Four steps to disaster-proof your finances
Mother Nature could be excused if she wondered, “How much more prompting do you people need?” Last year delivered epic wildfires, devastating hurricanes, massive floods and some pretty horrific earthquakes. Yet many people still haven’t taken a few critical steps to protect their financial lives from such disasters. Consider setting aside a few hours to take care of these four... READ MORE
Plan ahead if caring for a parent from afar
Dave Nickerson’s mother, Catherine, is almost 95, but he said she’s as independent and self-sufficient as ever. A former schoolteacher, Catherine has lived for 65 years in the same house where Dave grew up, near Boston. And she’s made it very clear she intends to stay there. “She’s embedded in the community,” Dave said. Dave helped remodel the house a few years ago, so his... READ MORE
Home improvements for aging in place
In response to demands from baby boomers, improvements that help people stay safely in their homes as they age are more stylish and functional than before. Think of a curved and tiled shower soap dish that also serves as a grab bar. Or a decorative kitchen cabinet pull with a wider loop for arthritic hands. More forward-looking homeowners are including aging-in-place features in home... READ MORE
How to make a move as smooth as can be
Editor’s note: The following article is excerpted from the new book, Home Sweet Apartment: Getting Rightsized in Our Seventies, about how Daniel Carlson and his wife moved from their long-time house to an apartment. When we were younger, moving from one home to another was a fairly simple process: Pack belongings in old cardboard boxes from the A&P, rent a truck, line up friends... READ MORE
Assisted living for comfort, conversation
Lisa Cini is one of the nation’s foremost experts on making living spaces comfortable and functional for seniors. Through Mosaic Design Studio, her firm based in Columbus, Ohio, she has been designing assisted living facilities for 25 years. Cini is also a speaker on the subjects of design, aging and technology, and has written two books — The Future is Here: Senior Living... READ MORE
As a landlord, can you ever truly retire?
There is a major dilemma facing many older investors today. Their successes in real estate have produced a failure in quality of life. What is the problem, and is there a solution?Let’s start with the problem: a “good problem” to have. Twenty to 40 years ago, you bought rental real estate, maybe a small apartment complex or several rental houses.This can be a great... READ MORE
Why older patients resist help at home
The 84-year-old man who had suffered a mini-stroke was insistent as he spoke to a social worker about being discharged from the hospital: He didn’t want anyone coming into his home, and he didn’t think he needed any help.So the social worker canceled an order for home healthcare services. And the patient went back to his apartment without plans for follow-up care in place.When... READ MORE
Ways to use your house for extra income
People over 65 average $150,000 in home equity, according to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.That amount dwarfs the rest of their assets combined.This generation of retirees is facing the decline of traditional pensions, while the 401(k)s that replace them are less generous and more uncertain.So the case for employing one’s home as a source of retirement income... READ MORE
New technologies to improve your health
“Connected” health technology is a godsend for people who want to grow old in their homes and retain their independence. According to an industry report by MarketResearch.com, the market for connected “smart sensors” is expected to reach $117 billion by 2020. Health tech lets users get help in an emergency with mobile medic alert-like personal emergency response systems; track... READ MORE
Robotic companion can make life easier
Those who live alone and need some assistance to continue aging in place may get by with a little help from a friend — a cute white and blue robot named Rudy.INF Robotics, based in Fairfax, Virginia, has spent the last six years building Rudy specifically to assist older adults and individuals with disabilities with a range of tasks, and to serve as a sentinel in case of falls.Rudy,... READ MORE
