What is the Ideal Retirement Age? As we step into 2024, it's essential to reevaluate our perspectives on retirement, especially considering the increase in average life expectancy. When Social Security was established in 1935, the retirement age was set at 65, a time when fewer people lived long enough to reach it. Today, with life expectancy in the U.S. at 76, the question of the ideal retirement age has [...]
The majority of older Americans hope to remain in their home as they age. While aging in place is not possible for everyone, it is entirely possible for some. However, safety should always remain the number one priority when assessing your needs. Maintaining home safety for seniors needs to be addressed early on. In order to remain at home as you age, there are likely modifications that need to take [...]
Many of us hope to age at home as independently as possible. However, this may not always be the best option for our situation as we get older. Illnesses, mobility impairments, and the normal aging process may affect our abilities. This may lead to the need for an assisted living. While this may seem like a loss of independence, it can actually improve your quality of life in a variety [...]
When we think of technology, we often think of things like computers and smart phones. But the term "assistive technology" refers to anything that can help someone live more independently and comfortably. Specifically, assistive technology for seniors is growing in popularity. As the average life expectancy increases, our need for improving the aging process does as well. For many seniors, assistive technology can mean the difference between living more independently [...]
Knowing when to ask for help can be hard. Additionally, asking for help can be scary. For many seniors, it can feel like a further loss of independence and control. It is certainly normal to want to maintain autonomy as long as possible. But at the same time, self-sufficiency needs to be balanced with reason sometimes. Especially when safety is at risk. Asking for help can hard to do. But [...]
Most people hope to never need the right mobility aid. Yet as we age, this might not be very realistic. Maybe it's temporary after a surgery. Perhaps it's more permanent for balance issues. Either way, they are often necessary for our safety and independence later in life. Choosing the right mobility aid can be confusing. Due to the huge number of options, many people do not know which is most [...]
Talking to seniors about driving safety should be done with care. Driving is a symbol of independence. It allows us to see friends and family, go to social events, get to appointments, and so much more. Therefore, there is a clear sense of loss when we become too old to drive. Over 41 million drivers over age 65 are on the roads. In 2016 alone, approximately 290,000 elderly drivers were [...]
Maintaining the relationship with your adult children may put you out of your comfort zone. Parents do not intentionally try to frustrate or annoy their adult children. They love them. But love makes us do strange things sometimes. This could be in the form of too much "constructive criticism" or an excess of emails and phone calls. Or it could be just trying to control things. Regardless of how you [...]
Statistics show that nearly 90 percent of seniors wish to age in their own home. But sometimes, the features in their homes are not ideal. Homes are typically built with the younger generation's needs in mind. Therefore, certain features that most take for granted can pose serious risks to the safety of aging individuals. Home modifications for seniors is something that is important to consider. If you wish to remain [...]
We are generally advised to apply our own oxygen mask before assisting others during an emergency on a flight. This ensures our own safety and well-being. Some say this seems selfish. Yet without caring for ourselves, how can we care for others? Similarly, dementia caregivers often neglect their own needs for the sake of the person in their care. This reduces the quality of life for both the patient and [...]
