By Andrea Gallagher, Thursday, February 16, 2012

How many of us know what we can do to reduce our risk of Alzheimer’s disease? When I ask groups of seniors that question, some of the more common answers include games such as crossword puzzles, chess, or sudoku.Each one of these answers is right but also wrong, because simply playing games falls short of what we can do to reduce our risk of dementia. Playing games like chess can stimulate our minds, increase our social interactions with others and possibly...

I have a neighbor who heads to the beach when life becomes too stressful. When she felt the strain from caregiving for her 95 year-old mother or the overwhelming demands of at work, watching and listening to the waves, feeling the sand under her feet and the warmth of the sun provided a healing experience.

This isn’t so surprising since years ago, scientists discovered that when we experience “burnout” such as from an exhausting day at work or caring for a loved one, natural surroundings like parks, green...

By Andrea Gallagher, Jan. 19, 2012

February is a bonanza month for programs intended to help us plan and prepare for a good old age

Woodrow Wilson once said, “Wisdom doesn’t necessarily come with age. Sometimes age just shows up all by itself.”

What happened to the older is wiser theory?

When I was young my father defined wisdom as the combination of experience, knowledge and good judgment. I am sure he was hoping that I would latch on to wisdom at some point in my adulthood.

...

By Andrea Gallagher, Jan. 5, 2012

Ever wonder what those hundred year-olds featured on the Smuckers’ segment of the Today Show, may have done right? In particular, what abilities might they possess, that allow them to live over a century, while still enjoying life?

Since the world we live in has changed dramatically for a person who is a hundred years-old today, chances are, the skills they used to reach their long life were probably learned at an early age. Scientists have been studying the traits...

By Andrea Gallagher, Dec. 22, 2011

It’s a humbling experience to walk the halls of Senior Concerns during the holidays. Almost every day there is some act of kindness that catches your heart and makes you realize what a great community we live in.

A few days ago a student group brought in a big batch of frozen cookie dough from a school fundraiser.  This generous and creative student group expanded their own fundraiser to support another organization in their own community. Anyone who donated to...

By Andrea Gallagher, Dec. 8, 2011

My parents were in their 60s when I moved to California, which is 3,000 miles away from “home.”

Caring for my aging parents long distance wasn’t even a consideration at that time.

As the years passed, my dad developed Parkinson’s and my mom became his full-time caregiver. Had I lived close by, I would have been there for doctor visits and to help with meals and my dad’s care.

It wasn’t that they needed an in-home caregiver as much as they needed someone...

By Andrea Gallagher, Nov. 23, 2011

For the past eight years Shirley, age 77, has been handling the family finances for herself and her husband Joe. A former CPA, Joe had handled the couple’s money, but the tremors from his Parkinson’s restricted his ability to write checks or use online banking and the mild dementia Joe experiences left him confused with the daily details of managing finances.

Recently, Shirley shared with her best friend that she was feeling stressed about handling the couple’s...

By Andrea Gallagher, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2011

It seemed to happen overnight.

Andrea entered the assisted living facility to join her 94-year-old mother for casino night. Unable to find her at the event, Andrea went to her mother’s room.

She was shocked by what she saw. Her mom was sitting on her bed wearing half her wardrobe— two summer dresses, pants, multiple shirts and sweaters, many scarves and lots of pieces of jewelry.

“I asked Mom why she had on all those clothes. She seemed...

By Andrea Gallagher, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011

The little cul-de-sac in the neighborhood where I live is falling apart. Not the streets, the driveways nor the houses, but the people.

Just like me, most of my neighbors are on the other side of 50. Collectively we have been sharing a number of non-lifethreatening ailments and injuries that would keep a small cadre of doctors, pharmacists and physical therapists busy for the next year.

The wear-and-tear injuries seem to be numerous—torn rotator...

By Andrea Gallagher, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011

Recently, a Seattle-based hospitality company, One Eighty, announced plans to convert the former hospital site at 4415 S. Lakeview Canyon Road in Westlake Village into a boutique-style retirement community.

If Dan Madsen, CEO of One Eighty, is listening, here’s one boomer’s advice on how to make the facility succeed.

No. 1: Connect residents with the city around them

Trips to the farmers market and the Civic Arts Plaza are nice, but what...