Joan, an 81-year-old resident of the Chicago suburbs, recently fell into the “donut hole.” That’s the name for a Medicare coverage gap that requires people to pay more for their medications after the individual and their drug plan have spent a certain amount — $4,130 in 2021 — for covered drugs. While in the donut hole, individuals temporarily pay […]
Michael Grecco is currently at the end of his rope. Not only is he, along with the rest of the world, dealing with the continued uneasiness of the pandemic, but for more than 15 years, he Read More
In a purr-fect pairing, pets bring love and companionship to older adults When her Arlington Heights retirement community locked down due to the pandemic, 83-year-old Virginia Maas dearly missed visits with her family and chatting Read More
Specialists help seniors address mental health issues and find treatment While many older adults experience depression, it is not a typical part of aging. Some seniors may battle feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, but that Read More
As gardens grow, so do older adults and their communities Every year, without fail, new growth emerges from the soil. When sprouts rise from gardens in spring and blossom into full-out glory in summer, it’Read More
When people think about dementia, they typically think of memory loss. Yet, people with dementia may also experience a decline in all senses: sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. And despite a loss of touch, Read More
When Dennis Risen, 71, was in his early 30s, he noticed he was having difficulty following conversations with friends in group settings. “If the speaker changed from one (person) to the next, I was always behind Read More
Taking care of an older adult can be exhausting for family caregivers, who learn as they go from one precarious situation to the next. If you’re not prepared for the challenge, every mishap can Read More
On the day Bernadine Walsh turned 50 years old, the spitfire with the sassy sense of humor joined a dance troupe. For her 60th birthday, she bought herself a bike. At 70, she started taking piano lessons. Read More
Chicago Health is committed to publishing a diversity of opinions. The opinions expressed in this op-ed article are the author’s own. My husband was diagnosed out of the blue with stage 4 lung cancer. We Read More