6 Ways to Convince Your Aging Parent to Stop Driving

09/19/202009/20/2020

by Ellen Blake What to do if your loved one refuses to stop driving At some point, many of us start to fear our parent is no longer safe behind the wheel. My concern started two years ago with my dad, then 87. I, along with my siblings, saw worrisome signs, but

12 Signs Your Aging Parents Need to Stop Driving

09/08/202009/20/2020

by Ellen Blake How do you know when it's time for your elderly parent to stop driving? The last time I drove with my dad he made a left turn without his blinker on - from the right lane. He drove under the speed limit on a busy street, oblivious to the

We Are All Older People in Training

09/01/202009/02/2020

by Leslie Farin It's OK to be old In a society where we value youth, I say its OK to grow old. In fact, it's a good thing. What's the alternative? Earlier today I participated in an online conference entitled, Sage 2020, hosted by Honor. Louise Aronson, New York Times bestselling author of

8 Great Looking Grab Bars You Wouldn’t Know Are Grab Bars

07/14/202007/17/2020

by Leslie Farin The Beauty of Accessibility Many people tell me they don't want grab bars installed in their bathrooms because they look "institutional". Or they say grab bars are for "old people". These days, manufacturers make beautiful ones that are both useful and beautiful. And grab bars are absolutely not just

It’s Not About You! What Not to Say When Someone is Grieving

03/10/202007/17/2020

by Leslie Farin An unfortunate side effect of aging is we lose people we love. There’s no getting around it. I had a big, noisy and really fun extended family for most of my life, but the numbers are dwindling every year. I try to remember how lucky I am to have

33 Great Resources for Older Adults and Their Caregivers

12/12/201908/27/2020

Resources for Seniors and Their Caregivers Old age is not for sissies - and neither is the caregiver role. You are NOT alone. Below is a list of some of the wonderful resources available (in no particular order): The Administration for Community Living: This organization provides a list of national and local

Reduce Holiday Loneliness and Increase Cheer for Elderly Loved Ones

11/13/201902/15/2020

elderly women, party, 50plus, 50+, fyi50+

by Leslie Farin (with Laurie Miller) While on a recent trip to visit relatives in New Jersey, I was reminded of how magical and wondrous the winter season can be No matter how dreary and cold the weather outside was that week, love, extended family and warm holiday celebrations filled the

Challenges for “Boomerang Seniors”

10/10/201904/27/2020

by Ellen Blake You probably know the terms “sandwich generation” and “silver tsunami.” And now we have a new one, “boomerang seniors,”. Boomerang seniors are older adults in their 60’s through 80’s who care for an even older relative, usually a parent, who is in their 90s or older. Patricia Maisano

Let’s Call it “Visitability”

08/21/201905/02/2020

by Ellen Blake What the heck is "visitability"? Many people refer to this housing trend as "accessibility", but that word seems to have a negative connotation for some, conjuring up visions of older adults with age related disabilities. The term,"visitability" is becoming the preferred, and actually a kinder and more welcoming, term

How Do Loved Ones Live On Forever? Tell Their Stories

07/20/201911/20/2019

by Harriet Gross Saying goodbye I’m home again after spending a few days in Pittsburgh, my home town, a place I always love to visit. But I don’t always love the reason for the visit: this time, it was to bury an uncle, the last of many, and acknowledge the ending of

A Letter to My Family

06/06/201907/24/2020

This beautiful poem was shared at a workshop I attended for The Conversation Project.. I have a copy with my will with instructions to give to my children when the time comes. I know they will do their best to care for me, but, like me, they tend to beat

Have You Had “The Conversation”?

06/05/201910/18/2019

by Leslie Farin, Publisher 50Plus-Today "It's too early until it's too late" I recently attended a workshop called The Conversation Project. This grass roots initiative, founded by Pulitzer prize winning author Ellen Goodman, encourages people to communicate their end-of life-wishes. Driving to the event, I wasn't sure what to expect; perhaps a

Planning to age in place? Consider universal design concepts

05/30/201911/25/2019

by Ellen Blake As a caregiver to elderly parents who are adamant about aging in place in the two story house where they've lived since 1976, I am well aware of the many challenges that can arise on a daily basis. Some of the issues can be addressed with a simple

Senior Resources New York

05/11/201908/15/2020

NEW YORK SENIOR RESOURCES CITY MEALS Providing a lifetime of nourishment in all 5 boroughs for individuals 60 years of age or older or are unable to prepare meals or have no one to do so for you, need assistance and must be able to live safely at

Not Just For Wheelchairs; The Beauty of Accessibility

12/14/201807/10/2020

by Leslie Farin Why build an accessible house? Designing and building an accessible home is a journey, one which requires education, patience and compromise. Our goal was to build an affordable one-story lake house that was both beautiful and comfortable for visiting family or friends who are burdened in some way with

Tips for Family Caregivers

11/16/201810/07/2019

healthy and happy senior, family caregiver

by Ellen Blake Caring for aging parents is hard work. But it can also be rewarding! Taking care of an elderly loved one takes a great deal of time, effort and patience. They often need help with a wide range of tasks, from errands, to meals,to eventually even bathing. It's tough, emotionally

THE MOST IMPORTANT LETTER OF YOUR LIFE

07/10/201808/15/2020

By Leah Dobkin As our modern society places more emphasis on material things, it is easy to lose sight of what we think is important in our lives. Wealth is more than money and possessions. In fact, what you learn in life may be more valuable than what you earn. Consequently,

When Should I Consider Home Care for My Parents?

04/14/201811/12/2019

by Laurie Miller Owner, Apple Care and Companion When do my parents need home care? How do I know? What should I look for? Where do I begin? These are questions that I get asked all the time. This is a topic that is not black and white, but a wide array of shades of grey. There

The Triple Tragedy of Grandparent’s Grief: Enduring the Death of a Grandchild While Helping Your Adult Child

02/22/201806/02/2020

by Leah Dobkin His animalistic howl shredded my soul, and literally brought me to my knees... when I told my father that his 19-year-old granddaughter, Hannah Rose died. It’s been six years since her death. Life for our family was initially like a perpetual roller coaster inside a tornado within a tsunami.