Getting Older

‘Ageism’ is a word first coined in 1969 by American psychiatrist Robert N. Butler. He was referring to systematic stereotyping or discrimination against people because they are old. Through the years, the definition of ‘ageism’ has evolved to mean prejudice…

We’ve all heard them. We may have even helped to perpetuate them – those old adages about aging that are limiting at best and can be downright damaging to our well-being after 60. They’re deeply intrenched in our culture and difficult to dispel…

Like other women my age, I’ve skimmed the surface of a lot of relationships. I’ve spent hours in small talk and nodded politely during countless introductions to people I’ve long since forgotten. It took me most of my 67 years to realize that I don’t like this…

Aging? Anti-aging? What’s your vocabulary, and what does it say about growing older? To me, the word aging suggests we’re going in the wrong direction, and anti-aging suggests we’re fighting against it tooth and nail. Neither feels quite right to me…

For the longest time, I used to associate vitamin C deficiency with scurvy. Maybe this was from watching too many pirate movies when I was younger or my interest in maritime history that came from growing up on an island. For whatever reason…

Over the years we’ve run our Caregiver Smile Summit, we have had leading experts speak about how technology can assist aging in place. In this article, we look at what they are seeing and what you should be incorporating if you want to age in place safely…

A group of older women are talking. One, age 64, suggests she is beginning to feel old. Her friend, age 68, says, “No, not me – I’m not old, I’m even working part-time.” Their friend, age 75, says, “No, me neither. I feel full of energy.” What is going on?

A friend who is 10 years younger than me and I have a running joke. Her mother sometimes disapproves of our joint outdoor adventures, so she will frequently say, “Mary Lou is old enough to know better,” all in a joking way. Recently, I arrived at a rural venue…

Once we pass 45 or 50, it often feels like the beginning of a slippery slope towards decline. Birthday cards telegraph that the best part of life is behind you. Anti-aging products are targeted at you. Articles point out how out of touch you’ve become…

I began writing this article several times. The topic: aging. What to say: a lot, not much… not sure? Finally, I turned to some women from my personal circles, all of them between the ages of 50 and 75. I caught them a bit by surprise when I broached the subject…