Presidential candidate Nikki Haley recently proposed requiring politicians over the age of 75 to undergo a mental competency test as a condition of holding federal office. Had she advocated for such a test for all politicians, regardless of age, older voters might be more receptive to her proposal. Requiring all candidates to demonstrate their competence […]
Subversive behavior may be the key to aging well. A British study published in December 2022, of people born in 1921 found that “subversive tactics,” combined with humor, contribute to a sense of independence and a positive attitude toward life. The study of participants aged 95 years does not suggest that older people should undermine […]
Traditional retirement communities were conceived as places where older people would enjoy the companionship of neighbors who are part of their generation. Some seniors who live in those communities see the absence of children (apart from visitors) as contributing to a restful retirement. Most retirement communities are located in suburbs and small cities, where developers […]
Most older Americans receive Social Security and participate in Medicare. Those programs help people meet their financial needs while assuring that they receive affordable healthcare. Yet those programs, combined with private retirement plans, are not always sufficient. The Census Bureau reports that, prior to the pandemic, one in six seniors relied on a needs-based assistance […]
Updated May 2025 Seniors balance competing factors when they decide where to live after retirement. People who feel rooted in a community and have easy access to family and friends might stay where they are. Some may decide to move closer to adult children who have moved away. Older people who are tired of coping […]
Updated May 2025 Martha Graham said, “Dance is the hidden language of the soul of the body.” The benefit of expressing the soul through dance might explain Satchel Paige’s advice: “Dance like nobody’s watching.” For older adults, dance benefits both the mind and the body. In 2017—-2020, researchers in England studied Dance for Health… Researchers […]
Loneliness can afflict people of all ages. In some cases, loneliness is caused by social isolation. About 27% of Americans who have reached the age of 60 live alone. Yet research shows that many older people who live alone are not lonely or socially isolated, while some feel lonely despite living with family members. A […]
Updated May 2025 The stereotype that older people lose their mental sharpness is pervasive. Like all stereotypes, it invites judgment based on group membership rather than individual accomplishment. Nola Ochs [earned a masters degree at the age of 98. Peter Roget was 73 when he created the first thesaurus. Grandma Moses started painting when she […]
Updated May 2025 Americans are drivers. Cars are associated with freedom and independence. For people who don’t live in cities with reliable public transportation, cars may be a necessity. In 2023, more than 51 million licensed drivers in the United States were age 65 or older. More than one in five licensed drivers fell within […]
Updated April 2025 When they can, seniors typically choose to live independently. Some remain in a family home while others downsize or enjoy the comfort of a retirement community. Seniors who need assistance coping with health conditions may depend on family members for help. They may instead opt to reside in an assisted living facility. […]