Dear Oakley, Its Mother’s Day this Sunday! Due to COVID resurging a bit and my mother living five hours away, I haven’t seen her in a long time. We miss her and asked if we can stop by and visit this weekend, and she said “yes,” as long as we all test negative for COVID. […]
PACE is Expanding to Provide Services to Enable More Seniors to Age-in-Place
Q. Last week, I read what you wrote about Medicaid waivers and the long waiting list for them in Maryland and some other states. A friend of my mother’s, Linda, suffered a stroke last year and has a home health aide through the PACE program. I heard that this program is being expanded. How can […]
Where Will You Age? Planning to Live Independently
Jonas became a widower a couple of years ago. Before his wife died, they lived in their Springfield home for 40 years. Jonas considered downsizing, but decided to stay for as long as possible. There are too many memories there to just pick up and leave. To Jonas, no other place will ever feel like […]
What’s Your “Master Plan” As You Get Older?
Q. My wife and I are 59 and 60, respectively, and we recently got to talking about our “master plan” for the future. We haven’t had an in-depth discussion of this sort until now, as we have been focused on other things that are occurring in the present. Another reason is that we have become […]
What New Technology Can Help My Mother Age-in-Place Safely?
Dear Magic, In the past, you’ve published lots of articles on aging-in-place technology. My mother is aging-in-place and I worry about her, since we try not to visit her due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Are there any new technologies we can purchase for her for peace of mind and to help keep her safe, since […]
Does Habitat for Humanity Help Seniors Age in Place?
Elena, 85, moved into a ranch house decades ago, hoping to grow old gracefully in her one-story home. As she started getting older and was on her own, she worried about how she would tackle the upkeep her home required. Thirty years passed — and she lived in a weather-beaten house with steps in the […]
Are NORCs the Future of Successful Aging?
Dear Magic, I saw in our community newsletter that our neighborhood is considering becoming a NORC. We have a large population of seniors and various resources to help with transportation, meals, home care and more. What is being a NORC all about? Isn’t it just people aging in place? Thanks for your help! Hae Jin […]
Four Award-Winning Ideas for Aging-in-Place
Most people want to continue living independently in their own home as they age into their 70s, 80s, and 90s. However, many homes aren’t designed for health issues that can come with getting older, and aging-in-place alone can be lonely and isolating. The Innovation@Home contest was launched to identify best practices for aging-in-place that take […]
More Untrained Caregivers Performing Medical Tasks
At 49 years old, Emily is an accomplished accountant. She worked her way up in a prominent firm, but recently took a leave of absence to care for her father, Sid. She is married to her college sweetheart but doesn’t have any children. The only classes she ever took that were remotely close to nursing […]
Using a Reverse Mortgage to Age in Place
Jim and Julie have lived in Northern Virginia for forty years and have no plans of moving. They are original owners of their home and their mortgage has long since been paid off. They are active in their community and truly love their neighbors and their friends, and they have their three children and nine […]
A CAPABLE Program for Aging-in-Place
Q. With a bad back and arthritis in her knees, my 76-year-old mother, Gwen, struggles to walk down the steps outside her home to go out. Afraid of falling, she often opts to stay inside rather than brave the loose railings out front. Inside, my mom’s home proves a challenge to navigate, as well. Frayed […]
Falls Aren’t Just a Normal Part of Aging — They Are Preventable!
It’s fall — an ideal time to put on a light sweater, take a walk in the crisp air, and watch the green leaves being replaced by dazzling amber, maroon, gold, and bronze hues. Besides the rustic colors, crunchy leaves beneath your feet, and pumpkin-flavored everything, the first week of fall each year holds special […]
Using Telehealth to Age-in-Place
Dear Ribbit, I am interested in possibly using telehealth instead of visiting the doctor’s office. What are the advantages of doing so? Thanks, Em Helth — Dear Em, Telehealth (sometimes also known as mHealth), is making it easier for seniors to live out their golden years in their homes. Telehealth refers to any form of […]
Has In-home Care Gotten a Lot More Expensive this Year?
Q. I’ve been a full-time caregiver for my mother for the past few years. Last year, when I noticed that my role was becoming more than I could handle myself, I started looking into in-home care. At the time, I decided against it because it was too expensive. This year has been particularly hard on me, and I […]
This Can Be as Damaging to Your Health as 15 Cigarettes Per Day
Erica and her husband, Russ, go to the local diner sometimes for breakfast. The past couple of times they were there, they noticed a senior man sitting alone. The man proudly wore a WWII veteran hat. One morning, Russ, who is a history-buff, struck up a conversation with the veteran. He and Erica introduced themselves […]
These are Responsible for 40% of All Injury Deaths
Q. Recently, we got a call from the emergency room that my husband’s grandmother fell outside of a store and fractured her wrist. It was a rainy night and she slipped on the ramp walking out of the store. Typically, when you hear about falls, you hear about instances where they occur on a rug that […]
When A Senior Neighbor Needs Your Help
Q. My neighbor, Sam, has lived alone in his home ever since his wife died three years ago. He used to come outside and greet us and attend neighborhood events. Now, he goes days on end without speaking to anyone. His son, who lives an hour away, used to stop by twice a week to […]
Medicare Doesn’t Care About Home Care
Jane’s mother, Anne, suffered a stroke and a broken pelvis, and will be leaving the rehabilitation center she was staying in this week. When she returns home, she desperately needs a health aide to assist with bathing, transferring from bed to chair with a lift, and changing a bandage from a deep wound, among other things. Anne has a Medicare plan that states that she can get […]
Experiencing Falls? This Could Be Why!
Carol lives with her daughter, Jennifer, and her family in their ranch style home. One afternoon, while Jennifer was sitting on her sofa reading a book, she heard a thump on the kitchen floor followed by a scream. She ran to the kitchen to see her mother lying on the floor. Luckily, she wasn’t hurt. […]
New Technology for Better Aging
GPS SmartSole Many of us want to age-in-place as we get older. Unfortunately, in most cases, safety, health issues, and social isolation can interfere with that plan. This is why a growing number of seniors and their caregivers are turning to technology that helps them to age comfortably in their homes for as long as possible. New technology, including gadgets and apps, can remind seniors to take their medication and let others […]