Can where you live influence your health and length of life? Recent research suggests it can. Previously I’ve written about “Blue Zones”—regions with unusually high numbers of centenarians. A study from Washington State University (WSU) examined social and environmental drivers that may help explain why people in some places live longer than others. WSU’s analysis … Read more

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet,” Juliet says in Act II, Scene II of Romeo and Juliet. Still, words and names do shape perceptions, and many modern seniors react negatively to the term continuing care retirement community. Many Baby Boomers picture octogenarians playing … Read more

Many people hesitate to move to a retirement community because they worry about downsizing. That worry is understandable, but it’s only one factor in a larger decision older adults should weigh when considering senior living options. The “too big” home Across the U.S., demand for housing outpaces supply, pushing home prices and rents upward while … Read more

Over the past months since COVID-19 changed daily life, I’ve presented dozens of webinars for people exploring retirement communities across the country. One of the most frequent questions during Q&A sessions concerns tax deductions for entry fees and monthly fees charged by continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), also known as life plan communities. It has … Read more

The rise of streaming services like Netflix and Hulu has made binge-watching easier than ever. While an occasional “Netflix and chill” session is enjoyable, mounting research links prolonged sitting to serious health risks. These risks can be especially pronounced in older adults, though younger people are affected too. The encouraging news is that small, practical … Read more

The senior living industry is seeing a steady occupancy rebound after two difficult pandemic years, but the factors behind that recovery are not all what people might expect. Assisted living sees a solid occupancy boost Recent quarterly data from the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing and Care (NIC) shows that average occupancy across senior … Read more

This past week I outlined five key factors to consider when choosing a retirement location: cost of living, accessibility, access to care, lifestyle, and a support system. One crucial aspect of accessibility is walkability. Many older adults value being able to move around their community on foot, and several people who responded to our recent … Read more

“Age is just a number.” “You’re only as old as you feel.” “Age is a state of mind.” These phrases can sound like clichés, yet growing evidence suggests they hold real truth: how we think about aging affects how we age. A man-made time warp Ellen Langer, a Harvard social psychologist, has studied the mind-body … Read more

In a recent post I reviewed the likelihood of needing assisted living and cited several statistics. My conclusion: roughly 50–70% of people aged 65 and older will need significant long-term care at some point. That typically means assistance with multiple activities of daily living—such as eating, dressing, or bathing—or possibly even higher-level care. Knowing the … Read more

Many Americans want to remain in their homes as they age. In fact, surveys show that roughly 77% of people aged 50 and older prefer to “age in place” — to stay in their current home for as long as possible. For most, this choice reflects a desire to retain autonomy and control over daily … Read more