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Mental Health Association of Fayette County provides free services to area residents
By Melissa Gibson
Whether it’s assistance with day-to-day needs or transportation to take part in community outings, volunteers at the Mental Health Association of Fayette County are there to help clients with behavioral health needs.
Pam Bailor, chief executive officer of MHA, said the nonprofit provides a number of free programs to county residents.
Bailor said one of MHA’s longest-standing programs is the Oak House Drop-In Center in Uniontown. From Monday through Saturday, clients can participate in a variety of activities including board games, bingo and pool. They can also spend time in the community, taking trips to parks, baseball games or theater performances.
Other programs assist individuals with daily needs, from preventing homelessness to managing finances. Bailor said the nonprofit also runs the Payee Program. The organization manages the bank accounts of about 100 clients who receive Social Security benefits, to help them pay bills.
Helping Hands is another one of MHA’s programs.
“We noticed several years ago when individuals in our other programs would stop taking their medication or their medication wasn’t working as well, they would end up losing everything they had gained,” Bailor said. “We will go in, pack up their possessions and store them until the person is released from the hospital or becomes stable enough to live on their own. This way, they don’t have to start
back at zero.”
Bailor said those in need of mental health services can easily become overwhelmed in a complex situation. MHA helps by putting individuals in touch with the right agency and the right resources.
“It frustrates me when I hear there are not enough mental health (programs) out there. There are a ton of programs and supports but if someone isn’t helping them connect with those, they stop trying,” Bailor said.
Like so many nonprofits this year, they are operating on a shoestring budget and rely on fundraisers to help make ends meet.
“All of the funds we raise go directly toward supporting our clients,” Bailor said. “We often have someone come in who has lost everything, and they literally need clean clothes.
Follow Fayette County Mental Health Association on Facebook for additional ways to support MHA and its members.
Courtesy of the Herald-Standard
The Mental Health Association of Fayette County conducts outreach to let area residents know about the programs offered by the nonprofit.
UPMC Washington expands women’s services with UPMC Magee-Womens
By Karen Mansfield
Elijah Dowling sported a onesie bearing the sentiment “New Around Here” while his mom, Rhiannon Jackson, held him Tuesday, one day after he was born at UPMC Magee-Womens in UPMC Washington.
Elijah’s birth wasn’t the only event the hospital celebrated Tuesday afternoon.
UPMC Washington held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark its latest expansion of services with UPMC.
UPMC Magee-Womens in Washington is expanding the presence of UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital’s women’s health services, bringing nationally recognized care closer to home for families in Washington County and surrounding communities.
UPMC Magee-Womens will offer specialized women’s health-care services including enhanced pre- and post-natal care and gynecological oncology services.
The goal is to keep women’s health ser-
vices close to home, support women and families, and make sure women don’t have to travel to Pittsburgh or other areas to get the care they need.
“When we joined UPMC in June 2024, we made a promise to the community to bring UPMC signature services to Washington and Greene counties, and we’re fulfilling that promise here today,” said Brook Ward, president of UPMC Washington and UPMC Greene. “UPMC is here to grow with Washington and continue to deliver world-class care closer to home.”
Ward noted UPMC committed to investing $300 million over 10 years into UPMC Washington and UPMC Greene for facility upgrades and program enhancements following their merger in June 2024.
The expansion of women’s health services is part of UPMC’s plan to make UPMC Washington a key regional hub, and the sixth hub of the UPMC system. Its footprint in Washington County also includes UPMC Children’s, UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.
Dr. Mackenzy Radolec, a Peters Township High School graduate who specializes in gynecologic oncology – which focuses on diagnosing and treating cancers of the female reproductive system, including ovarian, cervical, uterine, vaginal and vulvar cancers – said, “It’s really exciting for me because I can now bring the specialized care that I trained for back to the community I grew up in.
“The same care I provide for patients with gynecological cancers that we give in Oakland, they can now get that same
treatment much closer to home in Washington, so we perform surgery here to manage gynecologic cancers and we work closely with UPMC Hillman Cancer Center to administer radiation and chemotherapy, which means that women in this area can have comprehensive cancer care without having to travel to Pittsburgh,” said Radolec. “Not having to travel for treatment makes a big difference for patients, and you couple it with the fact that you’re getting treated by a healthcare system that is nationally recognized and is known for gynecologic care, and that’s great.”
More specialty services are planned for the future.
Annmarie Lyons, vice president of UPMC Magee-Womens Health Service LIne, said UPMC Magee-Womens “is a name synonymous with excellence in women’s health, noting the hospital is consistently ranked among the top hospitals in the United States for women’s health and is home to one of the country’s largest obstetrics programs, delivering about 10,000 babies a year in the Pittsburgh area.
For Rhiannon Jackson, who delivered Elijah’s big brother, Cole, 4, at the hospital, there was never any doubt about where she would go for maternity care.
“For us to be able to drive down the street and have such a wonderful team, it means more than I can put into words,” said Jackson. “When you’re here, there could be 20 women in this unit, but it feels like you’re the only person they’re focused on.
Courtesy of the Observer-Reporter
Parents Seth Dowling and Rhiannon Jackson hold their son, Elijah
Wesley Health Center provides safety net to the uninsured
By Melissa Gibson
More than three decades ago, Wesley Health Center opened its doors to provide medical service to those without insurance.
Not long after, it became a place for providing health care for all individuals 18 and older.
“Many people were having trouble paying their deductible, the co-pay or the extra fees so we decided as long as we were able, we would open it up to anyone, whether they had health insurance or not,” said Marilyn Weaver, executive director at WHC.
The Connellsville clinic provides primary care and vision services and hosts free flu and vaccination clinics. It is the only free clinic in Southwestern Pennsylvania, Waver said.
Community partnerships allow WHC to provide services like lab work or more advanced testing to patients. For example, staff at WHC can draw blood and send it to an Independence Health System facility for analysis at no additional charge.
The goal, said Weaver, is to proactively address health concerns before they require emergency treatment.
“When you can afford it, you don’t think much about it, but there shouldn’t be a stigma about healthy living or health care,” Weaver said. “This area has a lot of diabetics for example, and with a 5-minute retinal scan, we can arrange for them to receive help at UPMC if needed. Looking in the eye is one of the only ways you can see inside the body without surgery.”
Weaver has talked to patients who would miss blood pressure and other medications if it weren’t for the help WHC provides.
While the clinic does not have medications on site, the doctor on staff can work with patients to find the most affordable options.
Weaver said she often sees patients whose lives have been saved by stopping by with symptoms.
“I hope people realize that the health center is open to anyone,” Weaver said. “I’ve seen patients who thought they were having an asthma attack but were having a heart attack.”
WHC remains open, thanks to generous donors, local businesses, fundraising and grants.
Bud Murphy’s hosted its 31st annual golf outing this summer, donating proceeds to WHC. The Lions Club, Rotary Club, VFW, local churches and businesses continue to donate funds for the free flu shot program each winter.
“We’re thankful for the support. The way people are having trouble making ends meet today, they can still have excellent health care through WHC,” Weaver said. Visit https://wesleyhealthcenter.org/ hours/ for more information.
Courtesy of the Herald-Standard
West Finley woman’s 80th birthday becomes charity endeavor
By Paul Paterra Priscella
Layne didn’t want any gifts for her 80th birthday, figuring she has everything she needs.
Instead, the West Finley woman’s celebration of eight decades of life became a charity endeavor.
Layne turned 80 Tuesday, but a party in her honor was held Dec. 13 at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum and was attended by more than 100 guests.
“We asked people to not bring gifts for Mom,” explained Denise Leigh, one of Layne’s three daughters. “She’s 80, and she needs nothing.”
With that in mind, 80 stockings were stuffed with needed items that were donated for distribution to students in the McGuffey School District. The party invitation included a list of suggested items to bring instead of gifts.
Leigh said every stocking contains hygiene items such as a hairbrush, shower gel, wash cloth, toothbrush and toothpaste, as well as small toys and card games (more than 70 card games were donated). There also were cash donations.
“After we packed all of the stockings, we decided there needed to be more hygiene-oriented things,” Layne said. “We had the fun things, with the toys and games that were stuffed in these stockings. (The hygiene items) were what the money was used for. Everybody was so generous. We’re still getting donations.”
Both Layne and Leigh, both McGuffey alumni, worked for many years in the school district – Layne as a paraprofes-
sional with special needs students and Leigh as a teacher and the head of McGuffey Teen Action, a philanthropic endeavor, which will distribute the stockings.
“We have a lot of under-resourced students in the district,” Leigh explained. Stockings were a special part of her childhood.
“When I was a child, it was always a big deal to find little treasures in your stocking,” Layne said. “Our stockings hung at the bottom of our beds. I remember get-
ting up early in the morning being so surprised as to what was in those stockings.” Layne, who is handy with crafts, has quilted stockings for her eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Layne said another great-grandchild is on the way.
Leigh, a South Fayette resident, said her mom is not the typical octogenarian.
“On her 80th birthday, she made a snow angel,” Leigh said. “She played in the snow and made a Priscella snow angel.”
Courtesy of the Herald-Standard
Priscella Layne with many of the 80 stuffed stockings at her 80th birthday celebration
What seniors can do to safeguard their mental health
Mental health has increasingly been noted as a key ingredient to an individual health regimen. The stigma once assigned to mental health issues has largely dissipated, and many people now recognize that mental health should be just as big a priority as physical health.
Seniors may not have come of age in a world where mental health was prioritized, and thanks to that aging men and women may not recognize where their mental health is suffering and what they can do to combat such problems. Recognition of the importance of mental health is a step in the right direction, and seniors also can consider these strategies to safeguard their mental health.
· Recognize your vulnerability. The World Health Organization notes older adults are uniquely vulnerable to potential mental health issues. That’s because mental health is shaped by numerous variables, including earlier life experiences and some notable stressors related to aging, such as a decline in functional ability that can cause psychological distress. Seniors also are more likely than others to experience adverse events like the loss of a loved one or even a loss of purpose, which can affect anyone upon retirement. Recognition of this vulnerability may be enough to compel seniors to seek advice and assistance on how to safeguard their mental health from age-related stressors.
· Take time out if you’re a caregiver. The WHO notes that many older adults serve as caregivers for spouses with chronic health conditions, including dementia. The Alzheimer’s Association reports that
studies have found that 70 percent of caregivers report feeling stress related to coordination of care, while two in three caregivers have difficulty finding resources and support for their needs. Seniors who have taken on caregiving duties for a loved one must protect their own mental health by taking time out to care for themselves as well. Work with family members to share responsibilities when caring for a loved one. If family members cannot pitch in, then work with local government agencies to alleviate some of the stress of caregiving.
· Make a concerted effort to socialize. A 2025 report from the WHO indicated that roughly one-fourth of all older adults are affected by social isolation and loneliness. Social connection can significantly im-
prove mental health and provide a sense of life satisfaction while improving quality of life. Seniors are urged to prioritize socialization. Many community-based groups, including government offices, run programs designed specifically to facilitate socialization among older residents. Take advantage of such programs whenever possible. Seniors living alone also may want to consider relocating to communities exclusive to people age 55 and over, as such developments typically offer an array of socialization opportunities to residents.
Seniors are particularly vulnerable to mental health issues, but older adults can take many steps to safeguard their mental health.
Courtesy of Metro Creative
Millions of people will be diagnosed with various dementias, and individuals may wonder if there is anything they can do to prevent or delay cognitive decline. A study published in July 2021 in the journal Neurology found people who read regularly had a lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who did not. Reading improves memory, attention, processing speed, and other factors in older adults by stimulating the brain through the activation of multiple cognitive processes. Reading promotes the creation of new neural connections and strengthens existing ones, helping to maintain brain health, according to a 2023 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association
of Metro Creative
New year, new you? Keep resolutions by setting realistic goals
By Karen Mansfield
With the new year – 2026! – many people are starting to think about what kinds of changes – big and small – they’d like to make in their lives.
Some people don’t participate in New Year’s resolutions, but many feel the pressure to start off the new year with specific goals.
On average, resolutions don’t last long, with many failing within the first month or two: the second Friday in January, often called “Quitter’s Day,” is a common time when hordes of people throw in the towel and revert to their old ways.
While nearly half of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, only about 25% of people actually stay committed to their resolutions after just 30 days, according to Columbia University, and even fewer –less than 10% – accomplish their goals.
Why do resolutions fail so often?
They often fail because people get “overambitious with their goals,” said Dr. Alicia J. Kaplan, medical director of the Allegheny Health Network’s Center for Adult Anxiety.
Setting resolutions can be a good idea, Kaplan said.
“Emotionally, it gives us a sense of feeling like we have a fresh start, a concrete start, and our brains like that,” said Kaplan. “There are plusses toward it, but sometimes we tend to get overambitious with our goals and when they’re too big or too vague, they’re unachievable, and that can set us up for a lack of momentum.”
Kaplan said that when it comes to setting
goals and kicking habits, it’s best to start small.
“It’s better to have small, achievable goals that give us the benefit of seeing small changes and not having unrealistic expectations that we might start off strong but start to wane when we don’t meet those goals,” said Kaplan.
Bake habits into your schedule.
“Put it on the calendar, set the alarm,” said Kaplan. “Accountability is huge. Set a small attainable goal that is measured, like taking a 20-minute walk, and follow through with that realistic expectation.”
Apps and habit trackers can be helpful, Kaplan said, because they can send reminders that cue your behavior.
“We have different levels of motivation. Right before New Year’s, we’re all pumped up, but the reality is that different influences, like the post-holiday blues, can impact our motivation and we have to say, ‘OK, how do I get that motivation level up?’” said Kaplan.
Having a buddy to help keep each other
on track is a good option.
“Telling a spouse or a friend about your goal and having them help you out can help keep your motivation up,” she said.
And, said Kaplan, stay positive and don’t be hard on yourself. Prepare for setbacks.
“It’s not going to be all or nothing. We can be our own worst critics, but we have to realize that it’s part of a process,” she said.
In the end, setting New Year’s resolutions – losing weight, cutting out alcohol, or exercising, for example – can have positive results in the long run.
“A lot of these things are very beneficial,” said Kaplan, who has made New Year’s resolutions for herself. “We’re prioritizing our self-care, which helps us and the people around us. There are resources we can turn to, from online clinical apps to in-person counseling. It’s about committing to change without judgment and working to achieve goals knowing that you’re not alone.”
Courtesy of the Herald-Standard
• Wellness programming
• Evidence-based programs such as HomeMeds, Chronic Disease Management and Aging Mastery
• Education opportunities in person and virtually through Virtual Senior Academy
• Clubs and social programs
• Kosher-style congregate lunch each weekday
• Information and referral services
• Volunteer opportunities
• Pickleball*
• Exercise classes*
Bell celebrating Greene County unveiled
By Garrett Neese
A Liberty Bell sculpture painted with a tableau of historic Greene County sites and heritage was unveiled in November of 2025, the latest in a series commemorating next year’s semiquincentennial of the country’s founding.
America250’s Bells Across PA initiative taps local artists to design art pieces for 108 fiberglass bells that will represent the heritage of all 67 counties in the state.
“We kept it as an open book,” said Bri Farrand, director of branding and design for America250PA. “We want to make sure within the celebration that each of the counties can tell their own stories and their history.”
Nemacolin artist Danielle Nyland’s work honoring Greene County was revealed to the public Saturday afternoon during a ceremony at the Greene County Historical Society and Museum.
Nyland submitted her design three years ago for Greene County’s bell, which was sponsored by FirstEnergy. After learning she was picked in August, she spent the next month translating her original idea to the contours of the bell.
“As an artist from the area, being able to paint our county’s Liberty Bell feels incredibly special,” she said. “It’s a chance to celebrate both our history and the creativity that continues to thrive here. I wanted my design to reflect Greene County’s spirit, our deep roots, our hard-working communities, and the beauty of the landscape that connects us all.”
Reflecting the county’s mining heritage, the front of the bell is dedicated to the
Nemacolin Mine, at one point the largest coal mine in the country.
Log cabins represent the early American settlers.
To show the country’s agricultural side, Nyland added a barn — though because of restrictions on product placement, it could not advertise Mail Pouch tobacco on the side.
Animals round out the picture: a flock of sheep in the field for the wool industry that once led the country, and a rainbow trout heralding the county’s access to the Monongahela River.
“And on top, there’s just a little turkey vulture flying above the whole scene to reflect the nature and the wildlife,” Nyland said.
After Saturday’s ceremony, people crowded around the bell, snapping photos and inspecting the details.
clear coat courtesy of the Greene County Career and Technology Center.
“It’s definitely the most public piece of art that I ever had,” Nyland said. “So it’s pretty cool knowing that my art will be there and be seen by people not just from the county, but anybody who might be going and checking out all the bells across the state.”
Nyland painted with outdoor acrylics, which was paired with an automotive
After the winter, the bell will be displayed outside on a concrete pad in front of the museum, said the museum’s Executive Director Matt Cumberledge.
“It’s really cool to have something like that by somebody local who’s really talented to display here,” he said.
Courtesy of the Herald-Standard
Danielle Nyland’s design for Greene County’s Liberty Bell
MORE THAN SALES: Window displays at Kaufmann’s held advertising and civic roles
Robert Stakeley gives a presentation about window displays at Kaufmann’s
By Mike Jones
When thinking about the window displays at the old Kaufmann’s Department Store in downtown Pittsburgh, most people’s memories probably drift off to the Christmas season and gifts for sale.
“It’s November, so you’re starting to think about holiday gifts,” said Robert Stakeley of the Senator John Heinz History Center. “That’s what Kaufmann’s would want (us) to do. Sell. Sell. Sell.”
But despite that rich holiday sales history for Kaufmann’s at its prime location at Fifth and Smithfield in the heart of the Golden Triangle, Stakeley said the display windows also held utilitarian purposes and even promoted civic projects.
During the early 1940s, one window touted as the “Victory Center” offered visitors updates on the country’s involvement in World War II. The window gave information on soldiers, battles and even periodically hosted radio broadcasts relaying updates on the war effort. Nearby there were displays showing off stationary for families to purchase in order to send letters to loved ones fighting overseas.
“But they’re still selling stuff,” said Stake-
ley, who visited the Bethel Park Schoolhouse Arts and History Center on Saturday through the History Center’s Affiliates Program and spent more than an hour speaking to visitors at the event organized by the Bethel Park Historical Society.
Some window displays showed maps and listed the financial cost to build planes and ships. Others dressed mannequins up in military uniforms to mimic war scenes or had blue jeans-clad women working in the factories, all as a way to advertise for recruitment opportunities or to sell war bonds.
“Two or three years ago, they were using these mannequins to sell clothing,” Stakeley said. “Now, they’re using them for war displays.”
None of this was easy work, of course. Stakeley said Kaufmann’s had a team of nearly 30 employees whose only job was to design and create the window displays, regularly changing them depending on the sale or season.
“They had a full-time team,” Stakeley said. “Imagine doing those windows every single month, every single season, every single event.”
In 1946 – just one year after the end of World War II – a new display called “Pittsburgh in Progress” anchored one of the windows. That display touted the city’s renaissance projects in post-war America that also named a “who’s who” of civic leaders. The following year, a display with the title “Peaks of Progress” showed off the marvels of futuristic prosthetic limbs with a neatly-dressed man framed by the shadow of a one-legged person standing behind him.
“It’s not all happy go lucky, Santa Claus and toys,” said Stakeley, although he chuckled that the annual Christmas win-
dow display always directed children to take their parents to the toy department on the ninth floor.
Other “Peaks of Progress” window displays showed the power and perils of atomic power or had presentations of local historical sites. One display touted the promise of “coast-to-coast” television programs, which Stakeley thinks was a clever way to sneak in an advertisement.
“Of course, they have an appliance section,” he said.
But sometimes they weren’t selling anything at all. In 1926. Kaufmann’s created an “international exposition” on the sales floor in which nothing was actually for sale. Instead, it gave shoppers a glimpse into the future, including a “photoradio machine” that would be akin today to a fax machine.
“Nothing is for sale,” Stakeley said of the expo display. “Imagine just going to Walmart, to Target … and not being able to buy something on the floor. Can you imagine going there and saying you could see something from the future?”
People can imagine what it would be like to shop at Target since the big box chain store now occupies the first floor of the former Kaufmann’s in downtown Pittsburgh. While the upper floors of the building are now used as luxury apartments or hotels, that ground level still utilizes the windows to entice shoppers to come inside.
In the age of online sales, people still like to shop with their eyes.
“They didn’t put shades up,” Stakeley said of Target. “The windows still exist. They want people to see in.
Courtesy of the Almanac
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Downey House Fire sparked change
By Garrett Neese
Almost 100 years ago, a fatal fire reshaped the Waynesburg downtown and led directly to the formation of the fire department that still serves the area today. What became known as the Downey House Fire started around 3:30 a.m. Dec. 23, 1925, in the Coney Island Restaurant, located on the ground floor of the 56-year-old Waynesburg hotel.
The fire quickly spread throughout the building. About 50 guests at the hotel were roused from their sleep and safely evacuated, according to a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article after the fire. Within half an hour, the building had been consumed, including the dozen other businesses located there.
Inside the Downey House’s Army-Navy store, ammunition exploded, sending bullets flying past firefighters and the crowd watching the fire, the Post-Gazette said.
Wind-borne embers ignited a fire that destroyed the Grossman brothers’ department store adjacent to the Downey House on High Street, which according to a Waynesburg Republican article.
Embers also sparked the Greene County Courthouse across the street, where it burned the cupola and wooden statue of Nathaniel Greene that sat atop the building. And they carried far enough to ignite a blaze east of the courthouse on Church Street that destroyed the First Presbyterian Church.
Four volunteers — Harvey Call, William Finch, Joseph Rifenberg and Thurman Long — were killed that night when they were trapped under a collapsing wall of
The remains of the Downey House after the December 23, 2025 fire
the Grossman building. Another worker who volunteered, Victor Silveus, died from his injuries four days later. The youngest of them was 20; the oldest only 29.
Four others were seriously injured, including Clovis Wright, who would go on to become a longtime fire chief for the department that came next.
“That tragedy happened, and then they realized there’s a need for a formalized fire department,” said Jeff Marshall, chief of the Waynesburg-Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Co.
At the time, there had been a small firefighting organization under the control of the police chief. In practice, Republican
writer John O’Hara recalled nearly 40 years later, the direction of firefighting was often a matter of “who had the best lung power.”
Its one hose truck, kept behind the jail about 100 feet from the fire, was still delayed by five crucial minutes when firefighters had trouble cranking it up to start, the Waynesburg Republican noted.
Firefighters from throughout the area pitched in to help. Ten other local departments responded, some coming from Washington and Fayette counties.
“I can’t imagine Charleroi, those departments, coming there from that distance, and back in the day when you couldn’t
drive down the road at 70 miles an hour,” Marshall said.
One of those departments was the newly formed Rices Landing Volunteer Fire Co., which had just gotten its new chemical truck.
So new, that as Assistant Chief Bill Flenniken noted at the department’s 100th anniversary dinner, on the way to the fire, “they had to stop and pick up a hose to put on it.”
In addition to the dead and injured, newspapers tallied the total damage at close to $1 million (roughly $18.5 million today).
The next week’s Waynesburg’s Republican noted more collateral damage. The demolition of a wall of the Grossman building sent debris crashing through the roof of the three-story Silveus building, which would later be torn down.
The Republican led the call for change in a front-page editorial that week.
Waynesburg needed a dedicated volunteer department. And better equipment.
“Waynesburg has had its lesson,” the editorial said. “Has (it) learned? Or will it quietly subside and continue in the ways of the past, its effete but serene existence, with a few hundred feet of hose and an old model hose truck which cannot be started when needed, until perhaps a greater disaster comes upon us.”
Local leaders met the following March in Waynesburg to form a new fire company.
Clyde McCall, a local grocer and the father of Harvey Call, made the motion to create a temporary group of officers, according to a 20th anniversary piece of the department by the Waynesburg Republican. The second came from H.C. Schreiber, whose jewelry business had been located in the Downey House fire.
The fire truck they bought, a 1925 American LaFrance, is still with the department, and well-maintained enough to run during special events, most recently carrying Santa in Waynesburg’s Christmas parade.
The department’s service is part of the fire’s legacy, Marshall said.
“If there weren’t the volunteer fire departments, I don’t know how the municipalities could financially do it,” he said. “We’re their best option to keep us viable, because the money we get wouldn’t come close to having a paid staff.”
New buildings rose to take the place of the ones lost to the fire.
On the site of the Downey House now stands the Fort Jackson building, which houses some of Greene County’s government offices. Completed in 1927, it has a plaque honoring the five firefighters who died trying to save its predecessor.
Courtesy of the Herald-Standard
The Downey House and Grossman building seen circa 1905
Hobbies to get seniors out and about
The threat posed by social isolation has been known to medical researchers and health care professionals for years, but the issue gained wider attention during the pandemic. Restrictions on social gatherings during the pandemic opened millions of people’s eyes to the ill effects of social isolation, and while that threat proved temporary for the majority of people across the globe, many seniors continue to live largely isolated lives.
According to the Mayo Clinic, depression, anxiety, increased risk of suicide, and various chronic health problems are some of the outcomes associated with loneliness. That’s a troubling assessment that becomes even more disconcerting when considering a general decline in socialization as evidenced by the 2021 American Perspectives Survey.
Survey participants indicated they have fewer close friendships than they once did, speak with their friends less often and rely less on friends for personal support. That’s challenging for adults of all ages, but it can be especially difficult for aging adults, who may be dealing with the loss of a spouse or other close confidantes they would otherwise rely on when confronting personal problems. Hobbies that promote socialization can help aging adults reestablish friendships and build new ones, paying dividends that can have a profound impact on their overall health. With that in mind, adults who feel as though their social circles are shrinking in mid-life or in retirement can look to these activities as means to rebuilding their social lives.
· Book club: A book club offers multiple benefits to adults. Book clubs are inher-
ently social and tend to bring like-minded individuals together, which can help build new and lasting friendships that extend beyond weekly discussions. A 2021 study published in the journal Neurology also linked regular reading to a lower risk of developing dementia.
· Sports: Sports provide another avenue to socialize with like-minded individuals. Golf is not a team sport, but it is typically played in groups of two or four, making it an ideal activity for adults with free time on their hands to get out and about and meet other people. Leagues for softball, bowling and pickleball also provide opportunities to socialize, and many adults are participating in such leagues for that very reason. A CivicScience study released in 2025 found that 49 percent of adults who planned to participate in adult recreational sports leagues were doing so for social interaction and the chance to make friends.
· Travel: Travel can provide another means for aging adults to make friends. Group tours to foreign countries, day trips to local attractions arranged by township recreational offices or even overseas trips with friends you’ve fallen out of touch with can be a great means to build new friendships and reinvigorate old ones, all the while getting you out of the house.
These are just some ways for men and women to get out of the house and socialize with others their age, a worthy endeavor that can be highly beneficial to adults’ overall health.
Courtesy of Metro Creative
What aging drivers can do to improve their driving skills
Motor vehicles have come a long way since the days of the Model T. Safety features in particular have undergone significant enhancements over the last several decades. Improvements in airbags, structural modifications like crumple zones and technological features like automatic emergency braking have helped to make modern vehicles far safer than the cars and trucks of yesteryear.
While there’s no denying that modern vehicles are safer than ever, the human element remains an unpredictable variable. Even in an era marked by vehicles with greatly enhanced safety features, distracted or impaired drivers can compromise the well-being of everyone on the road. Age is another variable unique to each driver that mer-
its consideration when considering road safety. The National Institute on Aging notes that certain conditions associated with aging, including increased stiffness of muscles and joints, can make it difficult for seniors to safely operate motor vehicles. Seniors who want to ensure they’re safe to drive can take various steps to ensure they are not compromising their own safety or the safety of others when getting behind the wheel.
· Have your driving skills assessed by a trained professional. The NIA notes that the American Occupational Therapy Association maintains a database of driving specialists who can help seniors assess their skills behind the wheel. These trained professionals may assess existing skills and offer advice about how to overcome any issues aging driv-
ers might be having.
· Take a driving course. Safe driving courses can help drivers of all ages stay up-to-date on the latest safety protocols and advice on how to drive safely. Modern driving is vastly different than it was when many current seniors became licensed drivers. A safe driving course can refresh drivers’ memories about safety protocols, and some may even offer advice on how to navigate modern roadways, which may be marked by distracted drivers and feature vehicles with brighter headlights that can make it more difficult for older drivers to drive at night.
· Speak with your physicians about your medications. A recent study from the U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration found that the average adult age 65 and older now uses roughly four medications. Medications produce side effects that can affect every area of a user’s life, including their ability to drive. Those effects might be heightened when taking more than one medication, and interactions also can lead to side effects that might not manifest if individuals were taking just one prescription. Aging drivers can maintain an honest and ongoing dialogue with their physicians to ensure they’re aware of the effects their medications might be having on their ability to drive safely. Report any new side effects the moment they appear.
Aging can compromise seniors’ ability to safely operate motor vehicles. But aging adults can employ various strategies to improve their skills behind the wheel.
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How nutritional needs change with age
The human body undergoes an assortment of changes over the course of a lifetime. Some of those changes are visible to the naked eye, but many more are not. The body’s changing needs in regard to nutrition is one alteration that people cannot see.
A nutritious diet can be a building block of a long and healthy life. Nutritional needs change as the body ages, and recognition of those changes can help people rest easy that their diets are working in their favor and not to their detriment.
Calorie needs
The body requires fewer calories as individuals reach adulthood. That’s because muscle mass begins to decrease in adulthood while fat increases. The National Institutes of Health notes that muscles use more calories than fat throughout the day,
so it makes sense that a body experiencing a decline in muscle mass will require less calories than one in which muscle mass is on the rise. No two individuals are the same, and some adults exercise more than others. So it’s best for adults to consult their physician to discuss their own calorie needs and then adjust their diets based on such discussions.
What to eat
The American Heart Association notes aging adults’ calories should come from nutrient-dense foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meat, and low-fat dairy. This recommendation aligns with adults’ declining calorie needs, as nutrient-dense foods contain ample amounts of protein, vitamins and/or minerals but do not contain a lot of calories.
Water needs
It’s vital for aging adults to make a concerted effort to drink water each day. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion notes that the sensation of thirst declines with age. Aging adults who are unaware of that unique biological reality may be risking dehydration because they are not compelled to drink water throughout the day. The Cleveland Clinic notes that dehydration can contribute to dizziness, weakness and lightheadedness, among other symptoms. Those symptoms can be particularly menacing for older adults, who are at increased risk for potentially harmful falls even if they are not dehydrated. The body still needs water as it ages, and seniors taking certain medications may need more than usual due to medication-related fluid loss.
These are just some of the ways nutritional needs change with age. Adults are urged to pay greater attention to diet as they age and make choices that can counter age-related changes in their bodies.
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LAW OFFICES
Working out after age 50
Exercise is an important component of healthy living at any age. Physical activity helps to maintain a healthy body weight and offers mental benefits like reduced stress and the potential to reduce risk for cognitive decline. But it’s important to point out that appropriate exercise
for a person at age 20 may look quite different from the right exercise regimen for someone who is 50 or older.
WebMD says exercise is important for quality of life as one ages and is a key to independence. It is important to think of exercise as a tool, and as with all tools,
the right ones should be used with a goal to avoid injury. Fitness after 50 should prioritize some practices and avoid others.
· Focus on resistance training. Cardiovascular exercise is important for heart health and general health, but strength
training also is essential to counter some of the normal effects of aging. Continuum Care, a private duty home care service, says aging results in a decline in bone density and muscle mass. Resistance exercise performed several times each week can help combat muscle loss and bone density decline.
· Opt for low-impact activities. Low-impact exercises that involve less jumping and pounding will be easier on the joints. A doctor, physical therapist or athletic trainer can help to customize or adapt activities based on a person’s limitations or medical conditions.
· Warm up before working out. Older adults are advised to warm up muscles before exercising to avoid injury, particularly if it has been some time since you
last exercised. Harvard Medical School recommends five minutes of brisk walking or time on an elliptical machine to get blood flowing to muscles and make them pliable. After working out, it’s advisable to stretch afterwards.
· Switch to interval training. Interval training, which alternates between intense exercises and less demanding “rest” periods, offers greater benefits compared to a consistent exercise pace. Interval training helps burn extra calories and maximizes oxygen consumption. Interval training may allow for shorter workouts as well.
· Increase the number of rest days. Focusing on recovery after age 50 is important. Tissue takes more time to recover as the body ages, and that may require longer rest periods between workouts.
· Pay attention to what your body is saying. Scripps Health says that even with a doctor or professional trainer guiding workouts, an individual is the best judge if physical activity is too much or too little. Everyone should pay attention to signs of overexertion, such as dizziness, excessive fatigue or chest pain. Other signs of discomfort, such as joint pain, may mean the intensity needs to be dialed down or other exercises chosen. An exercise regimen may need a reboot after a person turns 50. Modified activities and a slowing of pace can promote a healthy, injury-free lifestyle.
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Making friends in your golden years
Aging and change go hand in hand. Physical changes associated with aging, such as graying hair or reduced muscle mass, may garner the most attention. But personal relationships also can change as people age.
As a person ages, interests could change and home base may not be what it once was. People move after retirement, and friends you might once have seen with frequency may no longer be as close by. Children are older, and the friends you made from these early parenthood relationships may change as well.
It is important to have a solid group of friends. Psychology Today reports that a strong social network reduces the risk of early death by around 45 percent. Recent data even indicates that loneliness is as great a health risk as smoking half a pack of cigarettes per day. Starting fresh
and making friends at 50 or older might seem challenging. Although making new friends after 50 may take more effort than it did when you were younger, it is certainly not impossible. Here are some tips for making friends after 50.
· Join a networking group. Networking isn’t just for advancing your career. Networking groups that focus on friendships can help individuals meet one another. Perhaps there is a neighborhood group in which people from a particular housing development or several streets in town get together? Shared interests can include the place where you live.
· Organize a get-together. Sometimes making friends involves effort on your part. You might need to step out of your comfort zone and initiate first contact with others. Maybe there is a person at a store you run into frequently, or someone whose
path you cross regularly that can be asked out to a get-together?
· Get involved with activities. A church group or a volunteer activity can be a great place to meet new people. In fact, volunteers often get involved for the express purpose of getting to know others and to be integral members of the community.
· Consider other generations. Friends need not be the same age and from the same generation. Keep an open mind that friends can come in all ages and from all walks of life.
Making friends after 50 requires some effort, but a sizable social network can benefit individual well-being into one’s golden years.
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After my knee replacement at UPMC Washington, I was home in a matter of hours
Proud Grandpa Rob M.
When it became harder for Rob to keep up with his granddaughter, he knew he needed a second opinion for his knee pain. So he went to UPMC Washington, where he found advanced joint care for everything from sports injuries to chronic pain. He also had access to the latest treatments, including same-day joint replacement and innovative recovery techniques, all without traveling far from home.
