Old Age, From Youth’s Narrow Prism by Dr. Marc E. Agronin
The old woman had drawn down the shade in her room — hoping, I imagined, to stop the midday Miami sun from penetrating her grief. But the sun still hit the window full force and illuminated the shade like a Chinese lantern.
She sat silently in a wheelchair, her 93-year-old silhouette stooped in the bathing light. I entered, held her hand for a moment and introduced myself. “Sit down, doctor,” she said politely. (more…)
photo - courtesy of my camera…Arizona sunsets are unbelievable
This e-mail is provided as a courtesy of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging. It is our intent to offer the Legislative Update weekly during the 2009 session of the Arizona State Legislature. The purpose of this service is to keep Arizona’s seniors and advocates for aging services informed about bills and action taking place at the Legislature. The information provided is intended to help you form your own opinion about an issue and to give you the necessary resources and contacts to help ensure your perspective and voice are heard. Please note the Legislative Update is non-partisan in nature. We thank you for your interest!
GENERAL OVERVIEW: (more…)
The Assisted Living Federation of America reported that parting with “stuff” is keeping some seniors from moving into assisted living communities. The Household Moves Project has been launched which will look at how a seniors stuff can hinder a senior from living independently, safely, and as healthy as possible. This three-year project will follow 100 individuals and 65 couples in and around Kansas City and Detroit from the time they decide to move into smaller spaces until after the move. This is a subject near and dear to my (more…)
Another great and yet brief video by The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Inc. on Medicaid. Any family looking for a reputable and knowledgeable attorney who specializes in elder law should visit the website for the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys at www.naela.com . You will find a list of Elder Law attorneys in your state.
Digital Publishing for Seniors - find digital editions of senior resource guides, magazines, brochures and newspapers at the the web’s only interactive library for aging adults at www.after55.com
I received this “touch”ing article about what massage does to help the loneliness in a seniors life and wanted to share it with all of you. An astounding 75% of all seniors who reside in assisted living or nursing homes never get visitors much less get touched. I hope this wonderfully written article will inspire someone to visit their loved ones and touch them. I know in my own life what a gentle touch does for me and although this article is wrtiten about massage easing the elderly’s loneliness, a gentle touch can also bring joy to a senior who needs to know they are still loved and cared about.
Using Massage to Ease the Elderly’s Loneliness
Lifespan: Hands to Hold By Karrie Osborn
Originally published in Massage & Bodywork magazine, August/September 2004.
Copyright 2004. Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. All rights reserved.
Loneliness Can Find Us All It’s not that she was neglected or abandoned by her family. She hadn’t been cheated out of a full life, and she wasn’t bitter about the cards she’d been dealt. On the contrary, she was a happy, well-loved woman who was full of faith, even after being widowed for more than 20 years. But no amount of faith could keep this elderly woman from being struck with loneliness after sitting alone, day after day, in her new home — a 12-by-12 room in a full-care nursing facility. She would rarely let on to her family that the isolation could be overwhelming, but visits started to end with extra-long, extra-tight hugs, and phone calls were a welcome lifeline to the world. (more…)
Get ready for our roving reporters, Sam and Sadie Silver, as they span the globe looking for interesting and fun senior news!
