Arthur Miers is a freelance writer based in Montreal who blogs on issues relating to active living, exercise, and health. He shares this guest post with Florida Senior Living Advisor regarding the value of exercise for seniors.
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Maintaining good physical and mental health past the age of 60 is necessary to maximize life expectancy and quality of the golden years. Seniors who exercise regularly and monitor their diet experience increased levels of energy and general sense of well-being. The human body declines at an increasing rate of speed as seniors head towards the geriatric stages of life. Keeping the body fresh and the mind sharp will prolong the efficiency with which the body works.

After the age of 60, in terms of physical health, any regimen of physical activity and senior exercise should only be started with the approval of a physician. Low-impact workouts are ideal for the senior body, particularly in the 60s and 70s. Swimming and jogging are ideal for seniors looking to optimize cardiovascular workouts without putting too much stress on the joints. Of the two options, swimming is far less stressful on the joints but can be taxing for those who are not experienced. Swimming works more muscle groups than most other exercises and provides an excellent workout for establishing endurance. Any cardiovascular activity will be helpful in keeping the heart rate low. Heart problems are more common over the age of 60 than any other age demographic.

Nutrition plays a critical role in maintaining health and vibrancy past the age of 60. Foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids and low in cholesterol help to keep the body functioning at its highest level. Lean poultry, vegetables and most fish are excellent sources of Omega-3 fatty acids and lean protein. In addition to helping with levels of cholesterol and lean proteins, fatty acids are considered brain foods. Nuts also fall into the brain food category, reserved for foods that promote brain health.

Learning new skills and revitalizing neglected talents are positive ways to engage the brain in active processes past the age of 60. Mental acuity is as vital as physical well-being in keeping a positive mindset and high energy levels. The best way to ensure a healthy body and mind into the years of senior-citizenship is to focus on making positive changes in all aspects of personal well-being. Changing habits in one area may prove effective in enhancing one area of life, but no improvement in overall levels of energy and emotional well-being will be seen if other aspects of the body or mind are neglected. Many communities offer classes and publications for health and wellness over the age of 60. It may be beneficial to group up with other individuals in an effort to form committed bonds with a common goal. Groups of people who start exercise programs together are less likely to discontinue their regimen.

Following is a guest post from AutoInsuranceTips.com, a website dedicated to providing quality information and personalized tools to the consumer. Their experts, who have a combined 100+ years experience in the auto insurance and auto safety industries, divulge tips, debunk myths, and dispel commonly held misconceptions about purchasing auto insurance policies and filing claims.

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Thinking about retiring in Florida? There are many things to consider when choosing a retirement community such as lifestyle preferences, access to activities you enjoy, etc. However, cost is almost always a deciding factor to consider, and one that you may not be thinking about is the variance of Florida auto insurance based on region.

Here are some quick facts on Florida auto insurance premium averages for 2009-2010:

• Males typically have higher rates than females.
• Premiums usually increase as you get older.
• Miami premiums are one of the highest in the state for seniors.
• Venice, Stuart, Gainesville, St Augustine premiums are among the lowest for seniors.
• Rates vary based on coverage amount, driving record, and even the type of car you drive. The easiest way to compare Florida car insurance premiums is to get free auto insurance quotes online.

2009 – 2010 Sample Florida Auto Insurance Rates by Region, Gender and Age
The rates below are for 6 month premiums. The first number is the best rate found, the second number is the median rate for the demographic. Rates are based on standard coverage amounts and limited underwriting criteria. Your actual rates may vary.

I just learned of a wonderful program that trains adults ages 55+ to volunteer in classrooms, tutoring children from in reading and math. It’s called Experience Corps, and it currently operates in 22 cities, with 2,000 volunteers serving nearly 20,000 students. Unfortunately, none of those 22 cities is in Florida, but according to the group’s website, they hope to double in scope in the next five years, and with our large population of older adults in Florida, it seems likely they would establish a program in our state.

That sounds like a win-win for everyone involved – young and old. A study of the program by Johns Hopkins University found that older Americans can delay or actually reverse brain aging at a neurological level by tutoring young children in reading and math. The study involved Experience Corps volunteers working in Baltimore City schools.

“We found that participating in Experience Corps resulted in improvements in cognitive functioning and this was associated with significant changes in brain activation patterns,” said study leader Michelle Carlson. “Essentially the intervention improved brain and cognitive function in these older adults.” Carlson is now expanding her research to see if the program can directly impact the volunteer’s risk of developing dementia.

Additional studies indicate the kids are also benefiting from this program. Researchers at Washington University in St. Louise found that over a single school year, students with Experience Corps tutors made over 60 percent more progress in learning two critical reading skills – sounding out new words and reading comprehension – than similar students not served by the program.