My material grandmother used to warn her daughter that by laughing so much her teeth might freeze — no easy feat in the tropical country like Costa Rica.  Happily the threat didn’t dissuade my mother who loves to laugh to this day.  As she’s passed her 100 birthday, it’s

My mother turned 98 in February. She does pretty well for her age but of late, I’ve noticed changes. She has trouble finding words to express herself and little skills, like knowing how to use a knife and fork, sometimes escapes her. When I intervene by filling in the missing word o

THE SECRET OF FRIDAY LUNCHES Yesterday, I didn’t take my usual walk through the park. I walked to my bank instead. It took me through an area I seldom pass and I was surprised to discover the changes taking place. Several businesses, most of them restaurants, had sprung up and as I�

If you’re under the age of 90, you’re probably old enough to know about computers,  at least well enough to  send an email.  Those over 90 tend to mistrust electronics and prefer the elegance of a handwritten note.  One elderly woman at our  retirement center likes to sit

A recent edition of AARP magazine featured three Hollywood stars who are disrupting the perception that as women age, they become invisible.  Unlike the Brits who cherish older actresses like  Maggie Smith, Judy Dench and Helen Mirron, Americans are slow to embrace the notion of cha

I have a confession. Since I joined the retirement center, I’ve gained 6 lbs.  My doctor didn’t seem alarmed.  “A little extra weight as a person gets older is good,” she shrugged. Easy for her to say.  She doesn’t have to fit into my jeans.  Some extra pounds might be t

I don’t recall much fanfare about it, but last year, Maggie Kuhn’s Grey Panthers movement died for lack of interest.  A splinter groups survives but so far they have made few waves, even though in the United States, we have a growing aging population.  Certainly, the elderly nee

Monday, I walked into the restaurant at my retirement center and ordered a croissant with my lunch. The new girl behind the counter said a croissant didn’t come with the meal. I’d have to pay extra. When she held out her hand for $2.00, I asked if there’d been a change in policy

A Facebook friend in her 60s commented she finally remembered the name of the bird she’d seen in her garden. That she was able to do so made her made her happy. It meant her little gray cells were working. I knew what she meant. At a certain age, we tend to second guess ourselves, e

I’m surprised at the age difference among readers of this blog. 20% are Millennials and I’m glad they’re with me, but as I often discuss topics about aging, I’m curious to know why they follow me. Millennials are a savvy generation, forward in their thinking and active in sol