November 2019 - Boomerbestu.com

DNA Testing: The Gift that Keeps Giving

Post Author:Paula Usrey
Post published:November 27, 2019
Post Category:All / Boomer Best U Living
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Several years ago, my sister bought me a subscription for DNA testing through 23andMe.com. After receiving my DNA kit and submitting a saliva sample by mail, I received online results.I learned more about my genetic heritage and a lot more about my potential genetic risk for certain diseases or health issues. Periodically, I get notifications about distant (and some not-so-distant) relatives who have indicated they are open for contact. Fortunately for me, my profile didn’t suggest that I was at high risk for any particular disease or health issue.DNA home testing kits provide us with connections to our past and…

Thank you for Your Encouragement and Support

Post Author:Paula Usrey
Post published:November 27, 2019
Post Category:All / Positive Aging Blog
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Happy ThanksgivingMany of us will be celebrating Thanksgiving this week with family or friends. Some of us will be cooking and doing a little extra cleaning. Some of you will be traveling. Most of us will be eating a bit more than we should. No matter where you are or what you do, I want to wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving.I also want to thank those of you who have provided encouragement, offered feedback, and made comments on my posts during this first year after officially launching Boomer Best U. I am enjoying my new adventure and appreciate you…

“OK Boomer” Demands a Response

Post Author:Paula Usrey
Post published:November 21, 2019
Post Category:All / Positive Aging Blog
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I’ve seen the phrase, “OK Boomer” a few times on social media but have largely ignored it until recently. After I wrote an article for a local newspaper about the need for intergenerational communication, a former colleague commented that my article was timely, given the increasing popularity of the “OK Boomer” retort.My article was about the importance of different generations working together on common community concerns. I had mentioned that labeling older people as “selfish” was divisive and would not help us solve bigger issues.My initial thought about pushback from younger community members was that older adults already worked shoulder-to-shoulder…

Effects of Positive and Negative Attitudes about Aging

Post Author:Paula Usrey
Post published:November 20, 2019
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Various studies have pointed to the importance of having a positive attitude about aging. Individuals who see older people in a positive light and see their own aging process as positive overall are more likely to age well.I recently read an interesting journal article that other researchers have cited literally hundreds of times. The author, Dr. Becca Levy is a professor of Public Health at Yale University. She has won numerous awards for her work on aging and was invited to give testimony before the U.S. Senate on the effects of ageism. Several of the articles I have read about…

Value of Preventative Screening Services?

Post Author:Paula Usrey
Post published:November 15, 2019
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After 50, our risk of disease generally increases. Services like Life Line Screening might sound like they offer relatively inexpensive tests that could potentially detect certain health problems before they become critical. Are they worth it?Because he had experienced a previous stroke, my husband chose to have a Life Line screening a few years ago. He felt the ‘peace of mind’ was worth the $99 he had paid for five tests: stroke/carotid artery plaque build-up; peripheral arterial disease screening; osteoporosis risk; abdominal aortic aneurysm and atrial fibrillation screening. When Life Line contacted him again this year about making an appointment,…

Finding New Meaning in Ordinary Moments

Post Author:Paula Usrey
Post published:November 14, 2019
Post Category:All / Positive Aging Blog
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Having a regular job is supposed to give us a sense of purpose—something that motivates us to get up each morning. Retirement literature suggests that once we leave the workplace, many of us will end up struggling to find meaning in our lives. Motivational writers and speakers might tell us that each of us must find our purpose, our meaning in life—especially after retirement—if we want to be happy and fulfilled.It has been nearly a year (11 months and one week) since I officially ‘retired’ from my full-time teaching career. I loved teaching and did feel it gave me a…

Aging and Embracing the Value of Interdependence

Post Author:Paula Usrey
Post published:November 8, 2019
Post Category:All / Positive Aging Blog
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We live in what some social scientists refer to as an individualistic culture. We pride ourselves on our self-reliance and independence. But as we age, an individualistic mindset doesn’t serve us very well.A few months ago, I wrote about a loved one who was quite ill. Not knowing how the story was going to unfold, I didn’t mention that the ‘loved one’ was my husband. For nearly three months, my husband had difficulty walking, getting out of a chair by himself, or even putting his socks on in the morning. He could no longer mow the lawn, do any other…

Strengthening Relationships with Technology

Post Author:Paula Usrey
Post published:November 7, 2019
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When I was still teaching, I noticed that many of my students had difficulty separating themselves from their phones. As I taught communication skills (including listening and interpersonal communication), we had plenty of discussions in class about ways in which the overuse of technology can supplant healthy relationship building. I even knew of students who broke off serious romantic engagements by sending a text message.Misuse and overuse of technology can limit our ability to connect with others in meaningful ways. However, technology can enhance our relationship with others and allow us to stay connected in new ways. Here are three…