Don’t be afraid to seek help, as a dementia patient or as a caregiver – Lynn Kellogg – September 1, 2019
Our longer lifespans bring tremendous opportunity, and increased risk of eventually developing a chronic condition or cognitive disorder. Starting at relatively young ages, many worry about their brain health. If you notice differences in how someone acts or self-manages themselves, it’s important to recognize the difference between normal aging or too busy lifestyles and something […]
Empty nesters, part two: Out of great tragedy can come great opportunity – Christine Vanlandingham – August 18, 2019
Like households across the nation, we’re getting ready to send a teenager to college this week. My husband and I will be empty nesters… again. For us, it’s not our child we’re sending off to college, but our granddaughter. We’ve been raising her for the past several years. The journey has been fraught with unexpected […]
Safety tips for older adults who want to remain in their homes – Sara Duris – August 11, 2019
Q. What are some measures that can be taken to improve the safety for older adults in their home bathroom? A. The moisture that can occur in a bathroom, added to the hard and slippery surfaces usually found there, is certainly a recipe for fall hazards. A study by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) […]
Making communities more livable for the elderly is a benefit for everyone – Lynn Kellogg – August 4, 2019
A recent meeting in New Orleans brought together leaders in the field of aging from across the country. National awareness of unprecedented numbers of retirees and working individuals living to advanced age has most savvy industries looking at their infrastructure, products, policies and customer service to be sure they’re prepared to serve and respond to […]
Writing a playbook for making the most of your ‘longevity bonus’-Christine Vanlandingham-July 14, 2019
There’s a new vision of aging emerging. We are living longer, healthier lives than previous generations. Many people are retiring later in life – or not at all. They are working part-time and launching second careers; they are pursuing advanced training and education; and they are playing active roles in caregiving and raising their families. […]
How migrants could play a significant role in our direct care workforce – Lynn Kellogg – July 28, 2019
When I was a young girl I learned that only American Indians were native to this country. Everyone else had origins in another country. My understanding was that I was German Irish; a point underscored by my mother occasionally emphasizing a point with “Versteh?” – German for “understand?”. It was only much later I learned […]
Be like Mick Venture out of your comfort zone and meet new people – Pat Arter – April 7, 2019
A gentleman walked into the Campus for Creative Aging last week, just to see what was going on here. For those of you not yet familiar, the Campus for Creative Aging, part of the Area Agency on Aging, is a new learning community where older adults come together to share, expand, and unlock their capacity […]
Free tax services available online and in person – Sara Duris – February 17, 2019
Q. Where can I get my taxes done free-of-charge? A. If you are computer savvy and made less than $66,000 in 2018, you can file both your state and federal taxes online at www.myfreetaxes.com. This free and safe service includes live tax support, via email, chat or phone, to answer any questions you have. If […]
More direct-care workers are leaving the sector than joining it – Christine Vanlandingham – February 24, 2019
“Who will care for grandma” has become the warning cry from those aware of the looming direct care workforce crisis. Direct care workers are the foundation of our long-term care system. That foundation is set to give way if key issues aren’t addressed, leaving older people, people with disabilities and their families stranded without support. […]
Be mindful of ‘elderspeak’ when talking to an ‘older’ adult – Pat Arter – February 10, 2019
Have you ever found yourself talking to an older adult, using terms like “sweetie,” dear,” or “honey”? Or, maybe you automatically start speaking at a louder volume, perhaps with a more deliberate enunciation of words? This is referred to as “elderspeak”. It is when an older adult is spoken to as if he or she […]