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Inspiring Opportunities Free E-Newsletter |
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Nu Nu Zan, a Burmese immigrant, helps refugees from the country of her birth navigate their new lives in Philadelphia.
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Well Being Paying attention to personal health and well-being is crucial to living the next chapter of life to the fullest. Whether that means taking a deeper look at spirituality or learning about ways to manage stress, there’s no better time than now to think about your well being.
Why Can't I Remember Names?
All of us have dealt with the embarrassment of not remembering a person's name and fumbling through a conversation. Are you losing your memory? No. It has to do with names themselves and not impending senility. This article suggests that names are really "arbitary and meaningless" and need to be linked with something else to keep them in mind. Perhaps joining a person's name with their occupation or thinking of something humorous or vivid when you meet. Repetition also works: if you repeat someone’s name back after introductions and use it at least once in conversation, it can can help fix it in your mind.
3 Ways to Improve Your Life
These three tips for happiness in 2012 were provided by Dan Bueller, the author of The Blue Zones. Check out his website for some interesting ideas.
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Volunteer for one new organization this month. Volunteers have lower health care costs and report higher levels of well-being.
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Make one new happy friend this month. Each new happy friend you add to your network increases your happiness by 15%.
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Get down to one TV screen in your home. Studies show that the happiest people are only watching about an hour of TV a day.
While you consider these suggestions, click here for the True Happiness Survey.
How Safe are Our Elders?
The subject of elder abuse is one that many of us don't like to address. But, with so many older adults living with family, in nursing homes, or other care facilities, there are many questions we need to ask to identify if an older person is experiencing physical, verbal, emotional, sexual, and even financial abuse. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), it is very difficult to know exactly how many victims of elder abuse there are each year. The best estimates range from 1 million to 2 million per year, but reporting rates are low. This article provides some of the ways abuse is occurring and offers prevention strategies that can help us confront this problem.
You are Never Too Old for Closeness
The need for intimacy is ageless, and as this article in Philadelphia's Gay News points out, people never outgrow thier need for affection and emotional closeness --sometimes referred to as “skin hunger.” Aging changes perspectives on sex and sexuality, but our need for caring and comforting touch is as strong as ever, even if a partner is ill or there are physical disabilities. This message really resonates for older gay men and lesbian women who have dealt with so many false beliefs about their relationships, especially as they age.
I'll Take My Apple White
The old adage that an apple a day keeps the doctor away now has even more credibility as the results of a large Dutch study show that participants who ate one medium to large apple or pear a day have a lower risk for experiencing a stroke. This finding runs counter to the belief that the greatest benefit comes from eating fruits and vegetables that have rich colors, inside and out. The study was conducted over 10 years, with more than 20,000 men and women, ages 20-65, who were healthy and had no cardiovascular issues when they began the study. To learn more about this finding, click here.
Fight the "Blahs" of Getting Older
This article could be the official "call to action" that defines Coming of Age. The author bemoans the fact that many of her friends in their 50s and 60s faced with physical changes, family issues, retirement concerns, or often fear of what's next, have ditched their "joie de vivre" for the tried and true... and a boring lifestyle. Her message is to fight off the ageist ideas of what you can and should do and embrace the passions that excite you, stay involved and connected to family and friends, challenge yourself, and live, live, live! Included are 25 ideas for doing just that...
Cities Becoming Age-Friendly
American cities are designed for the young and sprightly. But, the growing number of boomers turning 65 is pushing the need for more age-friendly cities that make it possible for aging adults to stay active and independent in their own homes. This article focuses on how this challenge is being addressed by New York, Atlanta, Portland, and Philadelphia (the "oldest" of the nation's 10 largest cities) with the leadership role taken by the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) cited. For more on PCA's age-friendly efforts, click here.
Vouchers for fruits and vegetables are being distributed by the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) starting on July 11th. Through its Senior Farmer's Market Nutrition Program, eligible older adults can receive $20 worth of vouchers for use at certified Farmer's Markets throughout Philadelphia. In addition to improving the diet of many low-income people, this program increases the awareness of sources of fresh produce in local communities. To learn about eligibility and where to get vouchers,
"Affinity" Communities: A Retirement Option
As you might expect, with so many boomers edging toward retirement, the choices of living arrangements are growing in interesting, creative ways. This article outlines the many niche or "affinity" communities that cater specifically to retirees who share interests, hobbies, or personal traits. There are those that are university-based and target alumni and intellectuals, enclaves for Asian-Americans, and at least six communities for gays and lesbians. There is even a spot for boomers interested in RVing. To learn more about this burgeoning trend, click here.
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