Super foods. The phrase conjures images of nutritional heroes swooping in to boost health. But do these foods truly live up to the hype—especially for older adults? For some, the evidence is strong; for others, findings are mixed. Below we define what qualifies a food as “super” and present a focused list of foods with … Read more

In last week’s post, we explored the defining characteristics of a rental retirement community and weighed the potential benefits and drawbacks. In this second installment of our series on senior living options, we turn to equity retirement communities — also called ownership retirement communities — and explain how they differ from other senior living models. … Read more

According to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs report, the healthcare sector added 37,000 positions in June. With the population aging, demand for healthcare and senior care workers continues to rise—especially for “direct care” roles such as home health aides, personal care aides, and nursing assistants in assisted living and long-term care … Read more

I’ve written before about the importance of diversity on the board of directors for continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), sometimes called life plan communities. A board made up of people from varied backgrounds brings fresh perspectives and valuable input that help protect a community’s long-term financial health and quality of life—outcomes that matter to current … Read more

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, roughly 6.2 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. Most of these individuals are 75 or older (72 percent), and nearly two-thirds are women. To put this in context, July 2019 U.S. Census Bureau estimates put the 65+ population at … Read more

Family caregiving is often called a labor of love. Caring for someone who once cared for you can be deeply meaningful, and many people accept this role out of duty or devotion. Still, even when caregiving brings purpose, it can be physically, emotionally, and financially draining for unpaid family caregivers. >> Related: Confronting Caregiver Guilt … Read more

If you are considering a move to a retirement community, one of the first questions to answer is how much it will cost. Expenses typically include any initial entry fee (if required) and ongoing monthly charges. Monthly service fees vary widely depending on location, community type, contract terms, and level of care, but most retirement … Read more

We are launching a new way to communicate and share information with you about retirement living and other senior topics…through video blogs (also called “vlogs”). Click here to let us know what you think! One common question I hear from seniors considering a move to a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), also known as a … Read more

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has changed daily life around the world. Beyond the evident health concerns and travel disruptions, the outbreak has also shaken financial markets. Many people have heard from their financial advisors, reassuring them to remain calm during market volatility, but seeing major indices fall can still be unsettling. An independent perspective … Read more

The University of Michigan’s Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation carried out the National Poll on Healthy Aging (NPHA) in January 2023, surveying 2,563 people aged 50 to 80 about their social connections and experiences of isolation. The results show that many older adults—especially Baby Boomers living alone, often called “soloagers”—continue to struggle with persistent … Read more