Aging

For many of us, it’s the ”it” question of the year: When can I get the COVID vaccine? The answer to that question is a moving target. Here’s what to know about vaccine distribution and how to stay current on what’s happening in your hood. The rollout:   Days after the FDA gave emergency use authorization

Posted on December 31, 2020 by Mari Evans More than 4 million masks, 202,000 COVID-19 tests, 715,000 resident engagement programs, and 400 vaccinations. 2020 may have been rife with challenges, but thanks to the work and resilience of Atria’s dedicated staff, residents and families, 2020 has also had its triumphs. As the year comes to a close, Atria is reflecting on the accomplishments achieved

Here’s another favorite from the Senior Planet archives. Enjoy!    Hanukkah, Christmas… time to think outside the cookie jar. For the holidays, baker Norma Saulino created some brand-new treats by mixing elements from well-worn recipe cards with her own take on new favorites from the web. Gingerbread + Rugelach = Gingerugelach This idea came about while I

Posted on December 21, 2020 by Mari Evans Hugging grandchildren. Bunco parties. Laughing with good friends. These are just a few of the heartfelt reasons Atria residents gave for “sleeving up” today as they were among the first in the country to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The first round of vaccines was administered today at

Nine months into the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccines are in sight. That’s right, plural, vaccines. Recently, three companies released some results from their Phase III studies, reporting effectiveness ranging from 70 to 95%. They are Pfizer/BioNTech, AstraZeneca and Moderna. Pfizer and Moderna have formally applied to the FDA for emergency use authorization (EUA). The FDA will

Stores around the country are opening their doors early for older adults. If you find yourself needing to venture out, here are a few of the major chains that have made accommodations. Keep reading for some online grocery-delivery options you can try without leaving your home. Costco 8 – 9 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays

Posted on November 19, 2020 by Ajla Bedzetovic This year, the holidays will look different for all of us. If you are one of the more than 60 million caregivers in North America who look after an older adult inside the home, you may be wondering how to celebrate and stay safe.   Stay connected with others  Many people experience depression during the holidays due to stress and social

It’s a shame when dishonest people try to cash in to exploit a disaster. Watch out for these COVID-19 scams, and read our tips on how to protect yourself from being cheated.  Scammers “Phish” for victims by sending emails that seem to be from a legitimate source; they ask you to click a link, solicit

Note: On Friday, April 17, Senior Planet hosted Dr. Michael Spertus, a family doctor and instructor at Harvard Medical School, to talk about how people can stay connected to their doctors through different platforms and video chat options. He also spoke about when he must see a patient in person vs. doing a virtual check-in. Watch

What is it like to have the virus?  Here’s a report from Toby Kasavan, a friend of Senior Planet and teacher of Tai-chi and TaijitFit; learn more about his classes at BetterBalanceNY.com.  This whole experience has been stressful.  My wife, Anna, is 59 and in good health; she’s a runner and non-smoker with no diabetes or asthma; I”m

I’m Virge Randall, Managing Editor of seniorplanet.org, and lifelong New York City resident.  Living in the epicenter of this epidemic presents some unusual challenges – some familiar to people in similar urban settings, some completely foreign.  Here’s a quick look at a typical day in Plague Central. Good Morning! I wake up between 7 and

Posted on January 3, 2017 by Billie Jean King Billie Jean King is a winner of 39 Grand Slam tennis titles, a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and a champion for social change and equality. She serves as Atria’s Well-Being Coach. There’s something about the arrival of a new year that motivates us

Listening to the nightly news and its update of COVID-19 cases and deaths can put you in a less than happy-hour mood. While the situation with the pandemic remains critical and protective measures remain crucial, there are also some glimmers of hope, both on the treatment and vaccine fronts. Faster Cures, a center of the

Posted on July 24, 2014 by Jamie Floyd On Wednesday, the Denver Broncos released a statement indicating the owner of their franchise, Pat Bowlen, is stepping down as a result of his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Bowlen has been living with the disease for a few years, but chose to keep this private. As I listened to the

Posted on August 1, 2014 by Beatrice Huston Culturally speaking, we place a great deal of emphasis on physical health and the actions we take to keep our bodies healthy. But what about our brains?  As some of us age, we experience a decline in cognitive ability, memory loss and a general lag in mental

Posted on January 17, 2017 by admin A buzz was building within Atria Darien. Waldo, Sally, Sid, Dick, Paula, Lois, David and Dotty had been looking forward to this day for weeks. Months earlier, rowing had never even entered their minds. Searching for the next fitness adventure for their residents, Atria reached out to Veterans’

During this virus pandemic, the last thing anyone should worry about is filling and receiving prescriptions, especially if you rely on them to treat serious or chronic conditions. Experts recommend keeping several weeks’ worth of prescriptions you take regularly on hand in the event that you need to stay home, due to illness or shelter-in-place

If you are close to your 65th birthday, or are already on Medicare, the Medicare pitches are flooding your email, voicemail, text and old-fashioned mailbox. As you are probably well aware, it’s the open enrollment period until Dec. 7. If you have questions, you aren’t alone. Senior Planet found two independent Medicare experts and searched

Posted on September 23, 2014 by Katy Miller As we age, our bodies change. We need fewer calories to maintain a healthy weight, while certain nutrients become more vital to our well being – and longevity. If you’re an adult over 50, start making a significant impact on your health with these suggestions from Atria

Posted on October 22, 2014 by Katy Miller Part 1: Living Environment | Alzheimer’s and Memory Care When you’re making a personal visit to an assisted living community, take every opportunity you have to ask questions about Alzheimer’s and memory care. It may be helpful if you divide your questions between a few main topics:

Posted on April 12, 2016 by Angela Weisser My husband and I are planning to move, and recently I found myself evaluating all of our stuff. I didn’t want to drag everything to a new home because the truth is, not everything we own is treasured or useful. So how should we decide what stays

Posted on February 2, 2017 by admin The Golden Girls had it figured out: Life is better with friends. They motivate and support us through life’s adventures and changes, so why not lean on them to achieve our goals? Find Your “Glass-Is-Half-Full” Friend Science-backed data shows that the people we surround ourselves with influence how