One of my favorite gifts from Santa this year was a lovely book, "It's Never Too Late: 172 simple acts to change your life".
As we sweep away the remaining hours of 2007, and ponder the arrival of 2008, let us agree to:
Be realistic. Keep the ideals and things which matter to you. Resolve to leave behind the things that don't. Make a few resolutions; challenge yourself. The old adage that "Today is the first day of the rest of your life" is actually true at this time of year. Hard work, a positive attitude and good timing all create good luck.
(Coincidentally, as I write this, the classic song by Judy Garland, "Lucky Day", is playing on the radio here. Take a listen to these lyrics: "Oh boy, I'm lucky. A-ha, I say I'm lucky. I want to shout Hooray! This is my lucky day..."
Go ahead and dare to be lucky in 2008.
Be well.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Count the Blessings, Not the Candles
Anne Marie Eaton's life reads like a novel: fascinating, dramatic, and page-turning! A look back on her last 100 years reveals a life well-lived, rich with great purpose and fullness.
She and her young family fled from Germany at the beginning of WWII, to Atlanta, her only frame of reference coming from the book, "Gone With the Wind". While in Germany, she and her husband, whose family owned a steel mill, lived comfortably. However, upon arrival to Atlanta, they survived on her husband's $15 weekly salary, who found employment as a gofer at a construction site.
Their appreciation of learning motivated them to learn English, and eventually enroll in night classes at Georgia Tech, where Mr. Eaton later taught as a Fulbright professor in industrial engineering from 1948 to 1972.
As a survivor of cancer and stroke, Ms. Eaton continues to live and thrive in the King's Bridge community, where she uses the computer daily, keeping up with local and international news, and also takes aerobics classes three times a week, supplemented by walking a mile each day.
Although she doesn't think of herself as 100 years old, she is thoughtful in her response to why she's lived so long. "I had relatives living into their 90s in the 1700s. It is my lifestyle. I had a wonderful husband, and like all Germans, we yelled like dogs and cats. That is why I'm still here."
Founder of the Life Enrichment Program, Inc. for adults over age 55, Ms. Eaton is now recognized as the oldest living alumna of both Georgia State and Georgia Tech, where she studied Applied Science, Gerontology, and Sociology. She is the author of five books, with another on the way.
To learn more about Ms. Eaton, visit www.gatech.edu/news-room/release.php?id=1640
Be well.
She and her young family fled from Germany at the beginning of WWII, to Atlanta, her only frame of reference coming from the book, "Gone With the Wind". While in Germany, she and her husband, whose family owned a steel mill, lived comfortably. However, upon arrival to Atlanta, they survived on her husband's $15 weekly salary, who found employment as a gofer at a construction site.
Their appreciation of learning motivated them to learn English, and eventually enroll in night classes at Georgia Tech, where Mr. Eaton later taught as a Fulbright professor in industrial engineering from 1948 to 1972.
As a survivor of cancer and stroke, Ms. Eaton continues to live and thrive in the King's Bridge community, where she uses the computer daily, keeping up with local and international news, and also takes aerobics classes three times a week, supplemented by walking a mile each day.
Although she doesn't think of herself as 100 years old, she is thoughtful in her response to why she's lived so long. "I had relatives living into their 90s in the 1700s. It is my lifestyle. I had a wonderful husband, and like all Germans, we yelled like dogs and cats. That is why I'm still here."
Founder of the Life Enrichment Program, Inc. for adults over age 55, Ms. Eaton is now recognized as the oldest living alumna of both Georgia State and Georgia Tech, where she studied Applied Science, Gerontology, and Sociology. She is the author of five books, with another on the way.
To learn more about Ms. Eaton, visit www.gatech.edu/news-room/release.php?id=1640
Be well.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Satisfy the hunger (for knowledge)
I stumbled across this website (www.freerice.com) by chance today, while researching a typhoid vaccine in advance of an upcoming trip. A visit to the Free Rice site is a fun way to engage your brain and your heart at the same time. Advertisers' dollars and your word-power team together to donate rice for U.N. distribution through the World Food Programme to hungry people in impoverished and devastated countries.
It works like this. You are given a vocabulary word to match with one of four definitions; each correct answer scores 20 grains of rice, and you advance to the next word, which gets progressively more difficult with each round. Miss a word definition, and the site automatically adjusts back two levels. Keep clicking, and keep donating rice: it's that easy and definitely fun. Bookmark it and visit often. Your efforts help quiet the hunger pangs of the needy, while boosting your vocabulary and confidence. Get to work, wordsmiths!
Be well.
It works like this. You are given a vocabulary word to match with one of four definitions; each correct answer scores 20 grains of rice, and you advance to the next word, which gets progressively more difficult with each round. Miss a word definition, and the site automatically adjusts back two levels. Keep clicking, and keep donating rice: it's that easy and definitely fun. Bookmark it and visit often. Your efforts help quiet the hunger pangs of the needy, while boosting your vocabulary and confidence. Get to work, wordsmiths!
Be well.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Dust off your dreams: I dare you!
"There is a time when we must firmly choose the course which we will follow or the endless drift of events will make the decision for us." H. Prochnow
How often is everyday life just that: every day? Do you ever catch yourself wondering, "What happened to this week?... this month... this year?"
How do you continue to find ways:
to challenge your mind,
to push your body,
to expand your awareness?
How do you find ways to make your life more meaningful; does the meaning change as you continue to grow and develop? How do you continue to form bonds with others: are you reaching out to people who are different than you? Are you expanding your circle?
How do you continue to make your life matter? As you allow yourself to dream and do, do you find new ways to influence and learn from others?
"I would rather fail in an attempt at something new and uncharted than safely succeed in a repeat of something I have done." A. E. Hotchner
How comfortable, and how boring, it is to keep our familiar everyday routine. Why are we scared to fail: is pride or fear or other people's expectations standing in our way? Ships weren't made to sit in a harbor, so to move forward, we have to head out, even if the way is unmarked. You can do it!
"We live by hope. We do not always get all we want when we want it. But we have to believe that someday, somehow, some way, it will be better and that we can make it so." Hubert H. Humphrey
I think this is the essence of the human spirit. Have faith!
No matter how old or young you are, it's never too late or too early:
to change your life,
to explore,
to dream,
to try.
Right where you are, right now.
Be well.
How often is everyday life just that: every day? Do you ever catch yourself wondering, "What happened to this week?... this month... this year?"
How do you continue to find ways:
to challenge your mind,
to push your body,
to expand your awareness?
How do you find ways to make your life more meaningful; does the meaning change as you continue to grow and develop? How do you continue to form bonds with others: are you reaching out to people who are different than you? Are you expanding your circle?
How do you continue to make your life matter? As you allow yourself to dream and do, do you find new ways to influence and learn from others?
"I would rather fail in an attempt at something new and uncharted than safely succeed in a repeat of something I have done." A. E. Hotchner
How comfortable, and how boring, it is to keep our familiar everyday routine. Why are we scared to fail: is pride or fear or other people's expectations standing in our way? Ships weren't made to sit in a harbor, so to move forward, we have to head out, even if the way is unmarked. You can do it!
"We live by hope. We do not always get all we want when we want it. But we have to believe that someday, somehow, some way, it will be better and that we can make it so." Hubert H. Humphrey
I think this is the essence of the human spirit. Have faith!
No matter how old or young you are, it's never too late or too early:
to change your life,
to explore,
to dream,
to try.
Right where you are, right now.
Be well.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Remembering & Giving Thanks
Thanksgiving Day is over, yet I keep returning to the sweet moments. Am I getting older, or was this the nicest Thanksgiving ever?... Did I say that last year, too?
Our oldest guest was 83, the youngest guest just turned nine years old this year. I am thankful for each kind face circled around our family table, just as I am quietly comforted by the memories of each family member who is no longer here with us.
Their absence no longer painful, I can now recall without tears the times spent with them. There's a verse from Deuteronomy that so beautifully illustrates the legacy left by previous generations."You will draw water from cisterns you did not dig, and you will eat from vineyards and olive trees you did not plant."
Think about your own life, and recall all the people whose work made it possible for you to enjoy today. It's a vast circle, isn't it?
It's humbling to consider all the countless secret and public sacrifices made by those who came before us. In today's current holiday shopping frenzy, the term "sacrifice" isn't mentioned very often, but it's worth thinking about. Long after this year's gifts are unwrapped and cast aside, it's the lasting personal legacy of love that will remain. And isn't that the best gift of all?
Be well.
Our oldest guest was 83, the youngest guest just turned nine years old this year. I am thankful for each kind face circled around our family table, just as I am quietly comforted by the memories of each family member who is no longer here with us.
Their absence no longer painful, I can now recall without tears the times spent with them. There's a verse from Deuteronomy that so beautifully illustrates the legacy left by previous generations."You will draw water from cisterns you did not dig, and you will eat from vineyards and olive trees you did not plant."
Think about your own life, and recall all the people whose work made it possible for you to enjoy today. It's a vast circle, isn't it?
It's humbling to consider all the countless secret and public sacrifices made by those who came before us. In today's current holiday shopping frenzy, the term "sacrifice" isn't mentioned very often, but it's worth thinking about. Long after this year's gifts are unwrapped and cast aside, it's the lasting personal legacy of love that will remain. And isn't that the best gift of all?
Be well.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Brain Gain
To offset the disturbing news as reported in an Associated Press poll this week that Americans are reading less for pleasure than ever before, and in some cases, reading fewer than four books a year, here is some good news on the scientific front...
Senior adults, prepare to boost your brainpower with Brain Fitness! It can be done, say researchers from the Mayo Clinic and the University of Southern California, who presented their research at a recent meeting of the Gerontological Society of America.
Over 500 senior adults participated in a series of, dare we say it,"brain calisthenics" designed by the Posit Science company, to enhance the brain's SAAGE recall, or, Speed, Accuracy, Adaptivity, Generalizability, and Engagement. The results are impressive and warrant closer review: Seniors who completed the 40-hour Posit Brain Fitness training scored higher on memory tests than people ten years younger. An added bonus: the majority of participants also reported an improved quality of life.
While many memory-enhancing products are already on the market, such as brain-boosting computer games, available at happyneuron.com, mybraintrainer.com and Nintendo's Brain Age, the software developed by Posit focuses on improving daily recall by stimulating auditory responses that often decline with age. Targeted research is already in progress for specific groups, such as Alzheimer's and dementia patients. You can learn more about the company's work, by visiting their website, www.positscience.com.
While Posit has a steep $400 pricetag, AARP, Humana and MetLife all offer free brain health literature to its members, and in some cases, discounted admission to brain fitness camps.
By linking the healthy habits of daily exercise and a diet rich in antioxidants and Omega-3, these other new ideas coming to the marketplace hold promise and excitement for improving and extending brain health. Stay tuned.
Senior adults, prepare to boost your brainpower with Brain Fitness! It can be done, say researchers from the Mayo Clinic and the University of Southern California, who presented their research at a recent meeting of the Gerontological Society of America.
Over 500 senior adults participated in a series of, dare we say it,"brain calisthenics" designed by the Posit Science company, to enhance the brain's SAAGE recall, or, Speed, Accuracy, Adaptivity, Generalizability, and Engagement. The results are impressive and warrant closer review: Seniors who completed the 40-hour Posit Brain Fitness training scored higher on memory tests than people ten years younger. An added bonus: the majority of participants also reported an improved quality of life.
While many memory-enhancing products are already on the market, such as brain-boosting computer games, available at happyneuron.com, mybraintrainer.com and Nintendo's Brain Age, the software developed by Posit focuses on improving daily recall by stimulating auditory responses that often decline with age. Targeted research is already in progress for specific groups, such as Alzheimer's and dementia patients. You can learn more about the company's work, by visiting their website, www.positscience.com.
While Posit has a steep $400 pricetag, AARP, Humana and MetLife all offer free brain health literature to its members, and in some cases, discounted admission to brain fitness camps.
By linking the healthy habits of daily exercise and a diet rich in antioxidants and Omega-3, these other new ideas coming to the marketplace hold promise and excitement for improving and extending brain health. Stay tuned.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Turning over another year
"To be meek, patient, tactful, modest, honorable, brave, is not to be either manly or womanly; it is to be humane." - Jane Harrison, English classical scholar
To my friends and family and those other special individuals I meet along the way, who exhibit these traits so effortlessly, who reach out to me in kindness, who love me for no good reason, who inspire and envelop me with their humble strength: thank you.
As I blow out the birthday candles this year, I am reminded of just how lovely and maddening and fulfilling ordinary life is, in a way I have not felt before. It is with a contented puff that the flame is extinguished, and the wish is realized.
Be well.
To my friends and family and those other special individuals I meet along the way, who exhibit these traits so effortlessly, who reach out to me in kindness, who love me for no good reason, who inspire and envelop me with their humble strength: thank you.
As I blow out the birthday candles this year, I am reminded of just how lovely and maddening and fulfilling ordinary life is, in a way I have not felt before. It is with a contented puff that the flame is extinguished, and the wish is realized.
Be well.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
On the Fence
At the end of the road where I grew up is a proud old pecan orchard. It has been there for as long as anyone can remember. Its solid trunks and mighty limbs clutching tightly to tough, brown thin-shelled pecans, greet everyone as they turn down the lane. Surrounding the orchard is an ancient but sturdy wood and wire fence, tangled in vines in some places, its gnarly posts steeped deep in the earth. This is the orchard of dreams. Recall the orchard scenes from your familiar childhood books: where the sleeping beauty is found by her beloved prince, where Rip Van Winkle awakens from a deep sleep under the shade of a towering tree. (Ignore the taunting apple-throwing trees from The Wizard of Oz!)
The trees here in this particular orchard are over a hundred years old, and they wear their age well. They only ask for good rains, warm sunshine-filled days, some selective winter pruning of branches, and willing harvesters in the fall. The ground under the trees is always neatly mown. Your eyes savor the precision and care made by someone else who also cares about this orchard; you begin to realize, too late, the efforts made by a dedicated person or crew to carefully edge along each tree, skimming around the fencerow.
Living in the city, I don't see orchards on a daily basis anymore, and I sorely miss that. This one orchard is my personal Stonehenge; I don't know how it got there, but it's as old as time and quiets visitors by its almost spiritual endurance.
I rely on the orchard to be there, to welcome me back each time, to say, "Yes, we are still here. Some things don't change." Often, I scan the old fence for any birds' nests that might be tucked away. On warm nights, I open the car windows to sniff out the elusive fragrance of honeysuckle.
I went home again recently. The rugged fence, put up so many years ago, and mended carefully over the years, has been taken down. I process what my eyes don't want to see, even though the road is dark and the sun has long set. This loss seeps into my bones, and the car slowly crawls the rest of the mile-long journey home. I know that the time is coming soon, sooner than anyone would like, when this orchard will be gone, the solid and lovely trees ripped up crudely by their roots, the rich earth indifferently paved over.
So beats the drum of progress.
The trees here in this particular orchard are over a hundred years old, and they wear their age well. They only ask for good rains, warm sunshine-filled days, some selective winter pruning of branches, and willing harvesters in the fall. The ground under the trees is always neatly mown. Your eyes savor the precision and care made by someone else who also cares about this orchard; you begin to realize, too late, the efforts made by a dedicated person or crew to carefully edge along each tree, skimming around the fencerow.
Living in the city, I don't see orchards on a daily basis anymore, and I sorely miss that. This one orchard is my personal Stonehenge; I don't know how it got there, but it's as old as time and quiets visitors by its almost spiritual endurance.
I rely on the orchard to be there, to welcome me back each time, to say, "Yes, we are still here. Some things don't change." Often, I scan the old fence for any birds' nests that might be tucked away. On warm nights, I open the car windows to sniff out the elusive fragrance of honeysuckle.
I went home again recently. The rugged fence, put up so many years ago, and mended carefully over the years, has been taken down. I process what my eyes don't want to see, even though the road is dark and the sun has long set. This loss seeps into my bones, and the car slowly crawls the rest of the mile-long journey home. I know that the time is coming soon, sooner than anyone would like, when this orchard will be gone, the solid and lovely trees ripped up crudely by their roots, the rich earth indifferently paved over.
So beats the drum of progress.
Monday, September 3, 2007
How I spent my Labor Day weekend . . .
. . . (and what I try to remember daily . . . and how thankful I am for the people who are gentle with me.)
I stumbled across this gem from George Washington Carver, while reading with my Dad earlier today. . . what an eloquent and compassionate expansion of the Golden Rule!
"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these. "
Be well.
I stumbled across this gem from George Washington Carver, while reading with my Dad earlier today. . . what an eloquent and compassionate expansion of the Golden Rule!
"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these. "
Be well.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
The Circle Has Spoken
Need practical and sensitive advice from someone other than Dear Abby? Visit elderwisdomcircle.org for time-tested anwers to personal dilemmas; every email request is read and receives a thoughtful and confidential response by the Elder Wisdom Circle volunteers, ranging in ages from 60 to 105. Originally begun in 2001 as a Cyber-Grandparent program for teens and young adults, the popularity of EWC has soared, with advice columns now in many newspapers, plus a website that has attracted attention across the globe. Now they are putting their wisdom in book form, "The Elder Wisdom Circle Guide for a Meaningful Life." Available in late October, Amazon.com is now accepting pre-orders (at a discount!).
This inspirational book revels in the luxury of its expanded format to offer greater in-depth advice, expanding from its typical one-answer format to many. This broader dialogue creates wonderfully interesting and relevant “tell it like it is” guidance to the reader. Popular advice topics in the book, as on the website, include relationship dilemmas of every kind, career, aging, and self-improvement.
Sharing with younger generations the wisdom gleaned from their lives and the lessons they have learned along the way, EWC provides a valuable and often-absent voice of empathy and knowledge to those seeking answers to life's questions. Bravo, EWC, and thank you!
Be well.
This inspirational book revels in the luxury of its expanded format to offer greater in-depth advice, expanding from its typical one-answer format to many. This broader dialogue creates wonderfully interesting and relevant “tell it like it is” guidance to the reader. Popular advice topics in the book, as on the website, include relationship dilemmas of every kind, career, aging, and self-improvement.
Sharing with younger generations the wisdom gleaned from their lives and the lessons they have learned along the way, EWC provides a valuable and often-absent voice of empathy and knowledge to those seeking answers to life's questions. Bravo, EWC, and thank you!
Be well.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Computer Maneuvers
As we age, we may find ourselves squinting a little harder at the computer monitor, straining a bit to hear audio, or just plain growing frustrated keeping up with all the virus protections, passwords, new software, and expanding technology. It's no easy thing to stay current with all the changes happening everyday on our computers, and working with outdated equipment makes it that much harder. Here's how to work with what you have and recommendations to get what you need:
1) LCD monitors: these liquid crystal displays can't be beat for clarity and brightness, and luckily, prices continue to drop on these space-saving, flat screen monitors. Sony, H-P, and ViewSonic all offer nice-quality 19-inch screens for around $200.
2) Increasing font size: If you're using a PC, click on Start, select All Programs > Accessories > Accessibility > Magnifier. If you're on a Mac, hold down Option, Apple, and the plus sign simultaneously until you reach the desired font size.
3) Also available to Windows users is the "Accessibility Wizard", found in the same spot as the Magnifier mentioned above. You go through a brief assessment to determine what specific settings wil make your time on the computer more productive and enjoyable. Testing includes vision, hearing, and keyboard/mouse abilities, etc. For Mac users, from your Apple pull-down menu, select System Preferences > Universal Access.
A few recommended websites for more help:
* www.makoa.org/computers.htm
* www.seniornet.org/jsnet/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=152&Itemid=36
(includes video clips & how-tos for common computer activities: i.e. adjusting time & date, copying text, displaying file dates, etc.)
* http://www.aarp.org/learntech/computers/howto/tips_on_purchasing_a_new_computer.html
* http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/technobuddy/index.html
(Mr. Husted is a refreshingly easy-to-understand techie, and his columns are full of sound, practical advice. Thanks to him for the inspiration for today's post!)
1) LCD monitors: these liquid crystal displays can't be beat for clarity and brightness, and luckily, prices continue to drop on these space-saving, flat screen monitors. Sony, H-P, and ViewSonic all offer nice-quality 19-inch screens for around $200.
2) Increasing font size: If you're using a PC, click on Start, select All Programs > Accessories > Accessibility > Magnifier. If you're on a Mac, hold down Option, Apple, and the plus sign simultaneously until you reach the desired font size.
3) Also available to Windows users is the "Accessibility Wizard", found in the same spot as the Magnifier mentioned above. You go through a brief assessment to determine what specific settings wil make your time on the computer more productive and enjoyable. Testing includes vision, hearing, and keyboard/mouse abilities, etc. For Mac users, from your Apple pull-down menu, select System Preferences > Universal Access.
A few recommended websites for more help:
* www.makoa.org/computers.htm
* www.seniornet.org/jsnet/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=152&Itemid=36
(includes video clips & how-tos for common computer activities: i.e. adjusting time & date, copying text, displaying file dates, etc.)
* http://www.aarp.org/learntech/computers/howto/tips_on_purchasing_a_new_computer.html
* http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/technobuddy/index.html
(Mr. Husted is a refreshingly easy-to-understand techie, and his columns are full of sound, practical advice. Thanks to him for the inspiration for today's post!)
Monday, August 20, 2007
Tomorrow Will Be Better
"Where there's life, there's hope." – Terence, Roman author
"Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence." – Lin Yutang, Chinese author
"Hope is like peace. It is not a gift from God. It is a gift only we can give one another." – Elie Wiesel, American author
Be well.
"Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence." – Lin Yutang, Chinese author
"Hope is like peace. It is not a gift from God. It is a gift only we can give one another." – Elie Wiesel, American author
Be well.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
It's Not Funny Money, Honey
Why all the buzz about a beekeeper from Kansas? It seems that Waldo McBurney is America's oldest worker, at age 104. He has lots of company: according to the U.S. Department of Labor, over one million Americans over the age of 75 are still in the workforce – some by choice, others by necessity. About 318,000 working Americans are age 80 and above. These numbers are only expected to increase as Americans live longer, and in some cases, outlive their 401(k)s, savings, and Social Security benefits.
As available and qualified labor pools shrink, more companies are looking to experienced older workers to fill in the gaps. When the Senior Citizens Freedom to Work Act was initiated in 2000, allowing workers ages 60-69 to earn unlimited income without losing Social Security benefits, more older workers rejoined the workforce. The gradual phasing out of traditional company pensions and health benefits has also, out of necessity, required some retirees to return to work. For some adults, going to a job beats staying at home, and they point to the tremendous personal satisfaction received from their contributions on the job.
Still wondering about Mr. McBurney? He took up long-distance running at age 65 and believes in hard work. Says Mr. McBurney, "I'm not a strong believer in retirement. I don't think retirement is in the Bible. Maybe it's there, but I haven't found it." To learn more about him and his secrets to a long, happy life, you can read his book, "My First 100 Years: A Look Back From the Finish Line", now available from www.amazon.com.
As available and qualified labor pools shrink, more companies are looking to experienced older workers to fill in the gaps. When the Senior Citizens Freedom to Work Act was initiated in 2000, allowing workers ages 60-69 to earn unlimited income without losing Social Security benefits, more older workers rejoined the workforce. The gradual phasing out of traditional company pensions and health benefits has also, out of necessity, required some retirees to return to work. For some adults, going to a job beats staying at home, and they point to the tremendous personal satisfaction received from their contributions on the job.
Still wondering about Mr. McBurney? He took up long-distance running at age 65 and believes in hard work. Says Mr. McBurney, "I'm not a strong believer in retirement. I don't think retirement is in the Bible. Maybe it's there, but I haven't found it." To learn more about him and his secrets to a long, happy life, you can read his book, "My First 100 Years: A Look Back From the Finish Line", now available from www.amazon.com.
Monday, August 13, 2007
When Caring Hurts
Currently, one in every four American families care for a family member over age 50, with the number of senior adults in America expected to double to more than 71 million by 2030. You may be asked to care for a family member at some point in the future; how will you respond to this?
The very real and often relentless stress experienced by caregivers is being given serious attention by the American Academy of Geriatric Psychologists, American Medical Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, and a host of other groups. Current debate includes assigning a formal definition of "caregiver syndrome", adding legitimacy and urgency to this syndrome, thus encouraging doctors to develop better screening and treatment options. Those opposed to the definition believe the label would stigmatize and further isolate the very people who need outside support. As coined by neuropsychiatrist Dr. J. Posner, caregiver syndrome is defined as "a debilitating condition brought on by unrelieved, constant caring for a person with a chronic illness or dementia."
Traditionally, family caregivers spend the majority of their time caring for their older family member who requires their attention. Particularly, in the initial stages of care, there is a high level of grief associated with the grim reality that your loved one's health is declining. It's not uncommon to suffer a period of shock, followed by acclimation to the new daily schedule. In some cases, the elevated stress hormone levels of a caregiver are quite similar to post-traumatic stress disorder.
Making their family members their top priority, caregivers often neglect their own health and emotional well-being. Depression, anxiety, guilt, resentment and anger are all classic symptoms associated with caregiver syndrome, most often leading to high blood pressure, diabetes and a compromised immune system. In drastic cases, caregivers can take on the symptoms of the person for whom they are caring. More commonly, though, personal roles between the caregiver and older adult change, where spouses are no longer partners, but evolve into nurse-patient. In the case of adult children caregivers, the roles are reversed, where the child is required to be the adult in the relationship.
If caregiving syndrome is considered to be a real condition causing serious health problems, how do we then encourage caregivers to make a doctor's appointment or join a support group, when their schedule is consumed by caring their aging/ill family member? The American Academy of Family Physicians recommend that all caregivers be screened for stress and depression. Caregivers who show signs of hostility, anxiety and a loss of interest in favorite activities are urged to talk to their physician. Widening the caregiver support system, finding additional resources to help caregivers, and increasing education about the realities of caregiving can all significantly decrease the occurrence of this syndrome.
Long-term caregiving does not have to dissolve from being an honor to a duty, or worse, a burden. If you know a caregiver, they are most likely to busy to ask for help, so call them, and offer to run errands or stay at home with the patient, while they get out for a few hours. If you are a caregiver, reach out for help. We all need each other.
Be well.
The very real and often relentless stress experienced by caregivers is being given serious attention by the American Academy of Geriatric Psychologists, American Medical Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, and a host of other groups. Current debate includes assigning a formal definition of "caregiver syndrome", adding legitimacy and urgency to this syndrome, thus encouraging doctors to develop better screening and treatment options. Those opposed to the definition believe the label would stigmatize and further isolate the very people who need outside support. As coined by neuropsychiatrist Dr. J. Posner, caregiver syndrome is defined as "a debilitating condition brought on by unrelieved, constant caring for a person with a chronic illness or dementia."
Traditionally, family caregivers spend the majority of their time caring for their older family member who requires their attention. Particularly, in the initial stages of care, there is a high level of grief associated with the grim reality that your loved one's health is declining. It's not uncommon to suffer a period of shock, followed by acclimation to the new daily schedule. In some cases, the elevated stress hormone levels of a caregiver are quite similar to post-traumatic stress disorder.
Making their family members their top priority, caregivers often neglect their own health and emotional well-being. Depression, anxiety, guilt, resentment and anger are all classic symptoms associated with caregiver syndrome, most often leading to high blood pressure, diabetes and a compromised immune system. In drastic cases, caregivers can take on the symptoms of the person for whom they are caring. More commonly, though, personal roles between the caregiver and older adult change, where spouses are no longer partners, but evolve into nurse-patient. In the case of adult children caregivers, the roles are reversed, where the child is required to be the adult in the relationship.
If caregiving syndrome is considered to be a real condition causing serious health problems, how do we then encourage caregivers to make a doctor's appointment or join a support group, when their schedule is consumed by caring their aging/ill family member? The American Academy of Family Physicians recommend that all caregivers be screened for stress and depression. Caregivers who show signs of hostility, anxiety and a loss of interest in favorite activities are urged to talk to their physician. Widening the caregiver support system, finding additional resources to help caregivers, and increasing education about the realities of caregiving can all significantly decrease the occurrence of this syndrome.
Long-term caregiving does not have to dissolve from being an honor to a duty, or worse, a burden. If you know a caregiver, they are most likely to busy to ask for help, so call them, and offer to run errands or stay at home with the patient, while they get out for a few hours. If you are a caregiver, reach out for help. We all need each other.
Be well.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Must-See TV starts 9/23
Gifted filmmaker Ken Burns, well-known for his thoroughly researched and thoughtful documentaries, is back again: this time, producing a seven-part series devoted to telling the honest, courageous stories of World War II, as seen through the eyes of those who lived through it, both here and on foreign soil. Four towns are highlighted, featuring a cross-section of America: Waterbury, CT, Sacramento, CA, Mobile, AL, and Luverne, MN.
The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that over 1,000 World War II veterans die every day, driving an increased sense of urgency for Burns, whose own father was among those who served. For over six years, Burns and his team labored to bring the stories in this series to life: researching, meeting, and interviewing men and women all across the country, who lived through the war and contributed to the victory. Two years were spent deep in archive material, from attics and libraries, to historical societies and footage from newspapers and film. As one producer noted, "This is the richest archival event in history.”
The series premieres on PBS on September 23; check your local listings. For a helpful viewer's guide with background information for each episode, please visit: http://www.pbs.org/thewar/
The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that over 1,000 World War II veterans die every day, driving an increased sense of urgency for Burns, whose own father was among those who served. For over six years, Burns and his team labored to bring the stories in this series to life: researching, meeting, and interviewing men and women all across the country, who lived through the war and contributed to the victory. Two years were spent deep in archive material, from attics and libraries, to historical societies and footage from newspapers and film. As one producer noted, "This is the richest archival event in history.”
The series premieres on PBS on September 23; check your local listings. For a helpful viewer's guide with background information for each episode, please visit: http://www.pbs.org/thewar/
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
India Blue
With the current crisis in U.S. healthcare, many adults are exploring alternatives to traditional longterm care, when staying at home or going to a nursing facility is out of the question. S. Herzfeld is a perfect example: an MBA grad management expert returned home in 2004 to care for his aging parents, who suffer from Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. After three years, the strain and expense of providing 24-hour care for both parents was overwhelming. Exploring nearby nursing homes was discouraging, as the monthly cost would quickly bankrupt his parents.
Mr. Herzfeld continued his research and in a turn of serendipitous events, he and his parents decided to move to India, ironically where Mr. Herzfeld once studied and later taught MBA classes. Why India? India reveres older persons, and the cost of living is significantly less than in the West. His parents are now cared for in the town of Pondicherry by a personal six-person staff, who provides them with daily massages, physical therapy, round-the-clock mobility assistance, customized healthy meals, and medicines that cost 20% less than in the States – all of this for approx. $15 per day. His parents are now able to save $1,000 from their monthly SS check, banking it for emergency events or plane tickets.
A former French colony, Pondicherry, India is a foreigner-friendly old town on the ocean, surrounded by bright orange blossom and coconut trees. Its weather is much like Florida, which is familiar to the Herzfeld family. For more info on this town, visit http://tourism.pondicherry.gov.in/intro.html
Mr. Herzfeld continued his research and in a turn of serendipitous events, he and his parents decided to move to India, ironically where Mr. Herzfeld once studied and later taught MBA classes. Why India? India reveres older persons, and the cost of living is significantly less than in the West. His parents are now cared for in the town of Pondicherry by a personal six-person staff, who provides them with daily massages, physical therapy, round-the-clock mobility assistance, customized healthy meals, and medicines that cost 20% less than in the States – all of this for approx. $15 per day. His parents are now able to save $1,000 from their monthly SS check, banking it for emergency events or plane tickets.
A former French colony, Pondicherry, India is a foreigner-friendly old town on the ocean, surrounded by bright orange blossom and coconut trees. Its weather is much like Florida, which is familiar to the Herzfeld family. For more info on this town, visit http://tourism.pondicherry.gov.in/intro.html
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Pursuit of Activeness
Grab those weights, pedal that bike, and swim those laps: good advice for all ages, but particularly wise for older adults looking to improve or maintain their health. Gyms all over the country are gaining new members, especially those over the age of 50. Interestingly, 90% of all active adult communities currently under construction include a fitness center, the average size being 20,000 to 40,000 square feet. (The rocking chairs of previous generations conspicuously absent at these communities!)
Inside or outside a fitness center, it's recommended that senior adults follow this simple formula for healthiest results: ESBS – Endurance, Strength, Balance, and Stretch. By being mindful of one's current limitations, due to ailments such as arthritis or back pain, a senior adult can still gain the life-affirming benefits of movement without damaging their bodies. Exercising smarter, not harder, seems to be the rule.
Why the focus on exercise and activity for senior adults? The U.S. National Institute on Aging promotes regular activity as a proven way for seniors to maintain their strength, be more independent, increase energy and improve balance. Exercise is a terrific antidote to depression, and a strong opponent in the fight against heart disease, diabetes, and a host of other illnesses.
No matter what your age, everyone benefits from daily exercise, says the International Council on Active Aging, so get moving!
Inside or outside a fitness center, it's recommended that senior adults follow this simple formula for healthiest results: ESBS – Endurance, Strength, Balance, and Stretch. By being mindful of one's current limitations, due to ailments such as arthritis or back pain, a senior adult can still gain the life-affirming benefits of movement without damaging their bodies. Exercising smarter, not harder, seems to be the rule.
Why the focus on exercise and activity for senior adults? The U.S. National Institute on Aging promotes regular activity as a proven way for seniors to maintain their strength, be more independent, increase energy and improve balance. Exercise is a terrific antidote to depression, and a strong opponent in the fight against heart disease, diabetes, and a host of other illnesses.
No matter what your age, everyone benefits from daily exercise, says the International Council on Active Aging, so get moving!
Friday, August 3, 2007
Notable Quotables
"Life is short and it's up to you to make it sweet." – S. Delany
"To feel loved, to belong, to have a place, and to hear one's dignity and worth often affirmed – these are to the soul what food is to the body." – A. Ortlund
"There is no old age. There is, as there always was, just you." – C. Matthau
Be well.
"To feel loved, to belong, to have a place, and to hear one's dignity and worth often affirmed – these are to the soul what food is to the body." – A. Ortlund
"There is no old age. There is, as there always was, just you." – C. Matthau
Be well.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Tapping the Maple for Homecare
Nearly two years after Vermont began its innovative Choices for Care program, success is already evident. The number of Vermont's elderly poor and disabled residents sent to nursing homes has declined, while their quality of life has improved, allowing them to stay in their homes and maintain their independence. This is the first Medicaid-choice waiver program in the U.S., allowing eligible residents to elect their own care. Previously, nursing home care was the only option available to Medicaid-eligible citizens.
How does the state program work? Seniors who need help with daily living activities and/or housekeeping and meal prep can elect to receive care provided by a family member or friend, who then gets paid by the state, on average of $10/hour. These dollars are via a combination of federal and state money, as approved by Medicaid budget limits for Vermont.
How much is Vermont saving by channeling these dollars into various community-based initiatives, including assisted-living facilities, privately run boarding homes for seniors and elder day-care centers? As cited by the Associated Press, it costs approximately $122/day for Medicaid-covered seniors living in nursing homes, versus $80/day for seniors receiving care at home. The goal is to reinvest these savings into the program, thus reaching even more eligible residents.
Choices for Care has its critics, especially from the nursing home industry. They argue that subsidized home care is not as high quality or as consistent as what a typical nursing home can provide. They also cite a high burnout rate from untrained in-home caregivers, who fail to understand how exhausting and draining the work can be.
For more info on the Choices for Care, visit www.dad.state.vt.us/1115waiver/1115default.htm
How does the state program work? Seniors who need help with daily living activities and/or housekeeping and meal prep can elect to receive care provided by a family member or friend, who then gets paid by the state, on average of $10/hour. These dollars are via a combination of federal and state money, as approved by Medicaid budget limits for Vermont.
How much is Vermont saving by channeling these dollars into various community-based initiatives, including assisted-living facilities, privately run boarding homes for seniors and elder day-care centers? As cited by the Associated Press, it costs approximately $122/day for Medicaid-covered seniors living in nursing homes, versus $80/day for seniors receiving care at home. The goal is to reinvest these savings into the program, thus reaching even more eligible residents.
Choices for Care has its critics, especially from the nursing home industry. They argue that subsidized home care is not as high quality or as consistent as what a typical nursing home can provide. They also cite a high burnout rate from untrained in-home caregivers, who fail to understand how exhausting and draining the work can be.
For more info on the Choices for Care, visit www.dad.state.vt.us/1115waiver/1115default.htm
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Through the Looking Glass
Today, I visited a nearby assisted living community. One of the first things I was asked to do was to create a list of the following:
1) a spouse or significant other
2) sons and daughters, nieces and nephews
3) best friend
4) favorite physical feature about myself
5) preferred time to wake up on a day off
Now you try it!
Next, using the fast-forward button on your imagination, picture what your life will be like in your mid-80s – the average resident's age at this particular community. Statistics show that these may be your realities:
1) You may outlive your spouse or significant other
2) The children may become middle-aged parents and grandparents with their own set of obligations and/or health issues
3) Your best friend may be ill, deceased, or far away
4) Every part of your body will change in appearance
5) Someone else may decide what time you must sleep and wake
How does this news make you feel?
Equipped with a humbling sense of humanity and empathy provided by this exercise, how do we then help current senior adults cope with these incredibly real and painful losses: the loss of loved ones, of body image, of basic decision-making? How can the grip of loneliness be loosened? How can depression be resolved or avoided? How do we engage them in activities that will bring them joy and purpose, giving them a sense of control and autonomy?
The old saying about walking a mile in another man's moccasins seems appropriate after today's quiz; let's be good to each other. . . perhaps a little gentler, a little more patient, a little more understanding.
Be well.
1) a spouse or significant other
2) sons and daughters, nieces and nephews
3) best friend
4) favorite physical feature about myself
5) preferred time to wake up on a day off
Now you try it!
Next, using the fast-forward button on your imagination, picture what your life will be like in your mid-80s – the average resident's age at this particular community. Statistics show that these may be your realities:
1) You may outlive your spouse or significant other
2) The children may become middle-aged parents and grandparents with their own set of obligations and/or health issues
3) Your best friend may be ill, deceased, or far away
4) Every part of your body will change in appearance
5) Someone else may decide what time you must sleep and wake
How does this news make you feel?
Equipped with a humbling sense of humanity and empathy provided by this exercise, how do we then help current senior adults cope with these incredibly real and painful losses: the loss of loved ones, of body image, of basic decision-making? How can the grip of loneliness be loosened? How can depression be resolved or avoided? How do we engage them in activities that will bring them joy and purpose, giving them a sense of control and autonomy?
The old saying about walking a mile in another man's moccasins seems appropriate after today's quiz; let's be good to each other. . . perhaps a little gentler, a little more patient, a little more understanding.
Be well.
Monday, July 30, 2007
The House Just Up the Road
Tonight, a darkened house settling down to rest fills my mind's wanderings. I wonder from far away, if it is raining there, if the limbs on the old oak tree are bending from the summer winds. I try hard to remember if the house has ever been alone before, and come up empty-handed. Will the sun still streak across the windows in the morning? Will the sink faucet keep plopping drops into the basin? How long will it be before the musty, sad scent of aloneness sets in through the wall-to-wall carpets?
Is it permissable to grieve for a loss that is not your own? Does it matter? I have never lived in this house in the traditional sense, but feel connected there, despite having been gone for so long. I have been a part of its once vibrant life. This house, and its inhabitants, welcomed me with smiling outstretched arms, and reluctantly waved goodbye every time I departed after our visits together. I still carry these precious memories in my heart, and suppose that is the best place for them, keeping them close like a stack of old love letters, pulling them out occasionally: to smile, to cry a little, to remember.
Tonight, I am recalling the full life lived within those walls: the people who made my childhood so dear, the older generation who always had time to spend with me, sharing what they had, teaching what they knew, praying for answers they didn't have, relying on faith to see them through.
I hope they know how much I miss them still. Their lives mattered, and so did the house.
Is it permissable to grieve for a loss that is not your own? Does it matter? I have never lived in this house in the traditional sense, but feel connected there, despite having been gone for so long. I have been a part of its once vibrant life. This house, and its inhabitants, welcomed me with smiling outstretched arms, and reluctantly waved goodbye every time I departed after our visits together. I still carry these precious memories in my heart, and suppose that is the best place for them, keeping them close like a stack of old love letters, pulling them out occasionally: to smile, to cry a little, to remember.
Tonight, I am recalling the full life lived within those walls: the people who made my childhood so dear, the older generation who always had time to spend with me, sharing what they had, teaching what they knew, praying for answers they didn't have, relying on faith to see them through.
I hope they know how much I miss them still. Their lives mattered, and so did the house.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Soaring Eagle
88-year old Walter Hart of Fort Myers, FL has recently received Boy Scout's highest honor: the distinctive Eagle Scout status, making him possibly the oldest person to ever receive the honor.
Due to Navy service during WWII, Mr. Hart was unable to obtain the official Eagle Scout rank at the time he completed all the requirements. Nearly 50 years later, he unearthed some of his personal scouting memorabilia, including documentation proving he had met all the standards of becoming an Eagle Scout, something only five percent of all Boy Scouts ever achieve. Mr. Hart holds an impressive 23 merit badges, and still wears his original scout uniform.
Congratulations, Mr. Hart, and to all the other Eagle Scouts out there (including my two brothers).
Well done, gentlemen!
Due to Navy service during WWII, Mr. Hart was unable to obtain the official Eagle Scout rank at the time he completed all the requirements. Nearly 50 years later, he unearthed some of his personal scouting memorabilia, including documentation proving he had met all the standards of becoming an Eagle Scout, something only five percent of all Boy Scouts ever achieve. Mr. Hart holds an impressive 23 merit badges, and still wears his original scout uniform.
Congratulations, Mr. Hart, and to all the other Eagle Scouts out there (including my two brothers).
Well done, gentlemen!
Friday, July 27, 2007
How to Be Happy
"To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common – this is my symphony."
– William Henry Channing
– William Henry Channing
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Creature Comforts
Today's New England Journal of Medicine details the life of a helpful cat named Oscar in a Providence, RI nursing home. Oscar's medical specialty: his accurate radar for identifying those patients approaching death and providing companionship to them in their last hours.
The kitten was adopted by the facility two years ago, and lives in the dementia unit. Staff members noticed that Oscar would make his daily rounds to all the patients, just like the doctors and nurses. Sniffing and observing patients, he would then sit beside people who died only a few hours later. Thus far, Oscar has been accurate in 25 cases. Once Oscar curls up next to a patient, family members are alerted, giving them a chance to say goodbye to the dying.
What a comfort that these individuals did not die alone! And what a quiet, yet poignant reminder that most of the important things in this life cannot be explained, but can only be felt and appreciated.
The kitten was adopted by the facility two years ago, and lives in the dementia unit. Staff members noticed that Oscar would make his daily rounds to all the patients, just like the doctors and nurses. Sniffing and observing patients, he would then sit beside people who died only a few hours later. Thus far, Oscar has been accurate in 25 cases. Once Oscar curls up next to a patient, family members are alerted, giving them a chance to say goodbye to the dying.
What a comfort that these individuals did not die alone! And what a quiet, yet poignant reminder that most of the important things in this life cannot be explained, but can only be felt and appreciated.
Load Up the U-Haul
AARP has spoken... drumroll, please! The following cities have been chosen as the best places for seniors to live:
Atlanta, GA
Chandler, AZ
Milwaukee, WI
Portland, OR
More details can be found in the upcoming Sept/Oct '07 issue of AARP The Magazine.
At first glance, one wonders what these four cities could possibly have in common; it's not the weather, certainly! Nor could it be the cost-of-living or lifestyle attitudes. No, the judges agreed that these four all had successfully managed to consider and accommodate seniors in their urban renewal plans: from transit and cultural options to mixed-use developments that keeps retail and medical facilities within close distance of neighborhoods. (*Aren't these good ideas for all ages?)
Boston's Beacon Hill Village was highlighted for its wide menu of services available to seniors who pay an annual fee for personalized concierge-like help, booking everything from plumbing and rides to cultural events.
In Atlanta, mixed-income housing and mixed-use development were recognized, citing popular Atlantic Station, a booming residential/shopping/business area, located on the site of an abandoned polluted steel mill (*as someone who formerly worked across the street from the mill, I can verify that it was indeed an eyesore, and am so proud of how Atlanta and the developers have breathed new life into that existing space!).
One of the senior-friendly programs offered in the the sunny and less-expensive Phoenix community of Chandler was its popular cab coupons available to seniors who might not drive.
Both Milwaukee and Portland were chosen because of their revitalization efforts in local historic districts, adding ammenities such as walks, bike trails and mixed-income housing.
Congrats to the winners; let's hope they have even more contestants in the coming years!
Atlanta, GA
Chandler, AZ
Milwaukee, WI
Portland, OR
More details can be found in the upcoming Sept/Oct '07 issue of AARP The Magazine.
At first glance, one wonders what these four cities could possibly have in common; it's not the weather, certainly! Nor could it be the cost-of-living or lifestyle attitudes. No, the judges agreed that these four all had successfully managed to consider and accommodate seniors in their urban renewal plans: from transit and cultural options to mixed-use developments that keeps retail and medical facilities within close distance of neighborhoods. (*Aren't these good ideas for all ages?)
Boston's Beacon Hill Village was highlighted for its wide menu of services available to seniors who pay an annual fee for personalized concierge-like help, booking everything from plumbing and rides to cultural events.
In Atlanta, mixed-income housing and mixed-use development were recognized, citing popular Atlantic Station, a booming residential/shopping/business area, located on the site of an abandoned polluted steel mill (*as someone who formerly worked across the street from the mill, I can verify that it was indeed an eyesore, and am so proud of how Atlanta and the developers have breathed new life into that existing space!).
One of the senior-friendly programs offered in the the sunny and less-expensive Phoenix community of Chandler was its popular cab coupons available to seniors who might not drive.
Both Milwaukee and Portland were chosen because of their revitalization efforts in local historic districts, adding ammenities such as walks, bike trails and mixed-income housing.
Congrats to the winners; let's hope they have even more contestants in the coming years!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Kick-Start, Grateful Heart
When you recall the people who have made a positive difference in your life, people who have loved and cared for you, who springs to mind? I am smiling as I answer this, because my world has been beautifully surrounded by the love and interest of aunts, uncles, grandmothers and grandpa, and my two remarkable parents. These are the individuals who took an interest in me from the very beginning, showing me the importance of faith, of hard work, of being good to others.
The purpose of this blog is two-fold:
1) to chronicle the blessings of everyday life (and let's be honest, we have an embarrassing number of them)
2) to share news of interest to senior adults and the people who care about them. This growing part of our society needs us to return the care and love they have so freely shared with us and others. Now is the time!
Be well.
The purpose of this blog is two-fold:
1) to chronicle the blessings of everyday life (and let's be honest, we have an embarrassing number of them)
2) to share news of interest to senior adults and the people who care about them. This growing part of our society needs us to return the care and love they have so freely shared with us and others. Now is the time!
Be well.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
