“I’m sorry. There isn’t anything more we can do.” The hardest―most painful words you will ever hear. The doctors had left. The room was silent. Stunned. Heartbroken. Rick and his…
Tell Your Doctor What’s on Your Bucket List
By Grace Birnstengel for Next Avenue Your doctor can’t read your mind. A doctor assumes everyone wants to live and continue to live the best, healthiest, happiest life possible —…
5 Life Lessons From Stephen Hawking
By Bryce Kirchoff for Next Avenue As the passing of renowned physicist and public intellectual Stephen Hawking is met with grief and remembrance the world over, Next Avenue wanted to…
Are You Doing Doctor Appointments Right?
By Grace Birnstengel for Next Avenue Navigating the medical system can be a daunting process. It’s challenging enough to find any doctor with openings, let alone a good doctor. And…
The Power of Sharing Our Stories
By Reyna Marder Gentin for Next Avenue My friend runs an assisted living residence not far from where I live. When she called to say she had a mitzvah (a…
8 Ways to Preserve Your Family Memories
By Claire Zulkey for Next Avenue Does that box of unsorted family photos in your closet give you a gnawing feeling? Always wonder what you’re supposed to do with your…
How a Daughter Helped Her Mom Face Death
By Aimee Ross “I have a question for you, Aim,” Mom said from her blue La-Z-Boy. “How did you stay so positive during everything you went through?” This takes me…
5 Things Family Caregivers Need to Know About Family Leave
By Diane Harris for Next Avenue This week marks the 25th anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which allows employees to take up to 12 weeks of…
How to Be Supportive to Friends Experiencing Loss
By Ken Druck for Next Avenue (Editor’s note: This essay is the latest in a series from author and speaker Ken Druck, based on work in his book Courageous Aging, which…
‘Letter Project’ Makes End-of-Life Wishes Clear
By Beth Baker, Aging in Community Blogger (part of the Transforming Life as We Age Special Report) “I do not want to be a burden on my family… I would prefer…