Seniors Around the World

As part of the challenge of "5 Photos, 5 Stories" (by Evelyne's invitation), I'm presenting my five memories of meeting seniors during recent travels: 1) Los Angeles, CA During a volunteer reading at a local senior home, this resident came my way. He has actually been through the traumatic event which inspired my first novel, The 228 Legacy. I was honored to meet him, and the residents' director later told me was really excited to hear me read. 2) Monterey Park, CA  During … [Read more...]

Prom for Senior…Citizens

"You will enjoy doing something different this coming weekend." Direct from my alma mater’s hometown, it’s a prom…for all kinds of seniors. Both high schoolers and older adults were invited to last month's 2015 Tompkins County Intergenerational Prom. Students from Cornell University and Ithaca College run the organization, Project Generations, which hosted the event. I really love the idea of activities that bring multiple generations together. We can learn a lot from people at different life … [Read more...]

Wii Games Help Seniors

"Be prepared for extra energy." A recent study found that "exergames" may help older adults stay active. Video games like Wii Sports or Wii Fit (which uses a board to do the exercises) can help senior citizens get fit. I've also found success with those kind of Wii games. I've had my fair share of gym time, but I'm what you might call a shy member. There are things that don't jive with me in that environment, such as: Locker rooms: They remind me of gym class in junior high, and I … [Read more...]

Driver’s Ed for Older Adults

"A four-wheeled adventure will soon bring you happiness." There are now driving programs to educate older adults, to ensure their safety and provide reassurance to loved ones about a senior's ability to drive. As people age, there are newer issues to take into account while they're manning a vehicle. Health changes like poor nighttime vision and increased medications can limit driving ability and are addressed in the courses. I remember when I took driver's ed training myself. At sixteen, I … [Read more...]

Roomba and Beyond

"The near future holds a fine gift of contentment." According to my husband, I've been remiss by not highlighting the "geriatric twist" part of my above tagline, so I'm here to remedy that today. Confession: I still use an old-fashioned vacuum cleaner, but I've thought about the advantages of owning a Roomba. Thanks to innovative minds, there are so many devices out there to make life easier. This idea is doubly true for seniors. An amazing machine might be a perk for us now, but a … [Read more...]