In her December 2017 post, “Stealing Hope,” Anne D. Basting passionately challenges the fear and stigma-inducing “tragedy narrative” that distorts how people living with dementia are seen within the broader culture. The two of us were especially inspired by Anne’s closing words, “Family members and friends…can learn to shift toward creativity to find emotional connection, to […]
Let’s talk about sex—after 60
Older adults account for an increasing proportion of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, in the United States. Notwithstanding, sex after sixty continues to remain shrouded in silence. In this post, doctoral student Christina Pierpaoli Parker discusses the reasons for and consequences of the scantiness of late life sexual health conversations, concluding with recommendations for increasing their visibility.
Grateful for Getting Older
I am no more entitled to a far-reaching lifespan than anyone else on this planet. No amount of attachment to nuanced goals or well-constructed plans for the future assures me longevity.
The Tension
A Report from the Slow Lane. I don’t really have a place to stand. I’m just uneasy. Anything I do is contaminated by my awareness. Not doing anything, or enough, is equally unsatisfying. I am literally torn apart, if I let myself know what I already know.
Another Look at “Successful Aging”
Every time we assign the sole responsibility of aging well to an individual, we disregard that person’s uniqueness in a very unrealistic and unjust way. Each of us has gone through a combination of biological and socioeconomic experiences that have affected us at every turn.
The Inspiration of a Volunteer: Kibaha, Tanzania
They waited quietly as we entered the room and sat down on two sofas against the wall, a handful of staff and board members from HelpAge International, in Tanzania for a site visit. We were honored to be there, but also had trepidations about intruding into this intimate space, strangers to the country, and to this home.
Switchbacks: A report from the Slow Lane
I have been reflecting upon a wonderful metaphor/phenomenon that has been occurring in one of the groups I’ve been part of. Switchbacks, the food source that keeps on giving and sometimes over feeds me.
Ageless Soul: Book Review
The tone of Ageless Soul by Thomas Moore is positive and full of hope while still dealing with issues that can cause people a lot of suffering.
