Aging

Earlier this year, when Chadwick Boseman, the 42-year-old star of the megahit Black Panther  died of colon cancer, it did not just point out the tragedy of dying young, but also the disparities in health conditions and survival among minorities. Even with presumably getting the best care, Boseman’s cancer progressed to a lethal stage IV. 

Posted on October 16, 2020 by Mari Evans “A firecracker.” “The life of the party.” “Señorita Estallita Fulla Suga.” Estelle Reiff goes by many monikers, which only makes sense for a woman who has played many roles in her long life – an accomplished dancer, teacher and mother. The beloved resident of Atria Forest Hills,

Posted on October 9, 2020 by Mari Evans Putting in extra hours. Making trips to the store for essentials. Setting up Zoom calls to help families and friends stay in touch. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Atria employees have gone above and beyond to help residents feel safe, connected and engaged. In turn, residents and families

Yesterday, October 1, marked the International Day of Older Persons – and the 30th anniversary of this event created by the UN (read more here). The pandemic, according to this report from Foreign Policy magazine with AARP (read it here) about human rights and older people, is casting new light on ongoing issues in aging

People with hearing loss should take extra steps to ease the added social isolation caused by wearing masks, according to one published report. This September (Deaf Awareness Month) during the pandemic, these tips from Clearliving.com are particularly relevant.  Nearly 25 percent of those aged 65 to 74 and 50 percent of those who are 75

Posted on September 24, 2020 by Mari Evans Nearly every morning, Lauren Freifeld, Executive Director of Atria Woodlands, a senior living community located in Westchester County, New York, watches one of her residents walk by her window. “He’s a doer,” she laughed. The resident she’s talking about is Jerry Levine, who turns 91 this year

Senior Planet will host a special talk on Preventing Falls on 9/23 at 3pm EST; check the Senior Planet Events Listings here for more details about joining via Zoom.  At first glance, the statistics driving Falls Prevention Awareness Week (Sept. 21-25) sound sobering and well, depressing. From the CDC: “Every second of every day, an

Posted on August 28, 2020 by Mari Evans COVID-19 has forced all of us to rethink how we interact with the world and each other. Still, staying connected remains vital to our well-being. At Atria Senior Living, we believe people belong together. By making adjustments to Atria’s Engage Life® events program, team members continue to

We’ve all heard of famous people with fantastic memories. Actress Marilu Henner, known for roles such as playing Elaine Nardo on TV’s “Taxi,” is said to have a highly superior autobiographical memory.  Tell her what year you got married, or graduated, or had a kid, and she’s likely to say, ”Really, a Sunday?” Former president

This past week I decided to take the plunge and get both Covid-19 tests – the nasal swab and the blood test for antibodies.  I have not experienced any symptoms but was concerned about asymptomatic spread since I have immunocompromised relatives and friends. The experience was pretty straightforward. The wait was not long and I

With the pandemic dominating the news cycle and social media posts 24/7, it’s easy to fall into a gloom-and-doom mode. So here’s something to snap you right out of that, even as you social distance, wash your hands a lot and keep a mask close by for outings. We found examples of good news on

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, it’s becoming clear that minorities—specifically African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans and in some studies Asians—are affected more often than other ethnicities, and have a higher death rate. Experts are trying to figure out why, but even before they have definitive answers, there is some reassuring news. Anyone who is a member

Posted on September 1, 2015 by Michele Macmartin For older adults, staying hydrated can be a challenge. According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, one in three older adults may not drink enough fluids each day due to physical and physiological changes common to aging,  such as: diminished

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Angela Weisser Despite advances in health care, the aging process itself can limit an older adult’s ability to carry out basic daily living activities. Health problems aren’t always obvious, especially for older adults. Signs of declining health or abilities can be so subtle that neither the parent – nor

Posted on March 24, 2015 by Taylor Rhea For a few weeks every March, everyone is a basketball fan. But for resident Domenic “Dom” R. of Atria Bay Spring Village in Rhode Island, the game has been a lifelong passion. It began when he played forward for Bristol High School (now Mt. Hope High School),

If you’re feeling the raw edge of the terrifying world pandemic of COVID-19, you are not alone. And while now might seem a tough time to experience gratitude, doing just that can provide soothing comfort in these scary weeks.  Look around. If you’re healthy with a roof overhead, there’s lots to be grateful for. Are

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Angela Weisser Have you ever needed a car repair and found yourself at the mercy of a friend, taxi or subway? The ability to drive means freedom, and without it you have to rely on other, less convenient means of transportation. Even temporary inconveniences like these remind us that

Posted on April 9, 2015 by Aeriel Holte “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” – Mark Twain YOLO or “you only live once,” is a phrase that reminds us to live fully and take risks. It’s also the phrase that inspires a group of residents in

Posted on December 23, 2015 by Julie Smead Being the primary caregiver for a person with Alzheimer’s or dementia can be especially tough during the busy, bright and noisy holidays. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep your holidays happy, meaningful and stress-free – for everyone. Consider the following tips. For Friends and

Posted on August 26, 2015 by Billie Jean King Nearly 42 years ago this year, I accepted a challenge to play in a tennis match known as “The Battle of the Sexes.” Ultimately I won the match, but many people may not remember that I was behind for the first set and things weren’t looking

The news on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is moving at lightning speed, but some advice from expert organizations like the CDC and WHO has remained consistent. Senior Planet has rounded up some reliable sources of information and basic tips for prevention, care, and coping below. Check back here for updated resources. It’s also a good idea

Posted on April 9, 2014 by Katy Miller My interest was piqued by a recent New York Times article, which suggested that wisdom could play a major part in the aging process. The basic thesis of the article is that wisdom is a considerable indicator of longevity. The study on wisdom referenced in the article

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Steve Morgan As parents age, their needs grow while their ability to care for themselves declines. This is especially true when a parent lives alone. Unfortunately, many don’t think about how they will care for an aging parent until they’re forced to make a decision. They may notice Mom

Posted on September 8, 2016 by Billie Jean King Billie Jean King is a winner of 39 Grand Slam Tennis Titles, a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and a champion for social change and equality. She serves as Atria’s Well-Being Coach. Every day when I wake up, I take a few moments to

Note: While we take every effort to keep our statistics current, the fast-moving nature of this pandemic makes it difficult to stay on top of the numbers and locations of infections and mortality rates.  If you’re over 60, the facts are clear: you are at higher risk for developing the coronavirus infection causing COVID-19. As

With COVID-19 taking over televisions and dominating social media, there’s lots of anxiety-provoking news being shared right now. It’s hard to tune out. There are plenty of reliable sources of information, including the CDC and WHO. But we want Senior Planet to be a place where you can find some respite from the 24-hour news

Posted on May 13, 2014 by Taylor Rhea A recent article references a study that found that owning a pet – specifically a dog – could greatly improve one’s health. Here’s how. It can improve cardiovascular health by keeping people active. It can reduce stress responses in the body. It can lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels