Tag Archives: older adults

Could You Be Happy With ALS?

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Bob Ritzema

Nancy Perry Graham of AARP wrote a few months ago about sustaining happiness in middle and late adulthood.  She asked three middle-aged or elderly friends who were clearly happy with life what each though was responsible for their positive mood.  As she … Continue reading →

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Depression in Older Adults: Treatment

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Bob Ritzema

This is the last of a series of posts about depression in older adults.  The first post was on symptoms; the next two (here and here) were on causes.  This post is about treatment. Since depression in the elderly may be difficult to distinguish … Continue reading →

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Older Adults Month

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Bob Ritzema

May is Older Adults Month, per government proclamation.  This is a tradition; the site for the federal Administration on Aging states that “Every year since 1963, May has been a month to appreciate and celebrate the vitality and aspirations of … Continue reading →

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Should We Become Elderly or Just Grow Old?

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Bob Ritzema

The term “elderly” has fallen on hard times.  A recent NPR segment by Linton Weeks reports that listeners objected to an NPR story that described a 71 year-old midwife as elderly.  One listener wrote “I was 70 in Feb and … Continue reading →

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Did you see the 500lb Gorilla?

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Bob Ritzema

Originally posted on All those days that came and went …:
Have you seen the basketball video clip often shown in corporate effectiveness training classes, where you’re asked to count how many times the white team passes the ball from one…

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Depression in Older Adults: Causes

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Bob Ritzema

Last week, I posted about the characteristics of depression in the elderly.  I’m now following up with a discussion of the causes of depression in this age group.  What causes depression in the elderly is quite similar to what causes depression at other … Continue reading →

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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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