Other Side of 50

Shaving one’s face is a fundamental part of being a man. A generation ago, the act of shaving denoted manhood, pride of appearance, cleanliness, neatness and a person in control and well-groomed.   In the U.S., Canada and Europe, about 85 percent of men shave their beards. Throughout recent history [...]

As if being admitted to the hospital isn’t challenging enough, there’s often an additional underlying and undiagnosed condition occurring in one-third of seniors who are admitted: undernourishment. Statistically, it is estimated that 1 in 3 adult patients age 60 and older are malnourished. Why is it then that in a [...]

I’ve recently rediscovered my enthusiasm for kayaking. In the past, I kayaked on a pond in Cape Cod, on the Charles River in Boston and on Westlake Lake. Those excursions were journeys of calm exploration. I’ve also kayaked in the ocean in Santa Barbara and near the Channel Islands. Those [...]

And I call forward an equally memorable time kayaking on the Charles River when I want to relive a great experience. Until I kayaked again on Westlake Lake after a 10-year hiatus, I really had forgotten how physical interaction with nature can nourish my psyche so significantly. In the next [...]

With an eye toward a potential future project, Many Mansions and the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura paid a visit to Senior Concerns to gather suggestions for features seniors would want to see in a new complex of independent senior apartments. We were delighted to know that [...]

It’s been four months since my father passed. My first visit home since then is for his celebration of life. There are almost 100 guests coming to an afternoon event in my mother’s backyard garden. My sisters, mother and I have been preparing for months. It’s a Cape Cod-themed event, [...]

Joanie and her husband lived a full life, busy careers and wonderful vacation trips after retirement. Today, Joanie sits silently, alone in front of her television, eating her dinner. Joanie’s life partner died five years ago at the age of 74, and now that he’s gone, a week can go [...]

Periodically I come across a new product or service that may be of interest to readers. Here are four to consider: Latest shingles vaccine. On the nightly news recently I heard about a new, more effective shingles vaccine. I plan to talk to my doctor about it at my physical [...]

I recently assisted in moderating a local research study of individuals who took six or more prescription medications a day. Some participants spoke of needing to take pills with food, while others needed to take their medication on an empty stomach. Some were required to split their pills, and some [...]

In almost every case, those who volunteer express a desire to give what they’re capable of to a cause that is meaningful to them—and to make a difference along the way. The process of connecting a volunteer to the opportunity that fits them best has always been fascinating to me. [...]

My mother has become a cleaning and organizing machine. Ever since my father died she has been cleaning closets, purging files, organizing shelves and rearranging furniture. The fact is, her home has always been immaculate. My sisters and I joke that we could eat off the floor. For years my [...]

My current driver’s license will expire in July of this year. I’m eligible to renew online, but if I do, I will receive a federally restricted license that will not be considered a valid form of identification to board a domestic flight in the future. As of October 2020, a [...]

My husband and I did some “just in case” planning recently before an upcoming trip. We asked our trusted pet sitter and friend if she would be willing to care for our dog should anything happen to us. We made sure she realized it might be for just a short [...]

My father passed away Jan. 23 after a long, brave battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 86. When he took his last breath, my mother and sister and his hospice aide were by his side. Those of you who read my column may remember that I frequently wrote about my [...]

My husband and I recently made an investment in a Google Home Mini (on sale for $39.95). I had heard about how this smart speaker that responds to your voice could be fun and useful. You’ve probably heard about the Google Home and Amazon Echo devices, the latter commonly referred [...]

I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I really didn’t want to learn CPR. I always thought there would be someone more knowledgeable around if the need ever arose, and if I learned it I might be obliged to resuscitate someone. I was disabused of that belief several years ago when [...]

It’s 2018 and I know I’ll have many great things to celebrate in the new year. However, I am fairly certain my father will not be around to celebrate 2019. You see, my father’s been on hospice for six months. I’m aware that the amount of time he has been [...]

My dog’s specialty vet closed her practice last week, a result of an elder experience that’s becoming far too commonplace in today’s world. When I asked why she was shutting down, my vet told me she’d been struggling over the past year to deal with issues related to her aging [...]

I marvel at my husband, who’s asleep as soon as his head hits the pillow. Not me.  If I had a nickel for every time I lay awake at night thinking about something I needed to do the next day or replaying in my mind something that happened at work [...]

The average American visits a doctor four times a year. Seniors visit a doctor nearly twice that much. At each doctor visit we are asked to show our identification and our insurance card. For most adults 65 and over, that is their Medicare card. It’s always been a catch-22. Seniors [...]