With menopause, women’s bones lose the protection of estrogen. The decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) that occurs with aging is called osteopenia when it is mild and osteoporosis when it is more severe.

Osteoporosis Prevalence Increases with Age

Approximately 200 million women worldwide suffer from osteoporosis, and its prevalence increases with age. Statistics show that at 60 it’s 10%; at 70, 20%; at 80, 40% and at 90 it goes up to 67%.

Bone fractures, especially of the hip, often trigger a downward spiral in health. Researchers have shown that in comparison to fracture-free individuals of the same age, those with hip fractures face a 3-4 times greater risk of dying.

Medications Can Have Serious Side Effects

A number of pharmaceuticals are available for treating osteoporosis, but they have serious side effects. This includes gastrointestinal distress, femur fractures and jaw disintegration.

Bone is a living tissue with two types of cells. There are osteoblasts that build bone and osteoclasts that destroy bone. The mechanism of action of the medications is to block the osteoclasts, but they don’t build new bone cells. In contrast, weight-bearing exercise stimulates the osteoblasts and the building of new bone.

Daily Yoga Shown to Be an Effective Bone-Building Option

Yoga is a Sanskrit word that means “union” and has been practiced in India for thousands of years. During the last few decades in the U.S., hatha yoga, the physical practice of specified poses, has been demonstrated to offer a range of health benefits. These include enhanced flexibility and range of motion, stronger muscles, better balance and posture, as well as stress reduction.

For more than a decade, Dr. Loren M. Fishman, a Columbia University physiatrist who specializes in rehabilitative medicine, has been gathering evidence to determine whether yoga is an effective therapy for osteoporosis.

In a small pilot study back in 2005, participants showed increased bone density in their spine and hips from 12 minutes of daily practice of 12 specified yoga postures.

Based on those positive results, Fishman expanded his research to include 741 people from 2005-2015. Mostly supported by his own funds, three more researchers from Rockefeller University, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and New York University assisted Fishman in recruiting volunteers worldwide via the Internet.

Of that group of 741, 227 did the 12 assigned yoga poses daily or every other day over the decade, which were the inclusion criteria for the final data analysis. Of the 227 who met the practice frequency criteria, 202 were women. The average age of that group at initiation was 68, and 83% had osteoporosis or osteopenia.

What Does a Decade of Data Show?

Analysis of a decade of data revealed that all 227 participants showed improved bone density in the spine and femur. Hip density also improved, but the changes were not significant. Additional lab results of a study of bone quality of 18 of the participants showed enhanced internal support of the bones. This parameter, not measurable by a scan, is also important in preventing fractures.

Before the study, the 741 participants had suffered a total of 109 fractures. A decade later, there were no fractures or serious injuries reported or detected by x-ray in any of the participants, including those who didn’t meet the practice criteria.

See the 12 postures below and go here to read the 2016 study published in Clinical Interventions in Aging.

Of course, none of the information in this article is intended to be medical advice and you should talk to your doctor before starting any new exercise plan.

Now, let’s get a conversation started!

Have you experienced a bone fracture or been diagnosed with low bone density in your 60s or older? Do you practice yoga? If so, do you find that it helps your body to stay flexible, while strengthening your bones? Please join the conversation.

Medical disclaimer: Nothing in this article is medical advice. Please consult with your doctor before starting any yoga or other exercise program.

The American population is aging at a dramatic rate, and this trend is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, given demographic trends. The aging process is unique and looks different for everyone. However, as people age, many experience physical and cognitive decline. Sometimes, these declines are precipitous enough that the person may need additional care and assistance. In some cases, this may include long-term care. Below, we explore the ins and outs of long-term care. 

What is Long-term Care? 

As the name suggests, long-term care is care that lasts over an extended period of time. This contrasts with short-term care and assistance that some people may require following a surgery or an accident. Long-term care is often set up because a person has a chronic or degenerative condition that will not get better over time. In the beginning, long-term care may provide only minimal assistance. However, over time, long-term care may begin to offer more services. 

More Than Medical Care

Often, people assume that long-term care is primarily medical care. But, this is frequently not the case. Instead, long-term care providers are generally helping their clients with daily tasks and chores. Some of these tasks may relate to hygiene, such as assisting with bathing and toileting. It is also common for the long-term care provider to help with dressing and make sure that the client is well-fed and hydrated. As an umbrella term, these tasks are frequently referred to as activities of daily living, or more commonly – ADLs. 

Other Helpful Tasks

But, long-term care providers frequently go above and beyond that. They may be tasked with money management, including making sure that the person’s bills are paid in a timely manner. The long-term care provider may also take care of a client’s beloved pets. Another vital role may be assisting with communication, allowing the client to remain in touch with family members who may be geographically remote. All of these tasks require a strong degree of comfort and trust between the provider and the client. 

Medical Care Varies for Everyone

Even though long-term care tends to primarily be non-medical in nature, this does not mean that the provider is not offering some medical care. The amount of medical care and the type of services provided will depend on the client’s needs. Some clients simply have more intensive medical needs than others. Examples of medical care provided may include: sorting pills and making sure that they are taken as dosed, and changing dressings on wounds.  

Over 50% of Americans Will Need Long-term Care

Many people think that long-term care needs, such as the types described above, are things that only happen to someone else. But, recent research from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services suggests otherwise. This research shows that more than 50 percent of older Americans will require long-term care. And, perhaps even more shockingly, the price of this long-term care may approach $150,000.

Who Needs Care? 

As the eye-opening statistic above noted, the answer is potentially everyone. Anyone runs the risk of being impacted by an injury or illness that would require them to receive long-term care and assistance. Even being under the age of 65 does not perfectly protect a person. For example, a younger person could be severely injured in a car accident, leading to the need for long-term care. 

Even though no one is immune from the possibility of needing long-term care, certain factors could skyrocket the likelihood that you, or a loved one, will need long-term care. 

Risk Factor #1: Poor Health

One risk factor is not surprising, and that is being in generally poor overall health. People with chronic health conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes and heart failure, are more likely to need long-term care. These individuals may also be more likely to need more intensive assistance, focused more on medical care than on simply ADL tasks. It is worth noting that approximately  1 in 5  adults over the age of 65 in the United States has been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. And, it is not just having a medically diagnosed condition that can increase your risks. Your risk could go up if you so ply lead a sedentary life. 

Risk Factor #2: Age

Age also plays a significant role in a person’s need for long-term care. For example, the oldest of the old (those above the age of 90) are more likely to need long-term care than their 65-year old counterparts. 

Risk Factor #3: Gender

Perhaps not surprisingly, gender also plays a role in the need for long-term care. But, surprisingly, it is women who are more likely to need long-term care. Women are healthier than men, but they also live significantly longer on average. This longer lifespan may translate into a greater need for long-term care. 

Other Risk Factors

These are not the only factors that could increase the likelihood that you may need long-term care. The risk may also skyrocket if you are single, living alone, or do not have a family member who can step in and fill this role. 

How Much Care Will You Need? 

Unfortunately, there is no one simple answer to this question. Different people may have dramatically different needs, and it may be impossible to predict these needs ahead of time. 

Consider The Length of Care

There are numerous parameters to think about in terms of care. First of all, you will want to think about how long you will need the care for. Will it be for a finite period of time, such as when you are undergoing cancer treatment? Or will it be permanent due to a degenerative condition, such as Parkinson’s? The answer to these questions will impact what sort of costs you are looking at – with lifelong care clearly being more expensive. 

Intensity of Care

In addition to the length of care, you will also want to think about the intensity of care and the level of intervention that you may need. For example, do you or your loved one only require assistance with bathing? Or do you have needs throughout the day? Perhaps not surprisingly, more intense needs usually correlate with higher costs. 

Keep This in Mind

It is also important to remember that we do not always have a crystal ball with the aging process. Our needs may change over time, which can influence the type of long-term care we are looking for.  But, irrespective of these changes, statistics do paint a clear and compelling picture. Roughly 50 percent of older Americans will need long-term care during their life. And of this number, approximately 1/3  will need care for more than two years, and many will need care for more than five years. 

Cost of Care

Many people have never really thought about the cost of long-term care. Therefore, not surprisingly, they are shocked when price tags are put in front of them. Some studies suggest that one year in a nursing home in Manhattan costs more than $150,000. Costs in other areas of the country may be lower. Unfortunately, the costs are still high enough to be out of the reach of many middle-class families. 

The Average Cost of Long-term Care

For most parts of the country, $80,000 – $90,000 per year seems to be an average cost for nursing homes, and assisted living facilities are not dramatically less expensive. Even though the sticker shock may not be as great for in-home care, this option is also not inexpensive. In many areas of the country, home health workers can cost $20 – $25 per hour. In addition, the price tag can go up rapidly if you or a loved one requires 24/7 care or intensive or specialized services. 

This means that many families attempt to cobble together family caregivers. As you might imagine, this can be stressful and overwhelming for family members trying to balance a wide range of commitments. If you are considering this option, it is crucial to have transparent conversations with all family members and make sure that everyone agrees. 

Even with the mind-boggling price tags, it is important to remember that there are options for financing this care. We explore some of them in greater detail below. 

Who Pays for Long-term Care? 

After people get over their initial sticker shock related to long-term care, their next question is often: Who pays for these services? Quite honestly, there are many answers to this question depending on an individual or family’s circumstances. The answer may also evolve over time as a person’s need for care changes. 

Out-of-Pocket

The first answer is that some families pay out-of-pocket for the long-term care that they need. But, this can be impossible or, at the very least, financially onerous for many families. To make this feasible, some families need to cash in their investments, such as 401ks. 

Another option that is commonly pursued is something that is called a reverse mortgage. Reverse mortgages are a type of mortgage in which an older person can use their home value as a line of credit. They do not have to repay this money while they are alive. But, upon their death, their family needs to pay back the money when the property sells. Reverse mortgages can be a great option for many older Americans. However, make sure to talk with a trusted financial professional before deciding if this tool would be good for you. 

Life Insurance and Other Options

Life insurance policies and annuities are other popular financing options for older Americans looking to finance their long-term care. Again, however, there may be concerns with choosing this financing approach, so make sure to consult with a professional. 

Other common financing options include long-term care insurance and the government, via either Medicare or Medicaid. We discuss these options in greater detail below. 

What is Long-term Care Insurance? 

Long-term care insurance is a particular type of health insurance designed to cover its policyholders’ long-term care needs. Long-term care insurance generally does not differentiate between the kind of care that it will cover. The benefits can be used to pay home health workers’ salaries or be used for the bills at nursing homes. However, different policies are set up in different ways about what they will or will not help with. Therefore, it is important to carefully assess your preferences with the aging process when you set up your policy. It is also critical to regularly review your policy to ensure that it is still working for you and your evolving needs. 

What You Should Know About Long-term Care Insurance

Long-term care insurance is an integral part of many families’ financial planning process. But, long-term care insurance is not a panacea. There are several things to be aware of. First, some policies only cover long-term care for a finite amount of time, such as two to five years. In these cases, a person may out-survive their policy. This means that they may be left scrambling to pay for their coverage. 

A second caveat is that most policies put a maximum on their daily reimbursement levels. Some facilities or options may be more expensive than the maximum. In this case, families will be faced with out-of-pocket costs. 

A final concern may be in terms of premiums. Generally, long-term care insurance costs are lower when you buy it when you are younger or in relatively better health. The insurance company may raise insurance premiums over time, which could potentially price some people out of the insurance market. 

Private Health Insurance

In addition to long-term care insurance, some private health insurance companies may also cover portions of long-term care costs. However, this coverage tends to be limited. It tends to only cover care for a limited period of time after a surgery or hospitalization when a person may need intensive skilled nursing or rehabilitation services. 

Medicare and Medicaid 

The final financing options for many individuals and families are Medicare and Medicaid. Although sometimes people tend to confuse or conflate these two programs, it is important to remember that they are very different. They have different qualification methods and may cover very different services and types of care. 

Understanding Medicare

First, it is important to jog our memories about who does or does not qualify for Medicare. In general, Medicare covers everyone over the age of 65. It may also cover some individuals under the age of 65, including those who qualify for Social Security disability benefits and those who are on dialysis. 

Another category of individuals who are covered under Medicare is people with Lou Gehrig’s Disease. We are often conditioned to believe that Medicare covers all of a person’s health care costs. And, yes, Medicare is generous. However, some health care costs still fall to the individual, and Medicare, in general, does not cover long-term care services. 

Medicare Does Not Cover Long-term Care Unless…

There are some exceptions, though, when Medicare does cover long-term care. One exception is for older Americans who have recently been discharged from a hospital stay of at least three days. In this case, Medicare will pay for medically necessary stays in a nursing facility. For the first twenty days, Medicare will cover the entirety of the stay. If the stay stretches from 21 – 100  days, costs will be shared between Medicare and the patient. After the 100 day mark, the patient will be personally responsible for all of the care. 

There are some other exceptions for Medicare as well. For example, a patient may have skilled nursing care, or other therapeutic services, covered if it is necessary to treat their illness/disease or if the absence of this care would lead to a decline in the patient’s health or well-being. Getting this care covered, however, requires your doctor to be fully on board. The doctor will need to provide documentation illustrating his/her rationale to Medicare. Even with this documentation, there is anecdotal evidence that some families still run into roadblocks and red tape with Medicare. 

Medicare also provides generous coverage of care that falls under the hospice umbrella. This care can be accessed in your own home or in a facility, such as a nursing home or hospice center. The only caveat with this coverage is that doctors have to assess that the patient likely has less than six months to live and that the patient is no longer engaging in life-saving treatments. 

Medicare and Medicaid are Different

As noted above, Medicare is an age-qualified program, with some exceptions allowed for people with chronic medical conditions. Medicaid, on the other hand, is an income- and asset-qualified program. Medicaid provides medical services, including long-term care, to people who would otherwise not be able to afford it. Care may be covered in a nursing home or provided in the person’s home. 

Qualifying for Medicaid for long-term care is a two-stage process. In the first stage, the individual needs to show that they are income- and asset-qualified. This means that they need to make or have fewer resources than the level that the state in which they live has set. Once their eligibility on these criteria has been established, the state will then assess if they qualify for long-term care. 

Medicaid Eligibility

As noted above, not everybody will qualify for Medicaid. Medicaid is designed to help people who would not otherwise be able to afford medical services, including long-term care. Therefore, the government has set up guidelines for income and assets to determine who does or does not qualify. Although these are often referred to as government guidelines, it is important to remember that there is not one single guideline in the United States. Instead, each state is allowed to set up income and asset thresholds to determine eligibility. 

Other Eligibility Requirements

In addition to qualifying for Medicaid under these income eligibility requirements, which are generally extremely low, there are two other options that can qualify more people in need of long-term care assistance for help. 

Special Income Group

The first option is a special income group. The special income group sets a higher income threshold, often around $2000 per month, provided that the person is in a long-term care facility. The biggest caveat with this program is that not all states offer it as part of their Medicaid coverage. Currently, only 40 states offer expanded special income groups. 

Medically Needy

The second option is similar, in many ways, to the expanded special income groups. It is referred to as medically needy. If someone is identified as being medically needy, they can use their medical expenses to offset their income. In this case, their initial income level may have been too high to qualify for Medicaid. However, when their medical expenses are subtracted out, they may be under the threshold of what qualifies them for Medicaid. The challenge with this program is that not all states have chosen to make it a part of their Medicaid programs. At present, there are only 33 states with medically needy exceptions to qualifying standards. 

Long-term Care Uncovered 

As the United States population continues to age, more and more people will be looking for long-term care. This long-term care can cover a wide range of services, from help with bathing and dressing in a person’s own home to medically intensive care in a nursing home facility. 

Statistics indicate that most people will need care for at least part of the time that they are older, and these costs can be significant. They often exceed the amount of money that families have. The good news is that there are many options to finance this important care, including long-term care insurance and Medicare and Medicaid. Each of these options was discussed in greater detail above.

Tracy Tutor’s Pink Outfit on Celebrity Family Feud

Million Dollar Listing LA Instagram Fashion 2021

It’s time to play FAMILY FEUD! Although we’ll have to wait until it airs to see who won the MDLLA vs. MDLNY episode of Celebrity Family Feud, I think it’s safe to say that Tracy Tutor definitely deserves some bonus points for her amazing pink satin outfit. Which is sold out, however we’ve included some Style Stealers down below that are still totally deserving of you giving some Fast Money.

Fashionably,

Faryn

Click Here to See Her Sold Out Gauge81 Top

Click Here to See Her Wearing it in Her MDLLA Season 12 Confessionals

Click Here to See Her Sold Out Alex Perry Pants

Click Here to Shop Her Kendra Pariseault Earrings

Photos: @TracyTutor, @Fredrikeklundny & @Kirsten.Jordan

Styling: @LMatocha & @SeeWhatEyeSee

Info: @TracyTutor

Originally posted at: Tracy Tutor’s Pink Outfit on Celebrity Family Feud

After a loved one
dies and the funeral is over, you may think the worst is at an end. Then come
the many practical matters: settling the estate, filing for life insurance
benefits, transferring deeds and titles, and the often dreaded, and sometimes
lengthy, task of sorting through a loved one’s personal possessions.

Sometimes this
entails no more than cleaning out a closet –
other times an entire home needs to be emptied. But whether it’s a small or
huge physical task, it is an enormous emotional task.

Clearing out a
loved one’s belongings may make us feel disloyal, dredge up memories both good
and bad, and confirm the permanence of the loss.

My Own Experience

I’ve had to do this
myself. After the sudden death of my best friend, Peter, it fell to me to clear
out his apartment and find homes for his belongings. As I sorted through his
things, each item took on new meaning, from his ever-present coffee mug and
favorite sweater to the last Christmas gift I gave him.

I sat frozen on his
couch, the very couch we’d sat on hundreds of times talking over everything
under the sun, overwhelmed by the task and not feeling very charitable. I could
think of nothing to give away because I wanted everything to remain as it was
before his death.

For almost two
months, I went through each and every item, stopping time and again to
reminisce and savor the memories. Peter had been an artist, so there were a
number of paintings to be dealt with as well. And I was reluctant to part with
any of them.

Giving Away Memories

With the end of the
lease looming, I rented a storage unit to hold his paintings until the day came
when I was ready to part with them. In time I realized that by keeping Peter’s
artwork in storage they were not being seen, and I was not honoring his memory.

I began giving
paintings to people who had known him and appreciated his work. I gave his
favorite painting of a horse and rider to a friend’s grandson, who had a
passion for horses.

I also donated a
portrait he had done of President Richard M. Nixon (one in a series of
Presidential portraits) to the Nixon library and received a letter in reply
indicating that it would be added to the Nixon collection of memorabilia. The
fact that it was in a repository of presidential materials is something that
Peter would have loved.

And, of course, I
kept some paintings for myself. They hang on my walls and are a daily reminder
of a long and cherished friendship.

While no personal
possessions can take the place of a lost loved one, special mementos keep the
memories near.

Here are some suggestions to help make a difficult, and stressful,
ordeal less daunting.

Don’t Act in Haste

Unless there are
pressing time constraints such as the impending sale of a home, or an apartment
lease soon to expire, tackle the project in your own good time. Don’t let
anyone rush you; everyone’s timetable is different.

Some may be quick
to get rid of reminders of their loved one believing that “out of sight, out of
mind” will help with healing, but down the line you may wish you
had held onto certain things.

Maureen Casey, a social worker in Queens, believes
there are two different approaches people take to donating items after a
person’s death.

One approach is to get rid of things in
haste because they see that process as closure. Other people, she says, “go
through the stages of grief and may not want to contemplate doing anything for
a year.”

Check to See Items Are Covered by the Will

Before giving away any possessions, check to see if they’ve already been
bequeathed to someone. This applies not only to valuables such as jewelry,
electronics, and furniture, but to sentimental things, too.

A will can also be the last word in deciding who gets what when more
than one person wants a particular item.

Start with the Obvious

Toss items that are
broken, stained, missing parts, or obsolete and lacking in emotional
attachment. Magazines, newspapers, cosmetics, toiletries (except perhaps for the
favorite cologne) can go, too. With common household items out of the way the
path forward becomes clearer.

Act Strategically

After the
non-essentials are out of the way, tackle one room at a time. Basic organizing
tips of “keep, discard, or donate” work well here. When the deceased has had an
extensive collection of items such as books or curios, putting limits on what
to keep may make things easier.

My beloved uncle
collected Lionel trains. When he died two years ago, his children and
grandchildren each kept one, with the remainder being sold to avid collectors.

Donate to Where It Will Do the Most Good

Consider donating
to an organization near and dear to your loved one. Veterans groups can use
clothing, as can Dress for Success.
Blankets, towels, and sheets are always needed by animal shelters, and books
can go to used book stores or library book sales.

In my case, I
eventually happened upon the idea of donating Peter’s prized easel (a birthday
gift from me), art books, and supplies to an art school. I knew he would
approve.

Casey, who met the man who would eventually become her
husband when he inquired about donating his late wife’s dresses, advises doing
“something that can live on in someone else’s life.”

She remembers one patient in particular who benefited
from the donation. The woman was undergoing dialysis and had neither the
strength nor the extra funds to buy a new dress for her daughter’s wedding.
Casey showed her the dresses that had been donated and one of them fit
perfectly.

“It looked like it had been made for her,” said Casey.
The woman was so thrilled that she sent Casey a thank you card, which she
shared with the donor, and that became a step on their path to courting and
marriage.

Storage Facility

While sorting
through a loved one’s belongings may be therapeutic for some, it is agony for
others. If you simply cannot bear to tackle the
task immediately, consider storing items in your basement or attic.

If you live in an
apartment, and finances allow, think about renting a storage unit for the short
term as I did.

Memory Keepers

Meaningful and
favorite possessions of the deceased can be kept within a keepsake box. Mine,
for example, contains Peter’s prized portrait camera, a half-used tube of oil
paint, one of his paint brushes, and favorite greeting cards we exchanged
throughout the years.

Shadow boxes also
can serve a similar function and can be displayed on walls. Scrapbooks, too,
showcase memorabilia. In addition, some have suggested weaving articles of
clothing into a quilt.

Photograph Items Before You Give Them Away

Making a photo file of the items you give away ensures that precious
memories will not be lost forever. You can keep the file folder on your
computer and for added security back it up to an online photo sharing site or
cloud.

There are a number of scanners on the market that allow you to preserve
important documents and receipts in an electronic form. Be sure to keep
important original documents in a safety deposit box at the bank or in a home
safe.

How do you handle
the belongings of deceased friends and family? Have you ever had to clear out
someone else’s house? How did you do it? What tips have remained that you’d
like to share with our community? Please use the comment box below.

As we age, Mother Nature has a way of softening our appearance. Our hair turns grey in an attempt to create a softening halo around our face which is succumbing to gravity and the loss of moisture and collagen. A darker, fuller mane of hair might be too harsh to contrast to the signs of aging like wrinkles, saggy skin, and age spots. I am sure that Mother Nature thought this one out, but my mirror said otherwise.

The Upside of Going Grey

The decision to stop coloring one’s hair is not for the faint of heart. It’s for women who are tired of spending time and money trying to keep three steps ahead of their grey roots. As the frequency of salon visits increases, so does the cost. There is a sense of liberation when breaking free from this endless cycle; not to mention more money in your wallet.

There Is Help and Support Out There

When I decided to let my grey take over, it was both scary and liberating. During this awkward and, at times, humiliating process, I scanned the Internet trying to find my “Going Grey Tribe.”

There are plenty of bloggers and Facebook Groups out there dedicated to helping women embrace their age, hair color, and the painstaking process of going grey or “au natural.” They offer tips on grey hairstyles, photos of different outgrowth stages, and plenty of encouragement and support.

Now Is the Perfect Time

I think it’s important for you to know what to really expect. First of all, the beginning stages of outgrowth aren’t bad. But there comes the point when it’s obvious what you’re doing, which brings about stares and double takes from well-meaning Strangers.

What I found fascinating is that Millennials loved my two-tone hair color. I actually think some of them thought I did it on purpose! Now is a good time to go the grey route partly due to all the crazy hair colors out there, and surprisingly many young women are choosing grey! With any luck perhaps we can just blend in.

This Impacts Your Overall Look

The truth is this will impact your clothing, makeup, and self-esteem. You might find that the warm color tones in your makeup and wardrobe now clash with the cool tone of your grey hair. If there was ever a good reason to update your wardrobe, this is it.

Your skin tone against your grey or white hair can wreak havoc with your expensive makeup collection. And last but not least, you might feel that you are not as attractive or youthful-looking. Hopefully, you have friends and family around you telling you the truth. The truth is that they admire you and think that you are a strong, beautiful woman.

The Grey Movement Is Here

I am proud today of my decision to embrace both my grey and my age. Certainly, it’s not been an easy road, but it continues to get easier like most things in life. I am also proud of our culture today that encourages people to be themselves, and that beauty comes in all different colors, sizes, and shapes.

Maybe I had the courage to go grey because of this new way of thinking. Regardless of the reason, I am glad that I joined the “Grey Revolution.” I am not here to recruit anyone, but it is a loving community of authentic and amazing women.

The Joy of Accepting Your Age

You won’t miss spending hundreds of dollars, monthly visits to the hair salon, or the constant upkeep of covering your grey. The process can be liberating and can help you accept yourself and your age. There is a huge sense of empowerment being who you are and having the courage to share it with the world.

As women, we are barraged with images on television, the Internet, and magazines of what beauty is and what it should look like. I can’t and frankly don’t want to look like the young women depicted in the media.

I would rather have my short grey hair, and the laugh lines and wrinkles etched into my skin from years of living and laughter. Maybe it’s about time that is considered beautiful, too.

Have you thought about embracing your grey? Do you see women with grey hair and admire their confidence? Are you tired of spending time and money coloring your hair? What do you think your family and friends would think about you going grey?