Growing Bolder Digital Digest | Fall 2023: Inspiration

Roger McGuinn

Bolder Backstage with a Co-Founder of The Byrds

“When you’re alone, you’re not alone, just push a few buttons and I see my 16 grandchildren and them growing up!”

Joan, age 89 GrandPad User

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CREATIVE DIRECTOR Katie Styles

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Jill Middleton

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Lynne Mixson & Tim Killian

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Mike Dunn

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Bill Shafer, Brittany Driskell, Doro Bush Koch & Tricia Reilly Koch and Vanessa Skinner

GROWING BOLDER PRESS

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GENERAL COUNSEL Michael Okaty, Foley & Lardner LLP

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CONNECT

44 ON BEING A GRANDPARENT

Nana, Pop, Mimi, Glam...Whatever They Are Called, They’re Ready to Answer TECH

14 CYBER SECURITY TODAY

The Biggest Internet Threats Targeting Older Adults

23 UNLEASHING THE POWER OF CONVERSATIONAL AI FOR ADULTS 50+

Understanding Chat GPT

42 PURSUE YOUR WILDEST DREAMS WITH VIRTUAL REALITY

We Take a Look at the Apple Vision Pro

TRANSITIONS

20 SO MUCH MORE THAN A SEWING MACHINE

71-Year-Old Antique Stitches Generations

Together with a Lost Love Note

ROCK STARS OF AGING®

16 LIFE LESSONS FOR ACTIVE LONGEVITY

Lifestyle is More Important than Genetics

Photo by Mike Dunn for Growing Bolder

YOUR TAKE

Describe a live music event that left a lasting impression on you.

"Elvis Presley and Tina Turner. Separate concerts, but both had lasting impressions."

–Shirley H.

"John Denver's outdoor night concert under the stars playing/singing either alone or backed by 4 symphony string players. Saw a falling star on the way home. Incredible!!!"

–Carol D.

"Any of the 50+ times I got to see the Grateful Dead were pretty heartfelt."

–Susan C.

"Seeing Brian Wilson in 2019. It was both inspiring and heartbreaking. When he forgot the words to a song, the entire audience sang them until he joined in. I was in tears."

–Jacqui R. R.

"Tony Bennett show! He could still sing better than most well into his 80’s! "

–Mary K.

"James Taylor and Carole King together in Chicago. Magical."

–Janet B. T.

Illustration by djvstock via Getty Images

From the CEO

Growing Bolder is not about defeating, cheating, or retreating from aging. Growing Bolder is simply about embracing the keys to wellness and engaging in life, in our own way, to the extent that we’re able. It’s about adapting to our challenges, seizing our opportunities, and living with passion and purpose.

Our cover story is one of family, faith, love, and music. It’s about surviving and thriving. At the age of 81, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Roger McGuinn is living his best life. From a true rock star to our Rock Stars of Aging®, we share what we’ve learned from our decades-long study of men and women who are still loving life in their 90s and 100s.

We also share the story behind one of the most ambitious undertakings ever by a real estate developer to contribute to the health and wellness of its residents. The Villages Grown is utilizing cutting edge technology and proprietary methodology in what’s known as controlled environment agriculture to deliver fresh, flavorful, non-GMO, herbicide, and pesticide-free produce from farm-to-table in just 24-48 hours.

We wrap up our coverage of the inspiring 2023 National Senior Games in Pittsburgh and our experts weigh in on the benefits of mindful breathing, the biggest Internet threats targeting older adults, and a surprise guest contributor offers a primer on how ChatGPT can make a difference in your life.

“Growing Bolder...

It’s about adapting to our challenges, seizing our opportunities, and living with passion and purpose.”

Photo by Mike Dunn for Growing Bolder

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.

Watch all episodes at GrowingBolder.com/tv

WITH Little Anthony Gourdine

At the age of 82, Anthony Gourdine has places to go. He’s just arrived at Solar Studio in Orlando to record vocals for a song, soon to be released. It was 67 years ago that he entered a recording studio for the first time. The song he recorded was “Tears On My Pillow.” It was an instant hit and at the age of 17, Little Anthony was an overnight sensation. He would go on to have a staggering career as the only artist other than Frank Sinatra to have a number one hit in four decades, and in 2009 was inducted into the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame. That is why when he sat down for an interview with Bill Shafer for his Bolder Backstage segment for Growing Bolder, it was surprising to hear him insist that he has never been happier.

“Now is the best time of my life because I’ve learned to live in the present,” Gourdine said. “Yesterday is in the past. All that counts is now.”

Now, he has nine children, 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, all who know him as Poppy, not Little Anthony, and that's just fine with him.

Gourdine says the most difficult part of his life was understanding that fame wasn’t real. “I was on a fast track to an early death,” he said. “I had to learn to stop trying to be ‘Little Anthony’ and start learning to be Jerome Anthony Gourdine.

“I was an insecure, fearful, frightened little boy,” he explained. “I was doing a lot of drugs and other bad things

and had no idea who I was. I could have easily been gone several times. I'm not proud of that but that's who I was, that’s who I used to be.”

When his friend, singer Frankie Lymon, died of a heroin overdose at the age of 25 it hit Gourdine hard. “It could have been me,” he said. “Come on, man. I'm just a singer. That's all I am. I'm like everybody else. I have the same worries, the same fears and the same challenges. What I've learned is that I'm so grateful to still be here.”

He shows his gratitude by continuing to perform, astonishing audiences by his uncanny ability to still hit the high notes. “People come to me all the time and say, ‘Man, you're 82 and you sound just like you did in the 1960s,’” he said. “Even I don’t get it. All I know is meeting people and making them happy keeps me feeling young. I tell people, ‘There's a 32-year-old guy inside of me. Do me a favor. Don't tell him he's really 82, it'll just confuse him.’”

Yet, Gourdine believes he's never seen things more clearly. Each new day is a gift, and as for the past, he cherishes what he’s accomplished and is grateful to have survived the journey. “Like everybody else, I wonder how so many years have gone by so fast,” he says. “Because in my mind, “Tears On My Pillow” was just a few years ago. “Goin' Out of My Head,” “Hurt So Bad,” and being on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” it all feels like yesterday. I’m just so glad to still be here and it is amazing how much I really appreciate.”

“Do you know why a car windshield is so big and the rearview mirror is so small? Because where you're going is more important than where you've been.”

ORDINARY PEOPLE LIVING EXTRAORDINARY LIVES ®

Cosmo Wilson 62

Do you remember the first rock concert you ever attended? For Charles “Cosmo” Wilson it was 1977 in Lakeland, Florida. The band was KISS. “The first thing I noticed was this enormous rig hanging from the rafters,” he remembers. “It was such a spectacle between the lighting, the sound and the pyro. It was mind boggling to me.”

Most people dream of becoming rockstars. Wilson’s dream was different. “Well, nobody grows up wanting to be a rock band lighting director, but after that I really started paying attention.”

He got a job as a stagehand, and once again, he saw the light. “My job was to shove lots of boxes around,” he said. “But the lighting guys didn’t have to do that, so I thought, ‘Maybe I should be one of them.’”

Wilson learned the job inside and out, patiently waiting for an opportunity which finally came. He loved that he got to express himself both artistically and physically, setting up lighting scenes that change with the beat of the music. “I have a lot of people in the audience who see me run the show and they’ll say, ‘God, watching you is almost as interesting as watching the band.’”

He was earning a reputation for his skills, but he needed

one more thing. “Everybody gets a nickname,” he explained. “I was worried they’d tag me with something really embarrassing so I kind of chose Cosmo myself and it stuck.”

Over the last 37 years he has traveled the world and worked with the biggest acts in music: AC/DC, Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Foreigner, INXS, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Meat Loaf, Mötley Crüe, David Lee Roth, Scorpions, and Rod Stewart.

Many of those artists are now in their 60s and 70s. Some have retired, and others are getting close, a fact that has made Wilson, who has become one of the most respected lighting directors in the business, appreciative and reflective of his exciting and unusual life. His thoughts go back to 1990 at Olympic Stadium in Berlin. He was lighting director for the Rolling Stones when he remembers, “Mick Jagger launched into ‘You Can't Always Get What You Want’ and I brought up the audience lights,” he said. “I looked around and it hit me that everyone was singing, smiling and waving their hands. I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it. I thought, ‘How lucky am I to be a part of something that brings so much happiness to so many people?’ There’s nothing like it.”

“I'm the only guy who's run lights for AC/DC for 31 years, and Aerosmith and so many others. There aren't many bands of that stature left, so it's incredible to me that I am one of the few people who do lights for these bands.”

The Soundtrack to a Healthier Life

Have you ever created a soundtrack for your life? It’s a collection of songs that transport you to the most critical times, places, experiences and people that have come to shape who you are as a person.

by IndiaPix/IndiaPicture via Getty Images

Photos

It’s an insightful exercise to not only learn more about yourself, but to learn more about your spouse, neighbors, friends and family. Take a piece of paper or open a note on your phone and find a quiet place to reflect. Think back on the biggest moments that changed the course of your life. Milestones you reached, crossroads where you were diverted, relationships that grew or even fell apart.

Life is full of ups and downs and, like any good album, is diverse in the tone of its experiences. You will likely highlight the happy memories first; try to also remember the places where you failed, or even the experiences that brought anger, sadness, or grief.

Now, think of the songs that transport you to those memories. Was there a particular song that always makes

you think of that old friend? A specific track that you listened to on repeat on a memorable trip, or a song that you leaned on to get through a hard time?

Cultivate these songs into a playlist and share it with a loved one and ask them to do the same. As you listen to each song, share the memories and stories behind your selections. It’s an intimate experience to not only learn about your friends and family, but a chance to learn more about yourself and reflect on your journey to this point.

Whether you choose to add to this playlist in the years ahead or just enjoy some of your old favorites, listening to music can lead to a healthier life, according to a recent study by Johns Hopkins Medicine

Health Benefits from Listening to Music

For those who are able to play an instrument themselves, the National Library of Medicine reports an increase in communication skills, cognitive function, and fewer feelings of isolation and depression for older musicians. Their report found that “playing an instrument can positively impact the wellbeing of older adults throughout life by promoting empowerment, autonomy and social cohesion.”

Don’t worry if you don’t play an instrument today, because it is truly never too late to learn. The NLM study

found that adults who took piano lessons later in life were able to seize the benefits of improved executive brain functioning, working memory, and were less likely to experience cognitive decline and dementia.

As you enjoy the rest of this edition of Growing Bolder Magazine and learn about rock stars like Roger McGuinn, be sure to increase your brain health by turning up the volume on “Eight Miles High” or “Mr. Tambourine Man” in the background.

“If you want to keep your brain engaged throughout the aging process, listening to or playing music is a great tool. It provides a total brain workout.”

– one Johns Hopkins doctor noted.

Cyber Security Today

with Chief Technology and Data Officer of GrandPad, Earl Chen

The Biggest Internet Threats Targeting Older Adults and The Upcoming Battle Against Artificial Intelligence

The FBI estimates that older adults lose more than $3 billion in financial scams every year. With 10,000 people turning 65 every day in the U.S., it should come as no surprise that scammers are getting more aggressive in attempts to rob older adults of their hard-earned money, with a reported 74% increase in total annual losses from cybercrime against seniors.

One tech company has stepped forward with a solution to these cyberattacks. Growing Bolder went one-on-one with Earl Chen, the chief technology and data officer for GrandPad, an organization that created a tablet specifically designed for older adults to get online in a safe and secure fashion. Chen revealed the top scams facing seniors, the upcoming battle against the malicious use of artificial intelligence, and how the GrandPad tablet can protect from these threats.

Biggest Scams Targeting Older Adults

TECHNICAL SUPPORT SCAMS

Tech support fraud is the most reported fraud among victims over 60, totaling over $238 million in annual losses.

“They'll pop up on your messages or computer, saying your machine's been infected or your bank account has been taken over, to get you to call a number,” Chen explained. “They get you on the phone to give them access to your bank account or even give them access to your whole computer.”

IMPOSTER SCAMS

“They'll pretend to be a family member, and they'll pretend to be in trouble, such as ‘Oh, I've been arrested, I need money for bail,’” Chen continued. “Creating this artificial emergency creates urgency and that need to act.”

One of the most common imposter scams involves fraudulent romances, pulling on the heartstrings of older adults in a fake relationship. More than 3,000 seniors lost more than $100,000 from “sweetheart scams” in a single year, according to the latest FBI data.

LOTTERY & SWEEPSTAKES SCAMS

“They’ll say you’ve won the lottery, and all you need to do is pay this amount, and we will send you the prize,” said Chen. “Or during the holiday season, grandpa wants to get the newest toy for his grandson, and it's impossible to get, but guess what? This scammer has it, and if you pay, they'll send it to you, but of course it never arrives, and you're out your money.”

A Tablet Designed To Protect Seniors From Scammers

The only sure way to avoid becoming a victim of these increasingly sophisticated criminals is to prevent them from contacting you in the first place. Standard technology, such as smartphones and computers, leaves the user at risk of these common scams. Chen and the GrandPad team created a solution to protect against these threats.

The GrandPad tablet features a safe and secure private family network managed by a family member. This means only pre-approved phone numbers and emails can contact the GrandPad user, creating what they call a “walled garden.”

“What we've done is created a circle of trust. So just the people within the senior’s circle of trust are able to

access our platform: your friends, your family, and even caregivers,” Chen said.

“One thing that we saw over and over were seniors who were afraid to answer the phone, because they think it's going to be a scammer. But on the GrandPad, grandma knows it's going to be somebody she's familiar with. She'll see the person's picture pop up with the call, and so she'll be happy to answer.”

The GrandPad not only is perfect for video calls and emails, but also allows the user to safely share and comment on family photos and play games like checkers remotely with family members. The internet app on the tablet is customizable by the family administrator, who can set a list of approved websites for the user to access.

GrandPad customers are never alone, because their team is always just one tap away with 24/7/365 support. Each customer is paired with their own member experience agent who can tackle any issues with patience and empathy.

An Upcoming Battle With Artificial Intelligence

The world has only begun to scratch the surface of the feats that can and will be accomplished by rapidly developing artificial intelligence (AI). ChatGPT has taken the world by storm, advanced robotics continue to be integrated in society and, on a lighter note, voice imitation videos are garnering millions of views and laughs on social media.

But like everything else, where a technology exists, there will be those who seek to use it maliciously.

“[AI] is a big challenge. In normal cases, people can resist the scam. They'll think, ‘Oh that doesn't quite sound like Susie.’ Your alarms will be raised and you'll hang up the phone. But with AI, it only takes 10 seconds of somebody's social media video for the AI to clone their voice. And now you have a very realistic tool that sounds just like Susie, so it's much harder to detect. It is a really big concern,” Chen said.

It isn’t all doom and gloom, however. Chen is confident that GrandPad’s private family network is up to the task of protecting the user from emerging threats, while also giving them the gift of much-needed social connection.

“Every day I get to hear these wonderful testimonials from real users about how GrandPad is able to change their life,” Chen said. “I've never cried so many happy tears, hearing really touching stories about how a grandma was able to see her grandchildren who she hasn't seen because of the pandemic or a dad was able to see the birth, be there in the room in the hospital, virtually, of his first grandson. Even how a family can get together and chat over coffee because of the GrandPad.”

To learn more, attend a free product demo by registering at GrandPad.net.

Life Lessons for Active Longevity

When it comes to happy and healthy aging, lifestyle is more important than genetics. Recent studies have revealed that genetics may account for as little as 7% to 10% of lifespan. And when it comes to health span, the number of years in which a person is generally in good health, genes are even less important.

Our future health and wellbeing are not predetermined by our DNA. It’s determined daily by the lifestyle that we make.

That’s why Growing Bolder has always been fascinated by active nonagenarians and centenarians — men and women in their 90s and 100s who are still living with passion and purpose and have a quality of life that they enjoy. We call them our Rock Stars of Aging® and over the years we’ve interviewed more than 1,000 of them to learn what we can about active longevity.

Three Reasons You Should Care About the Rock Stars of Aging®

1. They Didn’t Win the Genetic Lottery

Living to an active 100 is more of a lifestyle choice than a genetic blessing.

2. They Are in Relatively Good Overall Health

Most don’t suffer from the multiple chronic illnesses that are typically associated with age until shortly before dying. Gerontologists call this “compressed morbidity.”

3. They are a Diverse Group Living Lifestyles That We Can Model

Rock Stars of Aging vary widely in years of education, socioeconomic status, race, gender, religion, ethnicity, diet, and genetics. They not only prove that there’s an opportunity for just about anyone to dramatically improve the length and quality of his or her life, but they also provide a pathway to get there.

Six Traits Shared by the Rock Stars of Aging

1. They Adapt and Accommodate

If there’s a universal experience among the very old, it’s continual loss. If we live long enough, we eventually lose friends, family, and some of our vision, hearing, and mobility. Rock Stars of Aging let go of what’s lost and find joy in what remains. They mourn and move on.

2. They Have a Powerful Sense of Purpose

The Japanese believe that everyone has an ikigai — a reason for being. The French call it a raison d'être. Having something that gets you out of bed every morning is essential as we age. Passion and purpose fuel the life force required for active longevity.

3. They Live in and Enjoy the Present

Rock Stars of Aging don’t live in the past, eliminating regret, and they don’t worry about the future, reducing stress. They are all about the here and now, finding joy in which more than one has described as “life’s little blessings.”

4. They’re Socially Active

Most Rock Stars of Aging live independently until the age of 90 but they’re not hermits. They have great families and good friends. Almost all communicate with a friend or family member daily.

5. They’re Physically Active

Rock Stars of Aging live surprisingly active lifestyles. Almost all engage in some form of daily physical activity – walking, gardening, fishing, biking, lifting weights, even competing in organized sports.

6. They’re Mentally Active

The adage “use it or lose it” is especially true when it comes to our brains. Rock Stars of Aging are lifelong learners with a nearly insatiable appetite for learning.

Rock Stars of Aging are people of all kinds who teach us that everything we do today will influence the quality of life that we’ll lead in the future.

The Art of Hummus

Crafting the Finest Hummus at Home

Brittany Driskell

Sometimes you just don’t have the time to make a dish from scratch. When that happens, it’s nice to have a recipe that elevates ready-to-eat, store-bought foods. Here’s an easy, tasty and pretty recipe for a hummus plate.

Chef Brittany Driskell is Director of Culinary for FMK Restaurant Group

RECIPE

Harvest Hummus

TO MAKE THE HUMMUS BATCH

10 oz Store bought Hummus (the brand we use is Kronos)

2 TBS Roasted garlic paste (can be store bought, we roast in-house)

2 TSP GSPC

(garlic, salt, pepper, coriander — see mixture ratios below) Juice of ¼ Lemon

Mix all ingredients well and allow to set in the refrigerator for 3 hours before serving.

GARLIC, SALT, PEPPER, CORIANDER COMBO (Yield 1 Cup)

½ Cup Salt

¼ Cup Granulated Garlic

¼ Cup Coriander

2 Tbsp Course Black Pepper

HUMMUS PLATING

8 oz hummus

4-5 heirloom tomatoes cut in half

5-6 kalamata olives

1/4 seedless cucumber sliced

2 oz crumbled feta

1/2 warm pita bread.

2 tbs Extra Virgin Olive oil

¼ lemon zest

TO BUILD THE PLATE

Spread hummus on the plate, and arrange vegetables over half the hummus. Crumble the feta over the vegetables and drizzle the olive oil over the hummus. Finish with fresh zest of lemon.

So Much More Than A Sewing Machine

71-Year-Old Antique Stitches Generations Together with a Lost Love Note

How could a simple household item, a sewing machine, mean so much to someone?

Where most would just see spools, spindles, bobbins and needles, others see memories and family bonds that have been stitched together over time.

That was the case for Kim Payne, a 62-year-old Oklahoma woman who was eagerly searching for an antique Singer sewing machine to honor precious memories.

“My grandma sewed all the time. She made clothes for all of us grandkids. I was probably around 10 years old when I learned from watching her,” Payne recalled. “I just sewed constantly. I couldn't even sleep at night. I couldn't shut off my brain because I just wanted to get out there and sew.”

Payne says she always felt an affectionate draw to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps. Just as she absorbed her grandmother’s passion for sewing, she also spent her career as a wedding cake maker, just like grandma.

Years later, after her grandmother had passed, Kim had retired and felt the itch to reignite her love of sewing, but learned the old Singer had been

sold in a garage sale. “That broke my heart. I tried to track it down in my area on Facebook, and I wasn't having any luck at all.”

After months of disappointment, Payne’s fortune changed. She was excited to find an ad for an antique Singer sewing machine exactly like her grandmother’s. The ad was placed by Tia Dunlap of Caring Transitions — a company that specializes in senior relocation, downsizing, estate sales and more.

“We were doing a large estate sale that was for a family where the father had passed and the mother was moving into memory care,” says Dunlap, franchise owner of Caring Transitions Western Oklahoma.

“We were opening up and Kim pulls up to the gate and asks, ‘Can I get in early?’ She instantly went straight for that sewing machine. Her husband looked at me and said, ‘All she's talked about is this sewing machine,’” Dunlap explained.

“I went straight to the machine and I stood by it. I even put my hand on it because I knew I was going to buy it and how happy it would make me,” Payne said.

Caring Transitions reconnected

Payne to heartfelt memories of her past and her grandmother. Instead of being thrown away, the 71-year-old machine once again had a place of prominence, and of meaning. Another household filled with the familiar whirr of the straight-stitch Singer.

“I made a shirt first. I think of my grandma when I wear the shirt, I think of this sewing machine, and I think of Betty, the original owner, who I know loved it too,” Payne said. “I know this machine has made a lot of people happy, and it continues to make me happy.

“I just love old things. I look at them, I put my hand on them, and I try to imagine the story they could tell if they could talk to me.”

But there was more, something completely unexpected; a message from the past that touched the hearts of Payne, and everyone at Caring Transitions.

“About a week later, I got a letter in the mail from Kim and there was nothing but a small, green piece of construction paper that said, ‘I love you,’” recalls Dunlap. “Kim sent me that and said ‘When we were cleaning the machine out, this little piece fell out from the drawer.’”

“It looked like a child had written it,” Payne remembered. “I could just visualize some grandchild writing that note and giving it to her while she was sewing. I said, ‘Can you get it back to the family?’ I just thought that love note would trigger a memory deep down inside on one of her good days.”

Dunlap took the note to the nearby assisted living community and found the original owner of the sewing machine, Betty, who was enduring a struggle with memory loss. Dunlap discovered the love note was written years prior by a grandchild.

“She just kept rubbing that little piece of paper with her little fingers,” Dunlap recalled. “To me, that tells me that we're doing exactly what we need to be doing because maybe it wasn't that day, but that small little note from a grandchild that said, ‘I love you’ maybe triggered a sweet memory for her another day.

“Our name, Caring Transitions, just speaks volumes. We care about what we're doing. Every day we are touching lives.”

Honor Generations of Cherished Items No Matter Where You Live

While Payne found her treasured sewing machine at a local estate sale, there are loads of prized possessions to explore on Caring Transitions’ online auction platform, CTBIDS

“It has really started to intertwine the generations again,” says Carrie Coumbs, senior strategic advisor for Caring Transitions. “CTBIDS is a way that you can honor generations now, past and in the future, because these memorable items that are shared on the auction platform, they just bring new memories to life.

“Do you know who benefits? The senior. They are able to pass along these memories and items to people who would love them and cherish them, and the funds that are raised go towards the care they need in a very important time of life.”

Whether it is a specific item you’re after or just to browse for the perfect gift for a loved one, CTBIDS is full of thousands of prized possessions that can have a lasting impact on families across the country.

This article was created in partnership with our friends at Caring Transitions. To learn more about their total solution services visit CaringTransitions.com.

KIM PAYNE

TIA DUNLAP

Arts, in my mind, are the highest form of human endeavor. And education is the most important human activity.

If you can put those two together then you have a winning combination.

– Benoit Glazer

MUSICIAN

FOR MORE DAILY MEMES:

@GrowingBolder

Photo by Mike Dunn for Growing Bolder

CHATGPT 101:

Unleashing the Power of Conversational AI for Adults 50+

Understanding Chat GPT

In a world buzzing with breakthroughs in technology, one innovation stands out as a gateway to knowledge, connection, and personal empowerment: Chat GPT. This groundbreaking conversational artificial intelligence is not just a tool for tech-savvy youth; it’s a game-changer for adults over the age of 50, heralding a new era of digital engagement and discovery that can enhance the lives of a generation looking to seize the most out of every day.

Chat GPT, powered by OpenAI, is a sophisticated language model designed to understand and engage in human-like conversations. This computer program has been trained using a vast amount of data, encompassing sources such as books, articles, and the internet. It’s like having a virtual friend who can talk to you like a real person, answering your questions, helping you with tasks, and even engaging in interesting conversations.

How Chat GPT Works

Chat GPT employs a deep learning technique called “transformer neural networks” to process and understand text inputs. Almost like a giant brain, it enables the model to understand the nuances of language and generate appropriate responses. With each interaction, Chat GPT learns and improves, fine-tuning its ability to provide accurate and contextually relevant answers.

Benefits for Adults Over 50

1. Lifelong Learning

Curiosity knows no age limit, and Chat GPT is an invaluable resource for those seeking to expand their knowledge. From exploring new hobbies to diving deep into complex subjects, Chat GPT can provide instant access to information, making learning a lifelong adventure.

2. Personalized Assistance

Navigating the digital landscape can sometimes be overwhelming, especially for those less familiar with technology. Chat GPT serves as a patient and understanding guide, helping with tasks like setting reminders, organizing schedules, assisting with online shopping, or finding information. It empowers adults over 50 to embrace technology with confidence and independence.

3. Intellectual Stimulation

Engaging in meaningful conversations is essential for mental agility and wellbeing. Chat GPT offers an opportunity for the ageless generation to engage in thought-provoking discussions and explore different perspectives to stay mentally sharp. It can spark creativity and inspire critical thinking.

4. Creative Writing and Storytelling

Have you ever dreamed of becoming an author or sharing your life experiences in writing? Chat GPT can serve as an inspiring creative partner. It can offer topic suggestions, help with brainstorming ideas, or even generate fictional stories based on your input. Unleash your imagination and let Chat GPT bring your stories to life.

5. Emotional Support and Connection

Loneliness and isolation can impact individuals at any age, but they are particularly prevalent among older adults. Chat GPT provides a compassionate and non-judgmental outlet for emotional expression. Engaging in conversations can alleviate feelings of loneliness and offer a sense of companionship and promote emotional well-being.

About The Author

Now, here’s a twist: this entire article (including this paragraph) was written by Chat GPT itself, in response to the prompt “Write an article for Growing Bolder Magazine titled Chat GPT 101 that is less than 1,000 words. Within the article, explain what ChatGPT is, how it works, and how it could benefit the lives of adults over the age of 50. At the end, reveal that Chat GPT wrote the article.”

This demonstrates the remarkable capabilities of this conversational AI model. It has the potential to create content, generate ideas, and deliver information in a way that resonates with readers. While it may not possess human experiences or emotions, it can assist, inform and inspire in a unique and powerful way.

Embracing a Digital Future

As technology continues to shape our world, Chat GPT stands as a testament to the immense possibilities that lie ahead. For adults over 50, it offers a gateway to a wealth of knowledge, assistance, and connection. Individuals can enhance their digital fluency, tap into their curiosity, and unlock new paths of personal growth. Let Chat GPT be your partner on this journey of discovery, empowerment, and Growing Bolder.

THE 2023 NATIONAL SENIOR GAMES

Bridging Champions Through the Ages

The National Senior Games is the largest multi-sport qualifying event in the world. It’s even bigger than the Olympics. Nearly 12,000 athletes arrived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in July, 2023 to compete in more than 20 sports, but in truth this event is about so much more than athletics.

The 2023 Games were the third edition that Growing Bolder has covered. The event was another reminder of the perfect synergy that exists between the Growing Bolder ethos and the mentality of senior athletes. We don’t go to the games to report results. We’re focused on the ordinary people overcoming the setbacks of life, the challenges of aging that we all face if we’re lucky enough to live long enough. We tell the stories of family and friendship, resilience, and overcoming the dangerous and demeaning stereotypes of older adults.

We met so many inspirational athletes in Pittsburgh who all left us with the same takeaway: more is possible for all of us. But more is not guaranteed. You have to work for it, but there are countless communities and teams full of likeminded men and women who will support and encourage you on your journey. It may be sports, or it may be some other form of activity that lights your fire, but the key is to get up and keep moving.

We could fill several magazines full of the stories from the 2023 National Senior Games, but here are a few of our favorites:

Jack Eckenrode

Local legend Jack Eckenrode was the talk of the town for the duration of the games. The 95-year-old Pittsburgh native was honored as the final flame bearer, lighting the cauldron to open the Games, and becoming the oldest person ever to complete the 20K cycling race in National Senior Games history.

Team Barbados

The National Senior Games are really the International Senior Games, with teams from both Canada and Barbados participating. Team Barbados, an athletic and social club whose motto is “healthier, fitter, stronger,” has been participating in the Games since 2005. They focus on camaraderie, “aging beautifully” through activity, and showing others that they can do more than they think they can. “Believe, and you will achieve,” team member Angela Holder said.

Larry DeLucas

Larry DeLucas is a multi-sport athlete whose talents are literally out of this world. He is a scientist who flew aboard a NASA space shuttle in 1992 and is the only person in history to say he’s dunked a basketball in outer space. His bowling and cornhole skills are pretty good, but his perspective on life is even better, something he credits to his time in space. “You look at the world. We’re all so close together. We have to find a way to live together,” DeLucas said.

Janet Rushmere

Janet Rushmere is a 90-year-old who credits her health and happiness to swimming and good friends. When the National Senior Games came to Pittsburgh, Janet couldn’t resist entering to see how she stacked up against others her age. She didn’t just win, she set records in the 50m and 100m freestyle events!

The honor of the community or city with the most athletes at the 2023 National Senior Games goes to The Villages, Florida. They sent more than 160 athletes to Pittsburgh, taking home over 70 medals while sharing the impact a healthy lifestyle and social engagement can have on adults over 50, thanks to the countless amenities available in their hometown.

Residents of The Villages have access to nearly 250 pickleball courts, 50 golf courses, more than 110 swimming pools, and the ability to participate in hundreds of sports, clubs and activities at nearly 100 different recreation centers. It allows them to stay in shape yearround, while also staying in touch with their neighbors and community.

“It’s a place where you’ve got so many different activities, you could try something different each month,” Judy Leach, a 71-year-old table tennis player said. “I picked table tennis back up as a sport when I came to The Villages three years ago, after not having played it for 50 years.”

VILLAGES SIDEBAR

“In The Villages, you just meet your neighbors, then you start playing these sports and suddenly you have this tight little group that keeps expanding. They’re your best friends,”

Marla Boyer, a 70-year-old volleyball player said. “My teammates are as close to me as my classmates that I grew up with. They’re family.”

“Swimming is a great sport, and you meet such great people in The Villages. We all cheer for each other because we’re all in the same boat, we just love what we’re doing,” Martin Schenk, an 81-year-old swimmer said. “We just keep working out and try to have a good attitude, which isn’t hard to do [when you live in The Villages.”]

You can watch all of these stories and more at GrowingBolder.com/NSGA

These athletes are just a sample of the thousands of like-minded adults who inspire us all to take control of our health and our lifestyle. It’s more than an event. It’s part of a movement. One that you can join in and change your life. The National Senior Games community will reconvene in 2025 in Des Moines, Iowa. Find out more at NSGA.com

Life Lessons from the Musical Icons of our Youth

As we age, the music we grew up with means more than ever. Some of our favorite bands may still be out there, others have long since faded away. What happened when the spotlight went out, and when the glitter and glamour disappeared? What did they go through? How did they find new meaning and purpose? They gave us insight when we were young, and they have just as much to offer us now.

Growing Bolder has interviewed countless legendary performers, Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, band members, hit makers, songwriters, crew members and more. On Bolder Backstage we reconnect with these musical heroes of our youth for heartfelt conversations and talks that dig deep.

They have fascinating stories to tell — cautionary tales about experiencing the worst and best of life. They share invaluable lessons about vulnerability, rejection, success, failure, sacrifice, persistence, belief, ego, trust, betrayal, and reinvention.

The conversations offer a glimpse into what it takes to reach our dreams, the price paid for fame and fortune, and the blurred definitions of success and failure. Bolder Backstage gets to what’s important to us all, on topics that touch our lives.

Through Bolder Backstage they offer the wisdom and perspective that comes from experiencing the highest of highs and lowest of lows. From overcoming life’s toughest challenges, to appreciating age in a whole new way.

Bolder Backstage reveals the hearts and minds of those who helped create the sounds and songs that still fill our lives.

with co-founder of The Byrds

Roger McGuinn at 81

“It's a shock and I feel great, but I'm 81 years old. The good thing is a lot of people look at me and say, ‘Oh, come on man, you must be kidding.’ So that's nice.”

Rock stars aren’t supposed to get old, right? I mean, wasn’t it back in 1965 when The Who, in the song “My Generation” sang the lyric, “Hope I die before I get old?” So, it just can’t be that Roger McGuinn, he of those groovy little square blue specs and that far out jingle jangle twelve-string guitar sound, is now 81 years old. Truth is, he can’t quite believe it either!

“Back in the day we didn't think we were going to live past 30. That was old age,” he said to Growing Bolder in a segment of Bolder Backstage. “Never trust anybody over 30. 30 was it.”

The flower-power generation got a lot of things right, but as many great musicians have proven in the years since, you can still rock at any age. It

has been 57 years since McGuinn and his Byrds bandmates Gene Clark and David Crosby wrote the song “Eight Miles High,” but now that McGuinn is over eight decades old, he believes the view of his life is clearer than ever.

“Looking back, what I remember most is the excitement from when we were first getting it together in 1964,” said McGuinn. “The Beatles had come out and what they were doing looked like so much fun. That’s what we wanted to do, and we did. We had a number one hit, we got to meet the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, and it was just incredible. And then it kind of went downhill from there.”

The '60s was a tumultuous decade and the cultural revolution took a toll, especially on the musicians who were there at the forefront. “I think drugs had a profound effect on it,” McGuinn said. Drugs were seen as a means of reaching a higher consciousness. Many

believed that getting high would unlock another level of creativity and expression. McGuinn, who admits taking his share of narcotics, believes the benefits were an illusion. “Drugs do not make it better,” he said. “Maybe they make you think it’s better while you’re doing them, but it is not better. I was doing drugs. I did amphetamines, downers, Quaaludes, I smoked pot and did cocaine.”

It wasn’t until 1977 when something happened that profoundly changed him — the death of Elvis Presley. “Something about that shocked me enough to make me see where I might be headed myself,” said McGuinn. “I thought, ‘Man, I better clean up my act.’ So, I did. And in the process, I accepted Jesus.”

Faith helped him see through the illusion of fame and celebrity and reminded him of what was truly important.

®

Photography by Mike Dunn for Growing Bolder

He married Camilla Spaul in 1978 and they have been inseparable ever since. He grew frustrated with the challenges of touring with a full band and remembered something famed folk singer Ramblin’ Jack Elliot told him. “He said the most fun he ever had was when he threw the guitar in the back of the car and he and his wife barnstormed around the country, just the two of them,” McGuinn remembered. “And I said, ‘Man, that sounds like fun, I want to do that.’”

So, he did. Camilla took over the role of road manager and booked a tour of one-man shows where McGuinn would tell engaging stories between his many memorable songs. McGuinn said it instantly felt right. “When I was a kid, I was a big fan of The Weavers and when Pete Seeger left them, I wondered if he could pull it off as a solo artist. Well, he was amazing. He had the audience singing along in three and four-part harmony. And I went, ‘Man, that's what I want to do when I grow up.’ And now that's what I do.”

There was something else. He has always had a great appreciation for traditional folk music. He wanted to find a way to preserve it and make it accessible to everyone. “Those

old folk songs are like old literature,” he explained. “They are human interest stories that deal with life, love and death. Musically, they have intricate melodies with a lot of grace notes. It's music that just makes you feel good.”

For most of his life, McGuinn has been listening to, researching and studying folk music. He challenged himself to use his knowledge to find, record and post a song every month in “The Folk Den” at mcguinn.com “The idea was to make the songs, lyrics and backstory available for free download,” he said. “Like a coffee table book.”

He posted the first 27 years ago and “The Folk Den” now contains well over 300 songs. It has become a unique and invaluable archive; one of the greatest reference sources of folk music anywhere in the world.

It may seem a lot for an 81-year-old, but McGuinn disagrees. “It's kind of a cliche,” he says. “But if you do what you love, you never work a day in your life. People always ask me if I miss fame, and the truth is I really don’t because what I’m doing is so fulfilling. I have faith, love and music. This is truly one of the best times of my life.”

Photography by Mike Dunn for Growing Bolder

“It's kind of a cliche, but if you do what you love, you never work a day in your life.”

ROGER MCGUINN

Photo by Mike Dunn by Growing Bolder

"My mother would say to me, ‘Never, ever believe in can’t. Don’t allow can’t to be part of your life.’ I’ve applied that to everything."

- Dick Vitale tells Growing Bolder

WITH MARC MIDDLETON

We’re all told that that aging is an inevitable decline into disease and disability. Fountain of Youth®, a podcast from Growing Bolder in partnership with the National Senior Games, smashes negative stereotypes and delivers an inspirational message that transforms lives.

Hosted by world record-setting masters athlete, Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, and Growing Bolder CEO Marc Middleton, Fountain of Youth shares the secrets to happy, healthy, and active aging through the stories of ordinary people living extraordinary lives; men and women of all ages, sizes and abilities who are redefining what’s possible for all.

SUBSCRIBE NOW and learn the secrets to active aging!

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A Growing Passion

Planting the Seeds for a Healthier Future

The connection between high quality, nutrient rich food and our overall health and wellbeing has never been in dispute. More than 2,400 years ago, the Greek physician Hippocrates is reported to have said, “Let food be thy medicine and let thy medicine be food.”

Unfortunately, most produce grown today has fewer vitamins and minerals and significantly less nutritional value than it did decades ago. A landmark study published in The Journal of the American College of Nutrition analyzed 43 different vegetables and found that important nutrients are nearly 40% lower than they were in the middle of the 20th century.

The decline in nutrients is attributed to several factors including an industry-wide focus on increasing

crop yields through higher plant density and the use of genetically modified organisms, petrochemical fertilizers, herbicides, and fungicides. Crop yields have more than tripled since the mid-1950s, but at what cost? Higher plant density (more crops planted in the same area) depletes soil nutrients, weakens root growth, and inhibits a plant's ability to absorb nutrients. Since farmers are paid for the weight of their crops and not the nutrient value, the incentive is to deliver quantity and not quality. Major distribution inefficiencies also contribute to nutrient decline. “Fresh” produce that we eat daily in the United States has traveled, on average, 1,500 miles to get to our plate. Lettuce is a prime example. Over 90% of all lettuce consumed in

the U.S. comes from California. Getting it to consumers on the east coast can take weeks, resulting in the loss of up to 80% of its nutrients, much of its flavor, and a dramatic reduction in its shelf life.

Transporting food long distances also requires a large amount of fossil fuels and results in high levels of greenhouse gas emissions. A comprehensive study published in the journal Nature Food estimates that “food miles,” the distance food travels from farm to plate, are responsible for about 6% of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

The Villages, Florida, wellknown for not just responding to the changing needs and desires of its residents, but for actively anticipating them, has undertaken a

bold, audacious mission to create a hyper-local food system that grows and distributes nutrient dense, flavorful, produce from farm-to-table in 24 to 48 hours.

The initiative, called The Villages Grown, is unlike traditional agriculture that is climate dependent. The Villages Grown is an indoor farm with cutting-edge technology and proprietary methodology in what’s known as controlled environment agriculture (CEA).

“We have the ability to manipulate the environment in each greenhouse to provide the crops exactly what they need,” says executive director Drew Craven. “We deliver the proper nutrients, temperature, humidity, light, and air, tailored to each crop.” This level of control is achieved dynamically and automatically by an artificial intelligence system programmed to react to changing conditions by activating shade screens, wet walls, heat extracting fans, and more.

The Villages Grown also utilizes NFT, or nutrient film technique, a highly efficient system in which essential nutrients are dissolved in water and passed through a channel beneath the crops. “This solution continuously recirculates across the roots of each plant and is constantly monitored and balanced for nutrients,” says Craven. “So, we're always delivering to our crops exactly what they need at any given time.”

The result is fast-growing, nutrient-dense produce and high, consistent yields. “If we plant one thousand heads of lettuce, we usually harvest one thousand heads,” says Brent Shackelford, production manager. “Outdoors, there can be 30% loss and more. We also use 10 to 12 times less water and nutrients than traditional agriculture because there's no leaching or big storms for any runoff.”

“The Villages has made a significant investment in this greenhouse, and we want to make sure that every square inch of it is being utilized to grow fantastic produce,” says Craven. “We're going through a build-out phase right now and by the time we finish this buildout, we'll be producing over a hundred thousand heads of lettuce, over 8,000 pounds of herbs, over 8,000 pounds of microgreens, and over 2000 pounds of tomatoes each and every week. Over the course of the next year or two, we’ll continue to focus on those varieties and make sure that we've got them locked down to a science. From there, we can start expanding into more crops. I've joked with my team, the 10-year vision is if it doesn't fly, walk, or swim, it's going to come from us.”

Microgreens, the phase in a plant's lifecycle after a sprout, are a featured crop. “Microgreens are delicious and they’re a nutritional powerhouse,” says Craven. “One

bowl of broccoli microgreens has as many nutrients as 40 bowls of cooked broccoli. And they’re rich in Sulforaphane, a naturally occurring phytochemical that’s a proven and powerful cancer fighter. So, it changes the way that we think about and consume food.”

The Villages Grown is not just growing healthier produce, they’re growing better tasting produce. “Once you try the product, you know why we’re doing this,” says technical grower, Rachael Skiles. “I remember the first time I tried the tomatoes,” says Nashaly Mercado, a Villages Grown farmer. “I said, ‘Wow, that is really different.’ And it’s not only the tomatoes. I taste the difference in the lettuces and the herbs, in everything we grow.”

Consumers agree. “Fresh. Fresh. Fresh,” says Gary Steinbach. “There is so much difference in the taste of the tomatoes, it isn’t funny. And the lettuce! It’s nice, clean, and crisp.” “We went to another store that we won't mention,” says Linda Neff. “And you take the tomato home and within a day and a half, it's already starting to decay. And the taste – there is no comparison.”

Construction on The Villages

Grown began in 2019 and word quietly spread about its ambitious mission to build a true local farm and food system to contribute to the health and wellness goals of its residents. “I went into nursing to help teach health and

Photos by Mike Dunn by Growing Bolder

Photos by Mike Dunn by Growing Bolder

wellness,” says Tracy Herrera, senior manager of retail and wholesale. “I found that the big component that so many people were missing was nutrition. When I found out what The Villages Grown was doing, I left my job teaching nursing and came here because of the difference that we can make in somebody's life. Chronic illnesses can be turned around with proper nutrition and a healthy active lifestyle. And that's what I want to get behind.”

Herrera wasn’t alone — a team of mission driven individuals have been drawn to the project. “The Villages’ culture is one of responsibility and stewardship,” says Craven. “We've got great people with a unified vision of providing something amazing and unique for our residents.”

The farm was semi-operational by the summer of 2020. Retail sales began in a modified airstream trailer and grew into a small retail space before opening a flagship store that offers high-quality vegetables, microgreens, herbs, tomatoes and other products from The Villages Grown Local Farm & Artisan Network. The network is a partnership designed to support local farmers and artisans while supplementing The Villages Grown harvest. “They’re helping small businesses,” says Jake Mitchem, a local honey producer. “It's really refreshing to see and it’s valuable to the consumer.”

In addition to its own retail operation, The Villages Grown produce and microgreens are available in a growing list of retailers inside The Villages, including Publix, Winn Dixie, and Sprouts, and at local farm-to-table restaurant partners. They’re also distributed to local universities, hospitals, and assisted living facilities. “Outside of The Villages, we’re in the Orlando and Tampa markets through our partners with Fresh Point, and throughout the state of Florida via Kroger home delivery,” says Rebecca Reese

Miller, director of business development and distribution.

It’s not lost on anyone at The Villages Grown that what they’re doing is important, if not unprecedented. “Everyone is invested in the mission,” says Skiles. “There is joy here every day. The team looks at this facility like it's their home and they take care of it in that way. It takes that kind of focus to actually turn out a good-looking crop.” “We love, respect, and care about each other,” adds farmer Anna Maria Blackshire. “That shows in what we grow and extends to the community that we are growing it for.”

“What we’re doing demonstrates The Villages' deep level of commitment to helping residents live their happiest and healthiest life,” says Craven. Brandon Ness, facilities manager agrees. “This is a stepping stone. The Villages said, ‘We would like to provide better nutrition to our Villagers and we’re going to make a significant commitment to making that a reality. We're going to put it out there and see if it can work.’ We're proving that this'll work in a big way.”

The Villages Grown is proving that it’s possible to deliver high-quality, nutrient-dense produce, farm-to-table, in days, if not hours. While the vision is hyper-local for now, they’re building a community-based model for sustainable wellness that’s a blueprint for the local food system of the future. “I’d say The Villages Grown is the future of food,” says Rebecca Reese Miller, director of business development.

Long known as America’s Friendliest Hometown, The Villages is also committed to becoming America’s Healthiest Hometown and the ability to grow fresh, flavorful, nonGMO, herbicide and pesticide-free produce at scale and get it from farm-to-table in 24-48 hours is an unprecedented step in that direction.

“ We've got great people with a unified vision of providing something amazing and unique for our residents.”

- Drew Craven, Executive Director, The Villages Grown

Looking for Inspiration? Begin with Your Breath

Each Breath is an Opportunity to Begin Again

When we hear the word inspiration, we naturally think about staying curious and trying new things, about always being open to new doors that appear at different stages of our lives. However, we don’t initially give much thought to etymology.

The word “inspire” comes from Latin and means to breathe or blow into. In our wellness consulting practice, breath is key. There are so many benefits from deep diaphragmatic breathing, on physical and emotional levels. Breathing deeply into our belly activates our parasympathetic nervous system, the “rest and digest” system that helps us recover from stimulating events. We want to spend much of our lives with that system activated instead of our “fight or flight” sympathetic nervous system running the show and flooding us with stress hormones.

Breathing deeply helps us slow down and appreciate the moment we’re in. Each breathe is new. There’s always an opportunity to start again. Mindful breathing creates a sense of presence that allows us to notice what’s going on around us and within us. Studies show that neurotransmitters respond well to meditation and to mindful breathing, creating a positive loop of good energy.

These are things we’ve known and taught to clients and audiences for more than a decade. Our goal is to bring about health and wellness. We want people to live long, healthy, and happy lives. To “expire” means to breathe out, but it also means to be no longer useful, to come to an end or to die. The best way to avoid expiration is to seek out and cultivate inspiration.

How do we do this? As we get older, many of us lose loved ones, which can send us into hopelessness. It’s really our job, though, to ride the waves of life. Just as the ocean recedes and pushes forward again, so too must we allow ourselves to find the treasures that might be waiting for us as the tide goes out.

Even if we’re deeply sad to have lost a partner or friend, the hole created by their absence makes it possible

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

to make new connections. We could get stuck in loneliness, or we could instead find one another. Science keeps finding more evidence that our relationships play an important role not just in our happiness but in our longevity.

Seek out people and opportunities that will inspire you. Let someone convince you to try something you didn’t think you’d like. If nothing else, you’re having a shared experience, which is valuable on its own. And you just might discover a new hobby, food, or form of entertainment that brings you joy.

We have been creating conferences for years because we see how powerfully people are moved when they come together to learn. This fall, we are bringing back our annual Achieving Optimal Health Conference (AOHC) for the 14th year with a terrific array of speakers who not only will address nutrition and mindset but also help us understand the role we all play in the health of one another. The impact we have on the planet and on one another comes back to us in a loop, affecting our physical and mental well-being.

The AOHC speaker programs will be available online starting on October 14. Watch them with a friend and discuss the science and the strategies you learn! For more information, visit achievingoptimalhealthconference.com

For those who want an immersive, in-person experience, we’ve also created the Foundations of WellBeing Experience, which takes place at the Gasparilla Inn in Boca Grande, Florida. For three days in November, you will be transformed by the camaraderie created amid the backdrop of beautiful beaches and island trails. The weekend includes sumptuous meals, expert talks, and deep dives into fascinating developments in the field of wellness, all at a beautiful resort.

For more information visit bbrconsulting.us/ gasparilla-2023

There is no better way to be inspired than to put yourself in the face of beauty and make yourself open to new insights and new connections. Get out there!

Photo by Ahmani Vidal via Getty Images

Doro Bush Koch and Tricia Reilly Koch

Long-Term Care Requires Long-Range Planning

Consider your options today

An increasing number of Americans are sandwich generation caregivers struggling to meet the competing demands of caring for both an older family member and their own children or grandchildren. The majority of Americans serve as a family caregiver while working a full-time or part-time job. There is much to consider with long-term care, and advance planning is preferred to crisis planning.

Vanessa J. Skinner is a shareholder with the firm of Winderweedle, Haines, Ward & Woodman, P.A., where she chairs the firm’s Wills, Trusts & Estates Department. She was recently named one of the Best Lawyers in America in the area of Elder Law for the third consecutive year. She is the host of The Power of Planning Podcast, anchor.fm/ thepowerofplanning

Vanessa J. Skinner

Photo by Ippei Naoi via Getty Images

Residency Decisions

People prefer to live in the comfort of their own home as long as they can safely do so. The Village Movement is designed to help people age in place. According to the Village to Village Network, there are over 264 open villages and more than 55 in development across the nation. These are grassroots, membership-driven nonprofit organizations where volunteers help support older adults by providing services that include transportation, social activities and access to vetted and discounted service providers. Visit vtvnetwork.org to see if there is a village in your community.

When living at home is no longer an option, there are a variety of residency choices available. Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) offer priority access to a continuum of care. Assisted living facilities (ALFs) provide assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), including dressing, personal care and meal preparation, while residents still live independently in their own apartments or suites. Memory care facilities are designed for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and, in addition to assistance with ADLs, feature programs to slow the progression of memory loss, 24/7 security and antiwandering systems. Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) provide a clinical environment with around-the-clock care and monitoring for patients who require medical, nursing, or rehabilitative services. Hospice provides palliative care in a residential, hospital, nursing home or hospice facility setting when someone is expected to live six months or less. You can locate and compare facilities in your area by visiting medicare.gov/care-compare

Crippling Costs of Long-Term Care

Most CCRCs require a sizeable entrance fee for admission, in addition to monthly charges, and can be cost prohibitive for many. The cost of long-term care facilities varies by location, age and level of care.

Many are surprised to learn that Medicare and private health insurance pay for limited, if any, long-term residential care. This causes families to rely on personal savings to pay for the cost of care. According to the National Council on Aging, 80% of people aged 60 and older do not have the financial resources to cover long-term care services, and 20% of older households have no assets to draw from as they age and need support. Further, one in seven older adults will require care for more than five years.

What Does Medicare Cover?

Medicare generally does not cover the cost of assisted living and memory care facilities because it does not pay

for custodial care. Medicare Part A provides limited coverage for skilled nursing care if you have a qualifying hospital stay, which means you were admitted as an inpatient for a minimum of three consecutive days for something more than observation services, and enter a Medicare-certified SNF within 30 days of leaving the hospital for an illness or condition related to your hospital stay, with your doctor certifying that you need daily skilled care from, or under the supervision of, skilled nursing or therapy staff. If you meet these qualifications, Medicare will pay 100% for up to 20 days and approximately 80% for days 21-100, with a daily co-pay of $200.00. After a maximum of 100 days, you become solely responsible for all SNF costs.

Long-Term Care Insurance

Long-term care policies may pay for part or all of your care at ALFs, memory care facilities and SNFs. Traditional policies allow you to customize your coverage, including the waiting period, the benefit amount, monthly and lifetime limits, and an inflation rider. Hybrid policies combine life insurance with long-term health care and beneficiaries receive a death benefit for any money remaining within a policy.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps pay for SNF expenses for those who meet certain medical and financial eligibility requirements. In some states, Medicaid waiver programs also provide coverage for ALFs and memory care facilities. Certain Medicaid planning strategies can be considered for those whose income or assets exceed permitted limits, including qualified income trusts, special needs trusts, spousal asset transfers and/or spousal refusal, Medicaid compliant annuities and Medicaid asset protection trusts, which must be done well in advance of applying for benefits. The rules vary by state so you should consult with a local elder law attorney.

Veterans Benefits

Military veterans and surviving spouses who receive a pension from the Veterans Administration may qualify for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits to help pay for long-term care costs. Certain service, asset and income requirements must be met.

Since there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to long-term care planning and many of the above options can take time to implement, long-range planning is key to ensuring your loved ones receive the appropriate level of care and support when it is needed the most.

Pursue Your Wildest Dreams with Virtual Reality

Imagine a world without limitations on where you can go and what you can do. It’s a world where your imagination can unlock new doors to creative engagement, socialization, cultural learning and more. Thanks to advancements in virtual and augmented reality technology, people of all ages can step into any experience they can imagine, right from their own living room.

Virtual reality (VR) technology has existed for years, but it is expected to rapidly improve and advance now that Apple has entered the competitive market with their new "Apple Vision Pro" headset. While their augmented and virtual reality product is Apple’s first step into the “spatial computing” world, experts anticipate that healthy competition with other major brands like Meta, Sony, and Google will only increase the rate that the technology improves to be more user- friendly.

Growing Bolder recently spoke with Bret Wright, creator of the gaming company The Tool Shed , about the benefits the technology could provide older adults.

“Next door to me is a memory

clinic, and they're actually using virtual reality setups to allow people to visit places that they've never been,” Wright said. “They’re able to walk the Great Wall of China, or go to Tibet, or Bali, or any number of places and actually experience that on the ground.”

According to a study conducted by scientists at the University of Texas, memory-impaired patients who used VR technology experienced an increase in overall wellbeing, feelings of relaxation, and decreased feelings of anxiety. Meanwhile, the National Library of Medicine found that VR was an effective distraction from everyday aches and pains, increased relaxation, and enhanced “the physical, emotional, cognitive and social well-being of older adults, including those living with cognitive impairment.”

Wright continued to explain that VR technology offers benefits for people of all ages, especially in increasing social connectivity and boosting creative engagement. “The social aspect of it is very appealing,” Wright continued. “When you can’t get together physically, to be able to don an avatar in a virtual world and hang out in an Irish pub with your friends or play a game together. We all need those social aspects, especially if you're isolated.

- Bret Wright

Of course, virtual reality technology may not be for everyone, especially those with visual sensitivities. But for those who want to try it out, the entire world will be available to you digitally. You can connect with friends, play games, create art, travel to places you’ve never been and so much more.

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“The only constraint right now is your own imagination. They have massive room-sized canvases, where you can throw big buckets of paint, and (create) nature scenes. It's a way to connect with other people, to be creative, to be social and to learn.”

Never

Photo by Mike Dunn for Growing Bolder

let anyone dull your sparkle.

HAPPY GRANDPARENTS DAY!

Sept. 10, 2023

On Being a Grandparent

Nana, Pop, Mimi, Glam...Whatever they are called, they’re ready to answer

Welcome to the age of the grandparents! As global life expectancy rates increase, the number of children women are having has fallen, resulting in the highest ratio of living grandparents to grandchildren in history. That’s great news because research from the National Institutes of Health shows caring for a grandchild is associated with enhanced cognitive function.

How is grandparenting different in 2023? We asked a small group of the Growing Bolder community, to find out what they enjoy, what they’re learning, how they’re different from their grandparents or their own parents in this role, and what their hopes and concerns are for their grandchildren.

Most agreed, being a grandparent is even more joyful than they expected, and opened their hearts even more than loving their own children did. “Before becoming a grandparent, I would hear others declare more love for their grandchildren than their own,” Delores Thomas said.

“I would always say, ‘There is no way!’ What a surprise! I now proclaim the same thing from the rooftop!”

Many noted the joy of not having as much responsibility with their grandchildren – the ability to have fun without as many worries. They see themselves as more hands-on with their grandchildren than previous generations and several wished the media would represent that more. “They should show grandparents being more active with their grandkids,” Dondi Sanchez said. “I spend a lot of time playing with them, biking or skateboard riding, going out to lunch or dinner, and playing with them in the pool.”

For most, the relationships they share with their grandchildren are closer than those they had with their own grandparents. “My grandparents did not play a role in my childhood. They lived far away and seemed much more aged than my wife and I are at this stage in our lives,” David Steele said.

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“I most enjoy casual, one-on-one conversations with my grandchildren. I love exploring with them, how they see the world, and finding out what their dreams and goals are. Being able to watch them perform in athletics and their other activities is also a great gift of grandparenthood.”

While earlier generations of grandparents taught grandchildren how to cook or clean or even hobbies like fishing, today the teaching is a two-way street, with grandparents as apt to learn from their grandchildren, in tangible and intangible ways.

“They learn new technologies quicker and easier than I do,” said Steele. “If I ever have a question regarding technology, our oldest grandchildren are always the best place to turn to.”

“I have learned from my grandchildren to look around for the small things that bring you pleasure, such as sitting on the porch watching a storm roll in or watching a bug make its way somewhere and see where it goes. Not always looking at the big picture,” said Valerie Milwood.

For Secily Wilson, being a grandparent is also the chance to put into practice some things she wished she’d done differently as a mom.

“As a young mother, I was laser-focused on building my television career. I didn’t always do things right, didn’t always give my undivided attention, and stressed about the messy things in our home,” Wilson said. “I never ever neglected my children and loved them ‘to the moon and back’. I feel being a ‘Gina’, my name for grandmother, gives me a second chance to do better. MY mother would always say, ‘When you know better, you do better’. She was right!”

For some, they have taken the standard their parents set as grandparents and upped the ante. “My mother was the best example of grandparenting,” Laura Sherwood said. “She loved on my kids and was always fun. So I decided to up my game, and make my house the fun house when they walked in the door. They love coming so much, I can’t get them to leave!”

For others, they are choosing to be different with their children than their parents were. “My parents were very close to my children and loved them well,” Vicky Mixson said. “One aspect I wanted to intentionally change when I became a grandparent is to not offer any ‘words of wisdom’ to my children as they raise their own children, unless asked.”

Most expressed concern that their grandchildren will retain a sense of values or faith as they navigate a world that is ever-changing and worry about the effects of technology on them — although it’s technology that keeps connections alive for grandparents that live far away.

For Art Hanebury, his granddaughter is inspiring him to take better care of himself physically. “My only concern is that I will not be around to give her as much love that I can, but I am working on sticking around. She is my reason for living,” Hanebury said.

As much as the world has changed over the years, Susan Christovich notices how in some ways the nature of grandchildren hasn’t. “It’s still hard to be a 2-year-old, and it’s hard to be a teenager,” said Christovich. “We recently went on a cruise with the three oldest grandkids and their parents. When the 16-year-old was asked what his favorite part of the cruise was (besides the big things like fishing for halibut and salmon) he said it was just hanging out and playing cards with us. As complicated as teens are, just being accepted and spending time with them is most important.”

All agreed that time with their grandchildren is precious and fleeting. Much like we’re learning about all areas of life, it’s important to cherish all the opportunities we have with our grandchildren. To pass on whatever we can in the moments we have now.

For Dave D’Amico that means, “I would love Rosie to understand family love is super important, to be able to lean on me at any time; respect for others, hard work pays off down the road, don't be afraid to jump in and help others when needed.”

“I want them to know that they are loved beyond measure and that Mimi is one of their biggest cheerleaders,” Mixson added.

“Being a grandparent is the greatest privilege ever,” said Sherwood. “I have another chance of impacting these little minds. Once they are born, I have 18 years until the world has them. I need to make them count. Time is ticking and goes by so fast!”

“The window that children want to interact with adults is so short, to understand that and take advantage of it if you are able is key,” Milwood said. “It is one of my favorite gifts in this life — to be able to see my grandchildren often and to be a part of their day-to-day lives.”

“My only concern is that I will not be around to give her as much love that I can, but I am working on sticking around. She is my reason for living.”

- Art Hanebury, grandparent to Rosie

I’m having much more

than I

this

but I try to

my

– Kenny Loggins MUSICIAN

Photo by Nicholas Hunt / Staff via Getty Images

WHEN

Alan Alda - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - Jane Pauley - Tim Gunn - Dick Van Dyke - Herb Alpert

Carol Burnett - Melissa Etheridge - Olivia Newton-John - Buzz Aldrin - Weird Al Yankovic

Roz Savage - Dr. T. Berry Brazelton - Michio Kaku - Cyndi Lauper - Estelle Parsons

Charlie Daniels - Bill Nye - Brian Wilson - Diana Nyad - Debbie Allen - Debra Winger

Chita Rivera - Christopher Walken - Dr. Dean Ornish - Robert Wagner - Gayle King - Suze Orman

Annabelle Gurwitch - Carl Reiner - Neil Sedaka - Sela Ward - Dr. Andrew Weil - Ed McMahon

Felicity Huffman - Rip Taylor - Mike Love - Scott Hamilton - Valerie Bertinelli - Herbie Hancock

Temple Grandin - Lee Grant - Dave Barry - Clark Howard - Kenny Rogers - George Wallace

Jean Chatzky - Dr. Mehmet Oz - Lesley Stahl - Henry Winkler - Bobby Vinton - Dr. Daniel Amen

Kenny G - Anson Williams - Mel Tillis - Rich Little - Andy Williams - Dr. Robert Butler - Jon Cryer

John Rich - JD Powers - Susan Powter - Howie Mandel - Clive Cussler - Suzanne Somers - Fabian

Coach John Wooden - William H. Macy - Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn - Tom Smothers - Jillian Michaels

Chef Eric Ripert - Rita Rudner - Cokie Roberts - Marion Ross - Jane Seymour - BJ Thomas

Aaron Neville - Rowdy Gaines - Pat Boone - Gilbert Gottfried - Tanya Tucker - Mickey Gilley

Dr. Ruth Westheimer - Julie Newmar - Kenny Loggins - Linda Gray - Melanie - Cheryl Tiegs

Richard Simmons - Martha Reeves - Melissa Manchester - Philippe Cousteau - Dan Harris

Ian Anderson - Charlie Pride - Kathy Freston - Billy Bob Thornton - Chubby Checker

Dr. Richard Carmona - Crystal Gayle - Michael Winslow - Sherwood Schwartz - Jacqueline Bisset

Nancy Cartwright - Anne Archer - Cesar Milan - Barbara Corcoran - JJ Walker - Paul Williams

Darrell Waltrip - Micky Dolenz - Donny Most - Elaine Stritch - Roger Daltrey - Roger McGuinn

Anne Archer - Cheryl Strayed - Mark Farner - Boz Skaggs - Bobby Goldsboro - Neil Diamond

Rick Springfield - Rickie Lee Jones - John O’Hurley - Gordon Lightfoot - Dee Wallace - Tony Dow

Little Anthony - Mariette Hartley - Dr. Bill Thomas - Al Roker - Maureen McGovern - Don McLean

Dr. Gene Cohen - Robert Vaughn - Ken Dychtwald - Fran Tarkenton - Marianne Williamson

David-Clayton Thomas - Barry Livingston - Ed Asner - JoJo Starbuck - Doris Roberts

Ernie Hudson - Daniel Pink - James Patterson - Dr. Joseph Coughlin - Ari Seth Cohen

Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. - Cary Elwes - Dr. David Agus - Rich Roll - Dr. Kenneth Cooper

Crystal Gayle - Diane Rehm - Eddie Money - Tao Porchon-Lynch - Dr. Ellen Langer - Petula Clark

Mark Victor Hansen - Madonna Buder - Samantha Brown - Cloris Leachman - Lynda Carter

Vicki Lawrence - Jack LaLanne - Lee Majors - Tim Conway - Paul Williams - Joan Lunden

Ed Begley Jr. - David Cassidy - Carol Channing - Linda Evans - Robert Lutz - Florence Henderson

Rose Marie - Daniel Levitin - Gretchen Rubin - Elizabeth Gilbert - Louie Anderson - Judy Collins

Debbie Allen - Marlo Thomas - Toni Tennille - Lea Thompson - Deepak Chopra - Cindy Williams

Beverly D’Angelo - Dr. Thomas Perls - Sheila E - John Corbett - Nik Wallenda - Denise Austin