RelationshipsAriSethCohenon AUGUST 2022 STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS MAN'S BEST FRIEND AND MOREADVANCED LOVE
“When you’re alone, you’re not alone, just push a few buttons and I see my themgrandchildren16andgrowingup!” Joan, age GrandPad89User VIDEO & VOICE CALLING • EMAIL • PHOTOS • MUSIC • INTERNET • GAMES • AND MORE Enhancing the quality of life for older adults. Call 800-704-9412 or visit GrandPad.net
GROWING BOLDER AND NATIONAL SENIOR GAMES ASSOCIATION PRESENT WITH MARC MIDDLETON
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We’re all told the same debilitating lie that aging is an inevitable decline into disease and disability. Fountain of Youth®, a new podcast from Growing Bolder in partnership with the National Senior Games Association, smashes the negative stereotypes of aging and delivers life-transforming lessons for us all. Hosted by masters athlete, Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, and Growing Bolder CEO Marc Middleton, Fountain of Youth shares the inspiring stories of men and women of all ages, sizes, and abilities who are redefining what’s possible and living active, engaged lives into their 80s 90s, and 100s. active
GROWING BOLDER / AUGUST 2022 DIGEST4 CREATIVE DIRECTOR Katie Styles PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Jill Middleton EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Lynne Mixson & Tim Killian CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Doro Bush Koch & Tricia Reilly Koch, Robin Patraschuk GROWING BOLDER PRESS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Marc Middleton GENERAL COUNSEL Michael Okaty, Foley & Lardner LLP PARTNER RELATIONS Sam Koubaissi COMMENTS Contact us via social media @GrowingBolder or email us at feedback@GrowingBolder.com ADVERTISING AND MEDIA SALES For information about advertising and sponsorships, email Bijou Ikli at advertising@growingbolder.com Daily Stories Online The Bold Start Check Out Our TV Shows Radio + Podcast Visit GrowingBolder.com daily for inspiring stories to help you start Growing Bolder Get a daily dose of inspiration curated from our most popular social media posts. Check your local listings or watch new episodes of "Growing Bolder" and "What's Next!" at GrowingBolder.com/tv Fast-paced, entertainment hour that will leave you excited about the possibilities in your life, now available on most podcasting platforms andONDON’TGrowingBolder.com/radio-podcast.Followus@GrowingBolderFORGETTOFINDUSOURSOCIALCHANNELS
GROWING BOLDER / AUGUST 2022 DIGEST 5 IN EVERY ISSUE 6 YOUR TAKE 7 NOTE FROM THE CEO 9 GROWING BOLDER WITH 10 ORDINARY PEOPLE LIVING EXTRAORDINARY LIVES 12 LIFELONG LEARNING Strengthening Relationships 14 RECIPE Digital Dishes MASTERS SPORTS 18 A TRADITION THAT HITS THE TARGET Archery Brings Four Generations Of Family Closer Together 22 TWO BY TWO For Karl-Henrich & Terttu Barsch Life Is Better On The Road CONNECT 20 STEP OUTSIDE! Restore Your Relationship With Yourself & Others In Nature 24 MAN’S BEST FRIEND, AND MORE How Canine Companions Bring Connection and Companionship 32 FAMILY ON CALL A Helping Hand, A Shoulder To Lean On, An Ear To Listen contents. August 2022 Head to page 28 to read Ari Seth's story ADVANCED LOVE Ellen and Dick Jamison photographed by Ari Seth Cohen ON THE COVER CohenSethAribyPhoto
How do you make friends as an adult?
"As a single person, I like volunteering. You meet like-minded people and it’s easier when you already have that in common!"
—Pauline D. TAKE
"Take a class of something you have an interest in, you’ll find people with the same interest. Ask if anyone wants to go for coffee." Aileen O. K. "Joined a Photowalk group." Debbie J. B. "I talk to anybody anywhere, gas stations, restaurants, stores, standing on a street corner" —Rod J. "I love people and smile at them. I make conversation and find things common." Fenna B. O. "Same way you did as a kid: be nice, share, invite, help, be yourself!"
—Kristi Y. "I talk to everyone who wants to pet my dog during our walks. I’ve met quite a few people through our pets." Barbara G.
"Join senior centers or the Red Hat Society." —Francesca K. gr ow in g bo ld er .c om
—Pamela S.
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YOUR
—Janice S. W. "Join a yoga studio. Greet people and introduce yourself."
"I've made a lot of good friends on Facebook."
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This month’s Digital Digest celebrates the importance of positive relationships of all kinds: family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, teammates, and more. Casual, professional, and intimate. Positive relationships are as important to our overall health and wellbeing as nutrition and physical activity. They reduce the risk of depression, lower blood pressure, and support and encourage healthy lifestyle choices. Unfortunately, it can be increasingly difficult to maintain meaningful social connection as we age. Recent surveys reveal an epidemic of loneliness with more than 50% of all older adults reporting acute loneliness and the result can be devastating. As you’ll learn in the pages ahead, positive relationships take many forms, but all are built upon respect, empathy, understanding, support, and encouragement. There is no question that we are better together: happier, healthier, and more productive. Of the many things we can be as we age, little is more important than simply being a good friend. “Positive relationships are as important to our overall health and wellbeing as nutrition and physical activity.”
Healthier and Happier Together
CEOtheFrom BolderGrowingforDunnMikebyPhoto
Catch new episodes now airing across Florida!
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Hosted by award-winning broadcaster Marc Middleton, What’s Next! features a team of well-known Florida broadcasters and personalities, including Secily Wilson, Amy Sweezey, and Bill Shafer, all shining the spotlight on ordinary people living extraordinary lives. What’s Next! is a jolt of inspiration that helps audiences of all ages believe that it’s never too late to pursue their passions and make a difference in their communities.
GrowingBolder.com/Whats-NextCheck local listings and
New episodes are now airing across Florida! watch a episode at
Susan Winter never set out to be a relationship expert, yet life has a way of nudging us in certain directions. Beginning her career as an opera singer, shifting to business communications, becoming a spokesperson for Fortune 500 companies, then television host on the Financial News Network, Winter has had a front row seat to the intricacies of human behavior.
WinterSusanofCourtesyPhoto
“I think resilience is something we all need in every aspect of our lives,” she said. "Aging comes with some serious challenges. We all deal with health issues, financial issues, and so many uncertainties. We must believe in ourselves to move forward. So, I'm a big advocate for getting the ring. Get out there, be active, try to find love if you want to. And, if you don't want to date, and you’ve made an intentional choice, don't let anybody make you feel guilty about it.
“Do we set unrealistic standards as we get older? I mean, do we? You know what? It is tough to get out there and to meet people,” she says. “Then you finally find somebody you can tolerate, and the next thing you know, you've given it all your attention and focus only to realize it's not the right person. And you feel like, well, this isn't for me. I'm never going through this again.”
"As people retire and move into their golden years it is common to suffer a loss of identity,” she said. “So, staying connected to people, passions, and things you love become the things that keep you alive. We all need to have a mission, a purpose, a feeling that we’re needed, that we're wanted. These factors ignite the vital life force within us all at any age and isn’t that what we all want?”
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Additionally, she observed that part of the aging process is that people lose contact with their business associates, friends move away and social groups dwindle, all factors that necessitate creating new relationships.
GROWING BOLDER / AUGUST 2022 DIGEST 9 GROWING BOLDER WITH
WinterSusan
Dating today is not what it used to be, necessitating a whole new vocabulary. Terms like ghosting, catfishing, window shopping and breadcrumbing are now part of the social lexicon, leaving those returning to dating for the first time in decades feeling lost, confused and overwhelmed.
“I think a lot of women have found themselves in the same situation,” she said. “And finding someone to be with isn’t easy.” Single and searching, she was left to wonder, why should age make a difference? Why should she limit the playing field instead of expanding it? Her quest to find out why led to her first book, Older Women, Younger Men, which became an international bestseller. Winter says finding great relationships can be too difficult. “So, they just give up on love," she said. “They start to believe they’re too old, or they don’t want to start over, or they’re fine with what they have, but by giving up on romance they limit their quality of life. “To live to the fullest, we need meaningful connections with others. We need that spark, those butterflies, the sense of connection, companionship and belonging that can only come from great relationships.
Winter believes great relationships are worth working for, and to find them takes planning, effort and intent. The search for love is a process which requires the determination to push past inevitable disappointments and along the way helps develop an important quality.
She noticed that many mature adults seeking relationships are left feeling frustrated, overlooked and undervalued.
“I take thee to be my wedded spouse, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health...”
“And yes, my Parkinson’s is progressing, but so much slower than expected,” Andy says. “I owe it all to Helen for constantly encouraging me. She is my cheerleader, drill sergeant and life partner.”
There’s a very important reason that “in sickness and in health” is included in traditional wedding vows. Sickness can rip a relationship apart or it can bond a couple more tightly than ever. That’s what Helen White and Andy Leighton found themselves faced with over 10 years ago when Andy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. “It didn’t just put me on my heels, it knocked me on another part of my anatomy,” Leighton recalls. “It stopped me dead in my tracks from confusion, depression and fear. It took a long time to come to terms with a new reality.” He was able to come to terms thanks to his wife. “Parkinson’s is something you definitely don’t want to try and face by yourself, so Helen became my coach. I wanted to give up, but she made me step up and found ways for me to stayTheyactive.”learned to play pickleball and loved it. The fast thinking, rapid movements, small courts and camaraderie made it the perfect activity. “I was told the best thing I could do to slow the progression of my disease was to exercise,” says Andy. “Because exercise is not like medicine, exercise is medicine.” But keeping him motivated would not be easy. Still, Helen was up to the challenge. “I’m just not going to baby him. I don’t allow him to wallow in sorrow or pity. He is capable of more than he believes and I’m going to push him to be the best he can, and to have the most fun possible.”“Doyou see what I’m up against?” laughs Andy. “She won’t allow me to mope!”
“You see, our illnesses have brought us even closer together,” says Helen. “He won’t let cancer beat me and I’m not letting Parkinson’s steal his joy. In the process it’s opened up a whole new world for us both helping cancer and Parkinson's patients stay strong through pickleball.”
Leighton&HelenAndy
“We are living for the present and planning for the future,” says Helen. “Every day is a blessing, so we take it as they come. So, embrace the moment and embrace each other. Every day together is priceless.”
The Leightons were on the right course until life threw them another completely unexpected, devastating challenge. In 2018 Helen was diagnosed with breast cancer. Now it was Andy’s turn to step up, which he did, learning from how she rallied him. “We stay motivated through pickleball,” Andy says. “There aren’t too many husband-and-wife teams out there, but we’ve been able to do it quite well. I don’t know where I’d be without her.”
It should be no surprise that athletics keeps them going because it is what brought them together. Helen was the first female to play on a boy's high school tennis team in Syracuse, New York. Andy was helping coach a rival team when they met, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. “I don’t know that I can put into words how much she means to me,” he says. “But she is a special kind of person, that’s the best way to put it. She’s wonderful.”
ORDINARY PEOPLE LIVING EXTRAORDINARY LIVES ®
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According to renowned couples and family therapist Esther Perel, the quality of our lives ultimately depends on the quality of our relationships. Good relationships don’t just happen — they need to be nourished and tended to. Long-standing relationships can change as each person grows and evolves, and as the seasons and circumstances of our lives change. Whether you’re trying to keep or renew the spark in a long-term partnership, improve a friendship or a family relationship, or meet a new friend or partner, there are many great resources to help you along the way. Here are a few of our favorite books, games, podcasts and websites.
RelationshipsStrengthening LIFELONG LEARNING ImagesGettyviaDruryRichardbyPhoto
Understanding how the different numbers/types relate to each other takes the Enneagram to a whole new level. One great resource is the book The Path Between Us: An Enneagram Journey to Healthy Relationships by the “godmother of the Enneagram,” Suzanne Stabile, which focuses on the nine Enneagram types and how they each behave in and experience relationships. Gottman Card Decks App For over 40 years Drs. John and Julie Gottman of the Gottman Institute have been conducting ongoing research to help couples and couple’s therapists through programs and retreats. Inspired by the card decks from their The Art and Science of Love couples weekend workshops, this fun app offers helpful questions, statements, and ideas for improving your relationship. Check the Opportunity deck for new date night options, the Love Map to refresh your relationship with your partner, or the Salsa deck to add some spice! Visit your app store or gottman.com to learn more. MeetUp.com Bikes, beers or backgammon….whatever you’re into, chances are there’s a meetup group for that. For 20 years, Meetup.com has offered ways to connect with others who share your interests through online and in-person events. Connect with other seniors through groups targeted to those 50+, or don’t, and expand your intergenerational community.
First, you need to know which number you identify with, from 1 to 9. Good news! There are tests you can take. The Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator is the world's most popular Enneagram-based test. Scientifically validated, it is a forced-choice personality test with 144 paired statements and takes about 40 minutes to complete. You can find a shorter, free sample of the RHETI test at 9types.com
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The Enneagram Why do we do the things we do, and better yet why the heck do others say and do what they do? The Enneagram of Personality is a model of the human psyche taught through nine interconnected personality types. Unlike other tests based on behavior, Enneagram types are based on motivations. It not only has the potential to help us know ourselves better, but also to understand the mystifying behavior and motivations of others, instead of judging them, which in turn can improve our relationships with partners, friends and co-workers.
Where Should We Begin Card Game
Belgian- born Perel is a practicing couples and family therapist that lives in New York City. A New York Times bestselling author of The State of Affairs and Mating in Captivity, Perel’s celebrated TED talks have garnered more than 20 million views and she also hosts the popular podcasts Where Should We Begin? and How’s Work? At estherperel.com you can access resources, courses and the card game, Where Should We Begin — A Game of Stories, which has Story and Prompt cards to “inspire you to share the stories you rarely tell.”
DishesDigital
Foodies Learn To Cook Chicken And Lemon Risotto Streaming
On Twitch Robin Patraschuk Click here to watch the entire cooking lesson on Twitch
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Food enthusiasts around the globe are sharpening their skills in the kitchen every day and heading to the streaming site “Twitch” for live cooking lessons. People of all ages can form new relationships and chat directly with professional chefs from their phone or computer in real time while they prepare a meal.
I’m Chef de Party, or as most call me, Robin. I’ve been a professional cook for over 15 years. I got my start in a small café and now work for a major hotel chain, while also sharing meals over the internet by streaming with Twitch. My channel is a place where you can learn to cook classic comforts, beautifully composed dishes and sometimes wacky creations. Come hang out with me (and sometimes my son and wife), crack a beverage and enjoy your time chatting about food and making friends with my laid-back online community.
Live
Step 3. Add the rice to the medium-sized pan and toast for 1-2 minutes then add wine. Let the rice cook and soak the wine up till almost dry, then start adding your broth, 4 oz at a time, stirring occasionally.
2 boneless, skin-on, chicken breast 3 tbsp vegetable oil 4 tbsp unsalted butter 4 cloves of garlic, minced 1/2 yellow onion, minced 1 cup arborio rice 1/4 cup white wine 3 cups chicken stock 2 tbsp parmesan cheese, grated 1 lemon, zested 1/2 lemon, Vegetablejuicedofyour choice (we used Brussels sprouts, blanched) Salt and pepper
Step 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat the chicken stock in a saucepan until it simmers then turn to low.
Step 6. Place risotto into a bowl, slice the chicken breast on a bias, place on top of the rice and serve with a vegetable of your choice.
Step 4. Heat a frying pan on medium heat. Season your chicken breast with salt and pepper. Add 1 Tbsp of oil to the pan. Place the chicken breast skin-side down and sear for 2-3 minutes then place in a 400 degree oven for 6-8 minutes. Depending on the size of your breast, flip at around the 5 minute mark and continue cooking in the oven. Chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 160F.
DIRECTIONSINGREDIENTS
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Step 5. Once the rice is tender (about 20 minutes), add butter, lemon zest, and parmesan cheese. Add lemon juice slowly, tasting as you go, to achieve the flavor you desire. Finish with salt and pepper.
Step 2. Heat a medium-sized pan on medium heat. Once hot, add 2 Tbsp vegetable oil, onion and garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until the onions become opaque.
Pan-Seared Chicken Breast over Lemon Risotto Makes 2 Servings
"The best thing to spend on your relationship is time, conversation, understanding and honesty." FOR MORE DAILY MEMES: @GrowingBolder ImagesGettyviaWestend61byPhoto
BECKY LONERGAN “I’m jived, all right. I feel very excited! I’m happy I came.”
Launchpad Live! Returns To The Stage After a two-year pandemic pause, Growing Bolder’s Launchpad to What’s Next Live! returned to the stage recently at the beautiful Brownwood Hotel & Spa in The Villages, Florida.
Launchpad is a fast-paced, high-energy jolt of inspiration that shares the secrets to healthy aging and active longevity.
Speakers included Growing Bolder’s Marc Middleton and Bill Shafer, Dr. Pamela Peeke, a renowned healthy lifestyle expert and Senior Olympic triathlete; Colin Milner, the CEO of the International Council on Aging and founder of the activeaging industry; and Dr. Paul Kaplan, a nationally known patient care advocate and senior medical director of Florida Blue Medicare. The show also included inspirational taped messages from Hall-of-Fame broadcaster Jane Pauley, long-distance swimming icon Diana Nyad, and the world’s No. 1 influencer on the value of the 50+ demographic, Dr. Ken Dychtwald.
Growing Bolder plans several new Launchpad Live! events in the coming months and hopes to resume its national tour in 2023. “I thought it was fantastic and I love the whole aspect about growing bolder and not older.”
LYNETTE ROBBINS
“I loved it! It encouraged us to go outside and exercise and I’m going to start tomorrow!” RAY HEGERTY
Back!We’re
NANCY STAMPAHAR “It’s more than even what I thought it would be. It was very inspirational. They’re saying to everybody, you can do it!”’
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Growing Bolder’s concept for Launchpad won first place in American Public Television’s PitchFest national competition in 2019 and was taped for national broadcast in front of a sell-out crowd in The Villages. It then appeared in Albuquerque, New Mexico and had a date scheduled in Orlando when the pandemic hit. “It’s great to be back live,” says Growing Bolder CEO Marc Middleton. “There’s an entirely new life stage that has us all wondering, ‘What’s next, and how do I create it?’ This is a one-of-a-kind live show that answers our biggest questions, addresses our biggest fears, and inspires the kind of lifestyle change that empowers healthy aging.”
“It's been good,” Ronald said. “We've had a lot of fun, seeing a lot of country together because of archery, as a family. We had good times, lots of goodThetimes.”good times will continue, as a fourth generation in the Walker lineage has recently started shooting. LuAnn and Ronald expressed their excitement to be coaching their granddaughter in archery, and spending more time together as family because of the sport.
All of the familiar sounds of an archery competition could be heard at Miramar Regional Park range. The whistles and commands calling for competitors to step up to the shooting line. The draws of hundreds of bows, followed by the twang of their release.
The slamming of arrows into bullseyes. It was World Archery Day, and also the first day of shooting at the 2022 National Senior Games.
“She had a whole list that she texted him what to make sure he doesn't do and what he does do!” Luann exclaimed. Ronald Walker finished 4th in his age group of the men’s compound release competition, while his daughter Jill won the silver medal in the women’s 50-54 competition. Another medal for the family collection, and yet another shared experience that brought their family closer together. “It’s so cool. That's all I can say,” Wiedner said. “It's awesome and cool and I'm glad I get to experience that with him. It’s our time together, and we were really looking forward to this trip.”
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Archery Brings Four Generations Of Family Closer Together
Among these sounds was the voice of LuAnn Walker, 73, a proud fan with a beaming smile, simultaneously cheering on her husband, Ronald Walker, and their daughter, Jill Wiedner. “It's so good. I just enjoy it. [I’m] proud of them,” LuAnn Walker said. For the Walkers, archery is more than just a sport. It’s a tradition spanning several generations, creating a legacy of success and priceless family memories learning to shoot together.
“My dad got us started back in 1952. They started legalized deer hunting in Pennsylvania for bow and arrow, so that's how he got into it,” Ronald Walker, 77, said. “From there he got into tournament archery, and he just coached me into doing it.”
As the competitors swapped places, LuAnn Walker witnessed an exchange between her husband and daughter. “She said she needs her dad, and then he said he needs his daughter,” LuAnn Walker shared. “Yeah,” Ronald agreed. “Because she sees me doing something wrong, she knows what to do. She'll tell me. I see her doing a little something wrong, I tell her. She'll shoot a shot and she thinks it should be in, but it's somewhere else, and then we go through what you possibly could have done wrong to make it miss, and we come up together.”
The coaching paid off, as Walker turned professional, and went on to win a state championship in Pennsylvania, just like his father. But rather than reflect on past tournament wins, both Ronald and LuAnn light up at the chance to speak about their daughter, Jill, shooting just a few targets down from them. “I got my daughter started into it when she was about eight years old,” Ronald said. “He made Jill learn with a stick bow, nothing but a stick bow in her fingers!” LuAnn chimed in. “I just watched her. She picked it up. I knew the things you needed to do to hit the target. And I watched her and if she's doing something wrong, I straightened her out on it,” Ronald said. “And now she tells him what he's doing wrong!” LuAnn said. “She beats me now,” Ronald nodded. Although she had been shooting since she was a teenager, 2022 marked Jill Wiedner’s first National Senior Games appearance, thanks once again to her“Well,father.Igot started with my dad,” Wiedner, 53, said. “And I’m here with him today, [because] he’s like ‘I think you’re old enough to be a senior,’ and I said ‘No, I’m not,’...but I am,” Wiedner laughed.
A Tradition That Hits The Target
ImagesGettyviaFatCameraPhoto:
Step Outside!
Restore Your Relationship With Yourself & Others In Nature
During times of difficulty, we lean on those relationships and on the mindfulness practices we’ve cultivated.
Whether you’re trying to stay invested in long-term relationships or are establishing new ones, one way to nurture connections while also being active and connecting to nature is to take a walk or a hike together. There is something special about moving forward in the same direction that promotes meaningful conversation. And beyond that, being outdoors helps us strengthen our relationship to nature, which, in turn, helps us strengthen our relationship to ourselves. Studies have shown that time in nature creates a feeling of calm. It nourishes us on many levels. Nature sounds can be soothing even in recordings, but far greater are the benefits from hearing real sounds of birds chirping, water cascading over rocks, squirrels scurrying. When we take in the sounds along with the beauty of leaves, flowers, and butterflies, our heart lifts, making us better able to show compassion toward ourselves and others. Even if movement is not available to you for long stretches of time, sitting together outdoors with a friend can help you be present with one another, leaving behind worldly concerns to listen deeply and authentically. The two of us grew up together as parents and decided to go into business together during daily hikes after dropping off our children at school. It’s still our favorite way to brainstorm new ideas, but also to be there for one another. We’ve each had losses in our lives, and our walks together have been important parts of our grieving and healing.
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Doro Bush Koch & Tricia Reilly Koch
Growing Bolder contributors Doro Bush Koch and Tricia Reilly Koch are sisters-in-law who founded the wellness company BB&R, Bright, Bold and Real over a decade and a half ago with a very clear goal: to share with others what they’ve learned about mindfulness and holistic living with the intention that everyone begin to live their best life. Learn more about their retreats, workshops, courses and popular Health Gig podcast at bbrconsulting.us.
As holistic health practitioners, we’ve always said that health requires feeding all aspects of ourselves, and we know that relationships are a crucial part of wellness.
Loneliness is a predictor of longevity. Social isolation may increase a person’s risk of premature death more greatly than other risk factors, including smoking! We need people to have fun with, and we also need people with whom we can share our challenges, people who are willing to listen honestly and not judge us but rather remind us there will always be light after the dark. It takes a village to get through difficult times. The investment we put in our relationships pays great dividends. Even when we face loss, the memories of connections help us process our pain. When we are able to recall the joy and meaning we found together, we are better able to remain optimistic and live free of regret. It is never too late to build or rebuild connections. As long as we lead with compassion and openness, there will be room for love to grow.
For the past 12 years, Doro Bush Koch and Tricia Reilly Koch have brought community together with their annual Achieving Optimal Health Conference, held in collaboration with Georgetown University’s GU Wellness. This year’s event will be a virtual event held on October 15. To learn more and get tickets, visit achievingoptimalhealthconference.com
Karl credits walking with saving his quality of life and running with actually saving Terttu’s life. “She had a big illness and I'm not allowed to talk about it.” But after a little coercion, Terttu agrees to talk publicly about it for the first time. “Okay, I'm a cancer survivor,” she says. “We found out a few days before going on a big trip that she had stage 4 leukemia that had spread to her back and lungs,” Karl-Heinrich adds. “The doctors say she came through with flying colors because her lung capacity was so fantastic from running.”
“He always makes me keep moving. He's the main force behind us. It used to be that I was faster than him, but now it's the other way around.”
TwoByTwo
the camaraderie of the community-wide intergenerational events. KarlHeinrich’s health improved dramatically but early one morning, while training for the New York Marathon, his running came to an abrupt halt. “I got run over by a newspaper delivery truck at 5 am,” he says. “They removed a disc from my back, and I spent a month in the hospital. The doctor told me to stop running but said I could walk. That’s all I needed to hear. I trained myself to become a race walker and have now walked 27 marathons.”
For Karl-Henrich & Terttu Barsch Life Is Better On The Road Were it not for walking, 82-year-old KarlHeinrich Barsch would likely be in a wheelchair. Were it not for running, his wife, 84-year-old Terttu Barsch, would likely be dead. The Barsches are part of the irrefutable and growing body of evidence that proves the benefits of an active lifestyle. Given their example and that of millions of others like them, it’s not surprising that the fastest growing age divisions in nearly every organized sport are those for older adults. Karl-Heinrich is a retired University of Central Florida Professor who was diagnosed with dangerously high blood pressure when he was in his 50s. “My doctor told me to start walking so I walked around the block,” he says. “At first, I ran out of steam. I couldn't finish a single block, but I kept at it. I was soon walking four blocks, and then a mile, and then two miles. Since Terttu and I do everything together, she started walking with me.” Walking led to running which quickly led to entering weekend races. The Barsches liked the competition but loved Growing Bolder and our partner, Florida Blue Medicare, are committed to sharing the inspiring stories of men and women like the Barsches. We’re proud to announce that beginning this month all of the age 40 and over age divisions in the Track Shack Running Series, one of the nation’s premier series, will be designated The Growing Bolder Division powered by Florida Blue Medicare. For more information visit: GrowingBolder.com
While Karl-Heinrich walks, Terttu, 84, continues to run. She’s finished more than 60 marathons since taking her very first run in her 50s. “He always makes me keep moving,” she says. “He's the main force behind us. It used to be that I was faster than him, but now it's the other way around.”
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TERTTU BARSCH
Karl and Terttu usually win their respective divisions but that’s not why they compete. They enjoy being part of a health and well-being community and thrive on the inspiration of competitors; ordinary people living extraordinary lives simply because they refuse to let life beat them down and keep them on the couch. “I couldn’t run anymore so I trained myself to race walk,” Karl-Heinrich says. “With that kind of attitude, you can always find a new way to adjust and keep going.”
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Self-proclaimed “dog people,” the Kirklands owned Labradors in the past. At home much more now, they thought about getting another one. Getting the right dog was a concern. A puppy would be too much work to train, but an older dog might not be as trainable to accommodate Gordon’s lack of mobility. A friend of one of their sons suggested they reach out to Canine Companions. Lindy thought they might be able to get a dog who hadn’t met the training standards, but when she began reading about the requirements for receiving a fully trained dog, she realized Gordon met all of them, and they applied. One in four Americans live with a disability and it’s the mission of Canine Companions to help. Established in 1975, they are the largest non-profit provider of service dogs in the United States, providing dogs free of charge to assist people with disabilities including multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, strokes, hearing loss, development delay and even veterans suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder. They breed Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and crosses of the two breeds. At about eight weeks old the puppies go to volunteer puppy raisers for a year and a half of socialization and experiential activities to prepare them to assist others. Then they’re off to one of Canine Companions’ six professional training centers for a six-month training program where they learn 45 commands, like retrieving items, opening and closing doors, pulling wheelchairs, interrupting nightmares and anxiety episodes, and more.
How Canine Companions Bring Connection and Companionship
“It just totally changed the trajectory of our lives,” Lindy said. “We spent the first couple of years just doing intense occupational, physical and speech therapy, thinking that was the road to recovery. “It's an interesting process when something that dramatic happens. It's not something you plan for, it's not something you ever think through of, ‘What can I do if this happens?’ And at first you just literally get up and just get through the day.”
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It was August of 2017. Gordon and Lindy Kirkland owned a successful business in Orlando, FL, thriving in its third decade of operation. Gordon played racquetball often and well, with six national titles to his name. Life was good. Then Gordon had a stroke, and life was suddenly very, very Thedifferent.couple eventually made the tough decision to close the business, saying goodbye to over 100 employees, losing not just a firm financial foundation but a big part of their identity as well. Gone also was Gordon’s racquetball community, along with the physical activity and social connection it provided. They were surrounded by love from friends and family, but also felt isolated at times as they tried to find their way and move forward.
Man’s andFriend,BestMore
It’s also an extensive process for applicants, to ensure the right dog-to-family match. An online application is followed by a phone interview. References are required from a doctor, physical therapist, etc. After that, applicants are invited to a Canine Companions’ campus to work with a dog, to ensure that they can handle a dog and observe how they work with it.
Once Gordon was able to move out into the world again, even simple things like going out to dinner were different. Walking slowly with a cane, he was swimming against a tide of fast-paced people passing him by, caught up in their own worlds. “I think when people see Gordon, they don't see him for everything that he is. And that's hard,” said Lindy. “You don't see that he ran a successful business for 30 years, and he's one of the smartest people I know. They just see someone who's walking slowly, and he must be compromised in some way. And that's not the way it is.”
For more information on Canine Companions visit canine.org
Warrior’s presence not only helps Gordon safely navigate crowded spaces, but he also opens the door for conversation and connections, something that Gordon, social by nature, had lost. At home Warrior is Gordon’s constant companion and therapy partner, as Gordon works on strengthening his weaker arm through games of fetch and tug of war. Yet, more than any commands he follows or tasks he assists with, Warrior’s most important asset might be his loving personality and the joy he has brought back to the Kirklands. “I think Warrior loves Gordon, whether Gordon has a great day at therapy or not,” said Lindy. “In times where I would say Gordon doesn't always love Gordon, because of the change... Warrior looks at him and loves him. And it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter what you've done or haven't“Onedone.”thing I've learned is, I got a new me. You have to learn that, and that's hard to learn,” Gordon said. “He definitely helps me emotionally. Everybody has bad days, but with me my bad days are tougher than they used to be. So, if I have a tough day, he'll warm me up. I'll sit here and watch some program and he'll sit right beside me, and we'll just relax. Or I'll listen to music because that relaxes me, and he'll come over and lay beside me.”
“We loved both the other dogs but really, they were pets. He's a lot more than a pet. He’s a blessing.”
He's a lot more than a pet. He’s a blessing. “
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After applicants are approved, they wait for their perfect match. The staff knows the family and the dogs, and all that information is considered. Once two dogs are identified as a potential match, applicants come to a campus location for training.Lessthan a year after they applied, the Kirklands met Warrior at the Orlando campus. It was not love at first sight. Just like humans on a first date, animals can get nervous,“Wetoo.were sitting on a mat on the floor, and he sat literally right at the end, did not pay any attention to us,” said Lindy. “The other dogs in the class were all girls. He was keeping an eye on his girlfriends, and just checking out to make sure they were all okay. So, he totally ignored us. And I'm like, ‘Is he okay?’” Their second meeting was much different. Warrior was the naturally loving, ear-licking, well-trained dog that soon became a member of the Franklin family, changing both their home life and Gordon’s experience out in the world. “Before when we'd go out, people would bump into me or something. It's like they don't see you,” said Gordon. “But now that we have him, they're not worried about me, they love the dog. So, it draws attention. The kids will come up and want to pet the dog. And the parents will say, ‘No, he's working. You can't pet him.’ It's amazing how many people know that. I feel like people notice us now.”
FOR MORE DAILY MEMES: @GrowingBolderImagesGettyviaImagesCavanbyPhoto "Treasure -yourrelationships,yournotpossessions."AnthonyJ.D'Angelo
What Makes Relationships Stand The Test Of Time?
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Bluma went to Columbia University in New York City and repeatedly encouraged Ari to go there to experience the creative energy. After she passed away, he moved to the city to honor her wish. “I missed her terribly and needed to re-establish a connection with older adults,” he says.
AdvancedLove
It took a New York minute for Ari to be mesmerized by the fashionable older women walking the streets of Manhattan. With no camera and no previous photography experience, he borrowed a camera from a friend and became one of the first street photographers. “I wondered why all of the fashion role models were younger women and why I had never seen images like the ones that I was capturing daily. Once I had a few hundred photos, I realized their power to change peoples’ perspective on aging.”
Ari Seth Cohen grew up in San Diego with his grandparents. His relationship with his maternal grandmother, Bluma, would ultimately define his life’s work and his positive perception of growing older. “She was my best friend,” Ari tells Growing Bolder. “She encouraged my creativity. When I was age 7 or 8, we sat together making scrapbooks of fashionable older ladies.”
. As his Advanced Love media platform grew, Ari began taking photos of stylish women and men around the world. Most of his subjects had a significant other and Ari became fascinated by later in life relationships and what makes them work. Once again, his curiosity led him in a fascinating and rewarding direction. “I realized that I was collecting photos and wisdom. That was the genesis of Advanced Love. I wanted to learn what makes relationships last and with so much negativity and despair in the world, I wanted to contribute a hopeful message about love.”
I wanted to learn what makes relationships last and with so much negativity and despair in the world, I wanted to contribute a hopeful message about love.
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The rest is fashion history. Ari became one of the top influencers in the fashion world. His blog led to a bestselling book and an award-winning documentary, both under the Advanced Style brand. Two more books followed: Advanced Style: Older and Wiser and his most recent, Advanced Love
→ “Like is as important as love. You have to be good friends.”
Advanced Love profiles 40 different couples from around the world exploring themes of love and companionship through their firsthand experiences. While they are all older adults who enjoy and benefit from creative expression, they are as diverse as couples can be: heterosexual, same-sex, interracial. Some have been together for five or six decades and others fell in love in a nursing home. “My work is always about diversity and inclusion, sharing the wisdom of older people with younger generations, and most importantly, changing perceptions about aging,” he says. So, what did Ari learn about lasting love?
ARI SETH COHEN“
→ “You have to have empathy and be willing to forgive.”
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→ “It’s never too late to find love or to find it again. I met many couples who had given up on having a true love connection before they met one another in their 70s, 80s or even 90s.”
I realized that I was collecting photos and wisdom. That was the genesis of Advanced Love
→ “A sense of humor is a must.”
The year was 2008, two years before Instagram was launched. Ari had discovered a passion and recognized an opportunity. So, he did what any creative 26-year-old would do. He started a blog. Advanced Style quickly gained followers as people all over the world began sharing his images and inspiration.
Ari’s new pet project is an actual pet project. His new book will be about people and their beloved pets. He’s currently looking for pet owners over the age of 60 who have a deep connection with their pet. Dogs, cats, turtles, goats, birds, cows, it doesn’t matter. He wants to know that they add to your life. And yes, it helps if you have a little stylish flair. That’s a big part of the Advanced Style brand. You can connect with Ari on Instagram, Facebook, or his website advanced.style.com. His books are all available on Amazon.
→ “You have to constantly work on communication.”
Like most seniors, Rita wants to continue living in her own home and in the community, she loves, for as long as possible. “I love my life,” she says. “I go to the clubhouse three times a week. I play Mahjong. I play Pennies, which is like Canasta, on Tuesday night and Thursday afternoon. And then I play bingo on Thursday night. I walk in the pool three times a week with my girlfriend.”
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A Helping Hand, A Shoulder To Lean On, An Ear To Listen
→ Home tasks, like laundry, light cleaning, or meal prep
© 2022 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc., DBA Florida Blue. All rights reserved.
Most Florida Blue Medicare Advantage plans include up to 60 hours a year of help from Papa Pals, who lend a helping hand with everyday activities at no cost, like:
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Florida Blue and Florida Blue Medicare are Independent Licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. We comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. For more information visit floridablue.com/ndnotice.
*Florida Blue Medicare Regional PPO plans do not include coverage for At Home Support through Papa.
→ Transportation to the doctor’s office
A Papa Pal is like having another family member on call providing the help around the house and companionship necessary to be happy, healthy, and safe at home. It’s a friend and an extra pair of hands when you need one.
Rita’s walls are filled with photos of her family. “I have 11 grandchildren and 13 great grands,” she notes proudly. They’re all grateful for her Florida Blue Medicare Papa Pal. “It's an amazing program that helps people who are secluded or have no family around them,” said her daughter, Linda. “I don't worry about her as much as I would if she didn't have a Papa Pal. It gives us peace of mind and helps her feel safe in her own home.”
If you’re a current Florida Blue Medicare Advantage member* call 888-941-3933 (TTY:711) to lighten your load or visit papa.com for more information.
→ Technology lessons, such as how to use a smartphone or computer
→ Errands, like grocery shopping and banking
→ Companionship, like playing board games or puzzles, or just to chat
Rita has a large and loving family, but they don’t live nearby. Her granddaughter, Kelley, told her about Papa. “Knowing that she has help whenever she needs it is comforting,” she said. “Her Papa Pal allows her to remain independent and continue doing the things she loves but with a little support along the way.” Papa helps members when, where, and how they need it most. “She does an awful lot for me,” Rita says. “She takes me to doctor appointments, to get my booster shots, and to see my family. She carries in my groceries and does a beautiful job with my flowers. I am very, very grateful to have her help and her friendship.” “We’ve become great friends,” adds Bobbi. “I help out however I can but sometimes we just enjoy one another’s company. We play cards and share stories. I really like it when she shows me pictures of her family.”
Y0011_110750 2022_C Rita, a Florida Blue Member, values her independence, but at 91-yearsold she occasionally needs help and desires companionship. She receives both from Bobbi. Bobbi works as a Papa Pal for a company called Papa, part of a unique and life-enriching service provided to Florida Blue Medicare members at no additional cost. “It's so satisfying,” Bobbi says. “It's such a good feeling to help out when they need it. I love being there for them.”
What could you cross off your to-do list if you had help?
64&SOMUCHMORE! Go to growingbolder.com/Medicare to download your free, easy to understand guide to Medicare. To speak to a representative call 1-844-396-2579. MEDIC ARE MedicareMake opportunityantolive BOLDER. Florida Blue and Florida Blue Medicare are Independent Licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ©️2022 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc. DBA Florida Blue. All rights reserved. Y0011_101935 R1 2020_C
