When Should I Consider Home Care for My Parents?

12/23/202012/25/2020

by Laurie Miller Owner, Apple Care and Companion originally posted 4/18/2018 updated 12/23/2020 Home Care for Parents When do my parents need home care? How do I know? What should I look for? Where do I begin? These are questions people ask me all the time. This topic is not black and white, but a wide array of shades of

6 Planet Friendly Alternatives to Traditional Funerals

12/08/202012/08/2020

by Jenny Leigh Hodgins Why I became a memorial planning coach in my "second act" I learned the hard way, through agonizing personal tragedies, what's really important for a memorial. Again and again, I encountered grief-stricken scenarios where no memorial plans were in place for a loved one. I stepped up to

Virtual Companions

11/22/202001/06/2021

by Leslie Farin This year was a particularly lonely one for my dad, who will turn 90 in two weeks. He lives out of state on the east coast, too far to drive, so in years past I flew out every six weeks or so, other than in January and February

6 Invaluable Techniques to Improve Communication With a Loved One With Dementia

11/04/202011/12/2020

by Rebecca Warner, author of My Dad My Dog As Health Care Surrogate for my parents, I navigated the healthcare and caregiving labyrinth on their behalf for 14 years. I was in the doctor’s office with Dad the day the doctor diagnosed him with Alzheimer’s. Over the next nine years, I

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

03/10/202010/09/2020

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 dwindle every year. I try to remember how lucky I am to have had

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

11/13/201912/15/2020

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

originally posted 11/13/2019updated 12/15/2020 by Leslie Farin (with Laurie Miller) Holidays are unfortunately not happy for everyone 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,

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,