For many of us, we view retirement and the second 50 years of life as stable. We know what to expect because we’ve lived through a lot. We feel confident in our abilities to adapt and adjust, and we’ve set the conditions for stability. We’re better with money, have worked full-time jobs, have created careers, raised kids and probably lived in a few different homes. We’re seasoned. So, change can be shockingly shocking later in life.
Although change is one of the few certainties in life, it rarely feels simple. For older adults, transitions often arrive in waves: the shift from career to retirement, changes in family structure, the realities of aging bodies, or a deepening search for spiritual meaning. Each of these transitions means both challenge and possibility. We have to navigate (yet again) something different, and we also get a little jolt of the excitement that comes with something new.
It’s September! As the seasons shift, many of us feel the push and pull of busyness and rest. For those of us in life’s “second act,” the pace can be just as full as earlier years—family, work, health, caregiving, and community all asking for attention. This month, we invite you to consider the gift of a pause. Not as procrastination, but as permission. A few intentional moments to breathe, reset, and return with clarity.
In our feature, Transitions: Seasons of Change, we explore life transitions many seniors face. From health changes to shifting family roles, life doesn’t ever stand still and remain the same. Even later in life, we’re constantly challenged and met with surprise. We explore different transitions and how to tackle change for the best possible outcomes.
In this month’s Ask the Expert, Boundaries That Strengthen Families, Kate Pomplun answers a reader’s question about caregiving and boundaries from a grandparenting perspective. What do we do when we want to help others while also keeping ourselves afloat? Pomplun offers support and advice.
As the weather cools and the air is occasionally crisp, we’ve included a Fall Tasting Menu: starter, main and dessert. Chocked full of seasonal ingredients, and easy enough for a weeknight last-minute meal, these recipes celebrate our favorite autumn flavors.
Well, it’s official: fall is here. I had my first pumpkin-spiced latte just ture dipped low enough to merit a fleece.
Don’t worry. It was decaf.
October is a gentle month. There are constant reminders of change. we are lucky, toward each other. We have lingering conversations over the flames flicker. Smoke dances around us in a circle. We zip our jackets
September 21 is World Alzheimer’s Day, a day of awareness about the disease affecting so many seniors and their families. We take a look at the global impact of Alzheimer’s disease as well as new research and recent trends in treatment. As Maria Shriver says, “No matter who you are, what you’ve accomplished, what your financial situation is—when you’re dealing with a parent with Alzheimer’s, you yourself feel helpless.” Awareness and information can help.
In this month’s feature, we’re starting an important conversation: care community for ourselves or a loved one? Fox Hollow Senior Robin Hutchings offers inside perspective for making this decision.
We’re grateful for cooler weather, the promise of fall color and all our readers, supporters, clients and friends.
In Ask the Expert, Amy Natt answers a reader’s question regarding away without any estate planning. Without a will or access to important
Nobody says it better than Henry Ford:
Physical therapist Dr. Sara Morrison of Total Body Therapy and Wellness potential diagnostic tools used in physical therapy to help diagnose these tools differ from what other doctor’s offices may offer.
I’m going to agree with Nathaniel Hawthorne this month, who wrote:
“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”
I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine spent almost all the daylight hours in the open air.
So true,
Here’s to enjoying the October sunshine, falling leaves and daylight
ASK THE EXPERT: BOUNDARIES THAT STRENGTHEN FAMILIES
Kate Pomplun, LMSW, CMC | AOS Care Management Care Manager | kate@agingcaresolutionsnc.com
Q: “As a grandparent, I love being involved with my grandkids, but sometimes I feel stretched thin between helping my adult children, caring for my spouse, and keeping up with my own health needs. How do I balance these responsibilities without burning out?”
A: This is a very honest, vulnerable and real question, and I appreciate your willingness to ask it and be open about the struggle many of us face to balance caring for others with caring for ourselves.
Your love and involvement are such gifts to your family—but you’re right, even good responsibilities can become overwhelming without balance. It’s important to remember that your health and well-being are not just priorities for you—they’re essential for your whole family. A tired, stressed caregiver can’t give the best of themselves.
One helpful step is to clarify your boundaries. I know that’s easier said than done, but clarifying boundaries helps you and the people you love. Decide how much time and energy you can realistically give each week and communicate that gently but firmly with your adult children. Most families will understand when you say, “I can help on these days, but I need the
others for myself and my spouse.”
Also, think of caregiving as a team effort. Encourage your children and other relatives to share tasks or explore resources like community programs, afterschool care, or respite support for your spouse. It doesn’t have to fall entirely on your shoulders. If you haven’t yet asked for help, your family may not know how overwhelmed you feel at times. And many caregivers say they feel like asking for help is weak or just adds to the family’s burdens. However, most families report they are happy to help.
Finally, make sure you’re scheduling time just for you—whether that’s exercise, hobbies, or simply rest. By taking care of yourself, you’re setting a powerful example for your grandkids about what healthy love and responsibility look like. You can even say to the grandkids, “I’m going on a bike ride to enjoy quiet time alone with my own thoughts!” Kids need this, too, so they’re seeing a great example. It doesn’t mean you don’t love them or love your time together. It’s normal and natural to need quiet time.
Transitions: SEASONS OF CHANGE
by Amy Phariss
Transitions may unsettle long-held routines, but they also invite seniors to redefine what thriving looks like in later life.
Nearly 10,000 Americans turn 65 every day, joining a growing population of Americans living longer than ever before. The average lifespan for Americans in 2025 is just over 79 years. That is 3 years longer than 25 years ago, in 2000. With these extra years comes the opportunity—and sometimes the necessity—of learning how to adapt. Whether the change is financial, physical, family-related, spiritual or social, the way seniors navigate transitions can make all the difference in maintaining health, happiness, and purpose. We want to thrive in our second 50, not simply survive. When it comes to change, the devil is in the details of the transitions.
TRANSITIONS, CHANGE & CRISIS
One important point to remember is that transitions differ from crises.
A CRISIS IS AN IMMEDIATE DISRUPTION, BUT A TRANSITION IS A PROCESS—A MOVEMENT FROM ONE STAGE TO ANOTHER.
A crisis might be a major medical issue, such as falling and breaking a hip. This causes an immediate disruption. There will be surgery, recovery, insurance issues, financial consequences, need for care, etc. But the crisis is the immediate issue: falling and breaking a bone. A transition will be adapting to life after a likely surgery and recovery period. This might mean physical adaptations as well as emotional, social and financial changes. This is the process of transition.
A transition takes time, usually involves multiple areas of life and has stages. Psychologist William Bridges, in his well-known Transitions Model, describes a transition as a journey that unfolds gradually—there’s often no quick fix. According to Bridges, change and transition are actually different. Change is external (retirement, accident, recession); transition is internal, the psychological and emotional ways we adapt to change. Often, the transition is how we mitigate harm and avoid a subsequent crisis.
For seniors, transitions can include milestones like retiring from a decades-long career, downsizing into a smaller home, or grieving the loss of a spouse. These
changes often involve both loss and growth, and transitions are neither positive nor negative. They can be either and both, depending on the situation and how we interpret and react to them. The goal is to try to understand transitions as natural parts of life so we can be open to them rather than avoiding or resisting them. When we are open to change, we can prepare for it and create the best plans possible.
Also, gerontologists remind us that adaptation is a skill. The same flexibility that allowed people to navigate earlier life stages—raising children, building careers, or relocating—remains vital in older age. By recognizing that transitions are not failures but natural passages, seniors can shift from seeing themselves as passive recipients of change to active participants shaping what comes next.
ECONOMIC TRANSITIONS
Perhaps the most common shift in later life is financial. Retirement often means a sudden change (usually a drop) in income. With rising healthcare costs and inflation, many seniors find themselves rethinking their relationship with money. For some seniors, this is a time of anxiety and fear, and it can feel like a loss of control. One day, you have a steady paycheck. The next day, you don’t. While the change is in income, the transition will affect multiple areas of life. The economic transition is not just about numbers; it’s about values, priorities, and peace of mind.
Jean Chatzky, financial journalist and CEO of HerMoney, explains: “Financial security isn’t about having the most money; it’s about aligning your resources with your values and priorities.” For some seniors, this might mean downsizing their home to free up funds for travel or healthcare. For others, it may involve reassessing investments or consulting a trusted financial advisor to create a sustainable budget. Transitions are often great times to explore values, identify goals and create a road map for the future. And we don’t have to wait until a change has already happened. The transition to retirement, for example, can begin years before our actual last day of work.
Practical steps help soften the stress of financial change. Creating a clear monthly budget, tracking expenses, and considering part-time work or volunteer positions that provide small stipends can all help maintain a
sense of control. We can think of these options before we retire or afterward, if retirement looks different than we expected or if there are external factors beyond our control (the general state of the economy, for example, or changes in our family life). We might need to make changes we didn’t anticipate or plan for, which can be sudden or feel shocking. In these cases, community resources such as senior centers, nonprofit financial counseling programs, and government benefits play an important role in bridging gaps. The point is to bridge the gaps and create as smooth of a transition as possible to avoid a crisis down the road.
Finally, it’s important to remember that financial transitions aren’t just about loss—they can also open new doors. Retirement may bring less income, but it often allows more freedom to pursue passions, hobbies, and connections that were once crowded out by the demands of full-time work. During transitions, we often explore the positive, enriching and creative side of a change rather than the initial shock or the perceived downsides.
FAMILY TRANSITIONS
Another common type of transition later in life regards family structure and dynamics. Family structures are always changing. For seniors, this may mean becoming grandparents, caring for a spouse or sibling, or navigating the challenges of estrangement or reconnection with adult children. Each of these transitions reshapes identity and daily life.
Dr. Karl Pillemer, a gerontologist at Cornell University, observes:
“FAMILY IS A LIVING ORGANISM—IT CHANGES SHAPE OVER TIME. OUR JOB IS TO FIND OUR PLACE IN ITS NEW FORM.”
This perspective is especially important for seniors who may struggle with shifting roles. No longer the primary breadwinner or caregiver, many older adults find themselves looking for new ways to contribute to their families, which often means exploring new roles, shifting dynamics and different relationships. For many older adults, this can be a relief.
Grandparenting can be a joyful transition, offering a chance to pass on wisdom and traditions. At the same time, some seniors find themselves in the “sandwich
generation” role—caring for aging parents while also supporting adult children or grandchildren. Boundaries become essential. Open communication about expectations and limits helps prevent burnout, and support groups or counseling can provide relief and perspective.
Family transitions are rarely tidy, but they can be deeply rewarding. By embracing flexibility and focusing on connection rather than control, seniors can strengthen bonds that endure across generations.
HEALTH TRANSITIONS
Perhaps the most personal—and often the most difficult—transitions in later life are those related to health. Aging bodies can bring new realities: chronic illness, joint pain, slower recovery times, or surgeries that require lifestyle adjustments. Beyond the physical, health changes can spark fear, frustration, and grief over lost independence. A lot of this can seem negative and overwhelming, but the aging body isn’t all bad. In fact, Betty Friedan, author and activist, once wrote: “Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.” We can reframe how we view health transitions — not as the end of vitality but with a new appreciation for what our bodies have done and can still do. Our bodies might change, but we can accept this transition as a natural process and embrace what this next stage looks like.
A great way to approach this is through preventive care, which plays an important role in not just aging but aging well, with as much opportunity and as little pain as possible. Regular check-ups, vaccinations, and screenings help catch issues early, which means we can avoid or mitigate harm. Aging doesn’t have to be a recipe for pain and suffering. We can prevent a lot of that. Exercise—whether through walking, yoga, or senior fitness classes—supports mobility and mental health. Nutrition, hydration, and adequate sleep remain cornerstones of wellness. The best part about eating well, drinking water and getting sleep is that these don’t require a ton of money, gadgets or new skills. We just need a little time and attention, which we often have later in life!
Equally important being is mental health. We often, as a society, focus on the mental health struggles of adolescents and young adults, but seniors often face depression or anxiety linked to health changes. The good news is that these conditions are highly treatable
PRACTICAL TOOLS FOR MANAGING TRANSITIONS
While every transition is unique, certain tools and practices can help seniors approach change with resilience:
• Journaling: Writing provides a safe space to process emotions, track growth, and clarify goals.
• Therapy or counseling: Professional support can normalize the stress of transition and offer coping strategies.
• Community involvement: Volunteering, joining clubs, or participating in group activities combats isolation and fosters purpose.
• Routine and ritual: Maintaining daily rhythms, whether through morning walks or evening phone calls, provides stability amidst change.
• Adaptability mindset: Viewing challenges as opportunities for learning rather than threats fosters resilience.
with therapy, medication, or support. A willingness to seek help, whether from a primary care physician or a mental health professional, makes a significant difference. Good emotional health supports (and is supported by) improved physical health. It’s a cycle that reinforces itself, and it’s a cycle we have a great deal of control and influence over.
Adaptation may also involve using assistive technologies or home modifications to maintain independence. These can help improve both physical and mental health. Something as small as reading glasses or as advanced as a Smart Cane make big differences in quality of life — reducing frustration, confusion or limitations and increasing independence and connection. Needing help is normal. Far from being signs of decline, these tools are bridges to continued engagement with life.
SPIRITUAL TRANSITIONS
As seniors navigate the practical challenges of later life, many also find themselves turning inward, reflecting on meaning, mortality, and legacy. Spiritual transitions are less about religion alone and more about connection— to self, others, nature, or a higher power.
Some find solace in traditional faith practices such as prayer, worship, or scripture study. Others discover spirituality in less formal ways: meditation, time in nature, creative expression, or service to others. These practices provide comfort and perspective, helping seniors see transitions not as endings but as transformations.
Hospice chaplains often speak of the peace that comes from meaning-making in later life.
By asking, What has my life meant? What will my legacy be? seniors can reframe decline as a process of distilling wisdom and offering it to future generations. Psychologist Erik Erikson defined the lifespan in 8 stages, the last of which is integrity vs. despair. The key
question of this stage is: Was my life meaningful? Did I live in alignment with my values? Integrity is a feeling of acceptance, a sense of wholeness. One’s life was lived, not always perfectly, but in alignment with one’s values. Those values have shifted and changed, but the life has shifted along with them. Despair, however, is a feeling of regret or bitterness, the feeling that life has been wasted. Often, despair is linked with depression and hopelessness.
Spirituality and connection can help us lean toward integrity, making meaning of the past as well as the present and the future. We can consider our legacy, what we’ve learned along the journey we’ve traveled, and how we can leave the world and our loved ones with positive memories of how we lived.
SPIRITUAL COMMUNITIES,
WHETHER FAITH-BASED OR SECULAR, ALSO SERVE AS ANCHORS. THEY PROVIDE BELONGING, SUPPORT, AND A REMINDER THAT EVEN IN SOLITUDE, NO ONE NAVIGATES TRANSITIONS ALONE.
We are often very busy in middle life, and we may not notice the need for anchors. Our kids, jobs and responsibilities anchor us. In the second 50, spirituality often has a resurgence of meaning as we seek deeper connection and roots.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON TRANSITIONS:
Transitions are not detours on the journey of aging; they are the road itself. While they may arrive with uncertainty and even grief, transitions also offer space for renewal, creativity, and deeper connection. When we approach these changes with openness and resilience, we can discover new meaning in relationships, communities, and in our inner lives.
As Viktor Frankl once wrote, “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” In that spirit, every transition—economic, familial, physical, or spiritual—can become an invitation to growth, reminding us that life, at every age, remains a work in progress.
WORLD DAY ALZHEIMER’S
Every year on September 21, World Alzheimer’s Day raises awareness about the growing impact of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. For seniors and their families, it’s both a reminder of the challenges these conditions bring and an opportunity to highlight research, support, and hope.
As we raise awareness and care for our loved ones, here are a few statistics to help understand the global impact of Alzheimer’s Disease.
KEY STATISTICS & IMPACT
• Global reach: More than 55 million people worldwide live with dementia, and Alzheimer’s is the most common cause.
• Growth trend: By 2050, cases are projected to nearly triple as populations age.
• U.S. impact: In the United States, over 6 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s.
• Cost: The global economic cost of dementia is estimated at over $1 trillion annually
• Research & care: Advances are being made in early detection, lifestyle interventions (diet, exercise, cognitive engagement), and new medications that slow progression.
• Support: Community programs, caregiver resources, and memory cafés offer vital connections for families.
RECENT TRENDS & RESEARCH
• New treatments (like lecanemab, approved by the FDA in 2023) are showing promise in slowing disease progression for some patients in early stages.
• Advances in blood tests and imaging are improving early detection, offering hope for earlier interventions.
• Lifestyle research continues to highlight the importance of exercise, social engagement, and diet in reducing risk and supporting brain health.
QUOTES
1. Greg O’Brien (journalist and Alzheimer’s author): “Alzheimer’s is not about the past—the successes, the accolades, the accomplishments… Alzheimer’s is about the present and the struggle, the scrappy brawl, the fight to live with a disease. It’s being in the present, the relationships, the experiences, which is the core of life, the courage to live in the soul.”
2. Maria Shriver (journalist, author, Alzheimer’s advocate): “No matter who you are, what you’ve accomplished, what your financial situation is—when you’re dealing with a parent with Alzheimer’s, you yourself feel helpless. The parent can’t work, can’t live alone, and is totally dependent, like a toddler. As the disease unfolds, you don’t know what to expect.”
3. Lisa Genova (neuroscientist and author of Still Alice): “Diagnosis doesn’t mean you are dying tomorrow. Keep living. You won’t lose your emotional memory. You’ll still be capable of understanding love and joy. You might not remember what I said 5 minutes ago or even who I am but you’ll remember how I made you feel. You are more than what you can remember.”
World Alzheimer’s Day is a reminder of both the challenges and the hope ahead. By supporting research, raising awareness, and standing with caregivers and patients, we move closer to a world where memory loss does not mean losing oneself.
A Fall MenuTasting
Starter, Main & Dessert for a Cozy Evening
With cooler, shorter days, we are drawn toward coziness. Gone are the days when all we could muster for dinner was a slice of fruit and cheese. The heat is no longer oppressive. The nights are beginning to feel crisp, and with the change in weather, we long to begin cooking again! Here is an entire fall tasting menu for the average household simple meals full of seasonal ingredients and warmth.
Starter :
Fall Salad with Apples, Walnuts & Goat Cheese
Ingredients (4 servings):
6 cups mixed greens (spinach, arugula, or spring mix)
2 crisp apples, thinly sliced
½ cup walnuts, toasted
½ cup crumbled goat cheese (or feta)
¼ cup dried cranberries (optional)
Dressing:
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp honey
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
1. Whisk dressing ingredients in a small bowl.
2. In a large bowl, combine greens, apples, walnuts, goat cheese, and cranberries.
3. Drizzle with dressing just before serving. Toss gently.
Main Course :
Sheet Pan Chicken with Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients (4 servings):
4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or breasts)
2 medium sweet potatoes, cubed
1 red onion, sliced into wedges
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried thyme
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, toss sweet potatoes and onion with 1 tbsp olive oil, half the seasonings, salt, and pepper. Spread on sheet pan.
3. Rub chicken with remaining oil and seasonings. Place on the same pan.
4. Roast 35–40 minutes, until chicken reaches 165°F and potatoes are tender.
5. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
Dessert :
Classic Apple Crisp
Ingredients (6 servings):
6 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced
1 tbsp lemon juice
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
Topping:
1 cup rolled oats
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup brown sugar
½ tsp cinnamon
Pinch of salt
½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, toss apples with lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Place in a greased 9x13 baking dish.
3. In another bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in butter with a pastry cutter or fork until crumbly.
4. Sprinkle topping evenly over apples.
5. Bake 40–45 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. Serve warm, with vanilla ice cream if desired.
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