SENIORS IN SOBRIETY

Addiction affects people of all ages. In fact, up to 17% of adults aged 60 and older are affected by prescription drug and alcohol abuse. 

When an elderly person has struggled with addiction, it can be difficult to get back on track financially. It may be more difficult to secure a job, find a home in Yuma, AZ, or manage debts that have accrued. Read on for some tips that can help with budgeting and money management as well as improve your credit and help you get a new job, so you can get back on your feet.

Finding a Job After Addiction

The first thing you need to do is figure out what your strengths are. If you have a past employment history, put together a resume that outlines the work you’ve done and relevant skills.

You’ll want to create a professional-looking resume. If you have difficulty using a word processor to create a document from scratch, you can use a template from Microsoft Office or search for one online. There are libraries of professionally designed resume templates; all you’ll need to do is add your information and select the appearance you prefer.

Do You Have to Disclose Your Addiction or Treatment?

You don’t have to disclose that you were or are in recovery. You can if you want, though. Be direct and explain the treatment you went through. Doing this to explain any gaps in employment and help employers understand your background. 

Employers can’t discriminate against you during the hiring process (or at any time when you work at a company) because you’re protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This act applies to you when you’re involved in a rehabilitation or recovery program, as long as you’re not presently using alcohol or drugs. It also applies after you’ve completed rehabilitation, assuming you’ve remained sober.

Special Awareness: Age Discrimination

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission exists to protect you against age discrimination. If you’re not being hired simply due to being 40 years of age or older rather than an inability to do the job, speak up. You may have legal recourse.

Finding a Home After Addiction

Once you have a job in Yuma, it may be easier to get a home. With bad credit, you may need a co-signer or contact the local housing authority to find low-income or poor-credit housing. In the meantime, speak with your recovery service about halfway houses or sober living communities where you could live.

Budget Management After Addiction

Here are three helpful budget management tips once you find work.

1. Pay in cash. Keep cash set aside for bills to keep track of your money.
2. Set up auto withdrawals. Your bills will be paid on time, and your credit score will improve as a result.
3. Live within your means. Keep your housing cost at 30% or less than your monthly income whenever possible.

These simple tips will help avoid financial issues as you build up your career.

You Can Become Financially Stable

Finding a job, getting a home, and balancing your income help as you recover from addiction. With the right approach, you can move forward with better financial stability. Visit Seniors in Sobriety to connect with your peers and learn more about staying sober as a senior

Article author:  Teresa Greenhill – info@mentalhealthforseniors.com

Photo via Pexels

Finding love and getting married later in life can be the start of something new and exciting. And if you or your partner are in recovery, this is your opportunity to turn the page and begin anew. So here are three things you can do as a couple to ensure your marriage is off to a great start:

Start a Business Together

If you’re in recovery, giving a new direction to your life can help you move forward and leave your self-destructive habits behind. You and your partner may be retired, but what about starting a business you can enjoy running together? This will not only keep you busy and active, but it may also provide the extra income you need to buy your dream home, travel to exotic locations, or help your grandkids with their college tuition.

Once you’ve come up with a business plan, design a logo that represents your values, and is unique enough to set you apart from competitors. You can use an online logo maker to create a unique design for your business. Play with fonts, colors, and spacing to come up with the perfect logo, then feature it on your website, your business cards, social media pages, and all your business correspondence, including your invoices, to help increase brand recognition.       

Reconnect With Old Friends and Make New Ones

Over the years, you’ve probably lost touch with friends and acquaintances. If you’re not on social media yourself but you’re looking to reconnect with your high school pals, you can do a search online by entering their legal names into a search engine. If you grew up in Yuma, Arizona, enter the name of your high school and the year you graduated, and you’ll be able to find online groups where some of your classmates are congregating and reminiscing about the past. Go to your high school reunion with your new spouse, and rekindle an old friendship; catch up with your former schoolmates, and invite them to join you for a casual dinner or a special event so you and your respective spouses can learn more about each other and develop new, long-lasting friendships. 

Navigate Health Insurance and Medicare Together

If you’re over 65 years old, you are entitled to Medicare. All you and your spouse have to do is apply online or call Social Security three months before or after your 65th birthday. This health insurance program provides you with hospital and medical insurance, which includes mental health coverage. If you find yourself struggling mentally, or if you feel anxious or depressed, you can get help in the comfort of your own home thanks to online therapy services. When selecting the best online therapy for yourself or your spouse, check with your insurance company to see if those services are covered. Telehealth has also become more popular these past couple of years due to the pandemic, and people have been enjoying its lower cost, the extra privacy it affords, and the ease of scheduling appointments. You can even receive specialized care via telemedicine, thanks to remote patient monitoring services that can keep track of and manage chronic illnesses. 

Finding love later in life gives you the opportunity to have a fresh start. So don’t let time pass you by without taking on new challenges with your partner, and making new friends and new experiences together. Most importantly, take care of your mental and physical well-being, so you can enjoy a long and happy life together!   

Are you or your loved one in recovery? Visit seniorsinsobriety.com for the information and awareness older adults need to regain control of their lives.

Thanks to Teresa Greenhill

Simple Healthy Habits That Benefit Individuals in Recovery

Making healthy changes to your lifestyle can be a big job, and when you’re also in recovery, it can feel like an almost impossible task at times. That’s why it’s important to start with small changes at first so you can avoid becoming overwhelmed. The good news is, there are several things you can try that won’t interfere with your sobriety or your goals, from finding new ways to have fun to making yoga and meditation part of your daily routine. Not only can a few small lifestyle changes help you feel better physically, they can assist in reducing stress so you can stay focused, calm, and happy. If you’re an older adult and feel you need some support, Seniors in Sobriety has a wealth of resources to choose from. Here are a few ways you can bring healthy habits into your schedule that will benefit your overall well being:

Start with your environment

Having the right environment is important for your mental and physical health, and you might be surprised at how easy it is to change things for the better. Since your home is the place where you go to feel comfortable and rested, start in the bedroom by adding soft new bedding or blackout curtains. Get rid of clutter all around, as this can interfere with your sleep quality and leave you feeling anxious or stressed. You might also add a few houseplants, which can improve the air quality and give you a mental health boost.

Your work environment is just as important, especially if you have a home office. If you’ve been feeling overly stressed or have been experiencing headaches while you work, choosing the right lighting can make a big difference; if possible, incorporate some natural light into your workspace. You can also create an organizational system for both your digital and paper records to make finding and sharing documents much easier.

Try a new workout

Getting active is another way to relieve stress and feel better all around, and it can also provide social opportunities that are helpful for those in recovery. Look for simple ways to introduce a workout into your routine, such as taking a dance class or trying a few yoga poses. Yoga is an exceptional way for those in recovery to get fit because it balances both physical and mental wellness by incorporating beneficial activities like meditation and mindfulness. If you’re living with a disability, you can modify your yoga workout in the water or by using a chair or other balancing tool.

If yoga isn’t your cup of tea, try getting active outdoors. Go for a hike, hit up the walking trail at your local park, head to the pool for a swim, or try horseback riding. Spending time outside is another great way to boost your mental health, and it can even help improve your sleep quality.

Try something new

Even with a new workout routine and some changes to your environment, you may still find yourself falling into unhealthy habits such as indulging in too much screen time. One way to combat that is to try something new. Picking up a fun hobby or learning about something you’ve always been interested in can help boost your confidence, make new connections with like-minded people, and leave you feeling ready to tackle new challenges. Consider taking a class or downloading an educational app, taking up baking, playing a sport, or getting creative by learning to paint, crochet, or sculpt.

Taking steps to choose a healthier lifestyle can be daunting without the right resources, but fortunately, there are plenty of tools you can use to make the process easier. Get support from family and friends, utilize helpful apps, and remember that if one lifestyle change doesn’t work for you, there are others to choose from.

Need more information about Seniors in Sobriety? Get in touch today.

Article author:  Teresa Greenhill – info@mentalhealthforseniors.com

Photo via Pexels