Helen Dennis

9/13/2026 N.S., who wrote that aging is getting a bad rap, suggested we needed a campaign to emphasize that old is good without referring to cheese or wine. The FrameWorks Institute, a think tank in Boston, created an initiative titled “Reframing Aging” to address what it says our nation needs: an attitude adjustment about aging. What to do The initiative identified several themes found to boost knowledge, attitudes and policy preferences on aging issues, all part of this att

9/6/2026 It’s not what I anticipated when my three grandchildren — ages 17, 20 and 23 — came to visit me before going to dinner. It was to celebrate my 86th birthday. (OK, how old did you think I was?) I realized having all three in my living room at one time was an opportunity. So, I asked these beautiful young adults, “How would you like to help me write a column?” They agreed to a collective interview. Here are the questions and some of what I learned. 1. What do you think

8/30/2026 Editor’s Note: This column originally ran in 2017. Q. My mother recently passed away. She lived in her own home for the past 50 years. I now have the responsibility of getting her house ready to sell. The task confronting me is going through all of her things and deciding what to do with them. I grew up in that house, so the memories are long and strong. When I walk into my old home with all of her possessions still intact, I feel like I want to cry. How do I get ov

8/23/2026 Q. I continue to read that our seniors are a drain on the economy with the costs of Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and other government age-related programs. I don’t want to feel guilty because I certainly do my part. Can you provide another side of the story? Thanks. B.K. Thank you for that very important question. Clearly, the programs you mentioned are a significant part of our government’s budget and expenses. However, there is another side to the story. I

8/16/2026 Editor’s Note: This column originally ran in 2017. Question: I went for a scheduled stress test today. The technician was ready to inject a substance that would artificially raise my heart rate when I told her I preferred to use the treadmill and have the nuclear test with the injection as a backup. The technician replied, “The nuclear test is better; only athletes do intense workouts that get their heart rate where it needs to be.” I pushed back, got my way and use

8/9/2026 In a recent column, I briefly discussed how medication side effects have become a frequent topic of discussion among older friends. This week we’ll discuss some of the reasons for what is called medication mismanagement and its impact on older adults. I had the opportunity to have a conversation with a pharmacist specializing in geriatric pharmacy. She is Hedva Barenholtz Levy, author of “Maybe it’s Your Medications: How to Avoid Unnecessary Drug Therapy and Adverse