Age

My world was rocked last month with the announcement that Tupperware – yes, that Tupperware – filed for bankruptcy.

The company may or may not continue operations, but will complete the closing of its last US plant in 2025.

Anyone who attended a Tupperware party should pause for a moment to consider if – or when –  this newest addition to brands and items we considered ‘iconic” go the way of the dinosaur, along with….

Blockbuster

Radio Shack

Borden's

Tower Records

Woolworths

Toys “R” Us

Bordens and Radio Shack hit close to home to me.  I met Elsie the Cow during a trip to Freedomland as a tyke.  Radio Shack was my source for arcane cables, connectors and whatnot to repair – or upgrade – personal electronics, computer,  audio or video equipment.

It’s sad that we are losing jobs that people built lives, homes and families on…it’s almost like losing a bit of home and even our national identity.  Plus having to explain to younger people what “Sleepless in Seattle” and its “You’ve Got Mail” announcement meant!

YOUR TURN

But that’s me. How about you? What iconic brands do you miss and why? What brands do you think will be next? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments!

Virge Randall is Senior Planet’s Managing Editor. She is also a freelance culture reporter who seeks out hidden gems and unsung (or undersung) treasures for Straus Newspapers; her blog “Don’t Get Me Started” puts a quirky new spin on Old School New York City. Send  Open Thread suggestions to [email protected].

Do you want to speak Spanish?

If so, there’s good news during Hispanic Heritage month! No matter where you live, you can use your computer, tablet or smartphone to join Senior Planet’s weekly Spanish-speaking opportunities.

Practice Your Spanish

Want to polish up your rusty Spanish? Strengthen your conversational skills? The Spanish Club, which meets every Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 pm ET, is just the ticket.

Facilitator Michelle Sanchez (left) motivates attendees to hone their skills while providing gentle correction when needed. Join to practice your Spanish with like-minded individuals looking to grow their abilities in an encouraging atmosphere.

As an additional skill-building boost, participants have the opportunity to write two to four paragraphs in Spanish to read to fellow participants.

If you’ve ever hoped to speak more Spanish, September 15 through to October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month– and a perfect time to begin.

Live Spanish-Language Programs

For those wanting to take Senior Planet programs in Spanish, there’s good news! Senior Planet offers at least two programs every week for Spanish-speaking audiences.

Programs vary in topic, but you can expect classes on topics like AI, Cloud Storage, and Google Maps. Want to make sure you don’t miss an upcoming class? All upcoming programs can be found here and you can sign up for our weekly Spanish newsletter here.

Additional Resources

Senior Planet hosts several other Spanish-language resources:

Not quite sure where to start? Call our toll-free hotline at (888) 713-3495! Se habla español!

Annerys Diaz started with Senior Planet in 2019 as a bilingual trainer. Since then, she has held various roles in the organization and is now a Programs Supervisor on the virtual team. She currently manages the general Spanish Language programming.

Photo: Pavlina Popovska via Getty Images

Gemma M. García’s volunteer work with a church-based prison ministry in South Florida sparked a passion for helping incarcerated women – and an AARP Purpose Prize.

Moved by the harsh realities these women faced, García (67), a retired Wall Street executive, co-founded the Ladies Empowerment & Action Program (LEAP) in 2009. Initially focused on entrepreneurship, LEAP expanded to address critical needs such as trauma, addiction, mental health, and employability. Through initiatives like the Dragonfly Thrift Storevirtual entrepreneurship programs, and Re-Entry HubLEAP offers a comprehensive approach to helping women rebuild their lives post-incarceration.

García’s dedication to reducing recidivism and advocating for prison reform has changed not only the lives of hundreds of women but also her perspective. In this interview, García discusses her journey, the challenges incarcerated women face, and how LEAP is making a difference.

Can you talk about a turning point in your life that fueled your passion for founding LEAP?

It was actually when I went to a prison through a faith-based group here in South Florida that the Lord put it in my heart. My heart was touched because I saw such a tremendous need for these women to have support. I have been blessed to be born into a fantastic family, and I realized then that not everyone has the same journey as I did.

Education is a huge value to me; my parents were born in Cuba, and they often said that the only thing Castro could not take away from them was their education. Many of the ladies I met were victims of the circumstances they were born into. The question I always asked myself was, ‘What is the possibility or the probability that these women are going to be able to lead a life that is peaceful and fair to them, as opposed to growing up in homes where there’s addiction, where parents are imprisoned, and they have very little opportunities?’ So that’s really when I realized something had to be done.

Did anyone else help you start LEAP?

Yes, we’re three co-founders. Both of the ladies who co-founded LEAP with me were also part of it. Our original idea was to start a transition home because we realized that the prison was a revolving door — they would get out, you know, and then be back. So that was our original idea.

What is LEAP’s selection process for participants?

We don’t discriminate by age, race, or even the crime they have committed. That doesn’t matter. For the selection process, you have to be within one year of leaving prison. We get many applicants, so they have to complete an application, go through an interview, and then join the program. We offer two five-month programs.

What are common offenses you see your clients being jailed for or imprisoned for?

We often see crimes like theft that are directly linked to supporting an addiction. Addiction drives a lot of this behavior. For instance, some women have accidents and begin taking painkillers. After the doctor cuts them off, they’re addicted and must turn to the black market, which is costly. As a result, they commit crimes like credit card fraud to fund their addiction.

What are your thoughts on the need for justice system reform in the United States?

You know, that’s so important for us—advocacy, realizing that the justice system needs to change. Some states in the United States are much more advanced and forward-thinking than Florida, but overall, we need our justice system to shift from being punitive to rehabilitative. There are many countries with rehabilitative programs that we can certainly learn from. For example, in Norway, I’ve seen documentaries where an inmate comes into prison, and they don’t even wear uniforms—they wear regular clothing—and from the moment they step in, the rehabilitation starts. There’s no reason why we can’t follow that model.

What key elements or principles within the LEAP programs have been the most instrumental in driving your success?

There are three components: education, being able to offer a job when they’re released—employment—and housing. If you have, especially housing and employment, in place, then I can say I guarantee that recidivism in our country would be reduced drastically.

What does “aging with attitude” mean to you?

For me, it’s aging with a young mind, knowing that there are things that we can do to make a difference in this world.

Learn more about LEAP’s programs and support here.

Photo: Stephen Voss for AARP

Nabeela Washingtonan emerging Black writer, holds a Master’s in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University and Bachelor’s in Visual Advertising from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has been published in Eater, The Cincinnati Review, and others. Learn more at nabeelawashington.com.

Fall brings with it the holiday season, brisk temperatures…and more respiratory illnesses.  People are inside more, with other people more, and cold, dry air weakens resistance, according to Johns Hopkins.

That makes fall “Vaccine Season” – the time to get vaccines that will prevent (or minimize) the misery of common respiratory infections.

We asked Laurie Archbald-Pannone, MD, MPH, associate professor of geriatrics at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, what she tells her older patients about vaccines. We also checked in for vaccine advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health.

“Vaccines are one of the best things we can do to prevent ourselves from getting infected and really sick from infection,” Archbald-Pannone says.  Yes, the list of vaccines is admittedly long and who needs what and when can get complicated. She simplified it.

Vaccine Rundown

“In the fall, especially, I think it’s important to focus on respiratory type infections and vaccines,” she says. That means:

• COVID vaccines: The FDA has now authorized 3 updated vaccines for COVID prevention for this year–two mRNA, from Pfizer and Moderna, for those 6 months and above, and one protein-based, Novavax, for those 12 years and older.
• Influenza vaccine: If you have access to the so-called high-dose flu shot, meant for older adults, get it, Archbald-Pannone says. Researchers who compared standard-dose flu vaccine with a high-dose vaccine, an adjuvanted (with an immune system booster added) and recombinant flu vaccine (made without chicken eggs) found that the standard dose provided less protection than any of the other three. That said, Archbald-Pannone says, if you don’t have access to the high-dose shot, “any flu vaccine is better than none.”
• RSV vaccines: All adults age 75 and above (and those 60 to 74 with higher risk for this virus due to heart disease or other issues) should get one of 3 RSV vaccines, the CDC recommends.
• Pneumonia vaccines: There are different vaccines to prevent pneumonia. The CDC lays it out here, with the best advice to talk to your doctor about the best one for you and when to get it, Archbald-Pannone says.
• Shingles vaccine: Caused by the same virus as chickenpox, which lays dormant and can reactivate, shingles affects the nerves and produces burning, shooting pain and fluid-filled blisters. Two doses of Shingrex, 2-6 months apart, is the CDC’s recommendation.

Special Vaccines

Check the date of your last Tdap (tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis) immunization, especially if you’ll be visiting around infants, who are highly susceptible to pertussis (AKA whopping cough) and not yet able to be vaccinated, Archbald-Pannone says. Generally, the DPT shot needs updating every 10 years, but if you’ve gotten a rusty nail or similar injury recently, make sure it’s no more than 5 years since your last shot, she says.

Other Vaccine Facts

Vaccinations are not one-and-done

“I always say [you’re] up to date for now” once people are done with a spate of needed vaccines, Archbald-Pannone says. “We’re never done with vaccines, we’re just up to date for now,” she says. Recommendations can change, too, for when vaccines are needed and who needs them.

Vaccines are good at prevention, but not perfect

She advises patient to remember that vaccines are good—but not perfect—at preventing infections. “But what they are really good at is preventing bad outcomes from infections,” such as hospitalization, or worse.

Flu shots can’t give you the flu

What about those people who claim the flu shot gave them the flu?  Nope, she says. “The flu shot can’t give you the flu. It doesn’t have active virus in it to cause the flu. It takes a couple of weeks [for the shot] to take effect. So if you get exposed to the flu before you get the vaccine or before it became effective, you can still get the flu.” But you can’t blame the shot.

Side Effects

And what about side effects? Most are minor, she says, and if you go to your vaccine appointment well hydrated, you’re less likely to get them.

Double up on vaccines?

Doubling up on vaccines to get them done is common for children, and some researchers suggest adults could do the same, getting the flu and COVID shot at once, for instance. They say it won’t risk safety and health and would help people fit in all the needed shots on time and in fewer visits.

Affordability

Most insurance plans cover vaccines; see more information here.

Kathleen Doheny is a Los Angeles-based independent journalist, specializing in health, behavior, fitness and lifestyle stories. Besides writing for Senior Planet, she reports for WebMD, Medscape, MedCentral and other sites.  She is a mom, mother-in-law and proud and happy Mimi who likes to hike, jog and shop.

Photo of Kathy Doheny: Shaun Newton

This article offered by Senior Planet and Older Adults Technology Services is for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding any medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency call 911 immediately.

Medical tourism—defined as traveling internationally to receive medical care—promises big savings of up to 70%, depending on the procedure, as well as a chance to see the world. Some who engage in medical tourism hang out at the destinations before and after to take in the sights.

Besides a vacation, the appeal is the cost, of course. Citing prices from 2021, the latest available, an industry group estimated a knee replacement that cost $35,000 in the U.S. could be as low as $8,000 in Colombia. Cataract surgery that is $3,500 in the U.S. could cost $1,000 in Vietnam. And a facelift cost of $11,000 here might be about $2,813 in Thailand.

But—and there’s a big “but.” The savings are big, but so are the potential dangers—one recent report found the complication rates could go as high as 56%. It is truly caveat emptor.

Industry Statistics

While medical tourism took a hit during the pandemic, with lockdowns, it’s back, says Jonathan Edelheit, CEO of the Medical Tourism Association. According to some estimates, the tourism market, globally, is $47 billion now, forecasted to reach $111 billion by 2029. But Edelheit says his organization calculated that the industry reached $100 billion in U.S. dollars in 2024 and “is growing 15 to 25% each year.”

According to the CDC, millions of U.S. residents travel out of the country for medical care each year, and destinations include Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Germany, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Singapore and Thailand, among other locales.

Cosmetic surgery is often talked about, but people go abroad for cancer treatment, especially alternative treatments, dental care, fertility treatment, organ transplants, physician-assisted suicide and treatment for substance use disorder.

Medical Tourism: Caution is the Byword

Beyond the studies finding high rates of complications, the American Medical Association lays out concerns here.

News reports of tourism gone wrong underscore the concerns. In 2023, four U.S. friends traveled to Mexico so one could have surgery. They were kidnapped and two were killed. Another report cites a rise in deaths after medical tourists traveled to the Dominican Republic.

What are the risks? The CDC cites many, including infection, non-infectious complications such as blood clots and travel-related risks such as traveling too soon after a procedure.

In the report finding complication rates as high as 56%, researchers cite infection, poor aesthetic and functional outcomes and adverse cardiovascular events. They say reproductive care has increased abroad but the research on quality of care is very lacking. Stem cell therapy often promises treatments that don’t deliver. Transplant surgery in locations with waiting lists shorter than in the U.S. can also carry risks.

In the journal reporting finding the 56% complication rate, the researchers cite the lack of standardization in the industry and the lack of regulation as major issues.

In another report, Glenn McCartney, associate professor at the University of Macau, China, notes that medical tourism provides economic benefits to the destinations but raises ethical, quality and risk concerns for medical tourists. For those traveling, he said,  “it is a case of doing the research, being informed, and collecting as much information as possible (just like with any international trip) but [knowing] that this is more, involving possible medical procedures and aftercare.”

Beyond the potential medical complications, travelers must deal with language and cultural barriers. Among the tips offered by the Medical Tourism Association are to seek out providers who offer language and cultural support, such as interpreters and translation services.

Meanwhile, potential medical tourists should research, research, research. And be aware of potential pitfalls.

Research, Research, Research

Check out not only the qualifications of your provider—where did he or she go to medical school, what are their other credentials, experience in the procedure of interest—but the facility, the CDC says. Accrediting groups, including Joint Commission International, DNV GL International Accreditation for Hospitalsand the International Society for Quality in Healthcarehave lists of standards that healthcare facilities need to meet to be accredited. Please note that all surgeries carry the risk of complications and accreditation does not guarantee a positive outcome.

The CDC maintains a comprehensive site on medical tourism hereincluding how to select a facility, prepare for a visit, and aftercare.

Your turn

Have you traveled outside the country for medical care? Tell us your story in the comments.

Kathy Doheny Photo: Shaun Newton

Kathleen Doheny is a Los Angeles-based independent journalist, specializing in health, behavior, fitness and lifestyle stories. Besides writing for Senior Planet, she reports for WebMD, Medscape, MedCentral and other sites.  She is a mom, mother-in-law and proud and happy Mimi who likes to hike, jog and shop.

This article offered by Senior Planet and Older Adults Technology Services is for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding any medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency call 911 immediately.

Doreen

By Sophie, Senior Brand Marketing Manager

Growing up, I was always jealous of friends whose grandparents lived round the corner. My Grandma Doreen lived hundreds of miles away, so we couldn’t just pop around. But looking back, I realise this wasn’t a bad thing – it made our visits up north all the more special.

As kids, my sister and I would count down the days until we could visit her and go on our favourite girls day out – a bus ride to McDonalds, followed by a spin on the merry-go-round. To us, that was the best day ever.

You also can’t talk about my Grandma without mentioning her incredibly strong-willed streak, which we loved. This trait was best exemplified when, very soon after suffering a heart attack, she insisted that we went ten pin bowling. She won, of course.

When the pandemic hit, our already long-distance relationship felt even longer and, like most, we went months without seeing each other. By this point, dementia was setting in for my grandma and I wasn’t sure what it would be like when I saw her again.

I needn’t have worried. When we were finally able to meet up, she was just as caring and keen to see us as ever. And just as sassy.

For our post-lockdown reunion, I decided that it was my turn to return the favour for all those childhood memories, so I treated her to our very own day out. Off we went to McDonalds, where we happily tucked into a box of our favourite: chicken nuggets. Despite the dementia, she could still remember doing exactly the same with us, all those years ago.

Sadly, she’s not with us anymore, but I’m so grateful that we never took our time together for granted. It’s the happy memories of those times spent together that inspired me to become an Age UK telephone friend. Building a friendship and connection with someone from an older generation is really special.

Your desktop computer, tablet, or smartphone can do so much more on a vacation than just take pictures…and can start working for you long before you go on a trip. Here are the top ten tech tips for travel from the experts at Senior Planet. Tech can help you:

1. Compare Prices Online

Online travel sites offer convenience and savings: you can search across all major airlines and cruise lines and compare prices. Being flexible with dates can help lower travel costs. Weekend or holiday season flights are always more costly; some online booking tools allow you to select a range of dates, and then provide price comparisons against those dates.

For more information about booking travel online, navigating online travel sites, and more, visit www.seniorplanet.org/travel.

2. Build an Itinerary Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Generative AI models like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, or Microsoft Copilot can build your itinerary. Just type a question (aka a prompt) like a Google search and ask AI for ideas and sample itineraries. For example, you could ask AI to plan a four-night trip to Stockholm for spring 2025, flying in from NYC, then ask for ideas for a walking tour through Old Town Stockholm and recommend restaurants, accommodations, daytrips and more. To learn more, visit seniorplanet.org/AI.

3. Try Google Maps

Once you plan your trip and arrange your itinerary, Google Maps (or other map alternatives) can get you the best way to get around. Try it for driving, walking, public transit directions, or finding hotels, restaurants, or attractions – and even filter for accessible routes. To learn more, watch our Google Maps App tech demo.

4. Use Bluetooth Trackers

Bluetooth trackers, like Airtags and Tiles, can be put in luggage or other valuable items so that you can see their location in real time using an app on your phone. To learn to set an Apple Airtag, watch our Tech Tip Videos, “How to Set Up a New Airtag” and “How to Share an Airtag with your Contacts.”

5. Read the Fine Print

Check the fine print and details for each vendor you research for flights, lodging, car rentals and more. Consider things like extra fees, cancellations, or refund policies, as well as travel insurance, and what insurance your credit card offers in emergencies. You may have to hunt for the fine print online – but you’ll be glad you did.

6. Download the Apps

Before you travel, download the apps of all your online ‘travel partners:’ the online travel service you used to book your trip, and especially the airline you are using. Airline apps can allow you to check-in, get a mobile boarding pass, show you flight information, help you rebook if needed, get alerts of flight changes, and even make in-flight purchases. Your phone’s digital wallet can also be a good place to store boarding passes, museum tickets, and discount cards to use during your trip.

7. Explore Vacation Rental Options

Vacation rentals can be a cost-effective and fun alternative to hotels. Platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, Interhome, Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy, Tripadvisor, VRBO, Home Exchange, and Trusted Housesitters usually offer more space and a kitchen (a cost saver). However, vacation stays are not always less expensive than a hotel, so use sites like Booking.com to compare prices.

8. Review Restaurants Beforehand

Online reviews on social media or Yelp can help you check restaurants at your destination before you arrive. You can find photos of the ambiance and preview dishes and menus, too; you can often book a table online or give them a call to confirm. Besides Yelp, check Instagram, TikTok, or AI for restaurant reviews and recommendations. For more information, visit seniorplanet.org/socialmedia.

9.  Download a Rideshare App

Most cities have taxi cabs available but rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft are useful alternatives to have on your phone. You can request to be picked up and dropped off at locations of your choice. You can also schedule rides in advance.

10.  Share the Final Itinerary with your Fellow Travelers

It’s smart for everyone in your travel group to know the plan. You can take a screenshot of the final itinerary on your phone or computer and email or text it to everyone traveling in your group. However, for safety’s sake, make sure neither you nor your travel companions post the itinerary or any pictures of your trip online for public consumption. Save the vacation pics for after you are all safely at home.

YOUR TURN

Have you tried any of these tech tips?  How did they work for you? Let us know in the comments!

Suzanne Myklebust is Senior Planet’s Director of Communications. Suzanne is based in New York City and has a background in public relations, marketing, and communications strategy specifically in the field of aging.

After discovering a passion for swimming at age 60, Megan Moynihan and her five teammates will swim 22 miles across the English Channel to celebrate her 70th birthday and raise money for Aspirea charity that supports people with spinal injuries.

We talked with Megan, a Senior Planet reader, architect, and art advisor, while she was training for this impressive feat.

How did you first get into swimming?
About 10 years ago, around the time I turned 60, my husband and I took our grandson to the Y to learn how to swim. And we decided we wanted to learn too! We started doing triathlons together. Eventually my husband became an ultramarathoner and I focused on swimming. In the beginning, I had to rest at the wall for almost as long as it took me to swim the length of the pool.

What draws you to open water swimming?
There’s always a challenge – big waves, jellyfish, unexpected debris – you train yourself not to panic.

For years, I was a person who made exercise a habit. I would run three or four times a week and do strength training at the gym. But just swimming in the pool gives you black-line boredom. Open water is always changing. And when you’re training for a big event, it motivates you to be disciplined and keep at it.

“The most interesting part of getting to this level of swimming is that you’re going after something you don’t necessarily know you’re going to succeed at.”

Like how you are currently training to swim the English Channel! What’s that experience been like?
It’s taken me way out of my comfort zone, and I think that’s particularly important as we get older. The English Channel is a risk – we might not succeed. But to me, that is part of the fun and the challenge.

Working with a relay team, I feel a real commitment to not letting the other people down. Because one person has to be taken out of the water, that’s it for the whole team.

To be a channel swimmer, you don’t have to be super-fast. I’m not a fast swimmer! The biggest hurdle for me will be to pass the cold-water qualification test, which is on my 70th birthday. Our team will swim an hour and a half in Dover Harbor in water that is less than 60 degrees. We’ll warm up for an hour – and then get back in for another hour!

What does aging with attitude mean to you?
It means taking on a challenge with no guarantee of success, and giving it my best shot.

Note: Due to weather issues, Megan was not able to swim with her team across the English Channel this year. She instead swam six miles from the Narrow River to the ocean with a group of other swimmers to celebrate her 70th! She will be back in England in 2025 to complete the Channel crossing.

Pam Hughes is Senior Planet’s Community and Advocacy Manager. Based in Brooklyn, she is a contributing writer for this site.