What do you hope to accomplish after retirement? We would be surprised if your answer was to become a hip-hop artist. But that is exactly the goal that 72 year old Chicago resident Arthur Dubois had in mind. When he walked into Haven Studio, the owner didn't know what to expect. After all, Haven Studio is a music mentoring program for young aspiring musicians. Yet Dubios promised he was young [...]
Similar to many older adults, Peggy Wheatcroft wasn't too excited about turning 80. When asked if she wanted an 80th birthday party, she declined. She didn't want to be in the spotlight. Suddenly, she had a six decade old memory pop into her head. In the 1950's on her friend's 21st birthday, she gave her mom 21 roses. Instead of waiting for someone to give her a gift, this friend [...]
Grandparents can provide a sense of stability, wisdom, and fun to their grandchildren's lives. And in return, being a grandparent provides so many benefits as well. Helping to care for grandchildren can help to stave off depression, boost social connections, and increase mental sharpness. The health benefits of being a grandparent don't just happen when the grandparent is the sole caregiver to the child. Simply spending time and being involved [...]
Many seniors are happy to just lead moderately active lives. But not 84 year old Dale Sanders. "Greybeard" (the trail name Sanders uses) successfully completed one of the world's most iconic hiking trails after a seven month long trek when he was 82. The Appalachian Trail is no picnic. With a distance of 2,190 miles of terrain, this would be an incredible feat for someone of any age. But at [...]
We often look to the basics when it comes to dementia. For example, pharmaceuticals, memory facilities, and caregivers. These are all critical pieces to the challenges of managing dementia symptoms. But sometimes it's necessary to think outside the box. What if we fully immersed dementia patients in an interactive experience aimed at sparking memories from their distant past? In a suburb of San Diego, California, this very idea has become [...]
People begin caregiving for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it's due to financial reasons, love for a family member, or in hopes to help them age in place. Regardless of the reasoning behind it, caregivers usually possess a unique sense of compassion and empathy. But each new day can bring new challenges. And they often result in caregiver burnout. The nature of caregiving is innately stressful, demanding, and emotionally taxing. [...]
If you or your aging loved one takes multiple medications every day, you're not alone. Nearly 40 percent of older adults take five or more medications each day. However, this doesn't come as a surprise. Between the slew of health issues that affect seniors, and advancements in healthcare, there are many great options to manage difficult symptoms. Yet juggling all of those pills every day can be harder than it [...]
The paradox of life is that the longer we live, the more death will become a part of our lives. As we age, we will likely lose and grieve the loss of people we love. Coping with the loss of friends and family can be one of the most challenging parts of our increased longevity. Whether the loss is due to an accident, illness, or simply old age, it can [...]
We've all seen it. An older adult who appears extremely fragile and walks slowly and hesitantly. They may also be exceptionally thin and their skin may even appear parchment-like. In other words, they are frail. We often associate frailty with old age. Yet the two are not synonymous. And becoming frail is not inevitable as we age. Frailty is a medical condition in itself, not a side effect of aging. [...]
College is for younger folks, right? Yes, the majority of the population you'll find on a college campus is in the younger generations. Most older adults don't even consider connecting with college students. But there is a new program funded by The Council of Independent Colleges and the AARP Foundation. This program, known as Intergenerational Connections, connects lower income older adults with college students. Together, they work on topics such [...]
