Making friends in later life

Making friends in later lifeWe tend to think friendships should grow organically. They don't. Particularly in our later years, when we often lose friends—to death, illness, or moving away—we need to be much more intentional about making new ones. This is especially so for "solo agers," those without children and grandchildren. The younger generations in the family typically make...

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What is IRMAA?

When Medicare first began in 1965, the idea was that it was for everyone over age 65, not just those who were poor. There would be no stigma. Things are different now. We live longer. Medical costs are rising. In 2003, Congress decided that those with higher incomes should chip in extra to share the...

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Crime proofing your home

Crime proofing your homeSeniors experience property crime thirteen times more often than violent crime. Burglary is the most common. (Interestingly, it typically occurs between noon and 4:00 pm!) The average loss is roughly $3,000, although that does not account for the emotional impact: A profound sense of violation and vulnerability. October is Crime Prevention Month. There are things...

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Sharing your home

Sharing your homeThere are many advantages to having a housemate: Defraying expenses. Sharing household chores. Help with transportation. Companionship. Increased safety. Peace of mind. In a survey of older adults who shared their homes, 50% said that since gaining a housemate, they are happier, sleep better, are getting out more, and they call upon their families less...

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Saying “no” when your kids ask for money

Saying "no" when your kids ask for moneyOnce you've decided it's unwise to give or lend money to children—or grandchildren—think through how you want to communicate your decision. Money is often equated with love. Even if this is a loving decision (e.g., you've determined that giving or lending them money is encouraging something unhealthy), how and when you decline is important for...

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“With a little help from our friends”: The Village movement

"With a little help from our friends": The Village movementAging in place has great appeal and can be challenging and expensive. Elders who are part of a "Village" help each other with simple tasks, making it easier and more financially feasible to stay at home. Today, there are close to 250 Villages across the country. They are part of a widespread grassroots movement of...

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Medicare coverage while traveling

Medicare coverage while travelingPlanning a trip? Your health insurance might not come with you! International travel. If you need medical care outside the United States—an ER visit, hospitalization, ambulance, medical exam, labs, or a medical evacuation—there are very few circumstances in which original Medicare will help out. You should be prepared to pay 100 percent of any medical...

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Solo aging: Eyes wide open

Aging comes to us all. What makes solo aging different is the need to be more proactive about arranging for help. Twenty-two percent of older adults acknowledge they will need to take care of themselves. (Even if you are partnered now or have children, you are wise to consider the possibility of solo aging because,...

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Getting rid of your stuff

Getting rid of your stuffOnce you get beyond the sentimental value of your belongings, you are still up against the logistics of how to get things out of your nest. Some stuff is easier to pass along to family than other stuff. Options for what's left over: Sell, donate, or just "get rid of it!" Start with family. You...

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Thriving through life transitions

Thriving through life transitionsChange is the only constant. And as we enter our later years, it seems the changes are more frequent. Before writing Life Is in the Transitions, Bruce Feiler interviewed 225 individuals to gain a sense of the ways people navigate disruption across the lifespan. He found that we experience roughly thirty-six transitions in a lifetime,...

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