This post is an introduction to a series of posts that deals with the delicate interplay of factors affecting one’s ability to experience sexual pleasure as we age. This topic is relevant to both of my websites: IntimacyAndAging.com and VirginiaLaken.com, a blog about living with MCI. The series will be published on my other blog,…
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The power of steadfastness and touch
This post deals with the value of having a live-in partner, caregiver or helper. If that is not your current situation feel free to ignore. I’m 73 years old, Keith will soon be 74. Some would say that’s not “old” but to me, it is—in many ways I didn’t anticipate. I expected my limbs would…
How long have I dealt with MCI? (The answer that totally surprised me.)
Disclosure: in this post I write about my fear of dying. If that’s not something you want to read, feel free to skip this one. For the last three weeks I’ve been in a funk, unable to write. It’s a significant loss for me, because writing is how I sort out my feelings, unearth my…
How I stay positive with MCI
Last week a good friend of mine commented on how rarely I write about being discouraged, depressed, sad, or even angry about the fact that I have memory and cognitive loss. She added, “You have many positives going for you: a very supportive family; you’ve lived in the same small town for thirty years and…
Adaptations, adjustments, alterations
Exercise is one of the consistent recommendations for maintaining and stabilizing one’s cognition and memory. Two of the standard suggestions are walking and yoga, and I do both. I live in Minnesota, so walking is often weather-dependent. On good walking days, my husband and I take our two dogs on a short ride into town…
I matter
This past week I experienced a major shift in my emotional reaction to my memory and cognitive losses. I have often focused on what I have lost and what I can no longer do, and projected on the future…picturing myself being of less and less value to my family, my friends, my community. During these…