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As we age, it’s a good idea to update our homes in a way that’s both inviting and safe — and the two are not mutually exclusive. Here are some suggestions for making important spaces in your home a better fit as you age in place:

Kitchen updates. Consider replacing your kitchen swing out cabinets and shelves with roll outs. This will save you time and stress on your body with easier access to kitchen accessories. Additionally, it is a good idea to invest in a cushioned mat for under your sink. This is the place you will be standing the longest, and getting a mat will help reduce fatigue.

Bathroom updates. The bathroom is the most important place to have additional space because that’s where there is the greatest chance for slips and falls. You’ll want to have a spacious bathroom that has room for walkers, wheelchairs or similar devices if you are ever injured and need to use such a device. Another good idea is to install bars in the bathtub and a bench in the shower to make bathing as smooth as possible. Once you exit the shower, towels should be close by and bath mats should be right outside the shower or bathtub to avoid an accident.

Bedroom updates. As you age, getting in and out of bed may become more difficult. You can install safety handles on the bed to avoid falls, and you can also buy a shorter box springs so that your bed is lower than before. It’s also a good idea to leave a phone on your bedside table in case of an emergency. If needed, install an extra charging outlet or phone jack. Additionally, be sure to make sure your floors and closet are clean and free of clutter. A cluttered house can increase anxiety and cause accidents.

In an age of booming technology, new solutions are coming out that benefit the aging population. These developments can run the gamut from helping seniors manage medication to alerting family members of an emergency. Check out a few new technological innovations that are capturing attention when it comes to helping seniors enjoy a better quality of life:

1. MedMinder

MedMinder is a new digital pill dispenser that helps seniors manage several types of medications. This pill dispenser reminds you when it time to take medications and even has an option to lock itself between use. This dispenser works by loading a medicine tray that goes into the device. Then, you program a pill schedule through the web and accept the schedule. When it is time to take a pill. the dispenser will flash and then beep if the correct medication is not taken.

2. K4 Community

Scott Moody, CEO of K4 Connect, is striving to find ways to bring new technology to senior communities. One of these technologies is called K4, which allows administrators to connect seniors by integrating wellness, connectivity and automation products through the ability to allow seniors to sign up for community events and even order food and request transportation. In the future, K4 Connect plans on developing K4 Home, a technology that brings a similar technology into users’ homes. For more information, visit k4connect.com.

3. MobileHelp

MobileHelp has developed an “on-the-go” mobile device equipped with GPS satellite tracking and an “in-home base station.” When users press the help button on the mobile device, a response team is notified and friends and family are notified of location via phone and email. For more information, visit www.mobilehelp.com.

Stay tuned for more exciting technologies that could help increase quality of life. There will be quite a few coming in 2019!

Maintaining the correct balance and posture becomes more difficult as we age, due to weaker muscles and decreased activity. However, this problem can easily be combatted with proper nutrition and exercise. Seniors should consider these tips to help minimize balance and posture problems:

1. Arm exercises

Arm exercises, like bicep curls, front raises and overhead press, can help improve posture and balance by building muscle. Although these are simple exercises, they may become too challenging if you add too much weight too quickly. Start out with small 3-pound weights and slowly work your way up from there.

2. Yoga

Yoga is a popular exercise to improve posture and flexibility. Yoga can also improve mental health and reduce the risk of high blood pressure. Some helpful poses for seniors include the “tree pose” (stand on one foot with free foot pressed against supporting leg) or the “warrior II” pose (stand with arms held open, feet wide, a bend in one knee). You won’t need any equipment to practice these poses. Just grab some comfortable clothing, a yoga mat and a water bottle!

3. Stretching

Specialized stretching exercises can offer a host of health benefits for seniors, because it can help to release muscle tension and improve balance and coordination. Seniors can target different parts of the body while stretching, including the neck, shoulders, chest and back. To get the most out of stretching, you should consider taking deep breaths and slowly exhale while completing the stretch and holding for about 30 seconds. To reduce the chance of injury, avoid bouncing or overstretching.

By incorporating these tips into your routine, you should start to see small improvements in balance and posture. Plus, activity will make you feel happier, healthier and more productive throughout the day!

Just because you’ve reached the so-called golden years doesn’t mean you have to stop earning money. Whether you need a small — or not-so-small — amount of cash to feel more comfortable each month, there are ways to continue working that are more flexible than the 9-5 job you may have held in the past. Here are a few suggestions for continuing to earn money.

1. Host a garage sale. Holding a garage sale is a great way to make some extra cash, especially if you are planning on relocating. You can sell anything from books to furniture to clothes at your garage sale. If you don’t want to hold a garage sale, though, consider selling your stuff on sites like Craigslist or eBay. Consider a garage sale once a year.

2. Start a garden. If you have a passion for gardening, retirement is a great time to start a garden in your own backyard! If you are able to successfully grow crops, you can sell them at a local farmer’s market or to neighbors. You might even rake in some consulting fees by teaching others to prune their rose bushes or maintain their gardens.

3. Become an Uber driver or Lyft. Becoming an Uber driver on the weekends is a great way to make a little extra cash without sacrificing much of your time. Plus, you will get to chat with new people every time you give a ride. If you have an iPad or Tablet, keep it with you to better navigate the Uber app.

4. Pet sit. If you are a fan of pets but do not have any of your own, consider pet setting. You can easily make a few extra dollars by offering to walk or groom someone else’s pet. Keep your eyes out for younger couples heading on vacation who need sitters or professionals who need someone to walk the dogs during the workday.

5. Rent out your house through Airbnb. If you travel often or do not mind having visitors, consider renting your house out through Airbnb. Just download the Airbnb app and use the calculator to see how much you could make off of rentals. It could be more than you think!

Planning for retirement often emphasizes financial stability, and that makes sense. We can’t very easily enjoy retirement if we are stressed about money. Sufficient financial resources allow us to feel secure about the future — and the legacy we’ll leave behind. A solid financial base also lets us do all those things we’ve dreamed of: volunteer, travel, golf, spend time with grandkids.

Before you make plans to retire, be sure to add up all of your sources of income. These might include savings, retirement funds, Social Security and pensions. For many people, much hinges on when they choose to begin collecting Social Security and, of course, the amount of the monthly benefit check.

Did you know that Social Security comprises about 33 percent of older Americans’ income? Nearly 90 percent of American 65 and older are receiving Social Security benefits. AARP offers this handy calculator to help you decide whether it makes sense to begin collecting benefits when eligible at age 62 or to wait until age 70 — or some time in between.

Making the right decisions about Social Security can make a huge difference in your future quality of life, so even if you never learn anything else about it, remember these two things:

You don’t have to claim Social Security benefits at 62. While this is the most popular age to start collecting Social Security, waiting until full retirement age will increase your monthly benefit by as much as 30 percent. (The Social Security Administration sets your “full retirement age” based on when you were born.) Holding out until age 70 boosts your payments by even more.

Here’s an example of how waiting would affect the amount of the monthly benefit for a person turning 62 this year:

• Starting at age 62, $953/month
• Starting at full retirement age, 66 and 4 months, $1,300/month
• Starting at age 70, $1,681/month

There’s more to Social Security than just your own retirement benefit. There are spousal and survivor benefits, too, and you may be eligible if you’re married, divorced or widowed. These benefits can sometimes be more than what you would receive based on your own working record, so it pays to find out if you qualify. Consider working with a financial advisor or accountant to make sure you choose the option that will give you the highest benefit amount possible.

The more you know about the program, the better you can position yourself for a comfortable retirement.

With heart disease ranking as the leading cause of death in the U.S. with over 610,000 death per year, seniors must be extra cautious to avoid it. While diet and exercise are said to be the solution, here are more in-depth tips on how seniors can prevent heart disease:

1. Monitor your blood pressure

High blood pressure is one of the first signs of heart disease because it may indicate the risk of clogged arteries. The leading causes of high blood pressure include excessive smoking, bad diet habits and obesity. Although many people suffer from high blood pressure, this condition can be controlled with medications like diuretics and calcium channel blockers. If you believe you are at risk for high blood pressure, don’t be afraid to contacts your local physician for a check-up.

2. Minimize stress

Grappling with high amounts of stress can dramatically increase your chances of heart disease. If you are overly stressed, you are more likely to develop bad habits that will stick with you. If you are feeling stressed, it is important to find an outlet that relieves your worries. Try finding a new hobby like taking a yoga class, golfing or even tai chi.

3. Cut the alcohol

Did you know alcohol can be deadly for your health by increasing the risk of heart failure from excess fats in the blood? Most experts agree that avoiding indulging is a good idea for folks in their golden years.

4. Get enough sleep

It is recommended that most adults get seven to eight hours of sleep per night. If sleep deprived, you are more at risk for high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes. If you are struggling to find a consistent sleep schedule, try establishing good sleep habits by going to bed and waking up at the same time daily. If you believe to have a condition that affects your quality of sleep like sleep apnea, don’t be afraid to get help from a sleep specialist.

By following these four tips, you will be less at risks for one of the most dangerous diseases in the world. Now is the time to start developing positive life-long habits.

It’s basic human nature to value relationships and connections with others. Few of us want to be alone, especially as we age. In spite of many ways to stay connected via phones and social media, studies show we are lonelier than we’ve ever been — with seniors feeling the sting the most. However, with a few simple steps, seniors can implement changes in their lives that may help make them feel happier and socially engaged.

Plan out your life. If there has been a major change in your life, like a break-up or a big move, it’s essential to make a plan. Write things down that make you happy and then write what you are going to do to achieve your goals and dreams. It is also important to make a point of meeting people with similar interests. You can do this by volunteering or exploring a new hobby. Don’t be afraid to push yourself out of your comfort zone!

Open up to family members. At the end of the day, all that you have are the people who are closest to you. Don’t be afraid to let your loved ones teach you how to be social and happy. For example, allow your child to teach you how to do a craft or take a walk together once a week. By opening yourself up, you will grow closer to friends and family members.

Get up and active. If you have started becoming a couch potato, there is nothing more important than getting up and doing something – anything. There’s a theory called behavioral action, and the idea is that you can reduce depression by implementing the “just do it” attitude. However, nothing happens overnight, so be patient as you work toward your goal.

If all else fails, try not to focus on yourself. Thinking of others has been proven to significantly reduce depression and loneliness.

Late summer is the perfect time to visit a theme park, since children and teenagers are getting back into a school frame of mind and the weather is still warm enough to enjoy being outside and perhaps even a bit wet. Who says seniors don’t enjoy the thrill of a good rollercoaster or lazy river? Just be sure to follow these safety tips:

Stay hydrated. If you are visiting a theme park in the summer, afternoon temperatures and direct sunlight can be excruciating. Don’t put yourself at risk for sunburns, heat exhaustion, dehydration or even heat stroke. Carry a large, insulated water bottle and find areas to stand in the shade. If you are staying close by, going back to an air conditioned space for a quick afternoon nap is also not a bad idea. You’ll need the extra energy for later!

Know your limits. If you get motion sickness easily, it is in your best interest to avoid rides that go around in circles. Afraid of heights? Ditch the largest roller coaster in the park for a smaller one. Additionally, if you have neck or back problems or high blood pressure, consider your physical limitations before picking certain rides.

Wear the appropriate clothing. When it comes to walking around a theme park all day, being comfortable is the first priority. Wear well broken in, closed toed shoes that move well with your feet. If the day is hot, wear minimal, light-colored clothing, but bring layers for that evening temperature drop.

Remain aware of your surroundings. Theme parks can be chaotic. There are thousands of people of all ages walking around within a limited space. Stay aware of your surroundings and look at where you choose to walk to avoid collisions. Be especially aware of families with strollers and small kids.

Have fun!