Make your bathrooms safer, easier to use
Dear Savvy Senior, What tips can you recommend for making a bathroom senior-friendly? My 78-year-old mother has mobility problems, and she fell getting out of the bathtub last month. I’d like to modify her bathroom with some safety features that can help keep her safe. —Concerned Daughter Dear Concerned, Great question! Because more accidents and injuries happen in the... READ MORE
What’s your retirement housing strategy?
One of the most important aspects of retirement planning is making housing plans. You will need a place to live in retirement, and there are a lot of different options. Even if you decide to just keep the status quo and “age in place,” there are a lot of factors to consider. Your home is often your largest asset, with the median wealth in homes for a 65-year-old couple at $192,552,... READ MORE
Competitive market spurs new housing
With the number of Americans over the age of 80 expected to double in the next two decades, the senior living housing market is becoming increasingly competitive. That’s good news for the many older adults who will be looking for new housing options, whether in an independent living, continuing care or assisted living community. Residential communities in the greater... READ MORE
Hi-tech home devices present some risks
More people are getting voice-activated speakers and other smart devices for convenience and security. But doing so could also be giving hackers a key to their homes. Many devices from reputable manufacturers have safeguards built in, but those can’t guarantee against hacks. Gadgets from startups and no-name brands may offer little or no protection. Before buying one, here are some... READ MORE
55+ cohousing communities taking off
The 5-mile hikes, yoga classes and communal dinners are now routines for the residents at PDX Commons Cohousing in Portland, Ore. These 39 individuals (about half married or partnered, but largely strangers to the others at first) started forging relationships well before they moved in late last summer to join a trend called cohousing. “Here, you walk in and know every one of the... READ MORE
Chronically ill can get Medicare home care
Colin Campbell needs help dressing, bathing and moving between his bed and his wheelchair. He has a feeding tube because his partially paralyzed tongue makes swallowing “almost impossible,” he said. Campbell, 58, spends $4,000 a month on home healthcare services so he can continue to live in his home just outside Los Angeles. Eight years ago, he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral ... READ MORE
Smart homes – Not just for high-tech geeks
Internet-connected lights, locks and laundry machines are close to becoming everyday household items, thanks in part to voice-activated speakers such as Amazon’s Echo and Google Home. Market research groups are seeing increased sales of lights that turn off when you say “good night,” smart locks that let in your friends before you get home, and similar smart-home gadgets. While... READ MORE
How to prevent water damage this winter
How to prevent water damage this winter Kimberly Lankford Q: What can I do to avoid water damage this winter? I know my insurance policy doesn’t cover flooding, but does it pay for other types of water damage claims? A: Yes. Homeowners insurance covers water damage, such as from leaks and burst pipes, or water that comes into your home through your roof and windows. In fact,... READ MORE
Don’t let a moving company scam you
Moving can be stressful. Moving across the country can even be tedious and scary. Choosing the right moving company can make or break your moving experience, so be sure to do your homework to avoid being taken advantage of on moving day. Beware of these two scams that are common in the moving industry: Grossly under bidding a job, then holding belongings hostage for an... READ MORE
Get an Uber or Lyft ride without the app
With their on-demand, prompt transportation services, ride hailing apps like Uber and Lyft have transformed the ease of getting from Point A to Point B at a price generally cheaper than a taxi. But for those who don’t own a smartphone, or who can’t quite get the hang of downloading an app, or read the tiny print once it’s on their phone, these new transportation options have passed ... READ MORE
