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Today is Monday, May 6th, 2024, which is also…
National Beverage Day
International No Diet Day
National Nurses Day
LOVE
Keeping Love Alive and Safe After 60
Jumping back into the dating pool at 62, Amy, a spirited Texan, isn’t just dipping her toes in the water—she’s making waves with a frank approach to safe sex. Amid climbing rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in seniors, she's leading the charge by demanding proof of clean bills of health and advocating for condom use. Turns out, age really is just a number when it comes to matters of the heart—and health.
From 2012 to 2022, cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia more than doubled among folks 55 and up. It’s a wake-up call that’s been snoozed on too often, thanks to myths like "our age group doesn’t get STIs" or concerns about discussing protection.
Sex educator Joan Price is knocking down these barriers, teaching the Seniorish population that speaking up about safe sex is not only smart but necessary. With people living and loving longer, thanks partly to medical advancements, the need for open conversations and routine screenings has never been more critical.
Yet, it's often on the older cohort themselves to prompt these discussions—even during doctor visits. Ageism might be part of healthcare's blind spots, but as Amy shows, taking charge of one's sexual health is both empowering and essential. After all, when her friend with benefits hesitated about testing, a firm stance and a clear message from Amy changed his tune—proving that in the golden years, protecting your health doesn’t mean sacrificing your happiness.
Blowing out one more candle today…
93: Willie Mays, American Baseball Hall of Famer
79: Bob Seger, American singer and songwriter
78: Susan Brown, English actress
71: Tony Blair, British Prime Minister
63: George Clooney, American actor (and heartthrob)
FRIENDSHIP
MY FRIEND, THE GRANDPA
In the early hours of Friday mornings, Richard Bement, a sprightly 76-year-old retiree from Milford Township, Ohio, fires up his computer to chat with Zach Ahmed, a 19-year-old pre-med whiz from Miami University. What began as a structured dialogue through a program intended to blend the arts and discussion, quickly saw the script tossed out the window. Instead, these two embarked on a personal journey, discussing everything from the intricate melodies of Pink Floyd to the profound differences in their religious beliefs and family dynamics.
Richard, an old hand in the sales world, and Zach, just stepping onto the academic stage, prove weekly that the dialogue between generations isn't just possible, it's enriching. This initiative is part of a broader movement encouraging intergenerational communication, showing us that perhaps the best school of life might just be each other's company.
On this day in your history…
1955: West Germany joins NATO
1960: US President Eisenhower signs Civil Rights Act of 1960
1966: The Rolling Stones release the single Paint It Black
1970: Yuchiro Miura of Japan skis down Mount Everest
1994: Channel Tunnel linking England and France officially opens
DRUGS
High Times for the High Age: Why More Seniors are Picking Pot Over Pills
As the times are a-changin', the 65+ group are trading in their prescription bottles for pot plants, embracing cannabis as their go-to for a good night's sleep and pain relief. In fact, the use of cannabis among those 65 and older has shot up from a mellow 0.4% in 2007 to a buzzing 8% in recent years. It seems Grandma and Grandpa might know a thing or two about the finer (green) things in life!
Take Nancy Herring, a seasoned 76-year-old who’s been puffing since her hippie days. Recently, she's turned to cannabis for its medical benefits to help her husband combat insomnia caused by Parkinson's. Turns out, a gummy and a puff are the new glass of warm milk—they help him snooze through the night!
But let's roll up the caution tape: while the elder pot pioneers rave about its perks, the medical community is playing catch-up with research. So, while cannabis might be the budding solution for many, it's best to remember that balance, cognition, and those pesky drug interactions still matter. Keep it cool, but careful, as you explore the greener side of the golden years!
Enjoy the day!
Matt from Seniorish
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