MONDAY JULY 27, 2026

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Can the Medications 

You Take 

Increase Your Risk 

of Falling?

By Lex Gonzales 

There are many things that can increase a senior’s risk of falling and one of the most common but often overlooked is the role of medications.

Most older adults don't need many supplements and should focus on identifying those that help close nutritional gaps. Supplements like vitamin D, vitamin B12, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids may be more beneficial as you age.

Hot weather puts at risk the health of several groups of people, including older adults. Risk factors include poor circulation and heart disease, which become more common as people age.

Part of the challenge with heat is that during the aging process, the human body loses the impulse to drink liquids, said Dr. Manisha Juthani, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health

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Are You 

Much Older 

Than Your Spouse? 

Your Social Security 

Decision Isn't About You

At 67, he was past full retirement age and, between him and his wife, he had the larger earnings history. He could file for Social Security now and receive about $3,500 a month. Waiting until 70 felt, to him, like leaving money on the table.

You might think the Social Security decision is yours alone. But in an age-gap marriage, the higher earner's Social Security claiming age can determine the surviving spouse's income for decades.

Falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults. A new effort wants Medicare to cover home grab bars. Currently, basic Medicare, the public health insurer of many adults over 65, does not cover grab bars, categorizing them like nonslip flooring or bathtub seats as convenience items rather than medical necessities. 

A timing mistake is haunting millions of American retirees.

Social Security benefits are adjusted for inflation. Widespread confusion about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act has also left many filers misunderstanding how their federal benefits are taxed. 

A group of Democratic senators is accusing the Social Security Administration of using a July email to distribute "misleading information" and "a partisan, politicized message," saying it threatens the agency's credibility as an independent agency.

The email, titled "Making Life More Affordable for America's Seniors,"  was meant to highlight the agency's efforts to improve Social Security's customer service, while also touting the impact of the Republicans' One Big Beautiful Bill Act, or OBBBA, on retirees' taxes.

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Healthcare costs explode 

when your income falls: 

Why most retirees 

underestimate 

medical expenses

By Don Lair

Unlike mortgages and tuition that peak during high-earning years, healthcare costs surge precisely when retirement income drops, creating a gap most retirees fail to plan for.

A 4% withdrawal on the average $246,500 retirement balance yields roughly $10,000 annually, yet 38% of retirees say healthcare costs exceeded their expectations.

Because Medicare coverage for long-term care is limited, many families are surprised to learn that they may eventually need to rely on private funds, long-term care insurance, or Medicaid to cover ongoing care expenses. 

Generally speaking, there are several common ways families pay for long-term care:

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Can Avocado 

Actually Lower 

Your Cholesterol?

Roughly 10 percent of Americans have high cholesterol and many of them have no idea. There are no symptoms. You feel perfectly fine. But when it goes untreated, high cholesterol raises the risk of heart attack and stroke.

The good news is that what you eat makes a real difference. And one food that two cardiologists are enthusiastic about is one you may already enjoy: avocado.

Maintaining health through nutrition becomes increasingly important. As seniors transition into this phase, focusing on a balanced diet not only improves physical health but also supports mental well-being, allowing seniors to enjoy their years with vigor and vitality.

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Grandmother, 82, 

wins law change 

so she can enjoy 

Happy Hour 

at care home

By Sheila Flynn

Anita LeBrun (82) couldn't believe it when she found out last year that her Minnesota assisted living facility was prohibited from serving drinks to residents because it didn't have a licence.

After testifying twice before the state legislature, the "Grandparents' Happy Hour" bill at the very facility she calls home took effect allowing nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Minnesota to serve alcohol to residents and their guests for special events without a license, as long as the state is notified beforehand.

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To Afford Aging in Place, 

Older Adults Turn to 

‘Golden Girls’ Housing

By Paula Span 

Home sharing “is a really efficient way to create affordable housing and to support older people who want to age in place,” Carefully vetting both “home providers,” who may be rattling around in family houses now too big and too empty, and “home sharers” seeking reasonable rents.

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Quote___________________

“If there are no dogs in Heaven, 

then when I die, I want to go 

where they went.”

― Will Rogers

_______________________

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"Old people get everything for free."

I've heard that more times than I can count.

Yes, people over 65 often receive discounts at stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and other businesses. Some seniors also qualify for assistance with housing, food, or healthcare. But let's clear up one misconception: very little of it is actually free.

Most senior discounts come with restrictions. They apply only to certain items, certain days, certain times, or certain locations. Government assistance helps, but it usually covers the basics—not luxury. The products and services may be perfectly adequate, but they're rarely top-of-the-line.

And then there's the one senior "perk" people seem to envy the most. In reality, it isn't nearly as wonderful as many younger folks imagine.

Continue reading...

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Is YOUR hair ageing you?

Stylist to the stars reveals

common mistakes

that are making you look older

Read more...

////

The Surprising Reason

You Might Get Sick

More Often

By Karen Donaldson

Read more...

////

Despite assumptions,

older adults

are much more savvy 

In their internet use

By Laura Rice

Read more...

////

How Much Protein

Do You Actually Need

Each Day?

By Lauren Mazzo

Read more...

////

Romance scams

target older adults

with cryptocurrency 

scheme

By Tammy Elliott

Read more...

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Next edition 

MONDAY, AUGUST 3 , 2026 

©2026 Bruce Cooper

-30-

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MONDAY JULY 20, 2026

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Shedding Light 

on Daylight Saving Time

By HEATHER ZIEGLER

For a majority of senior citizens, the early descending darkness that begins in October forces them inside as many do not enjoy driving at night. It's a fact that as we age our eyesight falters a bit especially in dim settings. Driving in the dark can be a challenge if not frightening. This fact alone cuts into social interaction of older drivers.

There are medical experts who claim that the turning back and forth of our clocks, meaning our internal clocks, is harmful. One source suggests it results in depression. Studies have shown there are more traffic accidents attributed to the time changes.

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Social Security's 

2027 COLA estimate 

is out as inflation cools

By Hal Bundrick

pic aa

The latest inflation data may signal a modest cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security recipients, according to a new projection. 

The Consumer Price Index released Tuesday reported inflation easing to 3.5% for the 12 months ending in June, down from 4.2% for the 12 months ending in May. The Senior Citizens League estimates the 2027 Social Security COLA will be 3.8%, a full percentage point higher than this year's boost. 

Go to story:  https://finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance/investing/article/social-securitys-2027-cola-estimate-is-out-as-inflation-cools-204917731.html

The Difference

Between Having Time

and Knowing

How to Use It

Time without structure can feel surprisingly empty, while even simple routines can make life feel full again. People who adjust well to more open schedules often establish small structures throughout their calendar:

Cannabis use among older adults has raised concerns about whether it might accelerate memory loss or increase the likelihood of developing dementia. Previous research has produced conflicting results.

But recent research found no genetic evidence that cannabis use directly causes poorer brain health later in life.

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The Invisible

Housing Crisis

Facing 

Older Adults

By Brooke Weitzman

Older adults are one of the fastest-growing groups experiencing homelessness. Aging without housing creates unique challenges, including declining health, limited income, technology barriers, and difficulty navigating complex social services and legal systems. Lawyers play a critical role in preventing older adults from becoming invisible by advocating for housing, benefits, legal protections, and access to supportive services.

Senior living residents think more about the impact of their needs on loved ones, and remain highly anxious about independence compared with their counterparts aging in place in the greater community,

The move to a senior living community or nursing home often represents a response to crisis, not planning — and it shows, according to the report authors.

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Seniors are spending

more time on their phones.

Why that's a mixed blessing.

By Jennifer Bisram

As senior citizens spend more time on their phones, adult children are now telling their parents to put the phones down.

Artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday life, from smartphones and internet searches to banking and customer service. It’s also making scams more convincing and harder to spot, which is why a basic understanding helps. The good news is you don’t need to be a tech expert to use AI safely and with confidence.

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How to know

when it’s time

to replace your car—

start with this rule,

 experts say

By Mike Winters

Inevitably, even the most reliable cars break down, which poses a potentially expensive question for car owners: When does it make sense to keep and maintain an older vehicle, and when is it time to move on? For car owners who haven’t been in the market for years, the decision to replace a vehicle isn’t easy. 

 Start with the 50% rule...

Whether landing a part-time job, opening your own side-hustle business or simply rearranging your investment strategy to generate more post-retirement cash, figuring out a way to earn extra dollars in your golden years can relieve financial pressures and offer a lifestyle boost.

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96-year-old influencer

threatened with eviction

for throwing wild

nursing home parties

By Michael Gwilliam

“I’m getting kicked out of the nursing home,”  said Lillian Droniak in the clip shared with her many millions of followers. “I just got this letter. It says you’re getting kicked out if you don’t stop the parties.” The letter also claimed security footage showed people leaving Droniak’s room at 1 AM and warned that continued incidents could lead to visitor restrictions or a review of her residency.

A North Carolina senior citizen (Joan Rivet, 82) said she miraculously survived being trapped in her bathtub for nine days by using her foot to turn the faucet and splash water toward her face to drink after suffering a crippling fall. She spent hours crying out for help to no avail, with only the sound of her cat Phoebe meowing outside the bathroom door. Those hours quickly turned into days as she slipped in and out of consciousness from her injuries.

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Quote___________________

“When the weather is hot,

keep a cool mind.

When the weather is cold,

keep a warm heart.”

— Ajahn Brahm 

_______________________

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I don't often disagree with science. After all, who am I to argue with people who have spent their careers studying a subject?

But there is one area where I do have some expertise: old people.

My qualifications aren't academic. They're personal.

I've officially been an old person for the past 15 years. During that time, I've lived with, eaten with, laughed with, argued with, and become friends with hundreds of seniors. I've observed them in their natural habitat—the assisted living facility.

Continue reading ...

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From The Archives

The #1 Food 

People over 50 

Should Eat More Of, 

According to Dietitians

Read more

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How Long 

Could the Average Retiree 

Live on Social Security 

Alone in 2026?

Read more

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How the 'Senior Deduction' 

Could Save You Money 

on Your Taxes This Year

Read more

////

The typical U.S. worker

 has $955 

saved for retirement, 

report finds

Read more

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6 Ways 

the New Wegovy Pill 

Compares to the 

Shot for Weight Loss

Read more

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The Hottest Place Ever Recorded

        

In 1913, Death Valley, California recorded the highest temperature on record, coming in at 134.1 degrees Fahrenheit. The area still holds the modern record after more than 100 years of sitting on top of the list. Why?...

        

 Furnace Creek in Death Valley, where the record temperature was recorded, is around 190 feet below sea level. When warm air descends, it gets an extra push downward from the atmosphere, trapping that extra heat close to the earth. It is also in a valley surrounded by mountains that trap the hot air, giving it no escape from the surface. 

        

 Death Valley may have a slightly tenuous hold on the record, however. Climate experts and historians have questioned the validity of the record, but it's still recognized for now as the hottest temperature ever recorded by the World Meteorological Organization's record keepers.

          

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Next edition 

MONDAY, JUY 27 , 2026 

©2026 Bruce Cooper

-30-

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