Archive | Growing Old is Not for Sissies

Writing an Obituary

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 19, 2020

Category: Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Giving Back, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Jury Consultants, Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Mental Health, Psychology, Work-Life

In the midst of the worldwide pandemic caused by COVID-19, life goes on. And, life, for some people, ends. Many people are, of course, dying from the virus but many other people are dying from other causes. It was against this backdrop of COVID-19 that I received a phone call on Monday, April 6, 2020 […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 19, 2020

I’ve not been asked to handle the task of writing an obituary, or providing a eulogy at a funeral – something Melissa has also done on more than one occasion. But, I will add to the tribute to Russ Jones. Way back when Melissa was teaching at UNF, I had a number of occasions to […]

COVID-19 By the Numbers: Part 3 – Questions

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 14, 2020

Category: Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Jury Consultants, Life Outside of Work, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Psychology, Trial Consultants, Work-Life

The preceding posts on Fear and Hope related to COVID-19 numbers led me to this post. The numbers we are being given should raise questions. Clearly, we are not being given full information and that worsens the tremendous uncertainty of this pandemic. Following are some questions that I have. When did this virus really start? […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 14, 2020

David has a lot of questions, none of which are easily answered. I doubt we will ever know the answers to many of the questions on everyone’s minds, for example, the date on which the COVID-19 virus was first discovered. I have read countless articles about its origin, including that COVID-19 was discovered 15 years […]

Things We Can Do While Wearing a Mask

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 12, 2020

Category: Business personalities, Common Courtesy, Getting the Job Done, Giving Back, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Mental Health, Psychology, Work-Life

Let me begin by saying I intensely dislike being told what to do. Being told what to do, as opposed to being asked what to do (the more politely, the better) has never been one of my strengths. And, when someone tells me that I have to do something for my own good, such as […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 12, 2020

It has been interesting as we have collectively adapted, some kicking and screaming, to the pandemic crisis. Masks were a later adaptation with lots of mixed messages. On one particular day, I heard the U.S. Surgeon General recommended masks and the Florida Surgeon General said they don’t help. Or, maybe it was vice versa; that […]

COVID-19 By the Numbers: Part 2 – Hope

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 7, 2020

Category: Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Jury Consultants, Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Mental Health, Trial Consultants, Work-Life

To have hope in dealing with COVID-19, one must have perspective. Perspective comes from knowing other numbers. For example, the flu kills 100 people a day in the U.S. (more or less, depending on source). Most people are unaware of the rate at which other diseases kill. Here is a sample (based on numbers from […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 7, 2020

David has created some interesting charts designed to give the readers of this blog some hope for the future when we resume our lives. Although I, like everyone else, hope we will return to “normal” soon, I believe normal will be different from what normal used to be, in the good old days before COVID-19 […]

COVID-19 By the Numbers: Part 1 – Fear

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 30, 2020

As we are all experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic, we are bombarded with numbers. Working with data, i.e., numbers, is a way of life for Melissa and me. Because of that, I’ve been frustrated from day 1 that, while we are being given some numbers, we are not being given others. Further, some of the “numbers […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 30, 2020

Interpreting statistical data is not for the faint hearted. I should know; I have both taken and taught courses in statistics. I use statistics on a regular basis at work. (SPSS, anyone?) For the most part, the average person cannot begin to understand statistics. For many people, understanding mathematics is a challenge and, based on […]

Twilight Zone

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 16, 2020

Category: Getting Through Life and Work, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Life Outside of Work, Mental Health, Psychology, Work-Life

“Help, I’m steppin’ into the twilight zone” go the lyrics of the 1982 song by Golden Earring. The twilight zone, where things are not as they seem, was envisioned, and brought to the small and big screen, by the imagination of Rod Serling. I hear this song in my head each time I enter the […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 16, 2020

Category: Getting Through Life and Work, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Life Outside of Work, Mental Health, Psychology, Work-Life

Dementia is a strange disease that plays strange tricks on the minds of those who suffer from it, and sometimes, on the minds of those who interact with dementia patients. Based on my education as a psychologist, as well as my experience with family members and friends who suffer from dementia and mental illness, I […]

Herman’s Army

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 27, 2020

Category: Getting Through Life and Work, Giving Back, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Life Outside of Work, Work-Life

This is another post in the series of “growing old is not for sissies.” The twists and turns of aging require frequent adjustments. For Dad, the last 6-8 months have involved many. Hospital, then rehab, then relocation to a new assisted living community, adjustments to new people at the new place, adjustments to his new […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 27, 2020

Category: Getting Through Life and Work, Giving Back, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Life Outside of Work, Work-Life

David’s comments about all of the people involved in his parents’ care is another example of the phenomenon known as “it takes a village.” In the case of frail, elderly parents, it is difficult for many families to assume a care giving role, particularly if family members live out of town, are employed, and/or have […]

Traits of Mom’s wheelchair helpers

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On September 3, 2019

Category: Common Courtesy, Getting Through Life and Work, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Life Outside of Work, Psychology

As with many illnesses, including some types of dementia, the ability to ambulate declines until the patient is unable to walk. My mother had a form of dementia, known as Pick’s Disease, that caused a regression in her ability to ambulate on her own, to walking with a cane, to walking with a four pronged […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On September 3, 2019

Category: Common Courtesy, Getting Through Life and Work, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Life Outside of Work, Psychology

Melissa reported these encounters with angels to me in real time. It was surprising to her and her Mom, as well as to me, at first. But, then it came to be something of a curiosity as to what story I’d hear her tell next. I don’t think we had many offers of help when […]

A scientist’s experience of the paranormal

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On August 13, 2019

Category: Common Courtesy, Getting Through Life and Work, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Life Outside of Work, Psychology

I am a scientist and, as a scientist, I prefer to base my decisions on data and other provable information. However, there are some things that cannot be explained by logic, science, or anything else; they remain mysteries. As I write this post at a time near the 10 year anniversary of my mother’s death, […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On August 13, 2019

Category: Common Courtesy, Getting Through Life and Work, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Life Outside of Work, Psychology

I was just thinking of this event recently, before reading what Melissa wrote about that night. I, too, am very glad that we were all together when Leola turned out the lights in that I don’t think the experience would have otherwise been believable. She was not connected to any machines, so there was nothing […]

Same as it Never Was

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 25, 2019

Category: Careers, Common Courtesy, Getting Through Life and Work, Giving Back, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Mental Health, Psychology, Work-Life

With apologies in advance to David Byrne and others who wrote the song Same as it Ever Was, and which I recently heard, I was prompted to change “ever” to “never” for this post. Better stated, perhaps in the context of this post, it is perhaps Sane as it Never Was. As has been written […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 25, 2019

Everyone experiences dementia, and other psychological maladies, differently. In addition, families and friends of people with psychological problems react to the changes in their loved one’s behavior in their own, unique, ways. There are no two people who are alike and this truism applies to coping with mental health issues in oneself and one’s family. […]

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Archive | Growing Old is Not for Sissies

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

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