Page 17 - RVO Senior Expo August 2017

RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRATGAZETTE • SENIOR EXPO SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, 2017
17V V
In addition, the U.S. National Park Service has offered citizens age 62 and older lifetime passes to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites for just $10 in person and $20 online or via mail since 1994. However, the price of the pass will increase to $80 on Aug. 28.
IMPROVED REASONING AND PROBLEMSOLVING SKILLS
Brain scans reveal that older adults are more likely to use both hemispheres of their brains simultaneously — something called bilateralization. This can sharpen reasoning skills. For example, in a University of Illinois study, older air-traffic controllers excelled at their cognitively taxing jobs, despite some losses in short-term memory and visual spatial processing. Older controllers proved to be experts at navigating, juggling multiple aircraft simultaneously and avoiding collisions.
LESS STRESS
As people grow older, they are able to differentiate their needs from wants and focus on more important goals. This can alleviate worry over things that are beyond one’s control. Seniors may realize how little the opinions of others truly mean in the larger picture, thereby feeling less stress about what others think of them.
— Courtesy of Metro Creative
Frugal finds
Top freebies for seniors
BY CODY GRAVES SPECIAL SECTIONS WRITER
One of the best parts of growing older is discovering a bounty of discounts available to seniors. There are many no-cost services that allow seniors to stretch their budgets during retirement. Here are a handful
of freebies seniors can seek.
TAX PREPARATION
Preparing one’s own taxes can be a daunting task, but accounting services can cost big bucks. Seniors can save money and reduce stress through free tax services. The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly program both offer free tax help to seniors. In addition, the AARP Foundation Tax-Aid program offers free tax preparation, even for nonmembers. More information is available at www.irs.gov and www.aarp.org.
HEALTH SCREENINGS
Seniors who stay in the loop about local happenings can find plenty of free health screenings to help keep them in tip-top shape. During the River Valley & Ozark Edition Senior Expo, health care professionals from the Conway Regional Health System will provide free health screenings, including blood-pressure, glucose and cholesterol screenings, and balance/ posture assessments.
INTERNET SERVICE
Reliable access to internet service is becoming increasingly important to daily life, but some seniors may find it impracticable to pay for internet service if they only go online occasionally. Fortunately, free internet services are available. Companies such as Juno and NetZero offer 10 hours of dial-up internet per month at no cost. For more information, visit www.juno.com or www.netzero.net.
ENERGYCOMPANY EVALUATIONS
Energy-efficient homes help homeowners save money on utility bills and help protect the environment. Many energy companies offer free evaluations to help determine a home’s efficiency. For example, Entergy Arkansas’ Home Energy Solutions Program allows eligible customers to receive home- energy assessments and some recommended upgrades at no cost. To learn more, visit www.entergy-arkansas.com.