Author Archives: Bob Ritzema

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About Bob Ritzema

I am a fourth-generation American of Dutch ancestry and am trained as a clinical psychologist. In 2012, I retired from Methodist University in North Carolina to return to Michigan to help family, and, in 2023, I started again with a move to Milwaukee to be near my children. I maintain a part-time therapy practice. I can be reached at bobritzema@hotmail.com.

The Reluctant Caregiver and Agape

Posted on March 30, 2013 by Bob Ritzema

Several weeks ago, Paula Span of the New Old Age blog wrote about “The Reluctant Caregiver.” She’s referring to someone who is providing care for someone in need of help but provides the care grudgingly rather than willingly.  She cites … Continue reading →

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Depression in Older Adults: Symptoms

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Bob Ritzema

Sally was feeling sad.  This wasn’t a new experience for her; depression had been a frequent visitor throughout life.  Having grown up with an alcoholic, physically abusive father and a mother who provided little care and blamed her for the … Continue reading →

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“I Am Enjoying Dying”

Posted on March 23, 2013 by Bob Ritzema

I recently read a eulogy of Gordon Cosby, founder of Washington D.C.’s Church of the Savior, by Jim Wallis.  Cosby died Wednesday at age 94.  I was struck by something Cosby recently said to Wallis:  “I am enjoying dying.”  What … Continue reading →

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Posted on March 21, 2013 by Bob Ritzema

Originally posted on Me, senescent:
I loaf and invite my soul On March 21 nearly every year I give my students a quiz of one question. “Why is today the most important day of the year?” Almost never does a…

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The Day of Darkness: Bring in the Candles

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Bob Ritzema

On May 19, 1780, the sky over New England turned dark during what should have been daylight hours.  The darkness was observed as far south as New Jersey and as far north as Portland, Maine.  It took several hours for the gloom to pass; … Continue reading →

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What Matters Most to Assisted Living Residents

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Bob Ritzema

The National Center for Assisted Living reports that the average age of individuals in assisted living facilities in the US is 86.9 years.  The average length of stay is about 28 months.   Martin Bayne is an exception to the typical assisted living … Continue reading →

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Boomer Health

Posted on March 6, 2013 by Bob Ritzema

A recent segment on National Public Radio describes the poor health of the Baby Boomer generation.  Boomers were born between 1946 and 1964, so they are now in their late 40s to mid-60s.  A group of researchers led by Dana … Continue reading →

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Looking Ahead

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Bob Ritzema

Middle age tends to be a time of focusing not only on oneself and, if married, one’s mate, but also attending to maturing children and aging parents. Those generations—one on ahead, the other trailing—not only are sources of concern and … Continue reading →

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Nursing Home Ratings

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Bob Ritzema

U.S. News and World Report recently released its ratings of nursing homes in the U.S. The ratings are based on data from the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services and consist of an overall score plus scores in three … Continue reading →

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Dealing With the Regrets of Late Adulthood

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Bob Ritzema

As a psychologist who provides services for older adults, I’ve noticed that, though my older clients have a variety of reasons for seeking help, their underlying issues often coalesce around common themes.   Specifically, those deeper issues often entail concerns over … Continue reading →

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