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Part-Time Work: A Key to Social Connection

As we age, many of us find ourselves seeking new ways to stay engaged, active, and financially secure. One avenue that holds great potential is part-time employment. Part-time jobs offer a range of benefits for older adults, from supplementing income to promoting social connections and overall well-being. In Door County, an exciting initiative called MatchUp aims to connect older adults with vetted and trained employers, providing them with fulfilling part-time job opportunities. Here are some of the advantages of part-time work for older adults: Financial Security:One of the primary benefits of part-time employment for older adults is the opportunity to

May 21, 2023 1 Comment

Age with Pawsitivity: The Many Benefits of Owning a Pet in Later Years

As we journey through the golden years of life, it becomes increasingly important to prioritize our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. While there are numerous ways to do so, one avenue that stands out for its remarkable benefits is owning a pet. The companionship and unconditional love provided by pets can bring immeasurable joy and contribute positively to our overall health and happiness. Here are some advantages of having a pet as we age: Companionship – Pets, whether a loyal dog, a purring cat, or a chirping bird, offer unwavering companionship. As we age and experience changes in our social

May 14, 2023 1 Comment

A Reflection on Mother’s Day and Aging

As Mother’s Day approaches, it’s a time to reflect on the women who have raised us and the importance of aging gracefully. As we age, it’s important to remember the lessons that our mothers taught us and to honor the aging process. Mothers are often seen as a symbol of love, sacrifice, and devotion. They devote their lives to caring for us, nurturing us, and helping us grow into the best version of ourselves. As we grow older, our relationship with our mothers may change but the time they took to raise us often remains in our memory. Aging is

May 7, 2023 No Comments

Celebrating Older Americans Month by Breaking Down Ageism

May is Older Americans Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions and achievements of older adults, as well as to raise awareness about issues affecting older Americans. The observance was established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy as “Senior Citizens Month,” and was later renamed “Older Americans Month” by President Jimmy Carter in 1980. Recently hearing a comment about our current President’s re-election announcement that was centered not around his presidency but his age prompts me to write about a type of discrimination that pervades our society…ageism. Ageism is when people are treated unfairly or judged based

April 30, 2023 1 Comment

Aging in Place Made Possible: How Villages Support Seniors in Door County

Over the last month, we have been hosting meetings throughout the County to revisit the results of the Door County Age-in-Place survey specific to the different areas and review the most promising answer to the concerns expressed by our residents. The solution…the Village model. The Village Movement began over 20 years ago with a group of older adults in Boston that wanted to live in their own homes while staying engaged in their neighborhood, born with the idea of being active and supporting each other and others with the same needs and outlook. Now there are more than 300

April 23, 2023 2 Comments

Growing Health and Happiness: Why Gardening is Great for Seniors

Spring is coming and I’m a fan of the garden which got me thinking about the rewards of gardening as I age, besides the great vegetables and herbs. Gardening has long been known to provide a range of benefits for people of all ages. However, for older adults, gardening can be particularly beneficial in terms of physical, mental, and emotional health. The range of physical movements involved in gardening, such as bending, stretching, and lifting, can help improve strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health. Gardening also helps improve balance and coordination, reducing the risk of falls. These physical benefits of gardening

April 15, 2023 1 Comment

Promoting Digital Equity and Inclusion for Aging in Place

Digital equity and inclusion are important considerations when it comes to the use of technology by older adults to age in place. Digital equity refers to the concept of ensuring that everyone has equal access to the technology and digital resources they need to thrive in modern society, regardless of factors such as age, income, race, or geographic location. Inclusion, on the other hand, refers to the practice of creating a welcoming and accessible environment for all individuals to participate in digital activities and benefit from technological advancements. Unfortunately, many older adults may face challenges when it comes to accessing

April 8, 2023 No Comments

Supporting Older Adults During the Holiday Season: Easter and Passover Edition

Easter and passover are joyous holidays for many people, but it can also be a difficult time for older adults, particularly those who are lonely or isolated. The holidays can highlight feelings of sadness and even grief, especially for those who have lost loved ones or are unable to celebrate with family and friends. These holidays can be a particularly nostalgic time for older adults, and memories of past celebrations can be bittersweet, especially if they have lost friends or family members who were once part of their traditions. These traditions, some of which are tied to religion, can often

April 1, 2023 No Comments

Aging and Politics: How to Adapt and Stay Engaged

The inundation of political ads lately has had me thinking of how much politics has changed in my lifetime. As we age, we may find ourselves confronted with changes in the political landscape. This can be challenging, especially if we have held certain beliefs and values for many years. However, adjusting to how politics is done these days is essential to staying informed and engaged in our communities. Here are some tips for adapting to our dynamic political atmosphere: Keep an open mindIt can be tempting to stick to our long-held beliefs and values, but it is important to approach

March 25, 2023 No Comments

Staying Informed and Taking Action: A Roadmap to Retirement Security Amid Uncertainty

Retirement is a time in life when people should be able to enjoy the fruits of their labor and live comfortably without financial worry. However, in times of inflation and concerns about the volitlity of the banking and market systems, retirees may find it challenging to maintain their standard of living without proper financial planning. Let’s take a brief look at what seniors, including those on a limited income, can do to ensure that their retirement is financially stable in these uncertain times. Diversify your investments – Investing in a diverse range of assets, such as stocks, bonds, and real

March 19, 2023 No Comments

The Power of Intergenerational Connections: Benefits for Individuals and Communities

Intergenerational events and initiatives bring people of different age groups together to learn from each other and share their experiences. These efforts have numerous benefits that can positively impact both individuals and communities. Here are some of the key benefits: Promoting social connections and reducing social isolation Intergenerational events provide an opportunity for people of different age groups to come together and form new relationships. Older adults often face social isolation, which can lead to a decline in physical and mental health. Intergenerational events can combat social isolation by providing opportunities for older adults to connect with younger people and

March 12, 2023 No Comments

From Retired to Rewired: Volunteering in Later Life

As we age, it’s important to stay active and engaged in our communities. One way to do this is through volunteering. Volunteering is not only a way to give back to the community but it also offers numerous physical, cognitive, and emotional benefits for older adults. Volunteering can be an excellent way for older adults to stay active and healthy. Physical activities such as gardening, walking, and cleaning can help keep the body in shape. Volunteering can also help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and hypertension. Studies have shown that volunteers have lower levels of

March 5, 2023 No Comments

Why Being Social is So Important

In the Age in Place survey done last October, more than one-third of Door residents indicated that they are or expect to feel lonliness or experience sadness and depression as they age. More than half want to be social in community events or through volunteer work. As humans, we are social creatures and our social connections are an integral part of our overall health and well-being. Unfortunately, many older adults face social isolation and loneliness, which can contribute to a host of negative health outcomes including depression and decreased physical health. Isolation and loneliness are often intertwined, but they are

February 26, 2023 No Comments

The Eighth Domain: Community and Health Services

As we wrap up the 8 domains of livability, we look at the 8th domain – community and health services. As with the other domains, this looks at how to keep seniors healthy, independent and actively engaged in the community. This involves an adequate amount of care services conveniently located close by and are provided by trained professionals. And as with the other domains, there is also a consideration of affordability. To say that seniors have different health care needs and preferences is an understatement. As we look at our aging population, we see the oldest of the aged, those

January 30, 2023 No Comments

The Seventh Domain: Communication and Information

A key part of growing old in an age-friendly community is staying connected with events, news and activities with timely, accessible and practical information. Technology is often tapped to spread information quickly but also plays a role in social exclusion.. A community needs to offer information in an accessible format and consider a wide range of needs and resources of their older citizens. Media outlets are key to communicating information to the wider community. Older people tend to receive information through traditional print and broadcast media, and through direct personal contact such as telephone calls, attending community centers, etc. Some

January 22, 2023 1 Comment

The Sixth Domain: Work and Civic Engagement

An age-friendly community actively engages older adults in community life and has opportunities for residents to work for pay or volunteer their skills. Older people can increase their quality of life from active involvement in voluntary activities or work, providing satisfaction and social engagement. A variety of volunteer and employment opportunities should offer choices that meet diverse preferences, needs and skills. Key to this process is an awareness on the vacancies available, connecting seniors to these opportunities. In addition to job access, entrepreneurial opportunities are another way to support seniors’ participation in the workforce and increase their self-sufficiency. Transporation is

January 15, 2023 1 Comment

The Fifth Domain: Respect and Social Inclusion

First, let me thank all you wonderful followers for your patience. Since I generally post on Sundays, the holidays certainly delayed the process! Let’s talk about the fifth domain of livability – respect and social inclusion. At first glance, the importance of a community being inclusive of older adults may not rise to the same importance as say transporation and housing. And perhaps some may think this happens naturally if you have social opportunities in your community. But there is some much more to encouraging older people to participate in their community’s social, civic and economic life. Most may think

January 8, 2023 1 Comment

The Fourth Domain: Social Participation

Well, here’s one that needs quite a bit of attention, and that’s not said lightly. According to the Age-in-Place survey done here in October, more than 1/3 of us are experiencing or expect to experience lonliness as they age. As of July, 2021, there are 30,369 residents of Door County. This means that over 10,000 of our friends and neighbors will feel alone and sad at any given time. Whoa! Social participation in an Age-Friendly community means older adults participating in leisure, social, cultural and spiritual activities that keeps them integrated in the community, helps them stay engaged, and ensures

December 18, 2022 No Comments

The Third Domain: Housing

To continue our series about the 8 domains of livability of an age-friendly community, we take a look at housing. This is defined as housing that is designed for an older person to live comfortably and be in proximity to community and social services. Certainly, a part of this equation is the affordabiity of housing. If the cost of housing is high, this discourages older people from moving to more appropriate age-friendly housing. In addition, being affordable for many seniors on a fixed income can mean property tax caps or assistance. And then there is the question of affording modifications

December 14, 2022 No Comments

The Second Domain: Transportation

Continuing on with the deep dive into the 8 Domains of Livability of an Age-Friendly Community, let’s look at transportation. This domain is focused the ability of an individual to comfortably move in and around their community. Transportation, including accessible and affordable public transport, is a key factor influencing active aging. Elements of mobility and access are deeply integrated across all of the eight domains. Being able to move about in public determines social and civic participation and access to community and health services. This domain encompasses the availability and affordability of transportation, the reliability, and frequency of transportation, age-friendly

December 5, 2022 1 Comment