May - 2021

Successful Aging

A weekly syndicated newspaper column by Helen Dennis

After 18 years and more than 875 columns, Helen continues to delight readers with her Successful Aging column for the Southern California News Group. The syndicated column reaches more than 1.6 million readers weekly.

What exactly does successful aging mean, and what can I do to achieve it?

I am an 82-year-old healthy widower and have two basic questions. From your perspective, what is successful aging and what are the essentials to achieve it? Many thanks. B.R. Successful aging is considered a prominent theory and one of the most positive and effective ideas in the field of gerontology. Its focus is on how to live better in later life by expanding our healthy and functional years for as long as possible. However, there is no standard definition. The concept is

What to do if you suspect elder abuse is taking place

My neighbor who is an older widow feels she is being a victim of abuse and asked me for advice. Her son lost his job during the pandemic and moved in with his young daughter. He took out a loan against the house to add on for additional space. No construction has occurred. Rather, the son has purchased cars and bought expensive items without consulting her. She has no access to her money and wants to know what to do and where to turn for help? Do you have some suggestions? S.

How adult children respond to aging parents, and how you can help them

I just returned from finally visiting my grandchildren in Idaho. It was a great visit, but I don’t think they understand that at 82 years, I cannot do quite as much running around as I did years ago. As they are having a difficult time accepting that I am aging, I too am having the same problem with my own aging. Slowing down really bothers me. Any tips for my children and for me? N.N. Dear N.N. Let’s start with your children. Adult children often take one of two positions re

Celebrating the wisdom of our elders during Older Americans Month in May

Dear readers, During the pandemic, older adults have repeatedly made headlines. Unfortunately, many of those headlines have been less than positive, as older people are highly vulnerable to the ravages of the coronavirus and account for 80 percent of the deaths. This month, they occupy a positive headline. They are celebrated. May is Older Americans Month. This formal recognition of older Americans began with President Kennedy in 1963 when he designated May as Senior Citizens

Successful Aging appears

in the following newspapers:

The Los Angeles Daily News

The Daily Breeze

Pasadena Star News

Long Beach Press Telegram

Whittier Daily News

San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Santa Barbara Sun

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

Orange County Register

Redlands Daily Facts

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