Seniors Across America Offer Advice to the Next Generations
June 4, 2007
Inspired by his grandmother, Meckelson, a former worker in the financial services industry, founded the Elder Wisdom Circle in 2001. Now nationwide, this group comprises volunteers aged 60–100 who endeavor to provide assistance to younger people who ask questions through a Web site. Meckelson and L.A. Times
staff writer Haithman have divided representative correspondence into such subjects as careers, sibling issues and death. Many engaging and thoughtful questions and responses are recounted. Although one respondent recommends trusting in God, the circle members are by no means all believers and are required to refrain from proselytizing. The elders are not afraid to discuss nontraditional family structures and also humanely and appropriately deal with inquiries about sexuality. Anyone looking for empathy and practical strategies for overcoming difficulties from those who have been there will profit from this light-hearted guide and be inspired to visit the Web site, elderwisdomcircle.org.
July 1, 2007
Garnering the wisdom of more than 600 seniors nationwide, Meckelson (president/founder, the Elder Wisdom Circle) has compiled this guide to help young people face the struggles and challenges of everyday life. He and "Los Angeles Times" staff writer Haithman took the most universal and provocative questions and answers from the popular web site www.elderwisdomcircle.org and arranged them by life's major phases. Problems addressed include coping with shyness, arguing with neighbors, and delivering eulogies. A unique feature of the material is that several responses are provided for each question, which gives the reader options for behavior. With its distinctive format for self-help queries, this should prove interesting to patrons of all ages. Highly recommended.
Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.