It is extremely important for retirees to keep up with new technologies, programs, products and services that can improve out quality of life.  There seems to be important information released from scientific studies every week. And it seems that every day brings another new product or service that can help us hold on to our independence while increasing our safety and security as we grow older.

We will, in future, try to keep the focus of this retirement blog on important news, new studies and insights, new products and services, and the like that can make retirement living even better for all of us.  We hope you will check in often both to stay current on the information we will try to provide and to tell us what your needs and concerns are.

One aspect of retirement planning and living that seems to come up in almost every conversation I have with people is the desire to “age in place” — to be able to continue to be independent and stay in one’s own home.  This is an important desire of many retirees.

The FDA has approved a new drug to treat osteoporosis. The brand name of the drug is Reclast (drug name: zoledronic acid). Some doctors say this is the perfect drug for people who have experienced gastrointestinal side effects of some of the other drugs available. Some rheumatologists say the drug is appropriate for people with severe or aggressive bone loss. Studies indicate the drug can reduce the risk of hip fractures by 41% and the risk of spine fractures by 70%.

This may be the best news I’ve heard in weeks!  Retirees and seniors who are still working should eat chocolate, according to a recent study.  Chocolate, it turns out, is very good food for the mind as we age.  For some — wonderful — reason, chocolate will help us keep our minds sharp.

We also need the antioxidants in DARK chocolate.  So EAT YOUR CHOCOLATE!  Yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

We should probably refrain from eating an entire box of chocolate in one sitting.  (I know some people who can do that!)  But a little bit of chocolate a day is good for us. Just remember that dark chocolate is better than milk chocolate.

Hello, friends.

I just heard a report on the noon news that underscores what I’ve been saying about the importance of social connections in retirement.

The new story indicated that a recent study has drawn a tentative connection between Alzheimer’s Disease and deepening loneliness.

We may not be able to control our genetic makeup, but we can control social contact with other people.

So reach out to someone else today. Make someone a little less lonely. Keep from becoming lonely.  You might also reduce your chances of developing Alzheimer’s Disease.

If you sufer from the “winter blues” you might want to discuss SAD therapy with your physician.  SAD means seasonal affective disorder — at least that’s the name doctors have given it.

People are a bit like plants in that we all need a certain amount of sunlight to be healthy.  During winter, when the days are shorter and sunlight is not as intense, many people — especially in northern regions — react with the winter blues.

When we reach retirement, many of us are on limited and fixed income.  We find that we cannot always give as much as we did in the past.  Yet some of the most meaningful ways to give at the holidays, and throughout the year, cost us no money.

I am convinced that the most important gift any of us can give to another is the gift of our love, our time, our presence, and something of ourselves.  No matter what other gifts we do or do not give, spending time with others we care about and helping others is the best gift we can give.

This week’s newsletter features a story about one person doing something for others that seems like a very small thing. But the story points out that every small thing we do for another makes a difference to at least one other person.

It is easy to forget that when each of us does one seemingly small thing to help another we can make a surprisingly big difference. In this season of giving, I want to encourage each person to do at least one small thing for another person. Then consider the difference one action or gift can make in the live of that person.

Wow!

I am amazed to see how many other early birds there are!

Remember, only the first 25 people who purchase the Home Study program will receive the special early bird bonus of one-on-one coaching rather than small group coaching.

And time is running out on the special introductory price — it will end at midnight tonight! You have less than 16 hours to take advantage of the special price!

I’m staying pretty busy this morning keeping up with orders, so I don’t know how often I will be able to post updates, but I’ll do my best to keep you apprised of the current status.

If you have visited the Re-FIRE, Don’t Retire main pages recently, you already know that I have just announced my new Re-Fire, Don’t Retire Home Study Program. This new product will go on sale on October 2. I am offering a special introductory price that is good until midnight on October 2.

But here’s a little insider tidbit I’m only announcing here and in my Newsletter. The first 25 people who purchase the Home Study Program will receive 6 months of one-on-one coaching, rather than the group coaching that is part of the program.