The Gray-Green Movement
Why older caregivers are turning environmental concern into political action Fact checked by Shannon Sparks As a care manager for my late father, it rarely occurred to me to become politically engaged, even though in my work as a beat reporter in the late 1970s, I saw the worst of Chicago’s South Suburbs and South Chicago […]
The Value of Aging
Older adults contribute far more to their families and communities than society often recognizes Fact checked by Ros Lederman Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell wrote her final column in August 2024, just before retiring. After 34 years with the publication, Mitchell felt she was stepping into the role of “woman of leisure” — one that […]
A Day Away
How adult day programs support seniors and their caregivers Fact checked by Shannon Sparks When Jack Sullivan, an 80-year-old Andersonville resident and father of 12, first visited CJE SeniorLife’s Adult Day Services program, he wasn’t sure what to expect. “I was wary at first,” he says. “But before I knew it, I was here five […]
Digging Deep
As gardens grow, so do older adults and their communities Every year, without fail, new growth emerges from the soil. When sprouts rise from gardens in spring and blossom into full-out glory in summer, it’s nothing short of magical. Even in the concrete confines of the city or in the midst of suburban sprawl, individual […]
Healing Power of the Arts for Older Adults
Theater, music, sculpture — art is a means of expression. But whether you’re making art or experiencing it, art also serves as a means to improve your well-being, which can be especially helpful during these Covid-19 times. Art has a unique effect on older adults specifically — one that researchers are looking into. “There has […]
Seniors Click ‘Like’ for Social Media
While on a cruise with her husband in 2011, Andy Weitzberg suddenly felt compelled to photobomb a young couple getting their picture taken during dinner. “As a kid, I was always the class clown. I enjoy making people laugh and smile, and I thought that was the perfect opportunity for some fun,” says the 72-year-old […]