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Finding Joy In the Morning

There was a day late in the summer when all seemed gloomy to me. The weather was warm but overcast. I made my way into the Gabriel Project of West Virginia’s Wheeling site which is located inside the St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church at 1409 Chapline St. The church generously provides the space for the project.  FYI: The Gabriel Project helps local families with babies have a healthy, safe start in life. It provides basic necessities including diapers, wipes, clothing and formula free of charge. The focus is on the infant through toddler stages of life. Other items, including ...

Why Women Lose Hair as They Age – and What Can Be Done About It

Dear Savvy Senior, I’m a 68-year-old woman and over the past few years my hair has become noticeably thinner, especially on top. Is this just part of aging, or could it be a sign of a health problem? And are there treatments that really help women with hair loss? – Thinning Thelma Dear Thelma, Hair thinning is a common concern for women as they age, especially after menopause, but it’s not something you should automatically dismiss as getting older. While some hair loss is a normal part of aging, it can also be linked to underlying health conditions, medications, ...

Some Fears Never Fade

Be not afraid. Easy for you to say. You didn’t just have a large, round, black orb with eight legs present itself on the top step to your front porch. If that wasn’t enough to stop me in my tracks, that spider’s slightly smaller cousin was hanging from the siding near the front door. For most of my readers, I would guess this situation was simply part of nature and you would go about your day. I wish it were that easy for me. My phobia of spiders gets ramped up into high gear at this time of year when insects are seeking to take up residence inside our homes for the winter.  I ...

Helping an Older Parent Cope with Loneliness

Dear Savvy Senior, My 78-year-old father has lived alone since my mother passed away two years ago. He insists he’s fine, but I can tell he spends most of his time by himself and seems increasingly lonely and withdrawn. What can I do to help him, and are there any resources that could support him? – Worried Son Dear Worried, You’re right to pay attention to this. The loss of a spouse often leads to increased isolation in older adults, even when they insist they’re fine. But long stretches without meaningful contact can take a real toll on both emotional and physical ...

Putting Things Into Perspective

I get it. I know the price of gasoline. I reached for a pot roast at the store only to put it back when I saw the price was over $25. Cheaper cuts of pork would do. We all are dealing with higher prices on many things. But in all the five decades of my married life, my spouse and I have learned to pivot when it comes to making ends meet. We learned early on how to stretch a dollar and above everything, live within our means. Neither of our careers of choice put us in the upper tax bracket, yet we pay our share of state and federal taxes. We also support our fire departments, paying ...

Can My Children Get Social Security Benefits When I Retire?

Dear Savvy Senior, I’m getting ready to start my Social Security retirement benefits and have two children at home, ages 17 and 15. I’ve heard they may also be eligible for benefits on my record while I’m collecting. Is that true, and if so, how does it work? How long would they receive benefits, and is there anything I need to do to apply for them? – Retiring Parent Dear Retiring, Yes! If you’re 62 or older and raising kids, Social Security can put a little extra cash in your family’s pocket. Here’s how it works. When you claim your retirement benefits, each of ...