If you watch the nightly news, it can seem like a new fraud scheme aimed at seniors appears every week. Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, combining technology and psychological tactics to target older adults, making it harder for families and caregivers to stay ahead of them. Common schemes used against seniors include: Phone calls or … Read more

Choosing the right life plan retirement community — often called a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) — is a major decision that affects both your quality of life and your financial future. If you work with a financial advisor, you’ll likely ask them to analyze how a move to a life plan community fits into … Read more

As discussed in last week’s blog post, the “Peak 65” segment of the Baby Boom generation — the last cohort to reach retirement age — faces a mixed financial picture. While Baby Boomers as a group control a large share of the nation’s wealth, estimated at roughly $80 trillion in assets, a 2024 AARP Financial … Read more

This question comes up frequently, and I’ve been getting it more often lately. Although I’ve written about this topic before, here is a concise, up-to-date overview of how long-term care insurance (LTCI) works if you live in a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), also known as a life plan community. The short answer… Generally, if … Read more

With many older adults living on fixed incomes, rising housing costs can be especially painful. A recent report forecasts rent increases that will outpace inflation in many parts of the U.S., averaging roughly 3 to 5 percent nationwide. Alongside higher rents, the past two winters brought record-low temperatures and spikes in natural gas and heating … Read more

If you’re going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can’t be erased. —Maya Angelou March is Women’s History Month, a time to honor the women who have shaped our world. While well-known figures like Rosa Parks, Anne Frank, and Amelia Earhart often come to mind, countless other women—some famous, … Read more

In recent days, multiple states across the United States have recorded new highs in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations. Data show more than half the country is seeing significant increases in COVID-19 patients, with many hospitals nearing or reaching capacity in their intensive care units. In several areas, test positivity rates have climbed into the double … Read more

We’ve previously discussed Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which emphasizes that beyond basic requirements like food, water, and safety, humans also need love and belonging to thrive. This need for connection includes relationships with individuals and with the broader community. When those needs are met, Maslow suggests, people experience improved quality of life, greater fulfillment, and … Read more

I regularly speak with prospective residents at retirement communities across the country to help them understand important considerations for retirement living—whether they plan to remain in their current home (often called “aging in place”) or move to a retirement community. These conversations allow me to hear directly from people who are weighing options and deciding … Read more

We often hear older adults’ reasons for postponing a move to senior living. Common explanations include not wanting to downsize, feeling “not old enough” or “not ready,” worries about cost, and—as we discussed last week—a fear of losing independence. But there is another perspective worth considering: the many residents who say, “I wish I had … Read more