Increasingly more families are assuming caregiving responsibilities as they keep their aging relatives at home. Although this experience can prove stressful, it definitely has its positive aspects. How could it not when it offers people a chance to develop talents they never thought they had?

As people age, they often find that their house is getting too big and the yard is becoming too much to manage. Yet even thinking about change can be overwhelming. The Alcazar, an institution that offers independent living for seniors, is offering free workshops this fall.

"From House to Home" is a series of workshops designed to help seniors and their children think about the next stage of their lives. These free programs will be held at the Alcazar, 2450 Derbyshire Road, on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 8 p.m., beginning with a reception at 6:30, catered by Ben Cyr, owner of Green Planet Catering.

Bored? Missing the thrill of challenge and adventure in your life? They say wisdom comes with age, so why not put it to good use and try something different? 

Cleveland State University, Case Western Reserve University and other area institutions offer free classes to seniors.

Cleveland Heights lost a real gem. Roslyn "Ro" Eugene died suddenly on May 7 after celebrating every day of her 79 years. Ro’s children remember her as an activist. When her two eldest children came home from Coventry School, after a beating delivered by two kids who lived around the corner, Ro sprang into action. She rounded up her husband and five children and visited the home of the culprits. There, both families shook hands, sang songs and created "Coventry Kids for Peace," which may have been the beginning of the community movement that eventually erected the Peace Arch on Coventry Road.

A local group, Staying at Home, is interested in establishing a system that would help senior citizens stay in their homes as long as possible. A questionnaire distributed earlier this year had a good response and the group is looking for providers who are interested in participating in this program.

The most important needs indicated on the survey include computer assistance, house cleaning, post-storm cleanup, gutters, meal preparation, transportation, handyman, medical bill assistance, window cleaning, home care and pet sitting.

Homewood Residence at Rockefeller Gardens will offer a seminar on March 24 at 1:30 p.m. about advance directives and powers of attorney. Open to the public, attendees will learn about Durable Power of Attorney and Living Will/Health Care Proxy documents.

(L-R)Lillian King, Nancy Darling, Elie McBride, Dorothy Ipavec, Gale Hessler, Wilma Kasper, Sue Klein, Cecilia Vidmar are enjoying a New Year's party held here at the CH Senior Center on December 31.

A local group is exploring setting up a system that would help senior citizens stay in their homes as long as possible. It is the kind of thing that has been done successfully in a number of communities. First of all, they need to know what services senior citizens in our community might need. To this end they have prepared a questionnaire that is available at the Senior Activity Center, area libraries, and in this article at www.heightsobserver.org. You do not have to sign it, but please take the the time to fill it out in order to give them the information they need.

A concert in honor of Klaus George Roy’s 85th birthday will take place at St. Paul’s Church, 2747 Fairmount Boulevard, Cleveland, on Jan. 25 at 2 p.m. The concert has been organized by Karel Paukert, organist at St. Paul’s Church, and Eric Kisch, host of “Musical Passions” broadcast on WCLV-FM, who will act as master of ceremonies.

December's concert by the Hum & Strum group is enjoyed by all at the Cleveland Heights Senior Activity Center. This month the Hum & Strum group begins their fourth year of fun together.

As Baby Boomers start to retire they’re asking themselves “Where do I go from here?” Cleveland Heights resident Charlotte McGowan decided to explore that question in a unique way-- by biking cross-country.

On Friday, May 9 twenty-two senior citizens received an early Mother’s Day gift. Cleveland Heights High School’s cosmetology program and the Diversified Health Occupations program sponsored Pamper Yourself From Head to Toe Day. The seniors were able to choose from a range of free services including hair styling, manicure, facial, or pedicure with an accompanying massage. Seniors received blood pressure checks and were presented with flowers before leaving. Parent Ambassadors to Heights (PATH) and the Office on Aging at the Cleveland Heights Community Center helped to organize the special day.