Other Side of 50

As of September 2020, almost 13 million people in the United States were unemployed. Of course, a great deal of the job losses can be attributed to COVID. I’m sure any one of us, including me, can name multiple people we know who are out of work as a result of the pandemic; half our [...]

Why do seniors turn out to vote more than any other age group? Older adults, especially those that are no longer working, are particularly susceptible to changes in policy made by elected officials. A large percentage of their income and access to healthcare resources are tied to government programs. It also helps that seniors have [...]

I was brought up in a household where we were taught to see the best in people. In most cases, giving folks the benefit of the doubt has served us well. However, based upon a recent experience my mother had, I think being a bit more cautious, especially as we age, is warranted. Because of [...]

Fifty-four years ago, John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote the song “Eleanor Rigby,” signaling us to “look at all the lonely people.” Studies in the U.K. show that half a million people over the age of 60 spend every day alone. Today, scientists around the world are worried about the effect of social isolation on [...]

It has been eight months since I’ve seen my mother. I miss her tremendously, but I do not think at this point it is safe to travel 3,000 miles by plane and rental car. So I continue what I have been doing and make my morning phone call to my mother while I walk the [...]

Due to COVID-19, my husband and I are at home a lot more these days. All that togetherness has given me time to reflect on how my husband and I manage change over time. Of course, marriage created modifications in my lifestyle right from the start. Following in my mother’s footsteps, I felt responsible for [...]

I think some of us are surprised by what has become most important to us as a society over these past four months. Take, for example, the most basic of our needs, something as simple as air and food. Pre-pandemic we may have been worried about air quality if it was allergy season, but now [...]

You are sitting in your favorite spot in your home—what do you have within arm’s reach? I recently polled my workmates and received a host of answers, including a computer or iPad, tissues, reading material, Sudoku or crossword puzzles, a pen, a notepad, the television remote, a beverage and, of course, a cellphone. As human [...]

My husband and I used to chuckle when my mother-in-law lived with us. She would set up shop inside our open garage with her cup of tea, our dog on a leash, her lawn chair, her Table-Mate tray table and a set of magazines. It did not matter that our backyard held lovely views of [...]

Birthdays during the pandemic have certainly changed. Take, for example, a first birthday, when a child’s parents reflect on how quickly the year has gone. One-year-olds have achieved so much in their first year. They have developed their own personality and can really enjoy the excitement of a party just for them. My great-nephew, Wyatt, [...]