AS LONG AS WE REMAIN ON THIS EARTH, we grow older. Being old, however, is a state of mind. In this feature we learn about how an ancient martial art called tai chi can alleviate some of the symptoms of aging, how virtual reality is being used to help instigate old memories, and we investigate… Read More
Jessica Grant, owner of Prima Wellness, was born to be a healer. Originally from Southington, her family placed tremendous value on helping those in need. She’s grown up to become a licensed psychotherapist, an Ayurvedic practitioner, part of the clinical faculty team at Yale University’s School of Medicine, and she has just opened Prima… Read More
In the summer of 2018, the team at Endeavor Therapeutic Horsemanship received a letter from a combat veteran. He’d served three tours in Baghdad, Kirkuk, and Tikrit. During his time in Iraq he’d been awarded three Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star Medal with valor. As a result of his time in combat zones, he… Read More
It’s been said that one of the toughest relationships in the world is the one between mothers and adult daughters. I can vouch for that. My daughter, Laurie, and I love each other but in the past I drove her crazy and she frustrated me to distraction. We had good times, fun times, but we… Read More
An older friend of mine once told me that he had just written a check to the Alzheimer’s Foundation, but then forgot to mail it. I laughed at the time, but as I get older, marching toward the age when Alzheimer’s Disease most commonly afflicts millions, that story has taken on a more sobering tone.… Read More
Imagine viewing the stunning spectacle of the Aurora Borealis, exploring the pyramids of Giza, and walking amongst hundreds of penguins in the Antarctic all on the same day. You no longer need to be a jet-setting billionaire to enjoy these once-in-a-lifetime experiences—you just need virtual reality. The concept of simulated, multi-sensory experiences first emerged in… Read More
Getting older isn’t always easy but I thought I’d done a pretty good job staying fit until I injured my shoulder. Suddenly, I couldn’t raise my right arm higher than my waist. I had embarrassing experiences of having to ask strangers to open doors for me. The feeling of being dependent and vulnerable was distressing.… Read More
A little-known movement with a large-scale mission—to create a community that is more livable for people of all ages, especially the older population—has been making great strides across the county. The name says it all: Age Friendly Berkshires. And its purpose is to change the culture around aging and to show how we can… Read More
Dr. Eric Plakun came to the Berkshires to train in psychoanalysis, and it has turned into “a 41-year residency,” as he puts it. Today, he heads the world-class mental health treatment facility on Main Street in the village of Stockbridge. Every morning before work, he bike rides or cross-country skis. “You can’t have a bad… Read More
Bill Capasse and his teacup chihuahua Amie have near-celebrity status at Fairview Hospital. The pair is a trained and certified therapy dog team—the telltale sign is Amie’s tiny red Velcro vest—and they make the weekly trip from Ashley Falls to Great Barrington to visit with patients at the 25-bed hospital where Capasse was born. “I… Read More