Other Side of 50

My Grandma Ada lived for 100 years and five days. The most important lesson she taught me was the value of a goal and a purpose. Technically speaking, Ada was my step-grandmother. My maternal grandmother (Nonna) passed away suddenly in her 70s, and my grandfather (Nonno) briefly courted and then [...]

If soap operas taught me anything, it’s that bad choices result in bad outcomes. As a teenager, I’d arrive home from school just in time for “General Hospital.” I can still remember the lies of omission Luke made to Laura that destroyed their relationship. Or the many times Blackie would [...]

If you’ve been reading how-to ideas on the Internet lately, you’ve probably come across the term “hack.” One definition of the word is a new technique that solves an old problem. Normally a hack is not an expected solution but something clever that gets the job done in a new [...]

Whether through our own reminiscences or those of others, keeping alive the memory of a loved one who dies brings a sense of comfort. In a recent column I wrote about learning about the death of a dear high school friend a month after she passed away. I felt sad [...]

Standing before you is a grayhaired man wearing clothes that could have come from a garage sale. Even with the aid of a walker, his gate is unsteady. He has difficulty hearing and shouts to ask others to repeat themselves. His eyes are dull and cloudy behind his smudged glasses. [...]

We all know that death is a part of life, but as a baby boomer today, it can uncover new emotions. I think my personal experience might reflect what some boomers are experiencing. While I’m blessed that my parents are still living, I’ve seen the loss of grandparents and my [...]

For seniors trying to make their savings stretch, spending on home repairs or new appliances can cause a lot of anxiety. Many are concerned, sometimes rightfully, about whether they will outlive their money. But I’ve discovered other aging retirees—even those with an ample nest egg—who are simply too conservative when [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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, [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Years ago, after my grandmother died, my cousin came to live with my grandfather, whose nickname was Bubbles. Don’t ask about the silly moniker, except I will say that (embarrassingly) it was handed down to my father, and his daughters suffered the humiliation of my mother referring to dad as [...]

When attending out-of-town conferences, my friend Sara saves big money by staying in a room at another person’s house through Airbnb. She swears by the lower cost compared to a traditional hotel room and the positive experience of getting to know her hosts. Airbnb connects people who have space to [...]

Years ago, after my grandmother died, my cousin came to live with my grandfather, whose nickname was Bubbles. Don’t ask about the silly moniker, except I will say that (embarrassingly) it was handed down to my father, and his daughters suffered the humiliation of my mother referring to dad as [...]