Author Archive
Lessons Learned with My Parents
A month or so ago I wrote about being an impending caregiver as my parents get older, and trying to be prepared. It seemed like my mother – younger, more physically fit and in better health than my dad would end up being the caregiver. At least those were the odds. A single quick slip [...]
At the Top of Our Game in Sarasota County
An article in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune talked about the graying of our global population as our planet hits the 7 billion population mark. Ted Fishman, author of “Shock of Gray”, was quoted,
“Longer life is what human beings have wanted ever since we started talking to spirits and mixing herbs in bowls. And we worked at [...]
Community Wisdom
With the community research complete, the next step for the Aging with Dignity and Independence initiative is to share the fruits of the research, the six big themes that surfaced after examining the local lived-experiences of more than 500 older adults in Sarasota County.
The six themes that impact the experience of aging with dignity [...]
Dignified Aging
In case you were too busy chasing “Black Friday” sales to read the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, I’ve linked here to the Nov 25th editorial penned by Kathy Silverberg, “Dignified Aging Requires Mutual Respect and Acceptance.” The editorial focused on the results from the community research of the Aging with Dignity and Independence initiative. What are the [...]
A Caregiver’s Path
On November 4th I attended the 11th Annual Caregiving Forum at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, entitled “The Year of the Family Caregiver.” I was there as an impending family caregiver. Unclear as to when exactly I would become immersed in the role, but very aware that I was not prepared for it. My parents are aging [...]
Thinking About Japan
I watched ABC World News the other night following the coverage of Japan and what has occurred since the earthquake and tsunami devastated that country. The last five minutes really struck me. People waiting in line, patiently, for their rations of water, food and other supplies. Displaced residents living in shelters setting up their own [...]
Theory of Change
We have been thinking at SCOPE about our “theory of change.” How do we think communities get better? This isn’t rocket science - but not of little consequence either. My attempt to explain this - SCOPE’s theory of change is based on the premise that transformative community change occurs when citizen-directed thinking and action are [...]
Lessons from Geese
We have decided to start a blog at SCOPE. It sounded like a great idea at the time but now comes the actual writing and posting part. Gee, can I do this and resist the temptation to bring out the editorial “spit and polish”? My niece started a blog and did it for three days [...]