Balance Exercises for Seniors, Top Grandkid Subscription Boxes, and How to Use an AirTag

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Good balance is essential for staying active, independent, and confident as you age. The good news is that improving your balance doesn’t require fancy equipment—just consistent practice and a few smart safety habits.

Start small with daily exercises that help build stability and muscle strength:

Wearing supportive shoes such as the New Balance 990v6 Walking Shoe can also make a big difference in stability. Around the home, remove loose rugs, add non-slip bath mats, and install grab bars in areas like the bathroom.

If you’re comfortable with tech, there are excellent tools that can help track your progress and alert you to fall risks. Smartwatches like the Fitbit Charge 6 include fall detection and movement tracking. These devices can automatically call for help if a fall is detected, giving you peace of mind—especially if you live alone.

You can also follow guided balance classes online through SilverSneakers On-Demand, which specializes in low-impact exercises for seniors.

💌 If you found these ideas helpful, forward this newsletter to a friend. Building strength and balance together can make the journey safer—and a lot more fun.

Just call or text 1-740-4-SENIOR (1-740-473-6467) anytime (weekends, weekdays, 24/7). A real human will either pick up or get back to your voicemail or text.

Tip: Save this number in your phone now.

Our helpline is a free service to connect you with experts who can help solve common problems seniors face, including but not limited to:

Don’t tackle life without (free) support. Just call or text 1-740-4-SENIOR (1-740-473-6467) at any time and tell us what you need. If we don’t pick up when you call, leave a message. It’s free for you; you’ll only pay a service provider (like a lawyer, since we’re not lawyers) if they have what you’re looking for.

If you want to send a gift that keeps the excitement coming all year, subscription boxes are a wonderful way to stay connected with your grandkids. Each month brings a new surprise—whether it’s a craft, science experiment, or storybook—so they’ll always have something to look forward to from you.

Younger grandkids love hands-on fun, bright colors, and projects they can do with a little help. These boxes deliver creativity and learning all in one package:

Older grandkids often enjoy a bit more challenge, creativity, and independence. These boxes make great monthly activities they can dive into solo or share with friends:

Advanced Tip: If you’re comfortable online, many of these subscriptions include digital dashboards where you can preview upcoming boxes, pause deliveries, or add bonus gifts. You can even schedule a monthly video call to open the box “together,” letting your grandkids show you what they made or learned that month.

This daily section is brought to you by MemoirGhostwriting.com, experts in capturing life stories for posterity. The team offers ethical wills/legacy letters to guided interviews to full-length memoirs. Call 1-888-MEMGHOST for more information.

Take a few minutes to jot down your thoughts. Even a few sentences are a memory preserved for loved ones.

Tip 1: If speaking is easier than writing, use Wispr Flow.

Tip 2: Back up your writing often. The easiest way? Send yourself an email. The best way, use a backup program like Carbonite.

Tip 3: If writing your life story is tricky, MemoirGhostwriting.com can interview you to nudge the memories loose and/or help turn your memories into an edited, well-structured story for loved ones or the public. Call 1-888-MEMGHOST to speak about options.

Tip 4: Writing is just half of the challenge. Do you need to digitize photos? Contact iMemories. Do you need to repair damaged photos? Contact Memory Cherish. Do you need to solve genealogy mysteries? Contact LegacyTree. Or, MemoirGhostwriting.com can handle all of that for you.

Inspired by the work of The Smarter Service, tech support for seniors

If you’re tired of spending ten minutes every morning hunting for your keys, phone, or wallet, Apple’s AirTag can be a real lifesaver. It’s a small, coin-sized tracker that works with your iPhone to help you find missing items in seconds.

To get started, make sure your iPhone is updated to iOS 14.5 or later. Open the box, pull the tab to activate the AirTag, and hold it near your iPhone. You’ll see a pop-up on your screen—just tap Connect and choose what you’re tagging (like “Keys” or “Wallet”). You can attach the AirTag to a keychain using an Apple AirTag Loop or a third-party holder.

Once it’s paired, open the Find My app on your iPhone. You’ll see a map showing your AirTag’s last known location. If it’s nearby, tap Play Sound to make it beep until you find it. If it’s out of range, the app will show you its last known spot—and other iPhone users can help anonymously locate it through Apple’s encrypted network.

If you have an iPhone 11 or newer, you can use Precision Finding, which gives you step-by-step arrows and distance indicators to guide you directly to your lost item.

Lost your keys somewhere farther away? Turn on Lost Mode in the Find My app. This feature alerts you when the AirTag’s location is detected by another Apple device. You can even set it so that if someone finds your item and taps the AirTag with their phone, they’ll see your contact info and can return it.

Cruise deal of the day: 3 Nights Mexico Cruise - departing November 10, from $169

Unmissable American gem: Perched on the Olympic Peninsula, Port Townsend, Washington charms seniors with its walkable Victorian downtown, scenic waterfront views, vibrant arts scene, and easy access to gentle coastal trails and historic lighthouses that make every day feel like a relaxed step back in time.

Go internationally: Northwest of Argentina - 6 days, from $589

Useful travel tool: Backpack provides annual travel insurance that covers unlimited trips, including trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and baggage issues, all for under $150 per year.

We’re thinking of launching Seniors Magazine LIVE, a twice-monthly online event where experts and inspiring guests share advice, stories, and tips—from travel and wellness to purpose and creativity.

It would be easy to join on Zoom and cost $12 per month or $99 per year.

We’d love your opinion before we build it.

Disclaimer: Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, Seniors Magazine may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The content of the newsletter is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as financial, legal, or health advice. We may also share polling responses with advertisers to help keep this newsletter free.