As we age, our bodies go through a lot of changes. One common change that many of us experience is back pain.

Back pain is a very common issue for older adults. In fact, a study that looked into the literature published from January 1985 to October 2018 found that the incidence of back pain among the elderly population can be as high as 75%.

The study also found out that about 80% of adults over the age of 50 will experience back pain at some point in their lives.

What Causes Back Pain Among the 70-Year-Olds?

Now, there are a number of things that can contribute to back pain as we age.

The most common causes of back pain among the 70-year-old age group include degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, and osteoporosis.

These conditions often result in a loss of muscle strength and flexibility which can lead to pain. Additionally, as we age, we may not be as active as we once were and this can also lead to back pain.

What Back Pain Symptoms Are Common in This Age Group?

Back pain symptoms can vary from person to person, but many of my 70-year-old and older patients report some common symptoms including dull or sharp pain, stiffness, and difficulty moving.

Many times they would report the pain occurring in the area in the lower back and feeling like a dull ache. For some, the pain may or may not change with movement, but it can be worsened by standing or staying in one position for long periods of time.

A majority of my patients report increased back stiffness or difficulty getting up from the bed in the morning.

What Symptoms Should You Look Out for?

In some cases, back pain symptoms can be a sign of a serious health issue. For example, if your back pain is accompanied by fever, unexplained weight loss, or unrelenting constant pain that interferes with your sleep.

We call these symptoms “red flags” as they can indicate a more serious medical condition including cancer, abdominal aortic aneurysm, spinal infection, or cauda equina syndromes.

These serious medical conditions could present with symptoms that could be mistaken for low back pain. If you are experiencing “red flag” symptoms, it is important to talk with your doctor right away.

How to Keep Your Spine Young

As we age, it’s not uncommon to start experiencing chronic back pain. This is often due to the fact that our spines begin to degenerate and lose their elasticity. However, there are things we can do to help keep our spines healthy and youthful.

Here are a few tips:

1. Make sure you’re maintaining good posture. This will help to take some of the pressure off of your spine.
2. Try to avoid sitting or standing in one position for too long. This can put strain on your spine and lead to pain.
3. Exercise regularly. This helps to strengthen the muscles around your spine and can improve your overall flexibility.
4. Stretch regularly. Stretching helps to keep your muscles from becoming tight and can help you to move more easily.
5. Be sure to sleep on a supportive mattress so that your spine is properly supported and aligned while you sleep.

Finally, if you are looking for practical information on how to prevent and treat chronic low back pain in a clearly defined framework you can follow at home, check out my book Back Pain Unlocked for a comprehensive solution.

Do you experience chronic back pain? Have you noticed certain symptoms that you didn’t notice before you were younger? What tips have helped you to maintain good spinal health and alleviate back pain?

The obvious strength that older entrepreneurs bring
to the business table is the stash of skills and knowledge acquired and built
up over a 40-year career.

But what are the secret weapons, the less
obvious strengths that we also bring to the entrepreneurial space? I speak here
as a retiree entrepreneur.

Our Goals Are Different

After we retire, we are working to supplement
our income, not build up reserves. This requires a mind shift and gives us the
freedom to be driven by passion, and not exclusively by money.

As a result, you have more time for your
clients. In fact, your interest in who your clients are as people drives you to
deliver a higher level of service.

We Are Looking for
Opportunities to Contribute

Contribution is one of the 6 Human Needs, as I
outlined in an earlier blog. As we get nearer to leaving our
mortal coil, many of us feel we would like to leave some kind of legacy.

Because of this, we are not all about grabbing what we can; rather, our businesses tend to focus on what we can give or contribute. Your marketing can, therefore, be more authentic and heart-centred.

We Are Looking for the
Chance to Use Our Skills and Talents

Sometimes fear urges us to stick with what we
know and set up a business doing what we have been doing for the past 40 years,
but reinvention is often what is required. It is a case of taking our skills
and re-packaging them.

For example, someone who has been a school
teacher all her life may take her teaching skills and offer to show the elderly
how to use social media to keep in touch with their grandchildren.

We Are Looking for
Opportunities to Do Something Worthwhile

In a study done by AARP in 2013, called “Staying Ahead
of the Curve,” they found that 88% of those interviewed (ages 45–74) wanted to do something that is worthwhile.

Is it the inevitable truth of nearing the end
of our lives that makes us feel we don’t want to waste time doing things that
are inconsequential and irrelevant, or is it that as we age we have more
clarity on our purpose?

We Have Large Networks to
Draw on

Usually, our networks spread far and wide,
built up over several jobs and maybe a couple of different industries. Many of
us have accumulated a ton of contacts over our 40-odd years in business. Facebook
and LinkedIn make it even easier to contact these people with your new ideas.

By this stage in life,
many of us have a couple of influential ‘movers and shakers’ in our contacts
list. This is the time to draw on these influencers to help move your business,
and check if any of
them owe you anything so you can recall that debt!

Stay Aware of Your Heart
and Skill

As older entrepreneurs, those who are starting
businesses after many years in employment may not consciously be aware of the
secret weapons they possess.

In retirement, you have the opportunity to move
into fields where you can make a difference and allow your business to rise out
of a passion centred in the heart. This makes it easier to understand what your
clients need and want and be able to give it to them.

As always, awareness is the first step. If you
know what you can offer and who needs it, then you can follow the wisdom in
your heart.

What secret weapons do you possess
and how can you use them as an older entrepreneur? Do you know someone
influential enough who can boost your business? Do you know your own worth and
how can you use it to propel your venture? Please share in the comments below.

Nicole Martin’s Silver Sequin Dress on Instagram

Real Housewives of Miami 2022 Instagram Fashion

If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, then we need to throw out all our apples. Because Dr. Nicole Martin is wearing the chicest silver sequin dress so we want her here! And considering her dress is still fully stocked along with some AMAZING looks for less I think we all need to get one too so we can look just as sick.

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here to Shop Her Alexandre Vauthier Dress

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Photo Credit: @drnicolemartin

Originally posted at: Nicole Martin’s Silver Sequin Dress

Frankly, as I typed out the subject line “being a good neighbor,” scenes of old TV shows passed through my mind, reminiscent of neighbors on shows like Leave It to Beaver or My Three Sons bringing casseroles over to new neighbors or neighbors in need. Those of you 60 and older may have the same memories; however, those of you who are younger may wonder what the heck I am talking about!

The Good Ol’ Neighbors of Times Past

So you see, my older memories envision a new family moving into a neighborhood being showered with food dishes or possibly plants by nearby neighbors. While presently I see people moving into a neighborhood and not being approached at all by neighbors.

The same scenario applies to a sick neighbor or neighbors in need. My memories envision neighbors bringing over food or flowers to help. In a nutshell, it appears that our neighbors today trend on staying to themselves, possibly due to being busy, being self-absorbed or just trying to be careful and not get involved.

Newest Neighbor Experience

Of course, there are exceptions to our present day neighborhood trends of staying to ourselves and for that I am immensely thrilled! A recent experience I had with some new neighbors of ours demonstrates what neighbors should be like.

For example, our new neighbor went above and beyond by offering to maintain our pool while we were away. In addition, his wife shared beautiful plants with us to grow and even gave me a new set of garden gloves and clippers.

Yes, giving the gift of time takes a bit out of their lives, but from what I can plainly see, these new neighbors are a bright and shining light in our world. Other neighbors nearby also speak kindly and respect these neighbors, and I am sure it is because they have been recipients of the same kindness we received.

Living in a Neighborhood Requires Mutual Respect

A neighborhood can be broadly defined as a number of persons living near one another. Neighborhoods can be a small, one street subdivision or may be a large development containing a thousand or more homes. Regardless of the size, it is important to all of us to realize we need to make an effort to recognize that our neighbors are people like us, and we should respect and care for each other.

Are we really too busy to say “hello” to a new or existing neighbor and see if they need help with anything? Are we so self-absorbed in our own family lives to take the time to see if a new or existing neighbor may be struggling with something?

Or are we so cautious that we don’t want to get involved in any form or fashion with a new or existing neighbor for fear of costing us time or money or being perceived as a busy body? Maybe we are not accomplished cooks and cannot or should not bring over a casserole as in the TV sitcoms mentioned, but simple gestures of kindness and time are easy to accomplish and will make a difference!

My New Perspective on Neighbors

I will admit that I can answer yes to all three of the questions above at different times in my life, but I am strongly working to change that, and I hope that you can do that too! Today and everyday forward, I am never too busy to raise by hand, smile and wave to say hello to everyone I see in and around my neighborhood.

I am never going to be so worried about my family and their lives that I cannot take the time to see if a neighbor might need some help from me with something. And I vow to continue to “get involved” if I need to in order to stand up for a neighbor or neighbors if they need assistance. If we do not look out for and respect one another, who will respect and look out for us?

Do you have what you think are good neighbors? Do your neighbors stay to themselves and do not get involved? Do you wave and smile if you see a neighbor out? How can we all improve ourselves to be better neighbors?

Jackie Goldschneider’s Pocket Front Jeans on Her Instastories

Real Housewives of New Jersey 2022 Instagram Fashion

Jackie Goldschneider took to the Charleston streets in her patch pocket front jeans. I think this style of jean is just adorable. They give that 70’s touch that I’m a sucker for. But the best part about these babies is that they are in stock just about anywhere you’d think to shop. So if you have a hole in your closet I suggest you patch it up with a new pair of patch pocket jeans.

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here to Shop Her Veronica Beard Jeans

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Photo Credit: @jackiegoldschneider

Originally posted at: Jackie Goldschneider’s Pocket Front Jeans