Search results for

Here in Southwest Florida about 30% of the population is 60 and older. That translates to about 1.3 million people, and this population and percentage is growing. Demographic trends show an expected 38% increase in adults over 60 by 2040 and a 62% increase in adults over 70 by that same year. While southwest Florida has been a destination for older people when they retire for decades, this area’s aging population is chronically underserved. We learn about the work being done to address the need at Florida Gulf Coast University’s still relatively new Shady Rest Institute on Positive Aging.

Here in Southwest Florida about 30% of the population is 60 and older. That translates to about 1.3 million people, and this population and percentage is growing. Demographic trends show an expected 38% increase in adults over 60 by 2040 and a 62% increase in adults over 70 by that same year. While southwest Florida has been a destination for older people when they retire for decades, this area’s aging population is chronically underserved. We learn about the work being done to address the need at Florida Gulf Coast University’s still relatively new Shady Rest Institute on Positive Aging.

St. Matthew’s House in Naples is a faith-based nonprofit that is dedicated to addressing hunger, homelessness, and addiction. Their recent project Faces Beyond Homelessness brings the complex story of homelessness to the community and helps people understand the complex dynamics of homelessness and the people experiencing it. It features 10 chalk drawings by artist Wendy Wagner and is on display now at her gallery in Naples. The portraits capture emotional moments as 10 St. Matthew’s House residents shared the stories of their journey from homelessness to hope for the future.

A new Gallup poll shows that support for legalizing pot is at an all-time high. Nearly two-thirds of Americans are in favor, as well as 51 percent of Republicans, the highest ever.

On Thursday, March 30 the Collaboratory in downtown Fort Myers is partnering with the Collier Community Foundation, and the Charlotte Community Foundation, to host a region-wide “On the Table” event with locations in all three counties. The aim is to facilitate conversations between people of all walks of life, on one day and often around meals, to try and generate authentic dialogue between people, some of whom may just be meeting for the very first time, about what issues or problems we’re facing, and how best to try and address those issues or overcome those problems.

In April of 2023 a small group of southwest Floridians gathered to discuss their concerns about what they see as growing trends toward autocracy here in Florida. The primary focus of their concerns are the policies and positions being put forth by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and the Republican-dominated state legislature, which they say demonstrate autocratic or authoritarian tendencies. That small group of people went on to create a nonpartisan nonprofit called Floridians for Democracy which works to bring people together who share similar concerns. They now have nearly 1000 members, and together they work to shine light on issues around freedom and what they see as government overreach.

We get some insight into the world of dementia caregiver support — and we we learn about a relatively rare form of dementia called Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD). It’s a type of dementia that affects the areas that control behavior, personality, language, and decision-making. People with FTD might start acting differently, like becoming rude or impulsive, or they may have trouble speaking and understanding language. It usually appears in people younger than 65, and unlike other forms of dementia, memory problems aren't usually the first sign, but instead changes in behavior or communication skills are more noticeable early on.

Ever since the beginning of the modern concept of "science" there have been people who denied certain things despite evidence that they are true or factual. From evolution by natural selection to human-caused climate change, and more recently things like COVID-19 and mask effectiveness and vaccine safety, some people refuse to believe what scientists and researchers reach consensus on.

Ever since the beginning of the modern concept of "science" there have been people who denied certain things despite evidence that they are true or factual. From evolution by natural selection to human-caused climate change, and more recently things like COVID-19 and mask effectiveness and vaccine safety, some people refuse to believe what scientists and researchers reach consensus on.

As people who were hardest hit continue to do what they can to get through these times mental health professionals are urging people to do what they can to connect with others and be mindful of their own mental well-being.