It’s a busy time of year as calendars fill with holiday parties and family gatherings. For many retirees who live alone, however, the season can underline the loneliness and social isolation they experience throughout the year. With numerous studies documenting the harmful effects of isolation on health, should easy access to meaningful social connections be … Read more

When a loved one becomes seriously ill—whether from a chronic condition or an acute episode—families are often forced to make difficult decisions about long-term care. Many people feel unprepared to navigate these choices, both emotionally and practically, and they may lack reliable information to guide them. In unfamiliar territory, families commonly seek advice from friends, … Read more

For many people, driving is more than transportation: it represents independence, identity, and connection to family, routines, and community. As people age, however, driving can become more complicated. Physical changes, health conditions, and slower reaction times may subtly reduce the ability to drive safely, even when someone still feels confident behind the wheel. A recent … Read more

Recently I reviewed some of my earliest posts on myLifeSite and was surprised to find our very first entry dated more than eight years ago. I remember sitting in a Jason’s Deli in Raleigh, N.C., deciding to give blogging a try. Going back over that original piece, I realized the topic is still one I … Read more

“Wearing a sport coat and eating with other old people in a big dining room is not my idea of living.” This remark came from someone in their late sixties during a conversation about retirement communities. It highlights an important consideration for anyone evaluating a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) or other senior living option: … Read more

Many people are understandably anxious about the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). News of outbreaks in long-term care settings has heightened those concerns, so I want to clarify how the senior living industry — including continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), also called life plan communities — prepares for and responds to contagious illnesses like COVID-19. CCRCs … Read more

In the Broadway musical Wicked, Glinda’s upbeat number “Popular” champions being well-liked. While the song is playful, emerging research suggests social popularity and strong friendships really do matter—especially as we grow older. It’s all about popular! It’s not about aptitude It’s the way you’re viewed So it’s very shrewd to be Very, very popular… Like … Read more

Isolation is often called the “silent killer” for older Americans. An estimated 8 million seniors in the U.S. experience significant social isolation, a problem highlighted by experts who testified before the Senate Special Committee on Aging in April. On average, about 40 percent of older adults are affected by isolation that accompanies living alone, and … Read more

Most people understand there are trade-offs between buying and leasing a car. The same is true for retirement communities: entry-fee, equity (ownership), and rental models each carry distinct advantages and disadvantages. Over the next few weeks we will explore these different senior living options in detail to help you decide which might suit your needs. … Read more

In several recent blog posts we explored common fears around moving to a retirement community, including the fear of the unknown in senior living decisions. At the heart of many of these worries is a widespread fear of losing independence as we age. Most retirees express a strong desire to remain in their own homes … Read more