Portraits of aging
A dozen years ago, at age 70, Marna Clarke had a dream. She was walking on a sidewalk and rounded a corner. Ahead of her, she saw an end to the path and nothing beyond. Read more
A dozen years ago, at age 70, Marna Clarke had a dream. She was walking on a sidewalk and rounded a corner. Ahead of her, she saw an end to the path and nothing beyond. Read more
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disorder that causes brain cells to waste away and die. Read more
For people of a certain age, it takes only a few “senior moments” — struggling for words, names or memories — to cause worry. Read more
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Presidents come and go, but one constant through 10 presidencies has been Dale Haney, the chief White House groundskeeper, who as of this month has spent 50 years serving the families — and many of their pets — who have called the mansion home. Read more
When Nancy Francis thinks about living in Tampa Bay, she pictures her neighbors’ teeth. Read more
Dear Savvy Senior: Can you recommend any services that can help my mother with her financial chores? My dad always used to handle the bill paying and paperwork, but he died in 2021, and Mom struggles to keep on top of things. And I don’t live close enough to help her on a regular basis. — Concerned Daughter Read more
Dear Savvy Senior: What are the most common scams today that target seniors? My 75-year-old mother has been swindled several times over the past year, so I’m being extra cautious. — Paranoid Patty Read more
Cooking at home is a mood-booster, exercises muscles and the mind, and can help us keep a healthy diet, especially as we age. Read more
Over tea and toast at the Cafe Cluny in the West Village of Manhattan, Linda Rodin lifted her palms to her face and pulled her features taut. Read more
At the advent of Medicare and Medicaid in the 1960s, more than a third of older Americans lived in poverty. By 2020, the figure had fallen to 9.5%. But last year, even as the poverty rate sank for everyone else, it rose among seniors, to 10.7%. Read more
Dear Savvy Senior: I’ve read that retirees will be getting a nice cost-of-living increase in our Social Security benefits next year, but what about Medicare? What will our Medicare Part B monthly premiums and other Medicare costs be in 2023? — Planning Ahead Read more
At age 99, Marion “Mic” Roberts completed her first road race. Read more
Dear Savvy Senior: How do I go about looking for an old former company 401(k) plan that I think I contributed money to many years ago, but forgot about until recently? — Retired in Rochester Read more
Ask Reita Green the Wallpaper Queen what makes a successful wallpaper hanger and she’ll tell you it’s practice, patience and believing in yourself. Read more
Dear Savvy Senior: I saw a news segment on television a few months ago about home sharing programs for seniors. I would like to learn more. I’m 68, divorced and am interested in renting out a room in my house to help make ends meet. What can you tell me? — Interested Boomer Read more
A year ago Robert E. Elson began noticing a curious new array of beverages in the refrigerator of the condo he shares with his wife, Roni, on the Upper West Side: energy drinks and “different coffees that were totally alien,” recalled Elson. “And there were these different milks. Read more
Dear Savvy Senior: How much does a typical funeral and burial cost today? My wife and I are interested in prearranging our funerals but would like to have an idea of costs before going in so we can plan and budget appropriately. — Planning Ahead Read more
During the peak COVID-19 surges of 2020, patients sat in the lobby of Fort Loudoun Medical Center in Lenoir City with IVs pumping fluids and nutrients into their veins. Read more
Millions of older adults are having trouble making ends meet, especially during these inflationary times. Yet many don’t realize help is available, and some notable programs that offer financial assistance are underused. Read more
Dear Savvy Senior: Do you know of any car gadgets that can help older drivers? I drive a 12-year-old car and have arthritis in my neck, back and knees, which limits my mobility. I have difficulty looking over my shoulder to back up as well as getting in and out of the car. — Almost 80 Read more
Question: I am 62 and recently had a physical. My doctor suggested that I should be screened for lung cancer. I used to smoke a pack of cigarettes a day but quit about a decade ago. I’ve not had any problems, so I’m wondering whether this is necessary. What does screening involve? Read more