Dear Kiwi and Mango, Recently, Mr. Farr wrote an article about a check-in service for seniors to combat loneliness and keep those who are aging in place safe. I was wondering if there are any similar programs specifically for Veterans. Thanks for your help! Buddy Chequer — Dear Buddy, You are correct. Mr. Farr recently […]
Is Artificial Intelligence Revolutionizing Senior Care?
Q. I read somewhere that nine out of 10 seniors would prefer to age in their homes for as long as possible. But isn’t there a shortage of health care professionals and caregivers to provide the care that would be needed for this many people to age in place? Could robotics and artificial intelligence help […]
Check in on Aging Parents This Mother’s Day
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
What is the Difference Between a NORC and a NOSS?
Q. My parents are deciding whether to stay in their home or to downsize to an apartment. Currently, they live in a single-family home in an established neighborhood, where most of their neighbors are original owners who have lived in their homes since 1965. The location they live in is so convenient, so most 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 […]
MIT AgeLab’s Amazing Innovations for Seniors
Picture: Inside the MIT AgeLab, from telematicswire.net In 1900, life expectancy was just under 50. Today, people are living well into their 80’s, 90’s, and beyond. How can we make the most of the “bonus 30 years” we now have? According to the MIT AgeLab in Boston, MA, “longevity requires new thinking.” The MIT AgeLab was […]
Talking to an Estranged Sibling about a Mother’s Care
Dear Ernie and Janette, My mother has late-stage dementia and no Power of Attorney or Advance Medical Directive in place. Unfortunately, I am estranged from my sister and we haven’t spoken in years. We need to discuss plans for my mother’s long-term care, including Guardianship and Conservatorship. Do you have any recommendations on how […]