Aging
Baby Boomer Retirement: The News Gets Worse
Baby Boomers are tragically unprepared for financing their health and long-term care costs as they age. And some important new studies show their circumstances may be much worse in the wake of recent carnage in both the economy and financial markets. One study by the Employee Benefit Research Institute shows that in 2008, the average […]
A Forgotten Health Debate: Funding Long-term Care
This story comes from our partner Donna Taylor’s father was the rock of the family. He was the primary caregiver for his disabled wife and her elderly mother. But he got sick and went into the hospital for 10 days. When he got out, he couldn’t walk. Taylor, 41, and her siblings – all of […]
As Congress Moves To Cut Medicare Advantage Funding, Some Seniors Could Get Reprieve
Nearly three million of the 10.5 million seniors in private Medicare health plans would be at least partly shielded from the planned cuts to the program under the Senate Finance Committee health overhaul bill, according to a KHN analysis. Seniors in a Medicare Advantage program work out at the CAC-Florida medical center. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) […]
Aging In Place Is Not So Easy
‘Aging in Place’ is the popular rallying cry in the senior community. But living at home is not so easy, either for the frail elderly or younger people with disabilities. Interestingly enough, the reasons may have more to do with social issues than medical concerns. Today, almost everyone could receive the care they need at […]
Celebrating A Visionary On Healthy Aging
This story comes from our partner A renowned thinker about what it means to grow old died this week. Geriatric psychiatrist Dr. Gene Cohen, 65, enjoyed debunking the myth that aging means an inevitable decline of mind and body. Cohen’s research showed that old age can be a time of creativity. One study showed that older people involved in […]
Why A Little City In Wisconsin Is The Best Place To Die
This story comes from our partner Sandra Colbert sits propped up in a hospital bed at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, Wis., connected by tubes to oxygen and IV fluids. Doctors have told her she didn’t have a heart attack. But it sure felt that way when she collapsed at the gym a few […]
Congress Targets Senior Abuse
Produced in collaboration with the When it comes to political, social or health causes, elder abuse has not had the star power of some other movements focusing on the rights of vulnerable people. Last month, actress Nicole Kidman headlined a congressional hearing on violence against women, and stars of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” […]
The CLASS Act: A Flawed But Powerful Game-Changer for Long-Term Care
Congress may be about to make major changes in the way 10 million frail elderly and adults with disabilities pay for long-term care services. Buried in both the House-passed health bill and the Senate Democratic leadership measure, the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act would, for the first time, create a national long-term […]
Caring For Elderly And Disabled Is A Family Affair
This story comes from our partner Here’s something else to consider in the definition of what it means to be an American: Being a caregiver for an elderly or disabled loved one. A new study says almost one out of three adults in the U.S. currently serves as a caregiver. The time and energy they […]
Why $75-A-Day Matters to Caregivers
In the ongoing congressional debate over the CLASS Act-the proposed national long-term care insurance program-critics and supporters have been arguing over whether a benefit of $50- or even $75-a-day is worthwhile. Some in the insurance industry, for instance, assert that given the high cost of care in nursing facilities and even at home, a $75 […]