Older Women & Friends

At 60, Denise Taylor began again: downsized, got a divorce, embraced single living, and set off on a journey that included a vision quest, game ranger training, and time living with a Maasai tribe. At 64, she completed her doctorate exploring how people find meaning after full-time work. That research became the seed for ThriveSpan, one of nine books, a model, a philosophy, and a way of living more consciously in later life. "I could see the future," Denise said. "If I were going to make any changes, I'd better make them now." Single living was difficult. She realized that she had no friends. Denise and her ex-husband had done everything together. There'd been no room, time, or convenience of friends. But she put in the time and energy and developed enough social contact to make her happy. But the beauty of being single allowed Denise to make her own decisions. She no longer had to placate her ex. "There was such freedom," she said. "Every decision is mine." You'll want to listen to Denise talk about her experiences as a vision quester (Is there such a thing?), her time spent with a Masai tribe, and the owner of four acres of woodland. "Nature has influenced me in so many ways; it certainly influences my writing and the connection I feel to Mother Nature." https://denisetaylor.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/retirement-relevance-question-who-we-without-doing-dr-denise-taylor-9vn1e/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisetaylor/?originalSubdomain=uk

"We don't want to be younger versions of ourselves: We've worked too hard to get where we are today." "Aging is a process of living." Guest Tracey Gendron, professor, author, and activist, reminds listeners that we don't want to be younger versions of ourselves: We've worked too hard to get where we are today. However, the way we learn about aging is filled with misconceptions. We've never learned the truth; instead, we think of aging as a process of physical decline and don't look at the "growth part." Yes, Tracey says, loss and decline are real. There's no getting around that. But so is change and growth. Research shows that as we age, we tend to focus on things that make us feel better, and we are much more able to "prune" the relationships and things that are not working for us. It's part of the wisdom we gain. We understand that we've wasted a lot of time on people who don't give us joy. "The world gets smaller but richer because it is filled with people and things we love.""Older Women & Friends" is richer with Tracey as this episode's guest.Her book, Ageism Unmasked, has garnered oodles of praise like this:“This book is a must-read for anyone who is aging — and that is every one of us! "Jill Vitale-Aussem, author of Disrupting the Status Quo of Senior Livinghttps://www.traceygendron.com/homeAgeism Unmasked: Exploring Age Bias and How to End It- https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/700435/ageism-unmasked-by-tracey-gendron/9781586423223/OR wherever you buy books

It's a new trend, well, maybe not that new. Couples in committed relationships are choosing to live apart. Interesting, eh? The couple might be married, maybe not. Perhaps they are divorced; maybe a partner/spouse has passed away. Whatever the circumstances, these couples agree that they don't have to share the same space to have a happy, healthy relationship. Vicki Larson, today's guest, has written LATitude: How You Can Make A Live Apart Together Relationship Work. "It seems as if women 50-plus are the movers and shakers," she says. "Many women (and men) are uninterested in replicating past marriages or long-term commitments." While the statistics don't tell the whole story, it is estimated that ten percent of American couples and those in other countries are living together apart. "It's becoming much more common than we thought," says Vicki. Vicki tells the story of her own parents, who lived apart for ten years. "It didn't faze me," she says. Her mother left New York City and moved to Florida. She had had enough. (They eventually lived together again.) Vicki points out that there are no rules when it comes to LAT relationships. Couples fashion whatever works for them. For some, the idea is terrifying. For others, it is a grand creative adventure. What are some of the benefits of living apart together, according to those who've embraced the arrangement? It gives some breathing space, a "room of one's own." For others, it brings a sexual novelty to the relationship. Still others subscribe to the sentiment that "absence makes the heart grow fonder." There are, of course, downsides. The romantic partner may not be accepted by the other partner's children. The negative response from some ("Why even get married or commit when you're not living together?") can cause tension between friends and acquaintances. And there are feelings of jealousy/a lack of trust between some couples. Again, Vicki stresses that living apart together is not for everyone and is not better than traditional relationships, just different. Deciding to live separately requires a lot of discussion, decision-making, and change. But for some, the setup is exactly how they want to live, what for many is a second or third shot at a long-term romantic relationship that works. https://www.vicki-larson.com/ https://www.facebook.com/vlarson/ https://www.vicki-larson.com/books https://www.linkedin.com/in/vickilarson/ How to contact Wendy Battles, host of Reinvntion Rebels https://reinventionrebels.com/about/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyabattles/

Maria Leonard Olsen is a civil litigation lawyer, a journalist, and an author. When she turned 50, she got divorced, got sober, and became an empty nester. For the first time in her life, she was living alone. And for the first time after 15 years as a full-time mom, she had to find a law firm that would hire her. Many women would have folded under the pressure, the loneliness, the Herculean task of putting a life back together. Not Maria. On the suggestion of a friend, Maria decided to try 50 new things in her 50 year. And some of those things were big, real big. Teaser: She bought a motorcycle with a sidecar for her dog. (All these years later, [Maria is 64], she rides on the back of her partner's motorcycle and experiences the freedom that helped her heal.) Her two-month stay as a volunteer in the poorest section of Nepal made her realize that it's not the number of things you have, but the friends, family, and shared experiences that make us happy. She began to understand that the life of gratitude is so much more precious than trying to be something she was not. A self-described "people pleaser," Maria set out to work on pleasing and loving herself. Today, one of Maria's greatest joys is helping others. Her experiences with alcoholism, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and racism have given her first-hand knowledge of the suffering and the joys of healing. Maria is a woman you'll want to get to know. https://www.marialeonardolsen.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR3cM9aRjes https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B4PPYJW/?bestFormat=true&k=50%20after%2050%20book&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-pd-bk-d_k0_1_8_de&crid=1LZ6M942D3A5U&sprefix=50%20after

Join me in this enlightening episode as I sit down with Gina Vild, author of The Two Most Important Days: How to Find Your Purpose and Live a Happier and Healthier Life. I don't know about you, but I've been in a constant state of fight or flight. It feels as if the United States and the rest of the world are upside down and that there is very little we can do to find joy and awe. Enter Gina Vild and the wisdom she brings to the table, essential wisdom if we are to survive and thrive. Gina shares her journey from political activist to communication director, from associate dean at Harvard Medical School, to author. She talks about how poetry, personal purpose, and setting emotional boundaries can transform your life and find joy and awe in everyday moments. It is these moments and moments that we relive from our past that can change our brain waves and levels of "feel good" chemicals like serotonin. Tune in to learn how to navigate life's challenges with grace and strength. Habits that help us stay sane in tumultuous times. https://www.linkedin.com/in/gina-vild-908a648/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/contributors/gina-vild https://www.instagram.com/ginavild/ https://www.facebook.com/gina.vild/ https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B075FFS7NM?ccs_id=71032ad2-f47c-48f8-8518-35e72e6f4d84 POETRY William Stafford, "Yes" https://reflections.yale.edu/article/reformation-writing-next-chapter/poem-yes William Stafford, "Thread" https://www.slowmuse.com/2019/06/16/the-thread/ Ilana Landsberg-Lewis https://www.wizwork.net/sign-up https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilanalandsberglewis/ https://ilanalandsberglewis.com/elementor-1000/

Join me as I delve into the world of classical music with Roit Feldenkreis, a trailblazing conductor and consultant. Discover Roit's journey from a small village in Israel to conducting orchestras worldwide, and how she integrates her musical expertise into corporate leadership. This episode explores the challenges and triumphs of being a female conductor in a male-dominated field, and the innovative ways Roit is bridging the gap between music and business. https://roitfeldenkreis.com/bio/ https://roitfeldenkreis.com/press/ Recommended Podcast, "Wisdom At Work" www.wisdomatworkpodcast.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilanalandsberglewis/

Three of the past guests on "Older Women & Friends" talk about what they've been up to since we last spoke. All three of their stories represent the exciting escapades of older women who continue to smash stereotypes to simitherenes. Melissa Davey: At age 65, she left the corporate world to follow a dream of becoming a filmmaker. And, boy, her story is one of determination, creativity, and success. Melissa and I first talked back at the end of 2022. She was one of my first guests on "Older Women & Friends." I was impressed then and even more three years later. Melissa's first documentary film, "Beyond Sixty," profiled some extraordinary older women. It is her second film, "Climbing Into Life," that has put her on the map. Dierdre Wolowniick, the oldest woman to climb El Capitan in Yosemite, is the subject of this documentary. You may know about her son, who is the subject of "Free Solo." He is the first person who climbed "Cap" without any protective equipment. No ropes. Nothing. In this episode, Melissa chronicles the amazing life of Dierdre, who tries to get closer to her son and to understand his obsession with climbing. https://melissadavey.com/ https://melissadavey.com/climbing-into-life/ https://melissadavey.com/beyond-60/ Jeanette Leardi - During these stressful times in our country's history, Jeanette is focused on the 2025 mid-term elections. "To me," she says, "that is ground zero. If we get it right, things can turn around." Switching gears, Jeanette cites the happy rise in the emphasis on intergenerational communication. "It is the most important way to defeat ageism." She offers how we can meet younger folks and the kinds of experiences we can share. I also asked Jeanette about her experience with the publication of her book, Aging Sideways: Changing Our Perspectives on Getting Older. https://www.jeanetteleardi.com/ https://www.jeanetteleardi.com/aging-sideways-book https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanette-leardi-3978b126/ Lucinda Skykes - Lucinda sets the record for the most frequent guest on "Older Women & Friends." She is a retired physician who has focused her attention and expertise on sleep and women 50+. It is natural to sleep as much as we age, she says. The objective is to use your time to your advantage, either in the middle of the night or early morning. Lucinda details steps any woman (and man) can take to do exactly that. If you've listened to an episode with Lucinda, you know that she is knowledgeable about so many topics, including wisdom and how we can take advantage of all that we've experienced and live happy, fulfilling lives. https://lucindasykesmd.com/ https://lucindasykesmd.com/my-story/

Dian Griesel, Ph.D., a renowned perception analyst and hypnotherapist, has dedicated her career to understanding how our conscious and unconscious beliefs shape our perceptions and influence every decision we make, both personally and professionally. The middle of five siblings, Dian grew up doing her best to balance the "uppers" and the "lowers." She tried to be non-disruptive, not to cause any dissention among the ranks. She was the unofficial "peace maker" in the family. And it was her experience growing up that groomed Dian to be the "quiet, confident advisor" or, as she describes it, "the fly on the wall." Some of the Key Points of Discussion in this energetic, eye-opening episode: Objective vs. Subjective Age: While we can't change our chronological age, our mental attitude and actions can significantly influence how young we feel. Dian's personal experiences and professional insights reveal how maintaining an active lifestyle and positive mindset can make a difference. Biological Age: Utilizing tools like the Tanita Body Fat scale, Dian monitors her biological age, which often reflects a much younger state due to her healthy habits. She shares practical advice on hydration, nutrition, and physical activity. Fountain of Youth Myths: From historical quests to modern-day fads, Dian offers a grounded perspective on the true keys to longevity and vitality—movement, nutritious eating, and genuine social connections. Embracing Mortality: Dian discusses her philosophy on aging and death, emphasizing the importance of living fully and purposefully each day, despite life's inevitable challenges. She is known to millions as @SilverDisobedience. https://diangriesel.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/diangriesel/ https://www.agingwithpurposeandpassion.com/

The Woman Behind The Mother Poet, novelist, essayist, and editor Jill Bialosky had wanted to write about her mother for some time, but she was busy with other projects, and the timing was not right. But then her mother passed away from Alzheimer's during COVID, and Jill, unable to attend the burial in another city, watched the abbreviated burial on FaceTime. "It was," she said, "very difficult to process her death." As many authors do, she turned to writing to process her grief. Her essay about the FaceTime Funeral appeared in the New York Times; The floodgates opened wide. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/15/opinion/coronavirus-burial-facetime.html Jill's mother was born in 1933 into a world in which women were expected to marry, have children, and live happily ever after. Tragically, her husband died when she was twenty-five, and she was left to care for three daughters, all under the age of three. "She was so unequipped," Jill said. "The advice of family and friends was to find a new husband to take care of us. That's what she did." Unfortunately, that marriage didn't last. When Jill began to write about her mother in earnest, she decided to start with her mother's death and to move from there, tracing her mother's life back to her childhood. In this episode of "Older Women & Friends," she explains why she decided to move from the end to the beginning. She also takes a hard look at what living in an institution is like and her evolving view of people with Alzheimer's. "They no longer control the narrative of their lives, but are still expressing and participating." This is a touching, insightful episode that should not be missed. https://www.jillbialosky.com/ Another recommended podcast for mid-life women. "Aging with Purpose and Passion" with Beverly Glazer https://www.agingwithpurposeandpassion.com/

Clare Beckton grew up "very poor." Her family lived in a three-room shack with no running water. What she understood early on was how power was wielded by her father, her brothers, and the men in the small farming community where she lived and how women got the short shaft. "I was a feminist at an early age," Clare said. "I knew that I wanted to make a difference." There were no strong, self-assured female role models in Clare's life. But she decided to go to law school, and with no money, she set out to win all the school awards and land a scholarship, which she did. Upon graduation, she was encouraged to go to graduate school in law and nabbed a teaching fellowship. Later on, she then spent twenty-three years in the Canadian Justice Department. "I call this stage of life rewirement, not retirement," Clare said. "I focus only on my passion for making a difference with women entrepreneurs and older women in the workplace." "I tell women all the time that embracing one's authentic self in life--knowing who we are as a person-- takes time, like peeling multiple layers of an onion," said Clare. "You want to be the same person, no matter where you are." How do you connect with your authentic self? Clare offers many suggestions: "We live in a society that doesn't value the wisdom of older people, particularly women," said Clare. "Refuse to be invisible. Don't be sidelined. The title of Clare's book says it all: Own It: Your Success, Your Future, Your Life. https://www.amazon.com/Own-Your-Success-Future-Life/dp/1460252314 or wherever books are sold https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarebeckton/ https://womensbusinessnetwork.ca/introducing-clare-beckton-honorary-bya-chair/ Check out Clare's blogs on Huffington Post Another great podcast to check out: Aging With Purpose & Passion w/ host, Beverly Glazer https://www.agingwithpurposeandpassion.com/ Email Bev@reinventImpossible.com Website https://reinventimpossible.com/podcast Website: https://www.agingwithpurposeandpassion.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverleyglazer/ https://www.facebook.com/beverley.glazer Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/womenover50rock https://www.instagram.com/beverleyglazer_reinvention/

"Anorexia of aging" may affect up to 18% of individuals 65+, more women than men. Contrary to popular opinion, eating disorders (EDs) are not just a serious health condition for adolescents. Nope, older women, often during menopause, can develop an ED. If you struggled with an ED as a teen or earlier, your chances of sliding back increase. Today's guest, Michele Mason (60), is a 44-year survivor of anorexia nervosa. She was sixteen when, at 5'11" and weighing 150 pounds, she shrank to 100 pounds. After a three-month hospital stay, she managed to keep her anorexia in check and, over the years, stuffed the experience away to the point where she'd convinced herself that none of this had ever happened. Following the Pandemic and the explosion of social media, Michele began writing a memoir titled Annihilating Anorexia. She felt compelled to share her experience and all that she'd learned along the way. "I came kicking and screaming," she said. "I was certain people would think less of me." To her surprise, she received support, kindness, and understanding. And she also discovered that older women and anorexia were much more common than she'd imagined. "When I was pitching the book, women came up to me with stories of a daughter or friend or another family member who was struggling with an eating disorder. I was amazed." In this episode, Michele and I talk about the red flags of eating disorders, the symptoms, the pressures in today's world to be thin, and the fortitude it takes to conquer the disease. Research is showing that eating disorders may be brain-based and that there are people who have a genetic predisposition. We also talk about the shame women (and men) feel and the education desperately needed to help curb a problem that is growing, one that is affecting more and more older women. https://www.amazon.com/Annihilating-Anorexia-Memoir-Michele-Mason/dp/1088178545 mmstep2@yahoo.com

Melinda Blau is 81, but many of her dear friends are much older. These women populate her new book, The Wisdom Whisperers, and provide younger women (at 80, I must be a spring chicken!) with a playbook to draw from and relate to our own lives. When Melinda wrote her sixteenth book, she wanted to title it, "I want what she has!" She was deeply moved and impressed by the older women, most of whom were in their 90s and 100s. I asked Melinda what characteristics the wisdom whisperers had in common: * Interest in others - a very robust social life * A Purpose - a reason to wake up every day and live it to the fullest * Gratitude for their good fortune that they have had long, fruitful lives and for the people in their lives, past and present * Humor - Laughing with others & Yes, independence. The women were the CEOs of their own lives Melinda calls these women "old ladies." She got some flak from family and friends. But she was undeterred. "Old," she says, "is just an adjective. It describes me and others in the age group. These old ladies give me hope about aging, and that's such a good thing to have." The beginning of your life is about making memories. The end of life is about remembering. Zelda from The Wisdom Whisperers. https://melindablau.com/ https://melindablau.com/blog/ OR your local library.

Maybe you've seen the Showtime special, "Funny Women of A Certain Age" or "More Funny Women of A Certain Age," or -- you guessed it--even "More Women of A Certain Age." Today's guest, comedian Carole Montgomery, is the mover and shaker behind the shows and continues to tour with a stellar cast. Women show up in carloads, busloads, campers, and hoot and holler at the uninhibited, outrageous comedy about aging. No subject is off limits. friendshipcomedyHumor laughter& So Much More! Check out the schedule below. There may be a show coming to a city near you. woacashow@gmail.com https://www.funnywomenofacertainage.com/ https://www.funnywomenofacertainage.com/podcast https://www.funnywomenofacertainage.com/tour

Wendy Alexander grew up under apartheid in South Africa. Until she was seven, she felt like most other kids. That changed the day the police insisted that she and her family get off a whites-only beach. "I was no longer a child," Wendy said. "Once you know racism and segregation, you know it." Wendy's dream was to leave South Africa; while the dream was deferred, she and her family immigrated to Australia when Wendy was twenty. But it wasn't easy to acclimate to the newfound freedoms. It took over two years before Wendy felt relaxed, safe. This should have had a happy ending. Sadly, it did not. A relationship with an Australian went bad, very bad. The man walked away, leaving Wendy with a mortgage and bills she couldn't afford, a baby soon to be born, and the scars of domestic violence. Wendy was devastated. This episode traces Wendy's journey from deep emotional and financial depression to a successful succession of high-paying, high-pressure jobs that kept her financially secure until she left it all behind to expand her own business, the Happy Career Club. What Wendy learned from her own experiences with corporations is shared with her clients, the vast majority of whom have gone on to professional and personal success. She has great advice for planning to "move on," getting to know prospective employers, writing a good resume, and all kinds of other dos and don'ts. Her winning strategies complement the happiness that she values and the lessons learned. https://happycareerhub.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyaalexander/?originalSubdomain=au facebook.com/happycareerhubcoaching https://www.amazon.com/Internal-Uprising-Reclaiming-Through-Menopause/dp/B0BSD3LRJX

"So the light went off in my five-year-old head, and I said there must be something in stories that we need. Stories are like air or water. So, I decided right then and there that I wanted to be a storyteller, a writer." _______ Shelley Fraser Mickle While her route was circuitous, as most journeys are, Shelley became an award-winning author and the storyteller incarnate for six years on NPR's "Morning Edition." The story she didn't tell often, though, was how, at age six, she was diagnosed with polio and taken to a hospital for infectious children, where she spent three months in isolation. Even more horrifying was that two of the children in her ward died right alongside her. There was an iron lung next to Shelley, poised to make her even more of a prisoner, but she bravely survived and rendered the iron lung unnecessary. After such a horrifying trauma, how do you come around to humor? Well, Shelley explained, her mother was straight out of "I Love Lucy," a real hoot. She suffered from depression, and laughter was an elixir. Shelley came home with at least one funny story daily to entertain her mother. Shelley had dreamed of becoming a cowgirl just like Dale Evans. (I hope that reference rings a bell.) She loved animals and, with her husband, bought a farm stocked full of all kinds of beloved creatures. And then along came Buddy, a neighbor's dog much more interested in spending time with Shelley than her owner. Buddy became Shelley's beloved companion for ten years and saw so many things about her that she didn't see in herself. Theirs was a love affair. "I'm 81 years old in this long life. I've had a lot of weird boyfriends, but I've never had the obsessive adoration that Buddy was offering me." That special connection between a human and a dog is the overarching theme of Shelley's latest book, Itching To Love: The Story of a Dog. Listen to NPR's "Morning Edition" emeritus and award-winning author as she tells her story of physical challenge, a career as a humorist, a dream realized to be a cowgirl, and the touching relationship with her dog, Buddy. https://www.shelleymickle.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Itching-Love-Story-Shelley-Mickle/dp/1637633394 or wherever books are sold https://www.shelleymickle.com/books https://www.shelleymickle.com/book-clubs

“No Way Out of This: Living with a Partner with Alzheimer’s.” Sue Lick’s husband was fourteen years older, but that didn’t seem to matter. Yes, she loved the Beatles; he listened to crooners. But they sang together, played music together, and shared a love of reading, travel, and so much more. “I thought he’d live forever,” Sue said. It was her husband Fred who first mentioned that his memory was slipping. Sue shrugged it off and blamed the trauma of his mother dying and the chore of cleaning out her house. But things spiraled down from there. Sue, a journalist and semi-professional musician, journaled daily during Fred’s illness. It was the some thousand-odd pages that served as the basis for her memoir, No Way Out of This: Living with a Partner with Alzheimer's. She shares the heartache, the guilt, the loneliness but also the good times, the laughs, the happiness. In this episode of “Older Women & Friends,” Sue and I take a deep dive into this horrendous disease, the challenges, and the tools to use for the caregiver to carry on. Unlike other memoirs about Alzheimer’s, Sue is not a self-sacrificing wife who gives up her life to care for her husband. She understands the necessity of maintaining her connection with friends and the importance of time away to, in her case, write and play music.

“You inherit your genetic blueprint from your parents. But you construct the person that you become. Just because you have a birthday every year, your body need not age yearly.” _________ Dr. Gillian Lockitch, medical specialist, professor, and international speaker In her new book, Growing Older, Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and Retiring (Comfortably), Gillian cites New research that reveals that what you think, how you move, what you eat, how you interact with others, stimulate your mind or challenge yourself, can modulate the expression of your genes. In this episode, listeners follow Gillian’s journey from a happy woman who “had it all” to a depressed, isolated, overweight widow who, with time, research, and desire, took control of her life and changed her physical and mental health. Gillian suggests a road map to help us as we age Gillian explains the differences between genetics and epigenetics. It’s a heady distinction, but she is a pro at breaking this down and suggesting ways to live longer and better. Growing Older Living Younger podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/growing-older-living-younger-about-longevity-wellness/id1562021011 Get to know Dr. Gillian Lockitch linktr.ee/askdrgill Gift: the url is https://bit.ly/3DfjdtM The resource is called The 7 Keys to Growing Older Living Younger. The book at www.gillianlockitch.com

Judith Horn was a geriatric physical therapist with decades of experience behind her, plus years as a specialist. The specialty is relatively new, but Judith saw the need to work with older patients whose needs differ greatly from others. What is the value of seeing a geriatric physical therapist? Like any health issue, we choose to see a physician who specializes. Someone with a heart problem sees a cardiologist. Someone who has pulmonary issues sees a pulmonologist. Someone with migraines sees a neurologist. A geriatric PT can spotlight physical aches, pains, and the side effects of various surgeries. (See below for a complete list of conditions a geriatric PT can treat.) Judith's grandmother played a significant role in her decision to become a therapist. She watched as she cared for her mother, Judith's great-grandmother, who'd lost the lower half of both legs and her eyesight due to diabetes. My grandmother made her mother's life as rich and active as it could be. Her 'mantra' was what can I do to circumvent the obstacles and expand her quality of life. As Judith's grandmother aged, Judith was instrumental in her care. And when her grandmother moved to a nursing home, Judith lived close by and visited her almost every day. When she asked her grandmother what she needed, her grandmother replied, "I have everything I need right here," as she patted her heart. Judith never imagined that she'd suffer a serious disease and, in many ways, need the care of others. She first developed a macular hole like a "pothole" in the back of one eye. That scambled her sight; people looked like "monsters." Following surgery, that eye was almost useless. She needed cataract surgery. That helped, and for a year, she had a reprieve. Then, she had an optic nerve stroke in her "good" eye. Part of her field of vision was gone. Today, Judith still juggles what she can and can't do. She has the most trouble with reading, which, for an educator and lifetime learner, is a huge challenge. Sometimes, her eyes get mixed up, which affects her balance and the amount of visual currency she has in a day. Due to her illnesses, Judith had to retire earlier than she'd planned. Yet she says, there are new activities that she'd never pursued like painting and golf. Yep, golf! You can listen to Judith tell her own story on the podcast "Older Women & Friends" at janeleder.net or wherever you listen to podcasts. Geriatric therapists treat a wide variety of clients: Healthy adults who want to continue to safely pursue sports and leisure activities as they age.People who are at risk for injuries from falls.Those with medical conditions that limit their movement or ability to take part in everyday activities.Critically ill or injured older adults in the hospital.Older people recovering from surgery.Frail adults who require short-term skilled nursing or long-term care.Older adults in hospice care who want to remain as independent as possible. Geriatric physical therapists often evaluate and treat people with health conditions, such as: Age-related progressive loss of muscle mass and strength (sarcopenia and frailty).Cancer-related problems.Falls risk.Fractures (broken bones such as a broken hip or femur, spinal compression fractures, and others).Heart and lung disorders (such as heart disease and heart failure).Joint replacements (such as knee, hip, or shoulder replacement) .Conditions such as stroke, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, and balance disorders.Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.Osteopenia and osteoporosis.Overweight and obesity.Diabetes.Sports injuries.Wounds and amputations https://www.choosept.com/why-physical-therapy/specialty-areas-physical-therapy/geriatric-physical-therapy https://www.linkedin.com/in/judith-horn-pt-dpt-ms-gcs-525a6656/ https://www.apta.org/for-educators/curriculum-resources/geriatric-physical-therapy 0 comments

What kinds of changes do you make after a serious health crisis? For Leonie-Ruth Acland the changes after suffering a stroke and taking a year to recover resulted in a recommitment to the mentoring and coaching of women and to her connection with nature on so many levels. Then at age 67, Leonie-Ruth was diagnosed with ADHD. Until then, she'd always wondered why she didn't fit the mold, why staying focused was so hard, and why when she was younger she suffered from anxiety, particularly as a student. Her parents had high expectations and while she eventually met them, she paid a high price. A friend of her father's who'd been hired as a math tutor concluded that there was "a bit missing." In many ways, the ADHD diagnosis completed the puzzle and was a relief. Like so many other women, the masking, or front, that Leonie-Ruth put forward to pretend to be someone she was not, took a high toll. It was mentally and physically exhausting. Since her diagnosis, Leonie-Ruth realizes that there is NOT something that needs to be fixed and that she is blessed with creativity and intuition as a result of ADHD. Leonie-Ruth and her husband live on two acres of land in rural New South Wales, Australia. When they first moved in, there were no trees and no grass. Over the years, they've nursed the land back to life. They planted fifty fruit trees, raised ducks, grew vegetables and fruit, and created a space where people could flourish. This intense connection with nature has helped her better understand herself and connect to her inner work and the kindness and love she has for others. https://pomegranatecircle.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonie-ruth-acland%F0%9F%8C%B1-746591a/ https://www.instagram.com/dontbecagedbyyourage/reel/C8b-yoZu6NJ/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adhd-women-exploring-the-neuroverse/id1739890898

Are you a risk taker? Do you thrive on trying new things, new things that may take you out of your comfort zone? Helen Hirsch Spence knows all about taking calculated risks. She climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, among other peaks, reclaimed her life after a bout of depression, and worked in Alaska, Bolivia, and Honduras. She believes in getting out of her comfort zone to "expand, reach, and learn." Oh, did I mention that she was a board member of the Jane Goodall Institute? Helen knows Jane well and sees her as a role model for older women. "She's ninety, and travels more than 300 days a year to get her message out." Helen has been a feminist since the early sixties, but as she has aged, she became aware of how she'd internalized many of the stereotypes about older women. "I'd been born into a lifetime of questioning my value as a woman, particularly as an older woman." She experienced a lack of self-confidence that impacted her personal and professional life. "If I'm feeling this way as an educator, I can't imagine how stereotypes and biases impact other women's lives. I felt like I couldn't or shouldn't do as much." This self-directed ageism led to depression. "I'm too old to _______________" "That doesn't suit me _________________" "I shouldn't wear _______________ because this outfit is only for younger women." Today, she is comfortable taking calculated risks. "Life is short; there is more work to be done." Helen is a self-described "age provocateur" who wants to provoke people to reframe the whole conversation about aging. She created Top Sixty Over Sixty, a niche consultancy that promotes longevity literacy by providing the tools and training to thrive in today’s aging and multigenerational world. https://www.topsixtyoversixty.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/events/7259000354451722240/comments/ https://www.topsixtyoversixty.com/blog/ https://www.topsixtyoversixty.com/newsletter-signup/