Being a newcomer at the time, I decided to get a sense of what was considered newsworthy and important by tracking age-related happenings in the print media. I clipped articles from four daily newspapers and occasional periodicals, cut and pasted them (literally) on a sheet of paper, noted the source and date, punched three holes in the single sheet of paper and inserted the sheet into a three-ring binder. (Yes, this is history.) In addition to reading research studies and reports, I felt this was one way to be informed about what was happening “on the ground.” 

In year one, I barely filled one binder. As time passed, I was filling three to four binders a year. Enter the Internet. Cut and past became digital. Today, there is not a day that goes by in print or digital news that does not have several age-related stories. These stories cover public policy, health, longevity, nutrition, ageism, life extension, scientific discoveries, anti-aging, senior housing, products, services and more. 

With more people living longer and with greater needs and opportunities, the explosion of age-related information will only grow. 

Here is a snapshot of 5 areas of aging that are filling print and digital media, podcasts, webinars and reports that are commanding our attention. Note this is a bird’s eye overview from just one person’s perspective and is not based on formal analytics.  

Products: Let’s just focus on a few assistive technology products that help older adults age in their own residence as safely and independently as possible. Smart stoves and ovens can be set to turn off after five minutes of inactivity. Smart pill organizers dispense pills, others use lights to signal which pills to take (Carroself) and how many (Elliegrid). Activity-based sensors can detect if someone is not getting out of bed, opening the refrigerator door or medicine cabinet. (Sensors). 

Management practices: There are now five generations in the workforce, a first in modern history. According to Forbes magazine, a multigenerational workforce is a competitive advantage for several reasons. It is reported to increase productivity, support innovation and drive creative solutions. It provides learning/mentoring opportunities, enhances knowledge transfer and retention and contributes to job satisfaction according to the Academy to Innovate HR.

Appearances: More older notables are proud of their untouched appearances, essentially meaning no cosmetic surgery. “My mother was a great beauty and never succumbed to plastic surgery. She thought it was best to grow old gracefully. I feel the same,” Sigourney Weaver said in an interview last year with El País. For many, retaining one’s natural gray hair is one indicator of aging naturally.

Retirement planning: This popular subject can be foreboding. AARP reports that nearly half of those age 55 and older have no retirement savings. And nearly half (46 percent) of American households have no retirement savings in retirement accounts. Four in 10 workers are projected to fall short of what they need in retirement. 

Where to live: There currently are over 30,000 assisted living communities in the U.S. The need will continue to grow as 70 percent of older adults are predicted to need some kind of care in their lifetime. That care comes with a price tag of just over $57,000 median annual cost in 2023. https://www.seniorliving.org/companies/statistics/ This industry brings in just over $94 billion in revenue. 

Here’s an added fact. The magazine published by AARP (which was previously called “Modern Maturity”) reaches just over 38 million readers, making it the magazine with the largest circulation in the U.S.  

The broad field of aging continues to attract entrepreneurs, students, businesspeople, policymakers, researchers, scientists and more. As the population ages, the stakeholders will only continue to grow with most looking for ways to age well with a sense of stability, health and possibilities. 

Stay well everyone and know every act of kindness counts. 

Helen Dennis is a nationally recognized leader on issues of aging and the new retirement with academic, corporate and nonprofit experience. Contact Helen with your questions and comments at Helendenn@gmail.com. Visit Helen at HelenMdennis.com and follow her on facebook.com/SuccessfulAgingCommunity

Solo aging is an often overlooked topic. The term refers to singles or couples without children or other family support. AARP designates 50 as the qualifying age. The concern about care in later life is based on reality. Among those age 65 and older, 70 percent will need care at some point. However, 30 percent are unlikely to need care. Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to determine which percentage will apply to which individual. 

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Sara Zeff Geber, author of “Essential Retirement Planning for Solo Agers: A Retirement and Aging Roadmap for Single and Childless Adults” (Mango, 2018). She advocates to “plan, form and maintain a community that becomes one’s support network.” And geography matters. Social networks evolve around where one lives. In our mobile society, families often live far away. Those in our network can help with a trip to the grocery store, a ride to an appointment, or assist with technology. See the Village movement as a support network in later life: https://www.vtvnetwork.org/

The other important task is to create directives. This gives someone the decision-making power to ensure that we live our future-older lives the way we want particularly if unwilling or unable to make decisions for ourselves. 

An advanced directive is a legal document that provides instructions for medical care that goes into effect if persons cannot communicate their wishes. The second legal document is a durable power of attorney that gives a person authority to manage one’s financial affairs and healthcare if unable (or unwilling) to manage them.

Geber says solo agers “often bury their heads in the sand” when an attorney asks for the names of individuals that will be named in the legal documents. She suggests considering a niece or nephew or a son or daughter of family-like friends and cultivating these relationships early on. 

Then there is the decision of where to live. Economics matter. Those with the financial resources might consider moving into a community that assures them care for the rest of their lives. These are called Continuing Care Communities that offer options for independent living, assisted living and memory care. Costs are based on amenities, floor plan, contract type, and location. 

Affordable options continue to be developed. One example is the 2Life Communities in the Boston area. Their communities are aimed at lower– and middle-income boomers, all designed with the belief that everyone deserves to live a life of stability, purpose, and connection. 

Shared housing is another option. Think of “The Golden Girls.” You might ask someone to share your home or consider moving into someone else’s home. Silvernest is a matching service that can facilitate an arrangement anywhere in the country. 

Another option is creating an ADU, which are legal auxiliary dwelling units on a property with an existing home. Then there is co-housing, “an intentional, collaborative neighborhood that combines private homes with shared indoor and outdoor spaces designed to support an active and interdependent community.” 

Geber writes a warning in a Forbes article about “The Cost of Denial,” stating: “Without good planning and foresight, one cardiac incident, one moment of disorientation that leads to a fall, one cancer diagnosis (and so much more) can lead to months or even years of being shuttled around from one unpleasant nursing home to the next, possibly even being rendered a ward of the court. No one wants that!

Empowerment is key. Each of us, with or without children, wants to have some control over how we live our later years. We need to exercise that power, taking the initiative and assuming the responsibility. 

A final comment about feeling like an outsider. As one solo ager said to me, “I feel outside the cultural norm. It seems normal to have a dog, kids or a partner, but not to be a solo ager.” Perhaps all of us can be more sensitive to the fact we are not all the same and realize that some may not be able to relate to grandchild experiences. At the same time, solo agers can seek out those with similar life circumstances. 

Thank you, G.T., for your good question. Stay well and know small acts of kindness can change the world.

Helen Dennis is a nationally recognized leader on issues of aging and the new retirement with academic, corporate and nonprofit experience. Contact Helen with your questions and comments at Helendenn@gmail.com. Visit Helen at HelenMdennis.com and follow her on facebook.com/SuccessfulAgingCommunity

She describes herself as essentially homebound; she lives alone, uses a wheelchair and has no local family. She said her interaction with the outside world is severely limited because she has no computer. She had been trying to get in touch with me, and a friend from her library sent me an email with her phone number asking if I would give her a call – which I did.

The topic of our conversation was about a column I wrote on older women feeling invisible (July 22, 2022) often referred to as the Invisible Woman Syndrome. The women I interviewed for that column shared their experiences in restaurants, in family gatherings, shopping in stores and using public transportation. This older reader suggested another important dimension to this topic – feeling invisible because of no computer.

For those of us who are computer-savvy think about how we use our devices in our daily lives. We communicate with family, grandchildren and friends through texting or email. We take classes, shop, watch movies, listen to music, book airline tickets play games and have telehealth visits. We file taxes, check the weather and traffic, pay our bills, manage our bank accounts, check the financial and real estate markets and use it for remote working. And then some of use it for submitting stories and columns to our editors. All of this connects us to the outside world. For most of us, living without technology is almost unthinkable.

Among older adults, reasons for the digital void typically include the cost, one’s physical and mental limitations, or the attitude of “I just don’t like technology.”

The issue raised by our reader is significant.

Check what you know about older adults and their use of technology. There may be some surprises.

1. More than 15 percent of those age 65 and older have no computers and no internet access. 

True. That 15 percent is not evenly distributed across the U.S.

2. More than 68 percent of those with no computers or internet access occur in Texas, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi.

True. Likely reasons are lack of awareness, training, the price of devices or broadband limitations.

3. When it comes to digital health, healthcare professionals assume older patients are willing to use technology.

False. In one study, healthcare professionals equated older age with poor technological skills and assumed they lacked “digital health competence” and generalized this to all older adults. Researchers attributed this to ageism.

4. Having a computer means one has a reliable Internet connection.

False. In 2019, about 4 million older adults had a computer with no Internet connection; just over 7 million had no computer.

5. Even though older adults are more digitally connected than ever, there is still a generational divide. 

True. The good news is that more older adults are connected each year, particularly through smartphones. Yet many still have a distant relationship with technology and typically are less affluent and have lower levels of education.

Older adults who want a computer and cannot afford one have some options. The opportunities typically are based on age, usually 60 years and older, disability status, income and need. For a resource for low-income families, see https://www.gov-relations.com/free-laptops-for-low-income-families. The irony is that you need an electronic device to access the information.

So, what to do? If you know of an older person who feels invisible and isolated primarily because of no digital devices, consider reaching out to help. Ask if you can use your device to help that individual access services or information or find an affordable device and training opportunities. Seek out those who would welcome such support by contacting a faith-based community or any organization where older adults may gather. Consider it as one of your acts of kindness.

Thank you to our reader and our conversation about feeling invisible.

Stay well everyone and stay connected – digitally and in person.

Helen Dennis is a nationally recognized leader on issues of aging and the new retirement with academic, corporate and nonprofit experience. Contact Helen with your questions and comments at Helendenn@gmail.com. Visit Helen at HelenMdennis.com and follow her on facebook.com/SuccessfulAgingCommunity

The National Institute on Aging provides some tips useful for everyone, regardless of age.

Floors, stairway and hallways: Handrails on both sides are ideal. If the handrail is only on one side – use it and carry what you need in the free hand. If needed, make a second trip. Also, no small throw rugs, even if they are heirlooms, worth a lot of money or add just the perfect touch to your floor or hallway. Carpets need to be fixed firmly to the floor. 

Bathrooms: This is one of the most dangerous rooms. According to the National Institute on Aging, 80 percent of older adult falls happen in the bathroom due to slippery floors and surfaces. Here are some tips: Place a non-slip mat inside and outside the tub. Plug in nightlights in and around the bathroom. Clean up puddles on the floor. Install grab bars by the toilet or near the shower and tub and keep shampoo, soap and other bath products high on a shelf to avoid bending over.

Bedrooms: Darkness is a hazard. Place nightlights and switches close to your bed and keep a flashlight close by in case of a power outage, particularly if you need to make a bathroom stop. Also, keep a well-charged phone or landline near your bed. 

Kitchen: Place pots, pans and utensils in a place that is easy to reach. That may involve rearranging your kitchen. Clean up spills immediately; they are falls waiting to happen. Be cautious of waxed floors; if possible, do without. Consider a non-slip mat in areas near common spills or water. 

Outdoor spaces: Make sure steps leading to your home are not broken. When visiting others, be aware that some older homes have concrete steps that are not deep which can affect one’s balance. If leaving your home during the day and plan to return when dark, turn on an outdoor light when leaving or have a programmed outdoor light. Also, consider a grab bar near your front door for balance as you lock the door. 

Other living areas: One may think, “Just this one time, I’ll stand on the chair to reach something high. Don’t. That one time could be the last time. Use a reach-stick or ask for help. If you use a step stool, make sure it’s steady and has a handrail on top. If you have a pet, know where it is when you are standing or walking. Keep electrical cords near walls and aways from walking paths. Make sure your sofas and chairs are the right height for you to get in and out easily. Finally, keep a list of emergency numbers in large print near your phone and save them under “favorites” on your mobile phone.  

Here are few other tips: Get eyes checked once a year and update eyeglasses as needed. Review medications periodically to check for side effects such as drowsiness or dizziness which could increase the risk for falling. And get your hearing checked since hearing plays an important role in balance. A Johns Hopkins study found that falls increase threefold with even a mild hearing loss. 

Fall prevention is not just about our environment; it’s about one’s level of fitness. To prevent or minimize injury from a fall, consider exercise. Regardless of one’s life stage, there are fitness programs that can suit each individual’s level for optimum functioning. Such exercises typically are designed to maintain or enhance strength, balance and flexibility.  For example, consider tai chi, yoga or join a fitness class.   

“When we fall, we are consumed with embarrassment,” writes author Dani Shapiro in the New York Times article (“My Fall Made Me Feel Ashamed,” November 4, 2023).” She continues, “A fall is different from an accident or an act of violence. It’s not something done to you, but something you have done. I had been an agent of my own near catastrophe.  My trust in myself had been broken along with my jaw.” Shapiro continues, “When injured we are separated from the herd of the healthy.” She offers a lesson learned: “If we could all acknowledge our shared fragility (with age), shame would disappear.”

Let’s also remember that exercise can push becoming fragile out to our latest year. 

H.K., Thank you for your important question. Your father is fortunate to have you as a caring daughter. Stay well and know small acts of kindness count.

Helen Dennis is a nationally recognized leader on issues of aging and the new retirement with academic, corporate and nonprofit experience. Contact Helen with your questions and comments at Helendenn@gmail.com. Visit Helen at HelenMdennis.com and follow her on facebook.com/SuccessfulAgingCommunity

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia is demanding and often consuming of one’s time and energy. This disease is progressive with no agreed-upon cause or cure. Yet we have some encouragement with a newly approved drug that slows its progression but just for a period of time. The cure cannot come fast enough as an estimated 6.7 million Americans age 65 and older are reported to have this brain disease in 2023. 

So, what can we do in the meantime? Having a pet seems to help. The Alzheimer’s Association reports that animal therapy can help people navigate dementia. The Alzheimer’s Association cites several studies that evaluate the impact of regular engagements with both living and robotic animals. Mood was found to improve as well as interaction with others. Engagement with the pet had a calming effect on dementia-related behaviors and also helped to increase physical activity. 

Furthermore, pets can provide a feeling of unconditional love as well as a source for support and comfort. Then there is the feeling of companionship, friendship and a sense of purpose – just caring for another living entity. There’s more. It can improve self-esteem and confidence while promoting independence by playing a role in the pet’s feeding, walking and grooming. 

So, the short answer is yes, having a pet such as a dog has the strong potential to have a positive influence on those with Alzheimer’s disease.

However, there are some considerations in making that decision as suggested by the UK Alzheimer’s Association.

1. Does the person have the capacity and judgment to decide whether he or she wants a pet?
2. Does the person interact well with animals? If the individual didn’t care for dogs prior to dementia, it’s unlikely that will change. 
3. Give some serious thought to the type of pet. If it is a dog, consider breeds such as a pug, schnauzer, cocker spaniel, chihuahua or Boston Terrier as recommended by SuperCarers. Also, do your own investigation. 
4. Consider the amount of work and effort required to take care of a dog. Is the dog calm and does it require minimal maintenance? 
5. Beware of the risk for falls. Is the person suffering from dementia likely to trip or fall over the animal? 

Here are two important caveats. Does the individual with Alzheimer’s disease have visual limitations, such as poor sight, glaucoma or other eye infirmities? If so, tripping or falling over the animal, its leash or watering bowl is a big risk.

The second pertains to the family care provider. Does that person have any limitations in vision, balance or energy that would interfere with the maintenance of the dog or place an added strain or even jeopardize existing caregiving responsibilities? Think about flea problems, trips to the veterinarian, dog walking or doggie accidents in the house. 

If these two areas of risk are relevant consider a robotic dog. There are many on the market. I became acquainted with one at an age and technology conference from a company called TomBot. Their Jennie is an interactive emotional support robotic dog, designed by Jim Henson’s Creature Future shop. 

The co-founder and owner Tom Stevens came to this project with 30-plus years as a high-tech executive and developed the company TomBot in response to his mother’s Alzheimer’s disease. Since she could no longer personally care for her puppy, he created Jennie as a substitute. This realistic robotic dog is covered with sensors and responds to different kinds of touches and its name. If renamed, it also will respond. It sleeps when it is dark and wakes at daylight. When I touched Jennie’s face with my hand, her fur felt real as she snuggled her face into my palm. When I looked into Jennie’s eyes, I felt she was looking back at me. There are others on the market; this is just one I have experienced. 

So best wishes D.J. in supporting your wife on this journey. Wishing you and your wife continued strength and good health. And thank you for your good question. 

As a friendly reminder, take a moment to be kind to yourself and others. 

Helen Dennis is a nationally recognized leader on issues of aging and the new retirement with academic, corporate and nonprofit experience. Contact Helen with your questions and comments at Helendenn@gmail.com. Visit Helen at HelenMdennis.com and follow her on facebook.com/SuccessfulAgingCommunity

This sounds like a new discovery. It is not.

Let’s go back to 1970. In that year, Harold L. Sheppard wrote a book, “Towards an Industrial Gerontology,” considered a new field of social research. It focused on the employment and retirement problems of middle-aged and older workers. Although published over 50 years ago, the book’s Table of Contents reads like it’s 2023 with chapter titles such as “Retraining and Job Redesign,” “Older Workers in Pursuit of New Careers,” “On Age Discrimination” and “The Second Career.” 

So why is the older worker finally coming into vogue?

A significant labor force shortage may be part of the answer. Compared to 2020, 3 million fewer Americans are in the labor force. Yet currently there are more than 10.4 million job openings with about 1.2 million adults in their 40s, 50s and 60s who make up half of the long-term unemployed. 

Let’s try to understand the problem. We’ve had the pandemic and the Great Resignation. Now we have the “quiet quitters” who typically complete minimum work requirements to keep their jobs. Some folks no longer want to work because they aren’t paid enough, don’t see opportunities to advance and feel they are not respected. And many want to work only on their terms. Add to that, workers 65 and older generally value hard work more than their younger counterparts, according to research studies. Note, there always are exceptions.

Older adults may face several obstacles in securing employment such as mismatched skills, technology challenges, long commutes, the value of youth over age and more. However, there may be a more subtle underlying reason: Ageism

 What do we know about older workers? Take the following quiz to check myths vs facts. 

1. Older workers tend to stay in their jobs for a shorter amount of time, compared to younger workers.

False. Older workers generally stay in their job longer than younger workers. In 2022, the median tenure for men ages 55-64 was almost 10 years compared to almost three years for those 25-34. 

2. Older workers are consistently more productive than younger workers.

True. A study found that among 65 to 80-year-olds, their performance was more stable and less variable from day to day compared to the younger group. 

3. Older workers take more sick leave compared to younger workers. 

False. Older workers generally take fewer sick days than younger workers. However, their length of sick time may be longer. 

4. Age is one part of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) as a category for inclusion. 

False. DEI efforts most often do not include age as a consideration. Yet over 80% of people ages 50-80 experience ageism every day. 

5. Older workers tend to have lower health care costs. 

True. They tend to have lower healthcare costs since most do not have children as dependents on their plans. Additionally, those age 65 and older are eligible for Medicare which also can reduce employers’ health care costs. 

6. Older workers consistently cost more. 

False. Older workers often cost less than younger coworkers because there is less need for costly recruitment and training.

7. Older workers have more workplace accidents than younger workers.

False. In fact, they have fewer accidents. However, the causes are different. Older workers often have accidents related to speed and reaction time while younger often have accidents due to lack of experience and often judgment. 

8. Beginning at age 55, workers are legally protected from age discrimination in the workplace. 

False. The legal protection for workers begins at age 40. It is illegal for employers to fire or refuse to hire someone on the basis of their age for those aged 40 and older, according to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. 

9 Mandatory retirement is allowed in some cases. 

True. These are called BFOQs, or bona fide occupational qualifications. They usually pertain to jobs that involve public safety such as police, firefighters and airline pilots. 

10. Older workers are less productive than younger workers.

False. At best, they are equal or slightly ahead of younger workers. According to the Max Planck Institute for Social Law and Social Policy, “On balance, older employees’ productivity and reliability is higher than that of their younger colleagues.” 

The current workforce shortages and the availability of qualified older workers may change some age-biased stereotyped thinking. For now, ageism may be taking a “second seat.” Hopefully, this relatively new recognition will endure. 

Stay well everyone and note: “Kindness is free; sprinkle it everywhere.” ~unknown

Helen Dennis is a nationally recognized leader on issues of aging and the new retirement with academic, corporate and nonprofit experience. Contact Helen with your questions and comments at Helendenn@gmail.com. Visit Helen at HelenMdennis.com and follow her on facebook.com/SuccessfulAgingCommunity