PHASE THREE by Arnold Bornstein: Advice for senior citizens

Do as he says, not as he does

By: Arnold Bornstein
   When you try to give advice to family, friends or whomever, you should follow the old adage of telling them to do as you say and not as you do. Besides the weakness of sometimes not following your own advice, let me add that much of what follows can also be applicable to those who are not seniors.
   When driving, always signal for making turns and changing lanes, as it seems that three-quarters of motorists do not. It’s surprising there are not more accidents, particularly on high- and low- speed-limit roads and in parking lots.
   Always ask a restaurant beforehand if you can BYOB (bring your own booze). One of the joys of living in New Jersey is that a number of restaurants do not have liquor licenses and you are allowed to bring your own alcoholic beverages. As you know, the restaurant profit margin and markup on alcohol is generally very large, so there are very substantial savings in the BYOB factor.
   While you’re at it, if you’re also a senior citizen, always ask if there is a senior discount.
   And regardless of your age category, there are early-bird dinner savings, and you will find that some establishments at lunch offer variations on dinner dishes at lower prices. In addition, do not overlook coupons and two-for-one books. Don’t feel awkward about all this, especially if you’re on a fixed income or if you’re trying to make ends meet for your young family.
   Wherever you eat, and again no matter what your age category, always try to eat healthily. It will pay off in the long run. You will find that many restaurants and even fast-food places now offer health-related items on their menus. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about the ingredients and the dishes listed.
   Besides your nutrition and what you eat, you don’t have to be a renowned medical specialist to know about the benefits of exercise according to the kind of program that your doctors approves. And if you exercise at dusk along the side of a road, make sure you are wearing reflectors that will shine in a passing motorist’s headlights.
   Exercising the mind can also be productive. My wife recently became a competitive bridge player, for example, and feels that it has refreshed her mental capacities.
   Whether you’re still working or not — at either end, a workaholic or a retiree — try to maintain relationships with family and friends and pursue your other interests. Stress and anxiety sometimes creep up on us.
   Don’t overlook the importance of periodic getaways and vacations for you and your family.
   If you haven’t yet, you may want to consider a cruise. Ships leave from Bayonne and Manhattan, so you can avoid plane fare, flying concerns and general travel hassles. Ships have day camps for kids, stage shows in the evenings, leisure activities, pools — all the things you would expect from a first-class hotel — and all meals are included in your stateroom price. Sightseeing and stops at Caribbean beaches in mid-winter add a nice touch.
   And last but not least, we recently discovered a radio station that plays hits that link us to our musical past, and memories are made of this, as the songs transport us to other times. The station is WBUB out of Trenton, which plays lots of 1950s music, and you’ll find it at l260 AM on your radio dial. It’s a great way to reminisce while driving.
   There are radio stations that play recordings from the decades and eras of all our lives, and they include and feature golden oldies, big bands, pop, rock ‘n’ roll, hard rock, heavy metal, country, jazz, soul, rap and whatever. It’s your call!
   There are too many Billboard Number One hits to recall, but a smattering of the names of those who recorded them triggers our remembrances of things past: The Andrew Sisters, Johnny Mercer, Harry James, the Ink Spots, the Mills Brothers, Peggy Lee, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Perry Como, Tony Bennett, Eddie Fisher, Elvis Presley.
   Pat Boone, Andy Williams, Frankie Avalon, Bobby Darin, Connie Francis, Ray Charles, Neil Sedaka, The Beatles, the Supremes, Sonny and Cher, the Beach Boys, Simon and Garfunkel, the Rolling Stones.
   The Jackson 5, the Carpenters, Janis Joplin, Neil Young, Stevie Wonder, John Denver, Frankie Vali, Tony Orlando and Dawn, the Captain and Tennile, the Bee Gees, Glen Campbell, Johnny Mathis.
   Barbra Streisand, Rod Stewart, Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Kenny Rogers, Lionel Richie, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Bon Jovi, Michael Bolton, Mariah Cary, Janet Jackson, Gloria Estefan, Celine Dion, Elton John Britney Spears, Christine Aguilera, Eminem, Destiny’s Child, Beyonce, 50 Cent, Carrie Underwood… the beat goes on and on.
   I’ll close with a quote, the author of which I’m still trying to locate: "Don’t anticipate, because 90 percent of what you anticipate doesn’t happen, and the other 10 percent you can’t do anything about anyway."
Arnold Bornstein is a resident of Greenbriar at Whittingham in Monroe.