As older adults turn to their children for advice about housing options, the phrase “retirement home” often conjures images of living in a small room in a dismal building filled with inactive men and women who spend their days knitting or watching television or starring. The stigma associated with retirement homes makes older adults fear […]
Americans in their 80s probably grew up listening to Elvis Presley. If they are a bit younger, they may have danced to the Beatles during their teen years. Seniors who recently reached retirement age may have listened to record albums of musicians who played at Woodstock. Musical tastes tend to evolve as we age. A […]
Adult children want to assure that their parents live their best lives as they grow older. They may feel frustrated when parents who are concerned about being a burden to their children are not forthcoming about declining health. A frank conversation with parents might encourage them to open up about developing health issues and unmet […]
The demand for caregivers will continue to grow as the American population continues to age. Baby boomers have been entering their senior years at a time when medical advances have extended lifespans. The expanding population of older adults who are coping with chronic disabling conditions has increased demand for certified nursing assistants in assisted-living facilities […]
Social Security benefits are the only source of income for about 20% of Americans who are 65 or older. Retirees struggle when they must live on their Social Security benefit alone. The average benefit is less than $1,800 per month. About half of all Americans who are 65 or older receive 50% or more of […]
As consumers spend less time shopping in brick-and-mortar buildings and more time shopping online, malls that were once gathering places for Baby Boomers are closing. Forbes reports that some Baby Boomers are returning to malls that have been redeveloped as senior living communities. While living in an abandoned mall might conjure images of pitching […]
The COVID-19 pandemic was particularly dangerous for older adults. While age does not determine whether a person infected with COVID-19 will become seriously ill, older adults are more likely to have the health conditions and impaired immune systems that make people more vulnerable to COVID-19 complications. During the pandemic’s final surge of fatalities, 92% of […]
Medicine, technology, and a better understanding of the process of aging are helping people live longer lives. How people occupy their time as they grow older is also changing. The percentage of Americans who remain employed after reaching the age of 65 has doubled in the last 35 years. Older workers are more likely to […]
A doctoral candidate in Canada noted that most North American research focusing on retirement has emphasized “the negative effects of life transition,” including the difficulty of adjusting to retirement and the financial impact of living on a reduced income. Those studies might create the impression that retirement generally has a negative impact on psychological well-being. […]