Our senior issue 2023

Wrinkles aside, we seniors aren’t much different from the rest

Donna Mullins is a retired social worker for the state of Michigan who lives in East Lansing. She volunteers for the Lansing chapter of the League of Women Voters.
Over one-sixth of our country is made up of people over 65. I’m a member of that group. And I am one of the lucky ones. I have a pension, social security and retirement investments that give me an income that matches my working income.
Victor Lyons, 61, of Lansing, in the tent encampment he calls home.

Lansing is part of a national crisis of homeless seniors

Nearly two years ago, Victor Lyons was working as a roofer. During a job, he stepped on a nail. The wound became infected, and Lyons landed in the hospital. The infection took the 61-year-old man’s left leg, and he found himself struggling to learn how to walk again.
Prime Time Seniors Program participants learn to play ukulele.

Seniors socialize, find balance through East Lansing’s Prime Time

Older people in my family have a simple, uplifting mantra when it comes to aging: never get old. My grandmother quipped this for nearly 40 years before passing at age 92. And now my parents quote our ancestral adage, even though their retirement activities so far have included earning a doctorate degree and hiking the Appalachian trail, respectively.
“Older adults are at a higher risk for adverse cannabis reactions,” said Dr. Benjamin Han, a geriatrician and co-author of the study. “This is likely due to a combination of greater sensitivity and being unfamiliar with newer forms of the drug".

Practice caution when using cannabis

According to research, the Baby Boomer generation has been rolling its own fair share of joints over the last few years. In the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 1.4% of adults over the age of 65 reported using marijuana during the past year. In the 2021 survey, that number increased to a little over 7%.
Read the senior issue

The rise and fall of Kewpee Hamburgers

Courtesy of Gary Flinn
Author Gary Flinn’s new book, “Kewpee Hamburgers: A Mity Nice History,” tells the full story of one of the nation’s oldest hamburger chains, which still has a handful of locations throughout the Midwest.

Autumn Weston is the fourth-generation owner of Weston’s Kewpee Sandwich Shoppe, which opened in downtown Lansing in 1924. She recognizes this as an important milestone for both her family and the city as a whole.

Theater life provides enrichment for seniors

Starlight Dinner Theatre performs shows that cater to older audiences, such as its production of “Calendar Girls” in 2018. They tend to be classics with little cursing or sex, in comparison to the more cutting-edge, in-your-face works other theaters produce.

Bob Robinson has been active in the Greater Lansing theater community since the “early ‘80s.” He was a co-founder of Grand Ledge’s now-defunct Spotlight Theatre  alongside the late Len Kluge, who was also a theater reviewer for City Pulse. But at 75, Robinson’s life has changed dramatically.

Other news about seniors

The Daily Yonder profiles senior citizens who made the choice to relocate from urban to rural areas for their retirement.

The Daily Yonder profiles senior citizens who made the choice to relocate from urban to rural areas for their retirement.
Read more.
How Type 2 Inflammation Contributes to Asthma, COPD, and Allergic Conditions
(BPT) - Do you live with persistent, moderate-to-severe asthma, COPD, allergies, eczema or hives? Inflammation is often a major factor in the severity of your symptoms. It could also be a factor if …
For seniors: One simple step to protect your health and wallet in 2025
(BPT) - Navigating the rising cost of prescriptions can feel like a challenge, but savvy seniors know there's a smarter way to manage healthcare expenses in 2025. The new Medicare Prescription …
Take care of your vision to invest in your overall health
(BPT) - A new year is a great opportunity to develop better habits and improve your health and wellness. Perhaps that involves revamping your workout routine or investing in a skincare regimen. As …
60% of Americans feel confident about reaching their financial goals
(BPT) - Retirement is a journey, and every milestone counts: New Empower research shows that Americans across generations are making progress toward retirement, from building emergency funds to …
6 Doctor-Approved New Year’s Resolutions for Better Health in 2025
(BPT) - As we turn the page to a new year, many of us are writing our list of resolutions. While grand goals like "lose weight" or "eat healthier" often take center stage, these can quickly feel like …

Mind the Gap: Six Tips to Assess Your Healthcare Coverage Before the New Year

(BPT) - The new year is a good time to reset. From a fresh start on lifestyle choices, hobbies or pursuits, to the less exciting — but no less important — aspects of life, like …

Learning from Voices of War: Honoring the 80th anniversary of World War II's final major battle

(Family Features) The Ardennes Offensive, commonly known as the "Battle of the Bulge," stands as the single bloodiest battle fought by the United States during World War II.

Five Ways to Ease Your Retirement Worries

(BPT) - By Rob Williams, Managing Director, Financial Planning, Retirement Income and Wealth Management, Schwab Center for Financial ResearchThere are a lot of cautionary tales in the news these days …

Older adults at higher risk of confusion, memory problems after surgery: anesthesiologists and patients should partner to protect brain health

(BPT) - The "silver tsunami" of people 65 and older combined with the uptick in surgeries during the winter months is creating the perfect storm for a sometimes-overlooked issue — postoperative …

6 creative ways to save on healthcare using your Medicare Advantage OTC allowance

(BPT) - Did you know that if you're on a Medicare Advantage plan, you most likely have an over-the-counter (OTC) allowance to help offset the costs of everyday healthcare items? Millions of Medicare …

2 crucial New Year's tasks to help protect your home and belongings

(BPT) - The beginning of a new year is a time when many people take stock of their lives, addressing important tasks like getting wellness exams or scheduling home maintenance. To help protect your …

4 ways seniors can find connection this holiday season

(BPT) - As you get older, we may sometimes feel less of a sense of community and connection. If you've experienced loss, are living apart from family or have challenges due to chronic medical …

Gut health matters! 6 easy ways to prioritize it this winter

(BPT) - The holiday season is a festive, joyous time of year but it can pack a one-two punch. With all of the holiday baking, get-togethers and big meals, people tend to overindulge in rich foods, …

Get the Facts about Enlarged Prostate

(BPT) - Sponsored by Boston ScientificEnlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a common condition that affects about 50% of men by age 60 and up to 90% of men by age …

Recently diagnosed with thyroid eye disease? You may want to know about a new clinical study

(BPT) - Your eyes can tell you a lot about your health, and this is especially true for those living with thyroid eye disease (TED). TED occurs when the immune system mistakenly targets the tissues …

Are you living with eczema? It's time to get the care you deserve

(BPT) - Sponsored by Eli Lilly and CompanyUnderstanding eczema For her entire life, April has lived with dry, itchy skin, experiencing frequent thinning and scarring of her skin due to insistent …

4 reasons you should check your hearing this year

(BPT) - When was the last time you had your hearing checked? If you're like most Americans, it may have been a while or you may not have gotten it checked before — rest assured, you're not …
Palliative Care: A Personalized Pathway to Comfort and Support
(BPT) - Palliative care from Carelon Health offers a deeply personalized and compassionate approach to managing the complexities of serious illnesses. It focuses on providing relief from symptoms, …
All-inclusive elder care for aging at home: This nursing home alternative is on the rise
Enrollment at PACE centers has grown 50% since 2019. Caring.com examined data from the NPA to illustrate their growing popularity.
States where older people's health is seeing the biggest decline
Northwell Health partnered with Stacker to see which states have seen the biggest declines in senior health, using data from the CDC.
Need affordable vision care? How Medicare Advantage can help
(BPT) - The end of the Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is fast approaching. By Dec. 7, it’s important that eligible adults choose a plan that fits their needs, especially when it comes to …
Tips for Healthy Aging with Medicare Advantage Plans
(BPT) - Your health plan plays a big role in keeping you healthy as you age. It can support key parts of healthy aging, like preventive care, taking prescribed medications, regular exercise and …
New Technology Provides Hope for Patient with AFib
(BPT) - Sponsored by Boston ScientificAfter retiring from his career as a photographer, Pennsylvania resident Bob Skalkowski looked forward to spending his time sailing, gardening, exercising, fixing …

'Tis the Season to be a Savvy Shopper

(BPT) - The holiday season is full of joy, gatherings, food and merriment. It's also full of parents and grandparents trying to maintain a budget as they shop, plan and execute those gatherings. AARP …
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