The Story of Malala Yousafzai Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist for female education, exemplifies remarkable behavior change in the face of adversity. At just 15 years old, Malala was targeted by the Taliban for her outspoken advocacy for girls’ education. She advocated for these conditions in her home region of Swat Valley. In October 2012, […]

Authored by Joseph M. Casciani, PhD In the field of aging, when we talk about reducing resistance, an important distinction has been made between compliance and adherence. Compliance has the connotation of authority. Subordinating to the person or system in authority often brings with it a measure of distrust and resentment. Adherence, on the other […]

As new residents move in and become part of the new community, increasing engagement is a deciding factor in their successful adjustment. Following are several steps to facilitate a smooth transition: Introducing any and all of these approaches will help develop a better sense of connection to the programs. Increasing engagement for new residents is […]

Relocation stress syndrome may occur in older adults following an abrupt change in living arrangement. It may develop following a traumatic event such as the sudden loss of a spouse or serious injury. However, the range of possible symptoms may escalate to a more serious disruption in one’s physical and mental health. In this case, […]

There are many factors to consider when trying to understand a resident’s reluctance to engage in community activities. This article presents many reasons why residents may isolate in their community settings. Some reasons may relate to the feelings of loss of the former residence and friendships, while others may relate to the person’s own personal […]

Life is a series of successive stages or milestones, and moving from one to another can sometimes be difficult or it can be desirable. These are new chapters. In this article, we see a description of steps that are recommended to successfully transition from one chapter to another. A new chapter here may refer to […]

How we cope with stress is a function of our physical and emotional well-being. Stress is a physical and psychological reaction to a perceived threat in our environment, whether real or imaginary, positive or negative. Coping with stress can be a major challenge. Physical reactions to a stressor include rapid heartbeat, sweating, and dryness of […]

For older adults, there are many occasions when a major physical or personal event takes a huge toll on the person’s outlook and potential recovery. The recovery may mean a return to normal, that is, to how things were before the event. On many occasions, however, it may mean creating a new normal. The person […]

In this Living to 100 Club podcast, our guest discusses strategies for changing how someone experiences chronic pain. Our guest is Dr. Afton Hassett. She is the author of a just-released book, Chronic Pain Reset: 30 days of Activities, Practices, and Skills to Help You Thrive. The book helps readers evaluate your pain and its […]

by Joe Casciani, PhD The notion of someone who is aging successfully frequently implies optimum physical and mental health. But, to me, successful aging also applies to those who struggle with a medical or personal challenge and learn to cope with or manage the challenge. This article explores the psychological challenges of rehabilitation following a […]