Co-Written by Connie Colleen Wyatt, Occupational Therapist, and Holly Berard You may have seen the social media claim: “Complaining literally weakens your brain. Every time you focus on what’s wrong, you elevate cortisol and reduce the brain’s ability to adapt.” It’s catchy. It’s dramatic. And like most viral psychology posts, it contains a grain of […]

Co-Written by Connie Colleen Wyatt, OccupationalTherapist, and Holly Berard Between 2011 and 2019, Dr. Hiroshi Tanaka observed patients over the age of 80 at a geriatric center in Kyoto. They had something unusual in common: despite their age, they demonstrated strong recall, fast processing speed, clear verbal fluency, and intact daily functioning. Naturally, he expected

By C², Connie Colleen Wyatt, Occupational Therapist, PNW Home for Life PLLC and Holly Berard Let’s address the elephant in the room. Support groups don’t exactly scream cool.They often get lumped into the mental category of folding chairs, awkward silence, and forced sharing. And yet… the people who come to ours keep coming back. Why? Because

Co-Written by Connie Colleen Wyatt, Occupational Therapist, and Holly Berard One of the most powerful parts of my work is walking alongside people who refuse to let an injury define what’s possible. I’m currently working with a young-aging gentleman who sustained a partial spinal cord injury during a fishing trip. Like many people navigating SCI, his journey

By C², Connie Colleen Wyatt, Occupational Therapist, PNW Home for Life PLLC and Holly Berard At the end of our most recent Strength in Aging Squad class, we did something simple but powerful. We paused. We stood in a loose circle. And each person shared one thing they were taking with them from the hour

Co-Written by Connie Colleen Wyatt, Occupational Therapist, and Holly Berard Growing older doesn’t mean slowing down — and it definitely doesn’t mean giving up independence. Many adults want to age in place, staying in the homes and routines they love while maintaining safety, meaning, and quality of life. At the heart of aging well are key

 Co-Written by Connie Colleen Wyatt, Occupational Therapist,  and Holly Berard Aging in place isn’t about stubbornly refusing help—it’s about creating a life that lets you stay in your own home with confidence, health, and joy. Whether you’re in your 60s dreaming of continuing gardening well into your 90s, or you’re in your 40s–50s trying to help

Co-Written by Connie Colleen Wyatt, Occupational Therapist, and Holly Berard If you grew up hearing phrases like “getting old isn’t for the faint of heart” or “just wait until your knees give out,” you’re not alone. Many of us—especially those caring for aging parents or thinking about our own future—carry quiet fears shaped by myths

Co-Written by Connie Colleen Wyatt, OccupationalTherapist, and Holly Berard If you’re caring for aging parents—or actively aging in place yourself—you’ve probably noticed two truths: aging is not for the faint of heart, and the small things matter more than ever. The good news? Research continues to show that the 60s, 70s, and beyond are prime

Co-Written by Connie Colleen Wyatt, OccupationalTherapist, and Holly Berard Aging isn’t just about birthdays and wisdom lines — it’s also about how we think about getting older. Groundbreaking research from Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health shows that people with a more positive attitude about aging tend to live longer, healthier lives than their

Co-Written by Connie Colleen Wyatt, OccupationalTherapist, and Holly Berard If you’ve ever heard someone say, “Retirement means you can finally relax,” you already know the stereotype. But what if leisure isn’t just a reward for a life well-lived — what if it’s a foundation of health itself? That’s the central insight from researchers featured in

Written By C², Connie Colleen Wyatt, Occupational Therapist, PNW Home for Life Redesigning What It Means to Age Well—Together I was raised in Anacortes. This place shaped me—through its people, its trails and shorelines, its teachers, coaches, and neighbors, and the quiet way community shows up when it matters most. Like many who grow up

Co-Written by Connie Colleen Wyatt, OccupationalTherapist, and Holly Berard Aging, Independence, and Whole-Person Wellness As we age, maintaining independence, mobility, and cognitive health becomes increasingly important. Many individuals and families are seeking complementary approaches that support overall well-being alongside traditional medical care. One local wellness practice gaining attention for its holistic, community-centered approach is Ridge

Co-Written By C², Connie Colleen Wyatt, Occupational Therapist, PNW Home for Life PLLCand Holly Berard Christmas is a season full of tradition, togetherness, and just the right amount of chaos. For families supporting loved ones who are aging in place—and for older adults themselves—the holidays offer a perfect opportunity to reinforce habits that support independence,

Written by Holly Berard As a senior in high school, I’m excited to be helping with this blog as a way to gain hands-on experience related to my future career goals. I plan to pursue a career in occupational therapy, and being involved in this blog allows me to learn more about the field while

Co-Written by Connie Colleen Wyatt, Occupational Therapist, and Holly Berard Let’s face it: growing older doesn’t mean you have to feel like the Tin Man sans oil can. Whether you’re in your 60s, figuring out how to stay active, or in your 40s–50s, watching your parents navigate their golden years, you want approaches that make

“Co-Written by Connie Colleen Wyatt, OccupationalTherapist, and Holly Berard” We’ve all heard that with age comes wisdom—but unfortunately, it also often comes with creaky joints, stiff backs, and that cheeky lower-back pain that shows up right when you planned to garden. In the The Genius Life podcast episode “What If You Could Feel Good Again?

Co-Written By C², Connie Colleen Wyatt, Occupational Therapist, PNW Home for Life PLLCand Holly Berard Most people assume longevity is mostly genetic — something you either inherit or you don’t. But research published in Increasing number of long-lived ancestors marks a decade of healthspan extension shows otherwise. While having long-lived relatives helps a little, genes