This is Halloween
Ancient Celts celebrated Samhain, which translates to “summer’s end” in Gaelic, more than 2,000 years ago in regions that are today northern France, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. It was the beginning of winter and the end of the harvest. Feralia in late October was a day to honor the dead, while Pomona honored the […]
What Do You Need?
Assistive Technology Nobody is saying that aging is easy. Lots of different ‘side effects’ occur as we age. The resources reviewed here are specifically geared toward making normal living a little easier. What is AT? Assistive technology (AT): products, equipment, and systems that enhance learning, working, and daily living for persons with disabilities. Assistive technology […]
Is 80 the New 50? Reinventing Life After Retirement with Purpose and Passion
Remember when the media would gush over the astonishing achievements of people over 50? Headlines read:“She went back to school and got her high school diploma!”“She returned to college and earned her master’s degree!”“She danced in a classical ballet concert – scandalous, at such an advanced age!” (I did one of those too—got my master’s […]
Multigenerational Housing
The rise of multigenerational living in the U.S. is driven by financial pressures, shifting social norms, and the benefits of intergenerational support. After returning from Spain, 25-year-old Ben Hoffinger moved back in with his parents while attending Harvard due to high housing costs, a common trend among young adults. The number of multigenerational homes—those housing […]
Is it New for You?
Is it really a new year? That’s what the calendar says, but what part of your life is? We turn the calendar, a new day, a new month, a new year, but is it really? That’s a thoughtful reflection. The calendar says it’s a new year, but real change comes not just with the flipping […]
Celebrate World Emoji Day: From Pictograms to Global Icon
Do you know that there’s a world holiday celebrating an emoji? The definition of an emoji from Wikipedia is “a pictogram, logogram, ideogram, or smiley embedded in text and used in electronic messages and web pages.” The primary function of modern emoji is to fill in emotional cues otherwise missing from typed conversation as well as to replace words. In today’s […]
Celebrate National Candy Month: Sweet Traditions, Timeless Delights, and Summer Fun
For all you candy lovers out there, this is the month to celebrate! June is National Candy Month, according to the National Confectioners Association. During National Candy Month, candy companies celebrate making exciting, authentic delights that they have been making for over a century. This is a month to celebrate for many people, including those who […]
Spring into Action: Embracing the Outdoors at Any Age
Ah, Spring! That magical time of the year when nature shakes off its snowy blanket and blossoms into an explosion of colors. It’s as if the world is stretching its limbs after a long nap, and so should we. At Your Next Option, we believe it’s never too late to embrace the change of season […]
Securing Your Legacy: The Importance of Making a Will
August marks the observance of “Make a Will” month, a timely reminder of the significance of estate planning and ensuring that your wishes are carried out after your passing. Creating a will is not just a matter of documenting your assets; it’s an act of love and consideration towards your loved ones. By taking the […]
The Effects of Using Negative Language
Are you accomplished, enlightened, learned, sage and wise? Or are you confused, decrepit, incompetent and declining? The language used to describe aging, the way people talk to and about older adults, and the way we talk to and about ourselves matters. If you say ‘I feel old or over-the-hill,’ your mind believes every word you say. […]