Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Wyden (D-OR), along with 18 Democratic Senators, have a request for information (RFI) seeking input on making home care more affordable and accessible, improving nursing home care, and strengthening the long-term care workforce.

Individuals are also invited to share their experiences with health and long-term care with Senator Wyden using this form. Remember to bring your experiences, stories, and priorities into your comments.

Comments are due December 18 to   homecare@finance.senate.gov.

America’s long-term care system needs help. 

Europe can provide a model for how to improve it.

America’s long-term care system is facing serious challenges, from rising costs and staffing shortages to the growing number of older adults who need help with everyday activities. Families are often left struggling to find affordable, dependable care for loved ones, while seniors worry about maintaining their dignity and independence. But the United States doesn't have to start from scratch. Several European countries have developed different approaches to long-term care that emphasize affordability, home-based services, and support for family caregivers. Their experiences offer valuable lessons as America looks for ways to improve care for its rapidly aging population.

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What Type of Home Are You Looking For? 

It May Not Be What You Think!

When we think about finding a new home, we usually picture the kind of place we've always wanted: a comfortable house, a condo, or perhaps an apartment in a desirable neighborhood. But as we get older, our priorities can change. Convenience, affordability, accessibility, safety, and proximity to family may become more important than square footage or a beautiful view. For older adults considering a move, the ideal home may look very different from what they once imagined. It's worth taking a fresh look at what home really means—and what will make the next chapter of life more comfortable.

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Seniors Call on the Next Congress 

to Prioritize Social Security

Social Security is more than a monthly check for millions of older Americans. It is the financial foundation that helps pay for housing, food, healthcare, and other everyday necessities. Yet concerns about the program's long-term finances, rising living costs, and the adequacy of benefits continue to worry retirees and those approaching retirement. As a new Congress prepares to take office, seniors are making their voices heard and demanding that Social Security receive the attention it deserves. Their message is clear: protecting the benefits Americans have earned should be a priority, not another political talking point.

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Make a Chicken Soup

A member of my household was sick. Thinking this through, it dawned on me that countless times in my life I’ve been told that chicken soup is great for seasonal and flu-like infections. As much as I’ve cooked with chicken my entire life, I have never really made a genuine, no-compromise, hard-core, from scratch, old-fashioned chicken soup.

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The first Thanksgiving in 1621 was quite different from the traditional turkey-and-stuffing feast we enjoy today. The three-day celebration shared by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag likely featured venison, wild fowl (possibly duck or goose), fish, shellfish, corn, beans, squash, and nuts. Deer provided by the Wampanoag were an important part of the meal. There were no mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, or sweet potatoes as we know them today. Instead, the feast reflected the foods available in 17th-century New England.

Inflation increased more than economists expected last month, adding to the financial pressures facing American households. Higher prices for everyday necessities, including food, housing, transportation and energy, continue to strain family budgets. For older Americans, particularly retirees living on fixed incomes, rising costs can be especially difficult because their purchasing power doesn't always keep pace with inflation. The latest figures raise concerns about whether inflation is cooling fast enough and what that could mean for interest rates, Social Security benefits and the overall economy. For millions of Americans already struggling with affordability, the latest report offers little relief.

A daily cup of tea may do more than provide a comforting start to the morning. Research suggests that drinking tea regularly could lower the risk of heart disease by 11%, offering another reason to make this popular beverage part of a healthy routine. For older adults, protecting heart health becomes increasingly important with age. While tea is no substitute for a healthy diet, exercise and regular medical care, the findings suggest that a simple everyday habit may offer some meaningful benefits.

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Many of us reach for an afternoon cup of coffee when our energy starts to fade. But could an electrolyte drink be a better alternative? One writer decided to replace the usual afternoon coffee with an electrolyte beverage to see whether it would improve energy, hydration and overall well-being. For older adults, staying properly hydrated is especially important, and dehydration can sometimes contribute to fatigue. But are electrolyte drinks really the answer, or is plain water still the better choice? The experience offers some interesting things to consider before changing your daily routine.

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What if doctors could identify signs of declining health before symptoms become serious? A new tool may make that possible by helping detect early warning signs that might otherwise go unnoticed. For older adults, early detection can be especially important. Catching potential health problems sooner may allow patients and doctors to take action before conditions worsen, potentially improving treatment and quality of life. As medical technology continues to advance, tools like this could change how we monitor aging, prevent illness and maintain our health as we grow older.

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Shortness of breath is often dismissed as just another part of getting older. But struggling to catch your breath while walking, climbing stairs or doing everyday activities shouldn't automatically be blamed on age. New research is offering clues to why breathing difficulties become more common among older adults and what may help improve respiratory health. Understanding the causes is important because breathlessness can signal underlying heart or lung problems. Knowing what to watch for, when to seek medical attention and how to protect lung function can help seniors stay active and maintain a better quality of life.

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Could something as simple as eating a handful of blueberries every day help lift your mood? New research suggests that regular blueberry consumption may help reduce depressive symptoms in older adults. Blueberries are already known for their antioxidants and other health benefits, but scientists are increasingly exploring how diet may influence brain health and emotional well-being. For seniors, who may face loneliness, isolation and other challenges that affect mood, the findings offer an interesting reason to pay more attention to what's on the dinner table. Could this small dietary change make a meaningful difference?

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Taking a cold shower may not sound particularly inviting, especially on a chilly morning, but it could offer benefits beyond simply waking you up. Cold showers use less energy because they require little or no water heating, making them a more environmentally friendly choice. Some research also suggests that cold-water exposure may have health benefits, including improved alertness and circulation. For older adults, however, cold showers may not be appropriate for everyone, particularly those with heart or circulation problems. Is turning down the hot water worth considering? The answer may depend on your health and comfort.

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Does it matter whether you drink wine, beer or hard liquor when it comes to your health? A massive new study suggests that the type of alcoholic beverage may make a difference, uncovering surprising differences in how various drinks are associated with health risks. For older adults, the findings are worth a closer look, particularly as alcohol can interact with medications and affect balance, sleep and overall health. While some alcoholic drinks have long been portrayed as having health benefits, the latest research may challenge some familiar assumptions. The bigger question: Is any type of alcohol actually good for you as you age?

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Interesting Facts About Veterans* Day

- It Was Originally Called Armistice Day. 

Veterans Day began as Armistice Day on November 11, 1919, marking the first anniversary of the end of World War I.

- The Date Has Special Meaning. 

Fighting in World War I stopped at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.

- President Eisenhower Changed Its Name. 

In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation officially changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor veterans of all American wars.

- It Honors Living Veterans, Too. 

Unlike Memorial Day, which honors military personnel who died in service, Veterans Day recognizes everyone who served in the U.S. military, living or deceased. Special emphasis is placed on thanking living veterans.

- It Was Once Celebrated in October. 

In 1971, Veterans Day was moved to the fourth Monday in October to create a three-day weekend. After public opposition, it was returned to November 11 in 1978.

*In 2025, the United States had approximately 15.7 million military veterans.