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Don't let Age Keep You from Taking a Gap Year
Year after year, an increasing number of graduating high school seniors and college students are choosing to take a gap year before heading off to reach their future goals. But, gap years aren't just for teens and college grads trying to find themselves anymore. More and more eager adventurers over 50 are setting off on gap years of their own, and more and more companies are designing programs to suit them.
You're never too old to learn a new skill or intern in a new field. Maybe you're a retired teacher who still loves being in the classroom: Go teach English abroad! Maybe you're a former accountant who has a secret passion for cooking: Go take a cooking course, or five...in France. A gap year for over 50s is a perfect opportunity to discover new places, meet new people and learn new skills.
But where can you go? Everywhere and anywhere. However, some countries are still easier, more accessible and less expensive than others. If you're going to need easy access to medical facilities, you might consider a more westernized country or at least stick to bigger, more modern cities. Altitude and climate are also important factors to consider.
How do you start? Do a little research. Websites like Goabroad.com describe dozens of volunteer projects that may provide the perfect opportunity for you to explore the world - and your inner self. Or check out programs like the Peace Corps...no age limits here. In fact, there's quite a bit of flexibility with length of service, destination and the type of work you do, even for a gap year for the over 50s crowd.
Home Instead Senior Care for Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys 254-8701

Mind Body Infusion Offers Primary Care that Cares
Ever feel like you're just a number at your doctor's office? Does your provider run late - and then rush through your appointment? Do you feel like you aren't getting the answers - or the attention - you need to feel your best?
The primary care office at Mind Body Infusion was built with a philosophy of personalized, exceptional service and connection. Sonja Leahy, FNP-C, is beloved in Santa Clarita by patients of all ages who deeply appreciate her skill and compassion.
Trust, knowledge and loyalty are the three key pillars that not only Sonja but the rest of the staff of Mind Body Infusion aims to embody during every patient visit. Each primary care appointment is scheduled so that the patient receives ample time with Sonja, giving them plenty of time to address their needs during the visit. Patients of Mind Body Infusion have the utmost confidence and comfort with the premier medical office - and you can, too.
Mind Body Infusion 544-4036

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A Quick Fix for Lower Back, Hip, Knee & Foot Pain
In a recent study published by Harvard Medical School, 80 percent of Americans - at some point in their lives - experience lower back pain. It's the fifth most common reason for visiting a doctor, one of the top reasons people miss work and the most common cause of work-related disability in people under age 45. Outside of trauma, research suggests that more than half of those suffering are caused by improper biomechanics of the feet. This is also true with knee and hip pain.
Poor alignment between the feet and legs can affect the kinetic chain all the way up to the spine. This, in turn, causes an increase of stress on the joints and surrounding structures which can lead to tendonitis, muscle pain and cramps, meniscus damage and arthritis. This can be magnified in the active and overweight populations. Studies have shown that over 90 percent of those surveyed found improvement or total relief of lower back, hip, knee and foot pain by correcting the abnormality in our foundation - our feet.
How is this done? By corrective custom orthotics/insoles. This can be accomplished by various methods including plaster casting, foam impression, pressure analysis and high-tech digital infrared scanning. Custom orthotics correct the biomechanical deformity by properly supporting the feet into a neutral position, improving alignment between the feet and legs, reducing stress from the feet up to the lower back, creating better posture and improving your gait. Professional athletes use custom orthotics as a prevention to injury and as a performance enhancer.
Pain is the body's way of warning you something is wrong. If you ignore your pain, the condition causing it could become worse. Relief is closer than you think. Orthotics are covered by most insurance plans.
Valencia Foot & Ankle Center 288-2321