I am observing that ageism is all around us. As a spirited boomer, I feel grossly misunderstood and misrepresented. Why am I looked at as a social liability? Why doesn’t society attach more value to my “cohort” – one that possesses valuable knowledge, perspectives and ideas that can strengthen our communities? Some of the less […]
Being Invisible to Each Other
Being invisible to each other – We can do better. Recently, we convened a CircleTalk™ circle at a large apartment building where many of the residents had been neighbors for a long time. After our second group, I observed two of the men (Circle members) waiting for the elevator to get back to their respective […]
What makes life significant?
In 2014 Atul Gwande published his seminal book on end of life values and perspectives by the medical establishment. Let’s return to this except from the introduction and ask: Are we making headway in the fight to disrupt what is referred to as “the terror of isolation”? At CircleTalk, we believe that connection, belonging and […]
Dear CircleTalk
I am so glad that I decided to make the investment in myself to take the CircleTalk Leader Course. This has not only benefited me personally and professionally, but it has made a tremendous difference to older adults that I am serving. On a personal level, I have always wanted to know how to facilitate group […]
Circles Work – Here’s How
Meet Doris. Her daughter Mary is sitting next to her as Doris shares that she experienced complete isolation and loneliness when moving from her community of a lifetime to a senior residence. Flash forward… here is Doris 3 weeks after joining CircleTalk. Her social life has changed from disconnection to belonging; from isolation to connection and community. We never would have known […]
Active Circles – Help them grow!
Active Circles We are so excited to share with you that there are many active Circles in the Denver and Boulder area (and beyond) and the list, and numbers served, is growing! People are interested in this program because of the need, and because it works. CircleTalk alleviates loneliness by bringing people together – and the results are astounding. […]
Aging OUT LOUD
A ubiquitous call, finally. At CircleTalk, there is something in the air. Organizations and companies serving older adults are reaching out to us from many directions with the same concern: how can we offer new opportunities for meaningful engagement for our clients, residents and customers? How can we build community and connection? This month, The Gerontological […]
Be Someone Who Alleviates Loneliness: Be a CircleTalk Leader
Loneliness, which Emily Dickinson described as “the Horror not to be surveyed,” is a quiet devastation. We are learning that societies are waking up to the fact that something can actually be done about it. In Britain, loneliness in aging populations is being viewed as a serious public health issue deserving of public funds and […]
My Wonderful Mother- How the System Nearly Failed Her
Here I am with my mother, shortly to be 89, at a wonderful family event last summer. Since then she has been hospitalized with a serious infection and moved into a skilled nursing center for 6 weeks to “recover”. In a matter of days of admission, she was experiencing significant dementia (aka “hospital delirium”) and […]
What Is Your Organization Doing to Cure the Loneliness Epidemic?
What we know: Over 14 million people aged 65 and older live alone in USA. As social networks decrease as we age, we are at risk for chronic loneliness and isolation, or both. Seniors who feel lonely are more likely to report having poor physical and/or mental health. Loneliness and social isolation are major predictors […]
