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By Kathleen M. Rehl, Ph.D., CFP®, CeFT® Emeritus And Marian Bigelow How Honest Conversations About Death Can Help Us Live More Fully   She was six when her father died. The adults whispered, the casseroles arrived, and the funeral happened without her. Decades later—sitting in a circle at one of…

By Katherine Schneider, Ph.D.   Have you noticed, there’s almost always a book on the bestseller list about successful aging? The current favorite is Outlive by Peter Attia. It’s chock-full of good science-based advice about living longer and healthier. I’d like to focus on the half of us over 65…

By Wally Klatch   I’m learning about dementia from the inside, by feeling it and by watching what it’s doing to me. I have a dark-humor line that describes the surrealistic nature of this condition: dementia is enough to make you crazy. Darker humor is on the way: dementia is a no-brainer….

By Susanna P.Barton   For the past year and a half, and at the unstoppable age of 53, I have been pursuing a Master of Science in Gerontology degree from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. It has been the great rewiring of my brain, helping me chisel through crusty,…

By Jane Seskin   My friend was dying. A slim woman with short curly gray hair. Large statement glasses. Smart, kind, generous. Eight years my senior. Stage 4 metastatic cancer spread to her bones.   It was a crisp Fall Day when I received the note describing her plans. No…

By Louise Applebome   For so many years, as a little girl, I looked forward to the annual television airing of The Wizard of Oz.   How special was an annual-only event? Today, there’s no such thing. Everything is available in any manner of delivery systems, 24/7.    But back…

By Renee Langmuir   As I journey through the unfamiliar terrain of aging, I am fortunate to have discovered the eminent Swiss psychologist, Carl Jung, father of Analytical Psychology, who has cleverly constructed a list of seven tasks of aging. These are not simple “to-do” items that can be completed…

By Lance A. Slatton   Navigating the healthcare system and home care agencies can feel overwhelming, especially when you or a loved one needs support the most. But you have more power than you think. Being a strong advocate isn’t just about speaking up—it’s about preparation, persistence, and knowing your…

By Kathleen M. Rehl, Ph.D., CFP®   Editor’s Note: This is the first in a new series by Kathleen M. Rehl chronicling her move into a Continuing Care Retirement Community. You may recall Kathleen’s earlier pieces for agebuzz—her poem, Waiting List, and her practical guide, Navigating the Future: Our Checklist…

By Alice Herb   To my great surprise, I came to realize how growing older has required me to seek out more services, and these are more and more expensive every year. I think we are all fooled into thinking that being a senior citizen brings Medicare, access to discounts…