Digital Detox Mixed blessing or not, technology plays an ever-increasing role in our daily lives, at any age. Recent public conversations about AI, data centers and Flock cameras have focused on costs and privacy concerns. But use and acceptance of technology are widespread, and there are many promising examples of how technology can help address health needs and improve social connections among older adults. Read more
A Mural on Buckeye Huntington Bank announced the closure of the Buckeye Road location in 2024, as part of a restructuring of its retail bank operations. Residents pushed back. Bank customers worked with local organizations, block clubs and elected officials to appeal the bank’s decision. A petition drive collected thousands of signatures. Individual and business account holders spoke up about the importance of a full-service bank branch in the area. Huntington withdrew its petition to close the branch. The new mural was more than just a piece of public art; it was also a symbol of the coordinated community effort that engaged businesses, civic groups and residents to promote the livability and vitality of their neighborhood and make an investment in its success. Read more
The Boroughs The Boroughs touches on many of the fears and concerns about growing older. Dementia robs residents of their memories and their ability to communicate. The senior community, despite its many amenities and promise of a carefree lifestyle, is isolated from the larger world. Warnings from individuals about the dangers are ignored. Even the villains in the story fear aging and the loss of youth and will go to great lengths to avoid it. Read more
John William Heisman John Heisman was a person of note. A star athlete and coach. A successful author and attorney. Famous in his lifetime. Revered and remembered for his contributions long after his death. But the record was wrong. Imagine if you were not as famous as John William Heisman. Can you prove who you are? Where you were born? Your age? Are you sure? Read more
Dad Jokes There is a whiteboard near the employee entrance at Benjamin Rose. It is on the wall near the staircase. If you are using the stairs, or leaving the building, it’s hard to miss. There is a dry erase marker in the tray underneath it. And often, there is a brief message written on it. What’s... Read more
Age Friendly Our perceptions of aging are comprised of our own personal experience of growing older, and our observations of those close to us on the aging journey. We are also impacted by how communities and society view older adults, and their collective ability and commitment to the well-being and engagement. For more than 35 years, the Age Friendly movement has focused on identifying and addressing barriers facing older adults. Read more
Folding Money There are a LOT of songs about money. Earning it. Finding it. Losing it. Dreaming about it. The Beatles managed to have hit singles about money being “all I want” and another one about how it “Can’t Buy Me Love.” Those two songs were released four months apart. The Bare Naked Ladies’ “If I Had a Million Dollars” imagines a whimsical spending spree, on among other things, a treehouse and fancy ketchup. While the O’Jays “For the Love of Money” warns of the corrupting influence of money and greed. Read more
March I do not know about you, but I am so ready for spring. This year, winter came early, and often. Northeast Ohio had its first snow on November 10. By mid- February, there were 31 straight days of measurable snow on the ground according to the National Weather Service. Some areas of the region have had up to 60 inches of snow. It was also bitterly cold. There was an 18 day period where the temperature never rose above 32 degrees. It was not the coldest day on record. That occurred in 1994. But I did not live here then. Read more
Soup Season Soup is a metaphor for comfort. The warming sensation of a hot bowl of soup on a cold day. The memory of a favorite recipe. A bowl of tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich is a good choice for lunch at the Souper Market; it also elicits a memory of long ago meals at my grandparents’ home. A can of soup elevated with a splash of Worcestershire sauce, a sprinkle of parmesan or a bit of bouillon. The grilled cheese with its crisp, toasted bread and melted cheese, sliced into triangles. Read more
Guest Rooms One of my earliest memories of the holidays was traveling to my grandparents’ house. We lived a few hours away, as did my cousins, aunts and uncles. On or around Christmas Day, we would be under the same roof. Small kid logic could resolve how Santa could stop at my house, and find me at Grandma’s, too. He could manage keeping track of naughty and nice kids and manage worldwide deliveries with a sleigh and flying reindeer. Knowing we would be opening presents a day early (or a day late) seemed completely reasonable. Read more
