When we look back on a year, what do we remember? We can only keep so many memories in our head—our brain will deliberately not remember certain repetitive actions, and certainly doesn’t store every second of our daily commutes. Similar activities tend to blend together, so the memory of a Tuesday in June might be indistinguishable from a Thursday in November.
Loni listened empathetically while Mary shared her feelings of grief over recently losing her husband. The two women, both in their late sixties, had been meeting regularly since shortly after Loni had started her position as a volunteer counselor with Peninsula Family Services. Listening to her peers share personal stories about themselves gave her a new appreciation for her own life’s blessings. She looked forward to her ongoing talks with Mary each week, and seeing her progress as she navigated the grieving process.
The New Year is always a time of reflection and anticipation, met with excitement and promise. It’s a time to start fresh, with an unmarked calendar, the blank pages like a fallen snow. And, if you’re a caregiver for an aging loved one, this can be a year of exciting changes—for both of you.
Think back to your first kiss, or when you fell in love for the first time. There’s nothing like meeting a special someone to put an extra spring in your step, right? For many older adults, online dating is proving a fun and fast way to cultivate a growing social network—and increase the chances of developing a romantic relationship. Caregivers can support their loved one in navigating this world by helping them create a safe and effective dating profile, develop a sense for choosing potential matches, and what to do when it comes to meeting in person.
Full of beautiful scenery and bustling streets, California’s Bay Area is one of the world’s most appealing places to explore. And it’s certainly full of nostalgia for older folks lucky enough to have grown up here, or who visited during younger years. But wheelchair users might find themselves a bit reluctant to discover all of its charms to their fullest because of the region’s notoriously varied terrain. Known for its steep hills and narrow streets, places like San Francisco and Oakland can, at first glance, appear unfriendly to those with reduced mobility. Or, family members may be hesitant to bring their loved one on an outing if they expect it’ll be tough for them.
The Bay Area is a product of water. Tectonic forces shaped our peaceful harbor, protecting it from the crashing Pacific. Every day we feel the presence of water, in the fog or the smell of salt, or if we venture toward the sea on a weekend stroll, the waves crashing against the rocks in an affirmative spray.
Carl took a deep breath and surveyed his surroundings with proud contentment. With dirt under his fingernails and the knees of his khakis stained green, he felt at home and accomplished in the formal gardens of Filoli. Finally, he had found a way to use his gifts again.
The voices come from across the Bay Area. Some are regulars, having called before, their trembling voices becoming familiar, their fears and loneliness becoming known. Some are voices reaching out for the first time—their pain and sadness overtaking them, they strike out in the darkness looking for something to hold onto and hoping to find someone who will listen, and who will care.
These days, most people can’t imagine working at any job for 25 years. Work has become a series of short-term gigs and bouncing around to many in the younger generations. But, sometimes, a person finds a job she loves, and stays. For Florence Rigney, a nurse in Washington State, it meant staying in a job for 25 years—25 years after retirement age, that is. In fact, she’s just recently celebrated her 90th birthday at Tacoma General Hospital, where she’s worked since 1946.
There’s a magic alchemy to the holiday season, some kind of diffuse miracle that transforms the darkest, longest, and coldest nights of the year into some of the warmest and happiest. That miracle, that warmth, is the thrill of being surrounded by the people we love and the friendly goodwill abundant on the bustling city streets.
Institute on Aging (IOA) CONNECT is your direct line to us and the starting point for help with your concerns about the needs of older adults and adults with disabilities. IOA CONNECT links you with our services, as well as community services available. Reach out to connect with us.
Phone: (415) 750 – 4111 | Fax: (415) 750 – 5338
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