Senior Corner: How to prepare for unexpected hospital stays

Senior Corner: How to prepare for unexpected hospital stays

With the New Year starting, most people began 2020 by wishing their family and friends a happy and healthy new year. I know I did. As we get older, the fear of injury or illness is much more prevalent, and ending up in the hospital is the worst-case scenario for anybody. When we get a cold o…

Prioritizing health and exercise in 2020

Prioritizing health and exercise in 2020

The last few weeks were literally a nonstop eat-a-thon. The devouring of cookies, pies, pasta, and everything I could possibly make involving mass quantities of cheese may just be the culprit of my holiday weight gain. Everything looked so good. As I told my Facebook friends: I need to learn…

Senior Corner: Wishing the happiest of holidays

Senior Corner: Wishing the happiest of holidays

Wasn’t it just last week I had my bathing suit on and was headed down to the Summerset pool for a swim? Yet, today I am preparing food for our Chanukah and Christmas celebrations. Where does the time go?

Senior Corner: Connecting during the holidays throughout the year

Senior Corner: Connecting during the holidays throughout the year

The holiday season is upon us, which brings a multitude of emotions. Most of us will be spending time with loved ones who are family or friends, just like family. I consider myself extremely blessed to have people in my life that mean so much to both Grandpa and me.

Senior Corner: Preserving the past for the future

Senior Corner: Preserving the past for the future

As we get older, our minds can become a little foggy, especially when it comes to our childhood memories. There are tidbits and snippets of recollections, but trying to put the pieces together in chronological order can sometimes be difficult. Unfortunately, there’s nobody with whom I can co…

Senior Corner: The high cost of senior living

Senior Corner: The high cost of senior living

Recently, I wrote an article about taking a road trip to Joshua Tree National Park. This delightful expanse is peaceful and serene, featuring unique rock formations and trees indigenous to the area. While we’re now able to take advantage of being retired — and still have the ability to just …

Senior Corner: Looking forward to a little Righteous Brothers

Senior Corner: Looking forward to a little Righteous Brothers

Grandpa and I enjoy our trips to Las Vegas, mainly to see dear friends who have become family over the past 40 years. Our visits do not focus around gambling or other Las Vegas norms, but exploring and spending time with these loved ones.

Senior Corner: Enjoy a safe Fourth of July celebration

Senior Corner: Enjoy a safe Fourth of July celebration

Nobody loved to watch fireworks more than I did. Back in the early to mid-sixties, every July Fourth I would take a blanket and walk to the beach with friends. There were two small beaches in our little town, and the one across the bridge was the best place to lie down on those blankets and …

Senior Corner: A tale of two Dons

Senior Corner: A tale of two Dons

I didn’t have an article in last week’s paper because Grandpa and I were on our annual vacation to our favorite island of Kauai. Although we are both retired, we still look forward to vacations that take us away from day-to-day chores and, yes, those ever-increasing doctor’s appointments. I …

Senior Corner: Mother’s Day is more than a holiday

Senior Corner: Mother’s Day is more than a holiday

Last Sunday was Mother’s Day. It was bittersweet for a lot of us who enjoyed spending time with family and friends, but missed our moms who are no longer with us. I, personally, had a wonderful weekend surrounded by loved ones and, although I miss my mom very much, I felt her around me all day. 

Senior Corner: Feeling better? Be sure to thank a nurse

Senior Corner: Feeling better? Be sure to thank a nurse

When I pull up next to a police car at a stop sign or red light, I look over, smile and wave. I always get a return smile and a hello. I have the utmost respect for police officers, firemen, teachers, service men and women and many other selfless people who choose an occupation that helps ot…

Senior Corner: Too much sugar is a recipe for health problems

Senior Corner: Too much sugar is a recipe for health problems

Some people crave salty foods like chips, pretzels or some well-seasoned french fries, while others have a sweet tooth and crave sugar. I, personally, am a very nonpartisan snacker and enjoy both, but what am I doing to my body with my choices? My blood pressure is on the low side so salt is…

Volunteer Homework Help program benefits tutors, students

Volunteer Homework Help program benefits tutors, students

There are several mornings I wake up and have to take a minute to figure out what day it is. Oh, sure, I can listen to the camel on TV screaming that it’s hump day and glean that it’s Wednesday, but for the most part, my life with Grandpa is now an endless series of days that feel like Satur…

Taking some of the sting out of Tax Day

Taking some of the sting out of Tax Day

I am not really sure what bugs me more this time of year, the daylight savings time fiasco or tax season. Luckily, Grandpa takes on the burden of getting our files ready for the tax preparer, but he has yet to get me back that one hour of sleep I lost last weekend. Keep trying, Dear!

When is it more than a senior moment?

When is it more than a senior moment?

Many seniors, myself included, have “senior moments.” I will be telling a story or chatting with a friend on the phone and I have trouble recalling the right word. Sometimes, my friend will finish my sentence, and vice versa, but it’s a bit frustrating. As we age, some memory loss is quite n…

Senior Corner: Meals on Wheels is the gift that keeps on giving

Senior Corner: Meals on Wheels is the gift that keeps on giving

Receiving emails from readers of my column is always wonderful. Whether the reader agrees with me or has an opposing viewpoint, I welcome all input and respond to each and every one. I often get inquiries about what is available for seniors who need a little help.

Senior Corner: Laughter really is the best medicine

Senior Corner: Laughter really is the best medicine

The last time we went to visit family in Nevada, we went to see a show called “Piff the Magic Dragon.” I had seen this act on “America’s Got Talent,” in which an odd little man from England comes on stage dressed entirely as a dragon, carrying a tiny, white chihuahua named Mr. Piffles. My fi…

Standing up to osteoporosis after 50

Standing up to osteoporosis after 50

Back in 2010 an X-ray of my entire body revealed that I had osteopenia. This diagnosis alerts the patient to watch for the beginnings of osteoporosis – which directly translates as “porous bone” – a disease in which the density and quality of bone are reduced.

Seeing the world from the Delta

Seeing the world from the Delta

Retirement is a goal that most people strive for after many years of working. We save and plan and hopefully with a little help from social security as an additive, we can spend our later years enjoying the fruits of our labor. We may not be jetting off in a private plane or cruising the wor…

No excuses: Get out and vote

No excuses: Get out and vote

Usually, there is a lot of hype and anxiety during a presidential election, but this mid-term election seems to be loaded with the same intensity.

Visiting a medium

Visiting a medium

About 20 years ago, I was invited to spend an hour, one-on-one, with a medium.

Looking back over 50 years of driving

Looking back over 50 years of driving

I could say it seems like yesterday, but it really doesn’t. It actually feels like, well 50 years! So many things have changed since 1969 including me, of course. Just look at all those throwback Thursday pictures on my Facebook page and see for yourself the maturing evolution of my face and…

Columnists

Marla Luckhardt

Marla Luckhardt

  • Marla Luckhardt is a Brentwood resident who works with several local senior care and advocacy groups. Reach her at marla2054@aol.com.

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