Rachel Stein is a senior vice president at a communications firm. She lives with her husband, two preteen sons, and a large dog. In an interview, she talked about her family’s struggle after her mother, then 78, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Stein’s mother lived independently in her townhouse until her condition began to deteriorate. […]
A large majority of older adults hope to age in place. Other seniors prefer the comfort of an independent-living retirement community. Either living situation allows older adults to preserve their independence. Living independently can become more challenging as we age. Technology increasingly offers useful responses to those challenges. While aversion to technology is a stereotype […]
Wealthy Americans tend to diversify their assets. They own stocks, bonds, private equity, real estate, collectable art, precious metals, and a variety of other assets. Less affluent Americans might have a 401(k) plan and a savings account, but their home is often the most valuable asset they own. Owning a home has long been seen […]
Einstein’s theory of relativity is complex, but at its core, the theory expresses a truth that people grasp intuitively: time is not a universal constant, but a subjective experience. As a physicist might explain, the faster you move through space, the slower you move through time. While time is a subjective experience, two people who […]
Retirement should bring welcome relief from a lifetime of work. Ideally, the freedom to spend your time pursuing activities that give you pleasure. But, sadly, the reality doesn’t always match the ideal. Without careful planning and a clear understanding of the financial and emotional challenges that retirement can bring, the golden years can become unexpectedly […]
For the last ten years, AARP has prepared annual reports that assess the state of family caregiving in the United States. The 2025 report provides a snapshot of the 63 million Americans who provide unpaid care to a disabled child or adult. The 63 million caregivers constitute almost a quarter of all American adults. Their […]
Each year, surveys confirm that most seniors would like to age in place. For several reasons, that isn’t always possible. Widows and widowers may find that the family home is just too large for a single occupant. Disabling health conditions might make it difficult to climb stairs, prepare meals, or perform routine home maintenance. Rising […]
It’s natural for people to worry about their health as they age. A decline in physical abilities is inevitable, but that inevitability makes it possible for people to anticipate and prepare for lifestyle changes that accompany the loss of muscle mass. A decline of cognitive ability is less easy to predict. A degree of cognitive […]
Retirement communities offer appealing housing options for older adults who are ready to downsize. After years of mowing the lawn and repairing leaky roofs, many retirees are happy to be relieved of the responsibility of home maintenance. Retirement communities give seniors the opportunity to relax as they make new friends of similar age while enjoying […]
Do you trust your spouse? If you’ve been married for decades, the answer is probably “yes” or you wouldn’t still be married. Still, there are different levels of trust. Even in a strong marriage, individuals value their privacy. They might not want a spouse to access a bank account and discover that they fibbed about […]