I often get asked how senior living options in the United States—such as continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs or life plan communities)—compare to choices available abroad. People ask either because they are considering retiring in another country or because they want to understand how U.S. senior living measures up internationally. What senior living looks like … Read more

Approximately 2.3% of Americans aged 50 and older—about 2.7 million people—now self-identify as LGBTQ+, according to 2023 research from the Williams Institute at UCLA. As the number of openly LGBTQ+ older adults grows, senior living and long-term care providers face a vital responsibility: to offer housing and care that are not only safe and respectful … Read more

Autumn has arrived, and many regions are already feeling a brisk chill. While it’s easy to enjoy the colorful leaves and the seasonal treats, now is the time to prepare your home for the coming winter. Early maintenance protects your home from cold-weather damage and helps systems run efficiently. For older adults aging in place, … Read more

At myLifeSite, our goal is to equip consumers with clear, practical information and tools to make informed choices about senior living. To do that well, we need to understand who our audience is and which factors matter most when evaluating senior living communities, including continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), also known as life plan communities. … Read more

The average life expectancy in the United States is 78.8 years—about 81 years for women and 76 for men—its highest recorded level. This reflects advances in medicine and overall prosperity, yet it still trails other nations in some respects. For example, women in Japan average about 87 years. Japan does not necessarily have vastly better … Read more

The most important thing is to enjoy your life—to be happy—it’s all that matters. ― Audrey Hepburn What makes you happy? That question is wide-ranging and personal. Some people thrive on social interaction and enjoy busy days out with friends or meeting new people. Others find joy in traveling and discovering new places. And many … Read more

Although people thrive in different environments, research increasingly shows clear health benefits for seniors who move to a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), also known as a life plan community. For example, the 2018 Age Well Study found that, compared with a demographically similar group of community-dwelling seniors (those not living in a CCRC), CCRC … Read more

As a follow up to recent posts about the challenges in comparing continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) and rental retirement communities, I want to clarify how the term “independent living” is used across the senior living industry. Spoiler alert: “Independent living” can describe several different situations, which understandably causes confusion. Both rental retirement communities and … Read more

In conversations with people exploring senior living options, one common question I hear is which states offer the best long-term care. The Long-Term Services & Supports (LTSS) State Scorecard for 2020 provides data-driven insight into that question. The scorecard, produced by the AARP Foundation, The Commonwealth Fund, and The SCAN Foundation, evaluates LTSS from the … Read more

  Retirement is not a single moment but a journey made up of distinct stages. Each stage brings its own financial considerations, lifestyle changes, and important decisions that influence long-term security and well-being. Recognizing these stages helps you prepare, adapt, and enjoy life at every phase. Whether you are working now, getting ready to retire, … Read more