Senior Living
/Health
Here’s the salary you need to claim the maximum $5,108 monthly Social Security benefit
The average Social Security benefit for a retired worker in February 2025 was $1,980 per month. That’s enough to help cover a few bills, but it’s far from what you may need for a comfortable retirement.
Many people dream of locking in the maximum Social Security benefit when they retire — and it’s easy to understand why. As the cost of ...Read more
After 2 decades of military service, 'the Viking sub' learned he had a tear in his aorta
During multiple tours in Afghanistan, Jeff Pharris conducted countless combat patrols and narrowly survived two bomb blasts. After 20 years of U.S. Army service as a communications specialist and combat advisor, he was honorably retired from active duty.
Soon after, he started substitute teaching at his local middle school and elementary school...Read more
Beautiful' bill cuts seniors' food stamps. That's ugly
When you’re in Washington, D.C., surrounded by fellow members of Congress, it’s probably easy to distance yourself from the human cost of your actions back home. So when the vote comes on a bill that will slash America’s largest anti-hunger program, you say yes.
In another era, it would have been a complete non-starter to go after a ...Read more
KC’s WWI Museum employs tech used at Vegas Sphere to bring war stories to life
The National WWI Museum and Memorial has undergone some big changes over the last three years. The latest is a one-of-a-kind, immersive exhibit to its already loaded walls.
Encounters, the new exhibit, uses storytelling bolstered by state-of-the-art audio and video technology to share first-person narratives from individuals whose lives were ...Read more
Florida seniors on food stamps are 'counting pennies.' Now, Congress is, too
MIAMI — Easing herself into the sofa in her Cutler Bay studio apartment, Alida Gonzalez said she’s been trying to relax recently. But, she continued, living in a daily state of “counting pennies,” particularly at the grocery store, takes its toll. And that’s even with the help of the roughly $100 she receives each month from the ...Read more
Travel Trending with Kathy Witt: Victory Cruise Lines’ Victory I and Victory II make a historic and victorious return
This is the little ship that could. And did so, beautifully.
Victory Cruise Lines’ Victory I made her much anticipated 2025 inaugural voyage in early April to the delight and enthusiasm of a large and loyal fanbase — many of whom were onboard for the voyage from Portland, Maine, to Toronto.
Leading up to this sailing, Victory I and sister ...Read more
He recognized the signs of his own stroke – and got treated within 30 minutes
Jim Johnson woke up at his usual time of roughly 6 a.m. Something, though, was different.
His right side felt numb.
He shifted onto his back, thinking that changing positions would make a difference. It didn't.
"This could be bad," he said to himself.
He managed to get out of bed but noticed his right leg was dragging.
Definitely bad, he ...Read more
Honey, sweetie, dearie: The perils of elderspeak
A prime example of elderspeak: Cindy Smith was visiting her father in his assisted living apartment in Roseville, California. An aide who was trying to induce him to do something — Smith no longer remembers exactly what — said, “Let me help you, sweetheart.”
“He just gave her The Look — under his bushy eyebrows — and said, ‘...Read more
Burnout is real. Experts say you should follow this advice to ease stress
MIAMI — Are you happy?
Happiness — laughing with loved ones, a purpose in life, something to look forward to — is a factor in whether a person will live a healthy and long life, experts say.
Eating healthy, sleeping well and staying active — critical lifestyle changes that can promote healthy aging — are easier to track. But ...Read more
In this senior league, where love of the game never gets old, softball is 'better than medicine'
PICO RIVERA, Calif. -- Infielder Eddie Castorena, 75, wore two braces under his Old Spice uniform, one for his knee and one for his back.
Big Red catcher Tony Spallino, 67, was moving pretty well behind the plate, hoping he won't need a second hip replacement.
His teammate Agustin Quezada, 83, limped through the dugout between innings, leaning...Read more
In this senior league, where love of the game never gets old, softball is 'better than medicine'
PICO RIVERA, Calif. -- Infielder Eddie Castorena, 75, wore two braces under his Old Spice uniform, one for his knee and one for his back.
Big Red catcher Tony Spallino, 67, was moving pretty well behind the plate, hoping he won't need a second hip replacement.
His teammate Agustin Quezada, 83, limped through the dugout between innings, leaning...Read more
How some emergency rooms adapt to the needs of older adults
A visit to the emergency room is no fun for anybody. But older people face challenges that can make a tough situation worse.
The lights, noise and endless activity can be confusing and even trigger delirium. Slick floors pose fall risks, as do hospital beds that can be hard to get in and out of.
Some emergency departments, however, are taking ...Read more
‘Strong Grandma’ is record-holding powerlifter at 95
At 95 years old, Catherine Kuehn wasn’t just lifting weights. She was a competing powerlifter — one worthy of her own documentary.
Presented by The New Yorker, “Strong Grandma” follows Kuehn as she reminisces about the love and loss of her husband while preparing for what may be her final competition.
According to Open Power Lifting, ...Read more
50-year legacy: Vietnamese boat people thrive as fishermen
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Aboard his boat in Moss Landing harbor, Tai Huynh, 71, bent over a pile of grenadier, then flung one of the deep sea fish into a large bin. Next to him, Tham Vo tipped them into a 500-pound crane lift box, swigging glass bottles of Heineken between loads.
In just over two hours recently, the pair offloaded 3,854 pounds of ...Read more
When they don’t recognize you anymore
It happened more than a decade ago, but the moment remains with her.
Sara Stewart was talking at the dining room table with her mother, Barbara Cole, 86 at the time, in Bar Harbor, Maine. Stewart, then 59, a lawyer, was making one of her extended visits from out of state.
Two or three years earlier, Cole had begun showing troubling signs of ...Read more
When they don't recognize you anymore
It happened more than a decade ago, but the moment remains with her.
Sara Stewart was talking at the dining room table with her mother, Barbara Cole, 86 at the time, in Bar Harbor, Maine. Stewart, then 59, a lawyer, was making one of her extended visits from out of state.
Two or three years earlier, Cole had begun showing troubling signs of ...Read more
Why cameras are popping up in eldercare facilities
The assisted living facility in Edina, Minnesota, where Jean Peters and her siblings moved their mother in 2011, looked lovely. “But then you start uncovering things,” Peters said.
Her mother, Jackie Hourigan, widowed and developing memory problems at 82, too often was still in bed when her children came to see her midmorning.
“She wasn�...Read more
Why cameras are popping up in eldercare facilities
The assisted living facility in Edina, Minnesota, where Jean Peters and her siblings moved their mother in 2011, looked lovely. “But then you start uncovering things,” Peters said.
Her mother, Jackie Hourigan, widowed and developing memory problems at 82, too often was still in bed when her children came to see her midmorning.
“She wasn�...Read more
Retired officer called an ‘inspiration’ at birthday bash. At 104, he may be oldest cop in US
SAN LEANDRO, Calif. — Two days after his 104th birthday, retired Oakland police Officer Toft Jessen was celebrated Thursday by dozens of Oakland police officers past and present, along with many others who lauded him as “an impressive individual” whose achievements are inspirational.
Jessen, a World War II veteran who during his nearly 37...Read more
He'd all but forgotten he had a defibrillator. It reminded him it was there – 22 times
In 2016, Bill Miller finally went to the doctor to find out what was causing his dry and annoying cough. Tests indicated he had a heart attack in the past and was now in heart failure.
Although doctors later implanted a defibrillator to restore a normal heart rhythm if needed, Miller quickly became used to the device under his skin. Eventually,...Read more
