Cedar Rapids, IA, USA  
Digital Edition Digital Edition
Log in Log In My Account My Account
Subscribe Today
The Gazette The Gazette
The Gazette The Gazette
  • COVID-19
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Food & Drink
  • Business
Digital Edition Digital Edition
Log in Log In My Account My Account
Subscribe
CLOSE
The Gazette
Subscribe
My Account
  • News
    • All News
    • Election 2020
    • Coronavirus
    • Business News
    • Community
    • Crime and Courts
    • Education
    • Government
    • Health
    • Nation and World
    • Time Machine
    • Search Archive

    Our Journalists

    • Rod Boshart
    • Lee Hermiston
    • Erin Jordan
    • James Q. Lynch
    • Trish Mehaffey
    • Vanessa Miller
    • Kat Russell
    • Grace King
    • John Steppe
    • Gage Miskimen
    • Marissa Payne
  • Sports
    • All Sports
    • Iowa Hawkeyes
    • Hawkeye Football
    • Hawkeye Basketball
    • Prep Sports
    • Prep Volleyball
    • Prep Football
    • Prep Basketball
    • Prep Wrestling
    • Iowa State Cyclones
    • UNI Panthers
    • Small College Sports
    • Minor League Sports
    • Outdoors

    Sports Desk

    • Mike Hlas
    • Jeff Johnson
    • Jeff Linder
    • J.R. Ogden
    • K.J. Pilcher
    • Leah Vann
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Editorial Mission
    • Guest Columnists
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Political Cartoons
    • Staff Columnists
    • Staff Editorials
    • Submit a Letter or Column

    Our Columnists

    • Todd Dorman
    • Adam Sullivan
  • Food and Drink
    • All Food and Drink
    • Chew on This
    • Recipes
    • Restaurants
  • Business
    • All Business
    • Agriculture
    • Business Notes
    • Companies
    • Personal Finance
    • Economy
    • Employment
    • Energy
    • Manufacturing
    • Openings & Closures
    • Real Estate
    • Retail
    • Small Business
    • Transportation

    Our Journalists

    • Rod Boshart
    • Erin Jordan
    • John Steppe
  • Obituaries
    • All Obituaries
    • In Memory Of
    • Submit an Obituary
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • Daily News Podcast
    • Fact Checker
    • Hlastradamus Odds
    • Iowa Prep Sports
    • On Iowa
    • On Iowa Politics
    • On UNI
    • Pinning Combination
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • Art
    • Books
    • Museums & Galleries
    • Music
    • Theater
    • Things To Do
  • Living
    • All Living
    • Health & Wellness
    • Home & Garden
    • Milestones
    • People & Places
    • Pets & Animals
    • Recreation
    • Religion & Belief
    • Travel

    Our Writers

    • Diana Nollen
  • Kids Gazette
    • See All
    • Kids Cooking Series
    • Kids Galleries
    • Printables
    • Activities
    • Articles
    • Submissions
    • Resources
  • Photos
    • All Photos and Videos
    • The Iowa Photo
    • Photo Store

    Our Photojournalists

    • Andy Abeyta
    • Liz Martin
    • Rebecca Miller
    • Jim Slosiarek
    • Gazette Visuals
  • Milestones
    • All Milestones
    • Anniversaries
    • Days To Remember
    • Engagements
    • Holidays
    • In Remembrance
    • New Arrivals
    • Thank Yous
    • Submit a Milestone
  • Data
    • Arrests
    • Building Permits
    • Interactive Maps & Charts
    • Salaries
  • Gazette Sites
    • Classifieds
    • Corridor Careers
    • Garage Sales
    • Gazette Gives Back
    • Gazette Rewards
    • Gazette Store
    • Green Gazette
    • HER
    • Iowa Wedding Experience
    • Holiday Light Finder
    • Hoopla
    • Iowa Ideas
    • Photo Store
  • Special Events
  • Special Sections
  • Other
    • About The Gazette
    • Archives
    • Article Removal
    • Business Directory
    • CR Arrest Database
    • Mobile Apps
    • Customer Care
    • Order Back Issues
    • Privacy Policies
    • Puzzle Answers
    • Sponsorship Requests
    • Submit a Letter
    • Weather
Daily News PodcastDaily News Podcast
Daily NewslettersDaily Newsletters
Log out

FOLLOW US

The Gazette
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Food and Drink
  • Business
  • Obituaries
  • Podcasts
  • Entertainment
  • Living
  • Kids Gazette
  • Photos
  • Milestones
  • Data
  • Gazette Sites
  • Special Events
  • Special Sections
  • Other
  • All News
  • Election 2020
  • Coronavirus
  • Business News
  • Community
  • Crime and Courts
  • Education
  • Government
  • Health
  • Nation and World
  • Time Machine
  • Search Archive

Our Journalists

  • Rod Boshart
  • Lee Hermiston
  • Erin Jordan
  • James Q. Lynch
  • Trish Mehaffey
  • Vanessa Miller
  • Kat Russell
  • Grace King
  • John Steppe
  • Gage Miskimen
  • Marissa Payne
  • All Sports
  • Iowa Hawkeyes
  • Hawkeye Football
  • Hawkeye Basketball
  • Prep Sports
  • Prep Volleyball
  • Prep Football
  • Prep Basketball
  • Prep Wrestling
  • Iowa State Cyclones
  • UNI Panthers
  • Small College Sports
  • Minor League Sports
  • Outdoors

Sports Desk

  • Mike Hlas
  • Jeff Johnson
  • Jeff Linder
  • J.R. Ogden
  • K.J. Pilcher
  • Leah Vann
  • All Opinion
  • Editorial Mission
  • Guest Columnists
  • Letters to the Editor
  • Political Cartoons
  • Staff Columnists
  • Staff Editorials
  • Submit a Letter or Column

Our Columnists

  • Todd Dorman
  • Adam Sullivan
  • All Food and Drink
  • Chew on This
  • Recipes
  • Restaurants
  • All Business
  • Agriculture
  • Business Notes
  • Companies
  • Personal Finance
  • Economy
  • Employment
  • Energy
  • Manufacturing
  • Openings & Closures
  • Real Estate
  • Retail
  • Small Business
  • Transportation

Our Journalists

  • Rod Boshart
  • Erin Jordan
  • John Steppe
  • All Obituaries
  • In Memory Of
  • Submit an Obituary
  • All Podcasts
  • Daily News Podcast
  • Fact Checker
  • Hlastradamus Odds
  • Iowa Prep Sports
  • On Iowa
  • On Iowa Politics
  • On UNI
  • Pinning Combination
  • All Entertainment
  • Art
  • Books
  • Museums & Galleries
  • Music
  • Theater
  • Things To Do
  • All Living
  • Health & Wellness
  • Home & Garden
  • Milestones
  • People & Places
  • Pets & Animals
  • Recreation
  • Religion & Belief
  • Travel

Our Writers

  • Diana Nollen
  • See All
  • Kids Cooking Series
  • Kids Galleries
  • Printables
  • Activities
  • Articles
  • Submissions
  • Resources
  • All Photos and Videos
  • The Iowa Photo
  • Photo Store

Our Photojournalists

  • Andy Abeyta
  • Liz Martin
  • Rebecca Miller
  • Jim Slosiarek
  • Gazette Visuals
  • All Milestones
  • Anniversaries
  • Days To Remember
  • Engagements
  • Holidays
  • In Remembrance
  • New Arrivals
  • Thank Yous
  • Submit a Milestone
  • Arrests
  • Building Permits
  • Interactive Maps & Charts
  • Salaries
  • Classifieds
  • Corridor Careers
  • Garage Sales
  • Gazette Gives Back
  • Gazette Rewards
  • Gazette Store
  • Green Gazette
  • HER
  • Iowa Wedding Experience
  • Holiday Light Finder
  • Hoopla
  • Iowa Ideas
  • Photo Store
  • About The Gazette
  • Archives
  • Article Removal
  • Business Directory
  • CR Arrest Database
  • Mobile Apps
  • Customer Care
  • Order Back Issues
  • Privacy Policies
  • Puzzle Answers
  • Sponsorship Requests
  • Submit a Letter
  • Weather
Daily News PodcastDaily News Podcast Daily NewslettersDaily Newsletters
LOG OUT

FOLLOW US

More Stories

Iowa State Patrol trooper killed during standoff

Hari Michele Osofsky is first University of Iowa presidential finalist…

Despite their discomfort, some residents beginning to agree to COVID-19…

CANCELED: Operation Quickfind issued for Marion boy

Iowa OSHA: Anamosa prison didn’t have reliable radios

After border visit, Hinson calls for reinstating Trump policies

Visitor restrictions eased at Cedar Rapids hospitals

Joni Ernst says ‘zero’ chance she will run for president…

Home / Opinion / Guest Columnists

‘Sandwiched adults’ have new options

Alex Taylor, guest columnist Oct. 7, 2019 6:00 am Updated: Oct. 4, 2019 1:03 pm
‘Sandwiched adults’ have new options

My friend Lewis and his spouse juggle growing careers while raising two kids and finding time to care for his aging, widowed mother, who hoped to remain in his childhood home until she passed. But a few weekends ago, he and his mom ruefully decided it was time to move into a senior-living facility.

Lewis' situation is part of a growing generation of 'sandwiched adults” with seemingly few alternatives to balance their careers, household activities, and care for aging parents.

His predicament is a harbinger of things to come for my kids in 15 or 20 years.

My adult children will be horrified when their 75-year-old father is crawling on the roof to clean the gutters; they'll be saddened when I can't change garage ceiling light bulbs because it's too dangerous. They'll be exasperated by my inability to program a new TV or connect a new web-enabled device.

The fact is, I want to age gracefully at home, but will likely need help with household maintenance and chores. I'll want an active social life, but don't want to burden my family to manage my activities and social engagements. I'll want to remain independently mobile and not depend on my kids for transportation.

For better or worse, how we age is top-of-mind for our community's fastest growing demographic - young families and their aging parents. Thankfully, there is a new surrogate resource to fill this need.

TRAIL of Johnson County offers a 'go-to” option for aging residents who wish to safely remain in their homes and stay active. TRAIL, an acronym for 'Tools and Resources for Active Independent Living,” is a trending nonprofit, membership-driven organization. It's locally managed and supported by wonderful volunteers to offer a range of resources and services for full- and partial-members, as well as qualified subsidized members.

TRAIL resources and services include some routine household chores; a referral resource that screens and qualifies reliable professionals and services beyond those of TRAIL volunteers; transportation to and from doctor appointments, regular errands, and community events; and access to a robust selection of networking/social activities.

In fact, TRAIL is hosting a FREE (open to the public) event that will feature Janet Schlapkohl's monologue: 'Invisibility, elderly cats, and swimming raccoons: An irreverent look at aging and its surprises.” The event will be Thursday, Oct. 10, from 4:30 - 6 p.m. at the Coralville Public Library, and will include jazz entertainment by Mektoub, and light refreshments after Janet's presentation. Registration is requested (but not required) by visiting trailofjohnsoncounty.org or calling 319-800-9003.

Don't get me wrong, Iowa City is blessed by more than 12 wonderful retirement communities and senior-living facilities. These residences provide safe, healthy, comfortable, and active environments with degrees of care and supervision for our venerable parents, neighbors, and friends. But after learning about TRAIL, my options have expanded, and perspective changed. With the help of TRAIL, I'm looking forward to staying active, independent and in my home for many years to come.

Alex Taylor, a local business owner and community volunteer, serves on the board of directors for TRAIL of Johnson County.

Trending

  • Special events cap IMCA Deery Bros season

    Null

  • Hawkeyes add 6-foot-11 Riley Mulvey for next season

    Mike Hlas

  • Former Hawkeye Jack Nunge headed to Xavier

    The Gazette

  • Cyclist hit Wednesday in Coralville dies

    Lee Hermiston

  • Chew on This: Barrel House restaurant coming to Marion

    Elijah Decious

Give us feedback

We work hard to provide fair, accurate coverage because we value your trust. If you find an error or omission in our reporting, please tell us here.

Submit a story idea

Do you have a story idea that we should look into? Please tell us here.

Related Stories

Persuasive speaking lessons from Greta Thunberg

Persuasive speaking lessons from Greta Thunberg

By Nick Westergaard Business News Oct. 23, 2019 7:55 pm

Capitol Ideas: Democratic caucus field finally may be taking shape

Capitol Ideas: Democratic caucus field finally may be taking shape

Erin Murphy Government & Politics Jan. 26, 2020 7:03 pm

Coronavirus lawsuits are mounting

Coronavirus lawsuits are mounting

Wilford H. Stone Business News Jul. 1, 2020 6:52 pm

Guest Columnists

Planting Forward: Companies and workers restore trees taken by derecho

Planting Forward: Companies and workers restore trees taken by derecho

Clark McLeod

Opinion 3h ago

Rethinking the rush toward electric vehicles

Rethinking the rush toward electric vehicles

Nicholas Johnson

Guest Columnists Apr. 9, 2021 1:16 pm

All Cedar Rapids residents deserve a safe neighborhood

All Cedar Rapids residents deserve a safe neighborhood

Jenny Schulz

Opinion Apr. 7, 2021 11:00 am

In the final month of Iowa legislative session, common ground…

In the final month of Iowa legislative session, common ground…

Jay Byers and Doug Neumann

Guest Columnists Apr. 5, 2021 6:59 pm

Opinion

The only safe prison is an empty one

The only safe prison is an empty one

Adam Sullivan

Opinion Apr. 9, 2021 8:26 am

Property tax bill includes unwelcome surprises

Property tax bill includes unwelcome surprises

staff editorial

Staff Editorials Apr. 8, 2021 4:04 pm

A to-do list for the Iowa Legislature

A to-do list for the Iowa Legislature

Staff editorial

Opinion Apr. 8, 2021 8:15 am

Freedom falling out of fashion in the Iowa Legislature

Freedom falling out of fashion in the Iowa Legislature

Adam Sullivan

Opinion Apr. 6, 2021 1:05 pm

News

Hari Michele Osofsky is first University of Iowa presidential finalist…

Hari Michele Osofsky is first University of Iowa presidential finalist…

Vanessa Miller

Higher Ed 26m ago

Linn and Johnson outpace state in rate of adults completing…

Linn and Johnson outpace state in rate of adults completing…

John McGlothlen

News Apr. 11, 2021 3:41 pm

Despite their discomfort, some residents beginning to agree to COVID-19…

Despite their discomfort, some residents beginning to agree to COVID-19…

Michaela Ramm

Health Care and Medicine Apr. 11, 2021 12:04 pm

CANCELED: Operation Quickfind issued for Marion boy

CANCELED: Operation Quickfind issued for Marion boy

The Gazette

Crime and Courts Apr. 11, 2021 11:40 am

Sports

Metro duo produce for fifth-ranked Louisville baseball

Metro duo produce for fifth-ranked Louisville baseball

K.J. Pilcher

Sports 4h ago

UNI football hangs with, but can’t beat, No. 2 North…

UNI football hangs with, but can’t beat, No. 2 North…

UNI Panther Football Apr. 10, 2021 8:50 pm

Photos: UNI Panthers vs. NDSU Bison

Photos: UNI Panthers vs. NDSU Bison

Gazette Visuals

UNI Panther Football Apr. 10, 2021 8:34 pm

Kirkwood advances to NJCAA D-II women’s basketball tournament

Kirkwood advances to NJCAA D-II women’s basketball tournament

Justin Webster

Sports Apr. 10, 2021 7:25 pm

FOLLOW US

The Gazette is Iowa’s independent, employee-owned source for local, state, and national news coverage.

© 2021 The Gazette

All Rights Reserved.

  • Advertise with us
  • Privacy
  • Web Accessibility

Contact Us

  • 116 3rd St SE
    Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
  • customercare@thegazette.com
  • (319) 398-8333
  • Live Chat

Links

  • Puzzle Answers
  • CR Arrest Database
  • Article Removal Request
  • Archives
  • Green Gazette
  • Corridor Careers Jobs
  • Work at The Gazette
  • Customer Care

© 2021 The Gazette

All Rights Reserved.

  • Advertise with us
  • Privacy
  • Web Accessibility
Folience A Folience Company