March-April 2023

We lost three more friends in recent weeks. They were big box multiplex theaters on shaky financial footing, struggling with rising film rentals and overhead expenses, operating with skeleton crews. ...

Folks planning to retire — and those of us who already have a few retirement years under our belt — face interesting housing choices our parents never considered. Our residential options are wide-ranging, reflecting the needs and interests of people over 50, unlike nearly any other time in recent memory. ...

Older adult maltreatment — elder abuse — holds its grip on society’s vulnerable adults with an uncomfortable frequency, hiding behind trusted relationships, isolation and illness. This story is the first of a three-part series on elder abuse. We’ll define the issue with facts and numbers, introduce you to people who have overcome their abuse and faced their abusers, and finally, offer an action plan for victims and families. ...

If I’m comparing stripper names at 63, then it’s appropriate for a 63-year-old — on equal footing, so to speak, as in our discussion about which pricey sneakers are best for plantar fasciitis. ...

Enjoy these small bites of interesting topics, from a new documentary on Boomer-era kids' TV, to "Antiques Roadshow" in Akron, to an introduction to our NEO Boomer bloggers and a memoir on growing up Italian. ...

What are you reading? If the answer is “nothing,” this column is for you. Cailey Hutchins and Meghan Starling from Mentor Public Library share six of their favorite recent reads. In addition to both being librarians, they host a biweekly video vlog called "All Booked Up with Cailey & Meg" where they share their top page-turners. ...

if you’ve stepped away from the workaday world due to illness, caretaking or early retirement, how do you re-enter the workforce with a gaping hole in your résumé? Job seekers with career gaps are 45% less likely to get interviews than those with continuous work experience, studies have shown. With those odds, it’s prime time for a returnship. ...

It’s challenging and uncomfortable to navigate conversations with someone close to you who has a chronic or terminal illness. There are no perfect or magic words or even one right way to respond, but we can be aware of what we are saying and more importantly, how we are listening.   ...