Aging Well in the Gorge August 4th, 2021
You’ve been caring for your elderly mom for years making sure her bills are paid and taking her to her doctor’s appointments. But recently you were laid off from your job and bills are piling up. You’re desperate and you think your mom won’t care. And besides, it will be your inheritance anyway, so you […]
Aging Well in the Gorge July 28th 2021
I’ve found that after I’ve asked someone to repeat themselves – for the third time, they just shake their head with that look that says “Oh, never mind. It’s not that important – even though your house is on fire!” Or when someone asks me a question, I often just silently nod, with a goofy […]
Aging Well in the Gorge July 21st 2021
It’s summer in the Gorge: hot, dry, and windy. Perfect conditions for wildfires. There have already been several in the Gorge, and even though we wish and hope there won’t be any more, there probably will be. Besides the personal and economic harm wildfires can cause, the smoke from wildfires can be damaging to our health causing burning eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat, headaches, and illnesses such as bronchitis. The smoke can also worsen chronic heart and lung disease including asthma, emphysema, and COPD. So how […]
Aging Well in the Gorge July 14th 2021
Lets’ face it – we aren’t getting any younger (or better looking – although I have noticed I find grey much more attractive these days!) And at some point in our lives, we will likely have difficulty caring for ourselves. It may be anticipated or unexpected; short–term or unending, because life happens and not always the way we wish. […]
Aging Well in the Gorge July 7th 2021
Okay, you’re fairly certain you don’t have early-stage dementia. And you want to keep mentally sharp so when you finally find your car in the parking lot, you know the way home. What should you do? Most brain research suggests there are six lifestyle behaviors that impact brain health. But before I go any further, […]
Aging Well in the Gorge June 30th 2021
Boy, it’s been hot! It reminds me of my younger days living in Indiana when we didn’t have air conditioning: fans strategically placed throughout the house; a dehumidifier in the basement; sleeping uncovered, sprawled out on the bed, driving with the windows down and my shirt glued with perspiration to the back of the […]
Aging Well in the Gorge June 23rd 2021
At our age, it‘s common to worry when you can’t remember a name, or you can’t find that word on the tip of your tongue. When that happens, I often ask myself, “Is this normal for my age? Or am I in the early stages of dementia?” And then the more I worry, the more I seem to forget! To […]
Aging Well in the Gorge June 16th 2021
I’m confused. Most of you are reading this column on the 16th, but I’ve been writing it since I finished my last column because my wife and I are driving to California for my son’s college graduation on Saturday. But as I’m writing this, that will be this coming Saturday – but for you, […]
Aging Well in the Gorge June 9th 2021
Now that you are retired have you thought about working part-time? No, hold on. I know what you may be thinking, “Are you nuts! I’m already working part–time: taking care of my garden, watching my grandkids, and volunteering. I don’t have time for a part-time gig! But if you have thought about being a new “gigster” by working part-time and are willing to commit the time and the […]
Aging Well in the Gorge June 2nd 2021
How many drug ads can you tolerate during the evening news? Boniva, Celebrex, Fosamax, Lunesta, Nexium, Paxil, Eliquis – all describing how they will improve your health and well-being. And hidden at the end are the possible side effects: nausea and diarrhea; incontinence and constipation, sleeplessness and drowsiness; bad dreams and bad luck. But what […]