Boxin Huang (115) is the oldest resident of China’s Bapan Village, a tiny village where some of the oldest people in the world reside. At 115, Huang’s age is remarkable, but he is not alone, as many residents live long past 100 years. In fact, the town has around one centenarian for every 100 people […]
Comparing Aging-in-Place vs. Assisted Living
Q. My father passed away last year, and my mother has lived alone ever since. Her colonial-style home is becoming difficult to navigate due to her mobility issues. She has fallen several times and we are worried about her. She would like to continue to live in her home and age-in-place, but some major modifications […]
CMS Issues Final Rules for Home Health Agencies and Patients’ Rights
Bill is considering bringing in a home health aide to help with his mother, Nancy, who has limited mobility from Parkinson’s disease. He was a little hesitant at first, because he was concerned about quality of care. He has been the one who has been solely caring for her for years, and was worried […]
U.S. Life Expectancy Has Declined for the First Time Since 1993
Last Wednesday, The Economist’s “Business of Longevity” conference took place, attracting world-renowned experts in aging. One of the main themes of the conference was the need to change the way we think about longevity, as we are living longer, more productive lives. Coincidentally, on the same day the conference began, a study was released that […]
Hospice Care for Healthier Patients. . . Something Isn’t Right!
Linda Rodgers was shocked to see her father in so much pain when she visited him at his hospice facility. In a letter she wrote to the editor of USA Today, she described how her father had his pain controlled by medication while in the hospital, before admission to hospice, but was in severe pain […]
Caution: The Hidden Dangers of Heartburn Medicine
Jim Palmer, former player for the Baltimore Orioles and TV commentator, has something in common with millions of other individuals, including myself. He has GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), which occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. Similar to my personal situation, Palmer had suffered from frequent and persistent heartburn for many years that […]
Home Health Aides Are Quitting Their Jobs
The in-home care industry has been anticipated to be the largest job creator between 2012 and 2022, with an estimated 1 million new caregivers required during that time. Now some are questioning whether there will be enough people willing to fill those positions and that need. Elizabeth drives 100 miles a day, to several different […]
Laser Shoes, Magic Carpets, & More: Technology to Combat Falls
Q. My parents are snowbirds. Every spring, I pick them up at the Lorton Auto Train and drop them off at their home, and in November, they go back to Florida for the winter. My father has had Parkinson’s for almost 20 years now, and the debilitating disease is taking its toll. Yesterday, when I arrived at the station, I noticed that it was extra hard to move my dad from his wheelchair to […]
Blue Zones: Hotspots of Health, Vitality, and Longevity
Moai Walking Group at Blue Zone in MN. Image source: AARP Q. My 78-year-old sister, Alberta (Bertie), lives alone with her 7-year old West Highland White Terrier, Hallie. Bertie makes healthy choices, has a great group of friends, and volunteers in the community. She still walks for two miles total on her daily walks with […]
Exciting Age-in-Place Technology from the 2015 mHealth Summit in DC
In Touch Health Robot When loved ones are living independently and you can’t be there all the time, you often worry about their safety and well-being. You may wonder if they are eating often enough, taking their medications, or what would happen if they fell. Now, with age-in-place technology, you can remotely monitor your loved […]
New Law Helps More People Live Independently
Q. My widowed 82-year-old mother lives in the home she has owned for more than 60 years. She is legally blind, and has severe arthritis and diabetes, but she insists on staying in her home for now. In my opinion, in order for her to remain in her current independent living situation, she really needs […]
New Models of Support for Aging in Place
Most American seniors choose to live independently as long as possible, while maintaining strong relationships with family and friends. A major concern, however, is access to the support and services they need. There is a growing sense of urgency about this, as more of us are determined to remain as independent as possible throughout our […]
Amazing Technology to Age-in-Place (But Mom is Reluctant)
AliveCor Mobile ECG Q. My mother-in-law, Veronica, who is in her 70’s, shys away from anything that involves technology. She refuses to carry a cell phone, try an iPad, or send an email. My children would love to Skype with her, but she can’t figure out how to use Skype. My husband, on the other […]
When Should I Hire Home Care for a Parent?
Dear Angel, My parents live in a condominium in a senior community, 100 miles away from me. My father had a stroke last year, and is having trouble getting around, bathing, and dressing. My mother has her own issues, having had both knee and hip surgery in the past couple of years. Yet, she is a caregiver […]
A “Guardian Angel” When One is Needed Most
Marjorie never felt alone at her nursing home. Although her husband died last year, and her children couldn’t be there a lot of the time to visit her, she seemed content. Her ability to speak clearly and her memory were diminishing and most people couldn’t understand what she wanted or needed, but somehow she always […]
Virginia Becomes First State to Approve ABLE Act
Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe Signs ABLE Act into Law (Source: NBC 29) Q. Our son, Jeff, has autism spectrum disorder and will likely need assistance throughout his lifetime. We are looking for ways to save for his future without jeopardizing his eligibility for Social Security and other government programs. I read about the ABLE act, and how […]
Strong or Vulnerable? Social Security in its 80th Year
For 80 years, Social Security has been protecting American families from both expected and unexpected challenges. Last week, the Social Security Board of Trustees released its annual report to Congress, which projects that Social Security’s condition isn’t as troubling as many think. The 2015 report presents an honest, open discussion about the value of Social […]
Have a Piece of Cake. . .
It’s Medicaid’s 50th Birthday! Q. My son, Sam, turns 50 this year. Besides his birth, I know that something else significant happened in 1965 — President Lyndon Johnson signed Medicaid into law. I know you help people apply for Medicaid to protect their hard-earned assets from the catastrophic costs of long-term care, so I thought you […]
Services for Family Caregivers of Post 9/11 Veterans
Dear Baxter,I am a caregiver for my mother, who is a post-9/11 veteran and sustained a traumatic brain injury in the line of duty. Do you know of any benefits for caregivers in my situation?Thanks, Karen Forr-Mahero —– Dear Karen, Please thank your mother for her service to our country, and thanks to you for […]
Appliances That Speak to Each Other, and Other Incredible Aging-in-Place Technology
Robear Robot When Carol’s mother, Eleanor, had a stroke a few years back, she and her husband moved in with her. Eleanor was not very steady on her feet, and surfed the furniture to get around. Carol and her husband were always worried about her falling, especially in the bathroom. They became reluctant to leave her alone so, like Eleanor, they too became housebound. Carol and her […]
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