It’s Never Too Late to Take Up Water Polo
It’s never too late to pick up a new hobby and 86-year-old Mark Braly is living proof! He started playing water polo at age 76, and hasn’t looked back. As the oldest member of his co-ed team, he practices twice a week alongside 40 other players – some are in their 20s, but most range from their 30s through middle age. Braly says he’s loved the camaraderie and unique bond they’ve all developed on the team, saying: “I felt like I didn’t belong much of my life. I don’t feel that way here with these people. They represent an acceptance I’ve been missing.” Read more about Mark’s story in the New York Times here.
My Mom Has No Friends, The loneliness of growing older made bearable with playdates
A columnist highlights her journey helping her mother make new friends in Los Angeles at 80-years-old. After her mother moved to the city to be closer to her and her grandchildren, she lacked the social network of support. Her daughter tried several options before using online connections to help arrange playdates for her mother and other people her age. The columnist writes that through this process, she began to see her mother from a different perspective and learned that anyone can start over or begin a new phase of their life. Read more here.
7 Ways to Make Younger Friends in Retirement
The power and value of intergenerational friendships is highlighted in this piece. The article highlights the wisdom older adults can bring to younger people just starting their career and the new perspective that young people can provide older adults. Often, these friendships can cross cultural divides and offer opportunities for both individuals from all generations to grow. The challenge can be where to create intergenerational friendships. This piece offers several tips on how to meet people from different generations. Read more here.
Can you delay aging by refusing to act your age?
A new study shows that it’s not really about how old you are, but how old you think you are. A growing number of studies show that no one likes to think of themselves as getting older and as a result, people in their 70s often think of themselves as barely out of middle age – they resist being designated as old, and that could be working in their favor. Read more about the attitude that has been associated with living a longer, healthier life.
