Continuing-care retirement communities worth a look
More than 2,000 continuing-care retirement communities exist nationally. They include all phases of senior living: independent, assisted, memory care and skilled nursing, packaged into...
Unpacking the Brian Simmons story
Most of the time, my involvement with a story ends the day we upload the magazine to the printer.
That's simply not the case with...
Changes in the weather can affect health of Maricopa’s senior citizens
In theory, everyone welcomes spring. We love the warmer days and budding greenery. But spring is a time of extreme weather change that can...
The messy business of creativity
Fine arts are a funny thing. They’re often the first on the chopping block where funding is concerned, yet the movie you just watched...
Rest of the story about Brian Simmons
Some people regarded Brian Simmons as the town nuisance, and he certainly did have a history of bizarre behavior around Maricopa.
This month in our...
Solo agers: Procrastination not a good plan in dealing with your affairs
Last month, I wrote about the importance of reaching out to those who might be facing isolation during the holidays. That prompted me to...
February is American Heart Month: Is your ticker in good condition?
In the early to mid 1960s, more than half the deaths in the U.S. were caused by cardiovascular disease.
To heighten awareness, the first American...
Maricopa seniors should be prepared for disasters to augment city plans
While images of hurricanes and wildfire destruction have been in recent news coverage, homeowners, renters and business owners can ill afford to ignore other...
Survey challenges conventional wisdom, perception about aging
This past June, American Association of Retired Persons and National Geographic published results of their joint “Second Half of Life Study” in the AARP...
As the year turns, it’s a good time to rethink how we live our...
This past year brought many challenges. Many of us are dealing with unexpected health issues. COVID-19 left its mark. Inflation had a profound effect.
Several...
Remember seniors who might be alone in your holiday plans
The holidays are upon us. With the chaos of running back and forth getting ready to celebrate, it is important for us to remember...
Would you step back in time to relive a special Christmas from days past?
Christmas is almost here.
This magical time of year means so many things as it brings people together. It’s a celebration with family and friends,...
Squash, pumpkins carve out niche in Maricopa-area history
It’s that time of year again, when we give thanks with pumpkin and squash on the holiday table.
Cucurbita, Latin for gourd, is among the...
Options for senior housing, care
When it comes to decisions regarding housing at the time of retirement, most everyone is simply trying to decide where they want to live....
Expert: How to keep that summer glow
No matter how much we love the feel of the sun on our skin, we must acknowledge the sun can damage our skin. That...
Planting a garden? The merits of raised, in-ground beds
Planting a new garden? Are you torn between what type of garden bed you should use?
When establishing a garden, you can either choose a...
Smith: In emergencies, preparedness instills confidence
It’s that time of year when we are reminded by Mother Nature that emergency situations can happen quickly with limited warning. Although Arizona has...
Koczor: Alzheimer’s, dementia, take huge toll on families, economy
September is World Alzheimer’s Month. This year’s theme — “Know Dementia, Know Alzheimer’s” — highlights the importance of support for those diagnosed with the...
Phelps: The pandemic’s emotional toll
School is in session and, hopefully, a routine has been established and the children are adjusting well. But there may be concerns that loom...
September is Suicide Prevention Month — and perfect time to learn signs, symptoms
Every 11 minutes, a person dies by suicide. In 2020, 45,979 individuals took their own life. Almost as many people who live in the...
Phelps: Understanding mental health – and the stigma of mental illness
Defining mental health or its opposite — mental illness — is a daunting task.
Mental health includes our emotional state: how we feel, how we...
Walk-in tubs: what you need to know
I recently had a reader ask for information regarding walk-in tubs. My experience with them is limited to a neighbor who purchased one for...
Brandenburg: Aging population expansion will challenge all of us
Aging is inevitable. Like other transitions in life, changes can be physical, psychosocial and mental. Understanding the differences between those changes can assist in...
Master Gardener: Prepare that new vegetable garden now
It’s August, and we have not quite given up on summer and are wondering when it will end. The temperatures are consistently in the...
Phelps: How to keep our students safe
This month, our children will return to school. The concerns we have about safety have been heightened recently by more school shootings by mentally...
CPA: A business owner’s guide to inflation
Everything I need to know about inflation, I learned in grade school — too much money chasing too few goods and services. Supply and...
Expert: How to play the credit score game
If you know the rules of the game, you will win the game. With credit, the rules are not easy to understand because of...
Master Gardener: Chia is not just a fuzzy tchotchke!
You may have seen the TV commercials, but there is more than meets the eye with chia (Salvia hispanica), the iconic seed of the...
Koczor: The explanation of a complex topic, inflation
Here’s a simple explanation of inflation: a general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money. Inflation corresponds to a reduction...
Siegel: Advanced Math for elementary students, please
In January 2016, I began this education column with two purposes. First, provide readers with new ideas about teaching and learning through the lens...