AGING UP STORY

Every story has a beginning, a middle and an end. That's essentially what life is. How we start, how we continue and how we arrive at the final chapters. I have more chapters behind than ahead and I'm okay with that. In many ways, I'm at another beginning. Let me tell you how this chapter began.

Aging UP was inspired by my lunch lady friends casually talking about getting older and the “senior moments” we were experiencing. Yes, we all agreed we misplaced things. Of course, the consensus was we sometimes walk into a room and aren't sure why we're there and absolutely we've all gone into the store and walked out without the one thing we went in for. Anyone able to relate to that?

But… I countered… didn't we do those same things when we were younger? The conversation shifted. Yes, we admitted we DID do those things. And, I further argued, we didn't call them "senior moments" then…right? Regardless of the age and stage we're in, we are vulnerable to distractions. Why is it as we age, we are compelled to blame miscues and missteps on being older? Could it be because we ourselves attribute these episodes to being "old?" We need to stop setting ourselves up and start looking at aging as an opportunity.

I couldn't wait to get home so I could get the whirlwind of thoughts on paper. Within a few days I had created a PowerPoint and wanted to find a way to share this perspective. Through community contacts, I took Aging UP on the road. I met Jamie, my dear friend and colleague who coordinated outreach programming for an area life care and hospice organization. I presented at area senior centers, assisted living facilities and the local library. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive! I participated in resource fairs and started offering cognitive screenings to provide baselines for individuals who had concerns with changes in their cognition.

Aging UP continues to evolve. This website will be one source of information and you're invited to follow the link to our Age Up Age Well podcast and the three part narrated Aging UP PowerPoint. You'll also have the opportunity to purchase my book; Age Up Age Well which includes strategies to stay safe, sharp and strong. Let me know what you think! Your feedback encourages ne to be better. If you have topics for discussion, please let me know. This is a journey I am sharing with you!

Thank you for being here and being a part of my story.

Chris

WHO AM I?

I am a semi-retired Speech-Language Pathologist and have been specializing in cognition for over twenty years. Over the course of my 40+ year career, I've worked with individuals across the age continuum and will be sharing resources and strategies to age up and age well.

I married my college sweetheart, and we live in the beautiful upper peninsula of Michigan. We have three adult children, all of whom are married and we have been blessed with several grandchildren. Our family is the source of my greatest joy. I have great friends and my faith is an integral part of who I am.

My goal is to meet you where you are on the aging continuum and connect information to your daily life. If you're supporting someone in their aging up journey, we have information for you too. I hope this is just what you are looking for.