Blog – Do Good Door County

Laughing the Winter Away

by Cynthia Germain Winter has a way of lingering, with stretches of gray days and weather that keeps you indoors. It hits you emotionally, not sadness but simply low energy and a sense that everything takes a bit more effort. During winters like this, I often think back to a research project I was involved in years ago that focused specifically on older adults and how intentional laughter might support emotional and physical well-being. What’s interesting is that current research continues to build on this same idea, showing that laughter, even when it starts on purpose, can have real benefits

February 8, 2026 No Comments

The Question of Mattering

by Cynthia Germain We are often told to plan for retirement as a financial milestone…save enough, pay off the house, choose the right time. What we talk about far less is what happens after the job title, the daily routines, and personal validation disappear. A recent Wall Street Journal article put words to something many older adults tell me all the time, often quietly and sometimes with a bit of surprise: “I didn’t expect retirement to feel like this.” Not exactly bored exactly, not necessarily unhappy, just untethered. Work, whether paid or unpaid, does more than fill time. It gives

February 1, 2026 No Comments

Reframing Risk as We Age

by Cynthia Germain We all understand the instinct to keep people safe, especially as they age. Safety feels responsible and caring. But there’s an important question we don’t always stop to ask: safe from what, exactly? There is a concept gaining traction in aging and healthcare circles called Dignity of Risk, and it challenges us to look more closely at how we support older adults, particularly those living with frailty, disability, or cognitive change. At its core, Dignity of Risk recognizes that a meaningful life includes choice, autonomy, and yes, some level of risk. It affirms that older adults have

January 25, 2026 1 Comment

A Caregiver’s Grief, Part 2

By Cynthia Germain Last fall, I reflected on the grief that can come with caregiving. It’s not the kind people see from the outside, but it’s one many caregivers quietly carry as they help someone through changes in their health, their outlook, their life. Of course, grief in all its forms is something every one of us will experience throughout a lifetime. The grief that caregivers know isn’t better or worse, or more or less. It’s simply shaped by proximity. It’s a particular kind of witnessing of the person’s life inside their days…their humor, their frustrations, their bravery, their stubbornness.

January 18, 2026 1 Comment

Channel Your Inner Penguin This Winter

by Cynthia Germain Last year’s post on winter safety sparked good conversation among our readers, especially around how to “walk like a penguin.” It brought on a smile but also made sense…penguins are masters of icy terrain. Winter is here in full force so the need to move carefully and confidently outdoors is paramount to staying independent throughout the season. If there’s one winter skill worth adopting, it’s the penguin walk. Health experts, physical therapists, and even transportation departments from Alaska to Minnesota have been championing this technique for years. Penguins instinctively know how to navigate slick ice: slow, short,

January 11, 2026 No Comments

Your Gift, Our Commitment All Year Long

by Cynthia Germain There’s a certain hush that settles over Door County this time of year. The trees are bare, the streets a little quieter, the days shorter. It’s the season of reflection, looking back at what was, and forward to what still needs doing. And while winter can feel peaceful, for many older adults, it can also feel isolating. Fewer chances to connect. More time spent alone. That’s why this season, as the year quietly closes, what we do for one another matters even more. Over the past few months, we’ve seen just how deeply our community cares about

December 7, 2025 No Comments

The Medicare Open Enrollment Conundrum

by Cynthia Germain Medicare Advantage… to have or not to have? That is definitely the question right now. And is there really an “advantage” to these plans as the name suggests? If you’ve been staring at paperwork, postcards, and TV commercials recently, you’re not alone. It all feels so complex these days — what to select, which plan makes sense for your prescriptions and medical needs, and with the $2,000 annual cap on prescriptions replacing the old “donut hole,” many people are still trying to understand what their real out-of-pocket costs will be going forward. Before going any further, a

November 30, 2025 No Comments

What Matters Most at the Thanksgiving Table

by Cynthia Germain Thanksgiving has always been a holiday built on tradition…the same recipes, the same seats around the table, the same debates about football or pie. For a long time, that rhythm was comforting. And then, gradually or suddenly, life changes. Kids grow up and move away. Loved ones pass. Travel becomes harder. New relationships form. Old routines shift. And one day, we look around and realize Thanksgiving doesn’t look like it used to. For many of us in the second half of life, this isn’t a sad realization so much as a tender one. The holiday has become

November 16, 2025 No Comments

Grounded in Truth: Meditation for Living

By Cynthia Germain Meditation isn’t just something reserved for yoga studios. It’s a simple, steady practice that helps calm the mind and bring a little more ease into everyday life. And for older adults, meditation can be an especially powerful tool for navigating change, staying connected, and finding gratitude in the ordinary moments. Recently, I sat down with Debra Fitzgerald, Editor and Podcaster for the Door County Pulse, and touched on this very thing while discussing aging in Door County and the impact Do Good Door County has had in our community. During that conversation, she shared a piece of

November 9, 2025 No Comments

From Washington to Door County: Lifting Up Caregivers

By Cynthia Germain Caregiving is certainly a labor of love, but it’s also labor, sometimes around the clock, and too often done alone. According to AARP’s Caregiving in the U.S. 2025 report, nearly 63 million Americans are providing unpaid care to an adult or child with health or functional needs. Here in Wisconsin, the state report shows that over 580,000 Wisconsin residents, that’s about one in five adults, are doing the same. Caregivers in Wisconsin provide more than 510 million hours of unpaid care each year, valued at nearly $10 billion. Many juggle jobs, family, and their own health while

November 2, 2025 No Comments

Supporting Caregivers One Kit At A Time

By Cynthia Germain Every now and then, I come across something that makes me think, “Now this is just what our community needs.” That happened recently at the local health fair where I discovered the Stay Sharp™ Kits offered by the Sturgeon Bay Library. These kits are designed to stimulate the mind, spark memories, and encourage connection, all through activities that are fun and engaging. Each kit is thoughtfully put together with puzzles, books, games, and conversation prompts meant to challenge the brain while providing opportunities to share stories and laughter. They’re perfect for older adults looking to stay mentally

October 26, 2025 No Comments

Dog or Cat: The Great Aging Debate

by Cynthia Germain At Do Good Door County, we often talk about the little things that make aging joyful—those little routines and relationships that bring purpose and connection to our days. For many people, that joy comes on four legs, covered in fur, and accompanied by a wag or a purr. But the age-old question remains: as we grow older, which is better—a dog or a cat? The Case for DogsDogs are the extroverts of the animal world. They’ll get you out of the house, rain or shine, and they’ll make sure your neighbors know you exist. Morning walks, afternoon

October 12, 2025 No Comments

When Federal Cuts Hit Home

By Cynthia Germain When national policy shifts, the ripple effects can feel far away. But sometimes those waves crash right on our shores. That’s what’s happening with the federal “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB), highlighted recently by Kiplinger. While the bill covers a wide sweep of federal programs, its impact on Medicaid has real consequences for older adults and families here. Medicaid is the backbone of long-term care. It’s what pays for most nursing home beds and a good share of home-based services. When that backbone weakens, we all feel it — residents, families, caregivers, and communities. Let’s look at

September 28, 2025 1 Comment

A Caregiver’s Grief, Part 1

By Cynthia Germain Writing is my creative outlet, as you might have guessed. And there have been times in my life when it has been therapeutic. This is one of those times with the loss of my father. I endeavor to write a series, length not known at this point, about the grief as I experience it as a caregiver. Like all of you, I have had loss of people in my life…a mother, two brothers, grandparents, other family members and certainly a handful of friends (live long enough, it will happen). I find, however, that losing someone who you

September 21, 2025 5 Comments

Celebrating World Senior Citizen’s Day

by Cynthia Germain Yes, someone thought it would be a good idea to give our older adults a day of recognition – August 21st. In our country, that was President Ronald Reagan in 1988. The goal was to recognize the contributions of older adults to family, community, and society, and to raise awareness about issues that affect them—such as health, independence, and quality of life. You can see the full heartfelt Proclamation at https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/proclamation-5847-national-senior-citizens-day-1988?utm. Over time, the observance spread internationally. In 1991, The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to recognize and promote the rights of older persons worldwide.

August 10, 2025 1 Comment

A Plate Full of Vitality

by Cynthia Germain Eating well is one of the most powerful ways to stay active, independent, and energized as we age. But knowing what “eating well” looks like can be unclear. We know that our bodies change, our metabolism slows, and the way we absorb nutrients can shift. How do we eat to give the body what it needs, support bone and muscle health, and boost overall well-being? Fortunately, there are simple visual tools that make healthy eating easy to understand and follow. You may be familiar with MyPlate, the simple visual guide from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

August 3, 2025 No Comments

60 Years and Counting What Really Matters

by Cynthia Germain Later this week, I’ll celebrate my 60th birthday. And I wonder…Wow, how did I get here? But even more so I wonder…What do I do with the next decade? How do I want to live them? What do I still want to experience, create, and give. As I do with many things that pique my curiosity, I did a little research. And I came across an article about the importance of staying healthy in your 60s. I always like articles that give practical advice—not a long list of “shoulds,” but meaningful suggestions that feel doable and encouraging.

July 20, 2025 1 Comment

Could Your Pet Be Boosting Your Brain?

by Cynthia Germain A recent article in The Guardian highlighted something many of us have suspected all along. Pets aren’t just good company, they might also be good for our brains. Researchers followed adults over 50 for nearly two decades and found that those who owned dogs had better memory, while cat owners experienced less decline in verbal fluency. The study didn’t claim that pets directly cause better brain health, but it did suggest some compelling links. Regular dog walks might support memory by increasing physical activity and social interaction. And cats? Their quirky, unpredictable behavior and quiet companionship might

July 6, 2025 1 Comment

When the Heat is On, Stay Cool and Connected

by Cynthia Germain We wait all year for these glorious Door County summers—the sunshine, the many outdoor events, the coming of strawberries, cherries, and more. But as wonderful as this season is, it can also bring intense heat, and with it, serious health concerns—especially for older adults. As we age, our bodies don’t adjust to temperature changes as efficiently. Medications can interfere with our ability to regulate heat, and chronic conditions may increase the risk of heat-related illnesses. What might feel like a warm day to one person can be dangerous to another. So when the thermometer rises, we all

June 22, 2025 No Comments