Other Side of 50

I’ve never enjoyed confrontation. I’m happiest when everyone is getting along and working toward a shared goal. And believe me, that happens a lot—although it’s hard to discern that if you scan the media these days. So many topics are polarizing. It’s hard to have a conversation without something coming up that causes angst. I [...]

What are our expectations when we visit our doctor? Do expectations differ with age? I pondered this question recently after an unsatisfactory visit to see a medical professional. Two years ago, I had a problem that landed me in the emergency room. A specialist physician was called in to perform an emergency procedure. I spent [...]

Many of us will be missing our loved ones this holiday season. In normal times, with busy schedules and families scattered across the country, holidays may be one of the few times families spend together. We look forward to these special occasions all year long. These visits help to strengthen our family bonds and keep [...]

Barbara’s parents, like many seniors in their 80s, are trying to keep from contracting COVID-19 by isolating at home. To keep fed, they signed up for the governor’s Great Plates program, which delivers two restaurant-quality meals per day; other groceries are ordered online by their daughter. In normal times, Barbara, who lives two hours away, [...]

As of September 2020, almost 13 million people in the United States were unemployed. Of course, a great deal of the job losses can be attributed to COVID. I’m sure any one of us, including me, can name multiple people we know who are out of work as a result of the pandemic; half our [...]

Why do seniors turn out to vote more than any other age group? Older adults, especially those that are no longer working, are particularly susceptible to changes in policy made by elected officials. A large percentage of their income and access to healthcare resources are tied to government programs. It also helps that seniors have [...]

I was brought up in a household where we were taught to see the best in people. In most cases, giving folks the benefit of the doubt has served us well. However, based upon a recent experience my mother had, I think being a bit more cautious, especially as we age, is warranted. Because of [...]

Fifty-four years ago, John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote the song “Eleanor Rigby,” signaling us to “look at all the lonely people.” Studies in the U.K. show that half a million people over the age of 60 spend every day alone. Today, scientists around the world are worried about the effect of social isolation on [...]

It has been eight months since I’ve seen my mother. I miss her tremendously, but I do not think at this point it is safe to travel 3,000 miles by plane and rental car. So I continue what I have been doing and make my morning phone call to my mother while I walk the [...]

Due to COVID-19, my husband and I are at home a lot more these days. All that togetherness has given me time to reflect on how my husband and I manage change over time. Of course, marriage created modifications in my lifestyle right from the start. Following in my mother’s footsteps, I felt responsible for [...]