Personal Improvement

As soon as I stepped up on a five-gallon bucket to change a light bulb, I knew I was doing something dumb. Falls don't just happen to the very frail and very elderly. An unexpected tumble can be debilitating, regardless of your age. Put the bucket away and read more about how to stay on your feet. ...

National Deaf Awareness Week is the third week of September. This is a chance to learn more about deaf culture and the many ways in which we can communicate and stay connected. Here are some reliable pointers to help you communicate more comfortably with those who cannot hear. ...

Videoconferencing has become an increasingly common way to bridge social distancing. If different videoconference services deliver the same utility, users seem to encounter similar kinds of issues: lousy audio and video. From my experience helping people, the trifecta of: they can't hear me, they can't see me, I can't hear them tops my list. ...

They talk about Millennial kids, awkward incidents with naked bananas and torn stockings. The greater Akron-based podcasting team and sisters Jean Mader and Laura Bettinger Spelich have hit a sweet spot, podcast-wise, with their friendly, freewheeling, pleasantly rambling “OK Boomer” podcast.  ...

Thousands of people are wading through stuff accumulated over a lifetime… their own or their parents’.  If you’re among them, help is here to keep you from drowning in it. Starting small ensures early victories that will keep you motivated to continue the process and see you through to putting your house on the market and making a happy transition to your retirement property. ...

Over time, a relationship with older grandchildren means seeing each other during the holidays and major family events. Grandparents can feel marginalized during this later stage. It is on us to look for opportunities and common threads of interest to stay relevant and connected.  ...

I’m not big on sharing. I always hold the popcorn at movies and never request two spoons for dessert. But our Fifth Anniversary is an event I’m happy to share with readers, advertisers and everyone else who has supported us, critiqued us and led us through this interesting, invigorating adventure. ...

Book clubs are a good way to meet people (virtually or in-person), explore topics you might not be familiar with and engage in lively discussions with people who like to read as much as you do. Whether you start with a safe, social distancing experience or go entirely online with video conferencing, a book club may be just the cure for the not-enough-fun-things-to-do blues.  ...