Aging Well in the Gorge ~ June 21st, 2023
When I was in my twenties, I heard you had to “fake it to make it.” Many of us may have taken that advice – although unconsciously. We became what others expected of us: breadwinners, homemakers, caregivers, and ignoring who we really were. But now that we are older and no longer need any validation, […]
Aging Well in the Gorge ~ June 14th, 2023
Fifteen years ago, I didn’t understand why there was such an emphasis on fall prevention. You fall, you get up, and move on. What’s the big deal? But as I look back, I wonder how I could have been so ignorant. But hey, I was only sixty! But now I do know the seriousness of […]
Aging Well in the Gorge ~ June 7th, 2023
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” – Thomas Edison Or as Winston Churchill put it more directly, “Never, never, never give up.” Our culture celebrates self-sufficiency and pull-yourself-up-by-your bootstrap stories told to us since childhood. That attitude has served us […]
Aging Well in the Gorge ~ May 31st, 2023
Whether you call it talking, conversing, dialoguing, or schmoozing, expressing yourself clearly so you are understood can be a challenge. As George Bernard Shaw once said, “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” But effective communication is essential for family, caregivers, and spouses to avoid conflicts and help improve […]
Aging Well in the Gorge ~ May 24th, 2023
With identity theft rampant, identity fraud is costing 40 million Americans a combined $43 billion in 2022 according to an AARP-sponsored report from Javelin Strategy & Research. One safeguard is to keep only the essentials in your pocket or purse. According to her article, “10 Worst Things to Carry in Your Wallet,” Katherine Skiba lists […]
Aging Well in the Gorge ~ May 17th, 2023
Loneliness has been described as “when one door is closed, but the ‘other one’ has yet to open”. Or “an ‘inner worm’ that gnaws at the heart” and it can appear like an uninvited guest at any time in our lives. But circumstances we encounter as we get older: the loss of a life partner […]
Aging Well in the Gorge ~ May 10th, 2023
May is Older Americans Month – a time for all of us to acknowledge the many contributions and achievements of older Americans. This year’s theme is Aging Unbound which reminds us to take the opportunity to explore a wide range of new experiences without defining what we can or should do by our age. But […]
Aging Well in the Gorge ~ May 3rd, 2023
I’ve been thinking (I know, don’t believe everything your mind tells you) about the book Being Mortal written by Atul Gawande, a surgeon, writer, and public health researcher. In this thought-provoking book, he reminds us that contrary to popular culture and marketing hype, we will not live forever. And unfortunately, most of us are not prepared to […]
Aging Well in the Gorge ~ April 26th, 2023
I’ve written several times about the six lifestyle behaviors that impact brain health: exercising regularly, eating right, staying mentally challenged, sleeping well, managing stress, and being social – behaviors that can keep your cognitive engine running smoothly so you can remember where you left that whatchamacallit. We worry about forgetting names and faces, at least […]
Aging Well in the Gorge ~ April 19th, 2023
When you get behind the wheel in your car, do you know how far back you should adjust your seat? Or what angle you should position the steering wheel? Or what you should consider when adjusting the mirrors? I don’t. I just do what feels comfortable without considering what might be the safest. Although the […]