Honoring the Roots of Positive Aging

: Written by J.J.

In May we honor a long list of celebrations: May Day, Mother's Day, Cinco de Mayo, V-E Day, Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day. It's also Older Americans Month formerly known as "Senior Citizens Month." It's a 60's thing that most people don't think much about today. Afterall, many Boomers don't resonate with the term "senior citizen" or consider themselves "older." When president John F Kennedy established Senior Citizens Month, intending to call attention to the needs of aging Americans, 17 million were over 60 and Medicare, Medicaid, and the Older Americans Act didn't exist. Today individuals over 65 are the fastest growing demographic currently numbering 45 million. "Get Into The Act" is the theme of 2015 Older Americans Month --what act are you into?

Gerotranscendence- The Final Stage in Human Development?

: Written by J.J.

Never have so many Americans aged at once---1 in 3 are now over 50 years of age. Though headlines discuss whether or not Boomers are ready for retirement and how we're shaping consumer products and services little is written about the developmental value of aging. Articles challenge us to live younger longer but say nothing about the changes or insights we may encounter on our way to advanced ages. Is aging a state of decline or the last rich phase of human development? New interviews and research reveal some interesting clues.

Is Assisted Living Right For You or Your Parent?

: Written by J.J.

Are you wondering if Assisted Living is the right choice for you or your parent? You're not alone. You're part of an Eldercare market growing at a rate of 6.4% and approaching 300 billion dollars annually. Marketing directors at Assisted Living facilities paint a pretty picture of community services and amenities. In response, provided the cost is affordable, the decision to buy or rent in an Assisted Living Community is often made emotionally. Is it time for me or my parent to move? Do my parent and/or I feel comfortable in that community? Will I or my parent adapt to the space? These are important questions to answer but don't stop there. Probe deeper to evaluate the potential long term costs, staff's ability to support increasing needs, and the facility's organizational stability.

Attention and Your Memory

: Written by J.J.

For many, the word "attention" is stigmatized. It's associated with classroom admonishments, "Pay attention now," and the critical voice, "Weren't you paying attention?!" Attention is actually a complex process essential to memory formation and increasingly valued in today’s distracted world. Why do we choose to lend our attention to something or how do we gauge relevance? Scientists and marketers are rushing to understand.