Category Archives: Community

Village to Village Network

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Village to Village Network

Link to the Village to Village Network

Many folks, myself included, wish to maintain the autonomy and freedoms and joy of living out our lives in our own homes. But, as we age, even those of us who are quite active, find that adaptations need to be continually made. Handling roof projects becomes a no-no. Then pruning and other heavy yard work. Our houses need modification. Hand rails. Our friends and associate move away and die off leaving us potentially socially stranded. And as we all know it goes on and on.

One approach to create an organization, a “village” of older folks helping each other. That’s what the villages of the village to village network is about.

There about 200 active villages in the US. If there is one near you, check the site and consider joining. If there is not one near you, you might consider starting one. The Village toVillage network has a wealth of information to help. Check out their link at the top of this page. I call it “co housing” with out the house!”

 

From The Village to Village network home page:

The Village to Village Network has been created by Villages for Villages.

Village to Village Network helps communities establish and manage their own Villages.
VtV Network has been developed in response to requests from Villages nationwide.

Village to Village Network:

  •  Village to Village Network (VtV) is a national peer to peer network to help establish and continuously improve management of their own villages whether in large metropolitan areas, rural towns or suburban settings.
  • The mission of VtV is to enable communities to establish and effectively manage aging in community organizations initiated and inspired by their members.

Villages:

  • are membership-driven, grass-roots organizations
  • are run by volunteers and paid staff
  • coordinate access to affordable services
    including transportation, inspiring health and wellness programs, home repairs, social and educational activities and trips.
  • offer vetted- discounted providers

The Radical Age Movement -leveraging the power of age

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The Radical Age Movement -leveraging the power of age

Here’s a group working for all of us aging folk
From their site: https://theradicalagemovement.com/about-the-radical-age-movement/

“Working together we can:

Challenge ageism – in ourselves, social practices, policies, and institutions
Create new language and models that embrace the full life journey;
Create new paradigms in society so that adults can participate fully consistent with their capabilities and ambitions at all stages of life;
Celebrate the contributions of older adults toward innovating, changing and repairing the world;
Create a more compassionate and interdependent society that supports the wellbeing of people of all ages;
Inspire and help develop cross-generational communities where people of all ages enjoy the gifts and capacities they have to offer;
Bring dying and death out of the closet.

Cheerleading at advanced ages -It’s never too late!

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Cheerleading at advanced ages -It’s never too late!

I heard on NPR this morning a interview with an 80 plus year old Japanese lady who at 53 came to the US to study gerontology, then at 83 started a “cheer leading” group which is still performing.

It’s a heartwarming example of  staying relevant, staying active, and enjoying life while aging.

Here’s a link to see them in action and to learn more about the program.

Aging with purpose

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Aging with purpose – Time magazine article

“Having a purpose in life may help people maintain their function and independence as they age, according to a new study published in JAMA Psychiatry. People in the study who reported having goals and a sense of meaning were less likely to have weak grip strength and slow walking speeds: two signs of declining physical ability and risk factors for disability.”

You are welcome to share your purpose in life in the comments section.

Here’s the link to the article:

Aging with purpose -Time magazine article
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Time article- Aging with Purpose

TIME article: Aging with Purpose

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“What’s your bucket list?”

At a dinner party last week, the subject of “aging with purpose” came up. My dinner companion, another elder, asked me what things I still had on my “bucket list.”  I thought for a minute and realized many of the things I would have said at a younger age I had actually accomplished. Others, like my early desire to build a 50 foot sailing yacht, learn how to sail well, and then mosey around the world for a year or two. have been off the list for a long time. Especially after talking with two couples who had done it and came away with a bunch of hi-lights  but mostly long stretches of  pure boredom.  Their comment,”the ocean is just plain huge.” For myself and wife, it turns out, kayak paddling and camping in the Canadian South Gulf islands suffices much better for our actual psychologies.

My bucket leaks – and well it should!

My bucket  list has leaks in the bottom. And that’s very fine with me. For instance diving from a 100 foot cliff into pure blue water, or going off a ski jump for a hundred meter flight, or climbing the face of El Capitan, are all activities I am glad leaked out of the bottom of my bucket list.

Today, I enjoy the process:  Seeing plays;  reading a good book sitting on a rock with the McKenzie river, and an occasional rafter rushing by; doing an energetic  dance; building one of my fused glass creations; writing a post for this blog, sitting beside our garden stove;  having an engaging conversation down at the local coffee shop about whatever is topical at the moment.  These are the things I now enjoy. I don’t need, or so I think, a bucket list.

Time article about aging with purpose

At about this time, TIME magazine came out with an article about a study which showed people having a purpose in life helps them maintain functions and independence as they age. I wonder where my love of activities fits on their purpose of life measuring stick?

People in the study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, who reported having goals and a sense of meaning were less likely to have weak grip strength and slow walking speeds: two signs of declining physical ability and risk factors for disability.

It’s a interesting article and here is the Time Magazine  link: Aging with purpose.

BBC-Podcast: Living long lives – Blessing or Curse

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A one hour podcast about living well to advanced ages – and some worries and cautions.

The BBC News Hour Extre guests:

Dr Anne Karpf – Author of ‘How to Age’

Prof Lynda Gratton – Author of ‘The 100 Year Life’

Dr Alexandre Kalache – Co-President of the International Longevity Centre, Brazil

Also featuring:

Dr Bill Frankland – medical doctor still working at 105

The Longevity Project -Howard Friedman & Leslie Martin c 2011

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In 1921 Dr Lewis Terman created a study group of 1528 children. Children selected by their teachers to be well adjusted and with potential. The idea was to follow these children for a lifetime to try and determine the traits and lifestyles which might provide predictors to longevity. The study has continued and one product, long after Dr Terman/s death is this book.

There is no poly-pill. Genes matter, life style matters, medical situations matter, and trauma, accidents, matter. Simply, (actually never simply) eating well, exercising, drinking sufficient water, staying trim, are all good – but no guarantee of a long life.

A couple of traits do stand out. Being conscientious. Those children deaned by teachers as conscientious, trying to do right, both maintained the trait over adulthood, but also lived, in general, long lives. Those people with large and solid social networks do well.

Many “myths” about ageing are addressed. The chapters include discussions about catastrophic thinking, divorce, masculinity/femininity, athletics, careers, religion, wars, and a last chapter about individual positive paths.

The book is aa easy and interesting read, full of statistics, and nicely enhanced with personal stories. Their motto; “follow the data.”