The budget reconciliation act that Congress passed in 2025 — known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill” until “One Big Beautiful” was stripped from the Act’s title — affected seniors in several ways. Changes in the Medicaid program that won’t take effect until after the 2026 midterm elections is likely to cause millions of Medicaid […]
There is a lot to unpack in the recently enacted budget reconciliation bill. Known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” before that title was stripped by the Senate, the 870-page law makes changes in taxation, increases funding for immigration enforcement and the military, and reduces funding for programs that make life better for many […]
Seniors who have an online account with the Social Security Administration (SSA) probably received an email “celebrating the passage of the One Big, Beautiful Bill.” The unusual email — the first time in history that the SSA has sent mass emails to Social Security recipients boasting about the passage of a partisan bill — makes […]
Surveys confirm that most older Americans would like to age in place. They may need help to do so. As they grow older, a healthier spouse might care for a disabled spouse. Adult children might choose to live with their parents so they can provide full-time care. Most home care for older adults is provided […]
The federal agencies with primary responsibility for helping Americans stay in good health are the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The CDC monitors outbreaks of disease and offers advice that — if followed — should help Americans improve or maintain their health. The […]
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 […]
Older adults are too often stereotyped as being incapable of learning to use new technologies. Studies suggest that seniors may resist new technology because they worry that failing to use it properly would contribute to negative stereotypes about their age group. Research confirms that older adults, when given a chance, “are just as capable as […]
Seniors are often concerned about the security of their retirement savings. A plummeting stock market can destroy the value of retirement investments. Most 401K programs make safe investments, but companies like Enron that invest in their own businesses can cause employees to lose their pensions if the business fails. While bank failures are not common, […]
Hospice care provides services that increase the comfort of people who are dying from an untreatable health condition. Hospice care is intended to manage the patient’s pain while promoting a peaceful death. Adult children of a dying parent often turn to hospice care when the parent wants to die at home. Hospice care also be […]
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 […]