Joe is concerned about his 68-year-old father, Henry, who is becoming more forgetful. Henry doesn’t remember the stories that Joe tells him. But what concerns Joe the most is his father’s moodiness, irritability, and anger. He seems to be more emotional lately, and frequently says things to Joe that are hurtful. His Dad doesn’t think before he speaks! He appears very different to Joe.

Henry has a few health problems—diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. But otherwise, he’s reasonably healthy. Joe’s worried. What’s going on with his Dad?

Aging does not affect... Read More

When my mother was 89, she was living in her own apartment in a retirement community. She could no longer drive (she passed out at the wheel due to an episode of low blood pressure and careened into a tree. Fortunately, only the car was seriously injured). When I came to visit her, I noticed that her shelves were lined with canned soup. She sheepishly told me that most nights that’s all she was eating.

I started talking to her about moving into a local independent living center, where she would have her own apartment as well, but be able to enjoy congregate dining. The complex had... Read More

On my way to the airport, the van driver told me about taking care of his mom during the last years of her life. She was in her early 90’s when she moved in with him. She passed away at 96, living far longer than he imagined--“I think that living with me, and close to family, gave her something to live for”. He had no regrets.

Last week, I had my weekly lunch with my friend Tracy and his 96-year-old mom. She lived in Florida, and when she was 91, she started telling her daughter-in-law she was “ready to come home to the lord”. She rarely left her house even to go out to dinner with... Read More

Turning 40 was a great moment for me. I felt good about my life, my work and myself. My family and I were heading off for a new life adventure in a different part of the country (the Northwest!). I felt like a pioneer on the Oregon Trail.  I was very fortunate in many other ways too. I had good health, a great marriage and two healthy daughters.

But turning 50 was sobering. Up until then, I was in perfect health. All of sudden I started having health problems—high cholesterol, high blood pressure and some problems with arthritis! I was too young for all of this! I had my first... Read More