Blog – Do Good Door County

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

Recipes for a Life Connected

by Cynthia Germain We’ve all heard the phrase “food for the soul,” and what it seems to say is that it’s not about the recipes but the connection it brings. I recently came across the U.S. Surgeon General’s thoughtful and engaging guide called Recipes for Connection, offering practical ways to strengthen our social bonds and improve overall well-being. Just like a good cookbook, this one offers all the ingredients and steps, in an inspiring way. And like any good recipe, it’s meant to be shared. At the heart of the guide is a simple truth we already know: human connection

June 15, 2025 No Comments

Bloom Where You Are Planted

by Cynthia Germain There’s something about this time of year that feels like a celebration. As an avid gardener, I can confidently say: this is it—the sweet spot. The flowers are showing their best colors, the vegetable sprouts are boldly pushing through the soil, and the trees are lush and so very green. Everything is alive, awakening, and stretching toward the sun. It may sound ironic, but there’s something special about welcoming spring in the autumn years of life. Just as nature hits her stride in the spring, so too can we. This season, with its bright colors and fresh

June 8, 2025 1 Comment

The Not So Secret Ingredients of Healing

by Cynthia Germain Finding myself recuperating from minor surgery recently gave me time to think about the healing process. I wondered, as with other things that seem to slow as we age, “does healing take longer as we get older?” Turns out, although not unexpected, yes. As we age, our bodies naturally become a bit less efficient at healing. It’s a process influenced by a variety of factors: slower cell regeneration, reduced collagen production, changes in circulation, and even shifts in immune function. It’s like our bodies, just like an older car, take a little time and care to get

June 1, 2025 1 Comment

The Legacy of Memorial Day

by Cynthia Germain The great weather that we have had leads well into Memorial Day, a long-celebrated holiday since 1868. Originally known as Decoration Day, it was instituted after the Civil War to commemorate the soldiers who perished in that devastating conflict. Over time, Memorial Day has evolved to honor all Americans who have died in military service. While Memorial Day is often marked by ceremonies, parades, and the decoration of graves, it’s also an important occasion to consider and celebrate our older adults, many of whom have a deep connection to the history and legacy of this day. It

May 18, 2025 No Comments

Vitality in Aging: A Community Success Story

by Cynthia Germain In the Fall of 2024, we launched something new—something hopeful, practical, and full of purpose. The Vitality in Aging program, made possible through a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services in collaboration with the Aging Coalition of Door County, spanned six months and invited older adults in Door County to take a closer look at their own wellness. Although social connection was the focus, physical health and nutrition were also a big part of this unique program, bringing together three vital pillars of aging. We called it Vitality because we know aging isn’t about decline.

May 11, 2025 No Comments

Planting Seeds That Matter

by Cynthia Germain Spring has a way of waking up something inside us. The days get a little longer, the sun feels a little warmer, and there’s a feeling of possibility in the air. So when we think of planting seeds, it’s easy to picture those blooming flowers or green vegetables when we tuck those tiny seeds into the soil. But seeds aren’t just for gardens. We plant seeds every day – in our families, our friendships, our communities, and even within ourselves. When you call an old friend just to check in, you’re planting a seed. When you encourage

April 27, 2025 No Comments

The Joy of Aging

by Cynthia Germain I recently came across some studies that gave me even more reason to embrace the aging process. Turns out, many of us actually get happier as we get older. That’s right. Despite the cultural noise that often treats aging as something to resist, the evidence says something entirely different: life satisfaction tends to increase in our later years. And perhaps more importantly, we gain a deeper sense of what really matters. So, how can we lean into that and truly enjoy life as we age? 1. Stay Curious and EngagedWhether it’s joining a book club, mentoring someone

April 13, 2025 1 Comment

Why Did I Come In Here?

by Cynthia Germain We’ve all done it. You walk into a room with a mission. And then… nothing. You have that curious feeling that you meant to do something. You stand there, scanning the space like it’s going to give you a hint.Welcome to the classic “Why did I come in here?” moment. And if you’re over 50 or perhaps 60 or 70, it starts to feel like a regular part of your day. But here’s the thing: this is not dementia or Alzheimer’s. This is aging being its usual quirky self. And wonderfully normal. Our brains are marvels—billions of

April 6, 2025 1 Comment