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Ina Jaffe Ina Jaffe is a National desk correspondent based at NPR West, NPR's production center in Culver City, Calif.
Ina Jaffe 2010
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Ina Jaffe
Despite Alzheimer's, Couple Holds Tight To Old Memories

The Greenes say they take it a day at a time and relish the many long-term memories they've shared for nearly 60 years. David Gilkey/NPR hide caption

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David Gilkey/NPR

Health

Despite Alzheimer's, Couple Holds Tight To Old Memories

Pansy Greene, 73, is still in the early stages of Alzheimer's. She and her husband, Winston, describe their "journey," a term they use to refer to much more than Pansy's struggle with the disease.

Despite Alzheimer's, Couple Holds Tight To Old Memories

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National

Plug Pulled On California Nuclear Plant, For Good

Southern California Edison announced Friday morning that it will not restart the troubled San Onofre nuclear power plant. The facility has been offline for a year and a half after a leak in a steam tube created safety concerns.

Plug Pulled On California Nuclear Plant, For Good

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Automatic-Enrollment IRAs Get A Test Run In California
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Your Money

Automatic-Enrollment IRAs Get A Test Run In California

Studies show that when participation in a retirement plan is automatic, more people save. President Obama has proposed automatic IRAs for some employees, a version of which was adopted in California. But business groups argue that requiring employers to implement them is not the right way to go.

Automatic-Enrollment IRAs Get A Test Run In California

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Law

A Mother's Fight Against 3 Strikes Law 'A Way of Life'

Shane Reams owes his freedom from prison in no small part to his mother's 17-year campaign to change California's tough three strikes sentencing law. Sue Reams' work is not done, she says, not when people are still in prison "for stupid things" like stealing baby food.

A Mother's Fight Against 3 Strikes Law 'A Way of Life'

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'A Lovely Feeling': Celebrating Older Women With Fabulous Style

Mary, New York, 2012 Courtesy of Ari Seth Cohen hide caption

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Courtesy of Ari Seth Cohen

Arts & Life

'A Lovely Feeling': Celebrating Older Women With Fabulous Style

The fashion industry is sometimes criticized for unrealistic portrayals of young women. But if you're a woman older than 60, there are almost no portrayals, realistic or otherwise. Now a fashion blog called Advanced Style has made stars of some of these older fashionistas, including a 93-year-old who says the spotlight makes her feel like she's "part of the world."

'A Lovely Feeling': Celebrating Older Women With Fabulous Style

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A Retired Chicago Cop's Second Act Is At A Barbershop

Richard Piña, 69, with customer Augustin Bustos at Rich's Den barbershop in Calumet City, Ill. Piña, who retired from the Chicago police force 12 years ago, works at his shop four or five hours a day. Beth Rooney for NPR hide caption

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Beth Rooney for NPR

Working Late: Older Americans On The Job

A Retired Chicago Cop's Second Act Is At A Barbershop

After nearly 30 years on the Chicago police force, Richard Piña, 69, now owns Rich's Den in Calumet City, Ill. He had other businesses during his police career — hair salons, a taco stand, a rooming house. "I don't want to say I was an entrepreneur, but I was a hustler," he says.

A Retired Chicago Cop's Second Act Is At A Barbershop

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For Midwife, 71, Delivering Babies Never Gets Old
John W. Poole/NPR

Working Late: Older Americans On The Job

For Midwife, 71, Delivering Babies Never Gets Old

Sometimes you can't retire even if you want to. For Dian Sparling, a nurse midwife, there's no one to take over her practice. But at 71, delivering babies on call is harder than it used to be. "It would be horrible if I had to do this and stay up all night and I didn't love what I do," she says.

For Midwife, 71, Delivering Babies Never Gets Old

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At 85, 'Old-School' Politician Shows No Signs Of Quitting

Wisconsin state Sen. Fred Risser at the state Capitol. Narayan Mahon for NPR hide caption

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Narayan Mahon for NPR

Working Late: Older Americans On The Job

At 85, 'Old-School' Politician Shows No Signs Of Quitting

Elected in 1956, Wisconsin state Sen. Fred Risser is the longest-serving state lawmaker in the country. He may not use Facebook, Twitter or email, but he's gotten a lot done over the years. Considered an "institution within an institution" by some, he was just re-elected for another four years.

At 85, 'Old-School' Politician Shows No Signs Of Quitting

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Baby Boomers Return To The Multiplex, And Hollywood Notices

Maggie Smith plays aging opera diva Jean in the film Quartet. Increasingly, movies are turning their attention to older subjects in order to draw in older audiences. The Weinstein Company hide caption

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The Weinstein Company

Movies

Baby Boomers Return To The Multiplex, And Hollywood Notices

With popular films like Amour and Quartet filling theater seats — and winning awards — it's clear that targeting the 50-plus demographic can be a win-win for filmmakers.

Baby Boomers Return To The Multiplex, And Hollywood Notices

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When A Bad Economy Means Working 'Forever'

The recession put a dent in Sims-Wood's savings, and she expects she'll have to stay in the workforce "forever." Gabriella Demczuk/NPR hide caption

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Gabriella Demczuk/NPR

Working Late: Older Americans On The Job

When A Bad Economy Means Working 'Forever'

Janet Sims-Wood, 67, is like millions of other seniors still working in order to make ends meet. For the part-time librarian, the recession put a huge dent in her savings, so she expects she'll have to work as long as her health allows.

When A Bad Economy Means Working 'Forever'

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For One Senior, Working Past Retirement Age Is A Workout

John David, 73, teaches an exercise class called PACE to seniors at the 92nd Street Y in New York City. The former TV producer says he has finally found his true calling. Shiho Fukada for NPR hide caption

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Shiho Fukada for NPR

Working Late: Older Americans On The Job

For One Senior, Working Past Retirement Age Is A Workout

John David, 73, is one of the many faces of a growing group of Americans: seniors who work. The former TV producer switched careers in his 50s, becoming a fitness instructor. "This turned out to be the real calling," he says.

For One Senior, Working Past Retirement Age Is A Workout

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Workshops Help Families Grappling With Alzheimer's Home Care

The nation's largest provider of nonmedical home care for seniors is now offering training to help family caregivers deal with the challenges of caring for an Alzheimer's patient. iStockphoto.com hide caption

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National

Workshops Help Families Grappling With Alzheimer's Home Care

With most of the more than 5 million people with Alzheimer's cared for at home, the nation's largest provider of nonmedical senior home care now offers free training workshops for family caregivers. Caregivers are taught how to make use of long-term memories and to recognize what triggers anxiety.

Workshops Help Families Grappling With Alzheimer's Home Care

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Remembrances

Jack Klugman, Half Of 'The Odd Couple' Dies At 90

Emmy-award winning actor Jack Klugman died Monday. Klugman enjoyed a long acting career but is best known for his roles in The Odd Couple and Quincy, M.E.

Jack Klugman, Half Of 'The Odd Couple' Dies At 90

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Review

Business

Online Sale Are Up 16 Percent This Holiday Season

Holiday shoppers took to the Web in a big way this year. The latest figures show a 16 percent jump over last year. There were 10 days on which online sales topped $1 billion.

Online Sale Are Up 16 Percent This Holiday Season

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