Yesterday was International Day of the Older Persons as declared by the United Nations. The theme of this year’s celebration and awareness campaign is “about enabling and expanding the contributions of older people in their families, communities and societies at large. It focuses on the pathways that support full and effective participation in old age, in accordance with old persons’ basic rights, needs and preferences.” And “This year’s theme underscores the link between tapping the talents and contributions of older persons.” The world over there are millions of people whose abilities and talents are under utilized simply because of their...

The aging of populations worldwide has been discussed and written about as though it were a natural (or unnatural) disaster. Like the swirling hurricanes that seem to keep coming. Relentless, unstoppable – a silver tsunami. This morning on WNYC’s radio program The Takeaway ,writer Esmeralda Santiago spoke with Todd Zwillich about the aftermath of the storms that have pummeled Puerto Rico. She said: “… many many situations are about neighbor helping neighbor…The people I have talked to and read about are optimistic and looking forward to making things better then before the hurricane.” This optimism in the face of the catastrophic...

Health and wellness should be 100% the goal of  vibrant longevity. AND if someone stays healthy and well they will look TRULY look their best at any age. However, the cultural nonsense swirling around women and aging just keeps piling up. Jane Fonda at the Emmys; was she bad-ass unwilling to look 79 or was she ridiculous trying to look 29?   If you are alive you are aging. And isn’t that a good thing? To be blunt – the option is death. So why do we celebrate youth and beauty and shun aging, Fear of death? That is a legitimate...

Our relationship with light and color has been interpreted in thousands of ways. Many cultures and practitioners believe in color's therapeutic powers. We all know that color can affect our mood. And that we have favorite colors which we often choose in childhood and have meaning throughout our lives.  In her article for Verywell.com Kendra Cherry quotes researchers, Andrew Elliot and Markus Maier as saying: "Given the prevalence of color, one would expect color psychology to be a well-developed area. Surprisingly, little theoretical or empirical work has been conducted to date on color's influence on psychological functioning, and the work that has been done has...

In 2003 Michael Graves, became an unexpected champion of universal design. After a stellar career as and architect and designer, Graves was paralyzed from the waist down by an infection. He spent the remainder of his life wheelchair bound. Michael Graves turned his brilliance and skill to designing for people with disabilities. He designed many items as well as accessible homes for the Wounded Warrior Project. In her 2013 article Mimi Zeiger recounts being bewildered as she approached the building where she was to meet Graves. There were steps, no wheelchair ramp. Turned out the ramp was there, just discreetly...