50 Great Topics for Older Adult Discussion Groups

All you need to know to start a discussion book for old adults, including topics, questions, and process. Retirement years are sometimes lived in isolation and sadness. Tackling this important stage, often several decades, can best be done together. Through sharing and listening, we can go through the transitions with understanding and support. We are not prepared for this stage of life. We were children, adolescents, workers, parents, and friends. How should we perceive this new stage? How do we live it, finding meaning and pleasure in it? How do we handle the challenges?In groups for older adults, we tackle these issues together. We share our thoughts, fears, and triumphs. We offer each other encouragement, understanding, and practical solutions. At the end of our meetings, we leave with an idea or a plan that will help us fathom the uncharted waters of aging.This book grew from ten years of leading groups for older adults in Philadelphia. Each topic page is a guide for discussion of interests or concerns. It will be your roadmap for leading groups in your own community.

Patricia Beynen lives in Philadelphia in retirement,after careers in business and social work. She and Dee Grubin have led groupslike the ones in this book for over 11 years around Philadelphia.
Although now living 100 miles from herbirthplace in New Jersey, she has lived in seven states and three countries,sometimes as the leading spouse, sometimes the trailing spouse. Being theleading spouse is more fun.
Patricia is the author of two books forretirees, The Big R, The Retirement Lifethat Begins after the Party, and TheBig R Two, Using Your Time, two creative non-fiction books, My Life inLincoln, and The 1910 Diary of May Fitzsimmons, as well as threemiddle grade and young adult novels.And, with Dee Grubin, 50 Great Topics for Older Adult DiscussionGroups.

50 Great Skits for Older Adult Discussion Groups is due about April 1, 2020.

Doris (Dee) Grubin: was a school counselor and teacher who facilitated groupsthroughout her career of 35 years. She lives in Philadelphia and is a guide atthe Philadelphia Museum of Art. As a school counselor she worked with all agesof children and teens, and found that group discussion is a powerful way tobuild understanding and knowledge among young people.
After retirement, her interest turned to the issues of aging andthe challenges that older adults face. At a senior center in Philadelphia,along with her co-leader, Patricia Beynen, she worked to create a meaningfulgroup experience for the people who came to share ideas and to learn practicalthings for their role as "elders." Leading these groups for 11 years has beenrewarding and fun. Dee is hoping that your will find all you need in this bookfor you to bring this experience to your community.