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Retooling the Nation’s First Long Term Care Insurance Program June 29, 2022 by Michelle Andrews - Patricia Keys, 71 and a stroke survivor, needs help with many everyday activities, such as dressing and bathing. Her daughter Christina, who lives near her mom in Vancouver, WA, cares for her in the evenings and pays about $3,000 a month for help from other caregivers.
Advance Care Planning for Guns June 7, 2022 by Judith Graham - Kerri Raissian didn’t know what to do about her father’s guns when he died of COVID-19 in December at age 86 and left her executor of his estate.
Top Experts Question the Value of Advance Care Planning May 24, 2022 by Judith Graham - For decades, Americans have been urged to fill out documents specifying their end-of-life wishes before becoming terminally ill—living wills, do-not-resuscitate orders and other written materials expressing treatment preferences.
Smashing Stereotypes on Social Media May 11, 2022 by Mary Jacobs - When she retired 15 years ago, Tzipporah “Zippy” Sandler was floundering and unsure what was next. Then a tech-savvy friend suggested she start a blog and even offered to build it for her. “I didn’t even know what a blog…
Saying a Wrenching Goodbye to My Longtime Primary Care Doctor March 30, 2022 by Judith Graham - I hadn’t expected the tears.
My primary care doctor and I were saying goodbye after nearly 30 years together.
Getting Older with Grace—and Gratitude March 3, 2022 by Mary Jacobs - In a cruel twist of timing, Sally Magnuson’s husband of 55 years died of COVID-19 on February 10, 2021—the very day the couple was scheduled to get their first vaccines. Around the same time, Magnuson, 80, of Plano, TX, also…
Older Women Face a Fashion Challenge January 14, 2022 by Mary Jacobs - On a shopping outing, Jane Bourland informed her granddaughter, “I can’t wear sleeveless. I can’t wear short. And I can’t wear low-cut.” Surveying the styles on the racks at the department store, her granddaughter quickly realized that didn’t leave many…
‘They Treat Me Like I’m Old and Stupid’ January 7, 2022 by Judith Graham - Joanne Whitney, PharmD, 84, a retired associate clinical professor of pharmacy at the University of California-San Francisco, often feels devalued when interacting with health care providers.
Never Too Old for Fun and Games December 15, 2021 by Mary Jacobs - When Kathy Thomas’ “big Catholic family” gathers for the holidays, everybody plays bingo. Her 90-year-old mother, Rosemary Doyle (“RoRo” to the grandkids), calls the game, 
What’s So Funny about Aging? October 20, 2021 by Mary Jacobs - When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in March 2020, Carmen Emery, 75, began emailing uplifting spiritual meditations to about 300 friends from church. She quickly realized the daily emails needed something more, so she added three or four funny memes at…
Older Adults Are Becoming Nomads September 8, 2021 by Mary Jacobs - Five years ago, Susan and Rob Beck moved into an RV, after they were forced to sell their home in upstate New York. Rising property taxes had doubled their monthly housing bill, and Rob didn't receive his usual bonus at work. 
Carol Marak: Adviser and Advocate for Solo Agers August 6, 2021 by Leigh Ann Hubbard - On a warm, sunny day in May 2007, Carol Marak was hiking on a trail in Texas, missing her parents—when she stopped in her tracks, her future flashing before her eyes.
Losing Sight July 7, 2021 by Mary Jacobs - In 2014, Sharon Kassakian, 75, was diagnosed with macular degeneration in one eye. But the condition was manageable, and she felt confident enough to move to Portland in late 2016 to be closer to family. Then, in 2018, her vision…
Row, Row, Row Your Boat May 5, 2021 by Mary Jacobs - Hanne Caraher loves rowing. She’s very good at it. So good, she’s won a national gold medal and has competed in championships in Canada, Poland, Germany and Hungary (she won there too). After years of early morning practices—which meant arising…
In the Red March 4, 2021 by Mary Jacobs - At age 50, Sarah Smith found herself divorced, bankrupt and saddled with debts inherited from her ex-husband. When her two children chose to attend private colleges, she took out student loans. Now, at 66, Smith (not her real name) still…
Climate Change Endangers Many Older Adults February 3, 2021 by Mary Jacobs - In 2007, Larry Howe watched a documentary called The Great Global Warming Swindle, which denied the threat of climate change. Convinced, he put the issue out of his mind. But that changed a few years later when Howe’s first grandchild…
What Will Later Life Be Like Beyond COVID-19? January 28, 2021 by Judith Graham - Months into the coronavirus pandemic, older adults are having a hard time envisioning their “new normal.”
The Doctor Is In (Virtually) December 9, 2020 by Mary Jacobs - As a retired registered nurse, Donna Bening, 81, has known for decades that telemedicine was coming. Her expectations have been realized this year. Bening had two virtual visits via videoconference: first with her primary care physician for a routine checkup,…
Older People Are Having Second Thoughts about Where to Live November 25, 2020 by Judith Graham - Where do we want to live in the years ahead? Older adults are asking this question anew in light of the ongoing toll of the coronavirus pandemic—disrupted lives, social isolation, mounting deaths.
Will Lifelong Learning Change the Way We Age? October 7, 2020 by Mary Jacobs - Six years ago, Laura Rich signed up for a continuing education class in Chinese art history and archaeology at Stanford University. Her children were grown and she was wrapping up a full-time stint on the local school board. “Most of…
How to Preplan Your Own Funeral - When Amy Martin’s mother-in-law died last year at the age of 96, the funeral arrangements were easy. Her mother-in-law had discussed her wishes with her two adult children. 
Is the Term ‘Senior Abuse Prevention’ Ageist? - I hardly ever cross-post questions from my Yo, Is This Ageist blog. I’m making an exception because the question below occasioned such a meaty discussion during this week’s Old School’s Office Hours meetup. It also helped me understand why the phrase…