Gray Hair: Love It Or Despise It?

Sooner or later, hair turns gray or white or a combination thereof. Some people go gray prematurely, while others still have much of their original hair color well into their eighties but they are the exception. Some choose to color, some don’t. There are those who despise gray hair while others embrace it. R.S.S.: I love my gray hair and … Read More

Pets: A Good Or Bad Idea?

Are pets – dogs and cats— beneficial to elderly people? Some would say ‘Yes’ while others would respond with a resounding ‘No!’ Pets require care and some supervision, which might prove difficult for someone who isn’t very ambulatory. And then there is the ‘falling over the pet’ syndrome, which most pet owners have experienced at one time or another. While … Read More

Are You Too Old To Travel? Are You EVER Too Old To Travel?

You finally have some discretionary money. The house is paid off, the kids are through college and you and your partner are tired of staring at the four walls or you, a single man or woman, want to hit the road, maybe with a friend or, bravely, alone. You are considering travel. Where? That remains to be seen. How? You … Read More

Your Hot Flashes Might Be Telling You Something

Recent health news reports told menopausal women our hot flashes and night sweats could be with us for longer than originally estimated. Some unfortunate women may endure these types of vasomotor symptoms for up to 14 years. That’s rough. Yet, there may be an unseen benefit. A Women’s Health Initiative study summarized by Endocrinology Advisor found women who experience moderate … Read More

Your Skin: It’s Got To Last You A Lifetime

In our youth, we didn’t wear much make-up because we didn’t need to. Our skin naturally glowed and was firm and wrinkle-free. We didn’t have age spots or discoloration or wrinkles or sags and bags but we do now that we’ve spent five or six plus decades on earth. If we only knew then what we know now or had … Read More

Ready To Jump Into The Dating Pool? Yes? No? Maybe? Never?

Dating. Does that word itself, let alone the thought of actually doing it, make you cringe? You are in good company. Naturally, there are exceptions to every rule but many older people wince and recoil when the topic of dating comes up. Divorces occur, people are widowed, and there you are: Old enough to vividly recall the assassination of JFK … Read More

Life After Retirement: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

One acquaintance of mine refuses to use the word ‘retirement.’ Instead says he’s in a ‘New phase of life,’ afraid he will jinx himself if he vocalizes the term ‘retirement.’ He fears he will suddenly drop over dead if word gets out he’s (Sssshhh) retired. Hey, it wouldn’t be the first time. People work for years and years, retire and … Read More

Barometric Pressure, Menopause, Aches And Pains And Changes In Mood

The weather outside is delightful, not frightful, so why do you hurt so badly? Shouldn’t you feel great physically? Upcoming changes in weather and barometric pressure alterations impact the body and brain. There are people (I am one of them) who can predict the weather better than a meteorologist based on the way their body feels. For instance, today it … Read More

Have You Heard the One About…?

Ever have one of those days, or even weeks, where you feel surrounded by reminders of your advancing age? Lately, I’ve become “painfully aware” of just how advanced it’s becoming as my oldest prepares to graduate high school and I’m reviewing pictures of her earliest school days to assemble a long overdue scrapbook. Shopping for new spring clothes with descriptions … Read More

Are You Dumbing Down As You Age?

You are in your 50s, 60s, 70s or 80s. You are retired. You are no longer required to be at the top of your mental game because you are not standing in front of a classroom of challenging students every day, trying to teach. You no longer appear in court, defending someone before a jury. You are no longer required … Read More