Rejuvenation Retreats: Take a Step Away From the World

Midway through a Qigong exercise class, as we silently expressed appreciation for how hard our internal organs work, the instructor grinned and said, “Now when people ask what you did on your retreat, you can tell them we smiled at our livers.” The cla… Continue reading

Movies Offer Positive Perspectives on Growing Older

Later life is an adventure with both light and dark moments, says Sheila Malkind, 80. And fittingly, she promotes that philosophy each year at the Legacy Film Festival on Aging, which she founded in 2011 and has directed ever since. Some of the films a… Continue reading

Two Generations of Divorce: Parents and Their Adult Children

It may be a bittersweet way to connect with your adult child: he or she comes to you for comfort while going through a divorce because not only are you their parent, you know the pain because you also were divorced. Sometimes parents can let bitter fee… Continue reading

In Motion: The Stories Behind the Next Avenue Photo Exhibit

Cristobal Trejo, a worker at the famed Churchill Downs racetrack, provides daily care for the horses he loves. Carol Challas, a breast cancer survivor, founded the Derby City Dragons, a supportive and dedicated dragon boat team with 40 members, compris… Continue reading

Say ‘Hello’ to Friendly Phone Programs

Editor’s Note: This is a part of our Loneliness + Isolation series brought to you in part by Consumer Cellular. It’s 9 a.m. on a Wednesday, and Kathleen, the moderator for today’s morning Gratitude Group on Well Connected, is taking a friendly roll cal… Continue reading

Maintaining A Relationship With Grandkids Amid Estrangement

Being a grandparent often means passing along traditions, making memories and building family bonds. But this isn’t the reality for many families, especially those affected by estrangement. It’s difficult to say exactly how many parents are estranged f… Continue reading

An American Expat Reflects on Coming Home

Oregon law says I was supposed to get a new driver’s license within 30 days of moving to the state. But I’ve been back to my hometown for a year after nearly three years living and traveling in Asia and the Middle East in my late 40s, in search of adve… Continue reading

On Labor Day, Workers Celebrate the Benefits of Union Membership

Librarians. Airplane mechanics. Radiologists. Letter carriers. Musicians. Hotel workers. Glaziers. Actors. House painters. Labor unions represent individuals in these professions and others, well beyond the more commonly known unionized jobs such as te… Continue reading

Should You Rekindle a Past Romance?

Editor’s Note: In April, we asked Next Avenue readers to submit their questions about dating and relationships after 50. We received many thoughtful inquiries that touched on a wide range of topics. This story is the final installment of our summer ser… Continue reading

A Funny Look at Getting Older in ‘The New 60’ Comic Strip

Life after 60 may not be all laughs. But it’s proving to be fertile territory for the wit and insights of Andy Landorf and John Colquhoun, the funny creators of The New 60, a twice-a-week comic strip now in its second year. The strip centers on four 60… Continue reading