growing bolder september/october 2014

HOPE • INSPIRATION • POSSIBILITY

LEE GRANT’S 5 MISSING YEARS ■ EMBRACE FALL FLAVORS

Still Standing, ButNot Standing Still.

Using Their Own Words,Molly Middleton Meyer Brings Joy and Dignity to Dementia Patients.

®

Still Standing, But

ESTELLE PARSONS:

Using Their Own Words,Molly Middleton Meyer Brings Joy and Dignity to Dementia Patients.

POETRYTHATEMPOWERS

1GB_Sept14_Cov TOC.indd 1 8/18/14 10:27:33 AM

Do you love where you live? If not, don’t wait anylonger to make a change! Debra and James Jacoby loved their small town in rural Northern Illinois, but the weather left a lot to be desired.

“It’s hot and humid in the summer but bitter cold and snowy in the winters,” Jim says.

In March of this year, they made the permanent move to paradise at Del Webb Orlando.

“The next time we see snow we’ll be watching it on a newscast on TV,” Debra says. “We did enjoy living in proximity to larger metro ar-eas along with the peacefulness of a rural setting. Del Webb Orlando also offers the advantages of nearby metro convenience. But it’s over the top when it comes to peaceful living in a rural setting.”

Adds Jim: “We also knew that the Orlando area was called ‘the fun capital of the world,’ and who could turn away from that invita-tion, particularly when grandchildren want to come down to Florida for fun things to do?”

With its proximity to theme parks as well as natural attractions, such as east- and west-coast beaches and the state’s numerous state parks and forests, there’s something for everyone to do.

The Jacobys say they still can’t believe this is their home. “We have to pinch ourselves from time to time to be sure we aren’t

dreaming,” Jim says. “With its picturesque golf-course views and beautifully landscaped boulevards, Del Webb resembles upscale

resort living and that will never happen in Northern Illinois.” Debra and Jim agree, though, that the real appeal of their new

home is the people they’ve met. “While warm climates, palm trees and theme parks rank high,

our top priority is the warmth of the residents living here,” Debra notes. “We’ve been welcomed by everyone we’ve met and have developed several close friendships in such a short period of time. We’re truly blessed with friendly neighbors on our street.”

The Jacobys visited several other communities before settling on Del Webb Orlando. They have advice for anyone still on the fence.

“Sign up for the Del Webb Experience, where you can actually stay on-property at one of the model homes for a few days,” Debra says. “You’ll experience the lifestyle fi rsthand and fall in love with the area, as we did.”

The couple has jumped right into some of the many clubs and activities offered at Del Webb Orlando, including the Financial Edu-cational Group, Computer Club, Aquacize, Hands-On Cooking, Game Night and pool parties.

“We love living at Del Webb Orlando, with the many friends we’ve made and the many opportunities presented to us,” Jim says. “This is our home, and we feel like we’re on vacation every day.”

LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE!‘We Feel Like We’re On

Vacation Every Day’

SPOTLIGHT

By Jackie Carlin

Del Webb Orlando offers an unparalleled ac-tive-adult lifestyle community designed for those who plan to keep on Growing Bolder, year after year! Plan your visit around one of Del Webb’s upcoming community events, participate in a club or simply get to know some of the neigh-bors. Call 866-671-3330 or visit delwebb.com/dwo to schedule a visit today.

Is today the day you begin the next phase of your life?

MOVE-IN READY HOMES NOW AVAILABLESCHEDULE YOUR VISIT TODAY!

At Del Webb communities, at least one resident must be 55 years of age or older, no one under 19 (18 in certain communities) in permanent residence, and additional restrictions apply. Some residents may be younger than 55. This material shall not constitute a valid o�er in any state where prior registration is required or if void by law. Additional terms, conditions and restrictions apply. Contact a sales consultant for details. CGC1515415. ©2014 Pulte Home Corporation. All rights reserved. 8/15/2014.

225 Ridgewood Lakes Blvd.

Davenport, FL 33837

866-671-3330 | delwebb.com/dwo

Single Family Homes from the $160’s - high $200’s

Tour 8 Model Homes & Clubhouse

Full time on-site Lifestyle Director

30,800 sq. ft. clubhouse

TechnoGym Fitness Center

Resort-style pool & spa

Indoor heated pool & spa

Tennis, pickle ball, bocce ball and basketball courts

Outdoor firepit & amphitheater

Fishing pier & miles of walking trails

Billiards, arts & craft room, and ballroom

Guard-gated privacy

Active-Adult Living


Is today the day you begin the next phase of your life?

MOVE-IN READY HOMES NOW AVAILABLESCHEDULE YOUR VISIT TODAY!

At Del Webb communities, at least one resident must be 55 years of age or older, no one under 19 (18 in certain communities) in permanent residence, and additional restrictions apply. Some residents may be younger than 55. This material shall not constitute a valid o�er in any state where prior registration is required or if void by law. Additional terms, conditions and restrictions apply. Contact a sales consultant for details. CGC1515415. ©2014 Pulte Home Corporation. All rights reserved. 8/15/2014.

225 Ridgewood Lakes Blvd.

Davenport, FL 33837

866-671-3330 | delwebb.com/dwo

Single Family Homes from the $160’s - high $200’s

Tour 8 Model Homes & Clubhouse

Full time on-site Lifestyle Director

30,800 sq. ft. clubhouse

TechnoGym Fitness Center

Resort-style pool & spa

Indoor heated pool & spa

Tennis, pickle ball, bocce ball and basketball courts

Outdoor firepit & amphitheater

Fishing pier & miles of walking trails

Billiards, arts & craft room, and ballroom

Guard-gated privacy

Active-Adult Living


4 GROWING BOLDER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

contents6 FROM THE EDITOR

8 GROWING BOLDER WITH...

10 NEVER TOO LATEFinally, at 87, actress Lee Grant makes peace with her age.By Bill Shafer

12 ROCK STARS OF AGINGThese nonagenarian performers are still at the top of their games. By Jackie Carlin

14 5 QUESTIONSSandra Bullock makes a local “history geek’s” dream come true. By Jackie Carlin

16 POETRY THAT EMPOWERSAlzheimer’s can’t be reversed. But one woman’s unique approach uses writing to give patients dignity, joy and a creative outlet.By Marc Middleton

24 BEHIND THE SCENESHere’s what’s new and what’s coming from the Growing Bolder team.

25 GB ELITEWords of wisdom from Growing Bolder’s superstar bloggers.

26 FOUNTAIN OF YOUTHHow an over-90 relay team shocked the world.By Marc Middleton

27 SURVIVING AND THRIVINGCaregiving can take a physical and emotional toll.By Bill Shafer

28 NUTRITIONHere are � ve fabulous fall foods to improve your health.By Tara Gidius

30 THE TAKEAWAYAt 86, she’s still standing, and she’s not standing still.By Estelle Parsons

ON THE COVER: Poetry therapy facili-

tator Molly Middleton Meyer is awak-

ening the creativity in Alzheimer’s

patients. Photo by Thomas Sayers Ellis

(tsellis.com).

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Editor-in-ChiefMarc Middleton

Managing EditorBill Shafer

Associate EditorsKaty Widrick, Jackie Carlin

Contributing WriterTara Gidus

Additional PhotographyThomas Sayers Ellis (tsellis.com), Andrew Knowles (ajkimages.com),

Ken Stone (masterstrack.com), Matt Odom, Pixel Perfect Pros

Digital Development and Production

Jason Morrow, Pat Narciso, Josh Doolittle, Mike Nanus

407-406-5910 1 Purlieu Place, Suite 139

Winter Park, FL 32792growingboldermagazine.com

All editorial content copyright 2014 by Bolder

Broadcasting Inc. Growing Bolder is a regis-

tered trademark of Bolder Broadcasting Inc.

Nothing may be reprinted in part or in whole

without written permission from Bolder Broad-

casting Inc.

Group PublisherRandy Noles

Art DirectorLaura Bluhm

Senior Associate PublisherLorna Osborn

Associate PublisherKathy Byrd

Growing Bolder is a publication of Florida Home Media LLC,

publishers of Orlando Life. 407-647-0225

2700 Westhall Lane, Suite 128Maitland, FL 32751

orlando-life.com

Our mission at Growing Bolder is to change the way the world looks

at aging. We smash the many demeaning and debilitating stereotypes

of age and rede� ne what’s possible by sharing the inspiring stories of

ordinary men and women who are living extraordinary lives. We provide the tools

to make the rest of our lives the best of our lives.

While we choose to celebrate the endless opportunities of age, we can’t ignore

what’s being lost — because to those who live long enough, dealing with loss is

a constant challenge.

America’s 78 million baby boomers are now dealing with the loss of their parents at

an unprecedented rate. In fact, we’re losing an average of 4,900 parents every day.

This loss is usually gradual, emotional, exhausting and costly. I lost both of

my parents over an 18-month period in 2011 and 2012 and it was all of the

above — most especially for my sister and brother, who lived near my parents

in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Both of my parents were among the millions diagnosed with Alzheimer’s to-

ward the end of their lives. Nearly 50 percent of people in their 80s develop

Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia.

When the so-called “Alzheimer’s Tsunami” hits in 2050, someone in the U.S.

will be diagnosed with the disease every 33 seconds, and the cost of care will

skyrocket to $1.2 trillion annually.

Public programs don’t cover assisted-living costs, which is a necessity for most

dementia patients as they progress through the stages of the disease. According

to the MetLife Mature Market Study, assisted living for dementia patients costs

an average of $4,762 per month.

The cost of the care is one issue. The quality of care is another. Our cover

story is about a woman who’s helping pioneer an entirely new way of not only

engaging Alzheimer’s patients, but in creating new loving, meaningful relation-

ships with them.

Her story is also about battling back from deep despair, of believing in yourself

while trusting in others. It’s a story about taking calculated risks and � nding not

only a way to move forward, but also to give back. It’s

a story about Growing Bolder; a story we’d be proud

to tell even if she weren’t my sister.

Marc Middleton, Editor-in-Chief

[email protected]

From the Editor

Finding Our Way Forward



Growing Bolder With...

Charlie Daniels77Music Legend“I have a group of play-

ers with me, and every

one of them is a better

musician than me.

And every night when

we get on stage, I just

have to really scuf� e

to keep up with them. It’s good for me physically and

it’s good for me mentally. It’s a great way to live. I’m

here to tell anybody: don’t give up on your dreams just

because you turn a certain age.”

Charlie Daniels has won virtually every music indus-

try award and accolade there is in multiple genres.

His signature hit, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” is

a � ddling tour de force. His’ latest project, an acoustic

album called Off the Grid: Doin’ It Dylan, celebrates

his history with Bob Dylan.

Mark Steines50TV Host“I left ‘Entertain-

ment Tonight’

because I started to

feel like I was just

working to provide

for my family and

not being a part

of my family. I re-

membered a lesson

Coach John Wood-

en taught me more

than two decades ago. He told me, ‘You can � nd

the key to happiness in life, and there are only two

things.’ I remember thinking, ‘I’m a simpleton. If

there are only two things, I think I can do that.’ He

said, ‘The � rst is love and the second is balance.’ I

never forgot that, and I always strive for that.”

Mark Steines is an Emmy Award-winning journal-

ist best known for his 17-year tenure on “Enter-

tainment Tonight.” His latest gig is as co-host of the

Emmy-nominated daily show “Home & Family” on

the Hallmark Channel.

Betty Tisdale92Humanitarian Activist“There’s nothing like seeing a child who needs something. You can’t turn

your back on them. I’m just an ordinary person proving you can surpass

obstacles in your life. Most Americans are like that. We have so much here.

But there are children around the world with nothing. I’ve been lying about my age for years, but I’m not doing

that anymore. I want people to think, ‘Gee, if she can do that at her age, maybe I can do something, too.’”

In 1975, Betty Tisdale helped evacuate more than 200 orphans just before the fall of Saigon. Since then, she’s

made it her mission to help children and orphans around the globe. In 2000, she founded HALO (Helping And

Loving Orphans). After working for years to establish Afghanistan’s � rst baby orphanage, she traveled there at

age 90 to celebrate its opening.

GB EXTRA Listen to our full-length conversations with Charlie Daniels, Betty Tisdale and Mark Steines

on GrowingBolderMagazine.com.

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growingbolderMAgAZine.coM growing bolder 9

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There are a lot of things we know about Academy

Award-winning actress Lee Grant. One thing we

did not know was her age. Nobody did. Not even

her family.

She was living a lie that went on for so long she almost

forgot it wasn’t the truth. She might have

pulled it off forever, had she not been

outed by the Social Security Administra-

tion. But why would she lie about her age

in the � rst place?

It’s one of many fascinating stories re-

vealed in Grant’s just-released autobi-

ography, “I Said Yes to Everything,” and

as a guest on the Growing Bolder radio

show, which airs Sundays at 7 a.m. on

WMFE FM.

Intelligent, charming and as energet-

ic as ever, she admitted she could have

given her book a different title. “’Grow-

ing Bolder’ would have been a great

name,” she says with a chuckle. “Maybe

I could have called it, ‘Growing Bolder

as I Grow Older.’”

In her 87 years of life, Grant has had

a lot to grow bolder about. It was 1949

when she burst onto the scene in the � lm

“Detective Story.” Reviewers singled her

out as someone destined for stardom.

But her status as an up-and-comer

quickly changed to a down-and-outer

when she was called to testify before the

House Un-American Activities Committee. She was black-

listed, unable to work in � lm or television for what turned

out to be 12 years, the prime of any actor’s career.

Recalls Grant: “I was blacklisted from the time I was

24 until I was 36, and realized no producer would ever

hire an actress pushing 40 — so I did everything I could

to hide my age.”

She was desperate to � nd work and rekindle her career.

She felt that any reference to her birth date could ruin her

and took drastic steps to conceal it.

She never acknowledged her birthday in public. She

even asked the mayor of Los Angeles to take � ve years off

the age on her driver’s license. She was so careful that in

her mind, the lie became the truth — she became � ve years

younger than she actually was.

After a while she totally forgot her true age, and it’s quite

possible no one would have ever known

— until that day the check came.

What check? The one from Social Se-

curity that we get when we turn 65. Even

Grant’s husband Joey didn’t know her

real age. He found out when he picked

up the mail.

“He yells, ‘You’re not 65!’” recalls

Grant. “I fell to the � oor. I said, ‘I’m not,

I’m not!’ It was like a Blanche DuBois

moment. And he said, ‘Yes, you are.

We’ve got all this money coming in.’

So, I unfortunately had to accept the

fact.”

At that moment, Grant had a grand

realization that it’s never too late to

accept who you are. It gave her the

strength to look back on her life and

share her story with the world.

It’s given her the con� dence to con-

tinue to perform and the courage to

accept that she is, indeed, approaching

her 90s — something she never could

have admitted before.

Adds Grant: “I’m certainly better

about accepting it now, but there are

still remnants left over from all those years I couldn’t

work, remnants that still give me the feeling that I’m in

a race to try to make up time. Maybe that’s my secret to

longevity. I’m still trying to make up time.” ■

5 AWOL YearsFinally, at 87, Lee Grant Makes Peace with Her Age.

Never Too LateTM

By Bill Shafer

GB EXTRA Visit GrowingBolderMagazine.com for a link to our Growing Bolder radio conversation with Lee Grant and to learn more about her auto-

biography.

Grant’s fascinating autobiography looks back over the ups and downs of a long career. One of the downs was being blacklisted after testifying be-fore the House Un-American Activities Committee.

500 Village Place • Longwood, Florida 32779 1.888.891.4115VillageOnTheGreenRC.com

All genuinely yours. The new memories. The big adventures. The fantastic neighbors. Seniors live in our continuing care retirement community like they’re right at home – because they are. It has the permanence that comes from making a commitment. It’s rewarding and rich. It even offers a view forward – with a secure Life Care plan and a Gold Seal Health Center on campus that reduce the what-ifs to never-minds. So how about it? Interested in a senior living community built around commitment and security, where every day is a treat? Village on the Green: You can’t rent this.

RENT.NOT FOR

12GB_Sept14_Never To Late.indd 10 8/18/14 4:04:45 PM

500 Village Place • Longwood, Florida 32779 1.888.891.4115VillageOnTheGreenRC.com

All genuinely yours. The new memories. The big adventures. The fantastic neighbors. Seniors live in our continuing care retirement community like they’re right at home – because they are. It has the permanence that comes from making a commitment. It’s rewarding and rich. It even offers a view forward – with a secure Life Care plan and a Gold Seal Health Center on campus that reduce the what-ifs to never-minds. So how about it? Interested in a senior living community built around commitment and security, where every day is a treat? Village on the Green: You can’t rent this.

RENT.NOT FOR

12GB_Sept14_Never To Late.indd 11 8/18/14 10:38:27 AM


Want to not only live a long life but a vibrant

one as well? Pick up an instrument. Cecilia

Brauer and Robert Willoughby are living proof

that having a passion for the arts is a key to longevity.

Now 90, Cecilia been a member

of New York’s famed Metropolitan

Opera Orchestra since 1972. She’s

played the celeste and was the or-

chestra’s of� cial pianist on concert

tours from 1993 to 2001.

In 1991, she added a new instrument

to her repertoire — the glass armoni-

ca. Invented by Benjamin Franklin in

1761, it’s one of the most unusual

instruments in the world. The ar-

monica looks like a stack of glass

bowls tipped on their sides.

“When I saw the armonica, I de-

cided to try it but it was tricky to

play,” she recalls. “It took me three

trips back to the glass factory be-

fore I could make a sound on it. I

always say, ‘Here I can play Rach-

maninoff and Tchaikovsky piano

concertos — but I was so happy

when I could play ‘Yankee Doodle’

on the armonica.”

Cecilia still performs armonica

concerts around the country and

says music feeds her soul: “I happen

to feel being a musician means your

brain is going all the time with all

the things you have to learn on that

page. Your heart and your soul are so � lled with the beauty

of the composer’s music. I think that’s magni� cent.”

It’s a sentiment Robert shares. He’s one of the world’s

most revered and beloved � ute teachers who, at 92, still

teaches masters classes. He’s the recipient of the Nation-

al Flute Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award and is

responsible for developing many

� rst-chair musicians in orches-

tras across the U.S.

“Why am I still teaching? I abso-

lutely adore it,” he says. “I’ve had

the good fortune to have many � ne

students over the years who have

gone on to play in big orchestras

all over the country. It brings me

a real pleasure.”

Robert, who was an Air Force

pilot on D-Day, nearly followed

in his attorney father’s footsteps

until a high school music teacher

urged him to attend a summer

music camp.

“I was still debating whether I

should go into music or not and

my father said, ‘Why don’t you

take a year and see if you like it,

and then you’ll know,’” he recalls.

“Of course, it didn’t take a year. I

was there about two weeks and I

thought I was in heaven. I guess

that’s one way you know you’re in

the right business.”

Both Cecilia and Robert say

they realize how lucky they are

to have chosen careers that al-

lowed them to stay active and involved as they’ve aged.

But it’s the passion for living that’s the real secret to

their success.

“I’m an optimist and I have a good sense of humor,” says

Cecilia. “I’ve learned to laugh at things when it gets to be

too much. If I can’t handle it, at least let me turn to laughter.

I love my garden. I cut my own grass. I’m outside working

in the outdoors. And of course, I have music to satisfy my

soul.” ■

Music for the SoulBy Jackie Carlin

Nonagenarian Performers Still at the Top of Their Games.

Rock Stars of AgingTM

GB EXTRAVisit GrowingBolderMagazine.com to listen to our interviews with Cecilia Brauer and Robert Wil-loughby and to learn more about our ebook, “Rock Stars of Aging: 50 Ways to Live to 100,” which is

available for downloading for just $4.99.

Cecilia, with her armonica, and Robert, with his fl ute, say their passion for music has helped them remain active and engaged in their 90s. And it helps to have a sense of humor, Cecilia adds.

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For starters, congratulations on selling the � lm rights

to . How does it feel to be involved

with a project of this scale? Are you worried the story

won’t be treated properly? And have you started plan-

ning your Sandra Bullock sel� e?

It’s thrilling and I’m a little stunned still because it’s still

wait-and-see mode. There are a lot of questions out there

that I just don’t have answers to, but I’m certainly ex-

cited to take the ride. I think Tate Taylor, the director, and

Sandra Bullock, who needs no introduction, are uniquely

quali� ed as having Southern roots to translate this story.

I’m so excited it’s them taking the lead on this project. I’m

anxious and excited to see where this process is going to

take us. I’ve thought from Day 1 that it’d make a great � lm,

and I thought Brownie would be a great character for a

substantial actress. Well, we found her. As for the photo,

anytime, anywhere, any place!

■ ■ ■

By Jackie Carlin

Sandra Bullock Makes ‘History Geek’s’ Dream Come True.

5 Questions

Reporter Bob Kealing, winner of the Edward R. Murrow Award and three Emmys, is a self-described history geek. After settling in

Central Florida nearly 25 years ago, the Kansas na-tive quickly became fascinated with the area’s rich, pre-Disney World history. He’s the author of several books, including Kerouac in Florida: Where the Road Ends and Calling Me Home: Gram Parsons and the Roots of Country Rock. But it’s his 2008 book about a long-forgotten businesswoman that’s generating a lot of buzz. He recently sold the rights to his book, Tupperware Unsealed: Brownie Wise, Earl Tupper, and the Home Party Pioneers to Sony Pictures. The feature � lm version of the book will be adapted, di-rected and produced by Tate Taylor, of The Help and Get On Up, and will star Academy Award-winning actress Sandra Bullock. Bob, a long-time friend and contributor to Growing Bolder, chats with Growing Bolder Magazine about his big Hollywood news and reveals his exciting next project.

Hello, Hollywood

Tupperware Unsealed

4GB_Sept14_5 Questions.indd 14 8/18/14 10:42:43 AM


Tell us a little bit about Brownie

Wise. Why is hers a story worth tell-

ing, and how was she unknown for

so long?

I first learned about Brownie Wise

through a PBS documentary, and it

caught my interest because I’d been

living in Central Florida and I’d never

even heard of her. The more I dug into

this story, the more I realized what

a trailblazer Brownie was. She was a

divorced, single mom, raising a child

and running a company in the Deep

South in the early ‘50s. That’s unprec-

edented. She was the first woman on

the cover of Business Week, which

is pretty amazing. The Tupperware

people, including Earl Tupper, early

on, signed off on the fact that she was

a unique commodity. They said, “Let’s

push her to the forefront. She’s going

to be the focus of PR and attention.”

But as that evolved, some people say

that it became more and more about

Brownie than it was about the prod-

uct. And that was not going to fly with

Earl Tupper. She was eased out of the

company in 1958. She didn’t die des-

titute or penniless, but she did have

a much more low-key existence after

that. She was an accomplished pot-

ter, winning a lot of awards for her pottery, and she worked

in real estate. Her legacy was buried for decades, and only

in the last 10 to 20 years has the company started to rec-

ognize her for the genius that she was.

n n n

You’ve mentioned that Brownie Wise wasn’t a feminist.

She didn’t try to change society, but she did in many

ways, didn’t she?

Without a doubt. Even though Brownie didn’t see herself

as a feminist — at least that’s what her son told me — the

fact is she found a way for women of the 1950s, who were

probably minimally educated, in the house and raising the

children, to gain some economic empowerment and to earn

some recognition of their own. That was revolutionary at

the time and is part of what makes her such a trailblazer.

Long before Oprah, long before Martha Stewart and long

before Mary Kay Ash, Brownie Wise was helping women

find a way to support their own families. She didn’t have

extensive education, yet she had this

innate quality to be able to motivate

her sales force like nobody else. She

would get up at these large events,

like the Jubilees, with the dealers and

distributors, and she had a way of

speaking to their dreams. Her motto

was always: “If we build the people,

they’ll build the business.” And she

absolutely believed in that concept.

n n n

We’ve known you a long while and

respected you. Your work is meticu-

lously researched, and you’ve never

done it to get rich or famous. What’s

the Takeaway for

rest of us?

It’s fun to pursue your passions, and I

don’t think many people worry about

whether it’s going to bring financial

rewards or not. In terms of this re-

gion of the country, of Central Flor-

ida and Orlando, my raison d’etre is

to find interesting, pre-Disney his-

tory because the perception I think

we all chafe at a bit is, “Oh this is the

theme park capital of the world and

there’s nothing else beyond this.”

This is one example of the fact that,

“Oh yes, there is.”

n n n

What are you working on now?

Right now, I’m working on a book about a young Elvis

Presley in Florida, before his sad trip down the rabbit hole

and into drugs and everything else. It covers the period of

1955-‘61. There’s so much historic import that has to do

with his connections in Florida and with the connections

of his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. It’s been a fun story to

pursue, and I would think there could be a couple of films

in this next book. n

“Tupperware Unsealed” tells the story of pioneering businesswoman Brownie Wise, shown here being presented the keys to a new Cadillac by Earl Tupper outside her home in Orlando.

gb eXTrA All of Bob’s books are available online for pur-chase. Visit GrowingBolderMagazine.com for more information about each of them and to watch our video features on Bob’s work to preserve local history, including his efforts to create a thriv-ing writers-in-residence program at the Orlando home where Jack Kerouac lived when “On the Road” was published.

Growing Bolder

4GB_Sept14_5 Questions.indd 15 8/18/14 10:42:49 AM

16 GrowinG Bolder SePTeMBer/oCToBer 2014

THAT

Poetry

EMPOWERSAlzheimer’s patients light up around Molly Middleton Meyer, who calls them her “poet-patients.”

5GB_Sept14_Feature.indd 16 8/18/14 10:49:30 AM


t’s 9:30 on a Friday morning and Molly Middleton Meyer has traveled from Dallas, Texas, to work her way through neural pathways thought by many to no longer exist.

She’s seeking cerebral connections through a groundbreak-ing process of her own design, which is meant to not only en-gage, but also to creatively stimulate a group of residents at

Serenades Memory Care Assisted Living in Longwood, Fla.The process is called poetry facilitation. But to many, it’s nothing short

of magic.

By Marc Middleton

IAlzheimer’s Can’t Be Reversed. But One Woman’s Unique Approach Uses Writing to Give Patients

Dignity, Joy and a Creative Outlet.

“The first time I did this, the caregivers stood there with

their mouths open,” recalls Molly. “They saw people do and

say things that they didn’t know were possible. When the

hour-long session was finished, they asked, ‘How much do

you charge and can you fit us into your schedule?’”

The men and women that Molly is working with today

are among the 5.2 million Americans living with Alzheim-

er’s disease, which according to the Alzheimer’s Associa-

tion is now the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S. and

the only cause among the Top 10 that can’t be prevented,

cured or even slowed.

The Alzheimer’s Association projects that by 2050, an

estimated 16 million Americans will have the disease, with

a new case diagnosed every 33 seconds. The cost of care

will rise to $1.2 trillion a year, making Alzheimer’s the

most expensive health crisis to ever face the nation.

After warmly greeting each of her “poet-patients,” as

she calls them, the session takes flight. Molly says, “I love

birds, don’t you?”

“Oh yes!” answers one of the residents. “They can fly!”

says another.

“You know what … ?” Molly continues, “I’ve got some

items that remind me of birds. May I show them to you?”

And with that, she begins pulling objects from a large

bag and sharing each of the treasures she unveils. There’s

a birdcage, a nest, a peacock feather, a stuffed toy owl and

a bird with a long red tail.

Everyone is encouraged to touch each one as Molly’s

questions slowly awaken their imaginations.

“Look closely at this nest. What is it made of?”

“Sticks!” blurts one woman.

“Exactly! Isn’t it amazing that they collect sticks and

pieces of paper to make a safe home for their babies?”

Molly has gained each group member’s trust by making it

clear that there are no wrong answers. In many ways, wrong

answers have defined their lives since first being diagnosed.

Many Alzheimer’s patients are easily frustrated and quickly

withdraw due to inadequacy or embarrassment.

“May I read you a poem about birds?” Molly asks. “It’s

one of my favorites.”

She reads a short poem and says, as if thinking the

thought for the first time, “You know what? Let’s write

our own poem about birds! I’ll help, but it will be your

words, your poem. I know your poems will be even better

than the ones we just heard.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever written a poem,” someone says.

“I don’t want to,” adds another.

“Let’s try,” encourages Molly. “It’s fun and you’ll be PH

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amazed. It’s kinda magical.”

Intrigued, they agree.

Through trial and error, Molly has developed a process

that uses sensory objects and poetry recitation to stimu-

late long-forgotten memories and flashes of imagination.

“I start with an idea and get the train moving, but you

never really know where it’s going to end up,” she says. “We

were doing a poem about the moon recently and someone

thought I said ‘mule.’ That sparked a memory. So we were

off and running with a poem about mules. Sometimes, you

just have to jump on board and enjoy the ride.”

Molly uses each object that she’s shared, displaying

them on a table in front of her poet-patients as a spring-

board for creative expression.

“What do you think this bird is doing? What is she drink-

ing?”

The answers come slowly at first, but Molly waits pa-

tiently, encouraging, directing, and inspiring.

“Good word! Oh, that’s interesting! I love that!”

As she prompts, she records all of the words, phrases

and even gestures to construct poems on the spot. In just

a couple of moments, without so much as a slight pause,

she announces:

“I think you’ve written a poem. May I read it to you? These

are your words, your poem and your title.”

Alive

A bluebird takes a sip

of clean, fresh rainwater,

enjoys a quick bath.

Splashing!

Flapping!

He shakes the water

from his feathers,

feels alive.

“Beautiful,” says one group member. “We did that!” an-

other proudly exclaims. “I heard my word!” says another.

Some simply sit back with big smiles on their faces and

an obvious sense of satisfaction. The process continues

and another poem is created. “Do you want to hear it?”

Molly asks. “Oh, yes!” they answer in unison. “Your words,

your poem, your title,” she repeats.

A GArden OF BeAuty

Petunias, zinnias, daffodils, roses—

a rainbow of color, a garden of beauty.

the hummingbird drinks nectar.

the robin sings a song of love.

“Read it again!” “Nectar was my word.” “I just wrote a

poem!”

Molly has held the attention of a group of Alzheimer’s

patients, some in more advanced stages of the disease, for

an hour. That’s not an easy thing to do. More importantly,

she has given them a sense of pride and satisfaction.

“That was really great,” says one man. “I enjoyed that.” They

excitedly pose for a group picture and slowly leave the room,

smiling. One man asks Molly for a dance and she accepts. “I

Molly uses sensory objects and recitations to stimulate mem-ories and imaginations. With words and phrases from ses-sion participants, she composes poetry on the spot and then shares it aloud. “You’ll be amazed,” she tells this group in Longwood. “It’s kinda magical.”



love to dance almost as much as I love writing poems,” she

tells him.

Julie Fernandez, executive director of Serenades, one of

the nation’s most progressive memory-care centers, ob-

served the entire session.

“They were nervous at first because many recognize their

limitations and they didn’t know what to expect,” she says.

“They learned right away that there were no wrong an-

swers. They were so engaged; they loved

the fact that Molly listened to them and

that they were 100 percent successful

in what they did. They were thrilled.”

Leigh Elliott, of Team Elliott Educa-

tion, one Florida’s most innovative pro-

viders of lifelong-learning programs and

activities, also sat in on the session.

“Molly engaged them by creating

a secure environment in which they

felt safe and comfortable,” she notes.

“When you’ve lost your confidence, it’s

not easy to speak, it’s not easy to risk

embarrassment; so many Alzheimer’s

patients simply withdraw.”

Molly formats and types the poems and gives them to

the care centers, where they’re displayed in the residents’

rooms, highlighted in newsletters and shared with family

members.

“I try to think like a daughter,” she says. “When resi-

dents start telling stories, I write them down to share with

their families. One of my poet-patients named Barbara was

nearly non-verbal. I noticed her smiling with a beautiful,

far-away look and asked what she was thinking about. ‘The

beach,’ she answered. ‘My sweet escape.’”

Barbara died just days later, and Molly went to her fu-

neral. “I told her daughter that I loved her mother, and that

her last words to me were ‘The beach, my sweet escape.’”

Barbara’s daughter, Molly recalls, was moved to tears

because she and her mother had enjoyed many wonderful

beach getaways. “It was comforting for her to know that

her mother, even in her final days, was still connected in a

deep and meaningful way to their times together.”

Many leading academic, healthcare and caregiving ex-

perts quickly endorsed Molly’s process — but her path

to becoming a poetry pioneer has been

anything but quick.

Molly, who has an MFA in poetry

from one of the most prestigious cre-

ative-writing programs in the coun-

try, has had personal dealings with

Alzheimer’s, a heartbreaking disease

that’s devastating to both its victims

and their family members, who are of-

ten left feeling helpless when a loved

one is stricken.

“I lost both of my parents to Alzheim-

er’s in 2011 and 2012,” she says. “I be-

came increasingly frustrated with much

of their therapy, which I came to believe only dehumanizes

those for whom so much is already being lost. I was deter-

mined to find a way to stimulate their memories and spark

their creativity in an engaging, dignifying way.”

She read everything she could find on dementia and stud-

ied poetry therapy. “I found nothing close to what I envi-

sioned. I acted on a hunch, but it was an educated hunch.”

One of Molly’s most enlightening experiences was ob-

serving what happened when her brother, Tom, moved

their father out of a care facility and into his home.

“When Dad’s Alzheimer’s progressed, my mother moved

him into a facility where he had very little stimulation,”

she recalls. “Tom wanted him to experience a high qual-

“I start with an idea and get the train

moving, but you never really know where

it’s going to end up…sometimes,you just

have to jump on board and enjoy the ride.”

5GB_Sept14_Feature.indd 19 8/18/14 3:59:43 PM


ity of life until the disease made that no longer possible.

He moved Dad into his house, where

he interacted with him in an authentic,

fun-loving way. He simply got up each

morning, gauged Dad’s disposition and

invented interesting things for them

to do. They’d sit on Tom’s motorcycle,

watch sports on TV, Skype with rela-

tives, take photos or jump in the car and

take drives.”

Adds Molly: “Dad experienced a fan-

tastic quality of life because Tom didn’t

mourn the loss of a father; he celebrated

a newfound friend. He was willing to go

on this journey with Dad. I wasn’t able

to do that at the time, but that’s exactly

what I do now.”

It’s ironic, Molly notes, that “despite

all of my education and research, I ulti-

mately learned from someone who wasn’t constrained by or

concerned with the accepted protocol. He only cared about

giving Dad the dignity that he deserved.”

Molly is now among those who are flipping the rules

for interacting with Alzheimer’s patients. And here’s what

she’s concluded:

“Everybody says they’re going away. And they are. You

can’t pull them back. You can only go with them. Live in

the moment with them and make that moment as joyous as

possible. Yes, your relationship changes, but you still have

the power to bring joy and meaning and love to their lives.

And even those who no longer recognize their family can

still be happy. They can still have a quality of life.”

But before Molly could find a way to help others, she had

to find a way to help herself. In 2007, she was married to

her high-school sweetheart, a successful financial advisor,

had four amazing children and had just fulfilled a dream by

opening her own fashion boutique in trendy Scottsdale.

Within a year, however, the housing crisis hit, the stock

market crashed, her marriage began to fail and her bou-

tique went out of business.

“I was overwhelmed and had no idea what to do,” she ad-

mits. Needing work, she applied for a position with the Phoe-

nix Teaching Fellows, a sister program of Teach for America,

a non-profit whose mission is to eliminate educational in-

equality by enlisting high-achieving college graduates and

professionals to teach in low-income communities.

Molly was the oldest applicant accepted, and after a

rigorous six-week training program, was assigned a 7th-

grade class in an impoverished Hispanic community where

English is a second language.

She formed a bond with her students

and began dealing with not only their

academic needs, but with their social,

health and family issues as well.

“It’s impossible to separate one need

from another,” Molly says. “I took break-

fast to school for those who weren’t fed

at home. I received texts in the middle

of the night saying their fathers were

beating them. I was a teacher, social

worker, guidance counselor and more.”

At the same time, Molly had her own

child at home and three in college. Plus

her divorce was being finalized and her fa-

ther‘s health was rapidly deteriorating.

Recalls Molly: “One day the princi-

pal came into my classroom and whis-

Molly’s path to becoming a poetry pioneer has been rocky at times. After a series of personal setbacks, she decided to enroll in an MFA program and specialize in poetry. While in the program, she became convinced that poetry could benefit dementia patients.

“I meet the most amazing people. It’s such a gift to know them now. I don’t

know them as people who have lost

something. I know them as people who

are hungry for stimulation, hungry for

fun and hungry for love.”



pered, ‘Your father is on life support and they’re going to

take him off.’ I rushed to the hospital, said good-bye and

watched him go. From that moment on, my mom’s health

began to fail.”

Molly resigned her teaching position to

care for her mother, who was diagnosed

with Alzheimer’s a few months later.

“I wasn’t working,” she says. “I was

caring for a child and an ailing mother.

I grew depressed and hit rock bottom

mentally. I got help for my depression,

but I needed a lifeline, something I could

do for myself. I asked myself, ‘What am

I good at? Where do I feel safe?’ The an-

swer came immediately. School. I decid-

ed to get a Master’s Degree.”

Molly was accepted into the low-residency MFA creative

writing program at Lesley University in Cambridge, Mass.,

where the professors encouraged her to study poetry. “I’ve

always been a writer but had never written a poem, but

something made me say, ‘What the hell. Why not?’”

As she was preparing to leave for one of her 10-day, on-

campus residencies, she received a call from her mother,

whose speech was slurred. “She said, ‘Can you come over yes-

terday? Something is wrong. There’s blood everywhere.’”

Her mother had fallen in the middle of the night, frac-

turing her skull. That led to a series of

hospitalizations and multiple strokes.

The fall and the strokes accelerated her

cognitive decline, and she now required

full-time care. Molly called the university

and dropped out of the MFA program.

“When I got up the following morning,

I felt like I was quitting on myself,” she

recalls. “I called the university and told

them everything. I shared my issues and

asked if they could accommodate them.”

She says the professors were amaz-

ing and encouraged her to continue. The struggle, they be-

lieved, would only make her a better writer. Little did she

know how right they were.

Siblings Tom, Molly and Marc Middleton lost their parents, both of whom were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, in 2011 and 2012. Tom Middleton cared for his dad as the disease pro-gressed.

“Dad experienced a fantastic quality of life because Tom didn’t mourn the loss of a father; he celebrated a

newfound friend.”

5GB_Sept14_Feature.indd 21 8/19/14 2:44:42 PM


During her first semester, her mother passed away.

“I began thinking about what I had seen in care cen-

ters, what Tom did with Dad and what I was studying in

school,” she says. “I began to believe in the power of poetry

to engage Alzheimer’s patients. Music has proven to be an

amazing tool. Why not poetry?”

Molly also decided that she needed a fresh start, and

made a bold move. She left the city in which she’d lived

for 40 years and moved to Dallas. Once settled in, she con-

tacted the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Dallas and

shared her vision.

“They were incredibly encouraging and helpful,” she re-

calls. “They said, ‘You have something here. Here are some

of the top memory-care centers in Dallas. Call them up. Tell

them you have our blessing and develop your program.’”

The rest, as they say, is history. Soon, even as she was

finishing her MFA, Molly was working full-time and is now

on the association’s board of directors. Demand for her

services has exploded.

“The sum total of my life experiences, many of which I

thought were complete failures, suddenly came together,”

she says. “Everything that’s been so hard and so painful

has enabled me to heal myself and to help others.”

Working with inner-city students taught her high-im-

pact teaching strategies and being a mom taught her how

to multitask. Adds Molly: “Being a mom is the greatest

work experience there is. Never sell that short.”

Molly Middleton Meyer has found purpose in her own

pain, and says that working with Alzheimer’s patients is

a way of honoring her mother and father.

“I look in their faces and see my mom and my dad,” she

says. “I meet the most amazing people. It’s such a gift to

only know them now. I don’t know them as people who have

lost something. I know them as people who are hungry for

stimulation, hungry for fun and hungry for love.”

As for Molly’s personal struggles, she knows there will

likely be more. That’s life. But she now knows she can han-

dle whatever lies ahead.

“Eventually you have to save yourself,” she says. “Wallow

for a while, if you must, but get up and start fighting. You

simply have to keep moving, and it’s not a linear process. You

can take five steps forward and find yourself 10 steps back.

“But if you keep moving, better days will be ahead. And

ask others for help, because they will help. It’s amazing

how eager they are to help.” n

Molly Middleton Meyer is an advocate for the millions

of men and women with dementia. She’s a published

poet and author who travels nationally to conduct fa-

cilitations, workshops, seminars and training programs

one-on-one in private homes and with groups in assisted-

living and memory-care centers. She is also available for

consultations and speaking engagements. For more infor-

mation about Molly’s work, visit mindseyepoetry.com.

The Coming of theAlzheimer’s TsunamiUnless we find a cure or a way of preventing it, Alzheimer’s will take an increasingly heavy toll. Improving your lifestyle, eating healthy foods, staying active and challenging yourself with new activities can delay the onset of dementia. Long-term care insurance can be a good way to ensure quality care and protect your assets. However, you won’t be able to purchase it after a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. More than 5.2 million Americans are living with the dis-ease, including approximately 200,000 individu-als younger than age 65 who have early-onset Alzheimer’s.n Nearly 50 percent of people in their 80s devel-op Alzheimer’s disease or some other form of de-mentia. Two-thirds of those afflicted are women.n Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States and is the only cause of death among the top 10 that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed once it begins.n Every 67 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s. By 2050, someone in the U.S. will be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s ev-ery 33 seconds.n Alzheimer’s disease is the most expensive condition in the nation. In 2014, the direct costs to American society of caring for those with Al-zheimer’s will total an estimated $214 billion. Al-zheimer’s will cost an estimated $1.2 trillion in 2050.n In 2013, 15.5 million caregivers provided an estimated 17.7 billion hours of unpaid care, val-ued at more than $220 billion.Source: Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org)

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Dr. Mitchell Supler brings 17 years of experience to NeuroSpine Institute. Dr. Supler graduated with honors from the University of Florida College of Medicine in 1989, receiving the Lyerly Award for excellence in Neurosurgery. He completed his residency in Neurosurgery at the University of Florida in 1996, having trained with Dr. Masson. Dr. Supler was trained by Dr. Albert Rhoton, the father of microneurosurgery while at the University of Florida, in advanced microneurosurgical anatomy and surgery.

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Behind the Scenes

BOLDER DOCUMENTARIANSARE ON THE ROAD AGAINIn our last issue, we shared the exciting news that we’re hard

at work on the � rst � lm from Bolder Docs, Conquering Kili-

manjaro. We recently traveled to Jackson, Miss., and Katy

and Austin, Texas, to interview three of the cancer survivors

who made the grueling climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro. One of the

highlights of the trip was spending some time with Lives-

trong CEO Doug Ulman, a three-time cancer survivor him-

self, at the organization’s Austin headquarters. Watch for

Growing Bolder CEO Marc Middleton’s conversation with

Doug in the documentary and in upcoming feature stories

on Growing Bolder TV.

LIFE LESSONS FROMTHE AMAZING ROSELIOWe can’t wait for you to meet 101-year-old Roselio Mu-

niz. This delightful man recently invited us into his

home to explain the secrets of his longevity, vitality

and passion for life. Whether it’s mixing up his favorite

morning smoothie or hitting the stationary bike every

afternoon, this Rock Star of Aging™ will inspire you

to believe that it’s never too late to live boldly. We’ll be

sharing his story � rst on GrowingBolder.com, so click

on over and get ready to be amazed.

WENDY’S BACK IN THE STUDIOFOR ‘SURVIVING & THRIVING’Wendy Chioji recently returned from her home in Park City, Utah,

to tape segments for upcoming episodes of our Emmy Award-

nominated program, Surviving & Thriving. She was thrilled to be

joined by two new faces, WKMG Local 6 anchors Bridgett Ellison

and David Hall. Watch for their � rst appearances on our show this

fall on WKMG. Visit survivingandthriving.tv for airdates and to

watch inspiring stories of those overcoming life’s toughest chal-

lenges.

8GB_Sept14_Behind the Scenes.indd 24 8/18/14 11:16:32 AM

GROWINGBOLDERMAGAZINE.COM GROWING BOLDER 25

ELIZABETH ST. HILAIRE NELSON“The best thing about getting older

is being more con� dent. When I was

young, I always expected to work for

someone else in my career. I never ex-

pected to be my own boss and be self

employed.”

KAREN PUTZ“The best thing about growing older

is that I’m Growing Bolder instead!

When I was younger, I thought I’d be

a famous novelist. I’m just getting

started now. When I was much young-

er, I thought 49 would be ancient and

most of the fun would be over. My

younger self could have never imag-

ined being able to barefoot waterski

backwards on one foot at 49!”

LIZ KITCHENS“Time magazine’s science correspon-

dent Jeffrey Kluger contends creativ-

ity increases with age. At the age of

61, I’ve never felt more creative. Cre-

ativity infuses most aspects of my

life, from the art I create to the meals

I prepare. As a youngster, I could not

imagine living to be 61. I remember

having limited dreams — I might be-

come a teacher, a wife, a mother. While I’m thrilled to have

held two of those roles, I’m perhaps most proud of becom-

ing an independent, entrepreneurial woman.”

SANDY SCOTT“No one enjoyed their career more

than I. I loved being an airline pilot

so much that I would have done it for

free, if I’d had a way to support myself.

Having said that, retirement exceeds

the best job in the world. There’s time

to enjoy the fruits of your labor and

engage in the activities that give you

satisfaction. And there are never any

deadlines to meet. Interestingly, my life now is exactly as

I envisioned it. I envisioned a wonderful, carefree, active,

� nancially secure retirement and, at the age of 74, that is

exactly what I have.”

OLEDA BAKER“One of the best parts about getting

older is the joy of having so many

good friends for such a long time, as

well as remembering all the things

I’ve been able to do throughout my

life. I also appreciate having a wide

view on life and experiences. When I

was younger, I thought I would have

aches and pains and not be strong or

healthy, like so many people I saw at that age. I thought

80 was old. I found out it’s not, if you take care of your-

self.” ■

Team GB Elite

GB EXTRA Visit GrowingBolderMagazine.com to read more

from the Team GB Elite bloggers.

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The Team GB Elite bloggers embody hope, inspiration and pos-sibility — and prove that it’s never too late to create the life you want. They write fascinating posts on everything from healthy aging to extreme sports to exciting journeys. Visit elite.growing-bolder.com to meet members of Team GB Elite. This month, we wanted to � nd out how their views of aging have evolved. So we posed the following questions: What’s the best thing about get-ting older? When you were younger, what did you think your life would be like at your current age? How is it different than that image?

12GB_Sept14_GB Elite.indd 25 8/18/14 3:58:20 PM


It took a great deal of planning and

coordination, but the effort paid

off at the 2014 USA Track and Field

Masters Outdoor in Winston-Salem,

N.C.

Champion Goldy Sr., 97; Orville Rog-

ers, 96; Roy Englert, 92; Charles Ross,

91; and Charles Boyle, 91, became the

� rst over-90 relay team in history to

compete at an of� cial track meet — and

in the process set three world records.

Rogers, Englert, Ross and Goldy set

the world record in the 4x100 and Boyle

replaced Gordy in the world record-set-

ting 4x400 and 4x800 relays.

“This was never done before,” Boyle

says. “Our only requirement was to

cross the � nish line alive. We didn’t

break records. We set them. Now, every-

one else has to take a shot at it.”

“Getting a team together wasn’t easy,” adds Ross, who

was in charge of organizing the record-setting attempt.

The only requirements were that participants had to be

over 90 and willing to show up in Winston-Salem. They

could simply walk their leg of the relay. Still, Ross had few

takers. Many didn’t want to travel and most were afraid

of falling.

“For three months I slaved on this project,” Ross recalls.

“I was on the Internet. I was phoning people until I got a

great team together. I had never met any of them before,

though I’d read about them and their racing records over

the years.”

Ross put together a pool of nearly 10 runners, knowing

that some would back out or wouldn’t make it to the start-

ing line for one reason or another.

One member cancelled because he had cancer and thought

he wouldn’t survive the weekend. Others had illnesses that

kept them from traveling. One had a wife who died.

When the � ve runners who arrived Winston-Salem met

the night before their � rst event, they told one another:

“Now four of us just have to make it another 24 hours.”

No one laughed. It wasn’t a joke.

No one on the team ever thought they would set a world

record. In fact, most never even thought about running

until later in life. Goldy’s � rst competition was in his 70s

and Englert didn’t start running until he was in his 60s.

“People make themselves old when they say, ‘I’m too old

to do this and too old to do that,’” Englert says.

The good news is you can also make yourself young by

getting off the couch and getting moving. Regular physical

activity is the Fountain of Youth.™

Just ask the new world record holders. ■

The Fountain of YouthTM

GB EXTRA Visit GrowingBolderMagazine.com to see more stories celebrating the Fountain of Youth.™

Defying ExpectationsOver-90 Relay Team Shocks the World.

By Marc Middleton

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It wasn’t easy to assemble a group of people at least 90 years of age to compete on a relay team in an offi cially sanctioned track meet. In fact, it had never been done before. But this squad of nonagenerian athletes ended up setting three age-group world records at the USA Track and Field Masters Outdoor in Winston-Salem.

12GB_Sept14_Fountain of Youth.indd 26 8/18/14 11:25:09 AM

GROWINGBOLDERMAGAZINE.COM GROWING BOLDER 27

Pam Sain’s life changed in an instant with a diag-

nosis. Not hers, but her father’s. When she learned

her dad had esophageal cancer, she stepped right

into the role of caregiver.

She had no idea what she was in for.

Initially, Pam decided to � y to Kansas to be by his side for

a few weeks. That trip stretched into nine heart-wrenching

months. “I was camping out at the hospital morning until

night,” she recalls. “You can’t take the chance that you’ll

miss something critical.”

The plight of the caregiver is an unheralded story, one

that few know much about.

“It’s not an easy job,” says Pam. “There were many times

when I didn’t sleep for days. It’s a huge responsibility, and

the pressure is overwhelming. I would get physically ill,

wondering if I was making the right decisions.”

The number of people caring for relatives who are

chronically ill, disabled or aged has spiked to 29 percent

of the U.S. population, according to the National Alliance

on Caregiving. Caregiving is stressful, frustrating and con-

suming — but Pam says it’s also a sel� ess act of love.

“A lot of people can’t understand how I could leave my

own family to spend that kind of time with my father,”

she re� ects. “But he knew I was there for him, and that he

didn’t have to go through [the illness] alone. That meant

everything to him, and to me, too.”

Pam lost her father, but her desire to help others didn’t

die. She has become an advocate for those battling esopha-

geal cancer and has used her connections in the commu-

nity to create fundraising events that bene� t the Florida

Hospital Cancer Institute.

She’s personally responsible for bringing cutting-edge

lifesaving diagnostic equipment to her community.

“There’s a lot of grati� cation in knowing you’re changing

something or making a difference,” she adds. “It’s some-

thing money could never buy.” ■

Love’s Final ActBy Bill Shafer

Caregiving Can Take a Physical and Emotional Toll.

Surviving & ThrivingTM

During her father’s battle against esophageal cancer, Pam real-ized how physically and emotionally wrenching caregiving can be. But it also inspired her to help others suffering from the disease that claimed her father’s life.

Pam Sain’s story was featured in an episode of our Emmy Award-nominated show “Surviving & Thriv-ing,” which airs quarterly in primetime on WKMG Local 6. Visit survivingandthriving.tv for air dates, to watch complete episodes and to share your story of survival. Give the gift of hope to someone struggling through a diffi cult time and draw inspiration from the messages and examples shared by others.

11GB_Sept14_Surviving and Thriving.indd 27 8/18/14 11:24:16 AM


Who doesn’t love the leaves changing color, the

crisp air following a hot and humid summer

and the � avors that you can � nd only this time

of year?

Unbeknownst to most people, pumpkins, squash, grapes

and potatoes are in season in the fall. All of them provide a

great amount of vitamins and nutrients such as vitamins

C, B6 and A as well as potassium, magnesium and carote-

noids. And they’re low in calories.

You’ll also � nd beta carotene, which is excellent for your

eyesight, in any of the popular orange foods of fall.

Here are some other fabulous and � avorful fall foods

that are both tasty and healthy:

■ Grapes. Grapes from California are available May

through January, meaning they’re one of the few fruits to

span three seasons. Grapes may contribute to a healthy

heart by improving vascular function, reducing blood lip-

ids and preventing platelet aggregation, which can lead to

clot formation. Fresh grapes have the same heart-healthy

compounds as red wine, including the phytonutrient res-

veratrol. Mix it up with grapes, from salads to sandwiches,

sides to smoothies. With 90 calories, no fat, no cholesterol

and virtually no sodium, they’re a nutritional bargain.

■ Apples. Apples of different varieties have varying

tastes and levels of sweetness and tartness. The � ber in

an apple can help with weight management and digestive

health, and two-thirds of the antioxidants are found in the

peel. Best of all, one large apple is only 130 calories. If you

� nd it dif� cult to chomp down on these crunchy treats,

slice it up into smaller, more manageable pieces.

■ Pumpkins. Pumpkins scream, “Autumn has arrived”

to me. Incorporate the � esh of the pumpkin into pumpkin

pancakes, souf� és, ravioli or soups. Get it canned for ease

of use in recipes or bake it whole. Make sure you retrieve

the seeds if you go that route, so you can roast them in the

oven and sprinkle them with sea salt for a yummy snack

packed in � ber and protein.

■ Butternut squash. You can put roasted cubes of but-

ternut squash into risottos or cold salads, rice dishes or

casseroles. Put squash halves on a cookie sheet for an

hour in the oven. Or remove the skin and cut the � esh into

chunks for sautéing or steaming. For soup or pasta, mash

or puree it into the broth or sauce.

■ Sweet potatoes. You can prepare sweet potatoes in the

fall by oven-roasting with mustard, garlic and rosemary.

For a simple treat, poke the skin and bake, adding cinna-

mon and a touch of brown sugar once the � esh is soft.

Sound good? Let the � avors of the fall season warm you

and delight your palate this special time of the year. ■

Embrace Fall FlavorsBy Tara Gidus, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N

Here Are 5 Foods to Improve Your Health.

Bolder Nutrition

Tara Gidus is the co-au-thor of “Flat Belly Cook-book for Dummies” and host of the national TV show, “Emotional Mojo.” She’s team dietitian for the NBA’s Orlando Magic and offi cial nu-tritionist for runDisney. You can learn more by visiting Tara’s website, dietdiva.com.

7GB_Sept14_Nutrition.indd 28 8/18/14 11:30:57 AM

7GB_Sept14_Nutrition.indd 29 8/18/14 11:31:02 AM


Ican’t believe I’m 86. You wake up every morning and

you do your thing and the next thing you know, you’re

86.

I don’t know how other people are about these things,

but I’ve never thought about my age. I had a playwright

friend who was so depressed when he turned 30. And then I

had another friend who got depressed when he turned 40.

I never got depressed about my age. I never even thought

about it until I got to be 80. And then I thought, “Oh, my. Oh,

my. I’m 80!” That seemed like a really huge number to me.

But I didn’t dwell on it. I didn’t let it stop me from doing

what I wanted to do. I just kept on going. And there I was,

at 86, starring on Broadway in “The Velocity of Autumn.”

The terrible thing is, as you age, you begin to let people

do things for you — and soon you believe that you can’t do

those things for yourself. And you just can’t let that hap-

pen. You’ve got to keep doing for yourself.

If someone says, “Take my seat” on the subway, I say, “No

thanks, I’d rather stand up.” You’ve got to keep moving your

body around. That’s the key to keep going for a long, long

time. That’s what life is all about — constant movement.

We can’t stand still.

At one point in “The Velocity of Autumn,” my character,

in a sense of despair, says, “What the world is taking away

from me, what time is taking away from me, what God is

taking away from me is me.”

Staying active and healthy and engaged has helped me

hang on to me. ■

Staying PowerBy Estelle Parsons

At 86 I’m Still Standing, and I’m Not Standing Still.

The Takeaway

Estelle Parsons is well-known for her Academy Award-winning performance in “Bonnie and Clyde” and her 10 years as Mother Bev on the sitcom “Roseanne.” She recently received some of the highest praise of her long career for her Tony Award-nominated role in the Broadway play “The Velocity of Autumn.” Just hours after her nomination was announced, produc-ers decided to close the show. The 86-year-old, who’s starred in 30 shows during her 58 years on Broadway, took it all in stride. She recently appeared on the Growing Bolder Radio Show and gave us something to think about — a Growing Bolder takeaway.

GB EXTRA Visit GrowingBolderMagazine.com to listen to our entire conversation with Estelle Parsons and � nd out the � rst thing she said when her show closed.

“The terrible thing is, as you age, you begin to let people do things for you — and soon you believe

that you can’t do those things for yourself. And you just can’t let that happen. You’ve got to keep

doing for yourself.”

Download the new Healthy 100 Habits app from Florida Hospital, and choose from more than 100+ habits that will keep you living to a Healthy 100.

This app doesn’t just help you lose weight or eat better. Healthy goals could also include spending more time with family, setting aside time for spiritual renewal and making sure you get a full night’s rest.

H10

0-13

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59

Turn your healthy choices into healthy habits.

Which healthy habit will you create?

FREE for iPhone™ or Android™ devices

H100-13-11459_GrowingBolderMag-Nov/Dec.indd 1 10/1/13 1:38 PM

10GB_Sept14_Takeaway.indd 30 8/18/14 11:35:34 AM

The Takeaway

Download the new Healthy 100 Habits app from Florida Hospital, and choose from more than 100+ habits that will keep you living to a Healthy 100.

This app doesn’t just help you lose weight or eat better. Healthy goals could also include spending more time with family, setting aside time for spiritual renewal and making sure you get a full night’s rest.

H10

0-13

-114

59

Turn your healthy choices into healthy habits.

Which healthy habit will you create?

FREE for iPhone™ or Android™ devices

H100-13-11459_GrowingBolderMag-Nov/Dec.indd 1 10/1/13 1:38 PM


“� e Mayflower is an incredible safety net.”At The Mayfl ower, Nancy Klingler benefi ts from the wisdom of proactive planning. She enjoys her stunning, customized villa – along with a maintenance-free lifestyle that enables her to travel regularly and maintain her social circle. And having moved here with her late husband Bob, the advantages extend even further.

“We’d always planned to make the move later on, but we fast-tracked our decision when Bob became ill,” Nancy says. “He wanted to make sure I was taken care of – and I am. You never know what will happen in the future, so you have to prepare. No matter what comes my way, The Mayfl ower is an incredible safety net that provides a sense of security – for me and my children.”

What’s your plan for the future? Call today, and let’s talk about it: 407.672.1620.

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growing bolder september/october 2014

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