Last week, I took the opportunity to go to the Morningview Village retirement community and watch the premiere production by the newly formed Morningview Village Players, a wonderful group of eager and active seniors. I found their recreation of a 1944 radio adaptation of the comedic murder …

It’s no secret that people here in East Tennessee are gracious and kind. In my opinion, that charm and civility is a reflection of the way folks were raised and the values they hold dear.

I have a confession. I suffer from a dilemma that’s commonly referred to as FOMO. It stands for Fear Of Missing Out. It’s not uncommon, but it can put a lot of pressure on me, especially living here in East Tennessee. That’s in no way a complaint. I’m merely stating the obvious, that is, tha…

I admit it. Science and technology both amaze and inspire me. Yet like many seniors, I find they often aggravate and intimidate me all at the same time.

When one reaches retirement, keeping a handle on expenses is more important than ever. The luxury of receiving a weekly paycheck generally dissipates entirely, leaving many people dependent on a monthly Social Security check or whatever ancillary income might be derived from investments or p…

Bruce Springsteen is 69 years old. Anybody who’s ever witnessed one of his live performances can easily attest that the man has aged gracefully. It’s also clear that his perspective on life and the generation he’s so intrinsically tied to is more emphatic now than it was in his youth.

It’s only natural that at a certain point in our lives we think about the things that are left undone. Perhaps we still dreaming of writing the great American novel. We think about that trip of a lifetime we’ve still yet to take. Maybe we always wanted to turn a hobby into a small business b…

Like the rest of the nation, I was a tremendous admirer of the late president George H.W. Bush. It had nothing to do with politics, but was spawned from a sense that he truly represented the ideals of that great generation that fought the Second World War and returned home to build a future …

I often query musicians that have a particularly storied past, “Do you reminisce? Are you nostalgic? Do your past accomplishments set such a high bar that it becomes intimidating trying to go forward towards the future?”

It often surprises me that something that costs nothing to give seems so difficult to come by. I’m speaking of affirmation, a gift of encouragement and expression of appreciation to those who deserve the most but are given it the least. The act of recognizing someone for the things that they…

As we enter our senior years, the opportunities for growth, travel and overall satisfaction awaken new possibilities for the future. However, for many seniors, it can also be a time of uncertainty and stress, resulting from worries about future finances, health, mobility and companionship. T…

“Ev’ry morning about this time / She get me out of my bed / A-crying, get a job” — The Silhouettes

How old is too old to sire a child? If you’re a famous musician with a reputation for sexual proficiency, apparently there’s no age limit at all.

It’s amazing how “social” Social Security really can be. 

It’s amazing how “social” Social Security really can be. 

I don’t know about you, but there’s nothing I appreciate more than a good snooze. Call it a catnap, an afternoon slumber or simply a midday respite, but I’m all about getting some shut-eye when I find my lids are getting heavy and my weariness becomes overwhelming.

It’s inspiring to hear stories about people who have rediscovered themselves later in life and have subsequently carved out careers that allowed them to share their talents with the world. Age opens up opportunities to get creative and explore outside interests that may once have been sideli…

One question that’s often asked by seniors is whether it’s advantageous to continue to work after reaching the age of retirement. Some are prone to do so because of financial concerns and the need for extra income even after Social Security kicks in. For others, it’s about the desire to stay…

For me, and for many people, the holidays rekindle special memories, that particular time of the year when troubles are forgotten and the innocence and exuberance of the season take command. Granted, commercial considerations often intrude on these lofty visions, and the fact that every year…

I’m decidedly old-fashioned. Or as folks these days tend to describe it, old school.

Lee Zimmerman takes a look at some stories about seniors who did great things in their later years.

Columnist Lee Zimmerman says senior moments can happen to anyone.

Columnist Lee Zimmerman encourages us to get busy living, no matter what our age.

Seniors sometimes find themselves in midst of conflicting cliches.

Those considering applying for a reverse mortgage and who have not done so up until now need to take note of some new guidelines set to go into effect on Oct. 2.

I’ve often used this column as a platform to rail against the sometimes subtle bias of age discrimination — or aegism as we’re prone to call it. However, in recent weeks, I’ve come to learn that there’s a threat to our seniors that’s far more insidious, and that’s the terror of elder abuse.

They say that age is only a state of mind. Sadly, when many of us look at ourselves in the mirror, we see the physical imperfections of someone who’s much older — someone with gray hair, creases and wrinkles, and sags in certain places. It’s obviously not that youthful individual that looked…

After all the discouraging news coming from Washington lately, especially as far as health care and the nation’s finances are concerned, here is some reason to cheer. Social Security recently projected an increase in benefits this January amounting to 2.2 percent. Granted, it doesn’t sound l…

“R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Find out what it means to me”

In his final years, the late singer/songwriter Warren Zevon made a point of advising folks to “enjoy every sandwich.” That wasn’t just a line meant to be tossed off frivolously. Zevon knew his time on the planet was coming to a close when he was diagnosed with lung disease, an illness that e…

As most senior will tell you, finding a job after reaching senior status is generally a challenge. For those who wish to rethink retirement either due to need or desire, opportunities are generally limited. Companies are reticent to hire us, either because they fear we’ll demand too much mon…

If anyone had reason for despair, it was Bruce Sudano. When his wife, partner and musical collaborator, singing legend Donna Summer, passed away on May 17, 2017, his world came crashing down. Not only did he lose the light of his life, but also the source of his greatest success. Songs penne…

For many seniors, there’s a natural tendency to dwell on the triumphs they achieved in their youth, and bemoan the presumption that their best years are behind them. Indeed, success early in life tends to set a high bar by which all future endeavors are measured. As we approach our golden ye…

There’s nothing more gratifying than to get a letter from a reader saying how much they enjoyed a particular column. It’s even more rewarding to know that they gained some useful information that can be applied to their own experiences. Yet when they share a story or an anecdote that inspire…

One of the major challenges we seniors face in retirement is stretching our income to cover our expenses once a paycheck stops coming in. On average, Social Security covers only half of those needs, leaving many people scrambling to make up the difference. Statistics say that most Americans …