advertisement...
Senior Resources » Senior Resource Articles

7 Famous Actors Who Hated Their Iconic Roles

Courtesy of Rick Nineg

We’ve all taken a job we don’t like for a paycheck, and that includes famous actors and actresses. While it’s hard for sitcom fans to imagine, many of the talented people who brought characters we all love to life didn’t enjoy playing them. In fact, some downright hated both the sitcoms that made them household names. So, grab some popcorn, put on your reading glasses, and get ready to learn the truth about some of your favorite actors and actresses.

1. Robert Reed – Mike Brady on The Brady Bunch

Here’s the story…of a man named Reed. Mike Brady consistently ranks high on “Best TV Fathers” lists, and for good reason. He’s a devoted husband to Carol and an amazing father to all six Brady kids. Smart, principled, and responsible, Mike Brady set the bar for TV dads high. And while sitcom fans everywhere love the Brady family patriarch, Robert Reed didn’t share those sentiments. A trained thespian, he had trouble adjusting from Shakespeare to slapstick.

Furthermore, he found the show’s brand of humor “embarrassing.” He often fought with creator Sherwood Schwartz over the scripts, fact-checking them mercilessly. According to The New York Post, Reed once picked a fight over—of all things—strawberries. The script originally had Mr. Brady walk into a preserve-making session and proclaim that the kitchen smelled like “strawberry heaven.” After doing a little research, Reed discovered that strawberries don’t give off a smell when being cooked and refused to say the line. Eventually, it was amended to “I do believe I’ve died and gone to strawberry heaven.”

Mr. Brady isn’t featured in the show’s final episode “The Hair-Brained Scheme” because Reed objected to the premise. He hated the script so much that he refused to appear in the finale at all. “Bob Reed called and said, ‘Outlandish story, unbelievable, ridiculous, and I won’t do the show. He didn’t tell me this the week before; the morning of the show, he calls and tells me he won’t do the show,” Schwartz later said in an interview.

2. Tina Louise – Ginger Grant on Gilligan’s Island

Just sit right back, and you’ll hear a tale, the tale of a fateful casting choice. Poor Sherwood Schwartz had awful luck when it came to casting actors who hated their characters. Like Reed, Louise felt that Gilligan’s Island was beneath her. She also went into the show with the impression that she would be the main star. Of course, that honor went to Bob Denver, the eponymous Gilligan.

While the other six cast members got along famously, Louise purposely distanced herself from her costars. In an interview with Forbes, Dawn Wells—the former beauty queen who played farm girl Mary Ann Summers—said of Louise, “We’re not enemies, but we’re not close.” Reportedly, she brought friction onto the set and even fought with Denver. However, Denver refused to confirm the rumors. “Look, I don’t want to talk about it. I have nothing to say,” he stated. “To me, the guys on Gilligan’s Island are the greatest bunch of fellows I’ve ever worked with. We’re always pulling gags on one another; we eat together and work together. That’s professionalism.” Professionalism, indeed!

Louise continued to distance herself from the show long after it ended, even turning down the opportunity to play Ginger in the 1978 movie Rescue from Gilligan’s Island. To Louise’s credit, she did appear in a 1988 Gilligan’s Island Reunion on The Late Show and even spoke positively about her time on the show. Perhaps by this point, she’d developed a different perspective on the role that cemented her place in pop culture history.

3. Larry Hagman – Tony Nelson on I Dream of Jeannie

The chemistry between Jeannie and Tony is undeniable, but the rapport between Barbara Eden and Larry Hagman might not have been as pleasant. Hagman was resentful when he learned that he wasn’t the real star of I Dream of Jeannie. “Suddenly, Larry found himself in a show with a beautiful, half-naked girl and there was no way that it would be his show,” showrunner Sidney Nelson later explained. “I tried everything, but it was always only Jeannie the public was interested in, and through five seasons, he became frustrated and very angry.

While Eden has been nothing but gracious and understanding of her costar, she detailed his behind-the-scenes antics in her memoir, Jeannie Out of the Bottle. “On one unforgettable occasion, when Larry didn’t like a particular script, his answer was to throw up all over the set. Nerves? Method acting? I didn’t stick around long enough to find out, but took refuge in the sanctuary of my dressing room instead,” she wrote.

On yet another unforgettable occasion, Hagman also terrorized a group of elderly nuns who came to see the show. He borrowed an axe from the prop department and swung it around while shouting profanities. Much to both Eden and the nun’s horror, he supposedly started trying to chop some cables until the crew dragged him off the set. “In many ways, Larry was like a very talented, troubled child whose tantrums sometimes got the better of his self-control,” said Eden. Based on everything we’ve read about Hagman, that might be an understatement!

4. Faye Dunaway – Joan Crawford on Mommie Dearest

Based on Christina Crawford’s tell-all of the same name, Mommie Dearest stars Faye Dunaway as actress Joan Crawford. The movie was critically panned, due in part to Dunaway’s exaggerated performance. It’s hard to forget lines like, “NO…WIRE…HANGERS…EVER!” Though she rarely speaks of the performance, Dunaway addressed Mommie Dearest in an interview with People magazine.

“I think it turned my career in a direction where people would irretrievably have the wrong impression of me,” she stated. “And that’s an awful hard thing to beat. I should have known better, but sometimes you’re vulnerable and you don’t realize what you’re getting into. It’s unfortunate they felt they had to make that kind of movie. But you can’t be ashamed of the work you’ve done.”

Christina Crawford also laments the film version of her memoir. “It was meant to be a window into a tortured soul. But it was made into camp,” she told The Guardian. Although the film flopped with the critics, it performed well at the box office and has since developed a cult following.

5. Christopher Plummer – Georg Von Trapp in The Sound of Music

The Sound of Music is one of the most beloved movies of all time. Who can forget such songs as “So Long, Farewell” and “Edelweiss”? And while both critics and viewers alike hold the film in high esteem, Christopher Plummer despised it with a passion. Purportedly, he referred to it as “The Sound of Mucus” and compared working with Dame Julia Andrews to “being hit over the head with a big Valentine’s Day card, every day.”

Like Tina Louise with Gilligan’s Island, Plummer avoided all things The Sound of Music after the movie’s release. Not only did he refuse to attend the film’s 40th-anniversary reunion, but he also openly despised his character in the movie. “Although we worked hard enough to make him interesting, it was a bit like flogging a dead horse. And the subject matter is not mine. I mean, it can’t appeal to every person in the world. It’s not my cup of tea,” he told The Boston Globe in 2010. Among other criticisms of the movie, he found it “so awful and sentimental and gooey” and complained about how difficult it was to inject humor into the role.

However, Plummer remained lifelong friends with Andrews until his death. She had only positive things to say about her costar, stating that they “became great friends, really until he passed away fairly recently. We saw each other a lot, we knew each other, he stayed a friend and it was very pleasant.”

6. Harrison Ford – Han Solo in the Star Wars franchise

While Luke Skywalker is the undeniable hero of the Star Wars movies, Han Solo is a fan favorite. The character first appeared in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, played by the irrepressibly charming Harrison Ford. While his acting prowess transcended his personal feelings, Ford has never been shy about his dislike of his iconic character.

In fact, he even asked creator George Lucas to kill off his character. “I thought Han Solo should die. I thought he ought to sacrifice himself for the other two characters[Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia Organa]. I said,’ He’s got no mama, he’s got no papa, he’s got no future. He has no story responsibilities at this point so let’s allow him to commit self-sacrifice.’”

Ford eventually got his wish in 2015’s The Force Awakens. And though Star Wars fans might be disappointed to learn that Ford hated Solo, he’s recently been complimentary of his work on the juggernaut franchise. “I was grateful because it changed my life,” the 81-year-old actor admitted. “I had opportunities that extended beyond director George Lucas’ and my success in making that film. It gave me freedom and opportunities that I never had imagined I might have.”

7. Sean Connery – James Bond

Sean Connery played the father to Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones in the 1989 film The Last Crusade. But the two actors might have more in common than the Indiana Jones film. Namely, that Connery hated the role that made him a household name. Connery was the first actor to bring James Bond to the big screen. However, the straight-shooting actor never felt the need to hide his opinion of the character.

“[I am] fed up to here with the whole Bond bit,” Connery once told The Guardian, also adding, “I have always hated that James Bond. I’d like to kill him.” Fellow actor Michael Caine even cautioned others about bringing up the character in Connery’s presence. “If you were his friend in these early days, you didn’t raise the subject of Bond. He was, and is, a much better actor than just playing James Bond, but he became synonymous with Bond. He’d be walking down the street, and people would say, ‘Look, there’s James Bond’. That was particularly upsetting to him.”

However, Connery’s disillusionment might make more sense in light of some recent revelations. Reports state that he was never able to renegotiate his contract, despite the profitability of the franchise. Another interview with Connery also reveals why he began to hate the iconic spy. “It [From Russia with Love] had a credibility in the story and was interesting, and the places, and the characters, and the, uh, whole feel of the film, I think.” In other words, Connery felt that films grew more outlandish and less believable as they went along, deepening his resentment for the franchise.

Looking for More?

If you like reading articles about pop culture, we’ve got your back! Check out these great pieces before you go.

10 Ways You’re Hurting the Relationship with Your Adult Children (Without Knowing It)

distraught adult child presumably in a disagreement with senior, retiree mother
Image Credit: shutterstock.com/g/fizkes

When my children were in elementary school, I was busy being a mom and the future seemed distant. I was in the midst of soccer games, mounds of laundry, and meal preparation. I thought my boys would always be rough and tumble, video-game-playing, eating-all-the-groceries kids. In a blink, however, they transformed from smelly energetic boys to mature adults living on their own, holding down jobs, and taking care of themselves. It all happened so fast.

As parents, we practice parenting for so many years we often neglect to consider our future relationship as parents of adult children. We never consider how “parenting” becomes “being a parent.”

The two seem similar, but there is a significant difference. Parenting is caring for, nurturing, and training a child to make good choices. Scripture assures us our hard work as parents is beneficial. “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). Parenting means teaching them to love God and serve others and helping them learn to reach wise decisions and master taking care of themselves.

On the other hand, being a parent of adult children is more about a relationship. Being the parent is about adults relating to adults. The rules change. If we don’t make the transition from “parenting” to “being a parent,” we can hurt the new relationship with our adult children without knowing.

Here are 10 ways we may be hurting our relationship and not knowing:

1. Misunderstanding the New Relationship

holding hands
Image Credit: Shutterstock

The first step in making the transition from parenting to a parent-adult-child relationship happens the day our child leaves. On the day we watch them drive away, our relationship changes. We go from giving instructions and providing for every need to stepping back and letting them grow.

The relationship will be hurt if we continue parenting by giving instructions where they are not needed and taking care of every need. The work of parenting is done, and now we must turn our adult children over to God. “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” (Isaiah 54:13 ESV)

2. Comparing Their Lives With Ours

mom and daughter
Image Credit: Shutterstock

The world is a much different place than in our youth, and they have more choices and opportunities. Don’t expect your adult children’s lives to look anything like yours did at their age.

Instead of comparing, be interested in what your adult children want for the future and pray God will guide their steps. Trust God to care for and guide them. Instead of worrying, allow your children to test their abilities and build their life.

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” (Proverbs 19:21 ESV)

3. Asking Too Many Questions

disagreement between senior woman and adult daughter
Image Credit: Shutterstock

There was a time when we were aware of every step our children took. As adults, however, we are aware of much less about their lives. Our children are busy building their own lives, and we would love to know the details. To our children, however, our questions may feel a bit like we are being too nosey. Instead, let’s listen more and, in most cases, our questions will be answered in time.

4. Disparaging Their Spouse

wedding shoes

At some point, our adult children will introduce us to their intended spouse. And when they are married, that person comes first. That is God’s plan.

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24)

Our job is to accept, love, and include the new spouse. To criticize and question puts our children in the uncomfortable place of choosing between the relationship with their spouse or parent. If they have to decide, we always lose, either being chosen second or chosen with bitterness. Instead, let us pray for the man or woman God has chosen for our children and cover them with love and acceptance.

5. Overdoing the Communication

smart phone

Today’s technology allows us to reach out to our children through a variety of ways. However, too much communication can quickly become no communication. Unless your adult child asks you to call more often, let them reach out.

If we allow them to initiate conversation, we will soon tune into their preferred amount and mode. Some like to text frequently, and some prefer a phone call occasionally. Either way, don’t sit by the phone waiting for them. Enjoy your life and spend your time doing something you can converse with them about later. 

6. Sharing Too Much Advice

two women drinking coffee
Image Credit: Shutterstock

One of our first temptations is to offer advice about everything from grocery shopping to retirement plans. The problem is when we give unsolicited advice, our children hear criticism.

If we hold our suggestions until we’re asked for help, we are most likely to be received as helpful and not hurtful. When they ask, give them your best wisdom and honest opinion.

7. Demanding Too Much of Their Time

arguing man
Image Credit: Shutterstock

After talking to my friends with adult children, I found the number one difficult adjustment is sharing children with other families on holidays and special occasions. As our children leave home, other important people like spouses will enter their lives, and that means splitting time. Our special traditions and holiday expectations must adjust.

Sometimes we want to demand that traditions stay the same, but it is best to give your adult children space to negotiate new traditions. Be flexible. Making demands on their time only adds stress to already stressful events. 

8. Overstepping Boundaries

adult woman with hand out expressing that she's setting boundaries
Image Credit: shutterstock.com/g/Nicoleta+Ionescu

During our parenting years we develop a close bond with our children, and when our adult children pull away, what seems like rejection stings. We feel hurt or rejected.

It’s completely normal to long for the old days, but our adult children need a privacy safeguard, or a boundary. It’s crucial for them as they build confidence and make their own decisions.

Rather than letting our feelings get hurt when they push away, keep communication open and try to understand they need distance to grow.

9. Not Admitting Our Mistakes

mean guy
Image Credit: Canva

Being a parent to adult children is new territory for most of us, and we will make mistakes. Maybe we will call too much or ask too many questions. When this happens, stop and take note of what went wrong.  Most of all, be willing to say, “I messed up.” 

In Ephesians, Paul writes, “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity…”  (Ephesians 4:2). To maintain unity, admit the difficulty of navigating this new relationship and talk about ways to make the transition easier for everyone.

10. Trying to Fix Every Problem

adult son and father sitting on the couch having a discussion
Image Credit: Shutterstock

When our children were small, we could fix anything from scraped knees to broken hearts. Our adult children, on the other hand, need the opportunity to learn this skill for themselves.

There will be troubles and trying times for our adult children. We may know what to do from experience but resist the impulse to fix every situation. Problems have a purpose. As James wrote, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (James 1:2). Through difficulties, they learn to trust in God.

As parents, it’s our job to put ourselves out of a job. So, while we learn to tread the new territory of being the parent of adult children, let’s enjoy our new lives and, when we mess up, let’s give ourselves grace.

This article was originally published on Crosswalk.com – 10 Ways You’re Hurting the Relationship with Your Adult Children (Without Knowing It) – Used with permission.

8 Ways to Be a Better Listener: Active Listening for Dementia Caregivers

daughter and senior mom
Image Credit: Pexels

The world may seem like a confusing fog for your loved one with dementia. Their words might jumble, memories slip away, and frustration can simmer. But there’s a powerful tool that can bridge the gap – your ability to truly listen.

Certified dementia practitioner Dr. Shawn Weiss recently sat down with Answers for Elders to share 8 ways to listen with your heart, not just your ears. Here’s everything you need to know about tapping into non-verbal cues and creating a deeper connection that transcends the challenges of dementia.

1 Actually listen. Don’t pretend to listen.

Dr. Shawn Weiss on Zoom
Dr. Shawn Weiss c/o Answers for Elders

“When you walk in the room, and you’re addressing the person that you’re caring for, are you empathetic? Do you have an ear, or are you just waiting for them to stop talking? Are you pretending to listen? What you’ll find is when you have that empathy, understanding, and compassion, and actually listen to them, you’re gonna have much more success with them being compliant, maybe in the things you need them to do. Maybe you’re trying to get them ready for the day, or you have a doctor’s appointment to get to and they really don’t wanna do that, or they don’t wanna eat breakfast. Be able to listen to what they have to say.”

2. Get over the repetition.

daughter and mom
Image Credit: Shutterstock

Caring for someone with dementia often involves navigating repeated questions and conversations. As Dr. Shawn Weiss emphasizes, “You’re going to have to repeat it. They’re gonna ask you the same question 20 times, and you should answer it the same way without frustration.”

Here’s how Dr. Weiss’ advice translates into an actionable listening strategy:

  • Accept Repetition as Necessary: Recognize that repetition helps your loved one feel secure and grounded.
  • Control Your Emotions: Patience is key. Take a deep breath and maintain a calm demeanor.
  • Validate Their Reality: Even if their questions seem illogical, acknowledge their feelings by saying, “I hear you,” or “That sounds frustrating.”
  • Redirect Gently: If needed, gently steer the conversation in a positive direction by offering comfort or a change of activity.

3. Don’t interrupt.

elderly woman smiling in wheelchair
Image Credit: Shutterstock

“If you remember the love that’s there, and you have an empathetic ear, and you’re not interrupting what they’re saying, and you’re not finishing their sentences for them…it goes a long way.”

Dr. Weiss recommends practicing active listening to better connect with those you care for:

  • Silence your inner voice: Resist the urge to interrupt or finish their sentences. Let them express themselves fully.
  • Focus on understanding: Pay close attention to their words and emotions. Try to see things from their perspective.
  • Acknowledge their feelings: Validate their emotions with simple phrases like “That sounds frustrating” or “I understand why you feel that way.”
  • Be patient: Allow them ample time to gather their thoughts and respond.

Sometimes simply being heard can make a world of difference for someone with dementia.

4. Ask the right questions.

elderly man and younger woman sitting on couch reading together
Image Credit: Pexels

“You might think you know everything about them…But there’s going to be a lot of things that you can still learn from them. Their short-term memory is gone, [but] long-term memory typically is intact.”

Use your loved one’s long-term memories to build deeper connections, create a sense of purpose, and experience the joy of shared stories.

  • Focus on long-term memories: Dementia may affect short-term recall, but long-term memories often remain strong.
  • Ask open-ended questions: Instead of questions with yes/no answers, prompt them to share stories from their past. For example, “Tell me about your time in the military” or “What did you love to do when you were younger?”
  • Actively listen: Be fully present and engaged as they share their stories.
  • Connect with their passions: If they were a veteran, discuss military experiences. If they loved gardening, reminisce about their favorite flowers.

“You can tap into some of the long-term memory that they have, and you can have some wonderful conversations just by asking the right questions.”

5. Take inventory of your own weaknesses.

hugging and smiling woman with senior mom
Image Credit: Shutterstock

“Take inventory of yourself. I’ve learned over the last several years to be a better listener. I’m not just waiting for somebody to stop talking so I can get my point in.”

Dr. Weiss’ recommendations for becoming a more mindful listener:

  • Self-reflection: Before interacting with your loved one, take a moment to center yourself. Acknowledge any worries or anxieties you might have.
  • Focus on active listening: Don’t wait for them to finish talking to jump in with your thoughts.
  • Validate their feelings: Acknowledge and show empathy for their emotions, even if you don’t fully understand them. A simple phrase like “That sounds frustrating” can go a long way.
  • Practice patience: Give them time to gather their thoughts and respond.

By becoming more aware of your own mental state and actively focusing on your loved one’s experience, you can create a more supportive environment for open communication.

6. Practice listening.

home care
Image Credit: Shutterstock

“You’re gonna have people withdraw from you. They’re not gonna want to do the things you want to do. They’re not gonna wanna engage or participate in those things. So having a good ear. That takes practice. And care. But if you care, and you tap into the fact that you’re a caring person, I’m a believer that everybody’s good. Everybody’s got a good heart, and you really just need to stop and breathe. Sometimes it’s deep breaths because you’re hearing the story for the 50th time in three days.”

7. Resist the impulse to correct errors.

smiling seniors close up
Image Credit: Shutterstock

Prioritize connection over correction:

  • Focus on the message: Pay attention to the underlying emotions and meaning behind their words, rather than factual accuracy.
  • Offer emotional support: Acknowledge their feelings with a warm smile and empathetic listening.
  • Avoid correcting mistakes: Resist the urge to point out errors in memory or date. In most cases, it’s more important to validate their feelings than correct minor details.
  • Choose your battles: If safety is at risk or there’s a crucial need for clarity, provide gentle redirection. Otherwise, focus on building rapport.

8. Don’t let yourself get offended.

Asain senior in a wheelchair, looking up and talking to a woman loved one or caregiver
Image Credit: Shutterstock

Practice emotional detachment when faced with inappropriate comments:

  • Remember, it’s the disease, not the person: Dementia can cause loss of inhibition, leading to comments or behaviors that wouldn’t be typical.
  • Focus on care, not offense: Don’t take their words personally. Your primary concern is their well-being and providing compassionate care.
  • Redirect gently: If the comment is disruptive, calmly change the subject or offer a comforting touch.
  • Seek support: Talking to other caregivers or a therapist can help you process difficult situations.

Hear More About the 8 Ways to Be a Better Listener Below!

Andy Griffith HATED Watching the First Season of ‘TAGS’ For THIS Reason

It’s hard to imagine an actor hating their own show. Yet throughout television history, actors have been critical of their work. From Mandy Patinkin of Criminal Minds fame to Brady Bunch dad Robert Reed, many actors and actresses have been vocal about their dislike of their sitcoms. Interestingly, Andy Griffith might’ve been a part of that list, were it not for Howard McNear.

McNear played Floyd the Barber on The Andy Griffith Show for several seasons. The character resonated strongly with audiences, due in no small part to McNear’s hilarious performance and undeniable talent. “What I’ve been hearing for many, many years is that after Andy and Opie and Aunt Bee and Barney, probably the most beloved character on the show was Floyd the Barber,” says noted pop culture historian Geoffrey Mark. “If you watch all the episodes like I have hundreds of times, Floyd the Barber really permeates Mayberry. A lot of Mayberry’s attitudes get revealed through him, because that barbershop was kind of the center of town for the men to gossip in. And there were almost as many scenes in the barbershop as there were in Andy’s office.” People just hung out there, so whenever anything happened in town, any storyline where something was going on, there was always a scene at Floyd’s where they discussed it.”

From Will Stockdale to Andy Taylor

Courtesy of Joe E. Dale

Andy Griffith famously hated his performance in the first season of The Andy Griffith Show, feeling that he was a little too much like his character Will Stockdale in No Time for Sergeants. The actor’s minimal television experience probably led him to fall back on familiar characters. However, he soon discovered that the performance that worked so well in No Time for Sergeants wouldn’t work on The Andy Griffith Show.

It wasn’t until Howard McNear joined the cast as Floyd the Barber that Andy had his epiphany.

“Now in the ninth show we put in a barber, and the old gentleman was just scared to death—he couldn’t remember his lines and he wasn’t funny— so we reshot all of his scenes later with another man named Howard McNear, who played Floyd the barber. He was the second character we added. Over the years we added various other characters as we needed them, and our show became what it was— what it didn’t start out to be, but became what it was.”

Andy quickly realized that playing the straight man to more zany characters like platitude-spouting Floyd the Barber and high-energy Barney Fife was more his forte and found his footing in the second season. “So that’s what he did; he pulled the character way down, and just played it as a normal guy,” said his co-star and real-life best friend, Don Knotts. “He has a natural Southern accent, anyway. He didn’t have to put any more on.”

Fun, Frustration-Free Cookie Recipes to Make With Kids

Getting in the kitchen with your grandkids is an incredibly messy, loud, and fantastic adventure. Kids LOVE to help, be hands-on, and learn new things. Getting in the kitchen is a great way for them to learn and spend quality time with you. If you want to bake with your grandkids, we’ve got you covered! Here are 5 of the most simple, frustrated-free, and delicious recipes you can make with the grands. Good luck and happy baking!

1. Chocolate Chip

chocolate chip cookies, stacked on the table
Courtesy of Lisa Fotios

Classic, chocolatey goodness. This recipe is so simple. Just one bowl, no mixer, and no chilling time involved. After you make these cookies, they’re sure to become a staple in your household!

  • Ingredients:
    • ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
    • ½ cup packed brown sugar
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 Large egg
    • 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon salt (omit if you only have salted butter)
    • 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
    • ½ (ish) cups of chocolate chips
  • Instructions:
    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line two baking dishes with parchment paper
    2. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar. Then add in the egg and vanilla and mix until smooth.
    3. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt on top and mix in. And then add half the flour, mix, and add the other half. 
    4. Fold in the chocolate chips
    5. Form into balls and place on the baking sheets
    6. Bake for 9-11 minutes and then let sit for 5 minutes on the pan before placing them on a cooling rack
    7. Enjoy!

2. Peanut Butter Oatmeal

Courtesy of A Baking Journey

These cookies are soft, chewy, and easy with just a base of 3 ingredients and an infinite amount of add-ins. Simplicity and deliciousness combined into one stress-free recipe, these cookies are sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

  • Ingredients:
    • 2 Cups of Rolled oats
    • ½ of peanut butter (or nut butter/nut butter alternative)
    • 1 ¼ cup banana (or apple sauce)
  • Instructions:
    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a large baking tray with parchment paper
    2. In a large mixing bowl add your oats, banana (or apple sauce), and nut butter of choice and mix well.
    3. Once the dough is mixed you can add in your choice of add-ins! Chocolate chips, caramel chips, pretzels, M&Ms. The options are endless
    4. Form the dough into either 12 medium balls or 24 small ones and place on the baking tray. Bake for 10-12 minutes and let cool completely before enjoying.

3. Sugar

Courtesy of Handle the Heat

Classic sugar cookies are beloved by all. And this recipe makes them so easy to make and enjoy with little ones. A quick 4 ingredient (ok 5 if you count sprinkles)  cookie with no extra chill time means no waiting for cookies to enjoy!

  • Ingredients:
    • 1 Cup butter (salted or unsalted) at room temperature
    • ⅔ + 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
    • 2 cups + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
    • 1 Teaspoon vanilla
    • Sprinkles of your choice (What is a sugar cookie with no sprinkles?)
  • Instructions:
    1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
    2. Mix the softened butter and sugar either with a handheld mixer, a stand mixer, or a whisk.
    3. Add in Vanilla
    4. Add in flour a little at a time
    5. Optional- add in some sprinkles now!
    6. Scoop out the dough into balls and place on the baking sheets
    7. Flatten out the cookies with the bottom of a cup and add more sprinkles!
    8. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges become slightly browned
    9. Let rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes
    10. Transfer to a cooling rack and enjoy!

4. Snickerdoodle

Courtesy of Unsplash

Sweet, chewy, and rolled in cinnamon sugar. The Snickerdoodle is an underrated cookie in my book and deserves so much more love than it gets! This simple cookie is easy to make and delicious!

  • Ingredients:
    • ½ cup butter (room temp)
    • ¾ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • ¼ teaspoon salt (add a little extra if you are using unsalted butter)
    • 1 ⅓ cup flour
    • 3 Tablespoons + ½ teaspoon cinnamon to roll the cookies in before baking
  • Instructions:
    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper
    2. Mix together butter and sugar until light and fluffy (either in a stand mixer or with a handheld mixer will be best)
    3. Add egg and vanilla
    4. Slowly add in baking powder, salt, and flour and mix until just combined.
    5. Scoop dough into balls and roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
    6. Bake for 10-12 minutes and then let rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack
    7. Enjoy!
Courtesy of Sally’s Baking Recipes

While these aren’t round like traditional cookies, these M&M cookie bars are so much fun to make! Soft, chewy, and buttery these bars are easy and delicious and can be customized with any kind of M&M or candy you can think of!

  • Ingredients:
    • ½ cup butter (Softened)
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • ½ cup packed brown sugar
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ cup of M&Ms (or candy of your choice)
    • ¼ cup chocolate chips
  • Instructions:
    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
    2. Line an 8×8” square baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease. Set aside.
    3. In a small bowl, mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
    4. In the bowl of a standing mixer or in a large bowl with a handheld mixer, cream together butter, light brown sugar and granulated sugar.
    5. Add egg and vanilla to the butter/sugar mixture and beat until combined.
    6. Add dry ingredients and beat until just incorporated.
    7. Add M&M’s and chocolate chips and mix until evenly distributed.
    8. Press the dough into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
    9. Bake for 18-25 minutes, or until the edges are set, and the top is just barely browned.
    10. Place the baking pan on a wire cooling rack and let the bars cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes (preferably longer, they hold up better as they cool).
    11. Use the parchment paper to lift the cookie bars out of the pan, then cut into squares and serve.
    12.  Enjoy!

Now off to the kitchen! It’s time to start baking with those amazing grandkids! Have fun, get messy, and share some laughs. Most importantly, remember to make a memory or two. Happy baking!

Looking for More?

If you’re looking for even more great articles like this one, then make sure you check out these before you go!

Leaving Employer’s Benefits Past 65 is Puzzling!

Image Credit, Shutterstock

Hi Shirley,

The Social Security representative gave you excellent advice about your husband’s Medicare. I’ve written about the famous form to verify employer benefits for those enrolling in Medicare past 65. The for,m is called CMS L-564 “Request for Employment Information.”

Someone who works in the Human Resources department will have to fill out and sign the form. Your husband will also have to fill out the CMS-40B form “Application for Enrollment in Medicare Part B.” Under #12 Remarks of CMS-40B state which month Jay wants his Medicare Part B to start. Across the top of each form, write “Special Enrollment Period” to claim the Medicare enrollment period he wants to enroll in. This will prevent him from receiving the dreaded Part B penalty!

Courtesy of Medicare

How to Avoid the DREADED Medicare Part B Penalty!

Image Credit, Shutterstock

As Shirley discovered, avoiding a Medicare Part B penalty is stressful. A reader whose wife is retiring recently visited the Toni Says office for a Medicare consultation. The husband, 72, has had Medicare Parts A and B since he turned 65 in 2018.

The wife qualified for the Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment (6-month enrollment period). Because her Medicare Parts A and B began in February 2024, she can pick whichever Medicare Supplement plan she desires without having to answer one health question. 

However, the couple is experiencing the pain and agony of trying to enroll the husband in a Medicare Supplement plain. He is currently on both spousal company benefits and Medicare Parts A and B. Unfortunately, since he’s been enrolled in Medicare since 2018, he can only apply for a “guaranteed issue” Plan F not Plan G Medicare Supplement policy. This gentleman has heart and cancer issues that keep him from qualifying medically.

Chapter 3 of Toni’s Medicare Survival Guide Advanced Edition discusses the enrollment rules for Medicare Supplements. Click HERE to purchase your copy.

Bottom Line

Medicare enrollment written on a notepad with pen

To avoid answering health questions, you must have a “current” company benefit termination letter to prove to the Medicare Supplement insurance company that you’re in a “guaranteed issue” period. If you don’t have a current termination letter and you have health issues, then you won’t qualify medically due to those issues. You’ll then have to choose either Original Medicare without a Medicare Supplement to pick up Medicare’s out-of-pocket or a Medicare Advantage Plan HMO or PPO.  

Fortunately, I’ve written about this special 6-month window many times and have stressed the importance of enrolling in Part B at the correct time and the correct way. If you leave employer benefits and decide to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, verify that your medical providers are in the network for the Medicare Advantage plan you are interested in. Always check and double-check when it comes to Medicare!

Important Medicare Enrollment Situations

enrolling in medicare

A Working Spouse

If the working spouse is providing health insurance benefits from their current employment group health coverage, then you may want to delay enrolling in Medicare Part B. You may continue to work either part-time or as a self-employed individual while taking advantage of the coverage provided by your working spouse. 

Self-Employed

If you’re turning 65, are not covered under an employer’s group health plan, and waited to enroll in Medicare Part B, then you can receive a 10% penalty for every 12 months that you were not enrolled in Part B when turning 65.

Past 65 and Still Employed

Verify with your (or your spouse’s) employer’s HR department if you should delay enrolling in Part B because you (or your spouse) are “still working” and are on an employer group health plan. As soon as you will are no longer covered by an employer group health plan, have the HR department fill out and sign Social Security form CMS-L564 “Request for Employment Information” and you fill out and sign, CMS-40B “Application for Medicare Part B. Contact your local Social Security office to file both forms to justify your delay in enrollment in Medicare and avoid needless penalties.

More from Medicare Moments

5 Things Never to Say to Your Grandchildren

teen grandchild and grandfather taking a happy selfie together
Image Credit: Shutterstock

Grandparents are supposed to be kid experts. We’ve raised our own children and by now should be seasoned and mellowed-out enough to roll with the ups and downs of our grandkids’ lives. Those of us with new grandbabies harbor visions of becoming the perfect, loved-more-than-anybody-else Mimi, or Lolli, or Pops, or whatever cute name we’ve decided to be called.

Then the pre-teen and teen years come along and our bubble bursts. Oh, our grandchildren still love us bunches—and we still can’t believe the overwhelming love we hold for them—but their struggling hormones make them difficult to live with at home and even at our house.

We want to carry on rational, adult conversations with them, yet sometimes struggle with what to say. And sometimes we fail to say the right things and we know it.

To help identify quagmires, what types of conversations should we definitely avoid?

1. Insulting words about their parents

Asain grandparents and grandchild using a phone together

Lighthearted stories about the antics and pranks of your own children can be entertaining for your grandchildren. These are fine, and even lend a sense of pride at being old enough to hear them along with learning family lore. But if you still feel unhappy or sad about the behavior of one of your grandchild’s parents, she doesn’t need to know—unless she expresses the same emotion first in a conversation.

Even then, she needs your guidance to navigate toward an effective and positive way of dealing with her feelings. It’s not your place to confide in your grandchildren about the failures of their parents.

Another sticky area is when our grandchild’s parents are divorced. No matter how the custody is arranged, and no matter how dysfunctional we might think our kid’s ex-spouse is, the child does not need to hear it from us. They love Mom and Dad and are trying to work out their own thoughts.

We don’t have to praise that parent, but it’s important to speak carefully when the subject comes up. In our case, we simply choose to keep busy with other topics—there is plenty of activity in our grandson’s life to talk about. When he mentions the other parent, we listen, comment in a way that lets him know we heard and value his words, and then move on to another subject.

2. Stories about how much worse you had it as a kid

snowy road

You know how these stories go. “I had to walk two miles in the snow to school every day—uphill both ways!” Or, “We never got to wear pants to school, even though I walked three blocks to the bus stop in sub-freezing weather.” And then there is this one, “We only had one family car, and everybody shared it. I never had my own car.” Actually, the last two examples were from my personal experience.

While it might be okay to tell these stories, they should never be used to make a child feel as if she is taking things for granted or like her feelings aren’t valid. Maybe she is being ungrateful but helping her identify her blessings might be a better way to approach the subject.

While you may think you had a really tough life as a young person, your difficulties didn’t seem any worse to you than your grandkids’ do to them. Yes, they have different problems, but that doesn’t make theirs less painful.

The grandparent who constantly tells stories to “one-up” their grandchild runs the risk of never being taken seriously, or worse, being viewed as an old, out-of-touch person who doesn’t understand modern life—and is therefore irrelevant.

3. Negative bias about the younger generation

teen on phone ignoring grandparent

I used to hear this from an elderly aunt every time our family visited her. She was convinced the reason for the increased crime rate in her city—and the unemployment rate, and every other social ill—was teenagers and their bad behavior.

Admittedly, teen gangs were becoming a problem at that time, but the reasons for the rise in gang activity were, and still are, complex. All her problems were not due to teenagers!

A doomsday view of society is not only unhelpful but can frighten our grandchildren. Placing blame on a particular generation merely perpetuates stereotypes. It doesn’t solve any problems. Do we have issues facing us today that were unheard of in our youth? Certainly. This is always going to be true, regardless of the decade.

Unfortunately, a downward spiral of society is the natural trend of mankind apart from the intervention of God. So, if there is any blame, maybe we should look at ourselves to see how often we pray for a spiritual awakening, and how open we are to the Holy Spirit working in our lives.

A great conversation to have with our grandchildren might be about finding ways to make a difference in their world. Do you know of any kids who are doing something special? Can you brainstorm with your grandkids possible options for them?

Maybe offer to take the oldest on a mission trip with you to work with children in a third-world country. Such an experience can change a teenager’s life and possibly their career choice. And it can make the problems at home seem less daunting for both of you.

I know of one family whose son became interested in local politics. He began writing letters to the editor of the newspaper, and eventually wrote articles they printed. He’s in college now preparing for a future in policy making. He was encouraged by his parents and grandparents to help change what he saw as problems.

I would have benefitted from my aunt’s concerns if she had encouraged me to volunteer serving meals at a homeless ministry instead of listening to her berate those homeless people for daring to sleep on her street.

4. Condemning all electronics and social media as evil

smart phone

Different families allow differing amounts and types of screen time for their children. It’s important that as grandparents, we don’t criticize the rules our grandkids have at home. We might think they spend too much time on their phones at home, and they might bring them to our house. But we can set our own rules.

Banning cell phones from the dinner table and limiting other screen time is reasonable, and can be discussed without condemning the devices.

Refusing to acknowledge the reality a child lives in, and limiting conversation about it to negative comments, only serves to drive him away. He won’t want to go to Nanny and Papa’s house if all they do is nag him about putting away his phone.

There are plenty of activities in which to engage with your grandchildren that keep them moving and thinking and talking. Be creative in discovering things you can do together. This will naturally lead to less screen time.

But if a child wants to talk about a video game she plays, make an effort to educate yourself about that game so you can talk intelligently about it. And when a rainy day comes along, enjoy a movie or play a video game together. You can even text silly memes across the room to each other.

Relax, Grandma. The world won’t end if you join Snapchat with your grandchildren. It might even help you keep up with their lives.

5. Any comment that degrades their worth 

teen on phone

Sometimes, the birth of a grandchild doesn’t happen in happy circumstances. Many different issues might be the reason, but the result is a child who bears no responsibility for any of them. And any associated drama can spill over onto this precious one. So let’s be conscious of our words so we don’t add to it.

The child might act out his frustrations in behavior that grabs our attention. This does make our lives more difficult. But we need to remember that bad behavior does not equal a bad child.  Separating the behavior from our emotions helps us deal with it appropriately. Then we can express our love more easily—because unconditional love is what we as grandparents need to offer.

Many grandparents even gain custody of their grandkids in order to give them the best chance at a hopeful future. If this is you, please know you are my heroes. But your stress level may be extremely high. That’s when it’s easy to let it slip just how hard life is because of the child.

And we all know that pre-teen and teenage kids are simply a pain sometimes because of their tumultuous hormones and chaotic social lives. Life is more challenging with these kids than with younger ones.

However, these years also present opportunities for fun along with meaningful experiences. Attending any event your grandchild participates in means more to them than they may ever express. And some of the best conversations that build lasting relationships and trust can happen late at night when your grandchild sleeps over.

These categories are all negative in tone, and that’s why we should avoid them. While we shouldn’t shy away from difficult subjects, we need to keep our tone positive.

Every topic can have an upside, and we need to help our grandkids find it. They are bombarded daily with negativity, but we can point them toward the bright view.

After all, Philippians 4:8 tells us to think pure, noble, lovely, and virtuous thoughts. Surely that means to talk in the same manner—to everyone, not just our grandchildren.

This article was originally published on Crosswalk.com5 Things Never to Say to Your Grandchildren – Used with permission.

blessings for baby boomers e-book ad copy

Recommended Vaccines for Seniors Over 65

vaccines
Image Credit: Canva

Dear Savvy Senior,

My husband and I recently turned 65 and would like to find out which vaccines are recommended and covered by Medicare.

New Beneficiaries

Dear New,

All recommended vaccines for adults, age 65 and older, should be covered by either Medicare Part B or Part D, but there are some coverage challenges you should be aware of. Here’s a rundown of which vaccines are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and how Medicare covers them.

Covid-19 Vaccine

covid

Even though Covid-19 is no longer a public health emergency, it can still cause severe illness, particularly in older adults. Because the Covid virus continues to mutate, new vaccines are being developed to keep pace, so the CDC recommends that all seniors stay up to date with the latest Covid vaccines, including booster shots. 

All Covid-19 shots are covered 100% by Medicare Part B.

Flu Vaccine

senior asian man in bed coughing with concerned wife looking over shoulder
Image Credit: Shutterstock

Considered an annual vaccination, most people of all ages receive flu shots in the fall when flu season begins. The CDC recommends seniors, 65 and older get a high-dose flu shot for extra protection beyond what a standard flu shot offers. The Fluzone High Dose Quadrivalent, FLUAD Quadrivalent, and FluBlok Quadrivalent are your three options.

Annual flu shots are covered under Medicare Part B.

Pneumonia Vaccines

shot and band aid
Image Credit: Shutterstock

These vaccines help protect against pneumococcal disease, which can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and other infections. The CDC recommends everyone 65 and older get a pneumococcal vaccine. There are several different vaccine options available, so talk to your doctor or pharmacists to find out which is best for you or visit the CDC’s Pneumococcal Vaccination webpage.

Medicare Part B covers both single dose and two-dose pneumococcal shots once in your lifetime. 

Shingles Vaccine

shingles

Caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, shingles is a painful, blistering skin rash that affects more than 1 million Americans every year. All people over age 50 are recommended to get the two-dose Shingrix vaccine, which is given two to six months apart, even if you previously received Zostavax. In 2020, Shingrix replaced Zostavax, which is no longer available in the U.S.

All Medicare Part D prescription drug plans cover shingles vaccinations, but coverage amounts and reimbursement rules vary depending on where the shot is given. Check your plan. 

Tdap Vaccine

vaccines

Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) are diseases caused by bacteria that can lead to serious illness and death. Therefore, a one-time dose of the Tdap vaccine is recommended for all adults. If you’ve already had a Tdap shot, you should get a tetanus-diphtheria (Td) booster shot every 10 years. 

All Medicare Part D plans cover these vaccinations. 

RSV Vaccine

senior getting vaccine

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can lead to pneumonia or bronchiolitis and can worsen other chronic conditions common among older adults, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The CDC recommends all adults, age 60 and older, talk to their doctor about getting one of the RSV vaccines (either Arexvy or Abrysvo), usually in the fall and winter months when the virus is most prevalent. 

Most Medicare Part D plans cover the RSV vaccine, but not all. If your plan doesn’t cover it, you can ask for a coverage exception. You can also pay for the shot out of pocket and then follow up with your plan to get reimbursed. If you pay for the shot upfront, your plan must pay you back.

Other Vaccinations

You may need other vaccines depending on your health, lifestyle, or travel plans. To help you get a handle on which ones are appropriate for you, take the CDC’s What Vaccines Do You Need? quiz. Also, talk to your doctor during your next visit about what vaccinations you should get. 

Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org.

The Taxman and Your Estate

“Now my advice for those who die, declare the pennies on your eyes.”

This line is actually a lyric from the Beatles song “Taxman,” written by George Harrison.

It’s a sarcastic referral to the ancient practice in some cultures of placing coins on the eyes of their deceased. In mythology, these coins were seen as a payment to a ferryman who would transport the soul across a river to the afterlife. Here, The Beatles use this imagery to connect death with another seemingly inescapable burden: taxes.

The Taxman and Your Estate

hand out collecting money
Image Credit: Shutterstock

In the podcast Estate Planning Made Easy, hosted by David T. Phillips, listeners are guided through the intricate world of estate planning. With a focus on preserving wealth across generations, Phillips emphasizes the importance of having a clear distribution plan in place to ensure a seamless transition of assets.

The Political Interference: Estate Taxes

estate tax concept
Image Credit: Shutterstock

Despite the ancient adage that “you can’t take it with you,” government entities frequently step into the realm of estate planning, levying estate or transfer taxes on inheritances. Phillips wittily suggests this is due to the absence of voters in cemeteries, yet emphasizes the importance for individuals to proactively manage their distribution plans before governmental intervention. Although the U.S. currently benefits from a generous federal estate exclusion, this advantage is scheduled to shift after December 31, 2025 – which means we should quickly adopt some effective planning strategies to navigate these changes.

To find out how to keep the taxman from getting your hard-earned dollars, listen to the newest episode of Estate Planning Made Easy, below.

10 Best Smart Home Devices for Seniors

smart home
Image Credit: Shutterstock

A smart home is no longer just some idea floating around, it is our everyday life. From smart thermostats to smart light bulbs and everything in between, the convenience, efficiency, enjoyment, and safety features of smart home devices are quickly becoming an integral part of our lives. Research shows that by the year 2030, 1 in 6 people will be 60 or older. As this generation grows closer to that number, the interest in smart home devices grows as well. Whether it’s to benefit you, a caregiver, or a loved one, or if it’s just for entertainment purposes, convenience, or to help with routines, here’s a list of 10 of the best smart home devices out there.

Smart Vacuums and Mops

smart home vacuum with cat sitting on top
Image Credit: Canva

Smart vacuums and mops are lifesavers for keeping your floors clean. Cleaning can be physically demanding, or even mentally tiring. These smart cleaners navigate your home and clean as they go, saving you time and effort.

  • Emptying frequency: While some require manual emptying after each cleaning cycle, many models automatically empty their dustbins into a base or even clean the mop head themselves.
  • Variety of choices: You can choose from smart vacuums, mops, or combination models depending on your needs.

Here’s a list of some of the best smart vacuums out there to help with your research.

Smart Security System

smart home door camera up close
Image Credit: Canva

Smart security systems are another great addition to your home. Most include surveillance cameras, motion sensors, and even 24/7 control of your home, from smart Doorbells to smart locks. Most of these systems integrate seamlessly into your smartphone or tablet making it even easier to know what is going on in and around your home. Here are some of the best Smart security systems for you to peruse.

Smart lighting

light bulb

Smart lights are another great way to improve your home. With just the sound of your voice, you can turn off, turn on, and even dim lights all over your house. They can even be set up to turn off and on automatically through apps or by setting up routines with your other smart devices. Here are some of the top options out there to smarten up your lighting at home.

Smart Blinds or Shades

Blinds, shades, and other window coverings. Yes, these things can be made into smart devices too! Just the touch of a button or at your command you can open or close whatever window covering you choose to let that sunshine in or close up the house. Having your window coverings set up as smart devices can be a huge help to those who have lost some of their mobility, but still want to have some aspects of independence as it doesn’t require much work on the user’s part.

Smart Thermostats

smart home thermostat
Image Credit: Canva Pro

Too hot? Too cold? Do you need the AC fan’s sound going but don’t want to get up? Look no further than a smart thermostat. Not just from inside your home, but from anywhere you can control the temperature in your home. There are quite a few options out there, and here’s a list of some of the best ones to help you narrow down your search:

Smart Speakers

smart home speaker
Image Credit: Shutterstock

Alexa, Hey Google, and Siri are probably all names you’ve heard before when it comes to smart speakers. But there are other great options out there. Smart speakers are probably one of the most common smart home devices out there (other than phones and tablets). Not only are they a control hub for other smart devices in your home, but their ability to be controlled by just your voice makes them very user-friendly. Once they are set up and ready to go, these smart devices can help with so many things. From answering questions to setting reminders, some can even make phone calls for you.

Smart Watches and Phones

senior woman using cell phone

Where would we be without our smartphones and smartwatches? These devices have come leaps and bounds since they were first released. Most smartphones and watches nowadays come with an array of special and safety features that make it safer for people who live alone. From fall and crash detection to heart rate tracking, even emergency alerts, these devices have proven to be life-saving in case of an emergency time and time again. Smartphones are easy to use and get more and more accessible with each new model. You have all the information you could ever need, and the ability to contact anyone in the world in the palm of your hand. Here’s our list of the best cell phones for seniors.

Smart Kitchen Appliances

Smart kitchen appliances such as ovens, microwaves, and even coffee makers can be activated at the sound of your voice. Changing cooking times, to increasing or decreasing temperatures, these devices can not only make your house smarter, but safer too. There are smart refrigerators that even keep track of the expiration date of your food, and allow you to see inside while at the store to make sure you have everything on your list. Here are some of the best smart kitchen appliances available.

Smart Entertainment

smart tv remote

Apple TV, Fire Stick, and Smart TVs are just a few smart entertainment options. They allow the user to be connected with the outside world from the comfort of their home. You’ll never be limited by what’s on cable again with a smart TV. With hundreds of streaming apps, YouTube, and web surfing capabilities the world of entertainment is at your fingertips.

Smart Picture Frames

Smart picture frames are another great addition to your house. You can upload your favorite photos to them, but you can also have family members from all over the world add to your collection. This means you could get updated pictures of your kids, grandkids, grandpups, and even grand plants (if you know you know) at a moment’s notice without even having to lift a finger. This fun smart device is a great way to bring more joy into your home.

Smart Home Devices for Seniors

Sure, you can live comfortably without smart home devices (we all did for years!). But these devices offer convenience and can take tasks off your hands, like vacuuming or mopping. They can also give you instant control over things like music.

Smart home devices are a growing trend, and this list can help you decide which ones might be a good fit for your lifestyle.

Happy shopping!

*-Price at time of publishing.

Amazon Associate; this post contains affiliate links that provide a small commission without any added cost to the user.

Popular Articles About Senior Tech and Apps

Free Senior Resources

Ultimate Guide to Retirement Communities

The Ultimate Guide to Retirement Communities

Get The Guide
5 Health conditions e-book cover

5 Health Conditions That Affect Baby Boomers and 5 Ways to Avoid Them

Get The Guide
ultimate estate planning checklist and guide

Ultimate Estate Planning Checklist & Guide

Get The Guide

Guide to Adult Day Care

Get The Guide
Show this content while the ad loads.