Senior Living
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Social Security and You: An Antidote to Maximizing Mania
I've written about my now deceased friend, Don Winters, before. But I can tell from my emails that it's time to share his story again.
Every single day, I get emails from readers who seem to be absolutely obsessed with the idea of "maximizing" their Social Security benefits. And frequently, those emails are almost dripping with anxiety and ...Read more
At 65, she got her first tattoo. Now she has 17 and feels 'seen again'
LOS ANGELES -- Sandee Althouse walked into a Silver Lake gift shop dressed in an almost austere, simple black dress, her curly black hair graying at the temples. She carried herself like an older and accomplished, if somewhat serious, woman — but with a twist. Both of her arms were covered in freshly-inked tattoos, her left arm still wrapped ...Read more
At 65, she got her first tattoo. Now she has 17 and feels 'seen again'
LOS ANGELES -- Sandee Althouse walked into a Silver Lake gift shop dressed in an almost austere, simple black dress, her curly black hair graying at the temples. She carried herself like an older and accomplished, if somewhat serious, woman — but with a twist. Both of her arms were covered in freshly-inked tattoos, her left arm still wrapped ...Read more
Mamdani targets senior voters as he seeks to blunt Cuomo edge with older NYers
NEW YORK — Seeking to curry favor with a constituency that has been somewhat skeptical of him, Democratic mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani participated in a watercolor painting class with older New Yorkers at a senior center in Brooklyn on Thursday.
His outreach effort received a mixed response.
“He sounds very impressive, but it’s ...Read more
Toni Says: Help! My brand-name prescription drug is not covered by Medicare’s 2026 Part D plans
Hello, Toni:
You helped me sign up for a Medicare Supplement Plan G and a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan; both plans started January 2021. These two plans have served me well so far.
I just received information that my current Part D plan will no longer cover the Humira that I take twice a month as an injection for ...Read more
Social Security and You: Social Security COLA for 2026
In early October of every year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases its much-anticipated report on changes (usually increases) to the Consumer Price Index over the past 12 months. (It was a little late this year due to the government shutdown.) Why is this little esoteric government report -- actually called the Consumer Price Index for ...Read more
At 93, he's one of Santa Monica's hottest yoga instructors. What's his secret?
LOS ANGELES — Salomon Delgado is one of Santa Monica's hottest yoga instructors.
He's 93 years old.
What?
Let me reiterate: In a city obsessed with youth and brimming with lithe fitness instructors in Lululemon-wear and wireless headsets, a 24 Hour Fitness gym has a secret weapon in Delgado. The nonagenarian yogi has been teaching there for...Read more
At 93, he's one of Santa Monica's hottest yoga instructors. What's his secret?
LOS ANGELES — Salomon Delgado is one of Santa Monica's hottest yoga instructors.
He's 93 years old.
What?
Let me reiterate: In a city obsessed with youth and brimming with lithe fitness instructors in Lululemon-wear and wireless headsets, a 24 Hour Fitness gym has a secret weapon in Delgado. The nonagenarian yogi has been teaching there for...Read more
Toni Says: Who pays for a skilled nursing stay, Medicare or you?
Dear Toni,
My husband recently fell from a ladder, shattered his hip and broke his right leg. After having emergency surgery, Jim is having a stay in a skilled nursing facility for his rehab to learn how to walk on his repaired hip.
A friend recently had a skilled nursing stay and was billed more than expected because she did not have the ...Read more
Social Security and You: Benefit Adjustment at Full Retirement Age
I hear one or both of these rumors about Social Security benefits all the time from readers.
Rumor 1: "I have been told that if I take a reduced Social Security benefit at 62, when I reach my full retirement age, my benefit will be bumped up to my full retirement age amount."
Rumor 2: "I have been told that if I take a reduced Social Security ...Read more
Travel Trending with Kathy Witt: American Cruise Lines capture the magic of Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands
Set on a rocky outcrop overlooking the chilly waters of the Salish Sea, the lighthouse at Lime Kiln State Park in Friday Harbor in Washington’s picturesque San Juan Islands casts a spell. Not surprising since scenes from 1998’s “Practical Magic” were filmed in Friday Harbor, but primarily because it is home to several enchanting sights ...Read more
An age-old fear grows more common: ‘I’m going to die alone’
This summer, at dinner with her best friend, Jacki Barden raised an uncomfortable topic: the possibility that she might die alone.
“I have no children, no husband, no siblings,” Barden remembered saying. “Who’s going to hold my hand while I die?”
Barden, 75, never had children. She’s lived on her own in western Massachusetts since ...Read more
An age-old fear grows more common: 'I'm going to die alone'
This summer, at dinner with her best friend, Jacki Barden raised an uncomfortable topic: the possibility that she might die alone.
“I have no children, no husband, no siblings,” Barden remembered saying. “Who’s going to hold my hand while I die?”
Barden, 75, never had children. She’s lived on her own in western Massachusetts since ...Read more
Toni Says: Help … Need to disenroll from a Medicare Advantage Plan!
Toni:
In August, my husband and I enrolled in a Medicare Supplement, which has not paid a medical claim because we were in a Medicare Advantage plan when we applied for the Medicare Supplement. We could not leave the Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare due to Medicare rules.
I was told that Medicare’s Open Enrollment is when Sonny...Read more
This geriatrics training program escaped the ax. For now
In St. Louis, a team of students aboard a well-equipped van visits senior centers, a nursing home, a church, and other sites, learning to conduct comprehensive, hourlong geriatric assessments.
The team — future doctors, social workers, psychologists, and therapists — looks for such common problems as frailty, muscle weakness, and cognitive ...Read more
Social Security and You: Don't Drop the Ball
Sometimes people will write to me complaining that the government, specifically, the Social Security Administration, has messed them up and cheated them out of benefits they might have been due. But many times (to use a sports analogy), the ball is in their hands. And if they drop it, they shouldn't look around and try to blame others. Here are ...Read more
Feeling a loss of energy as you age? Here’s how to get that spark back
Aging has many benefits, and as your free time increases and many concerns from the past slip away, you can start to truly enjoy these years of your life. However, there is one thing that may stand in the way of all the new excitement heading your way: fatigue.
As you age, you may start to experience your body fatiguing more often, even when ...Read more
Affordability is Americans’ No. 1 retirement priority — but don’t overlook these 6 factors
If you’re not living in the best place to retire, you probably know it by now. Just look at your bank account.
The price you pay in your community for groceries, gasoline, housing and other essentials will significantly impact your quality of life. And if you’re having trouble affording them now, imagine doing it while retired on a fixed ...Read more
6 ways to avoid going broke in retirement
Retirement is a dream for many — a time to relax, travel and pursue hobbies. But the reality can be quite different if you’re not financially prepared. That’s why the fear of outliving your savings is a major concern among retirees.
However, with proper planning and discipline, you can make your golden years more comfortable and less ...Read more
This geriatrics training program escaped the ax. For now
In St. Louis, a team of students aboard a well-equipped van visits senior centers, a nursing home, a church, and other sites, learning to conduct comprehensive, hourlong geriatric assessments.
The team — future doctors, social workers, psychologists, and therapists — looks for such common problems as frailty, muscle weakness, and cognitive ...Read more






















