Seven article excerpts, including two covering different life views—one by a culturally aware physician and the other, a billionaire. Article links to boomers living alone, nursing homes closing, noticing the early signs of dementia, and exercising to delay cognitive impairment by a significant margin. Finally, cyclic breathing for lasting stress reduction.
More Aging Baby Boomers are Living Alone—How Do They Compare with Previous Generations?
Twenty-six (26) million Americans over 50 live alone. Concerns mount over how older baby boomers will manage their golden years. About one in six Americans over 55 don’t have children. While older people do live independently, the National Institute on Aging cites research showing that social isolation and loneliness come with higher risks for physical and mental health issues.
Women, Keep Moving to Help Keep Mental Decline at Bay
Studies show that women are disproportionately diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Exercise reduces the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and even dementia by 21%. Research found 31 minutes of exercise per day has massive benefits.
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Nursing Homes Closing Amid Staffing Crunch
It was only a matter of time. Nursing homes in rural areas are closing due to a shortage of workers including nurses, nursing assistants, and kitchen employees. Many facilities that remain open are limiting admissions. “That means more patients are marooned in hospitals or placed far away from their families. The problem could deepen as pandemic-era government assistance dries up and care facilities struggle to compete with rising wages offered by other employers, industry leaders and analysts predict.”
Diagnosed with Dementia at Age 57, Mother Reveals Early Signs
A mother-of-two was given the “devastating” news at age 57 that she has Alzheimer’s. She wants to encourage others who have similar symptoms to get a diagnosis. Now, at age 59, Jude Thorpe of Oxford in England writes of bouts of memory loss, disorientation, fatigue, and finding the right words. At first, she thought these were due to menopause. Her doctor initially dismissed her symptoms, attributing them to stress. She persisted. After an MRI and lumbar puncture, she received a formal diagnosis.
Sir Richard Branson—Humble, Compassionate, and Sharing
A billionaire with humility and compassion believes we should share our life stories. Leaving school at the age of 15 and living with dyslexia, Sir Richard Branson, co-founder of Virgin Group, was raised taking risks. He continues to do so, today. 
“… his gut-based approach to business and life has always helped him land on his feet—except… [for] the occasional rough landing, like the time his hot air balloon caught fire and crashed in the Arctic… ” “I think it’s good at some stage in your life to either write a book or do documentaries to share [your] wonderful experiences with other[s]. I think everybody has an interesting life… it would… be very, very sad if one goes through life and learns incredible things and [has] incredible experiences [without helping] other people learn from [one’s] experiences.”
Don’t Get Old!
Beautifully written cultural humility principles and the importance of speaking up for ourselves. “… being a [cancer] patient in the mysterious world of medicine taught me how cultural humility has the potential to transform the lives of people, who are, like me, ‘older.’” “I was the expert on my life while [the young oncologist] was the expert in the field.” Besides speaking for ourselves, Dr. Tervalon writes, “It makes a difference who is caring for you when you are a patient—young or old. My doctor ‘saw me.’ He respected me [an elder woman-of color] and brought both science and humanity into the room with him.”
Cyclic Breathing: Why Experts Say Just 5 Minutes a Day Can Reduce Stress
A daily, five-minute breathing practice can effectively help manage your stress. [Cyclic breathing] proved to be more effective at improving mood than mindfulness meditation and other breathwork techniques.” They help us to center ourselves and focus. More importantly, we nourish our cells with oxygen while driving out wasteful carbon dioxide. Inhale. Add another short breath. Then release through your nose. Try it. What do you have to lose?
