Richard BitnerHow Dangerous is Social Media to Seniors’ Well-Being?
Ten years ago, few people would have predicted that seniors would become some of social media’s most passionate users. But a study last year by Pew Research Center found that 62% of online seniors are on Facebook. Other studies show that social media use among seniors is rising at a rapid rate. How Dangerous is Social Media to Seniors’ Well-Being? As more and more seniors use social media, there are growing concerns. Most research indicates that social media improves quality of life for elderly adults. But some senior care professionals are increasingly worried about the dangers that social media could pose
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Carol MarakHow to Thrive When Aging Alone
Have you heard of the term Elder Orphan? It's a new way of framing categorizing who are aging alone. I began to think about aging alone after caring for my parents. My mother struggled with heart problems, while my father lived with Alzheimer’s disease. Watching their decline was heartbreaking. It was close to one year after dad’s passing when the question hit me: “Who will care for me?” That was 10 years ago. Today, I’m 65. The U.S. Census Bureau tells us more than 27 percent of people age 65 and over live alone. One reason is because baby boomers
Continue readingHow Friends Keeps Us Young at Heart
Staying socially active enriches our lives, and creating intergenerational friends keeps us young at heart and mind. But, how does an older person create a mutually beneficial relationship with someone a decade or so younger without making them feel like they're being groomed to be the absent child? I've always had older and younger friends. I've been lucky that way and now that I'm older, and have no children, I don't worry that a younger friend will ever feel like I treat her or expect her to take the role of my (absent) child, nor would I want to be
Continue readingImportance of Seniors and Social Connections
A social friendship builds inclusion and connection. One of the paths to healthy aging includes connecting with peers and building friendships. It’s a known fact, and the effects of isolation are depression and loneliness. And their harm puts an individual at a higher risk for falls (especially the elderly,) chronic diseases, and even early death. Importance of Seniors and Social Connections One of the paths to healthy aging includes connecting with peers and building friendships. It’s a known fact, and the effects of isolation are depression and loneliness. And their harm puts an individual at a higher risk for falls (especially
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Barbara Bates SedoricMaking your Own Decision About End of Life
Hope is Not a Plan, But Planning Will Generate Hope It’s here. Some call it the “silver tsunami” while others reference it as “the greying of America”. Nearly half of the “sandwich“ generation have a parent over age 65 and are raising young children or supporting grown children. Making your Own Decision about End of Life Alarmingly, thousands of critically important end-of-life and after death decisions are currently being made without the benefit of advanced planning. While “hope” is not a plan, planning realizes hope. Have you ever considered all the decisions that will need to be made when someone, including
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Guest BloggerNew Docu-Series Showcases Older Adults Pursuing Their Passions
“I’m 57 years old, and I think this is the best year of my life.” Dean Neuls may be in his fifth decade, but he’s determined to pursue his dreams and wring every last drop of life out of the present moment. So despite a hip replacement and the aches and pains that come with osteoarthritis, Dean is fulfilling his childhood ‘need for speed’. Two years ago, he took to the racetrack in Porsche’s Racing Experience One. It was exhilarating, terrifying, and the culmination of a lifelong dream… Now, Dean is sharing his story in a new docu-series called At
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Kathy MacaraegChoosing Right Doctor for Aging Parent
The Importance Of The Doctor/Patient Relationship For Your Aging Parent One of the little known challenges with aging is that your doctor is also aging. At a certain point, your doctor that you know and trust will retire. Many of my clients encountered that issue and it was extremely hard for them to find the right doctor. If you are caring for an aging parent, at some point, they’ll need to start seeing a new doctor. If they have a chronic health condition, they may have to replace many doctors. Choosing Right Doctor for Aging Parent If you are healthy, you
Continue reading7 Things I Would Tell My Younger Self About Aging
"Growing older isn't easy." I hear those words from my friends and family. It's hard to see them suffer physically, strain mentally and emotionally, and most of all struggle financially. 7 Things I Would Tell My Younger Self About Aging It's common for us to reflect on the past and see our mistakes. We all have regrets. And if we look back long enough, we'd say, "If I could do it all again, I would.." I'm sharing with readers what my older friends and acquaintances would tell their 21-year-old selves about life, taking care of the body, saving for retirement, and
Continue readingThe Quest to Be Happy
People put a lot of energy into being happy and joyful. I for one seem to obsess about the emotion. In my Facebook group, members express concerns about finding happiness and many seem to discover it. In general, people want financial stability, good health, money in the bank, food on the table, good friends, an interesting hobby or two, and satisfying activities. That's not a lot to ask for, right? The Quest to Be Happy So, why do so many struggle to find it? Over the years, I've learned that the word, happy, can deceive us. If I judge my happiness
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