Getting Older

A reader once told me she loved her home more than any place she had ever lived. The garden she planted years ago still bloomed every spring, and the kitchen held decades of memories. But she quietly wondered: “How do I know when staying makes sense and when it might not?”

Do you remember doing calisthenics in your gym class? You might recall the part where you had to try to touch your toes by bending over from a standing position or while sitting on the floor with your legs extended…

Six months ago, I helped my parents leave the home they had always said they would never leave. At the time, I had no idea how much strength this season would uncover. From across the country, I had been watching subtle changes for years. Our Sunday Zoom calls slowly faded, and without seeing them face to face, it became harder…

I’m putting it out there. I am having issues with growing old. They say there are certain age bands when you feel the process of aging. Right now, at age 61, I am currently in one of those bands. I recently had dinner with a former colleague turned friend. We have known each other for 34 years…

Aging in place used to mean staying in the same home for as long as possible. Even when the house no longer fits your needs or budget. Maybe making a few renovations to improve mobility, like adding grab bars, swapping a tub for a walk-in shower, or replacing carpet with hard flooring…

The desire to “age in place” has become more than a preference – it’s now the dominant expectation among older adults and their families. According to a recent McKnights’ article, 53% of family caregivers prefer in-home care over senior living, citing independence, familiarity, and emotional comfort as the..

Life is shaped like a horseshoe. Or maybe a parabola, depending on how you did in high school math. Either way, there’s a point in life when we start looping back to something that looks suspiciously like our college years: living in a small, safe space where someone…

When my son, now in his late 30s, was about five years old, he made a remark that has stayed with me ever since. He had gone through a stage, thankfully brief, when he would pee unexpectedly, leaving a small visible stain on his trousers…

I grew up in the 1960s and 70s. And Dick Van Dyke was a mainstay on our TV. He was one of my favorite actors. I loved his TV show with Mary Tyler Moore. And of course, he was wonderful as the sweet chimney sweep in Mary Poppins…

If you are running through your entire stock of cozy winter socks every week, you might be wondering if there is something more you can do to keep your feet warm. While chronically cold feet can indicate your footwear simply isn’t up to par, it can also…