Other Side of 50

My father has an appointment with the gastroenterologist.  He says he's having trouble swallowing some foods, especially cheeseburgers, which are a favorite of his. Difficulty swallowing is not new for my father. When he was in his early 70s, my parents frequently visited my sister in New Hampshire. On those visits, my father would have [...]

Our community is full of them. They often go unnoticed by friends and neighbors. Their role is not known to their employer. For many, their doctor is unaware of their situation. Where's the story? They walk among us, shop among us, work among us—yet we don’t see them for what they are: family caregivers. As [...]

As the holidays roll around, many of us look toward giving to those less fortunate. According to a recent study, over 30 percent of all charitable giving last year occurred in December, which is why our mailboxes have been filled recently with requests for donations. There’s the practical aspect as to why most giving occurs [...]

Since I was old enough to have a piggy bank, each holiday season I’d ask my mother and father what they wanted for Christmas. Their answer: “All we want are good kids.” Of course my childhood refrain was, “You always say that, but what else do you want that I can buy for you?” I [...]

In many communities, LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) older adults are a forgotten population. Prior to the ’70s, little was known about this part of the population, except that they were viewed by some as deviant or immoral. Where's the story? As a result, they concealed their sexual orientation, fearing physical and emotional abuse; [...]

Last month my husband left $100 worth of frozen dog food in his trunk over the weekend. I went to feed the dog on Monday morning and the freezer was bare. “Hon, did you pick up the dog food on Saturday?” I asked. “Oh no!” my husband replied. One memory mishap is not a reason [...]

Aroma Therapy Here’s a snippet from a recent phone conversation I had with my mother, who speaks with a thick New England accent. Mom: “Yesterday I took Daddy for his checkup with the doctor. The doctor asked Daddy how he was doing. Daddy pointed his finger at me and said, ‘I think she’s [...]

Bless the Silent Generation. They’re some of the kindest, most patient people. But how is that patience faring in today’s complex healthcare environment? My father, you may remember, is wheelchair-bound with Parkinson’s. He also has sleep apnea, which can cause interrupted breathing and lack of oxygen. He uses a CPAP machine to increase air pressure [...]