Helen Dennis marks 25 years of aging advice with reader insights

Helen Dennis is concluding her 25th year as a weekly columnist on aging for the Southern California News Group. In a recent installment of her anniversary series, she compiled advice and anecdotes provided by readers over the last 12 months. The collection addresses practical issues facing older adults, ranging from cognitive health to social dynamics.

Dennis highlighted a recurring complaint among readers: friends who repeat the same stories. One subscriber suggested listening to the podcast “Three Old Broads and a Lady” to understand the habit. Another reader offered a different perspective, noting that retired individuals may lack new topics to discuss. That reader described her uncle as brilliant but socially awkward, suggesting that retelling old stories helped him feel included in conversations.

Health concerns dominated a large portion of the correspondence. Readers emphasized the link between untreated hearing loss and dementia. Dennis noted that while hearing loss is a risk factor, it does not guarantee cognitive decline. She advised readers to treat hearing checks as a modifiable risk factor for maintaining brain health. She also pointed to Dementia Friendly America as a resource for planning holiday events for individuals with memory issues. The organization emerged from the 2015 White House Conference on Aging.

Physical safety remains a major topic for the aging population. One reader described a fall that occurred while walking her dog. She misjudged the height of a curb while fleeing a threatening neighbor’s dog. The impact resulted in a broken shoulder and a torn rotator cuff. She required surgery for a shoulder replacement and is currently in the seventh month of recovery. Her advice to others is to be aware of surroundings and avoid rushing.

Readers also shared personal milestones and coping strategies. An 82-year-old man noted he sees his late mother’s appearance in his own mirror, leading him to wear long-sleeved shirts. A 60-year-old woman described a group of friends who chose to collectively celebrate their birthdays throughout the year to embrace the label of being “old.” Another reader admitted to feeling unsatisfied upon turning 60, despite expecting satisfaction. When asked how she would feel at that milestone, Dennis replied that she did not know if she had a specific number in mind.

Dennis noted that her columns often serve as class materials at senior centers. Instructors use the texts as prompts for student presentations. One reader shared an anecdote about a salesclerk who trusted her with a return without a receipt because she was elderly. Another reader described a new morning routine of affirming their readiness for the coming year. Dennis is beginning her 26th year of publication and plans to continue mixing research with personal experience.