Dear friends, I’m writing to you this week with some big news: our newest daughter has arrived, and both she and my wife are healthy and doing great. We’re home now, settling in as a family of five, grateful and exhausted in the best way. But let me tell you—the way she arrived wasn’t what we had […]
The Secret to Living Longer Might Be in Your Gut
Dear Friends, This week’s newsletter is a particular passion of mine. Ever since my teenage years, I have struggled with complicated gut health. I’ve had to be very careful with what I eat or else I get in trouble. This short scene from Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee strongly resonates with my dietary habits. No […]
Your Emergency Contact, Reimagined: Introducing Our Hospital Advocacy Program
Dear Friends, After 20 years of working with older adults, I’ve seen far too many people struggle through the hospital system alone. It seems as though there just aren’t enough doctors, nurses, or social workers to meet the growing need. And the reality is, patients who have an advocate tend to get better care. About […]
Never Too Late: The Power of Purpose at Any Age
Dear Friends, Far too often, an older adult is only asked, “Tell me about your life/history,” without being asked, “What is it that you still want to do?” As I have said many times, I believe it is critically important for everyone to have something to aspire to and look forward to—at any age. We […]
The Importance of Love, Friendship, and Connection
Dear Friends, Happy Valentine’s Day! Today, I find myself reflecting on the incredible stories of love, friendship, and connection. I’ve had the privilege of hearing from the older adults I’ve worked with over the years. Through these conversations, one thing has always been clear: our relationships are one of the greatest sources of fulfillment, joy, […]
Finding Connection in Grief
Dear Friends, A few years ago, I was thrilled to be connected with award-winning filmmaker Michael Horowitz. Our connection came at a time when I was grieving the sudden loss of a close friend. Coincidentally, Michael approached me with the idea for his film, Kanashimi, and I immediately felt drawn to helping (in a very […]
The Stress of Caregiving
Nearly 20 years ago, my grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. I witnessed firsthand the stress my family endured as part of his care team. At 80, my grandmother was suddenly thrust into the primary role of her husband’s caregiver. Despite the tremendous support from our family and hired help, my grandfather’s decline was incredibly […]