As temperatures begin to fall across much of the country, many older adults consider whether spending their retirement in Florida makes sense. For established “snowbirds,” cooler weather signals it’s time to head south for the winter to join many other retirees. If you’re weighing retirement in Florida, here are key factors to consider. The tradeoffs … Read more

As summer arrives, many people embrace outdoor activities—hiking, swimming, gardening, or relaxing at the beach. These warm months bring plenty of enjoyment, but it’s important to take precautions to stay safe in the heat. Older adults are especially vulnerable to high temperatures. In many parts of the country—particularly retirement-popular regions such as Florida and Arizona—daytime … Read more

Last week we explored what defines an equity retirement community and reviewed the potential advantages and drawbacks of that senior living option. Before that, we covered the characteristics of rental retirement communities. In this third and final installment of our series on types of senior living, we examine entry fee retirement communities, often called buy-in … Read more

Over the past few years I have written several posts explaining the different types of residency contracts offered by continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs or “life plan communities”), clarifying the nuances among them and offering tips for comparing the options. Recently, it was pointed out that much of our content focuses on entry-fee models, even … Read more

“There’s no place like home,” Dorothy says at the end of The Wizard of Oz, after she wakes up safe and sound in her bedroom in Kansas. Many people share Dorothy’s sentiment about their own homes. No matter how much I enjoy travel, I always look forward to returning to the comfort and familiarity of … Read more

“Planning for a crisis” may sound contradictory, but as we age it becomes practical and essential. While many of us hope to remain healthy and independent, unexpected health events can and do happen. Preparing ahead makes those challenges easier to manage for both seniors and their families. A recent conversation with a friend highlighted this … Read more

Picture a retirement community designed for maintenance-free living and whole-person wellness: personal trainers, a fully equipped fitness center, yoga and meditation sessions, saltwater lap pools, and more. Add on a bistro and coffee shop, a gourmet chef using local ingredients, nature trails, a library and computer center, continuing education classes, opportunities for community projects, and … Read more

A serious health condition often forces patients and their families to make difficult decisions about treatment, comfort, and quality of life. Two terms commonly encountered in these situations are palliative care and hospice care. Although both services focus on comfort and quality of life, palliative care and hospice care apply at different points in an … Read more

It’s that time of year again—tax season. If you’re thinking about moving into a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), also called a life plan community, there’s an important tax detail to consider: many new CCRC residents can qualify to deduct part of their entrance fee and monthly fees as medical expenses. CCRC tax deductions CCRCs … Read more

For the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts a near-normal season with 9 to 15 named storms. Of those, 4 to 8 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), and 2 to 4 may develop into major hurricanes (Category … Read more