LGBTQ Elders Need More Than Individual Heroism in COVID-19

(Across caregiving and community, business and intergenerational attitudes, the pandemic and how we respond to it could change us forever. Next Avenue turned to some of our Influencers in Aging, a diverse group of thought leaders, for their insights, c… Continue reading

Easing the Isolation During the Coronavirus Crisis

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has much of the world sheltering in place. While it may be frustrating and challenging for many of us, this increased isolation is especially hard on the mental and physical health of older adults — the same group mo… Continue reading

What You Do to Reduce Loneliness

(Editor’s Note: This is part of our Loneliness + Isolation series brought to you by Consumer Cellular.) Various surveys of older Americans have found that between 33% and 43% of them are lonely. But we wanted to find out how lonely, what makes them fee… Continue reading

We Know About Mental Health. What About Social Health?

Michael Thomas has a radical idea that loneliness needs to be normalized. Thomas, a lecturer in social work at Brunel University London, says it should be accepted that everyone struggles “and it’s normal to move in and out of loneliness over your life… Continue reading

OPINION: Older Shouldn’t Mean Kept Separate

(This article was provided through The OpEd Project, whose mission is to increase the range of voices and quality of ideas we hear in the world.) The holidays are here! Fun times for all! But for many older people, the holidays are not so fun and can b… Continue reading

Keren Etkin: Discovering the Intersection of Gerontology and Technology

Keren Etkin, 32, calls herself “a gerontologist by training and a tech enthusiast by nature.” In 2015, Etkin, who lives in Tel Aviv, received a master’s degree in gerontology from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and two years later, founded TheGero… Continue reading

Diverse Older Adults Struggle With Social Isolation

When asked by staff of the Diverse Elders Coalition about the aging services available in her area, Elva, an American Indian elder from New Mexico, relayed how important her local Elder Center was to her and her peers’ well-being: “We as elders need a … Continue reading

How Experts Are Working to Find Solutions for Loneliness

(This article appeared previously in Kaiser Health News.) For years, Dr. Linda Fried offered older patients who complained of being lonely what seemed to be sensible guidance. “Go out and find something that matters to you,” she would say. But her well… Continue reading

The Personal Sacrifices Family Caregivers Make for Their Loved Ones

Unpaid family members and friends who care for loved ones want to provide that care, but they sacrifice their own financial, medical and social needs to do it. This is one of the main findings from a recent survey conducted by the Associated Press-NORC… Continue reading

Tom Kamber: Bringing Tech to All Older Adults

Tom Kamber, one of Next Avenue’s 2018 Influencers in Aging, projects so much exuberance and enthusiasm as he discusses his work as founder and executive director of Older Adults Technology Services (OATS)/Senior Planet, that you believe he and his team… Continue reading