Senior Living
Take Away the Car Keys? Okay!
I made an important decision today – and I’m hopeful my children will be very grateful for my future act of wisdom. I have decided that I will voluntarily give up the car keys when not doing so would endanger me and/or others. There. No need to hide my car keys, or report me to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, or hold meetings behind my ...Read More
Family Caregiving: An Obligation or a Gift
What do we owe our parents? The founder of the Alzheimer’s Reading Room raised this question recently, and when I thought about it, I felt�conflicted. You see, I may be in a closeted minority that’s willing to admit publicly that I don’t think I owe my parents anything. Before you start pelting me with words like “ungratef...Read More
Aging and Obesity
A recent study reports that “obesity is associated with reduced memory and thinking skills in adults aged 60 to 70, especially those with greater amounts of abdominal fat.” The study does caution that obesity doesn’t “cause” reduced memory – but the relationship between the two is strong. Now, maybe we can agree ...Read More
Family Caregiving
One day a week I join with 65 million other people in the US, and assume the role of family caregiver. I drive 40 miles to my mother’s home, and do bills & pills, grocery shop, wash clothes and dishes, take her to appointments (which I have made for her), and more…much more. Sometimes, though, I just sit and listen. During the rest ...Read More
Me and My Honda
The article could have been written about me: Average Car Age at Record 10.8 Years. And, the article says that because of the economy, we’re hanging onto our cars for a longer period. I personally drive a 2001 Honda CRV and the odometer is quickly approaching 230,000 miles. Every now and then, people who don’t understand my love affair ...Read More
Memory
If you’re After Fifty, then you have already, or are about to experience one of the realities of our generation: memory slips. If you’re brave enough to raise the issue with some well-intentioned people, they’ll pat you on the back and mutter something like, “Oh, you’re just too busy. That’s why you can’t r...Read More
Family – And Holiday Traditions
For the first time ever in my memory, we had four generations sitting around our holiday table this year. In the picture to the left, you see the star of the show, our first (and only) grandchild, Daisy. Her dad, (my son) and his wife are pictured there along with me and my mother, who has the exalted role as a first-time great-grandmother. Missing...Read More
After Fifty Health Insurance and Retiree Benefits
Back on December 1, 2010, an article was posted on the AFL Your Money | Insurance page, entitled: Painful Measures: Losing Retirement Health Insurance.� Once again we’re bringing the topic front and center. It simply cannot be overstated.� The promise that many employers�made, the promise of a health benefit being provided to you when y...Read More
Thanksgiving Draws To A Close….
The Thanksgiving weekend is drawing to a close. Yes, there’ll be more football games – but none that seem quite as intense as the games fueled by turkey gravy and chestnut stuffing. The last of the guests are on their way home (or soon will be) – so please bear with me and let me share with you a few of the things that I have been...Read More
An End of Life Journey Begins
Yes, I know. It’s been much too long since I have posted here. But as is the case with many of us who are After Fifty, life sometimes intervenes (interferes) with our plans. The intervening factor here was the sudden, unexpected illness and hospitalization of my 88-year-old mother. It was touch-and-go for a bit, and, bottom line, even though ...Read More
Alzheimer’s, The Puzzle
The October 25, 2010 issue of Time Magazine ran a thought-provoking cover story by Alice Park entitled “Alzheimer’s Unlocked.” No, the cure has not yet been found. And no, there still is no 100% definitive method of diagnosing the disease – until after death. In fact, recent experimentation and study has led, in some cases, ...Read More