We Are Better After 50… We Celebrate Age with Acceptance, Attitude and Edge.

Weekly posts from publisher Felice Shapiro and our BA50 writers!


Better After 50 Is Celebrating it’s 12th Year!

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The Impact of Estrogen On The Brain

The Impact of Estrogen on the Brain According to the Alzheimer’s Association, women comprise two-thirds of the population suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. It is important to note that women live longer, and age is the single biggest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers think hormonal changes play a big role in this gender disparity.  The big question is, what does the main female hormone, estrogen, have to do with brain function??? It turns out a lot!...

Cautiously Courageous: Reflections On Life Expanding Decisions

I recently went on a women’s empowerment cruise, invited by my daughter who was one of the featured speakers. Sitting in that audience, I wondered if I were their age today whether everything out-of-the-box would still seem as scary. Then I realized most of these women had a safety net my friends and I didn’t have… us as parents encouraging them to have goals that trumped being safe and secure. We instilled in them the knowledge that although making brave choices generates anxiety, it’s survivable and so worth the risk. My parents’ fears of the uncertain were contagious; hopefully our confidence in our daughters’ resilience is too. ...
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The Power of The Shrinking Vagina

In my mid-40s I was talking to a group of mom friends and the topic of vaginal rejuvenation surgery came up. None of us knew exactly what it was, but we all agreed on one thing: the name was really funny. First off, I love how the word “rejuvenation” is sandwiched between “vaginal” and “surgery”. Only a marketing professional could think of that. Plus, “rejuvenation” is an amusingly transparent attempt to cancel out images of a surgical knife or laser tools hovering near or in one’s crotch. Most women, however, are too savvy to be marketing-manipulated about the most private parts of their bodies. So the title just ends up making us laugh. That said, if you’re committed to positively marketing vagina-based surgery, “rejuvenation” is a fine choice. It makes the vaginal procedure sound like an all-around enhancement for any woman who’s feeling a little depleted and run down, crotch-wise or otherwise. (Italicized)--> Just hop into the office--walk-ins welcome--for a bit o’ vaggie surgery and you’ll feel like yourself again in no time! Several years after that mom’s night, I met with my gynecologist. We discussed perimenopausal symptoms and the upcoming Big M. She told me that after menopause the vagina starts “shrinking” and gets “harder.”...

Featured on Relationship Thursday

Cautiously Courageous: Reflections On Life Expanding Decisions

I recently went on a women’s empowerment cruise, invited by my daughter who was one of the featured speakers. Sitting in that audience, I wondered if I were their age today whether everything out-of-the-box would still seem as scary. Then I realized most of these women had a safety net my friends and I didn’t have… us as parents encouraging them to have goals that trumped being safe and secure. We instilled in them the knowledge that although making brave choices generates anxiety, it’s survivable and so worth the risk. My parents’ fears of the uncertain were contagious; hopefully our confidence in our daughters’ resilience is too. ...
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Forging an Adult Relationship with my Daughter

‘She’s such a bitch.’             ‘Everything I say annoys her.’             ‘Nothing I do is right.’             ‘She’s only nice to me when she needs money.’             ‘What happened to my sweet little girl?’ Do these laments sound familiar?  They do to me because at some point since my daughter, Britt, went to college, graduated and  moved to New York City  I have uttered each one. But over the past twelve years I have found myself lamenting less and enjoying her more. Why? Did she change? Or did I? A bit of both but weighted much more heavily on me.  I’m not sure if it was a conscious decision but I think this complaining about my adult daughter diminished when I started to view her for what she is in that order: ADULT then DAUGHTER. Once I changed my perspective to treat her as an adult first, my daughter second, our relationship became much less strained and tenuous. ...
Ginny Poleman

“You Are Loved, Damnit!” A Lesson From The Universe For This Single Divorcée

Last month, I borrowed my ex-husband’s car to visit my son, daughter-in-law, and their little guy (read about becoming a grandmother here). As soon as I arrived at the parking garage, the attendant said, “I’m sorry, but the car’s dead.” My ex immediately answered the phone when I called, arranged for a jump, and said, “call me along the way.” He called me while I was driving, “everything okay? Call me when you get there.” Pleased that he was concerned, I thought he was being dramatic. “I fine. I’m will.” But I never got there. The car wouldn’t restart at the rest stop forty-five minutes from my destination. My ex gave me the info I needed to get the car on the road again and where to drop it off. “Call me if you have any problems.” My bestie, Sonia, sat on the phone with me until the car service showed up. Finally, on my way back into the city, I held my breath, clenched my butt cheeks, and drove the ninety-minute ride feeling sorry for myself. I missed feeling taken care of by my husband like he did so many years ago. I knew I didn’t want to be married to him, but then damnit, why am I crying?...

Featured on Fashion Friday

Arya Solid Tankini Top

Celebrating Her Age In Style In a Swimsuit: Alison B Janney Rocks!

We all have role models. And, mine is my Nana Edith who lived In Style and with ageless confidence and a spring in her step into her 90's. When I catch a glimpse of myself eating cleanly, walking the stairs a few extra laps, listening with full intention and using my Ponds Cold Cream at night - I smile and thank my Nana Edith. I know I carry her with me everywhere for inspiration, strength and a sense of humor. So, it's not the celebrities and actresses who are my role models but they add to my arsenal of aging power when they embrace their age publicly, which many more do now. More and more celebs who are over 50 and 60 and beyond are now talking about their age on social media and many marvel that they are in their later decades and feel playful, wiser and sexy. How is that not good for we BA50's? Recently I saw a photo of Alison Janney on her instagram in a red bathing suit and it made me smile. Forgive me that her IG post is a few years old, but I just found it. Janney, in her early 60's by now is as inspiring as ever. So, many women hate the bathing shopping ordeal so I decided to fetch a few more for you all after seeing Allison Janney in her fabulous red one piece. Here's what a little surfing turned up -- pardon the pun!...