We enjoy wandering as long as we can safely return. When some people age and become afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease wandering can be perilous. Aging can affect our sense of direction and internal mapping controls. We lose the ability to move safely from Point A to Point C. Our guest is from the Alzheimer’s Association’s special program to keep people safe. In this episode, viewers will understand the signs of a developing problem and learn about helpful techniques and resources. Don’t let your loved one wander into trouble.

(It is not what you may think.) Playgrounds are places to socialize, exercise, and have fun. Playgrounds typically focus on children.  In this clip we take a look at how playgrounds should and can be designed to improve life as we age. Playgrounds for older adults can achieve many benefits.  We met Michael Cohen, a renowned playground architect, to describe his vision of what we can gain.  Is your community ready? Are you?

The Internet along with Email are filled with scams targeting persons of great age.  Criminals are ready to outfox even the savviest person.  Knowing what might be headed your way is the best preparation a person can perform says our guest FBI Special Agent Sandra Berchtold.  Be prepared along with be wary.  Save your hard earned money for enjoyment not stress.

Is your living room/family room becoming an unmanageable jungle? Professional Organizer Debi Weinstein has important tips to share.  Ridding your life of clutter can give you more time to enjoy what matters most.  Why continue to worry and fret over things you no longer use or need?  Finding the right home for the extra baggage will create time and space for safety and enjoyment. Take a look and begin a ‘spring cleaning’ no matter what time of year it may be.

Do you think you are old? The question is posed in many ways. How we answer is typically the same. No one believes they are old no matter what their age.

Frequently, ‘being old’ is considered being less than what you are. That’s for the birds.

Feeling, looking, and acting ‘younger than our age’ is an odd description. “You look good for your age; you don’t look ____ years old; I would not have guessed you are ____ years old;” are statements both flattering and discriminating.  Are you being told you look or act well, but it is surprising at your chronological age? On the surface, the comments are well intentioned but not well thought. Time changes word meanings.

Words matter.  Maybe it is time to abandon the term ‘years old’ altogether. We simply are 62. We have lived 64 years. ‘Old’ is an unnecessarily confusing word used to describe age.  Inserting ‘old’ into personal descriptions is imprecise. ‘Old’ triggers reactions. “I’m not old!” is a common response.

The response is not always externally expressed in words. Watch yourself sit, walk, stand, look, or act in response.  We react in defiance to the word ‘old’.

Is it right to use the word ‘old’ when describing our age? ‘Old’ is a word long used.  Is long use of a word sufficient justification for continued use? The history of pejorative terms teaches that time moves some words into an offensive category.

What do we mean when we use the word ‘old’? The word is not required to define our age. Saying ‘I am 66 ‘ or ‘I am 68 years’ is sufficient.  What does adding the word ‘old’ to the description mean? ‘I am 66 years old’ at best is careless, sloppy, or excessive.  The words we express carry meaning.

Language habits are difficult to break. Changing the word choices others select can be frustrating and burdensome. Breaking our personal word habits while also challenging remains within our control.  Changing any language habit first requires a good listening ear.  Catching our personal use of  ‘I am 67 years old’ is the first step.

Once we catch our own use, we can move to the second step. Replace the offending word with a pause, albeit initially awkward. The word will shortly be excised from our common parlance. We can then model the language behavior we desire in others.

Correcting imprecise language begins with each person. I am 60.