GeroJay

09/03/2026

Gloria Steinem has died. After the death of Dolly Parton, Tim Curry, and other cultural "icons", I wonder what the lesson is in it for us all? Everyone dies. But we don't feel inextricably connected to everyone. The facts: We will all be impacted by a meaningful death sooner or later. Our own, most notably. How do we identify and evaluate the feelings we have about the deaths of celebrities and channel those feelings into learning? Then learning and evaluation? Then learning and self care? Then learning and action? Hugs to us all today who are feeling the death of Gloria Steinem deeply.

08/28/2026

If you are researching Assisted Living Facilities in the Commonwealth of Virginia, please visit this link. These facilities are licensed by the Virginia Department of Social Services who maintain a list of inspection reports. Very helpful in determining the care our loves ones will receive.

Search licensed assisted living facilities in Virginia by name, location, or special services.

08/18/2026

**August is National Make-A-Will Month**

Creating a will isn’t just about money or property. It’s about making your wishes known and helping reduce the stress and uncertainty your loved ones may face after your passing.

Many Americans still don’t have a will, leaving families to navigate important financial, legal, and personal decisions during an already difficult time.

This month, consider taking a few important steps:

* Create or update your will.
* Organize important financial and legal documents.
* Make sure trusted loved ones know where to find important information.
* Discuss your wishes with family members.
* Review beneficiaries and other estate planning documents.

**Estate planning is an act of love, preparation, and responsibility.**

Don’t wait for a crisis to begin the conversation. Use August as an opportunity to get your affairs in order—and encourage someone you love to do the same.

08/17/2026

Wondering who has watched or is watching "The Boroughs" on Netflix. It is an Orwellian cross between "Tremors" and "Cocoon". Thoughts?

08/03/2026

The fields of aging and eldercare are constantly evolving. Those of us who work on support capacities are forever learning new information and resources and products. Something I recently learned comes under the category of "Please Keep This In Mind." A dear friend recently shared with me that the CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community) where she resides "told" her that she would be moving from Independent to Assisted Living after a recent stay in short-term rehab. I always knew that a CCRC's care team was part of the conversation about living environment. But I was not aware that they could direct the conversation. If a congregate setting is your goal, PLEASE read the contract thoroughly. Ask questions. Make sure you have advocates on your own care team who can advocate for your preferences.

07/30/2026

Good Heavens, how has it been a year since I last posted?! Let me tell you how it has been a year...caregiving. Being a caregiver for a loved one is an intensely meaningful and challenging job. While we engage in such an important role, we must also balance other responsibilities. And sometimes it seems like we are not doing any of them well. And yet we persist. Some of us for weeks and months. And others for years and years. And what I have learned (and observed) is that only the top 1% of caregivers know how to perfectly balance all of their responsibilities and still engage in good self-care. The other 99% are eating ramen noodles at our computers catching up on work emails at midnight. And yet we persist. A hearty THANK YOU to the caregivers. We SEE you!

07/24/2025

Curious if there are folks in the Lynchburg area interested in discussing "intentional communities"....Villages, cohousing, NORCs (Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities). Wouldn't it be nice to live and thrive among a community of nearby, like-minded folks who value connection, share common common values and principles, and productive interdependence?

07/21/2025

A shout out to all caregivers, professional AND family. Please take the time to recharge your batteries as often as possible!

When we push and push and then stop, we often experience what I call "post-adrenaline blues."

06/30/2025

Love is love, y'all. https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2025/06/26/g-s1-67930/hidden-once-hidden-twice-senior-le***an-photos?fbclid=IwY2xjawLPbgZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETE4S2xlVjgyUHQxYXpNaHBtAR6WgRdl5DC3sQN47KQJMlQLvav0YEyHmhyjUvwlZ-zmb8UMpB3JOZmYvjbnkw_aem_F78ofIWZcf_rzb126FBgBw

Morgan Lieberman's "Hidden Once, Hidden Twice" is a documentary photo and film project bringing visibility to the lives of senior le***an couples across the U.S.

05/05/2025

Are we scaring ourselves into cognitive impairment?

Is “dementia phobia” an overreaction to normal brain aging? When we fear getting dementia, we are afraid of something that may never happen.