Silver Threads

Recent Reminisce magazine contributions from readers highlight mothers’ new role as breadwinner, the history of Decoration as it transitioned to Memorial Day and the tradition of wearing a red poppy on that day.

More on tech support fraud fighter Jim Brown and additional AARP articles to help you remain free from 2021’s top scams.

AARP’s April Special Report reveals overwhelming evidence regarding the scope of an international fraud factory responsible for stealing hundreds of thousands from unwitting seniors.

A recent Chinese study determined that those over 60 who napped for a reasonable time performed better on certain cognitive tests than those who didn’t nap. Others say that the benefits of an afternoon nap vary based on length and purpose for napping.

Hobbies and creative pastimes have sustained people and helped them cope with the vagaries of the pandemic. Emotional support chickens, sunrise walks, making jelly and even decorating one’s casket are among the many ways seniors have brought comfort and joy to their lives during this stressful time.

Contributors from the newsletters Bold School and Next Avenue share the pain of grief of as well as their individual ways of assuaging it especially during the pandemic. Tips for helping others cope with grief are offered as well.

AARP's final eight lessons gleaned from the pandemic involve trust, wealth inequality, crowd security, disaster preparedness,enjoying nature, telehealth and city organization.

: In AARP’s Bulletin March Bulletin experts share what they believe we have learned about the pandemic’s impact on seniors and how those lessons can make life better as we recover. Medicine, self-care, ageism, savings, technology and trust are covered in Part 1

COVID restrictions have had a major impact on the dating scene. Articles from AARP offer unique and exciting ways to connect beyond the zoom interview, including picnics, volunteering, exploring waterfalls and more.

Adult children, even those with families have moved back in with parents due to pandemic losses. Other families are opting to use accessary dwelling units, sometimes called granny flats to house aging parents. Both can alter family relationships positively.

Articles from WXXI report on the Green House model of skilled nursing. Small sizes offering residents private rooms and bathrooms and universal workers have kept COVID cases in check.

This week on Silver Threads, three Next Avenue articles highlight the lessons of several LGBTQ elders, a therapist, a priest, a journalist and others who model for all elders resilience , commitment and positivity.

Daniel Kennedy’s docuseries, Healthy Long Life takes us to China, Japan, India, Israel and Mexico while AARP writer Charles Schroeder adds lessons from Hong Kong, the Longest-Living Place on Earth

Recent research has provided three methods to determine who is likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s well before dementia sets in. Studies focused on analyzing blood, changes in written language and observing brain waves during memory tasks all benefited from participants in clinical trials.

Articles from Forbes and Kiplinger address readiness for retirement. Answering seven critical questions, reducing debt and “practicing poverty” will help you decide if you are ready to retire.

Part II of the International Retirement’s Best Places to live includes expat’s description of living in Portugal, Columbia, Panama, Mexico and Costa Rica.

Each year International Living releases its Best Places in the World to Retire. Of the ten countries chosen for 2021 I will be giving you, in part one, an expat’s view of Viet Nam, Malaysia, Malta and Ecuador.

Articles from Atlantic magazine focus on how isolation, ageism and a failure of empathy have taken a tremendous toll on too many older Americans.

Next Avenue asked readers to share special moments, times of resilience, aging in COVID and surprises they have had in aging. Six, all heartfelt and insightful, will be read on this program.

COVID-19 scams selling fake access to vaccines and treatments and IRS scams to steal your money or identity are on the rise.