And so was born an entire industry designed to keep Baby Boomers in shape without eliminating precious cartilage or boring us stiff. As added advantages, exercise also reduces our arthritic pain, depression, and anxiety.

My personal mantra is “Pain means no gain,” so I’m always looking for low-impact workouts that don’t hurt my wallet. Fortunately, there always seems to be a new exercise trend designed specifically for my generation. Here are a few healthy yet money-saving tips I’ve learned on my journey to physical fitness (which isn’t by any means complete).

1. Go It Alone

It takes discipline to maintain your own workout schedule, but joining an expensive health club isn’t really a necessity. We tell ourselves paying for membership will force us to exercise, but the thinning crowds after January attest to the fallacy of this concept.

2. Bring It Home

More than 10 million Americans use elliptical trainers as they’re a knee-friendly cross between cross-country skiing and stair climbing. An equal number prefer a reclining stationary bike, according to Charlene Laino of WebMD. Both machines reduce stress on joints while eliminating the aching-back syndrome.

Fortunately, a lot of people buy such equipment and then use them as expensive clothes hangers. That means you should never have to buy a new machine. Craigslist is just filled with ads for home exercise equipment and some dealers offer refurbished machines. The key is to give it a whirl before handing over your cash or you, too, might end up with a pricey coat rack.

If you don’t already have an MP3 player, this should be your second investment. Nothing impels you through a home workout like hot tunes or an hour-long podcast of “Car Talk.” You can find free shipping codes for Best Buy and other retailers on such sites as FreeShipping.org, allowing you to skip the stuffy retail outlet and avoid paying for delivery charges.

3. Stay Limber

Stress is not only the province of youth; nor is muscle elasticity. Yoga helps sooth frayed nerves, improves flexibility and, not incidentally, provides a great aerobic workout. Pilates has many of the same advantages, but without all that Nirvana stuff.

There are countless DVDs and CDs to lead you through these exercises at home, but it’s important to be selective. You want an instructor who gives detailed instructions, like “keep your stomach flat,” “push away from the floor,” etc. You don’t want to fall into sloppy habits as this can lead to strained muscles without the desired impact.

4. Get Outside

Recumbent road bikes are fairly expensive, but you can always pick up a traditional bike for cheap at garage sales, thrift stores, FreeCycle.org or the inevitable Craigslist. If you have shoulder or back problems, invest in high-rise handlebars and have a professional adjust the bike to your body shape and size.

Naturally this is a fair-weather exercise, but there’s an added advantage in that you can save on gas by biking to work.

5. Walk It Off

It costs nothing to cruise the neighborhood, checking out houses for sale while listening to music that moves you. Walking regularly with a friend is a great motivator and maintaining a conversation while keeping a steady pace allows you to monitor the amount of exercise youe actually getting. An article in AARP reports overweight people who walk 30 minutes per day, five days per week, can reduce their risk of diabetes by nearly 60 percent.

For bad weather, a second-hand treadmill is a good investment and, according to the Mayo Clinic, exerts about the same force as an elliptical machine.

6. Pump It Up

My girlfriends and I used to play a garage sale game to see who could first spot a set of weights for sale. Even if you just add weights to your arms and legs when walking, you’ll increase your body strength while getting a good cardio workout.

7. Mix and Match

Performing just one form of exercise won’t ensure you stay fit. A full regimen combines strength, flexibility and balance training (the latter provided by yoga and Pilates). Mixing it up each day also keeps the doldrums away.

Whether your loved one is a parent, grandparent, other relative, or family friend, you’re probably wondering what to expect during your time together. According to Nataly Rubinstein, the presence of Alzheimer’s or dementia will change the way the holidays “have always been,” but you can take concrete steps that create the best odds for an enjoyable experience.

“When someone you know and love is diagnosed with one of these diseases, the ‘new normal’ can be difficult to understand, accept, and deal with, especially around the holidays,” says Rubinstein, author of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias: The Caregiver’s Complete Survival Guide (Two Harbors Press, 2011). “The key to best managing your holiday experience is to educate yourself as to what you should expect and to regulate your expectations accordingly.”

Here are seven things Rubinstein suggests keeping in mind if you’ll be visiting someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia in the coming weeks:

1. Understand why you feel the way you do.

There’s nothing joyous or merry about the fact that someone you love has a degenerative and ultimately fatal disease. So even though this is supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year,” according to Rubinstein, it’s completely normal for you to feel sad, confused, worried, or even frustrated by the prospect of coming holiday gatherings.

“Especially if the diagnosis is fairly recent, family members and friends tend to feel some mixture of fear and dread as the season of celebration approaches,” she shares. “That’s because we know on some level that things have changed forever. We are losing the holiday experience and beloved traditions as we’ve always known them, so of course our emotions are going to take a hit. It’s very important to admit and articulate to yourself—as well as other family members—why you’re feeling uncharacteristically stressed and upset.”

2. Manage your expectations.

We live in a society that’s inundated by Hallmark holiday images: families gathered happily around the menorah or Christmas tree, laughing around the dinner table, or singing favorite holiday songs. Even if you’ve somehow managed to achieve this type of complete holiday bliss in the past (which is unlikely), you need to know that this year will not be the same.

“Don’t set yourself up for disappointment by dwelling on the past,” Rubinstein advises. “Even if you have spoken to Dad recently and he sounds good, realize that celebrating with him will not be like old times. Alzheimer’s and dementia will dramatically and permanently change aspects of your father and his behavior. So trying to force him—and your family as a whole—into a pre-disease holiday template is like trying to fit the proverbial square peg into a round hole. While it might sound Scrooge-like, it’s wise to hope for the best while preparing yourself for the worst.”

3. Acknowledge the elephant in the room.

For all families with a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia (especially if that person is nearing or in the late stages of the disease), there is an 800-pound elephant standing in the middle of the room, right next to the stockings, garland, and snowglobes. What if Mom dies on Christmas or during Hanukkah? That’s the worst thing that could possibly happen—it would absolutely ruin this year, and it would attach bad memories to the holidays for the rest of our lives.

“I don’t doubt that the thought has occurred to you, and I bet that you feel guilty and selfish for considering it,” Rubinstein says. “You’re probably reluctant to express this worry to your family members for fear of being perceived as depressing or morbid. But the fact is, you have to deal with reality—a death on Christmas could happen. You don’t need to insert this dreadful ‘what-if’ into every conversation, but it might be helpful to discuss it with a few close loved ones. You might be surprised when they admit that they’ve been considering the same possibility.”

4. Don’t expect family dynamics to change.

Consider this scenario: Grandpa has been diagnosed with dementia, and he wasn’t in the best of health to begin with. Realistically, this might be his last holiday, and everyone knows it. So of course your brother will tone down the passive-aggressive jabs, and Mom will refrain from openly criticizing your decisions so that everyone can enjoy this time as much as possible…right? Unfortunately, that’s highly unlikely.

“A family member with Alzheimer’s doesn’t prevent everyone from reverting to their old roles,” Rubinstein reminds. “So if your cousin has a tendency to ask inappropriate financial questions, she’ll probably continue to do so this year even if you expect her to be on her best behavior around Grandpa. If you know this going in, you’ll be much less frustrated when your family acts like, well, your family.”

5. Be sensitive to the needs of the patient and the caregiver.

If you don’t see your loved one and her caregiver on a regular basis, you might not be aware of just how much their daily lives and needs have changed. Before visiting or hosting, check with the caregiver to make sure that you understand the “new normal.” For instance, maybe you’ve always brought a bottle of wine to the big holiday get-together for toasts. But this year, sparkling grape juice might be better since it won’t interact adversely with Aunt Penny’s Alzheimer’s medications.

“Take extra care to think through how you do things and make decisions based on reality,” Rubinstein advises. “For example, if you have small children whose exuberance might overwhelm Grandpa, talk to them beforehand about how to behave. If you have a cold, reschedule your visit so that he won’t catch it. Don’t decorate with poinsettias since they are poisonous. And realize that this year, maybe your visit should end after two hours instead of eight. What’s appropriate will vary from family to family, so stay in the loop with yours.”

6. Arm yourself with knowledge and meet your loved one where he or she is.

“If you are unfamiliar with Alzheimer’s or dementia, you might be reluctant to interact with your loved one,” Rubinstein says. “That’s normal. Most people who aren’t the primary caregiver are unsure of what Mom is capable of doing, how to approach her, how to make her feel comfortable, etc. That’s why it’s a good idea to have a basic understanding of how patients at different stages of the diseases will be able to handle different levels of interaction and activity. Everyone is best served when you meet Mom where she is instead of walking on eggshells or trying to force a conversation that’s no longer possible.”

Here are some basics to keep in mind:

In the early stages:
• Don’t be afraid of Uncle Joe because he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He has a disease, but he is still the same person. Be yourself around him. If he has always complimented your smile or your sense of humor, display those things!
• Don’t wait for Grandpa to feel comfortable enough to join the conversation or activity on his own. Make a point to include him. Ask, “Grandpa, I know that you love your keepsake ornaments. Would you like to help me hang some of them on the tree?”
• Ask specific yes and no questions—they will be easier for your loved one to understand and answer. For instance, “Would you like me to pass you the gravy?” would be more effective than “Is there any dish you’d like more of?”
• These are diseases of forgetting, and memory loss will include words and—eventually—the fundamentals of communicating. When conversing, it’s okay to offer a word or phrase that Mom seems to be searching for—as long as you do so kindly.

In the moderate stages:
• Eventually, many dementia and Alzheimer’s patients have trouble remembering names. Even if you’re close, it’s a good idea to start conversations with an introduction such as, “Hi, Dad! It’s your oldest son, Nathan. It’s so good to see you!” If you have to re-introduce yourself mid-conversation, try to work your name in without embarrassing the patient; e.g., “My friends are always telling me, ‘Nathan, you are the funniest guy at work!’”
• Patients often feel anxious or on edge because they’re confused about whom they’re with, what’s going on, or where they are. It’s best not to startle them unnecessarily so approach them from the front and make sure you don’t initiate physical contact until your loved one knows you’re there.
• Especially as these diseases progress, patients feel uncomfortable and overwhelmed by crowds. Remember that one-on-one conversations in areas without distracting movement or sound will be most effective.
• If you’re having trouble talking to Grandpa, keep in mind that he is likely to remember older memories as opposed to newer ones. Remind him of those things. You might say, “I drove through Illinois on my way here to see you, and I know you grew up on a farm there. Will you tell me what it was like growing corn?”
• Dementia and Alzheimer’s patients are known for being repetitive. (Partially, that’s because telling a familiar story is comforting to them.) It’s natural to feel somewhat bored or annoyed when Aunt Sue tells the same story five times in a row, but remind yourself that this repetition makes her happy—and it doesn’t hurt you. Be patient. If possible, you can steer the conversation to another topic by saying, “That reminds me…” or, “I know what you mean! Last week I…”
• Your loved one might not remember your name or all of the memories you once made together, but he will still appreciate hearing sincere compliments about himself. Even if a behavior is unnecessary, you can still say, “Thanks for checking the locks—it makes me feel good to know that you’re helping to keep us safe.”
• If there’s going to be a large crowd of people at an event, ask someone capable to stay near Mom at all times. This person can help her interact and feel included, as well as make sure that she and others don’t feel needlessly uncomfortable. Remember, if interactions become too stressful, take Mom back to her room. There is no reason for everyone—Mom included—to be subjected to an uncomfortable situation for the sake of “being together.”

In the late stages:
• In the late stages of the diseases, Alzheimer’s and dementia patients might not be able to carry out a simple conversation. If that’s the case, just sit near your loved one. A hug or a squeeze of the hand can still be meaningful and comforting.
• Long after many memories, skills, and abilities are gone, patients can still appreciate (and often respond favorably to) music. Play favorite holiday songs for your loved one and sing along!

7. And for caregivers: Let yourself off the hook!

The holidays can be especially trying for primary caregivers. After all, you’re responsible not only for yourself but for your loved one every day. It’s crucially important for you to make time for yourself in the midst of the holiday bustle (read: chaos). Start looking at your schedule, deciding what you want to do on your own, and making plans now because holiday schedules fill up fast. If you want to renew spiritually, for example, arrange for someone to watch Mom while you go to temple or Mass. The same thing applies if you need to do some holiday shopping or attend your spouse’s company party.

“Most importantly, caregivers, manage your expectations,” Rubinstein adds. “I used to absolutely dread the holidays because I’d try to host the perfect family gathering in addition to taking care of Mom, and they never lived up to my Hallmark-level expectations. If you’re hosting and have formerly prided yourself on your Martha Stewart-esque abilities, let yourself off the hook. I can’t stress that enough! Things have changed, and you have to adapt. For example, maybe this year you buy pre-prepared food or turn the gathering into a potluck. Overall, think about the time together and not the meal, décor, and trimmings.”

“When you know what to realistically expect, the time you spend with your loved ones this holiday season will be greatly enhanced,” Rubinstein concludes. “And remember, don’t push yourself too far or beat yourself up for not living up to ‘how things used to be.’ If you remain positive and adaptable, I promise this season can still be full of celebrations to cherish.”

“Caregivers frequently report feelings of isolation, loneliness, and uncertainty,” says Mary Murray in the Suburban News. Ms. Murray is a registered nurse at the care center. She adds, “Giving caregivers a place to share concerns and questions is the focus of the workshop. Topics will range from practical concerns, such as how to bathe someone, to emotional issues, such as sadness and anxiety.”

Registration is not required. For more information about the program, call the library at 908-851-5452.

“The holidays are a great time to collect your family history,” says Lynn Holt, MS, director of the School of Health Professions Genetic Counseling program. “Most people don’t know much about the family history beyond their first-degree relatives, their own parents and siblings.”

Find Out About Your Family’s Health Problems

Talk to grandparents or great-grandparents and make detailed records on their immediate family—parents, siblings, and children. You want to jot down names, year of birth, year of death, and any health problems that person may have had. Ask if any siblings died during childhood and if so, why? Many people don’t like to talk about a sibling who died young, but knowing if it happened—and why—can produce very valuable information.

“We sometimes hear people say they’ve been told their mother’s brother dropped dead at age 20, for example,” says Holt. “It’s important to find out why. Was it because of a genetic heart condition that you might have inherited, or is it simply that brother was guilty of some accident that nobody wants to talk about?”

Holt says ask if there is any cancer in the family. If so, ask the kind of cancer and at the age family members first were diagnosed. Age of diagnosis is more medically valuable than age of death in determining heritable conditions.

Ask similar questions about heart disease, diabetes, mental health conditions, or other common conditions in adulthood. Holt also says to look into any environmental exposures that may explain family health problems such as occupational exposures, smoking, or pollution.

And it’s probably best not to bring the subject up over dinner with a crowd. Try to find some quiet time with each member of the older generation and begin the conversation. Many older family members welcome the chance to share the family story and memories of loved ones who have passed away, Holt says.

After you collect all this information, share it with your physician to help determine if there are certain health conditions for which you need to be evaluated based on your family history.

For more information about family history collections, visit The National Society of Genetic Counselors.

Here are some thoughts on how you could lower your heating bill without freezing your way through the winter.

1. Energy Audit

The first step is to assess any problem areas. Ask if your utility company provides a free or low-cost energy audit, which will identify changes you should make. If you such audits aren’t available, there are still ways to ascertain problems for yourself and small projects you can accomplish without professional help.

2. Seek Incentives

Some states offer improvement incentives, including providing and installing a free programmable thermostat; paying a portion of insulation upgrades; or providing rebates on the cost of materials. Look for such offers at the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency. If you can’t find an applicable program, you can reduce the cost of supplies by finding coupons for major home improvement centers, hardware stores, big-box stores, and more at such sites as CouponSherpa.

3. Change Furnace Filters

Many of us think of changing our furnace filters just once or twice a year, yet experts say we should replace them every month during the heating season. Better yet, switch to a permanent filter you can clean regularly.

4. Dodge the Draft

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can waste 5 to 30 percent of your energy use to heat the great outdoors through drafts. The simplest remedy is to place draft dodgers or snakes at leaking doors. You can use an old towel or make your own easily out of a leg of pantyhose stuffed with rice or sawdust and tied at both ends. To find air leaks, place a light candle in front of possible drafts, have someone blow through the crack from the other side, and watch to see if the flame wavers.

5. Weather Strip Thresholds

Draft snakes are fine for cracks at the bottom of doors, but we often lose heat at the sides and top of doors and windows. Check out this Dummies.com video explaining how to install weather strips.

6. Install a Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat allows you to keep the house cooler when it’s empty and automatically turn up the heat before you arrive at home or get up in the morning. The Nest Learning Thermostat represents the latest and greatest in programmable thermostat technology, but you don’t need to shell out $249 to benefit from one of these gadgets. You can pick one up for as little as $20 and save an average of 10 percent a year on your heating and cooling bill. Check out this article for other high-tech ideas for keeping warm this winter.

7. Upgrade Your Attic Insulation

Roofs are energy vampires. They’ll suck rising heat right out of your home, if not properly insulated. Types of insulation include the standard fiberglass (in both batt and blown forms), rigid foam board, spray foam, and cellulose. Unless you’re handy around the house, this is a project best left to professionals, but it’s the best investment you can make to reduce future energy bills.

“Our findings represent a growing challenge for the health care system as baby boomers age and their risk of stroke and dementia increases,” said lead study author Gustavo Saposnik, MD, MSc, of the University of Toronto in Canada and member of the American Academy of Neurology.

The study involved 9,304 people who had a stroke between 2003 and 2008. Of the group, 702 people had dementia at the time they had a stroke.

Researchers found the people with dementia who had a stroke were three times more likely to have greater disability at discharge from the hospital compared to people without dementia who had a stroke, with 81 percent of those with dementia having moderate to severe disability compared to 57 percent of those without dementia. In addition, only 24 percent of the people in the dementia group returned to the place they lived prior to the stroke compared to 45 percent of people without dementia.

People with dementia were also more likely to have severe stroke and an abnormal heart rhythm and less likely to receive tPA, a clot-busting drug used to treat stroke.

“How to best manage stroke patients with pre-existing dementia is under debate and raises several diagnostic, management and ethical issues as some facilities may limit access to specialized stroke care for dementia patients unless the care is likely to improve outcomes,” said Saposnik. “The lack of established guidelines for the management and treatment of stroke patients with dementia contributes to this uncertainty.” Another study is underway to determine whether dementia or other comorbid conditions (e.g. hypertension, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, smoking) are responsible for the observed outcomes.

This study was supported in part by the Canadian Stroke Network and Heart and Stroke Foundation Ontario.

The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 24,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy.

For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com.

Here are some tips to prepare your home for the indoor months ahead:

Check the perimeter. Check window frames and entryways, since you may need to re-caulk and add additional weather strips. Clear gutters and chimneys of debris.

Store outdoor furniture. Before you store lawn or patio furniture, scrub each piece with baking soda—this natural cleaning method means that you won’t need to worry about harsh chemicals washing onto your lawn.

Wash and weatherize windows. Clean window panes with a solution of vinegar and water, which removes the dirt and grime left behind from winds and rainstorms. Then, place storm windows securely on each frame.

Remember to deodorize. Even if it’s too cold to open the windows, you’ll want your home to smell fresh and clean. Baking soda is a great option for neutralizing unpleasant odors—from the refrigerator and freezer to the carpets and furniture.

Shine your floors. With allergies on the rise, it’s important to pay special attention to floors, baseboards and other hard-to-reach spots—use a product that will clean deep-down to get rid of pollen and dirt.

Unpack cold weather wear. Remember to launder clothing before returning it to your closets, and take this opportunity to wash curtains and other fabric coverings.

For more helpful tips on using baking soda around the home, visit Arm and Hammer.

Source: Arm and Hammer

1. Give your deck a good wash. Start by removing furniture and planters for storage. Moisture caught between the deck and planters or furniture can seep into the wood during the winter and stain the surface. Sweep off dirt and debris while making sure to clear the space between the planks for ventilation. Then wash your deck with deck soap—you can find specific formulas for each type of wood. After washing, give it a good rinse with the hose.
2. Restore the deck by stripping and refinishing the wood to ensure sealants adhere to the wood and cover evenly. Power washing the deck is recommended to remove old paint and stains. Make sure to maintain a consistent distance from the surface of the deck at all times to produce a smooth surface.
3. Protect the deck with water-repellant stain to prevent water, snow, etc., from penetrating the wood. Ask your hardware or home improvement store about the best stain for your type of deck. Using a paint sprayer can make staining faster and provide a professional finish.

For more project tips, visit Wagner SprayTech, Wagner EZ Tilt Spray Painter, or follow @WagnerSprayTech on Twitter.