The Value of Aging
Older adults contribute far more to their families and communities than society often recognizes Fact checked by Ros Lederman Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell wrote her final column in August 2024, just before retiring. After 34 years with the publication, Mitchell felt she was stepping into the role of “woman of leisure” — one that […]
Green Travel in Retirement
6 ways to lower your carbon footprint in retirement and still travel Fact checked by Katie Scarlett Brandt It’s still summer, and you need a respite. But is it possible to travel in a way that helps the earth? First, let’s do a reality check: 2024 was the hottest year on record, and rising levels […]
Our Top 10 Stories of 2022
What did our readers want to read about in 2022? It was a mixed bag! Our top 10 stories range from powerful supplements to cultural care, aging’s anxieties to head injuries. People had a lot of questions about aging and caregiving — and we were here for them. Thank you to all of the caregivers, […]
What Retirement?
Some older adults continue to work well past retirement age — whether they have to or not Kevin O’Neil, 67, worked as a journalist for more than 30 years. The McKinley Park resident later obtained his master’s degree in business administration and even became chief of staff for a Rogers Park alderman. But when the alderman […]
Finding Your Ikigai: The Search for a Meaningful Life
As part of the “Great Resignation,” many people are examining their work and picking new priorities for themselves. They’re using the pandemic as a time to reflect on whether their current career trajectory is the right one for them — or whether they might be happier exploring other passions. In retirement, older adults are using […]
Are You Prepared for Healthcare Costs While in Retirement?
There is a simple and unsettling reality in the United States. Many Americans don’t feel financially prepared for healthcare costs in retirement. In a recent study of U.S. adults ages 50 to 64, nearly 45% had low confidence in their ability to afford health insurance during retirement. We’ve all heard these costs are rising faster […]
5 smart ways to cut health care costs in retirement
By Kimberly Lankford, Kiplinger Personal Finance Q: I’m about to sign up for Medicare, and I know there are gaps in the coverage. How much should I expect to spend for medical expenses after I retire? How can I reduce those costs? A: Even though Medicare will take care of a big portion of your […]
Childless seniors need to build a safety net
By Susan B. Garland, Kiplinger Retirement Report Childless and divorced, Linda Wiesman, 67, is apprehensive about her future. With two knee replacements, the retired accountant is having trouble negotiating the stairs in her three-story townhouse in Gaithersburg, Md. Wiesman says she and several friends who live in different cities have “seriously thought of communal living” […]
More than Bridge and Bingo
Retirement communities are no longer homes for the old folks By Karen Schwartz Walk into the independent living apartments of The Admiral at the Lake continuing care retirement community (CCRC) on the North Side of Chicago, and you’ll see beautifully appointed one-, two- and three-bedroom units, some with an expansive view of Lake Michigan. The […]