Fifty Plus Advocate

By Jane Keller Gordon, Contributing Writer Marlborough - Marlborough resident Paul Goldman’s latest volunteer project is a collaboration with metal fabrication students from Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School to create two monoculars and earhorns for the Assabet River Rail Trail. For the project, titled “The Sights and Sounds of the Fort Meadow Reservoir,” will be completed in June 2019, when...

By Ed Karvoski Jr., Culture Editor Burlington – Meryl Galaid of Burlington drew upon her experience gained as a cabaret singer and musical-theater actress while developing a character she frequently performs for a special audience. She entertains young patients and their families as Dr. Dazzle, a clown with the Laughter League at Boston Children’s Hospital. Whether working onstage or in a...

By Victor Block Civil War buffs Tom and Elaine Preston wander through reconstructed forts where a major battle of that conflict was fought. Betsy and Andy Cross follow a guide slogging through a dense rainforest.  Lauren Davis and Jim Goodman enjoy an exciting Go-Kart track and exhilarating water slide. As inviting as these disparate experiences are, they have something in common....

By Micha Shalev, MHA CDP CDCM Part one of two. Part two will be in the November issue of the Fifty Plus Advocate. When families and seniors select a long term care community, it’s a momentous, life changing decision. You want to get it right the first time. It can be such an intimidating choice that many families come down with...

By Alain Valles, CRMP, CSA, MS, MBA FEAR: (1) an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger; (2) anxious concern; (3) reason for alarm. OR F.E.A.R: “false evidence appearing real,” as the famous personal development coach Zig Ziglar would say. What are your answers? How do you feel about your current or pending retirement? Do you or will you...

By Mike Festa, State Director, AARP Massachusetts As a major federal government initiative is underway to issue new identification cards to the 1,289,320 Medicare beneficiaries in Massachusetts and nationwide, an AARP survey finds that a majority of those enrollees are at risk of being victimized by fraud schemes designed to capitalize on the card replacement program. In response, AARP Massachusetts is participating...

By Marianne Delorey, Ph.D. "It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all, in which case you have failed by default."  — J. K. Rowling Bad things happen to good people.  If we let the fear of bad things rule our lives we will never leave...

By Janet Lindsay Take my advice: Do not break your toe. You might think, “I have ten toes. What difference does it make if one gets a bit broken? Especially if it’s the littlest toe on my left foot.” You would be so wrong. I never would have thought that one little toe could cause so much pain. Call this a learning experience. I don’t...

By Janice Elizabeth Berte, Contributing Writer Brockton - It’s 1968 in the housing development of Roxbury, Mass. A seven-year-old boy named Robert Williams and his younger brother Lance are singing and dancing in front of an audience. The young boys captivate their friends and family members with their soulful voices and dance moves. This performance was not unusual for Robert and Lance. Their mother...

By Marianne Delorey Heather spent her life as a caregiver. First, she took care of her children. Then, she made her career in nursing. Later, the grandchildren came along. Now, at 75, she thinks she wants a break from taking care of everyone, but eventually, she wants to share her home with a cat. From a landlord’s perspective, animals are more...