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23 States Respond to COVID Deaths in Nursing Homes October 6, 2021 by Susan Jaffe - The appalling number of COVID deaths in nursing homes laid bare long-standing problems in those institutions that needed to be addressed. States with diverse political leadership have passed new laws in response. Reporting for Kaiser Health News, (KHN), journalist Susan…
Older Adults Are Becoming Nomads September 8, 2021 by Mary Jacobs - Five years ago, Susan and Rob Beck moved into an RV, after they were forced to sell their home in upstate New York. Rising property taxes had doubled their monthly housing bill, and Rob didn't receive his usual bonus at work. 
Carol Marak: Adviser and Advocate for Solo Agers August 6, 2021 by Leigh Ann Hubbard - On a warm, sunny day in May 2007, Carol Marak was hiking on a trail in Texas, missing her parents—when she stopped in her tracks, her future flashing before her eyes.
What Happens When a Geriatrician Becomes a Caregiver? July 27, 2021 by Judith Graham - The loss of a husband. The death of a sister. Taking in an elderly mother with dementia.
Losing Sight July 7, 2021 by Mary Jacobs - In 2014, Sharon Kassakian, 75, was diagnosed with macular degeneration in one eye. But the condition was manageable, and she felt confident enough to move to Portland in late 2016 to be closer to family. Then, in 2018, her vision…
Telemedicine Is a Useful New Tool—with Limitations July 3, 2021 by Elisabeth Rosenthal - Earlier in the pandemic, it was vital to see doctors over platforms like Zoom or FaceTime when in-person appointments posed risks of coronavirus exposure. 
Crafting: A Way to Cope during the Pandemic June 9, 2021 by Mary Jacobs - When KathLynne Lauterback, 64, retired in January 2020, she and her husband planned to move to a new place and to travel. But just a few months later, the COVID-19 pandemic struck. A health crisis sent her husband to the…
Why Technology Matters So Much for Older People during a Pandemic May 19, 2021 by Judith Graham - Family gatherings on Zoom and FaceTime. Online orders from grocery stores and pharmacies. Telehealth appointments with physicians.
Row, Row, Row Your Boat May 5, 2021 by Mary Jacobs - Hanne Caraher loves rowing. She’s very good at it. So good, she’s won a national gold medal and has competed in championships in Canada, Poland, Germany and Hungary (she won there too). After years of early morning practices—which meant arising…
His Medical Crisis Took Us by Surprise April 21, 2021 by Judith Graham - Earlier this month, my husband picked up the phone and learned his 92-year-old father had been taken to the hospital that morning, feeling sick and short of breath.
Left Behind in the ‘Cruel’ Race for Vaccines March 24, 2021 by Will Stone - With millions of older Americans eligible for COVID-19 vaccines and limited supplies, many continue to describe a frantic and frustrating search to secure a shot, beset by uncertainty and difficulty. 
In the Red March 4, 2021 by Mary Jacobs - At age 50, Sarah Smith found herself divorced, bankrupt and saddled with debts inherited from her ex-husband. When her two children chose to attend private colleges, she took out student loans. Now, at 66, Smith (not her real name) still…
Older COVID Patients Battle ‘Brain Fog’ February 26, 2021 by Judith Graham - “Lord, give me back my memory.”
For months, as Marilyn Walters has struggled to recover from COVID-19, she has repeated this prayer day and night.
Climate Change Endangers Many Older Adults February 3, 2021 by Mary Jacobs - In 2007, Larry Howe watched a documentary called The Great Global Warming Swindle, which denied the threat of climate change. Convinced, he put the issue out of his mind. But that changed a few years later when Howe’s first grandchild…
What Will Later Life Be Like Beyond COVID-19? January 28, 2021 by Judith Graham - Months into the coronavirus pandemic, older adults are having a hard time envisioning their “new normal.”
The Doctor Is In (Virtually) December 9, 2020 by Mary Jacobs - As a retired registered nurse, Donna Bening, 81, has known for decades that telemedicine was coming. Her expectations have been realized this year. Bening had two virtual visits via videoconference: first with her primary care physician for a routine checkup,…
Older People Are Having Second Thoughts about Where to Live November 25, 2020 by Judith Graham - Where do we want to live in the years ahead? Older adults are asking this question anew in light of the ongoing toll of the coronavirus pandemic—disrupted lives, social isolation, mounting deaths.
Bob Blancato: Fighting Elder Abuse through Politics November 11, 2020 by Leigh Ann Hubbard - In 1981, a US Senate committee released the first congressional report on a problem that was gradually coming to light—one that was “shameful” and “alien to the American spirit.” It was being called elder abuse. 
COVID-19 Is Damaging Bereaved Families October 22, 2020 by Judith Graham - Every day, the nation is reminded of COVID-19’s ongoing impact as new death counts are published. What is not well documented is the toll on family members.
Will Lifelong Learning Change the Way We Age? October 7, 2020 by Mary Jacobs - Six years ago, Laura Rich signed up for a continuing education class in Chinese art history and archaeology at Stanford University. Her children were grown and she was wrapping up a full-time stint on the local school board. “Most of…
What Makes Older Achievers Tick? - In recent years, oncologist Philip Salem, MD, has done some of the best work of his career. Using new combinations of existing cancer therapies—personalized immunotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy—he’s getting remarkable results for patients with advanced lung, pancreatic and other…
Nailed It! - When my doctor took me by the hand, I expected a comment about my age spots or cat scratches, but no. He was looking for signs of illness and explained that fingernails offer valuable insights into our overall health. A…