An AARP survey confirms that most Americans would prefer to remain in their homes during their senior years. Aging in place is an achievable goal for many, particularly if home modifications help aging residents cope with disabilities. Aging in Place Harvard Health identifies several benefits of growing older in a family home. Living at home […]
Families have always been the primary source of care for older adults who can no longer live independently. In medieval times, older adults who had no surviving family were relegated to residences in “poorhouses” or “almshouses.” Even in more recent centuries, poorhouses paid scant attention to safety and sanitation. Neither were they designed to give […]
Most seniors are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A when they turn 65 if they apply for or are already receiving Social Security benefits. Medicare Part A provides coverage for treatment after hospitalization. Seniors need to take the initiative to enroll in Medicare Part B. That coverage pays a large chunk of most medical treatment […]
Three hurricanes made landfall in Florida between August 5 and October 9, 2024. Hurricane Debby overwhelmed wastewater treatment plants, causing sewage to be discharged into Sarasota Bay. Hurricane Helene devastated parts of Florida as well as Georgia, Tennessee and the Carolinas. Hurricane Milton brought high winds and flooding that knocked out power for millions of […]
When their children leave home, many older adults decide they have no further need for a large house. Cleaning more rooms than are in use becomes a tiresome chore. Maintaining property requires an expenditure of time and money that might be spent on more pleasurable activities. Many couples think about relocating to a more hospitable […]
In a divided nation, Americans can still find points of agreement. Large majorities of Americans agree that teachers are underpaid, government benefit programs are necessary, and a second civil war would be bad for the nation. A September 2024 survey discovered that a substantial majority of Americans agree on another fact: the United States faces […]
Twenty years ago, experts predicted that seniors would face a shortage of caregivers and clinicians as the Baby Boomer generation aged into retirement. They explained that caregiving “is intimate and labor-intensive and can be especially difficult when done for an aging parent.” It is challenging to attract workers who are willing to perform “unglamorous” work […]
October 9 is Ageism Awareness Day. Like any awareness day, its purpose is to call attention to a problem and inspire people to take action. That action starts with the recognition that ageism is real, that it harms older adults and society as a whole, and that the time has come to understand the importance […]
While retirement communities and independent living facilities are popular choices for older adults who want to downsize or can no longer manage the upkeep of their family home, surveys confirm that most Americans hope to age in place. Unfortunately, barriers to remaining in a home after children move out can make it difficult for seniors […]
Most caregivers in America are unpaid. They take care of family members, including disabled parents. Many unpaid caregivers forego wages and sacrifice their careers to take care of their parents or other loved ones. They might lack funds to pay a professional caregiver, or they might be unable to find one. The nation is facing […]