Bone-Thickening Videos

Photo by TobyOtter.

Because I have less-than-ideal bone density (a state recently identified by WHO as osteopenia), I am writing one post a month on bone health.

This month, I was interested in seeing if I could find videos that demonstrate exercises for improving bone density.

Many sites dedicated to bone health such as the National Osteoporosis Foundation suggest a variety of exercises people can engage in for greater bone health.

Pills vs. Yoga, Tea and the Neti Pot

Photo by RLHyde.

When somebody gets sick in my household, there are two strategies for addressing the illness.

You can see the difference in our medicine cabinet. My husband's shelf is filled with pills, tablets and liquid OTC medicines for combating allergies, insomnia, indigestion, colds, flu, headache, etc.

My shelf stores 10 kinds of tea and a neti pot.  If I could fit my yoga mat in the cupboard, that would be another "prescription" I take for improved health.

[Note: I am not a medical professional. Please consult your doctor and pharmacist for medical advice, and do not stop taking any medications without first consulting with your physician.]

Follow Your Bliss

Photo by mrio.

My favorite piece of advice?

"Follow your bliss."

Joseph Campbell offered these words when interviewed by Bill Moyers as part of the 1988 PBS series called The Power of Myth.

Here is a 4 minute video that contains the clip of Campbell speaking those words "Follow your bliss." In particular, watch 1:45 to 2:10. This admonition ended up being the most salient takeaway from the six hour interview with Moyers.

Let me clarify the term "bliss" a bit. I believe Campbell means that we should find our life's mission, our purpose, and that we should have integrity to our core self.

Acetaminophen Overdose Damages the Liver

Photo by jlib. 

This week, the Food and Drug Administration's deadline came due for drug makers to cap doses for acetaminophen at 350 milligrams (mg).  

The FDA also asked doctors to quit prescribing doses above 350 mg with a daily maximum of 4,000 mg (adult dose, not child). 

Too much acetaminophen can cause damage to the liver--requiring a transplant or even more tragically resulting in death. 

According to Medline Plus: 

"Acetaminophen overdose is one of the most common poisonings worldwide. People often think that this medicine is very safe. However, it may be deadly if taken in large doses." 

Nutrition for Our Age

Photo by Frank Kehren.

As a gerontologist and a person in her 50s, I try to read as much as possible about diet and nutrition. I have a strong belief in the power of healthy eating. "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."

Time Ravishes a Late Quartet

Photo by Tim Evanson. 

A Late Quartet (directed by Yaron Zilberman) opened in theaters on November 2, 2012 (grossing $1.6 million). I try to see all new releases that focus on midlife and late life issues. Nevertheless, it escaped my attention then and again when it was released on DVD on February 5, 2013.

It finally caught my eye while I was searching for more films starring actors in midlife and late life to add to my list.  I was interested to see how the film would discuss the complexities that form when a group of people work together for a quarter of a century.

This film did not disappoint. Its cast includes Christopher Walken as Peter Mitchell, a cellist who is a bit older than the other three members of The Fuge, a string quartet.  At the start of the film, Peter learns that he has Parkinson's Disease, which has affected his ability to perform.  He announces that their upcoming season will be his last, providing his dopamine medication allows him enough muscle control to perform one last time.

Advanced Style: Book Review

Published May 22, 2012.

I've been long coveting the coffee table book Advanced Style (powerHouse books), based on the blog by the same name.

Yesterday, friends of mine kindly gave me a copy for my upcoming birthday.

The book was wrapped.  As I tore open a corner and saw the black hat and large-framed black glasses, I squealed, "It's Advanced Style!"

Ari Seth Cohen launched Advanced Style in August 2008 as a place to celebrate the style of mature women--an the occasional silver-haired gentleman.  He photographs people primarily on the streets of NYC and interviews them about their style.

Some argue that older women become invisible to society's gaze. Ari Seth Cohen's blog proves otherwise.

Happy 2nd Blogoversary to TGAM

Photo by libriarianjill.

Today marks two years since I started this blog.

My original purpose was to create a place to store my growing knowledge about gerontology while I was working on a master's degree in Aging Studies.

My blog was a hypertext version of my class notes. I was the primary audience.

If I was going to document my journey into a new vocation, I might as well tell others about my blog.

So I started sharing links on my personal Facebook page.

For my 2nd blogoversary, I like to share the updated version of my All-Time Top 10 Posts below. These are the posts that have secured the most views over the last two years (highest views listed first):

1. Films About Aging A-L (#1 on my 1st blogoversary)
2. Label Clothing for Nursing Home Residents (#4 on my 1st blogoversary)
3. Books on Aging (#3 on my 1st blogoversary)
4. The Donut Hole Is Closing 
5. Adjusting to Bifocals
6. More Seniors than Ever: Population Pyramids (#2 on my 1st blogoversary)
7. Movies Depicting Alzheimer's Disease
8. Age-related Risks for Dehydration
9. Movies about Love & Sex for People 50 Plus
10. Hospital-Induced Delirium