Pathways for Aging

Being Mindful of the Present & Positive Can Make Us Happier

Becky Schwantes — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:02:38 +0000

This article: http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=35872&cn=117 discusses the practices of Rick Hanson in his new book Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom. In it, Hanson links the body’s responses to focusing on the present and consciously dwelling on positive experiences and aspects of our lives to a make us happier. Specifically, he recommends: “Turn positive [...]

The Baby Boomers

Becky Schwantes — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:09:19 +0000

On Thursday, March 4, Tom Brokaw’s latest generational investigation gets its television debut on CNBC called “Boomers: History’s Wealthiest and Most Influential Generation.” The Baby Boomers, those born following World War II between 1946 & 1964, count just under 80 million Americans in their cohort with 8,000 of them turning 65 each day. The Boomers [...]

Talk Therapy Decreases Low Back Pain according to Recent Study

Becky Schwantes — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:38:49 +0000

A British study, published in the Lancet, found that psychotherapy that addressed behavioral and emotional health is a cost-effective way to reduce low back pack pain as reported in an article by the St. Louis Post Dispatch: http://interact.stltoday.com/blogzone/fit-bits/uncategorized/2010/02/talk-therapy-decreases-low-back-pain/ Mental health and emotional issues often effect the whole body. Physical pain can be caused by or exacerbated [...]

Stress and Depression

Becky Schwantes — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:42:54 +0000

Psychiatrist, Dr. Charles Raison, regularly answers questions about mental health on cnn.com. A recent article discusses the connection of stress and depression: “We toss the word ‘depression’ around a lot, as if we all know what it feels like to be depressed. But in fact, depression has a number of emotional faces. Sometimes it feels like [...]

Creating Aging-Friendly Communities

Becky Schwantes — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:44:36 +0000

Today, 8,000 Baby Boomers will turn 65, and the number of older adults in the U.S. will continue to rise steadily for the next twenty years. Not only do families need to plan for their own needs and the needs of their aging loved ones, but entire cities and towns need to address our aging [...]

90 year old St. Louisan is a Great Example of Positive Aging

Becky Schwantes — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:26:29 +0000

KSDK news recently ran a story about a local man who has won hundreds of medals in the Senior Olympics: “Dahl gives new meaning to the term, ’senior moment.’ To him, it’s a workout everyday at the Jewish Community Center in Creve Coeur.” Read about his experiences and why he is an example of [...]

Cut elder-care costs

Jeannie Krause-Taylor — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:42:31 +0000

Often we hear from adult children concerned about paying for the care of the aging parents. Some families are concerned about their financial responsibity for their parents. The weekend edition of USA Today has a mini-article by Sharon Epperson, with a few tips and resources. You can access the article: Cut Elder-care Costs online. One [...]

Why Pathways for Aging serves the Mental Health Needs of Older Adults

Becky Schwantes — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:44:58 +0000

Research consistently indicates that older adults utilize mental health services at significantly lower rates than younger adults, yet the overall prevalence of mental health disorders remains roughly the same across all age cohorts (Narrow, et al. 2002). Therefore, even though older adults represent 13% of the U.S. population, they receive only 6% of community mental [...]

Pet Therapy?

Jeannie Krause-Taylor — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:07:31 +0000

Pet therapy - what is the benefit to older adults? As I sit in my office, my 2 cats are contentedly sleeping away the morning. It reminds me of the value and importance that some of our older adults place on their relationship with their pet. Some of our clients share their small senior apartments [...]

Elderly Caregiving: the impact of the economy

Jeannie Krause-Taylor — Wed, 20 May 2009 05:08:11 +0000

In today’s online edition of US News & World Report - columnist, Bill Moehler wrote about the impact of the economy on baby boomers and their aging parents. The economic downturn the past year has certainly impacted every area of our lives. Usually we hear of the financial impact, but how this affects the lives of families [...]