Nancy S.

  • Aging in Place

    If you ask most adults where they’d like to live as they grow older, most everyone says that they want to age in their own homes or in their local neighborhoods. It makes sense. People want to feel comfortable and live near familiar streets, parks, stores, and, of course, to neighbors and friends. But, it’s… Continue reading

  • Celebrate “Olders”

    May is Older Americans Month. The pandemic has certainly put a spotlight on the experiences of older people and the continuing tropes of ageism. I regularly hear and read about the “elderly,” the “silver tsunami,” and “going off the demographic cliff.” In a more recent ugly iteration, some people have even questioned the resources needed to support the… Continue reading

  • Alzheimer’s and memory loss: You are not alone

    No one ever wants to hear a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, whether it’s for yourself, a family member or friend. The disease is progressive and has no cure. As Ann Hedreen writes in Her Beautiful Brain, a memoir about her mother’s illness, “I’m not up for this. Whatever this is.” It takes a community to support… Continue reading

  • Women risk takers: Beyond the Olympics

    Watching the Olympics this last week, it’s not hard be awed by all of the athletes, and particularly for the women who have pushed for full participation in Olympic sports. Clearly risk takers, they and their predecessors have also redrawn the boundaries which for so long have defined “proper” women’s roles. With the celebration of… Continue reading

  • How I Learned to Love My Kindle (with a little help from my friends)

    Ok. Ok. I’m a laggard. Now, I don’t consider myself to be a Luddite, but I’ve been hanging on to print for dear life. But, the 13 hour flight to New Zealand loomed ever closer. Was I really going to lug all of that paper with me? Of course, it wouldn’t have been just one… Continue reading