Lifestyle

Today, wherever you happen to be in the world, you can usually find somewhere offering English Afternoon Tea between 3-5 pm. Here is a small selection of very special places for tea across the U.K. If you live in the U.K., why not treat yourself this week? If not, I hope that you will sample this fantastic tradition on your next trip to this side of the pond…

I have no idea why people my age are shying away from using social media when it is so easy to use, providing us with many great opportunities. This is especially true for us gals over 60. Is it that old “fear” of computers? Haven’t you gotten over that yet? You should be comfortable with on-line shopping, banking and surfing for websites by now. Read More

Most of us worry who will care for us, how to pay for living and medical expenses, how to manage chronic illnesses and how to remain connected and avoid isolation. In a recent post, I promised to ask Dr. Maria Carney, the elder orphans research lead, issues that bother readers most about aging alone…

No matter how old we get, women have a need to bond, nurture, listen and empathize. Read More

As a 60-something-year-old travel writer, I have been lucky enough to stay in top hotels, cosy B&B’s and, on occasion, beautifully appointed self-catering accommodation. But, camping and caravanning have certainly not been on my agenda. Read More

Everyone knows how cruel children can be. When you don’t quite fit in, or you are simply shy, it’s easy to feel completely alone. Read More

Many people fall into the elder orphan segment. In fact, research suggests that close to one-quarter of Americans 65 and older could end up with no family to care for them. This makes sense when you consider the fact that one-third of people between the ages of 45 to 63 are single. Read More

Humans are hard-wired to avoid pain and seek pleasure. Unfortunately, when it comes to making friends as an adult, our self-protective instincts can be our worst enemies. Read More

By the time we reach our 60th birthday, most of us have collected a lot of stuff. We have old bikes and new gadgets, boxes of used clothes and piles of unread books. In the words of Douglas Adams in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, “Most of it seemed to make some kind of sense at the time.” Read More

The best advice that I ever received on retirement and long-term care is, “the best time to plan is long before you need it.” Another good piece of advice is, “plan while you still have the energy, physical and mental health, and resources.” This is why 2016 is my year for planning. What are the consequences of not making a long-term care plan?