical activity can be detrimental. If you exercise regularly, try it during the early morning or late evenings. Planning around the hottest time of the day can help to limit exposure to the heat and can be much easier on your body. Take regular breaks when possible if you have to work outdoors.

Check on your friends and family. The heat can be especially difficult on young children and the elderly, so make sure to check regularly on your family, friends and neighbors during hot spells. Often heat-related issues arise before you have a chance to ask for help.

Mike Tennant is a freelance writer and columnist focusing on health and lifestyle topics. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Mike currently works with Air Conditioner Home as an online developer and consultant.

When I get older losing my hair,
Many years from now,
Will you still be sending me a valentine
Birthday greetings bottle of wine?

If I’d been out till quarter to three
Would you lock the door,
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I’m sixty-four?

Most of us know that beautiful song written by Sir Paul McCartney and The Beatles, and listening to it has to make us start to wonder, “what will life be like when WE, are older?” An interesting question indeed! The only thing that is guaranteed in life is change, and our quality of life is dependent of how we react and adapt to those said changes. Take just going to the bathroom for instance… When you were first born, you needed assistance in learning the “technique” of going to the bathroom. Then you graduated to being “independent“, and life went on. What most people fail to think about, however, is that when we get to be that ripe old age of 64, we begin to need assistance in ways that we never knew we would. Balance starts to waiver, our knees don’t bend like they used to, getting off the ground becomes a major challenge… Now is the time to think about the many ways you can remodel your bathroom to help you with just those problems, and to get you started, here are five inexpensive solutions to consider.

Grab Bars
One of the first problems we need to tackle as we age, is the problem of balance. This comes about because as we age, the infrastructure of the inner ear (especially the semicircular canals) break down which leads to a breakdown in our sense of balance. To cope with this, we should install stainless steel grab bars in our bathrooms, making sure they are mounted on wall studs in order to support our weight.

Toilet Replacement
Another common aging issue happens to reside in our knees. Over time, the cartlelidge breaks down in our joints, making moving much more difficult than it once was. Sitting down, getting up, walking, running, all of those things we took for granted when we were younger, just happen to be more difficult, and its really quite bothersome. Well, one of the biggest challenges with those knees will be getting on and off a toilet. This is because the average toilet height is between 12 and 15 inches. For the elders of our great society, a minimum of 16.5 inch height is mandatory for ease of use.

Shower/Bathtub Seat Addition
Those knees are at it again, and this time its in the bathtub. Getting up from a floor seated position can be really tough, even if you are not that old, let alone when you are getting up in years. One of the best solutions for that particular situation would have to be shower and bathtub seats. Always installed at a custom height for your needs, these are inexpensive alternatives to walk in bathtubs, which can cost up to $10,000.

Sink Handle Replacement
For those who needs either walkers or wheelchairs, turning on the sink can be a real hassle. The extra reach required to turn the knob on a standard vanity may be as much as 10 inches. So to combat that little predicament, changing the handles to the faucet with a longer reach, lever style handle will be a good bet, that even if you are in a wheel chair, washing your hands will be just normal business.

Recessed Storage Additions
There are two reasons why the elderly or handicapped should consider recessed storage. The first being height sensitivity, which means if you are in a wheelchair or a walker, it will be hard for you to reach top shelves and wall mounted storage cabinets. This particular kind of storage can be inset at any height and therefore always able to be accessed by you. The second reason being a reduction in clumsiness. Now what I mean by that, is that wall mounted storage can be pulled off the wall easily if you accidentally fall and decide to grab something to keep yourself from falling. With recessed wall storage, you can post grab bars on each side of the unit so if you decide to fall and take something with you, you will most likely choose a stainless steel bar that will support your weight. For either reason, recessed storage works, and is highly recommended.

So, what will happen when you are 64? Will you be prepared and enjoy the golden years of life, or will you go on and forget what you are learning, and risk injury? In either case, I hope you learned a few tricks for preparing yourself for the later years of life.

This article was written by Steven Moore, The marketing director of Budget Bath Inc - a Maryland bathroom renovation company.

Some changes in men that may be related to reduced testosterone are:

• Decreased energy
• Decreased sexual interest
• A weakened immune system
• Change in body shape/composition
• Decreased ability to think clearly

This has to do with the balance of hormones, called the endocrine system, which changes as we get older. There are doctors who specialize in testing the hormone levels, and if below normal, providing treatment in the form of testosterone, usually injected, to bring the level back to normal range. However, a large swath of the medical mainstream thinks testosterone therapy may increase risk of prostate cancer.

The proponents of this process, called Cenegenics, particularly a doctor who tested this on himself, believe the medical mainstream is behind the 8 ball, and will all embrace this practice in 20 or 30 years.  There haven’t been any large studies done testing safety and effectiveness, because doctors largely fear it’s too dangerous-even for men willing to be in such a study.  However, men wishing to receive treatment can do so-at a price of up to $12,000 a year.

Doctors of the old guard advise a not-so-pricey method for slowing down aging:  avoid overeating, eat healthy foods, exercise and get lots of rest.

1.    Eat a peach - when you eat fresh fruit, you get an instant surge of well-being and energy.  Any type of fruit has this effect.  Enjoy a fruit salad-chop 3 or more types of fruit for a delicious blend. Try banana, orange and strawberry for example.  If you’d rather drink your fruit, make a quick smoothey from any fresh fruit, plain non-fat yogurt and honey.  Or mix fruit with fat free vanilla ice cream.  Guaranteed this treat is every bit as yummy as cookies or fattening baked goods.

2.    Dump your past - with the past weighting you down, you feel depressed, disinterested in new things.  The baggage of your past is a bit like a terrible roommate you can’t get rid of.  Make a commitment, and focus all of your attention on this commitment, which is: Demand that the intrusive roommate find another place to live.  Then you begin to realize that your only moment is right now.  Only when you live in the present can you feel the exuberance of life coursing through your veins. Today is everything you have-It is all you need.  Anything you need to learn from the past is already in your storehouse of wisdom, so there is nothing to fear by kicking out the past.

3.    Move it - your body must move, if not it will freeze up.  Moving the body keeps it young.  If nothing else, get in the habit of parking as far away as possible when you go to shop or visit, etc.  Then enjoy a brief “power walk” to your final destination.  Power walking is nothing more than walking as fast as you can, using good posture as you walk.  To do this, avoid shoes that are hard to walk in.  If you need to wear dress shoes, carry them with you and change shoes after your walk. If you enjoy a sport or other activity requiring movement, all the better.

4.    Eat less - the oldest man in the world, age 113, said the one thing he did that kept him young was to eat very little. Or simply skip one meal a day - forget about the old idea that you need 3 meals a day.

5.    Make a decision and stick with it - ruminating about each decision, or everything you do, makes you old, sad, and tired.  If you buy something, be happy with it, avoid second-guessing yourself.  If you marry someone or make love with someone, appreciate them, instead of thinking it might have been better with somebody else or someplace different.

6.    Sleep well - be aware of sleep hygiene, which involves certain rituals you do each night before bed.  It may be brushing your teeth, wearing certain comfortable pajamas, making sure you have clean sheets, the right pillow and mattress for your body… Also, keep a rhythm, so your body has the same pattern of sleep and awake time.  Avoid having things in the bedroom that interfere, such as a TV playing ’til all hours.

7.    Be yourself - it is very draining to have to pretend to be that which you are not.  Find people who are like you-and people who like you, rather than changing yourself to get on in a milieu where you don’t truly belong.

1-Christie Brinkley

Former model and Covergirl, Christie Brinkley is the number one pick because in her 50s, she has the face, body, and overall presence of a young lady in her early 30’s. She’s beautiful, sophisticated, and seems to never age. Question: How could Billy Joel have ever let this one go?

2-Christina Ricci

Whether or not she’s dancing on a TV set as in the Moby video, Natural Blues, or running away from werewolves as in the movie Cursed, Christina Ricci’s babyface belies the fact that she’s actually nearly 30.

3-Reese Witherspoon

Perhaps it’s her youthful appearance on the Legally Blonde movies, but Reese Witherspoon does not seem to age. She’s looked the same way since Cruel Intentions premiered years ago.

4-Rachel McAdams

You’ve seen her in Wedding Crashers and she put the “mean” in Mean Girls. It’s amazing how she can convincingly play a tween in one movie and then a woman in her mid-twenties the next. There’s just something about Rachel McAdams that remains sweet and young.

5-Ashton Kutcher

How can he look the same way he did when he first starred in “That 70s Show” over a decade ago? Just maybe Demi Moore’s love keeps him looking so young and fresh!

6-Hayden Panettiere

Yes, this Heroe’s star is only 19….but without all the makeup, it’s pretty safe to assume she would look 10.

7-Drew Barrymore

This classic beauty is just a taller version of her ET self. As she gets prettier and prettier, the clock seems to slow down and she looks younger and younger.

8- Elijah Wood

The babyface says it all. With his big eyes and easy smile, this actor is sure to keep landing roles that makes him seem years younger.

9-Lorenz Tate

Known for his roles in Love Jones and Dead Presidents, Lorenz Tate is another cutie who the times have been good to. He played in many movies in the 90s and it seems as if his features haven’t changed since then.

10-Cyndi Crawford

The word “old” will never apply to this supermodel. Perhaps all those years of modeling helped maintain her youthful figure and beautiful face.

While thousands of snowbirds are flocking to Ft. Lauderdale and other locations in South Florida, try Central Florida instead. The whether is milder than Miami and the Keys, and the cost of living is a lot more reasonable.

Number Two: Columbia, MO

This city tends to make top ten lists of the “most educated” or “best towns to live in” year after year. Being located in a college town, this city hosts an array of cultural activities and lively events year around. Not to mention, the cost of living is quite below the national average.

Number Three: Bowling Green, OH

Cited as one of Ohio’s best cities in which to live, Bowling Green, Ohio has a lot to offer. It’s a college town with decent housing prices and activity gallore. There are restaurants, a county library, and interesting shops lining the main street of downtown. The most appealing factor about Bowling Green is that it is uniquely situated. It’s only an hour away from Detroit, a hop and a skip away from Ann Arbor, and not too far from Ohio’s other major cities such as Columbus.

Number Four: Northampton, MA

Again location is one of the best features of Northampton. Located in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, it is only hours away from Boston and a train or bus ride from New York City. The town itself is quirky and vivacious. Home to Smith College and only a bus ride away to four other colleges, Northampton is known for its culture, live music events, and truly unique individuals.

Number Five: Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic

Jarabacoa is breathtaking in its beauty. Located in nearly the center of the Dominican Republic, it’s a relatively small city that is known for its waterfalls and is home to the tallest mountain in the Caribbean, Pico Duarte. No matter if you’re looking to go white water rafting, hang out with some locals, or experience the breathtaking environment, Jarabacoa is an ideal location. Furthermore, the cost of living is low and for $250,000 you can build yourself a very handsome home.

Overall, if you’re interested in settling in a college town, a foreign country, or a place that gives you all the amenities of a big city, but in a small town atmosphere, then any of the above places are surely worth a try. So have fun, you deserve it, and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

National Senior Health & Fitness Day is May 27th

• Swimming is good exercise (that’s obvious). Swimming is a lifetime sport that benefits the body and the whole person! But what is it that makes swimming good, specifically? That depends on what you are trying to accomplish.

• Swimming is a healthy activity that can be continued for a lifetime - and the health benefits swimming offers for a lifetime are worth the effort it takes to get to the pool.

• Why do you swim? For the health benefits to your heart and lungs? For the chance to be with some of your friends at the pool? Because, in your case, running everyday hurts?

• Regular swimming builds endurance, muscle strength and cardio-vascular fitness. Swimming with increasing effort to gradually increase your heart rate and stimulate your muscle activity is easily accomplished in the water.

• Swimming does burn calories at a rate of about 3 calories a mile per pound of bodyweight. If you weigh 150 lbs. and it takes you 30 minutes to swim one mile (1,760 yards or 1,609 meters), then you will be using about 900 calories in one hour.

• Spending time in a group workout, whether water aerobics or a master’s swim practice, is a great social outlet. Exchanging stories, challenging each other, and sharing in the hard work make swimming with others a rewarding experience.

• There are other psychological benefit to swimming, if you allow it to occur. Relax and swim with a very low effort. Let your mind wander, focusing on nothing but the rhythm of your stroke. This form of meditation can help you gain a feeling of well-being, leaving your water session refreshed and ready to go on with the rest of your day.

• Swimming does exercise almost the entire body - heart, lungs, and muscles - with very little joint strain. It is great for general fitness, just not a great way to drop excess pounds.

How To Get Started

Most Cities and towns have Recreation Centers. Many of these if not all offer a wide range of fitness and social programs for people 50 and better that change each season. Some even have facilities just for Seniors, like the Chandler Senior Center in Arizona.

There are also websites that can help you find a Recreation Center in your area.  Such as Silver&Fit.com a fitness and healthy aging program designed to help you achieve better health through regular exercise. The Silver&Fit Programs include membership at a local participating fitness facility, Web site resources and support from Silver&Fit’s toll-free member services hot-line and Web site. Additional features may also be included based on your Silver&Fit membership.