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Letters to the Editor

by Cynthia Germain In the Peninsula Pulsa last week, Letters to the Editor section, there was a disturbing letter from Jean Hollander of Egg Harbor titled Save Our Seniors During a Storm. She explained that she is 80 years old, lives alone and her electricity went out during the recent storm. She was without juice for her phone, no lights and no heat. She was unable to get to her garage. “It was scary..no one knew I was here”, Jean said. She then outlined how there should be a checkup for seniors, a list of seniors living alone, to be

April 26, 2024 No Comments

When To Hang Up the Keys

by Cynthia Germain As we age, there is no doubt that our abilities undergo changes. One area where this becomes particularly noticeable is driving. Just like some great athletes know when it’s time to retire at the top of their game, knowing when to hang up the keys can be a critical decision for an older adult. Consider Bart Starr, the iconic quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. He knew when it was time to step away from the game. Starr achieved great things during his career, including multiple Super Bowl victories, and his decision to retire came after battling

April 21, 2024 No Comments

Coming to Journey’s End

by Cynthia Germain Life is surely a journey. There is a beginning, all that great middle, and an end. The end, that point where we must confront the inevitability of our own mortality, is as natural as the sun rising and setting. It’s a challenging time, especially when we’re faced with decisions about medical interventions and maintaining dignity. Even when healthcare professionals advocate for treatments and we feel torn, there’s room to find peace. First, let’s look at some possible clues that the clock is running down. Understanding the signs that indicate the end of life is approaching is crucial,

April 14, 2024 1 Comment

Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word

We are grateful once again to have guest author Jamie Palmer, a retired Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with over 40 years of experience in the field of psychology, join us today. We hope you enjoy her words! Why is it so hard for some people to say, “I’m sorry”? Only two little words, yet some will draw their last breath without ever having uttered them. Our childhood experiences play a significant role in shaping our ability to apologize and handle emotions. The Origins of Avoidance BehaviorFrom our earliest moments, we could sense changes in our parents’ emotions. Unable to understand

April 7, 2024 1 Comment

Mindful Living = Aging Well

by Cynthia Germain I have previously touched on mindfulness as a component of healthy aging so I thought it was time to make it a full focus of a blog. As you age, you are sure to encounter various changes that can impact your overall well-being. Chronic pain, illness, loss of loved ones, and transitions in roles are among the challenges you may face. Mindfulness offers an opportunity amidst these changes to cultivate acceptance and gratitude. At its core, mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment, fully aware of your thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and the surrounding

March 31, 2024 1 Comment

Will Robots Become Our Caregivers?

by Cynthia Germain Recently, I was reading Elderhood: Redefining Aging, Transforming Medicine, Reimagining Life by Louise Aronson, and in one section, she examines the use of robots for caregiving tasks. I connected with the idea that there may be technologies that would lessen the caregiving burden and appreciated her candid review of some fundamental questions surrounding the future of robot caregivers. Technologies to assist in daily tasks and companionship activities in healthcare and long-term care are not new. In the United States, robotic exoskeletons are empowering seniors with mobility impairments, enabling them to maintain independence and mobility. In healthcare facilities,

March 24, 2024 No Comments

Can Door County be a Blue Zone?

by Cynthia Germain What’s so great about “Blue Zones” and can Door County become one? Blue Zones are regions of the world where people live much longer than average, often surpassing the age of 100, while maintaining good health and vitality. Blue Zones were first identified by journalist and explorer Dan Buettner, who along with a team of experts, studied communities worldwide with unusually high concentrations of centenarians. From Okinawa, Japan, to Sardinia, Italy, these regions share common lifestyle factors that contribute to exceptional health and longevity. The key characteristics of Blue Zones include: So can Door County be a

March 17, 2024 1 Comment

Aging Successfully vs. Aging With Ease

by Cynthia Germain I have never been a fan of the term “aging successfully”. It seems to denote that if you are not doing it, you must be failing. There are certainly steps that assure physical, cognitive and emotional well-being as we age. However, aging is a journey marked by both challenges and opportunities. As such, I always thought it better to “age with ease”. But let’s look at these two approaches to senescence as both can lead to a more fulfilling and balanced life. Aging successfully often involves adopting healthy lifestyle habits, staying mentally engaged, and nurturing meaningful relationships.

March 10, 2024 No Comments

Opportunity Knocks

We are pleased to occasionally have a guest author and even more pleased to have Jamie Palmer, a retired Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with over 40 years of experience in the field of psychology, join us today. We hope you enjoy her words! When I look back on my life, aside from the usual memories of childhood, family gatherings, and milestones celebrated, I remember the nice things that random people did for me; the May Day basket left at my door, the coins set aside at the toll booth, a door held open for me, a snow covered driveway magically

March 3, 2024 No Comments

Time’s Bonus Days

by Cynthia Germain Leap years are like bonus days in our calendar. You know, the ones when February gets an extra day—February 29th. But why do we have leap years, and what do they mean for someone who is, say 80 years old? Our Gregorian calendar works in 365-day cycles. However, the Earth takes about 365.25 days to orbit the sun. That extra quarter-day might not sound like a big deal, but over time, it adds up. So to keep our calendar in sync with Earth’s orbit, we have leap years. They happen every four years, giving us that extra

February 25, 2024 No Comments

Piece by Piece: Building Community with MatchUp Door County

by Cynthia Germain After months of careful planning and anticipation, we are thrilled to announce the launch of MatchUp Door County, a groundbreaking program brought to you by Do Good Door County. Designed to bridge the gap between older adults and personalized employment opportunities in our beloved Door County, MatchUp is poised to revolutionize the way seasoned individuals connect with meaningful work. Imagine finding a part-time job that fits you just right, like pieces of a perfectly crafted puzzle. That’s precisely what MatchUp aims to accomplish. We understand what you’re all about – your unique experiences, values, and needs. Our

February 18, 2024 2 Comments

Scandia Village: The Pros and Cons of For-Profit and Non-Profit Ownership

by Cynthia Germain There have been concerns expressed by many in the Sister Bay area about the recent purchase of Scandia Village by a for-profit organization. Certainly, its long history as a non-profit has an impact on opinions. This transition does reflect the evolving dynamics within the older adult care industry and prompts a closer look at the types of companies that own and operate these facilities. Let’s examine the advantages and disadvantages of each ownership model. The advantages of for-profit ownership include financial stability and resources, efficiency and innovation, and perhaps market competition. For-profit companies often have access to

February 11, 2024 1 Comment

Embracing Love’s Journey

by Cynthia Germain And here we are, February already, and what’s so great about it…Valentine’s Day of course! A day that reminds us to pay attention to each other, perhaps make a special purchase for the special someone, and in general revel in love. But as we grow older, our perspectives on love often change. What once may have been a day of extravagant dinners, flowers, and chocolates can evolve into something deeper and more meaningful. Love is definitely a wonderful journey that evolves as we mature. When we are young, it’s often characterized by passion, tummy butterflies, and the

February 4, 2024 No Comments

Vestiges of the Tide

by Cynthia Germain There’s a rare, new exhibit at the Miller Art Museum in Sturgeon Bay. Ask Helen del Guidice, Curator of Exhibitions and Collections, what’s unique about this exhibit and she tell you it’s the topic, one relevant to our community…aging. And not just aging but the hard truths about it. Two artists, Mary Porterfield and Ellen Holtzblatt, join forces in a powerful display, offering images of the struggles of the older adults and their caregivers. Mary Porterfield’s background as an occupational therapist has given her the inspiration to create life-sized images, using family members as models, that pull

January 28, 2024 1 Comment

Cheesehead Vim and Vigor

by Cynthia Germain It has been fun to watch the Green Bay Packers this season, mostly because there weren’t big expectations for the team. That undemanding attitude is based primarily on their being the youngest team in the NFL this year. But beyond the statistics and scores, what makes this more attractive is youth itself. And it’s not just the number of years, but the energy and enthusiasm that goes along with it. It’s the “vim and vigor” of youth that seems so great. it. So how do we capture this feeling as we get older? There’s no doubt that

January 21, 2024 No Comments

Snowflakes and Sunshine: Beating the Winter Blues

by Cynthia Germain At the Door County Non-Profit Group meeting (a great monthly gathering of Door non-profit organizations) last week, we had an opportunity to listen to a presentation about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also known as the winter blues. It got me to thinking, is this more concerning for older adults?…and as a matter of fact it is. As the winter months settle in, many individuals, especially older adults, may find themselves grappling with the effects of the winter blues. The colder, darker, shorter days definitely impacts mood and well-being. Older adults may be more susceptible to the winter

January 14, 2024 No Comments

Navigating Winter with Confidence

by Cynthia Germain Well, it was bound to happen…SNOW. We live in Wisconsin and know the challenges of winter, especially when it comes to snowy conditions. For older adults, however, ensuring safety during the winter months is paramount. With a few practical precautions and some planning, seniors can confidently navigate snowy weather. Let’s start with the things you can control, and that starts with the feet. Wearing the right footwear is crucial when walking on snowy or icy surfaces. Consider shoes or boots with non-slip soles and good traction to prevent slips and falls. Ice grips or traction cleats can

January 7, 2024 1 Comment

Jingling Bells of Appreciation: Do Good Door County’s Yuletide Thanks

by Cynthia Germain As we hope for a white Christmas and enjoy the festive lights throughout the beautiful landscape of Door County, there’s a warmth that extends beyond the winter chill. This season, Do Good Door County is not just celebrating the magic of Christmas but is also taking a moment to express heartfelt gratitude to the incredible community that has made our mission a reality. At the core of Do Good Door County’s success is the unwavering support of the community. This Christmas, as we reflect on the year gone by, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for the countless

December 17, 2023 1 Comment

Unwrapping Inclusion: Thoughts for the Holidays

by Cynthia Germain The holiday season embodies a spirit of joy and togetherness, yet for some of our older community members, this time may pose challenges that could lead to a sense of isolation. Whether it’s from health considerations or the absence of loved ones, it is important to proactively address these issues and ensure that our older friends and family members feel supported during the holidays. Here’s few things to consider: Initiate conversations about holiday plans in advance to get to know preferences and limitations. This early dialogue allows for the tailoring activities to accommodate their specific needs. When

December 10, 2023 No Comments

Tuning In: Creating Personalized Playlists for Dementia Support

by Cynthia Germain The Door County Caregiver Coalition, led by the ADRC and made up of various organizations, meets every other month to discuss the concerns of caregivers and how to help them. Dementia care is often a topic. Our last meeting had reminded me of web-based tools that I had recently learned about to help caregivers manage the day through music. Scientific studies have shown that music has a unique ability to reach deep into the recesses of memory and emotion, often sparking recollections and emotions that other forms of communication may not. For individuals with dementia, where verbal

December 3, 2023 No Comments