By Susanna P. Barton   Trust is a finicky topic when it comes to creating a workable Grand Plan. On the one hand, trust is essential to working in partnership with loved ones during our second half. If we can’t trust the people we’ve chosen as our life managers or…

By Louise Applebome   “Where do you need to be?” This question has at least 10,000 edges and its potential answers do, too. It can be an existential inquiry.  It can be specific to time and place or an upcoming appointment. It can be grounded in a yoga class. It…

By Renee Langmuir   Today was a lovely, but not unusual day. In the morning, my husband and I did a volunteer stint at a local house museum, feeding the goats and sweeping out the barn. Afterward, we took a leisurely ride in the country to a favorite breakfast place….

By Dave Donelson   Not long after my grandson, Steve, was born, I began sculpting a rocking horse for him, the idea being that it would be completed in time for his fourth birthday. That was fourteen years ago and it’s not yet finished. My intention was—and is—to sculpt a…

By Susanna P.Barton   If there is one step by which all other components of a workable Grand Plan are intrinsically linked, it’s #12 — communicating with your people early, honestly, and often. Without good communication, any thoughtful preparation you may have designed for your golden years turns to rubbish,…

By Lance A. Slatton   As we age, hospitalization becomes more daunting due to high costs, infection risks, and the stress of an unfamiliar environment. While essential, hospitals are often not the most comfortable or safest places for older adults. In fact, many seniors find hospital stays not only taxing…