Woman Offers Guide For Aging

Colleen O’Dowd’s grandfather taught her to value her elders and to fear aging.

“He had so much dignity and grace and respect for all people,” Colleen says. “When I visited him in the nursing home, I could see how embarrassed he was to have to ring for help, be washed by women. It stole his dignity.”

It saddened Colleen, but it also motivated her.

“I knew I’d end up working in that area,” she says. “I want to finish my last two years on earth happy. Everyone should.”

But Colleen quickly discovered that changing the plight of the oldest generation is as overwhelming as climbing Mount Everest in winter. “I felt so helpless, like I couldn’t change things alone,” she says.

She studied her options for 10 years as her work with Coeur d’Alene’s homeless took her to social agencies, shelters, nursing homes. Colleen collected information about elder-care, opened her own placement agency and investigation service, wrote down common questions. And found her answer - a magazine.

“I found so many families who aren’t prepared, who all of a sudden have to place a parent and don’t know where to start, and feel guilty,” she says. “I couldn’t reach enough one at a time. But a magazine…”

“Pathways to the Future” debuted in glossy magazine splendor last September, its 32 pages filled with articles by financial experts, counselors, health professionals and pastors.

Colleen targeted the Northwest’s sandwich generation - those with children and parents depending on them. The second issue, which came out this month, includes some profiles of interesting people as well as practical information - how to stop heartburn, how reverse mortgages work, screening potential home care workers.

“I had to lighten up,” Colleen says. “I don’t want to scare and depress people.”

Ads cover some of the publishing costs. Colleen’s hoping subscriptions and newsstand sales will cover the rest. She’s selling the quarterly for $1.50 an issue.

“I think I’ve found what I want to stay with,” she says. “It helps society, it’s fun. It’s what I needed to do.”

Swing, swing, swing

“As Time Goes By,” you may find yourself “In The Mood” to “Sing, Sing, Sing” a “Harlem Nocturn” or slip into a “String of Pearls” and boogie-woogie with your favorite bugle boy.

The Big Band era is over, but the music, thank goodness, lives on. The Post Falls High School jazz band will prove it at its Sentimental Journey Dance March 8 in the school gym.

Band director Donna Shepard is going all out for this soiree. She’s planning to transform the gym into a 1940’s nightclub. North Idaho College is lending props and costumes. Mr. Tux is donating tuxedoes. Students are taking ballroom dancing lessons now to prepare a floor show.

“I’ll die if I don’t get to dance with my son in a tuxedo,” Donna says.

Sounds “Unforgettable,” don’t you think? Tickets are $10 per couple, $7.50 for seniors and $5 for singles. The money will go for band equipment. If you swing and fox trot, call 773-7453.

Warm up

Shake the kinks out of those legs and get ready for the season’s first fun run. Lake City High’s Leprechaun Scurry March 1 at North Idaho College is only 3.1 miles and a good way to see if last fall’s running shoes need replacing. Plus, the registration fee goes to Idaho Drug-Free Youth programs.

Pick up an application at health clubs and start stretching. Shorts weather is right around the corner.

What do you do every year that reminds you that winter is finally over - move the snowblower behind the lawnmower, wash the car, find wads of dog hair everywhere you turn? Pinpoint the precursors of spring for Cynthia Taggart, “Close to Home,” 608 Northwest Blvd., Suite 200, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814; fax to 765-7149; call 765-7128; or e-mail to cynthiat@spokesman.com.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo