Labeling an older adult as “frail” can be stigmatizing. Geriatric researchers have cautioned that the term is linked to “mental or moral weakness” and may become “the new cloak of ageism, a tool for discrimination and disempowerment applied to the most vulnerable.” Despite its negative connotations, medical science uses the term frailty to describe a […]
Older adults lose their social connections for various reasons. Retirement deprives seniors of workplace interactions. Children and other family members move to distant locations. Retirees who relocate to a different community no longer have the opportunity to visit with friends. Declining health might make it difficult to participate in social activities. Older adults may be […]
The adult children of disabled parents are often asked for advice about their parents’ housing options. When parents need around-the-clock care, a nursing home might be the most realistic choice. A parent who needs assistance with the activities of daily living might remain in her home with the help of family or outside caregivers. When […]
Residents in retirement communities — sometimes known as senior living communities — generally live independently. They do not typically require daily help to get dressed, eat, or attend to their personal hygiene. On the other hand, even seniors who enjoy the independent lifestyle provided by a retirement community may need a helping hand. Older adults […]
As adult children help their aging parents decide how to meet their future housing needs, they typically ask whether the parent is capable of aging in place. Older adults often hope to stay in the family home for as long as they can, but coping with stairs and home maintenance can pose difficult challenges. Children […]
Updated May 2025 Parents are familiar with guardianships in the context of making wills. When parents have minor children, lawyers encourage them to nominate a guardian who will care for their children if both parents die at the same time. The guardian of a minor manages the minor’s finances and makes the same decisions about […]
Older adults are frequent targets of schemes to swindle people out of their money. The FBI reports that 92,371 older adults were victimized by fraud in 2021. They lost $1.7 billion, a 74% increase from 2020. Many older adults have accumulated substantial savings that attract financial scammers. Regardless of their wealth, older adults are seen […]
Researchers regularly discover new information about how the brain functions. Still, brain scientists admit that their understanding is limited. The brain is remarkably complex. Neurons — the primary functional brain cell — communicate with other cells by releasing chemicals known as neurotransmitters into synapses. The brain consists of 86 billion neurons and nearly a quadrillion synapses. The […]
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 […]