Long-term care refers to ongoing assistance with everyday activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, or walking. Often called assisted living, this care can be needed for an extended period, sometimes lasting several years. Long-term care can also include skilled nursing care, which is usually provided in a nursing facility and involves 24-hour care supervised or … Read more

While the retirement community industry continues to expand, most older adults still prefer to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. That choice can seem economical at first glance, but costs can rise quickly if home care services become necessary. In my work presenting to prospective residents at continuing care retirement communities … Read more

Staying healthy as we age involves more than routine medical visits. For many older adults, one of the most important—and sometimes difficult—instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) is medication management. Taking medications correctly, consistently, and safely can be the difference between stable health and preventable complications. Yet the importance of medication management is often underestimated … Read more

You researched continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), chose the one that matched your lifestyle, budget, and location, sold your home, and moved in. Everything went smoothly and you settled comfortably into your new home. Then, unexpectedly, the community’s executive leadership changed—and the new leadership doesn’t seem to be a good fit. What can you do? … Read more

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