The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 185
There is a wide variety of lifestyle options for wheelchair users, and that remains true into retirement age. One of the more supportive and comfortable living situations for a wheelchair-bound senior is an assisted living community. But this has not always been the case. Until the early 1990s, federal laws protecting the rights of people with disabilities were not always enforced. However, in 1990, the federal government passed the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, which overhauled the...
If you or someone you love and care for experiences a substance use disorder, you are not alone. People may have navigated addiction for decades or experienced these challenges later in life. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 17% of adults over the age of 65 live with substance use disorders. Seniors with substance use challenges can benefit from assisted living facilities, or ALFs. Viable options include facilities that support senior addiction treatments...
As America's population ages, rates of Alzheimer's disease diagnoses are rising. One consequence of the degenerative brain disorder is wandering, which can be dangerous—and sometimes deadly—for those struggling with short- and long-term memory loss. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia and is characterized by a loss of cognitive function over time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, individuals with the disease may show signs of memory loss, poor jud...
Older people across the U.S. say their health declined between 2021 and 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Americans 65 and older in 34 states reported higher rates of "fair" or "poor" health when interviewed as part of the CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, so Northwell Health partnered with Stacker to see which states have seen the biggest declines. The population of adults over age 65 in the U.S. has experienced extraordinary growth. They...
Despite their reputation as a financially privileged generation, millions of baby boomers are slipping through significant cracks in the U.S. retirement system. A new source of financial strain on retiree budgets is homeowners insurance premiums, which have skyrocketed by 20% between 2021 and 2023. Between 2024 and 2030, 30.4 million Americans will turn 65. More than two-thirds of this final baby boomer cohort will be "financially challenged" in retirement, according to the Alliance for Lifetime...
Retirement will likely be the most significant expense of your lifetime, which means saving for retirement is a big job. This is especially true if you envision a retirement that is rich with experiences such as traveling through Europe or spending time with your grown children and grandkids. A retirement savings plan can help you achieve these financial goals and stay on track. There are all types of retirement plans to help you build your wealth, from 401(k) to Individual Retirement Accounts,...
The older adult population in the United States is rapidly increasing as baby boomers continue to age. In 2020, the population of people over 65 grew almost five times faster than the total population during the century from 1920 to 2020, according to the 2020 Census. As more people contemplate old age, nursing homes or in-home care with trusted family members quickly come to mind. However, an alternative approach that began in San Francisco's Chinatown community is growing in popularity....
The COVID-19 pandemic was a turning point for nursing home care in America. It amplified the dire needs of the nation's vulnerable older adults and spurred families to effect change. Four years later, nursing homes are struggling. They're hurting for funding, under-regulated amid labor shortages, and facing lawsuits from residents' family members alleging lapses in care are causing early deaths. Even after engaging with facility administrators over safety and accessibility concerns during the...
Americans are living longer—and it's changing the makeup of state and nationwide populations. Northwell Health partnered with Stacker to examine the growing number of Americans aged 100 and over and how it breaks down by state. Over the last century, the proportion of Americans aged 65 and older has increased dramatically, from 1 in 20 in 1920 to 1 in 6 in 2020. The Population Reference Bureau says this trend is likely to continue as Census projections suggest the number of Americans 65 and abov...
Social Security Administration policy updates that expand access to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in line with the law went into effect on September 30, 2024. The agency no longer includes food in In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) calculations, has expanded its rental subsidy policy exception, and has expanded the definition of a public assistance household. "These changes will help more people access crucial SSI benefits," said Martin O'Malley, Commissioner of Social Security. "By...
Power of attorney documents give one or more people the right to act as your agent when you're unavailable, incapacitated, or otherwise indisposed. Beyond more general types of POAs, specialized versions exist to address specific situations, such as real estate transactions or end-of-life care decisions. Depending on the power of attorney you choose to use, you can protect yourself financially, make business dealings more convenient, or ensure that your wishes are taken care of if you're...
Retirement will likely be the most significant expense of your lifetime, which means saving for retirement is a big job. This is especially true if you envision a retirement that is rich with experiences such as traveling through Europe or spending time with your grown children and grandkids. A retirement savings plan can help you achieve these financial goals and stay on track. There are all types of retirement plans to help you build your wealth, from 401(k) to Individual Retirement Accounts,...
As the American population ages, more families are turning to skilled nursing facilities to help look after their loved ones. Skilled nursing facilities, or SNFs, are staffed by trained medical professionals who care for people requiring nursing, medical, or rehabilitative services. Most people in SNFs have been discharged from the hospital but cannot safely return home, often due to an inability to move on their own or perform medical treatments. In addition to caring for older adults, SNFs can...
For many, retirement is the reward after decades of working and raising a family. The coronavirus pandemic also helped many realize that time could be fleeting. About 2.6 million more people than expected retired during the pandemic for various reasons, including health and safety and increases in asset value, according to an analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Still, deciding where to spend that precious time can be tough. Stacker compiled a list of the 50 best places to retire...
More than 800,000 adults in the U.S. reside in an assisted living facility, according to the American Health Care Association, but the number of facilities and average costs vary widely from state to state. This issue is becoming increasingly important among the aging population, which has been rapidly growing since 2010. To investigate what goes into the cost of assisted living, QMedic examined data from the Genworth Cost of Care Survey and the National Center for Assisted Living. People 65...
For nearly 90 years, Social Security’s programs and services have been a lifeline to people throughout the United States, including the Hispanic community. Our retirement, disability, and survivors benefits are just as important for Hispanics. Our Spanish-language website, Seguro Social at www.ssa.gov/espanol, provides information for those whose primary language is Spanish. People can learn – in their preferred language – how to get a new or replacement Social Security card, plan for retir...
As baby boomers age, the majority want to continue living independently in their homes, otherwise known as aging in place. About 78% of homeowners over the age of 60 prefer this option over moving into a senior or assisted-living facility, according to a 2024 survey from real estate company Redfin. Many Americans want to age in place to preserve a sense of independence, remain connected to existing communities, and avoid the high cost of long-term care. The median monthly cost of an...
However many reasons we have for loving our grandparents, scammers have a whole lot more. That's why fraudsters and hackers are increasingly relentless in targeting a demographic that is often trusting of financial institutions, perhaps too embarrassed to report a loss and at a disadvantage where digital technology is concerned. Seniors offer an easy jackpot for scammers, to the tune of $3 billion in losses annually. They are often homeowners, sitting on top of savings, and in good credit....
The United States is facing a caregiving crisis. As America's population ages and adults are staying active for longer, many are choosing to live in assisted-living facilities. Assisted-living facilities offer 24-hour care but are less hands-on than nursing homes. They can offer the best of both worlds for a generation that values independence. Still, low staffing levels are causing facilities to raise prices and, in some cases, close their doors entirely, exacerbating an already severe care gap...
The explosive growth in America's senior population reflects increased longevity and health. Driven by baby boomers who began hitting senior status in 2011, Census Bureau data showed the 65 and over demographic grew by nearly 40% from 2010 to 2020. That's compared to an overall population growth of just 7.4%, the most growth seniors have seen in a century. If the trend continues, Americans aged 65 and over will comprise 22% of the population by 2040. The average life expectancy for a 65-year-old...
Every July 4, we celebrate our nation’s independence. For nearly 90 years, our programs have helped create financial independence for millions of hardworking people. We have useful online resources like the Social Security Statement (Statement) and our benefits estimator tool that helps people not yet receiving benefits. The Statement shows the benefits that you and your family may be eligible for and provides personalized fact sheets tailored to your age and earnings situation. The benefits e...
The American population is aging—and much-needed mental health care providers are in short supply. Earlier this year, the federal government rolled out new rules to help older Americans access more services and give health care professionals the flexibility to help those in their community with the greatest needs. But better health care access only works if the people poised to benefit understand the new rules. It's not unusual for Medicare patients to need to advocate for themselves in h...
As baby boomers age, the majority want to continue living independently in their homes, otherwise known as aging in place. About 78% of homeowners over the age of 60 prefer this option over moving into a senior or assisted-living facility, according to a 2024 survey from real estate company Redfin. Many Americans want to age in place to preserve a sense of independence, remain connected to existing communities, and avoid the high cost of long-term care. The median monthly cost of an...
SOCIAL SECURITY OMITS FOOD FROM IN-KIND SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE CALCULATIONS Supplement Security Income (SSI) provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness. It also provides monthly payments to adults aged 65 and older, who have limited income and resources. SSI benefits help pay for basic needs like rent, food, clothing, and medicine. People applying for and receiving SSI must meet eligibility requirements, including income and resource limits. Under our...
National Mobility Month was established by the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA). National Mobility Awareness Month was created to recognize the power of mobility accessibility to enhance lives and improve health and care. Those with mobility-impacting disabilities or diagnoses still play large roles in our society as workers, caregivers, neighbors, family members, and as consumers within the community. Take the time to see the world from their perspective. What to us is...
