THE WEEK OF MONDAY AUGUST 17th, 2026
editorial
The Government Is On Track
To Fail Seniors AgainI started thinking seriously about old age and retirement around my 50th birthday. That's when I began noticing that my body was changing.I had been losing my hair for about ten years, but at 50 it seemed to be falling out faster than November leaves.Losing weight became harder. Exercise took more effort. Even ordinary tasks began producing aches and pains in places that had never hurt before.There was no mystery to it. I was getting older, and my body was doing exactly what it was supposed to do.Continue reading...
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NEWS YOU CAN USE
AGING
Some brain functionsmay improve with ageCognitive changes such as mild forgetfulness are often a normal part of aging. Older adults may find that it takes longer to remember afact or learn a new skill. At the extreme end, the risk of dementia rises with aging. For example, the number of people with Alzheimer’s disease doubles about every 5 years beyond age 65.
^^^^The importance of rest
for healthy agingBy Ricardo MartinezAs we grow older, getting enough rest becomes just as important as eating well and staying physically active.
While a good night’s sleep is essential, taking time to rest throughout the day can also help seniors maintain their energy, improve concentration and reduce stress.^^^^Going to museums, movies,and theater may helpyour body stay youngerResearchers found that older adults who regularly participated in cultural activities tended to have bodies that functioned like those of people about three years younger. They believe stronger social ties, better mental health, and healthier habits could help explain the link, although more research is needed to determine whether cultural activities directly slow aging.
7 Best High-Fiber Foodsfor Older AdultsBy Erica SweeneyAs you get older, your digestive system can slow down, increasing the likelihood of issues like constipation, gas, bloating, and acid reflux. That’s why you need to prioritize fiber.
“Fiber helps populate healthy gut microbes, reduce constipation, and decrease many common gastrointestinal complaints associated with aging,”^^^^How senior citizenscan approach snackingAccording to a 2023 review published in the journal Nutrients, more than 90 percent of adults in the United States report eating one or more snacks on any given day. A separate study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics noted that snacking has been increasing in frequency and volume over the last several decades.
How Much SleepIs Too Much Sleep?What to Know AboutOversleepingPeople are often concerned about not getting enough sleep. However, oversleeping may also pose several health risks and indicate the presence of an underlying health condition. Keep reading to learn more about the potential causes, symptoms, and treatments for oversleeping.
^^^^5 Morning HabitsThat Boost EnergyAll DayIf you are reaching for your third cup of coffee before noon, you are not alone. A lot of us have come to rely on caffeine just to feel human in the morning. But functional medicine doctors say that constantly needing a boost can be a sign that something else is going on.
^^^^Unlucky Ladies:Why Dementia isRougher for WomenBy Kathleen MurphyFemales are far more prone to cognitive impairment than men. But new research shows that with the right approaches, many risks canbe averted.
But why the disparity – what makes women more vulnerable to health conditions like these, which can lead to cognitive decline?Social Security forecast
falls slightly.
Why checks could increase lessBy Sarah MooreA senior advocacy group this week predicted a lower cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security in 2027 than previously forecast, which could impact spending by those receiving the benefit.Social Security checks in 2027 could see a COLA increase of 3.6%, The Senior Citizens League said on Aug. 12, which would boost payments by $69.75. This forecast is 0.2 percentage points lower than the previous forecast in June by The Senior Citizens League, but still higher than what recipients received in previous years.^^^^Could a High-DoseFlu ShotLower YourAlzheimer's Risk?By Dennis ThompsonSeniors who got a high-dose flu vaccine had a nearly 55% reduced risk of Alzheimer’s, researchers reported earlier this month in the journal Neurology. This high-dose jab – four times stronger than the standard dose – is recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for folks 65 and older, researchers said.
^^^^10 Hobbiesfor Older AdultsThat Improve Brainand Body HealthBy Amanda GardnerIt's never too late to pick up one of these hobbies that have been scientifically shown to increase longevity. Americans often gain more leisure time as they age1, likely a natural consequence of fewer child-rearing responsibilities and, eventually, retirement from paid work. How we use that time has a huge impact on how we age, both mentally and physically.
Setting Boundarieswith Adult Children(Without Guilt)By Christine FieldIf setting a boundary with your adult child feels harder now than it did decades ago, you’re not imagining it. Boundaries at this stage of life come with a particular weight that they didn’t carry when your children were young.
Why This Gets Harder, Not Easier, with Age...^^^^The #1 ThingSenior CouplesFight AboutAfter all you’ve been through together; raising kids, building careers, navigating life’s curveballs, you’d think the hard part was over. And in many ways, it is. But relationships don’t stop changing just because you’ve reached a certain point in your life. Three psychologists said to Parade that one issue creates more conflict in later-life marriages than anything else. And it probably isn’t what you’d expect.
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Quote___________________
"Suspense is like a woman.
The more left to the imagination,
the more the excitement."
Alfred Hitchcock
_______________________
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Nancy Guthrie's Disappearance:
Keeping Older Adults Safe
Read more...
^^^^
10 Bathroom
Safety Tips for Seniors
Read more...
^^^^
Understanding
geriatric pelvic fractures:
a growing concern
for older adults
Read more...
^^^^
How Retirees
Can Get ‘Free Money’
From the Government
Read more...
^^^^
SENIOR TIPS:
Creating Meaningful Gifts
Without Buying Anything New
Read more...
^^^^
Older Americans
are lonely.
It's a public health crisis.
Read more...
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Alfred Hitchcock
was afraid of eggs
You wouldn’t think of the filmmaker responsible for Psycho, The Birds, and Vertigo as having any phobias, let alone one as rare as ovaphobia. And yet the Master of Suspense once admitted on the record that he was “worse than frightened” of eggs, which he said revolted him — so much so, in fact, he refused to ever taste egg yolk, which he found particularly repulsive. “Have you ever seen anything more revolting than an egg yolk breaking and spilling its yellow liquid?” he asked in one interview. (Anyone who’s seen such lesser-known Hitchcock works as Frenzy and Family Plot might say yes, but the point stands.)
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Next edition
MONDAY, AUGUST 24th, 2026
©2026 Bruce Cooper
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Comments Box Below
MONDAY AUGUST 10, 2026
When I was young, I rarely thought about old people. Other than my grandmother and grandfather, I had almost no contact with anyone over the age of 70.Of course, I saw them. They were the bent-over, slow-moving, oddly dressed people making their way down the sidewalk or struggling to cross the street before the light changed. I didn't dislike them—I simply didn't notice them. They were part of the background.Continue reading...
NEWS YOU CAN USE
Research Shows
Your Morning Coffee Habit
May Also Be
Good for Your Liver
By Stephanie Anderson Witmer
According to a recent study, this common morning habit is associated with a lower risk of liver disease,liver cancer, and liver-related death. The research also suggests that coffee itself—rather than just the caffeine is contains—is likely responsible for those benefits,
A Deep Dive Into Coffee Consumption and Liver Health...
Go to story...
^^^^
Family Relationships
and Well-Being
By Patricia A Thomas, PhD , Hui Liu, PhD , Debra Umberson, PhD
Family relationships are enduring and consequential for well-being across the life course. We discuss several types of family relationships—marital, intergenerational, and sibling ties—that have an important influence on well-being.
Go to story...
^^^^
Why Experts Recommend
Seniors Stop
Routine Blood Tests
After 80
By Drew Blankenship
Experts say healthcare after 80 should focus more on quality of life and individualized care rather than automatic testing schedules. Here’s what you need to know about what doctors are now recommending for older patients.
"We wanted to look at these questions: How are the patients really doing? What do they think about their quality of life, and how much do they feel they have control over their everyday lives?"The results show that:
A third of older people who receive home care services feel they have little or no control over their everyday lives.
See more....
^^^^
The 5 pillars of longevity:
Movement, nutrition, sleep,
stress reduction,
and social connection
By Maureen Salamon
“What we actually want is both more years and more of those years lived in good health,”Learn how five everyday patterns — how you move, eat, rest, relax, and connect — can add more healthy years to your life.
Go to story...
^^^^
A Yale researcher
asked 660 adults
what they thought about aging;
the answers predicted
lifespans more
than 20 years later
Positive perceptions of aging may extend life by nearly eight years. This finding emerged from a long-termstudy of adults aged fifty and older. Researchers observed a significant difference in longevity between positive and negative outlooks. While not proving causation, the link suggests attitude plays a role. This research highlights the importance of how we view growing older.
According to Fidelity Investments, a 65-year-old retiring in 2026 can expect to spend an average of $185,500 on medical expenses throughout retirement. This figure marks a 7.5% increase from the previous year, driven by rising healthcare prices, greater utilizationof medical services, and growing costs associated with chronic conditions, according to the report data.
Medicare coverage of long-term care is limited, and Medicaid often requires “spending down” — leaving many middle-class households exposed until they’re near poverty-level assets. Planning ahead can reduce the financial shock.
By Penelope WangIn today’s economy, with rising consumer prices, job instability and a lack of affordable housing, many younger adults are strugglingto find their financial footing. Those pressures are prompting older generations to offer a hand, though sometimes at a cost to their own financial well-being.
Being there when they are young and cute is easy. Being there when they are hormonal and sullen isn’t. Be there anyway. Your teenage grandchildren will likely participate in extracurricular activities as they discover their talents and abilities. If you are able, be there to cheer them on.
Every grandparent has been there. You know exactly what happened. The cookie is missing, the lamp is tilted, or the story just does not add up. And the little one standing in front of you is looking anywhere but at you.How you handle that moment matters more than you might think. Two psychologists say the right words can open a child up and the wrong ones can shut them right down.
Go to story...
Empathy is associated
with older adults’
social behaviors
and verbal emotional expressions
throughout the day
By Meng Huo, Kate A. Leger,
Kira S. Birditt & Karen L. Fingerman
Empathy plays a crucial role in promoting older adults’ interpersonal experiences, but it remains unclear how these benefits of empathy occur. To address this gap, we examined associations between empathy and how older adults behave and express emotions during their daily interpersonal encounters.
Go to story...
^^^^
Meet the world’s oldest
competitive pole dancer —
a passionate 82-year-old:
‘Won’t let my age define me’
By Jeanne Erickson
Most people slow down in their elder years, but Idanna Abignente decided to climb a pole instead.At 82, she has earned the title of the world’s oldest competitive pole dancer,
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Quote___________________
“At bank, post office or supermarket,
there is one universal law
which you ignore at your own peril:
the shortest line moves the slowest.”
Bill Vaughan
_______________________
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Cash-Flow Strategies
for Women Living
on a Fixed Income
Read more...
^^^
Even If Social Security
Were Going Bankrupt
(It's Not),
Retirees Wouldn't Care
Read more...
^ ^ ^
Blood test “clocks”
predict when Alzheimer’s
symptoms will start
Read more...
^ ^ ^
How to Maintain
Friendships Without
Over committing
Read more...
^ ^ ^
The Emotional Side
of Using a Cane or Walker
and How to Manage It
Read more...
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Why Are U.S. Mailboxes Blue?
• They weren't always blue. Before 1971, many U.S. mailboxes were painted dark green, a color that had been used for decades by the Post Office Department.• Blue improved visibility. When the Post Office became the United States Postal Service (USPS) in 1971, it adopted blue as part of its new image. The brighter color made mailboxes easier to spot from a distance.• It matched the new USPS logo. The switch to blue coincided with the introduction of the USPS's modern branding, giving the nation's mail service a fresh, recognizable look.• Blue symbolizes trust and reliability. Marketers often associate blue with dependability and security—qualities the Postal Service wanted to project.• Not every mailbox is blue. While the familiar collection boxes are blue, specialty mailboxes—such as historic boxes in some cities or decorative mailboxes on federal property—may be painted different colors to preserve their historic appearance.
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Next edition
MONDAY, AUGUST 17th, 2026
©2026 Bruce Cooper
-30-
Comments Box Below