Older adults looking to volunteer have few boundaries

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 08 September 2009 14:03

Look anywhere in the nonprofit world these days and you’re likely to find an older adult volunteering his or her expertise in new ways. From the board room to the building site, organizations are putting those 50 and older to work to meet a rising demand for charitable services. In the process, members of the most experienced active generation are discovering the possibilities of giving back on their own terms.

So what’s powering the boom in older adult skilled volunteering? There’s a revolution under way in how nonprofits are asking for help, and this group is ready to make a difference during the recession.

Two million more baby boomers and close to 800,000 people 65 and older volunteered in 2008, according to the Corporation...

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Healthy Geezer-Depression not normal if it lingers

Written by Fred Cicetti Tuesday, 08 September 2009 14:02

Q Is depression just a “normal” part of aging?



AThere are a lot of problems to face as you get older. There are losses of all kinds that can get you down. And feeling blue for a while is a normal part of living at any age.

But unrelenting depression is not normal. If you feel this way, you should seek medical attention. Most people get better if they treat their depression.

There are many causes of depression. Some of them are the natural consequences of being older: a health crisis or death, the loss of physical or mental capacities, or being a stressed-out caregiver.

Seniors usually rebound from a period of sadness. However, if you are suffering from “clinical depression” and don’t get help, your symptoms might last...

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Finding relationship refuge with a good night’s sleep

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 11 August 2009 14:18

HEALTH-sleep1.jpg Agreeing ahead of time that it is OK for a partner to roll, poke or wake the snorer can avoid an argument and effectively abbreviate what could otherwise become an all-night snoring session or sleep-disrupting argument.

The hectic pace of day-to-day life shows few signs of slowing; however, the peaceful sanctuary couples are seeking may be closer than they think—in their own bedrooms.

For many of today’s couples though, the terms “bedroom” and “peaceful sanctuary” are more an oxymoron than a reality. A recent survey from the National Sleep Foundation found 25 to 33 percent of couples feel their relationships are negatively impacted by their partner’s bad sleep habits.

A 2009 wellness survey...

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Want to help someone with hearing loss? Stop repeating

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 11 August 2009 14:16

HearingHelp.jpg Stop repeating yourself, raising your voice, and acting as messenger. Rather, involve your entire family in your efforts to help your loved one hear independently of your help.

Does someone you love often ask you to repeat what you’re saying? If so, you may not be doing your loved one a favor by repeating what you just said.

Helping a loved one who isn’t willing to help himself is one of the most painful challenges a family can face. And helping a family member deal with hearing loss is no exception.

Sadly, denial—when someone will not acknowledge hearing loss—poses the most significant barrier to the improved well-being of people with unaddressed hearing loss.

Some people associate hearing loss...

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