Resolutions at Any Age!
Our January Newsletter
As I wrote in U.S. News and World Report last January, New Year's resolutions might seem trite, especially as you age. But think again. When you look at them, resolutions are goals. And when you have goals, you have purpose.
Nola Ochs became the oldest college graduate at 95 and lived to 105. After graduation, Princess Cruises hired Ochs as a guest lecturer on a nine-day Caribbean cruise.
Hubert Jones was 69 when he founded the Boston Children's Chorus, which includes young people of different ages, races, ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds. Its mission combines artistic excellence and an agenda for social change. The group has performed all over the world.
Ernestine Shepherd is an American bodybuilder best known for being, at one point, the oldest competitive female bodybuilder in the world. She will be 85 this year and is still an active, albeit no longer competitive, bodybuilder.
So we start with some stories about some remarkable people. Happy New Year everyone. This year I am consolidating all of my work to push forward with Sage Stream while continuing my writing and broadcasting responsibilities. If you think it worthy, consider a paid subscription to my Substack work.
70-year-old Believed to be Oldest Woman to Climb El Capitan
Dierdre Wolownick dreamed of watching the sunset from the top of Yosemite National Park's famous El Capitan rock formation in California. Now the 70-year-old New York native is believed to have become the oldest woman to climb up the wall to the summit of El Capitan, known as "one of the world's ultimate challenges for climbers." It stands almost 500 feet taller than the Burj Khalifa -- the world's tallest building.
She is 105 and runs the 100 meters
No human has run 100 meters faster than Usain Bolt’s lightning streak in 2009. He was 22. But what will Bolt’s time be when he’s 105? At the Louisiana Senior Games on Nov. 6, 105-year-old Julia Hawkins of Baton Rouge became the oldest woman to run the 100 meters in official competition. Clocking in at 1 minute 3 seconds, she was the only competitor in the race for people 105 and older.
She’s nearly 100. He’s 2 and lives next door. Here’s how they became best friends.
Mary O’Neill, who is nearly 100, steps into her backyard for a morning playdate. Benjamin Olson, 2, is already there, patiently waiting for her and playing with the toy truck she gave him.
The two have become the best of friends, a lifeline of sorts for each other during the pandemic, as he delivers handfuls of dirt to her and they play a game they invented called “cane ball,” where she taps his ball with her walking cane.
We are easing into the new year and excited about some partnerships we will announce shortly so stay tuned. We recently had eight students from Northeastern University assisting us with research and anticipate further projects with the University. Likewise, our gerontology partner, UNCC Charlotte, continues to provide us with amazing students who challenge me and bring fresh ideas.
If you missed our live-stream on LinkedIn, watch below.
Join me for my annual Be My Valentine Program. February 14, 2022 at 2 p.m. eastern.
Be My Valentine contains songs for February but with a twist of course.
Purchase the live stream here!
The loneliest Americans aren't reconnecting
The COVID States Project has been probing American behavior (and attitudes) during the pandemic since March 2020. In 12 survey waves, an array of researchers — from Northeastern, Northwestern, Harvard and Rutgers — have polled some 185,200 Americans about subjects ranging from social distancing practices to attitudes toward vaccines and judgments about state politicians’ leadership. The consortium’s 55th report, issued last month, looked at social isolation.
Social isolation linked to higher markers of inflammation in older adults
In a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, older US adults who experienced social isolation had higher blood levels of interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein, two markers of inflammation that can have long-term negative consequences for the health of individuals as they age.
New senior living demands: Interactive, custom tech
The time is now for senior living communities to re-evaluate their current technology offerings and update their solutions to bring more interactive, custom technology to residents. How senior living communities adapt and respond to those behavioral changes will dictate their ability to differentiate themselves and compete in this market. A strong network will be the cornerstone of those efforts, and smart technology and next-generation entertainment options will set them apart.
For seniors using tech to age in place, surveillance can be the price of independence
Smart home technology has long been used by caretakers to monitor older adults. Cameras you can watch from anywhere are among the most common, but there are also sensors for detecting movement, remote monitoring for climate controls and power outlets as well as voice-activated screens and speakers. On the surface the benefits of home and health monitoring technology seem obvious. But the devices can take privacy and control away from a population that is less likely to know how to manage the technology themselves.
In the Media
5 TIPS TO HELP OUR 55+ GENERATION NAVIGATE THEIR NEW HOLIDAY TECH GADGETS, Sixty and Me.
I am eSpeakers certified. What does that mean? Click on the photo to find out more. Speaking is heating up. Considering going back to live conferences, consider me.
See my speaker page.
‘Invisible workforce’ of informal caregivers can benefit residents, staff: study
Many of us have been advocating for more formal recognition of and incorporation of family caregivers into care plans. It has pretty much been met with deaf ears. This study, while showing the benefit of utilizing family caregivers, should not be construed as a way to get free labor, something many senior living providers would salivate over.
I love the list of older people doing amazing things. Thanks for the inspiration.