Common Sense Health Advice

The Bay Area's Trusted Resource For Healthy Living After 50

Issue 129 December 2025

Five Straight And Still Swinging--Larry Hayes, USTA Captain

A huge thank you to my Sunnyvale teammates for winning our 5th straight 70+ 6.0 USTA NorCal Sectional Championship. P.S. Heading to the Nationals in January for the 65 Nationals--also 5th straight year.

P.S. Feel free to forward The Scoop to anyone who may be interested. It's free with information and stories on how to enjoy a longer, healthier life. If not already a subscriber, Subscribe Here.

Common Sense Health Advice

By Preston Houston

Publisher's Note: Preston isn’t a doctor and that’s the point. He believes most of us don’t need more medical jargon. This column isn’t about miracle cures, complicated medical terms or the latest “one weird trick” from the internet. It’s about common-sense health—practical, everyday ways to deal with the changes most of us face as we get older without turning life into a full-time medical appointment.

If you’re over 50, you’ve probably noticed something interesting: your body didn’t get the memo that you’re still the same person you were at 40.

You’re still sharp. You still have plans. You still want to enjoy life.

But your hearing? It may be asking people to repeat themselves.

Your eyesight? It may prefer brighter light. Your knees? They sometimes negotiate before agreeing to cooperate.

Welcome to the club. Let’s start with a few of the big ones.

(This column is for general information only and is not intended as medical advice; readers should consult their healthcare professional with specific questions or concerns.)

Come Experience Life At

Palo Alto Commons

A warm, welcoming senior community offering exceptional Assisted Living and Memory Care right in the heart of Palo Alto.

Enjoy private apartments, chef-prepared meals, housekeeping and scheduled transportation, all supported by a caring long-term team that knows you by name. Whether you need a little help with daily activities or just want a vibrant, social lifestyle, our 24/7 trained staff and on-site licensed nurses ensure comfort, safety, and peace of mind. Discover why we’re ranked #1 in Assisted Living & Memory Care in Palo Alto.

Call 650-494-0760 to schedule your tour today! To learn more, visit: Palo Alto Commons.

2025 $$ Wrap-Up

By Evelyn Preston, Money Lady

In the midst of holidays, who’s got time to read! So my gift to Scoop regulars is to shorten and share special news and views l found throughout the year.

Security Matters!

The bad guys never rest! My ever-careful daughter cleaned out years of long-expired credit cards, always mindful of warnings to delete all personal information. As her home shredder won’t work on plastic, she disabled the chips and strips, sliced each card into puzzle pieces, then scrambled and tossed the whole mess into different garbage cans. Amazingly, someone managed to reassemble and use one of the cards!

Although she quickly discovered the attempted fraud, from now on those plastic pieces—and all pertinent info—will get mixed in with slimy, yucky garbage. Nowadays, setting up a “grease trap” seems the only thing that prevents private info losses.

How December

Changed My Life

When we were younger, we made promises:

“I’ll never eat dinner before 7.”

“I’ll never complain about driving at night.”

“I’ll never turn the TV volume up.”

Then Decembers rolled around. And we turned 60. And here

we are.

Let’s start with holiday dinners. Once upon a time, dinner at

5:00pm felt embarrassing. Now it’s festive and efficient. You beat the crowds, avoid the noise and still have time to enjoy the tree lights, a movie and dessert without rushing. We call it holiday strategy.

Speaking of noise—December is loud. Shopping carts, crowded restaurants and someone always yelling, “Did you hear what I said?” We used to power through. Now we notice. A lot. Quiet has become our favorite seasonal upgrade.

Then there’s the TV volume, especially during holiday movies. It’s not loud—it’s clear. We want to hear every line, every carol, every whispered dramatic moment. Subtitles? Perfectly acceptable. It’s all about understanding the story, not guessing it.

We also swore we’d never plan around daylight yet time changed that. Night driving, rain, glare and early sunsets? No thank you. Daytime gatherings feel friendlier, safer, and

—bonus—end earlier.

And of course, comfort wins the holidays. Shoes should feel good immediately. Sweaters should be soft, not itchy. Chairs should support something important. If it pinches, rubs or requires “breaking in,” it doesn’t make the cut this season.

Here’s the truth: we don’t miss the old rules. We like this chapter. We know what works. We know what doesn’t. And we’ve earned the right to enjoy the holidays our way—calmer, cozier and a little earlier.

As the year comes to a close, may your dinners be early, your TV volume be just right and your New Year be merry, peaceful and comfortably yours.

Discover Chateau-Cupertino

Senior Independent Living Community With a Flair

Senior living doesn't get any better than living at

Chateau-Cupertino whether you're in retirement or just ready for the next great phase of your life. Enjoy a home-life environment in your own senior apartment with three fresh served home-style meals daily.

Housekeeping and laundry services, all basic utilities, great activity programs, game rooms and transportation--all included starting at $3,400 per month.

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Cupertino is one of the best places to live in the San Francisco Bay Area--home to world famous Apple. Come and see for yourself. Chateau-Cupertino.

Call 408.446.4300. Or email: MarieLouise@chateau-cupertino.com.

Celebrating 20 Great Years Together

And Still Counting!

A warm holiday thank-you to our readers and advertisers for 20 years of support, encouragement and friendship.

We began as a print magazine and, five years ago, made the move online. Today, The Scoop reaches 100,000 readers across the San Francisco Bay Area connecting older adults with useful information, trusted resources and a strong sense of community.

The format may have changed but the mission hasn’t—sharing practical advice, local stories and a few good moments along the way.

Thank you for being part of the journey and helping us grow. Wishing you good health and Happy Holidays!

P.S. The journey continues. And a special thank-you to our advertisers. Your support makes it all possible.

—Larry, Publisher, ActiveOver50

Have a question for Larry? Email larry@activeover50.com

Feel free to forward this monthly newsletter to family and friends who may be interested. Free. If not a subscriber, Subscribe Here.

Hand n' Hand Senior Placement

When It's

Someone

You Love

By Katie Cooney

Is someone you love struggling to live safely at home alone? Are daily tasks becoming overwhelming or do they need more care than family can provide?

When it's time to explore options for senior living, in-home care

or community resources, I’m here to help.

As a Certified Senior Advisor, I specialize in guiding families through the complex and emotional decisions surrounding senior care.

Whether your loved one has had a medical event, is experiencing memory challenges or simply needs extra support, I provide

concierge-style assistance to match them with the right care and

living arrangements.

From assisted living and memory care to in-home services and local resources, I take the stress out of finding trusted solutions.

My goal is to ensure safety, dignity and peace of mind for your loved one—and for you. Let me help you navigate the next step in their journey with knowledge, compassion and care.

📞 Contact me today for a free consultation. Because when it comes to senior care, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Hand n' Hand Senior Placement

Why Selling a Home "As-Is" Is The Smart Call For Most Long-Time Bay Area Homeowners

By Seb Frey, Compass

For hundreds of thousands of Bay Area homeowners considering a move, the conventional wisdom suggests they fix up the home before selling to “get top dollar.”

But the research shows this approach usually ends up costing money, not making money, when the home is sold. According to multiple studies, most home improvement projects fail to deliver a full return on investment. Major kitchen and bath remodels, for example, often recoup only 50–70% of their cost. That means a $40,000 upgrade could result in a $12,000–$20,000 loss.

Instead, many savvy homeowners are choosing to sell as-is, with prep work concentrated on “high-ROI” improvements like deep cleaning, yard refreshes, and decluttering.

Not only is this approach faster and less stressful—it usually nets sellers more because they skip costly delays and hit the market at a price point that is in much higher demand.

Local real estate expert Seb Frey specializes in helping long-time local homeowners sell as-is with no repairs, no staging and no drama—just a smart strategy for maximum equity extraction.

For a free, no-obligation consultation, call Seb @ (408) 596-1623

## Seb Frey, Compass • Lic. 01369847 Visit: Sell Savvy

Thank You, Teammates!

Five Straight and Still Swinging

By Larry Hayes, Sunnyvale Captain/Player

A huge thank you to my Sunnyvale teammates for winning our 5th straight 70+ 6.0 USTA NorCal Sectional Championship.

This one feels especially sweet because playing competitive tennis after age 70 isn’t just rare, it’s downright extraordinary. Some of us are well into our 80s; many of us have logged time with new hips, knees, or shoulders and yet we keep showing up, competing and somehow winning.

Why? Because the love of tennis is real. Health experts tell us that tennis may be one of the best longevity sports out there combining cardio, balance, brain power and social connection. Some surveys even suggest it can add years to your life. Judging by my team, we believe it.

More than trophies, tennis gives us:

• A reason to stay active

• A reason to stay connected

• And a reason to keep moving forward. Sometimes carefully, always enthusiastically

The 70+ league is a special place. Few get to play here and fewer still get to win five straight. Proud of this team. Grateful for the friendships.

And as always…“No one got hurt. No one died. Good match.”

FREE! Three Bay Area Guides You'll Actually Use

This month, The Scoop features three FREE resource guides to help you live better and make informed decisions:

• Caregiver Guide – Local help, support and tools

• Senior Housing Guide – Places, prices and where to start

• Home Improvement Guide – Trusted contractors + smart remodeling tips

All three guides are online, free and updated regularly.

Bells Are Jingling!

Under Cardiac Arrest is a comic series starring a quirky couple loosely based on John Donaghue's parents. Besides thousands of followers online, UCA has been translated into greeting cards, shirts, mugs and a book.

Visit Website

Get The "Inside Scoop" On

Living a Longer, Healthier Life

Published monthly by ActiveOver50, the Scoop is a free, online newsletter for boomers and seniors in the San Francisco Bay Area reaching over 100,000. For editorial and advertising opportunities, email: larry@activeover50.com. ActiveOver50.com

Get The Inside Scoop On Boomers & Seniors