Topic: connection
What is your role at Aging Wisdom?
I am the Founder and Principal of Aging Wisdom.
What made you want to work in the field of aging?
My path into this work began with a very special relationship with my Grandpa. My mom was a teacher, and during the summers we spent a great deal of time with my grandparents in Portland while she took courses. My grandparents were often in charge of keeping me out of trouble—and I cherished that time. One of my favorite memories is playing Uno with my Grandpa. He would jokingly accuse me of changing the rules so I could win. 😊
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What is your role at Aging Wisdom? Creative Engagement Specialist
What made you want to work in the field of aging?
I appreciate the accumulated wisdom and insights of older people, and I have always gravitated toward older adults, even when I was a kid. Growing up, my dad used to always point out how people were often dismissive of old people or talked to them like they were children. He helped me see that this bias was everywhere, and I didn’t want to be like that. From a young age, I sought out elders I could learn from, who I could look up to. I was drawn to the Creative Engagement position at Aging Wisdom because I wanted to be part of a team devoted to decreasing isolation and loneliness in older adults, while also encouraging the unique power and perspective that elderhood can bring.
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If you are caring for someone living with a progressive condition or a change in health or cognition, you have likely heard the phrase person-centered care.
Person-centered care is the foundation of our Creative Engagement program, which is built on the core values of purpose, respect, and exquisite listening. A person-centered approach focuses on an individual’s preferences, goals, and needs. This approach makes sure that individuals living with dementia or other health changes can take part in what they value and enjoy.
We extend invitations to participate. We do not assume to know what our clients want, and we involve our clients in decision-making as we tailor projects and outings to their preferences. We ask for feedback. We observe body language and make eye contact. We allow for feelings to be expressed and then validate those feelings. …
Thanks to longer lifespans, retirement isn’t a short chapter. It might be close to a third of your life! It sounds so inviting: Life as a blank canvas, with long mornings, travel—a new kind of “freedom.” In fact, many retirees find that once the structure of work fades, they feel surprisingly unmoored. After decades of purpose-driven days, the stillness can feel disorienting. It is not uncommon for retirees to report feeling caught between relief and restlessness, and even some depression.
It helps, then, to reframe this life stage not as an end, but a beginning. Whether you’re retiring solo or with a partner, take time to reflect not just on what has been left behind, but on what you’d like to step toward. Think about what excites you, what gives your life meaning, and what might bring new connections. …
What is your role at Aging Wisdom?
What made you want to work in the field of aging? …
What is your role at Aging Wisdom?
Creative Engagement Specialist Lead
What made you want to work in the field of aging? …
What is your role at Aging Wisdom?
I am a Creative Engagement Specialist.
What made you want to work in the field of aging?
Growing up I was surrounded by elders. As a young child, I would accompany my mother when she would go to visit elderly friends and family. Little did I know at the time how that experience would leave a lasting impression on me. …
The ways we connect with each other contain both small moments and lasting lessons. Together we can celebrate how we build connections through different methods of communication between people living with and without Alzheimer’s dementia. Without the many unique individuals living with dementia, including the three individuals in the stories below, our appreciation for connection is less full.
This is written with gratitude to them. …
On any given weekday, my Creative Engagement colleagues are tapping into the richness of clients’ interests, histories, talents, and strengths. These intentional connections help reduce social isolation and loneliness, renew purpose, increase self-esteem, engage the senses, and spark joy. …
Ask anyone for advice about living a long, healthy life and you’ll probably hear tips about the importance of eating well, stopping smoking, exercising, and getting regular medical checkups. Don’t throw those good habits out the window; but, it may come as a shock to learn that connecting with others may be the single most important ingredient for aging well. …