Health:

• Breakthrough News In Prostate Cancer: It's one of the most common cancers in men, so if a simple blood test tells you whether you have it or not, you take the test, right? Not necessarily. Parade, June 21.
• Urge Older Adults to Take Advantage of Medicare Diabetes Screening Benefit: Approximately seven out of 10 adults, age 65 or older, have diabetes or pre-diabetes, and of those people with diabetes, almost half don't know it. HealthNewsDigest.com, June 20.
• Carotene that Makes Carrot Orange is in New Supplement that Slows Age-Related Macular Degeneration: New supplement introduced today appears so slow down AMD, the leading cause of blindness in elderly. Senior Journal, June 19.
• Almost Half of Those Over 60 Die While Waiting for Kidney Transplant: Study highlights need to get on list quickly, experts say. HealthDay, June 18.
• Have a Purpose in Life? You Might Live Longer: Longevity joins physical, psychological health as potential benefits. HealthDay, June 16.
• Chemo treatment may remove wrinkles as well: Patients who undergo therapy for precancerous skin lesions already get a big benefit. Topical creams can remove the lesions without surgery, dramatically reducing their risk of skin cancer. USA Today, June 16.
• Obama's Health-Care Plan: What It Means for You: Cuts to Medicaid and Medicare spending could have mixed consequences. SmartMoney, June 16.
• Age-Related Macular Degeneration Halted by Blocking Protein to Stop Blood Vessel Growth: Protein CCR3 a new target for diagnosis and treatment of AMD, the most common cause of blindness in senior citizens. Senior Journal, June 15.
• Colonoscopy Risks Increase With Age and Illness: Other screening methods for colon cancer may be safer for some older patients, researchers say. HealthDay, June 15.
• Alcohol’s Good for You? Some Scientists Doubt It: Maybe moderate drinkers are just healthier to begin with. The New York Times, June 15.

Mind:

• DIY Alzheimer's test is fast and accurate: Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is important and the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) is the standard way of detecting the condition. But a new study from Cambridge, UK, suggests that there might be a better way, with a simpler test. Health and Age, June 19.

Medicare:

• Drug companies may narrow Medicare coverage gap: The White House, key lawmakers and the pharmaceutical industry are negotiating a possible deal to have drug companies pay for narrowing a gap in coverage in the prescription drug program for Medicare. Associated Press, June 19.
• Medicare Advisory Group Urges Change in Incentives to Strengthen Program, Promote Quality Care: MedPAC report focuses on changing payment system incentives to reward value, not volume. Senior Journal, June 15.

Personal Finance:

• What Your Spouse Must Know about Investing: Even if you're fit as a fiddle, make sure that your spouse would know how to handle the following issues if something were to happen to you. Morningstar, June 18,
• Is a Reverse Mortgage Right for You? Since the credit and housing meltdown largely removed private reverse mortgages from the market, home equity conversion mortgages (HECMs) - federally insured reverse mortgages - have been growing steadily. U.S. News and World Report, June 17.

Retirement:

• Retirement can be sore point for couples: Survey finds many spouses hold differing ideas of what they'll be doing. Baltimore Sun, June 21.
• You can still retire rich...really: Yes, you may have to work longer, and you definitely have to save more. But today's lower stock prices will lead to bigger gains in the long run. Fortune, June 17.
• Retirees may well worry about health-care reform: Retirement health-care costs are steep -- are you prepared? MarketWatch, June 17.
• For Boomers, recession is redefining retirement: They grew up during a time of cultural change, and now are being forced to redefine retirement at midlife. USA Today, June 16.
• Retirement - How much should you save? Ask yourself these two questions before you decide how much you'll need when you retire. Money Magazine, June 16.
• Is $1 Million Enough to Retire? A senior financial adviser at Ameriprise says it's enough for only a modest retirement. U.S. News and World Report, June 16.

Housing:

• 5 ways to cover assisted living expenses: If the time comes when you can no longer manage daily living in your own home or with family members, an apartment in an assisted living facility could be the next best thing. Bankrate.com, June 17.

Caregiving:

• Their Parents' Keepers: As the elderly live longer, with more serious ailments, children step up to the difficult task of care -- and often find it unexpectedly rewarding. The Washington Post, June 16.
• Father’s Day May be Good Time to Consider if Dad Needs Help He Won’t Ask For: Recent studies show men don't seek psychological and physical help as easily as women. Senior Journal, June 15.

Xtra!

• Town sets off on healthy path practicing 4 keys to longevity: Fit and tanned, National Geographic explorer Dan Buettner has spent recent years traveling the globe, analyzing cultures where people live long, healthy lives, teasing out the secrets behind their enduring well-being. USA Today, June 15.

Health:

• Following the Money in the Health Care Debate: The nation spends roughly $2.5 trillion every year on health care, nearly a fifth of the American economy. Here is a primer on what the medical establishment stands to lose or gain as Congress engages the issue. The New York Times, June 13.
• Here's a twist to managing back pain: The answer to managing nagging back pain might prove counterintuitive. USA Today, June 9.
• 60% of cancer patients try nontraditional medicines, supplements: Most herbal and dietary supplements have not been tested rigorously enough to say whether they can help or harm cancer prevention or treatment. However, some non-traditional approaches show promise for easing symptoms. Associated Press, June 8.
• There might be a better way to screen for prostate cancer: Nation's oncologists are told that an experimental blood test could boost the accuracy of screenings. LA Times, June 8.
• Alternative medicine goes mainstream: People turn to unconventional therapies and herbal remedies for everything from hot flashes and trouble sleeping to cancer and heart disease. Associated Press, June 7.

Mind:

• Questionnaire May Help Spot Early Dementia: Experts caution that do-it-yourself test still needs doctors' interpretation. HealthDay, June 10.
• Alzheimer's and Even Mild Dementia Hasten Death: But researchers determine that race has no bearing on life expectancy in such cases. HealthDay, June 9.
• Exercise, Education Keep You Sharp in Old Age: Study finds healthy, active lifestyle stems mental decline. HealthDay, June 8.

Personal Finance:

• U.S. regulator sounds alarm about reverse mortgages: Reverse mortgages could be the next subprime mortgage product to experience rapid growth while taking advantage of a vulnerable segment of the population. Reuters, June 8.
• How to avoid the 'death tax': The smart use of gifts and trusts can help you pass on more of your money to your heirs. Fortune, June 4.

Retirement:

• A Retirement Timeline: There are variety of retirement rights of passage you should take advantage of at different ages. Here’s a retirement timeline. U.S. News and World Report, June 12.
• New times call for new tools: Retirement-planning software needs an overhaul. MarketWatch, June 10.
• Honey, we need to talk: Since start of financial crisis, more couples disagree over their retirement plans. MarketWatch, June 10.
• The safety of your pension: Can you count on those monthly pension checks from your former employer? Five things you need to know. Money, June 8.
• Will Your Retirement Be Worse Than Your Parent’s Was? It’s nice to think that there were good old days when grandma and grandpa retired to Florida with enough income to pay all their bills and even travel. But that idyllic retirement only existed for a minority of Americans. US News and World Report, June 8.

Social Security:

• Seniors, Boomers Back at Work May Find Gold in Social Security's ‘Claim and Suspend’: Center for Retirement Research at Boston College issues report on how to increase Social Security in future years. Senior Journal, June 10.
• Can the Government Afford Retirement? Social Security is in better shape than Medicare, but a wave of baby boomer retirements will change the equation. Business Week, June 8.

Scams:

• Medical Problems Could Include Identity Theft: Increased use of electronic medical records surely means a rise in ID theft, and many don’t know yet that they are victims. The New York Times, June 12.
• How to Avoid Medical I.D. Theft: Here are the steps you need to take to avoid medical identity theft — and what to do if you suspect you’re a victim. The New York Times, June 12.

Caregiving:

• Long-term care comes out from the shadows: But chances for much-needed widespread improvements unclear. MarketWatch, June 11.

End of Life:

• Dying With Dignity: End-of-life care is stuck where it was a dozen years ago -- with untreated physical and emotional stress. Smart Money, June 11.

Xtra!

• Life expectancy could be topic in health care debate: Despite spending more money than any other country on health care, the United States does not lead the world in life expectancy, a long-known fact that some experts say could raise more questions in the health-care reform debate. CNN, June 11.

Health:

• The Healing Power of Sleep: Your mom was right. You need your sleep--maybe more than even she knew. Parade, June 7.
• Body of lies - Patients aren't 100% honest with doctors: When patients aren't truthful, misled doctors may give a wrong diagnosis or treatment. LA Times, June 8.
• Cost-Effective Ways To Fight Insomnia: Sleep problems afflict millions of people, but there are measures people can take. And a new mattress isn’t necessarily one of them. The New York Times, June 5.
• Want to Stop Cancer? You Can, Experts Say: Lifestyle changes have been shown to lower odds, even for those at higher risk. HealthDay, June 3.
• Elderly Faring Better Than Expected With New Flu: The elderly may have some immunity to the new AH1N1 flu virus if they were exposed to similar viruses in decades past. The New York Times, June 2.
• Mini-Stroke Can Mean Major One Within Hours: If full-blown stroke occurs, it often comes within a day, study shows. HealthDay, June 1.
• Vaccine Shows Promise in Treating Cancer that Likes Attacking Senior Citizens: Melanoma: Currently, the vaccine only can be given to half of those with melanoma because it has to match a patient's tissue type. Senior Journal, June 1.

Medicine:

• Avandia Raises Risk of Heart Failure, Fractures: But study found diabetes drug didn't increase chances of heart disease, death. HealthDay, June 5.
• Slump Pushing Cost of Drugs Out of Reach: Even with low-cost generics and discounting by big chains, many Americans still find themselves unable to afford their prescription medications. The New York Times, June 3.
• Will Cost of Arthritis Drugs Soon Be More than Medicare, Senior Citizens Can Afford? Insurance companies in Medicare Part D are shifting more of cost to seniors, Medicare. Senior Journal, June 2.
• Commonly Used Medications May Produce Cognitive Impairment in Senior Citizens: Study of older adults in progress to see if the long term use of these drugs is linked to irreversible cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer disease. Senior Journal, June 1.

Personal Finance:

• Target-date funds: a favorite of hands-off investors: Workers with 401(k)s still should monitor funds. Baltimore Sun, June 7.
• Target-date funds under the microscope: Regulators to examine funds' pitfalls -- of which there are many, some experts say. MarketWatch, June 4.
• Does Your Adviser Make the Grade? Even if you've lost a bundle, don't be too quick to dump your financial counselor. Kiplinger’s, June 2009.

Retirement:

• Mortgage crisis robbing seniors of golden years: The worst economic crisis since the Great Depression has slashed home values and triggered an unprecedented surge in foreclosures across the nation. It's also taking an especially harsh toll on an often overlooked demographic: seniors who are retired or nearly so. USA Today, June 5.
• Should Saving for Retirement be Required? It’s no surprise that it is difficult for Americans to save for retirement. Only roughly half the population even has any sort of retirement plan. U.S. News and World Report, June 5.
• Look who's stalking your retirement: If creditors are on your back, your money may be safer in a 401(k). MarketWatch, June 4.

Social Security:

• Banks can tap Social Security to cover bounced-check fees: In a verdict that could have far-reaching implications for elderly and disabled bank customers, the California Supreme Court ruled this week that banks can tap Social Security benefits in bank accounts to cover bounced-check fees. USA Today, June 5.

Grandparenting:

• They love being grandparents, but call them something else: As the youth-obsessed baby boomers advance, albeit reluctantly, into the next phase of their lives, they are embracing grandparenthood with the same gusto they have expressed for everything else, be it exercise or adventure travel. Boston Globe, June 2.

Insurance:

• Obama Open to a Mandate on Health Insurance: President Obama said Wednesday that he was receptive to Congressional proposals that would require Americans to have health insurance and oblige employers to share in the cost. But he said there should be exemptions for people who cannot afford insurance and for small businesses in general. The New York Times, June 3.

Caregiving:

• Downturn Puts a Chokehold on Those Caring for Family Members: Cuts in government and nonprofit services are forcing caregivers to assume even more care-related expenses. The New York Times, June 6.
• States May Take New Look at Requiring Adult Children to Pay for Aging Parents: Boomers could get caught by laws already on books in thirty states. Senior Journal, June 3.

Work:

• Unemployment Jumps to 9.4 Percent, Highest Level Since August, 1983: Are Older Workers Being Targeted? ABC News, June 5.

Xtra!

• Suicide After Age 70? Not As Rare As You Think: Unfortunately, no. Medical data indicates that seniors, especially men, aged 75 and above have the highest suicide rates of all age groups in most industrialized countries. The San Francisco Chronicle, June 4.
• Wait times to see doctor are getting longer: They say patience is a virtue, but for those who need health care, it's a necessity. And if you live in an urban area, you could be waiting several months to get an appointment with specialist or family doctor. USA Today, June 3.

Health:

• New Blood Test Significantly Increases Accuracy of PSA Screening for Prostate Cancer: Greatly reduces false-positives in prostate cancer screening that often require a biopsy of the gland to check for tumors. Senior Journal, May 28.
• Value of Taking Aspirin to Cut Heart Risk Varies: For those with no history of heart disease, risks may outweigh benefits, research suggests. HealthDay, May 29.
• Proper Nutrition for Senior Citizens: Why we eat what we eat and what you should be eating. Senior Journal, May 27.
• Special exercise plans urged for arthritis, heart patients: Doctors need to outline special exercise plans for people who have both heart disease and arthritis, a new report in The Journal of American Medical Association says. USA Today, May 27.
• U.S. Cancer Death Rates Continue to Fall: Report finds 19.2% drop among men, 11.4% among women in past 15 years. HealthDay, May 27.
• Many Elderly Falls Due to Inner-Ear Imbalance: By age 60 and older, inner-ear imbalances strike more than half of all Americans. Time, May 26.
• Statins Can Help Prevent Second Stroke: New study strengthens prior research on the cholesterol-lowering drugs. HealthDay, May 25.

Mind:

• Puzzling Out 10 Alzheimer's Myths: Experts Try to Remove Foggy Information From a Confusing Illness. ABC News, June 1.
• Playing catch-up with Alzheimer's: When Pete Townshend of The Who wrote "My Generation," the 1965 Baby Boomer anthem containing the memorable lyric "I hope I die before I get old," he'd probably never heard of Alois Alzheimer, the German physician who described Alzheimer's disease in 1906. Chicago Tribune, May 27.
• The Alzheimer's Project a Must See: If you missed The Alzheimer's Project -- the multi-part HBO special on Alzheimer's disease and caregiving, you can still watch it for free online. About.com, May 27.
• Why Chimps, Monkeys Don't Develop Alzheimer's: Study shows the plaques in non-human primates differ from those in humans. HealthDay, May 25.

Medicare:

• Medicare benefits slated to change: Big changes are coming to Medicare benefits received through some private plans, so experts urge participants not to wait for enrollment season this fall to learn what they'll need to do. LA Times, May 25.
• Fix is hard for Medicare, Social Security finances: Medicare and Social Security will go broke sooner rather than later because of the recession. With millions of baby boomers beginning to leave the work force, the cost of these popular benefit programs threatens to swamp the government in debt in the coming years if nothing is done. Associated Press, May 25.

Personal Finance:

• 10 ways to rate your financial adviser: In the wake of such big losses, many investors are looking for someone to hold accountable. That has placed financial advisers under the microscope. Bankrate.com, May 26.

Retirement:

• Retire debt-free: Four things to consider about your retirement and your debt. MarketWatch, May 28.
• Most Middle-Aged Adults Are Rethinking Retirement Plans: In the midst of a recession that has taken a heavy toll on many nest eggs, just over half of all working adults ages 50 to 64 say they may delay their retirement -- and another 16% say they never expect to stop working, according to a national survey by the Pew Research Center's Social & Demographic Trends Project. Pew Research Center, May 28.

Social Security:

• 6 options for stabilizing Social Security: Most analysts expect lawmakers to approve a combination of tax changes and benefit changes so that workers and beneficiaries share the cost of stabilizing Social Security over the next 75 years. The Dallas Morning News, May 30.
• The Recession May Be Causing Baby Boomers to Claim Social Security Early: The Social Security Administration reports a surge in early retirement claims this year. US News and World Report, May 29.
• When Should You Collect Social Security? Many Americans Begin Collecting Benefits Too Early, Costing Them Dearly. ABC News, May 26.

Housing:

• Where To Live As We Age: A new model of eldercare may soon change the way our nation cares for its older citizens. Parade, May 31.

End of Life:

• Video May Help People Make End-of-Life Choices: Seeing what life might one day be like can be powerful, study says. HealthDay, May 29.
• Talking Frankly at the End of Life: “Death” and “dying” are words that can echo in a room long after they are said. The New York Times, May 28.
• Avoiding the Call to Hospice: What if I told you about an organization you could call when your elderly parent became so seriously ill that it appeared unlikely she’d recover? New York Times, May 26.

Xtra!

• The Most Dangerous Room in the House? Where are seniors most likely to be injured? Many experts believe it's the bathroom. The New York Times, May 28.
• Take a Road Test of Your Driving Skills: By 2030, according to U.S. Census Bureau data cited by AAA, one in four drivers will be age 65 or older. US News and World Report, May 28.

Health:

• Vitamin D May Help Keep Aging at Bay: Researchers speculate that brain might benefit from supplements. HealthDay, May 22.
• Older people have new-flu antibodies: Older people who may have been exposed to the flu before 1957 appear to have some protection against the new H1N1 virus spreading worldwide, unlike younger people, a federal official said Wednesday. USA Today, May 20.
• Only 10% of Seniors Use Free Medicare Diabetes Test, Olympia Dukakis Campaigns for More: Award-winning actress, husband Louis Zorich join diabetes products company to launch Ask.Screen.Know after tests finds Louis has type 2 diabetes. Senior Journal, May 20.
• Malnutrition may be common among older adults: Up to one in six older adults living on their own may not be getting adequate nutrition, a study from Sweden suggests. Reuters, May 18.
• New Options Offered for Sleep Apnea: No 'magic bullet,' experts say, but alternatives may help some. HealthDay, May 18.

Medicine:

• Study Reiterates Eye Risks Linked to Flomax: Men should be aware of dangers if taking prostate drug, experts say. HealthDay, May 19.

Mind:

• At the Bridge Table, Clues to Lucid Old Age: A study of people 90 and over without a trace of dementia is altering understandings of the aging brain. New York Times, May 21.

Personal Finance:

• Do You Have The Skills to Manage Your Money? As the economy struggles to regain its footing, cutting costs has become a national pastime. If you've been paying a financial adviser to manage your money, you might be tempted to do it yourself. TheStreet.com, May 22.
• Direct yourself to a regular IRA: Many investors are probably better off avoiding self-directed IRAs. MarketWatch, May 21.
• 4 ways retirees can battle inflation: Inflation erodes buying power faster for older Americans, but there are ways for those entering their retirement years to push back against the squeeze. MSN Money, May 21.
• Rethinking your estate plan: A smaller net worth and bigger worries about your kids' finances (not to mention uncertainty about taxes) have major implications for your estate plan. Money Magazine, May 18.

Retirement:

• Early retirement claims increase dramatically: Instead of working longer as the economy worsens, more Americans are calling it quits before age 66. The ramifications could be profound for the retirees, families, government and social institutions. LA Times, May 24.
• What The Pension Insurance Deficit Means for Your Retirement: The government agency that insures private sector pensions and pays out benefits if they fail posted a $33.5 billion deficit for the first half of 2009. U.S. News and World Report, May 20.

Social Security:

• Let Them Go Bankrupt, Soon: Solving Social Security and Medicare. Newsweek, May 23.
• The right's Social Security scare tactics: Libertarians and conservatives react to the latest undramatic report on the trust fund's health by marshalling frightening, meaningless numbers. Salon.com, May 19.
• Senior Citizens Now Receiving $13 Billion in Stimulus Money from Social Security; All Due in May: Seniors who do not receive $250 payments by June 4 should contact Social Security; those in care facilities receiving Medicaid are not included. Senior Journal, May 18.

Xtra!

• Japan, San Marino top the globe in long lives: Sierra Leone's men have lowest life expectancy — just 39. MSNBC, May 21.
• Body of Evidence: Volunteers tested in a 50-year-long Baltimore study provide invaluable data on the aging process. Washington Post, May 19.
• Senior sex - It happens, but can be risky: When older people start dating, they run into many of the same heart-pounding issues as the young, trying to decide when it’s time to talk — and when to make love. Chicago Sun-Times, May 19.

Health:

• Framingham Heart Study follows the beat in new directions: The 60-year-old initiative has revolutionized the understanding of cardiovascular disease. Its new goal? Predicting attacks. Los Angeles Times, May 18.
• In patients' hunt for care, doctor database 'a place to start': Created for USA TODAY by the Santa Fe medical information firm Qforma, the database lists about 6,000 specialists in the treatment of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and asthma from more than 300 communities across the USA. More doctors in other specialties will be added in coming months. USA Today, May 15.
• Clearer Vision After Cataracts: At least three out of five people over age 60 will eventually develop cataracts. The New York Times, May 15.
• An Aid to Tailoring Prostate Cancer Treatment: Study identifies factors to help decide how aggressive therapy should be. HealthDay, May 15.
• Spit test shows promise in diagnosing, monitoring diabetes: A painless new method for detecting diabetes, using saliva, holds promise, suggests research presented Friday at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) annual meeting in Houston. USA Today, May 15.
• Studies find two new methods for curbing nausea of chemotherapy: Ginger, a home remedy for helping an upset stomach, and a cocktail of anti-nausea drugs both reduced vomiting and sickness in cancer patients. Los Angeles Times, May 15.
• Many seniors who've had stroke don't tell docs later: Many seniors who've had a stroke fail to report that fact, say researchers who recommend the use of MRI scans rather than patient self-reporting to determine stroke history. USA Today, May 13.
• Acupuncture, Real or Fake, Eases Back Pain: Study found it worked even when treatment didn't break the skin. HealthDay, May 12.
• Senior Citizens Do Not Remember Strokes or Do Not Know They Had Them, Study Indicates: Just 11.9 percent reported a history of stroke but MRI evidence shows 31.4 had one. Senior Journal, May 11.
• More Sunlight May Provide Senior Citizens with Lower Risk of Heart Disease, Diabetes: Prevalence of dangerous metabolic syndrome found among those with low vitamin D levels. Senior Journal, May 11.
• Antioxidants Blunt Exercise Benefit, Study Shows: Vitamins C, E block creation of free radicals that promote insulin sensitivity, researchers say. HealthDay, May 11.
• Seniors Often Misstate Stroke History: Study suggests MRI scans better than questionnaires for evaluations. HealthDay, May 11.
• Omega 3 from Fish, Nuts, Olive Oil Associated With Reduced Risk of Age-Related Blindness: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is the leading cause of severe vision loss among those older than 65 in the developed world. Senior Journal, May 11.

Mind:

• Irregular Heartbeat Tied to Alzheimer's Disease: Atrial fibrillation raised risk for dementia, study shows. HealthDay, May 15.
• Working with an open mind: Brain-fitness games join workplace, as well as senior center, arsenals. MarketWatch, May 12.
• Unforgettable TV - HBO's Alzheimer's Project: Alzheimer's is a tough disease on all levels. The often lengthy process of seeing a loved one's personality and memories literally disappearing before your eyes is upsetting to everyone and devastating to some. U.S. News and World Report, May 12.

Medicare:

• Medicare's 'No' on Virtual Colonoscopy Stirs Expert Debate: Some see it as reliable, less invasive option; others say agency was right to reject coverage. HealthDay, May 13.
• Medicare Hospital Trust Headed for Deficit in 2017: ‘Should trouble anyone who is concerned about the future of Medicare and health care in America,’ HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Senior Journal, May 12.

Personal Finance:

• Inflation hits hard when you can least afford it: Four ways older Americans can deal with higher inflation rates. MarketWatch, May 13.
• Longevity Planning Now: Could this be the TIP-ing point to your retirement? Forbes, May, 13.

Social Security:

• Social Security healthier than your 401(k): The nation's financial and economic crisis provided a stress test for the nation's public and private retirement system. CNN, May 14.
• Insolvency for Social Security and Medicare Is Seen Closer: Even as Congress hunted for ways to finance a major expansion of health insurance coverage, the Obama administration reported Tuesday that the financial condition of the two largest federal benefit programs, Medicare and Social Security, had deteriorated, in part because of the recession. The New York Times, May 12.
• What Social Security's Underfunding Means for Your Retirement: The baby boomers will get their payouts, but what about the rest of us? U.S. News and World Report, May 13.

Caregiving:

• Caring for Your Parents: How to Reclaim the Good Old Times: If you're one of the 34 million or so Americans who are caring for an older relative, I offer my deep respect, and the following suggestions. Oprah, May 2009.
• Basic Medicare Information Targeting Caregivers Added to NHSeniorHealth.com: ‘A caregiver who is knowledgeable about Medicare can be an informed advocate for an older loved one’. Senior Journal, May 13.

Technology:

• Easier E-Mail for the Older Generation: Jackson Hughes, a scientific software developer in Georgia, decided nearly 10 years ago it was time his grandparents learned to use e-mail to keep in touch with their 4 children and 11 grandchildren scattered about the country. The New York Times, May 15.

End of Life:

• Families learn to say goodbye to the dying: After learning that death is nearing, some people avoid talking about the inevitable. CNN, May 12.

Xtra!

• Not a Good Time to Be Middle-Aged: In this recession, it is better to be old. Being young has some advantages, too. But being in the middle of the spectrum — in your 30s or 40s — seems to be the worst place to be. The New York Times, May 15.

Health:

• High Blood Pressure is Number One Reason Older Women Seek Medical Help: Hypertension number one treatment for women from age 45 up; Hyperlipidemia a distant second. Senior Journal, May 7.
• Obama Administration Might Recommend Three Flu Shots for Americans This Fall: Two would be aimed at the swine flu circulating the globe. HealthDay, May 6.
• CDC says few people in U.S. over 50 hit by new flu: The new H1N1 flu virus appears to be fairly widespread in the United States and seems to be hitting mostly younger people, with very few cases reported in people over 50, U.S. health officials said on Sunday. Reuters, May 4.

Medicine:

• Dangerous Drug Interactions Endanger Senior Citizens Taking Multiple Medications: University of Michigan geriatrics pharmacist offers tips for seniors to protect themselves. Senior Journal, May 5.
• Senior use of psychiatric drugs spikes: About 15% of elderly Americans had prescriptions for psychiatric drugs in 2006, double the percentage a decade earlier, according to an analysis of federal databases out today. USA Today, May 4.

Mind:

• Study Finds Memory Less Efficient Very Early in Alzheimer’s; Suggests Training Can Help: When learning new things, people with early symptoms find it harder to separate what's important from what's not. Senior Journal, May 4.

Medicare:

• Medicare Advantage Plans to get $11.4 Billion in Extra Pay for 2009, Up 34 Percent from 2008: Since introduced by Bush administration in 2004, MA plans have been paid $43 billion extra: 13% more than fee-for-service plans. Senior Journal, May 4.

Personal Finance:

• Seniors to Start Receiving $250 Economic-Recovery Checks: But here's the dirty little secret about these one-time payments: Working seniors will have to pay the money back next spring. We explain why and how. Kiplinger, May 7.
• Plan Your Finances with Two New Tools: Given the market’s upward move over the past two months, maybe you’re finally ready to take a close look at your financial future again. Money, May 7.
• Recoup Your Lost Savings: Use our new calculator to find out how long it will take to regain what you had before the markets tanked. Kiplinger's, May 6.

Retirement:

• 10 Ways to Find More Retirement Income: According to conventional wisdom, retirement income is a stool with three legs: Social Security, personal savings, and employer-provided retirement plans. Unfortunately, it's a heck of a wobbly stool. Motley Fool, May 8.
• Stress-test your retirement: In anxious times, one way to feel more secure about your nest egg is to plan ahead. Money, May 6.
• Does America need a new retirement system? We may need help, but don’t necessarily trust someone else to save us. MSNBC.com, May 5.

Scams:

• Scammers Target Social Security: With the federal government set to dole out some $13 billion in economic-stimulus funds to Social Security recipients this month, various state and federal agencies are warning retirees to be on their guard against scams. WSJ, May 10.

Housing:

• More older Americans choose age-based communities: People 55-and-older cite family ties, efficient homes as reasons for moving. MarketWatch. May 6.
• Seniors at home in co-housing: Silver Sage Village in Boulder, Colo., is a housing project called co-housing which has existed on a small scale in the USA for years. USA Today, May 4.
• Caught in a Housing Crunch: Retirement communities offer special deals to seniors who face a tough time selling their homes. Kiplinger's, May 4.

Caregiving:

• Marilyn Daniel's Reward: She works long hours for low wages as a home health aide -- a job so demanding and underappreciated that others leave in droves. So why hasn't she? The Washington Post, May 10.
• Not All Caregivers Are Stressed and Depressed: Some discover satisfaction in challenging role, survey finds. HealthDay, May 8.
• Caring for ill, elderly has reward — a longer life: Aiding ailing family may reduce death risk and boost attitude, studies find. MSNBC.com, May 5.

Volunteering:

• Seniors Who Volunteer May Live Longer: Altruistic activities could cut the death risk in half, study finds. HealthDay, May 8.

Work:

• Older workers embrace career change, less stress: Less pay, fewer benefits, lower prestige — and greater job satisfaction. Associated Press, May 7.

Health:

• Scientists see this flu strain as relatively mild: Genetic data indicate this outbreak won't be as deadly as that of 1918, or even the average winter. The Los Angeles Times, April 30.
• Stay safe from swine flu with 3 simple steps: As the number of swine flu cases grows, President Obama called on Americans Wednesday to help halt the disease's spread by remembering to wash their hands. USA Today, April 30.
• Suffering a senior moment? It might be lack of vitamin D: Forget your keys recently, can't remember where you put your reading glasses and feeling a little blue? It could be that the planets are out of alignment, but a better explanation might be that you're not getting enough vitamin D. St. Louis Post-Dispatch, April 30.
• Drink a Little Wine, Live a Little Longer: Study finds half a glass each day boosts men's life expectancy by five years. HealthDay, April 30.
• U.S. cancer diagnoses will jump 45 percent by 2030: The number of new cancer cases diagnosed each year will jump 45 percent in the next two decades to 2.3 million up from 1.6 million in 2010, affecting many more older adults and minorities, U.S. researchers predicted on Wednesday. Reuters, April 29.
• Prostate Disease Website Launched by Harvard Med School to Help in Decision-Making: New site provides multiple perspectives on how best to treat prostate disease. Senior Journal, April 28.
• Lifestyle Factors Tied to Older Adults' Diabetes Risk: As population ages, even small changes affect incidence, study finds. HealthDay, April 28.
• Inside Out: Unlike Standard Colonoscopy, an Invasive Procedure Performed Under Anesthesia to Find And Remove Polyps, Virtual Colonoscopy Involves a Simple Scan. But Is It as Effective? The Washington Post, April 28.
• Urological Group Breaks with Major Medical Groups to Recommend Regular Prostate Testing: AUA wants individualized PSA testing starting at age 40; American Cancer Society and others oppose routine prostate cancer testing. Senior Journal, April 27.
• Shortage of Doctors Proves Obstacle to Obama Goals: Obama administration officials, alarmed at doctor shortages, are looking for ways to increase the supply of physicians to meet the needs of an aging population and millions of uninsured people who would gain coverage under legislation championed by the president. The New York Times, April 26.

Medicine:

• Prostate cancer risk slashed with new drug: Avodart lowered chances of diagnosis by 23 percent after four years of use. Associated Press, April 27.

Mind:

• HBO Puts Alzheimer’s Under the Microscope: “The Alzheimer’s Project” is a curious hybrid of science and emotional stories about patients, their families and caretakers. The New York Times, May 1.
• Drink Away Dementia? Study shows one to two drinks daily may lower risk of cognitive decline in older adults. HealthDay, May 1.

Medicare:

• Study Finds Medicare Patients Get Different Care than People with Private Insurance: Study of over 40,000 kidney cancer patients shows insurance coverage affects quality of care - docs take Medicare patient' kidney out. Senior Journal, April 27.

Personal Finance:

• Cash on hand: Strategies for tapping your assets in the most tax-efficient way. MarketWatch, April 29.
• 50 million retirees to get $250 checks in May: More than 50 million retirees can expect to receive $250 payments from the government in the next few weeks as their share of the economic stimulus package enacted in February. Associated Press, April 29.
• Variable Annuities' Warning List Grows: Variable annuities can offer tremendous benefits -- a long as investors heed the warnings. TheStreet.com, April 28.

Social Security:

• Social Security Is Not Expected to Rise: For the first time in more than three decades, Social Security recipients will not get any increase in their benefits next year, federal forecasts show. The New York Times, May 2.

Housing:

• Family matters: When older Americans move, family is big reason why. MarketWatch, April 30.

Insurance:

• Is Longevity Insurance Right for You? With life expectancies on the rise, millions of people are now facing the challenge of how to support themselves into their 80s, 90s, and even beyond. U.S. News and World Report, May 1.
• How Much Long-Term-Care Coverage Do You Need? Everyone who has enough money to afford the premiums should at least consider buying long-term-care insurance, no matter how much savings you have. Kiplinger's, April 30.
• Make Sure Your Insurer Pays Up: Long-term-care paperwork can be overwhelming. Here's how to cut through the red tape. Kiplinger's, May 2009.

Work:

• Pink Slips Replace Gold Watches: Older workers have stopped retiring, but more are being laid off. Forbes, April 30.

Xtra!

• Looking for Heroes? Many of Them Are in the AARP Generation: Perhaps 100 years ago, when life expectancy was about 50, there weren't so many older people around, and they didn't have much of a future. But today, as people live longer, healthier lives, the 50-plus generation has a future. The Washington Post, April 21.

Health:

• When Medical Bills Outpace Your Means, Seize Control Swiftly: Health care debt can grow swiftly when people are sick or underinsured. Here are some ways to manage that debt more effectively. The New York Times, April 24.
• Too Few Screened for Abdominal Aneurysm, Study Says: Potentially life-threatening condition often goes undetected until rupture. HealthDay, April 24.
• Fatty Fish May Cut Heart Failure Risk in Men: Study finds benefit from consuming just one serving a week. HealthDay, April 22.
• 'Silent' heart attacks more common than thought, study says: Although many people think of a heart attack as a painful, sometimes fatal event, there are some heart attacks that go entirely unnoticed. CNN, April 21.
• To drink or not to drink: Should you raise a glass to your health? Moderate drinking can be good for your heart. But for women, drinking alcohol raises the risks of breast cancer. CNN, April 21.
• Older Men Need to Take Closer Look for Melanomas: If you can't examine your own back, have a loved one take a look, study says. HealthDay, April 20.
• What Are Friends for? A Longer Life: Many people overlook a powerful weapon in the quest for better health: their friends. The New York Times, April 20.
• Outgoing Nature Could Get You to 100: Sunnier, non-neurotic types may live longer, study suggests. HealthDay, April 20.

Medicine:

• Statins Guard Against Prostate Cancer: Other studies found they also reduced chances of erectile dysfunction. HealthDay, April 26.
• Drug Deals Tie Prices to How Well Patients Do: Think of it as product guarantees by the drug industry. Pressed by insurance companies, some drug makers are beginning to adjust what they charge for their drugs, based on how well the medicines improve patients’ health. The New York Times, April 22.

Mind:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs don't cut dementia risk, they raise it: Millions of people who use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen and ibuprofen, shouldn't bank on the drugs helping them ward off dementia.USA Today, April 23.

Personal Finance:

• You can count on it: Annuities with guarantees can be useful retirement products -- but heed the risks: MarketWatch, April 22.
• Wise Moves for a Year With No RMDs: The chance to skip a required minimum distribution in 2009 may open up other opportunities. Kiplinger's, April 22.

Retirement:

• 8 tips on paying for health care in retirement: Workers who retire before they qualify for Medicare at age 65 often face the steepest health care costs. The average cost of premiums for employer-provided coverage for retirees under 65 is $13,308 a year, according to a Towers Perrin survey. Chicago Tribune, April 22.
• Strategizing a retirement rebound: So you've lost a lot of your savings. You're not alone. Now you need to pick an asset allocation strategy that will help you recoup those losses. CNNMoney.com, April 21.
• 5 Big Financial Changes for Retirees in 2010: Retirees should start getting ready now for major changes next year that will affect their income and health expenses. USNews.com, April 21.
• 10 Sources of Retirement Income: Most working Americans have only one source of steady income: their job. In retirement you are likely to have a patchwork quilt of several income streams. US News and World Report, April 20.

Insurance:

• People shut out of COBRA have few insurance options: The federal COBRA law only covers companies with 20 or more workers. Thirty-nine states and Washington, D.C., have "mini COBRA" laws that require small companies to allow departing employees to continue their group coverage. USA Today, April 23.
• Dealing without health insurance: The reality of losing a job and the health insurance that went with it is daunting for people accustomed to employer-sponsored plans. Bankrate.com, April 22.

Caregiving:

• Caring for the Caregiver: Caregiving is an important and stressful job. Most folks enter into it from an emotionally fragile place where their worst fears can be, and often are, realized. If you are caregiver and want to survive this life stage, you must surrender your uncertainty about what to do and commit yourself to acting on a well thought out plan. HealthNewsDigest.com, April 26.

Work:

• Rethinking Retirement - The Age Barrier: Expert Advice On How To Look For A Job When You're Over 50. CBS, April 21.

Xtra!

• Make Room For Granny: Economic Downturn Fuels Rise In Multigenerational Homes. CBS, April 23.
• One in 50 Americans Lives With Paralysis: Survey shows spinal cord injuries much more common than thought. HealthDay, April 21.

Health:

• Scientists Spot Stroke Genes: Chromosomal region contains two suspect variants that raise risk for brain attack. HealthDay, April 15.
• Boomers learn to work, and play, around arthritis: The number of people -- that's one out of six -- who have some form of arthritis. USA Today, April 14.
• Nearly 18 Million Will Have Macular Degeneration by 2050: But newer treatments could reduce related blindness by almost 35%, study suggests. HealthDay, April 14.
• Heart Disease and Depression Up Heart Failure Risk: Use of antidepressants makes little difference, study finds. HealthDay, April 13.
• Economic woes leave diabetics skimping on care, risking lives: Diabetics are increasingly risking life and limb by cutting back on — or even going without — doctor visits, insulin, medicines and blood-sugar testing as they lose income and health insurance in the recession, an Associated Press analysis has found. Associated Press, April 13.

Medicine:

• Impotence drugs don't harm men's vision: The erectile dysfunction drugs Cialis (tadalafil) and Viagra (sildenafil) didn't appear to damage vision in men who took the medications daily for six months, according to a drug company study. HealthDay, April 19.
• Acetaminophen, Cholesterol Drugs May Help Fight Stroke: Statins could help prevent attack, while painkiller might minimize damage, studies find. HealthDay, April 14.
• Promising Test for Dendreon’s Prostate Cancer Drug: A prostate cancer drug developed by the Seattle biotechnology company Dendreon prolonged the lives of men in a decisive clinical trial, the company announced Tuesday morning. The New York Times, April 14.

Mind:

• Type 2 diabetics more susceptible to dementia: People with diabetes who have low-blood sugar episodes serious enough to land them in the hospital have a higher risk of being diagnosed with dementia later in life, new research suggests. USA Today, April 14.

Personal Finance:

• New reverse mortgage limits give seniors lifeline: More homeowners to benefit from $625K loan ceiling. Boston Globe, April 15.
• Time to Convert to a Roth IRA? Has your traditional IRA dropped in value? Do you expect to pay higher federal income tax rates on your withdrawals in future years? If you answered yes to both questions, you have a golden opportunity to convert all or part of your IRA balance into a Roth IRA. Smart Money, April 15.
• Rethinking Your 401(k) Plan: The recession and market meltdown that has whacked all types of investments has added fuel to the debate about the need to fix the current 401(k) system. Smart Money April 14.

Retirement:

• Retirement confidence plummets: Feeling insecure about retirement? You’re not alone. Americans’ confidence in being able to enjoy a financially comfortable retirement has hit an all-time low. CNNMoney.com, April 14.
• 10 Ways to Lower Retirement Costs: You won’t need to defer retirement dreams with these frugal strategies. U.S. News and World Report, April 13.

Technology:

• All in the Facebook family - older generations join social networks: While online social networks like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace are known hang-outs for younger adults and teenagers, older generations in recent months have been taking to the medium at a faster rate than any other age group, according to industry reports. CNN, April 13.

End of Life:

• The Funeral - Your Last Chance to Be a Big Spender. Even in a tough economy, people in the funeral business have something that executives in many other industries don’t: a guaranteed, and expanding, pool of customers. The New York Times, April 18.

Xtra!

• Just Say No to Aging? A provocative new book from a Harvard psychologist suggests that changing how we think about our age and health can have dramatic physical benefits. Newsweek, April 14.

Health:

• Researchers on Path to Discover Link Between Diabetes and Alzheimer’s Disease: Mount Sinai researchers discover novel mechanisms that might causally link type-2 diabetes to Alzheimer's. Senior Journal, April 10.
• Those 50 and older most vulnerable to food illnesses: Scientists have found, to their surprise, that people 50 and older are the most vulnerable to illness and death from food-borne illnesses. USA Today, April 9.
• How To Live To 100: Pick your parents well, exercise into old age and eat your veggies. Forbes, April 7.
• How To Stop Worrying About Aging: A holistic approach to your health can help you obsess less about expensive products and procedures aimed at fixing flaws. Forbes, April 6.
• Back Pain Moves Most to Choose Hands-On-Therapy: Chiropractor, Massage, Acupuncture: Over fifty-percent of those given a prescription drug received an opioid pain reliever, despite the fact that there is very little research to support their use, finds Consumer. Senior Journal, April 6.

Medicine:

• New Prostate Cancer Drug May Hold Promise: Researchers apply for large-scale testing after 'very promising' early results. HealthDay, April 7.

Mind:

• Tests help determine how long to keep the car with Alzheimer's: Scientists are creating tests to show when it's time for people with early Alzheimer's disease to stop driving. Associated Press, April 8.
• Cognitive Behavior Therapy Helps Older Adults with Anxiety Reduce Worry, Improve Mental Health: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is common in late life, with prevalence up to 7.3 percent in the community. Senior Journal, April 7.

Medicare:

• U.S. Reduces Subsidies for Private Medicare: The federal government made good on its plan to cut 2010 payments for private Medicare plans, whittling the subsidies to health insurers sooner than the industry originally expected. WSJ, April 7.

Personal Finance:

• "My Retirement Savings Are Gone": The solution - Trim expenses and keep socking away cash. Kiplinger's, May 2009.
• Retirement Switch - From 401(k) to IRA: Deciphering rules on 401(k) withdrawals and IRA contributions can be tricky. ABC News, April 7.
• How To Tap Retirement Funds Penalty-Free: In a pinch, you may be able to get your money early, but watch out for traps. Forbes, April 7.

Retirement:

• Strapping in for a bumpy retirement ride: Here are 10 major retirement risks -- and tips on how to manage them. MarketWatch, April 8.
• 7 Myths About Marriage and Retirement: New research overturns common rules of thumb. U.S. News and World Report, April 7.
• 8 Tips for an Affordable Retirement Abroad: Living on $18,000 to $25,000 a year? It's possible. U.S. News and World Report, April 6.
• 10 Ways to Get and Keep Healthcare Benefits in Retirement: Twenty years ago, 66 percent of companies provided retiree health benefits, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. By 2007, that percentage had fallen by half. U.S. News and World Report, April 6.

Social Security:

• Social Security's Surplus Disappearing Fast in Downturn: Federal budget worrywarts (myself included) have been fretting for years about the arrival of the Dread Fiscal Year 2017, when Social Security was projected to start becoming a drag on federal finances. TIME, April 9.

Scams:

• Feds, State Agencies Crack Down on Mortgage Modification, Foreclosure Rescue Scams: Seniors and other consumers need to know how to identify these scams; FTC gives examples. Senior Journal, April 6.

Insurance:

• Make Sure Your Insurer Pays Up: Long-term-care paperwork can be overwhelming. here's how to cut through the red tape. Kiplinger's, May 2009.

Caregiving:

• Home-Based Program Extends Seniors' Lives: Combo of physical therapy, household changes added 3.5 years on average, study found. HealthDay, April 7.

Work:

• How Old Is Too Old to Work? Economic woes add a twist to the age-old question. HealthDay, April 10.

Xtra!

• 'You're going to die the way you live': The idea that dying well is as important as living well gained cultural currency last year when Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University, delivered a final lecture a month after learning that his pancreatic cancer had spread and was inoperable. LifeWIre, April 7.
• World's oldest person celebrates 115th in LA: The world's oldest known living person celebrated her 115th birthday Monday. Associated Press, April 6.

Health:

• Ten Commandments of Cancer Prevention Offered by Harvard Men’s Health Watch: Up to 75 percent of cancer deaths in the U.S. can be prevented the magazine says. Senior Journal, April 3.
• Heart Muscle Renewed Over Lifetime, Study Finds: The finding upends a medical myth and suggests new therapies for heart attack patients may be possible. The New York Times, April 2.
• Do You Know What Your Doctor Is Talking About? Health literacy means some patients may get more from their medical care. The New York Times, April 2.
• Prostate cancer screening: What's a dude to do? The American Urological Association, the American Cancer Society, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network all have differing recommendations on whether men should be tested and at what age. CNN, April 2.
• Americans Consume Too Much Salt and Senior Citizens May Not Know Their Suggested Limit: Lower sodium recommendation applies to all seniors and almost 70 percent of American adults. Senior Journal, March 30.
• Treating an Illness Is One Thing. What About a Patient With Many? Treating multimorbidity — when people suffer from multiple health conditions — is a growing challenge for doctors. The New York Times, March 30.
• Older People Reduce Death Risk by 25 Percent with Daily Moderate Alcohol Consumption: Large study of people over age 55 says any way you look at it, moderate alcohol is beneficial. Senior Journal, March 30.
• The 10 secrets of healthy aging: There's plenty you can do to not just age gracefully, but with gusto. Today, March 30.
• Super-chemo fights cancer that spreads to liver: A super-high dose of chemotherapy dripped directly into his cancer-ridden liver, 10 times more than patients normally can tolerate. Associated Press, March 30.

Medicine:

• Drugs cause confusion in elderly: Commonly used medications could be a culprit in some older peoples' memory problems, a new report. USA Today, April 1.
• Plavix plus aspirin helps patients with irregular heartbeat: Taking the blood thinner Plavix along with aspirin helped prevent strokes and heart attacks in people with a common heartbeat abnormality that puts them at high risk of these problems, doctors reported Tuesday. Associated Press, March 31.
• 'Polypill' slashes heart attack and stroke risk: A once-a-day polypill that combines aspirin, blood-pressure and cholesterol drugs sharply reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke, potentially offering an inexpensive way to save millions of lives, researchers reported Monday. USA Today, March 30.
• Sleeping pill use grows as economy keeps people up at night: More Americans are turning to such medications, but they're not without risks, such as dependence, next-day drowsiness, memory loss and sleep-walking. Los Angeles Times, March 30.
• Statin Crestor lowers risk of deep-vein clots without bleeding: Researchers have shown for the first time that a potent cholesterol-lowering drug, Crestor, reduces the risk of deep vein thrombosis, or "economy-class syndrome," caused by potentially lethal blood clots that start in the veins and migrate to the lungs, sometimes after long flights. USA Today, March 30.

Medicare:

• Doctors Are Opting Out of Medicare: Many people, just as they become eligible for Medicare, discover that the insurance rug has been pulled out from under them. The New York Times, April 1.
• Many Medicare patients end up back at hospital: 1 in 5 returns within 1 month, costing system billions of dollars year. Associated Press, April 1.
• CMS Sees Too Many Medicare Advantage and Drug Plans with Too Few Enrollees, Wants Cuts: Twenty-seven percent of Advantage plans have fewer than 10 enrollees and agency will mandate changes. Senior Journal, March 30.

Personal Finance:

• The Pitfalls of Reverse Mortgages: For years, reverse mortgages have been sold as a way for cash-strapped seniors to get some extra cash. But falling home prices, lending rules and growing instances of fraud could make these loans an incredibly risky proposition for some borrowers. SmartMoney, March 30.

Retirement:

• The 20 Cities Where the Most Baby Boomers Will Retire: The graying of America won’t be spread evenly across the map. The numbers will grow the most rapidly in the intermountain west, the southeast, and especially in Texas, according to a new Brookings Institution analysis. U.S. News and World Report, April 1.
• Tax credit now for savings made for retirement: The retirement savings tax credit, also called the saver's credit, appears on both the 1040 and 1040A tax returns as a way to reward lower-wage earners who sock away retirement money. Bankrate.com, March 30.

Investing:

• The Final Four ... for 2019: There are no underdog stocks here. These seasoned competitors should perform magic over the next ten years. Kiplinger's, April 2.

Social Security:

• Social Security clogged with disability claims: For all the talk of an impending crisis in Social Security, one already exists: The system is clogged with hundreds of thousands of disputed disability claims, a backlog so big that some people wait years for a hearing. Associated Press, April 1.
• Senior Citizens May Not See COLA Increases for a Few Years; Lower Expenses Can Help: 2009 COLA was a real gain for seniors because there are inflation factors working in their favor. Senior Journal, April 1.

Housing:

• Trend toward smaller homes for thriftier seniors: Catering to baby boomers and seniors who've lost savings during the recession, retirement-housing designers and developers are shifting to smaller homes that are more energy efficient and maximize space. Associated Press, April 3.

Work:

• Restarting Earnings: With nest eggs lacking, many do whatever it takes to start a second career. The New York Times, April 1.
• Older workers back looking at the want ads: Nest eggs’ collapse force many to delay retirement, return to job market. Associated Press, March 31.

Health:

• Lower costs lure U.S. patients abroad for treatment: Millions of people around the world are journeying outside their native land for medical treatment. A phenomenon known as "medical tourism.” CNN, March 27.
• How Connected Are You to Your Doctor? Patients with the strongest relationships to specific primary care physicians are more likely to receive recommended tests and preventive care, a new study found. The New York Times, March 26.
• Using Too Much Salt Is Common in U.S., CDC Says: Report finds that average sodium intake far exceeds recommendations, raising health risks. HealthDay, March 26,

Medicine:

• Cholesterol drug lowers blood clot risk: Statin drugs, taken by millions of Americans to lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease, also can cut the risk of developing dangerous blood clots that can lodge in the legs or lungs, a major study suggests. Associated Press, March 29.

Mind:

• 10 Things You Should Know About Alzheimer's Disease: Alzheimer's disease and other dementias do a number on the mind and body of the individual with the disease and can also take a major toll on the health and finances of the individual's family. U.S. News and World Report, March 25.
• Alzheimer's cost triple that of other elderly: The health care costs of Alzheimer's disease patients are more than triple those of other older people, and that doesn't even include the billions of hours of unpaid care from family members, a new report suggests. Associated Press, March 24.

Personal Finance:

• 'Perfect storm' puts all types in financial peril: Americans of all ages and backgrounds are seeing their incomes dwindle, bills pile up and financial options disappear. USA Today, March 27.

Retirement:

• Medical costs for retirees continue to rise, study says: A couple retiring this year needs $240,000 to cover healthcare expenses, the Fidelity analysis says. That's a 6.7% increase over last year. Associated Press, March 27.
• 10 Affordable Places to Retire: Boost your retirement prospects by picking a low-cost locale. U.S. News and World Report, March 26.
• Who's minding your retirement plan? Survey finds some 401(k) sponsors aren't doing enough to monitor their plans. MarketWatch, March 25.

Social Security:

• Social Security Still Says Your $250 Economic Recovery Check Should be There in May: Plans still formulating on how to quickly issue 55 million checks, mostly to senior citizens. Senior Journal, March 24.

Caregiving:

• Mom and Dad, Let's Talk: Discussing finances with an aging parent is never easy, but you have more reasons than ever to have that conversation. WSJ online, March 26.

Technology:

• Boomers zero in on social networks: Whether it's congressmen Twittering during presidential speeches, parents connecting with high school flames on Facebook or empty-nesters planning group outings on grown-up sites such as Eons.com, Baby Boomers are speeding up the Web's ongoing metamorphosis from limitless void to global watering hole. USA Today, March 26.

Xtra!

• Online Age Quiz Is a Window for Drug Makers: Americans yearn to be young. So it is little wonder that RealAge, which promises to help shave years off your age, has become one of the most popular tests on the Internet. The New York Times, March 25.
• Having Trouble Reading the Small Print on Your Tax Forms? For people with age-related vision problems, there is often added anxiety around tax time since most receipts and paperwork come in small print that is difficult, if not impossible, for people with eye conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration to read. March 25.

Health:

• Going Abroad to Find Affordable Health Care: Americans are traveling to other countries in search of affordable health care. Here’s some advice on how to avoid the pitfalls. The New York Times, March 20.
• Millions of Americans With Chronic Ills Put Off Health Care: Survey shows they suffer consequences of delaying doctor visits, filling prescriptions. HealthDay, March 18.
• Studies cast doubt on leading prostate cancer test: Prostate cancer screening saves few, if any, lives but may harm countless men by leading them to undergo therapies that can cause impotence, incontinence and even death, two large studies reported Wednesday. USA Today, March 18.
• A Little Drink May Be Good for Your Bones: Moderate consumption offers the most protection, study finds. HealthDay, March 18.
• Cancer patients of faith more likely to get intensive treatments: Strong religious faith can comfort people who are dying of cancer, allowing patients to find meaning in their suffering and easing their passage out of life, experts say. USA Today, March 17.
• Obesity can trim 10 years off life: Weighing too much may take as much as a decade off your life, according a new analysis of studies that involved 900,000 people. USA Today, March 17.
• Angry Men, Depressed Women May be Headed to Heart Trouble Says New Studies: Clinicians should take symptoms of anger and hostility seriously; Research links depression to cardiac death in women without known heart disease. Senior Journal, March 16.

Medicine:

• Ten ways to save on prescription drugs: The survey, released this week, found that 28 percent of Americans have taken steps such as not filling prescriptions, skipping dosages and cutting pills in half without the approval of their doctor, and even sharing prescriptions with a friend. CNN.com, March 19.
• Millions More Seniors Could Benefit from Taking Statins to Prevent Heart Attacks, Strokes: About 33 million older people - men 50 or older and women 60 or older - are currently eligible to take statins. Senior Journal, March 19.

Mind:

• Silver Alert Bill to Help Find Lost Dementia Victims Reintroduced in U.S. Senate: House passed Silver Alert last month, many state and local governments setting up programs. Senior Journal, March 17.
• More evidence links diabetes to Alzheimer's risk: You've heard that diabetes hurts your heart, your eyes, your kidneys. New research indicates a more ominous link: That diabetes increases the risk of getting Alzheimer's disease and may speed dementia once it strikes. Associated Press, March 16.

Medicare:

• What Happens to Your Company Insurance When You Join Medicare? You may be wondering if it is beneficial for you to keep your retiree plan. Senior Journal, March 17.

Personal Finance:

• Sink or swim: Following the typical retirement-planning advice could be a money-losing proposition. MarketWatch, March 18.
• The 7 new rules of financial security: In a world turned upside down, you must re-examine some basic assumptions. A good place to start: understanding the true nature of risk. Money, March 17.
• How Does Your 401(k) Stack Up? Having watched 401(k) account values drop precipitously, investors may fear that their savings in these defined-contribution plans will never get them through retirement. They may also wonder how their plans measure up against others. Business Week, March 17.
• Savings Guarantees You Can Trust: Annuities and other products promise secure income. But only some deliver. Kiplinger’s, April, 2009.

Retirement:

• What to do if employer stops 401(k) match: More companies are freezing their 401(k) commitments. Take these steps to stay on track for retirement. Bankrate.com, March 16.

Social Security:

• A Free Loan From Social Security: A little-known law allows Social Security recipients who are already collecting benefits to change their mind and start over. U.S. News and World Report, March 18.

Scams:

• Senior Citizens Losing Thousands of Dollars to Grandparent Scam on Telephone: Con artists claiming to be relatives using bogus stories to target seniors. Senior Journal, March 19.

Health:

• Workouts on the Web: Leg lunges in front of a computer screen? Why not? Especially when the Internet offers many good exercise videos for free. Los Angeles Times, March 16.
• Report: U.S. on Short End of Health Care ‘Value Gap’: If the global economy were a 100-yard dash, the U.S. would start 23 yards behind its closest competitors because of health care that costs too much and delivers too little, a business group says in a report to be released Thursday. Associated Press, March 12.
• When Patients Feel Abandoned by Doctors: The final conversation between doctor and patient can bring a much needed sense of closure. The New York Times, March 13.
• Some Elderly Heart Failure Patients Get Little Help From Meds, Study Finds: Experts say new drugs and guidelines are needed to treat diastolic dysfunction. HealthDay, March 12.
• More Evidence Prostate Tests Overdiagnose Cancer: As many as two of every five men whose prostate cancer was caught through a PSA screening test have tumors too slow-growing to ever be a threat, says a new study that raises more questions about the controversial tests. Associated Press, March 10.
• Screening Can Detect Early Ovarian Cancer: Ovarian cancer, usually detected too late, was discovered at earlier stages in postmenopausal women who underwent controversial screening. The New York Times, March 10.
• 21% of Americans scramble to pay medical, drug bills: As the economy fell, the percentage who reported having trouble paying for needed health care or medicines during the previous 12 months rose from 18% in January 2008 to 21% in December. USA Today, March 10.
• Vitamin C May Save Older Men the Extreme Pain Associated with Gout: This inflammatory arthritis usually attacks middle-aged men but about equal for sexes after age 60. Senior Journal, March 9.

Medicine:

• Antidepressant Use Tied to Cardiac Death in Women: But the drugs may indicate more severe depression, rather than direct cause-and-effect, researchers say. HealthDay, March 9.

Medicare:

• Many Seniors Not Selecting Lowest Cost Medicare Drug Plans: Too many choices, confusing options are roadblocks to smartest decision, report says. HealthDay, March 13.
• GAO cites fraud in Medicare in-home services billings: Fraud and abuse helped boost Medicare spending on home health services 44% over five years as some providers exaggerated patients' medical conditions and others billed for unnecessary services or care they did not provide, a Government Accountability Office report out Friday says. USA Today, March 12.
• Obama budget chief firm on Medicare Advantage cuts: President Obama's budget chief isn't sugarcoating his message to health insurance executives: the party is over. Associated Press, March 10.

Personal Finance:

• Retirees can reap some tax savings in down year: Retirees reeling from the impact of the stock market's ruinous slide can take some solace from recent tax-law changes to help minimize their losses. Associated Press, March 11.
• Roll misplaying: Seven costly mistakes workers make when they leave a job. MarketWatch, March 11.
• Variable Annuity Questions Answered: The explosion of variable annuity sales in recent years has spurred plenty of debate over whether many consumers understood what they were buying. TheStreet.com, March 11.
• Reconsidering the Roth IRA: With lower tax liabilities and favorable new rules, it's time to consider a Roth. MarketWatch, March 9.
• Put Your 401(k) Back to Work: Your best bet is to keep on contributing, stick with stocks and try not to raid your account. Kiplinger's, April 2009.

Retirement:

• Get Paid to Roll Over Your Retirement Plan: Brokerages are offering cash incentives to take over your 401(k)s and IRAs. Smart Money, March 13.
• Boomers face stark choices in bleak economy: Prolonged economic collapse leaves little time to reinvent, recover, rebuild. MSNBC, March 11.

Social Security:

• Payments Soon to Hit Mail Bringing $250 to 55 Million Social Security, SSI Beneficiaries: You should expect to receive your payment no later than the first week of June 2009. Senior Journal, March 10.

Travel:

• Free Getaways Around the World: Swap your home and all you need to do is get there. Kiplinger's, April 2009.

End of Life:

• Hospice patients feel abandoned by doctors: Doctors spend years learning how to heal, but most are fairly ignorant about how to act toward patients when they run out of treatments, suggests a study today. USA Today, March 9.

Xtra!

• Bargaining Down the Medical Bills: When money is tight, everything is negotiable — including your health care bills. The New York Times, March 13.
• 5 things to know about naming beneficiaries: Don't want your intended heirs to have to chase after their money? Better make sure they're listed on your financial accounts. Money Magazine, March 12.
• Unlocking the Secrets of Gray Hair: When we start getting gray hair, we tend to blame stress — a high-pressure job, an illness, even our unruly children. But the link between gray hair and psychological stress is little more than folk wisdom, unsupported by numerous scientific studies. The New York Times, March 9.

Health:

• Lower cholesterol, diminished joy of sex linked: The greater the drop in cholesterol from taking statin drugs, the more sexual pleasure is reduced, suggests a study due Friday at the American Psychosomatic Society meeting in Chicago. USA Today, March 5.
• Men Who Get Active in Midlife Live Longer: Effect of adding exercise equals that of stopping smoking, experts say. HealthDay, March 5.
• Doctors seek gag orders to stop patients' online reviews: Some medical professionals are concerned that online doctor reviews can be inaccurate for instance, a less thorough doctor with better bedside manner could get a glowing review while an the career of an excellent diagnostician who is less friendly could be ruined. Associated Press, March 5.
• Older Americans May Lack Adequate Nutrition: But those taking supplements often exceed recommended levels, study finds. HealthDay, March 4.
• Depression can break the heart: Depression almost doubles the risk of developing heart disease over 12 years, according to a long-term study of twins. USA Today, March 3.
• A national healthcare reform primer: The many issues confronting President Obama as he tries to achieve insurance coverage for all Americans. Los Angeles Times, March 2.
• Good or Useless, Medical Scans Cost the Same: Studies show that as many as 50 percent of scans should never have been done because their results did not help. New York Times, March 1.
• Healthy subsidy: New federal law helps ease the burden for laid-off workers who must take on hefty COBRA payments. Baltimore Sun, March 1.
• Gov. Sebelius sized up for health post: President Obama's candidate to head the Department of Health and Human Services, would bring expertise as a former state health insurance regulator but not deep ties to the members of Congress who will decide the fate of the president's health care proposals, experts say. USA Today, March 1.

Medicine:

• Increased Death Risk Linked to Combined Use of Antiplatelet, Gastric Acid Meds After Heart Attack or Angina: Use of Plavix (clopidogrel) plus PPI at any point in time was associated with a 25% increased odds of death or rehospitalization. Senior Journal, March 3.

Medicare:

• Tests for Obstructive Sleep Apnea to be Covered by Medicare: OSA is diagnosed by counting the apnea episodes or breathing disturbances during a specific time span. Senior Journal, March 4.
• Advocacy Group Wants Overhaul of How Medicare Communicates with Senior Citizens: Medicare Rights Center sends proposal to new Health & Human Services Secretary. Senior Journal, March 3.

Personal Finance:

• Invest better? Sure, but savings are key: The tailwind of the bull market is gone, so your savings rate will be the engine that propels your 401(k). Money, March 4.
• A Guide to Do-It-Yourself Pensions: Wondering if an annuity makes sense for you? In this new video, Kiplinger’s explain how an annuity works and how to choose one that might fit your needs. Kiplinger’s, March 3.

Retirement:

• Senate Aging Committee Finds ‘Target Date Funds’ Among Obstacles to Secure Retirements: Sen. Kohl sends letters to Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, Securities and Exchange Commission Chairwoman Mary Schapiro, urging an immediate review of target date funds; Hearing Wednesday on Long-Term Care services. Senior Journal, March 2.

Housing:

• This is not your father's old folks home: Boomers' active lifestyles redefining 55-plus housing. Chicago Tribune, March 6.

Caregiving:

• Growing Demand for Sandwich Generation to Step Up to Elder Care Role: Suggestions on making assessments, care plans and how to consider different options for aging in place. Senior Journal, March 2.

Technology:

• The Fountain of Youth for Retirees? Joining Facebook and owning a cellphone can help you live longer. Smart Money, March 4.

End of Life:

• 'Do not resuscitate' vs. 'allow natural death': Could three words change the way severely ill patients and their loved ones think about death? USA Today, March 2.

Xtra!

• Older Adults Get Drunk Faster Than Younger Drinkers: Yet most report not feeling impaired, researchers say. HealthDay, March 5.
• Your insurance to-do list: Insurers aren't immune to the financial crisis, so keep a close eye on your policies. MarketWatch, March 4.
• The Kids Are Gone. Now What Is Marriage All About? The American family is aging -- and the institution of marriage is all shook up. Washington Post, March 3.

Health:

• Views on Old Age May Become Reality Later: What you think now could determine your health as you age, study shows. HealthDay, Feb. 27.
• 1 in 4 put off seeing doctor due to cost: One in four Americans said in a survey that someone in the family put off needed health care in the past year because of cost, including 16% who postponed surgery or a doctor's visit for chronic illness. Associated Press, Feb. 26.
• Men's Stroke Risk Rises Dramatically in Mid-40s: And the contributing factors are often those seen in older patients, study finds. HealthDay, Feb. 26.
• Counting Calories, Exercise and Counseling Add Up to Best Diet in Battle Against Obesity: For senior citizens exercise may be key to offset reduced daily activity; this diet works regardless of carbohydrate, protein or fat content. Senior Journal, Feb. 26.
• Joint Replacement Soars as Number of Docs Falls: Low reimbursement rates turning many young doctors off the specialty, researcher says. HealthDay, Feb. 26.
• Drinking Raises Cancer Risk for Middle-Age Women: Even one drink a day poses danger, large study finds. HealthDay, Feb. 24.
• B vitamins could lower risk of macular degeneration: Taking B vitamins could lower the risk for a leading cause of blindness in older Americans, a study reports. USA Today, Feb. 23.
• Calcium tied to lower cancer risk in older people: A study in nearly half a million older men and women bolsters evidence that diets rich in calcium may help protect against some cancers. Associated Press, Feb. 23.

Medicine:

• Drug used to treat baldness could prevent prostate cancer: Healthy men who get regular prostate cancer tests should consider taking a drug called finasteride, the first medication proven to help prevent the disease, experts said Tuesday. USA Today, Feb 24.
• Cancer patients who do research get newest drugs: Cancer patients who research treatment options are three times more likely to get the newest drugs than patients who don't spend extra time learning about their condition, according to a study of 633 people with colorectal tumors. USA Today, Feb. 23.

Mind:

• Scientists Spot New Clue to Alzheimer's: Normally harmless proteins may play key role in harming brain, researchers say. HealthDay, Feb. 25.
• Vitamin D Levels Tied to Dementia Risk: Low blood levels of vitamin D may be associated with an increased risk for dementia, a British study has found. The New York Times, Feb. 23.

Medicare:

• Obama Budget Squeezes Medicare—and Wealthier Seniors: Some seniors may experience unwelcome changes to their healthcare benefits and costs. U.S. News and World Report, Feb. 26.
• Study shows Medicare costs vary wildly: Medicare costs vary wildly across the country, according to a study that found the government paying twice as much for treating a patient in Miami as in San Francisco. Associated Press, Feb 25.

Personal Finance:

• Retirement - Test your financial planning IQ: 10 questions to test your financial planning IQ on retirement issues. Associated Press, Feb. 27.
• Retirement Guide for 60-Somethings: It may seem impossible, but a smooth retirement is still within reach. Smart Money, Feb. 26.
• Tax Tips - Seniors Don't Forget April 1: Are you an IRA owner who turned 70 1/2 last year? If you haven't already started tapping your traditional IRA, then April 15 isn't the only IRS deadline you need to heed this year. You're also required to take your first minimum withdrawal no later than April 1. Smart Money, Feb. 26.
• 4 Ways to Retire Sooner: On seemingly endless days at work, retirement seems so far away. But while nothing short of winning the lottery or getting a big inheritance is likely to let you quit tomorrow, there are many things you can do to reach your goals a little faster. Motley Fool, Feb. 24.
• Is Your Pension Still Safe? Probably. But new rules could make it harder for you to get all of your money. Kiplinger's, March 2009.
• 5 steps to rescue your retirement: You may be down, but you're certainly not out. These five strategies will help repair the cracks in your portfolio and make sure your money lasts as long as you do. Money, Feb. 23.
• Saving for retirement in good times and bad: Deep concerns about the stock market downdraft, however, have led to a more urgent question: Will I be able to retire in this lifetime? Oprah, Feb. 2009.

Retirement:

• Retirement ready: An eight-step plan for solving the nation's retirement-savings crisis. MarketWatch, Feb. 25.

Investing:

• FDIC-backed bank bonds: Too safe? Fixed-income investors who insist on a government-backed guarantee, but want a better yield than Treasuries, may find certain bank bonds tempting. The caveat, as always, is whether the price for security is too steep. Bankrate.com, Feb. 27.
• Target-Date Funds Under Scrutiny: Senate panel looks at risks in common retirement-fund approach. Smart Money, Feb. 27.
• Compound your gains, not losses: Market sell-offs are bad enough. By fixing these common investing mistakes, you'll make sure difficult times aren't made worse. Money, Feb. 23.

Grandparenting:

• Spending Time with Grandparent Produces Better Behavior in Older Children, Teenagers: Adolescents in single-parent households and stepfamilies benefit most from time with grandparents. Senior Journal, Feb. 23.

Housing:

• Retirement communities offering discounts amid downturn: The housing bust and the recession have been twin evils for retirees, particularly the newly retired who have seen still-stock-heavy portfolios crater and their home values plummet. Chicago Tribune, March 1.

Work:

• Boomers in a Post-Boom Economy: College grads are no longer the majority at job fairs as baby boomers are forced to start from scratch. Feb. 27.

Xtra!

• Why Roads Are Becoming a Friendlier Place for Older Drivers: Recent statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, document major improvements in fatality rates for older drivers. U.S. News and World Report, Feb. 25.

Health:

• Know the Warning Signs of Stroke? Most Don't: People at greatest risk seem to know the least, survey finds. HealthDay, Feb. 19.
• Want to Live a Bit Longer? Speak Up: Among the top 10 causes of death, men have a higher mortality rate than women. The Washington Post, Feb. 17.
• Coffee Drinking Lowers Women's Stroke Risk: Two or more cups a day boosts protection for nonsmokers, study finds. HealthDay, Feb. 16.

Medicine:

• A Pill to Prevent Hearing Loss? Early research in animals suggests it might be possible. HealthDay, Feb. 19.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs Raise Shingles Risk: Older people and those also taking steroids are most vulnerable, study finds. HealthDay, Feb. 17.

Mind:

• Claims that ‘Brain Exercise’ Does Not Slow Cognitive Decline Challenged by Major Studies: Story grabbed headlines like, ‘$80 million per year brain exercise industry a crock?; as new studies show brain training helps. Senior Journal, Feb. 20.
• If Parents Had Alzheimer's, Aging May Come Early: Presence of ApoE4 gene in offspring makes a difference, study finds. HealthDay, Feb. 19.

Medicare:

• Seniors Still Have Chance to Change Their Medicare Health Coverage for 2009: Enrollment period through March 31 allows change in health coverage but you cannot add or drop drug plan. Senior Journal, Feb. 16.

Personal Finance:

• How Will I Get My Stimulus Money? Here's what you need to know about collecting your share of the $787 billion package of government spending and tax cuts that aim to revive the economy. Kiplinger’s, Feb. 19.
• Three ways to deal with a smaller nest egg: Given what's happened to our retirement accounts and home equity, none of us feel as wealthy as we did a year ago -- and that feeling is only backed up by the latest Survey of Consumer Finances. MarketWatch, Feb. 18.
• Obama White House Posts Agenda for Senior Citizen Programs - No Taxes for Seniors Earning Under $50M: Strongly opposed to privatizing Social Security, will ask those making over $250,000 to contribute a bit more to Social Security to keep it sound. Senior Journal, Feb. 16.

Retirement:

• Retirement Guide for 40- and 50-Somethings: 40- and 50-somethings who play their cards right can enjoy retirement pretty much on schedule (give or take a few years). Smart Money, Feb. 18.
• It's time to fix the 401(k): The 401(k) plan can be a powerful savings tool. But for more of us to enjoy a secure retirement, we need a bigger, better idea. Money Magazine, Feb. 16.
• Keeping Your Financial Plans Afloat: Although the recession may force a change in your timeline, you do have lots of options. U.S. News and World Report, Feb. 16.

Housing:

• Limits for Reverse Mortgage Pushed to $625M by Stimulus Bill Making More Seniors Eligible: Many more senior citizens became eligible to take advantage of the government’s reverse mortgage program this week as the loan limit was raised to $625,500 for the rest of 2009, from the former limit of $417,000. Senior Journal, Feb. 19.

Caregiving:

• How to Help Your Aging Parents Without Going Broke: From making their daily life easier to affording in-home care, here's the (money) wise guide you need. Good Housekeeping.

Xtra!

• 5 Common Myths About Aging: If you age well, you shouldn't have to worry about becoming frail and senile. U.S. News and World Report, Feb. 20.
• How to Find Love Later in Life: You’re never too old to fall in love—or fall apart. U.S. News and World Report, Feb. 20.
• Bunking In With Mom And Dad: A recession leads to more middle-aged boomerangers. Time, Feb. 19.
• Fewer care facilities use restraints for elderly residents: A nationwide push is on to reduce the practice of restraining elderly residents in nursing home. USA Today, Feb. 16.

Health:

• Older and better: AARP's president distills the best and latest news to feel great and live longer. USA Weekend, Feb. 15.
• Ready to quit smoking? Breaking the habit is never easy, but research shows us what might help. Los Angeles Times, Feb. 14.
• Looking for a sign of deadly prostate cancer: A simple test for high levels of the chemical sarcosine could help in prognosis, according to a study in the journal Nature. The finding could lead to new ways of preventing the spread of tumors. Los Angeles Times, Feb. 12.
• Risk of Colon Cancer Increases with Age but Can Be Significantly Reduced by Exercise: Fourth most common cancer in men and women; more common in people over 50. Senior Journal, Feb. 12.
• Finding Effective Treatment for Your Chronic Pain: Studies are underway to look into the effectiveness of alternative ways of delivering pain medications. U.S. News and World Report, Feb. 10.
• Vitamins Do Older Women Little Good: Study finds they don't reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer. HealthDay, Feb. 9.
• 10 Ways to Cut Your Medical Bills: Compare prices, use discounts, and don't be afraid to bargain. Kiplinger's, March 2009.

Medicine:

• Bone Drugs May Help Fight Breast Cancer: A drug of a class commonly used to combat bone loss may reduce by a third the chance that some breast cancers will spread or recur, a large study has found. The New York Times, Feb. 11.

Mind:

• Secondhand Smoke Linked to Dementia: Exposure may increase risk by 44%, researchers say. HealthDay, Feb. 12.
• Diet could cut risk of dementia: A new study suggests a diet laden with fish, olive oil, veggies and other foods common in Mediterranean-style cuisine may help ward off mild cognitive impairment, sometimes called borderline dementia. USA Today, Feb. 9.
• Early Alzheimer's can erode driving skills: People with early Alzheimer's disease, though often very functional in many areas of life, may not be as competent behind the wheel of a car as those without the memory-damaging disease. USA Today, Feb. 9.

Medicare:

• Medicare Blow to Virtual Colonoscopies: Medicare has tentatively decided not to pay for virtual colonoscopies, dealing a setback to a technique that medical experts recommend for colon cancer screening. The New York Times, Feb. 12.
• Medicare Faces Challenges Caring for Chronically Ill: Initiatives to lower costs, improve service seldom work, study finds. HealthDay, Feb. 10.

Personal Finance:

• A Dozen Tips for Older Taxpayers: Topics include IRAs and 401(k)s, Social Security, Medicare drugs, estate taxes, long-term care insurance, home deductions, charitable contributions and divorce. U.S. News and World Report, Feb. 13.
• A quick look at retirement accounts: Here's a compact way to check the pluses and minuses of some different types of retirement accounts. Bankrate.com, Feb. 9.

Retirement:

• Would you relocate in retirement for better tax laws? Failing to evaluate total tax picture is a mistake, advisers say. Chicago Tribune, Feb. 15.
• More people putting off retirement: Have you decided to postpone retirement because of the economy or a nest egg that's been hit hard of late? You have plenty of company. Baltimore Sun, Feb. 14.
• Living it up in retirement: Dean and Marion Snyder moved to a place with a concierge, pool, putting green, fab food - and health care for life. What you should know about an increasingly popular way to retire. Money, Feb. 13.
• Home sweet retirement home: With prices down by a third in many markets, it may be time to start shopping for the house you want to end up in. Money, Feb. 11.

Social Security:

• Dollar Wise - Seniors offer model for getting by through frugality: A fifth of older Americans now survive on nothing but Social Security. A third depend on it for at least 90 percent of their income. Dallas Morning News, Feb. 15.

Caregiving:

• 5 Ways to Cut Elder-Care Costs: The so-called sandwich generation -- those caring for their children and their aging parents -- are being squeezed more than ever these days. Smart Money, Feb. 13.

Technology:

• Sensors Help Keep the Elderly at Home: New technologies help older people to live alone and avoid trips to hospitals or nursing homes. The New York Times, Feb. 12.

Xtra!

• Falling in Love Again -- It's Never Too Late: The symptoms are familiar. The pull in the stomach, the tingling in the arms and lips, the fluttering in the lungs. To meet, to touch, to hold! The obsessive longing -- the wild bouts of fantasy! But this time, I was not 16 or 22 or even 30. I was inching toward 60. The Washington Post, Feb. 10.
• Millions of Senior Citizens May Find Themselves Without TV Signal on February 17: Congress trying to delay mandated change to digital broadcast, fund more help with converters. Senior Journal, Feb. 9.

Health:

• Avoiding Hospital Mistakes: From hospital-acquired infections to surgical mistakes, being a hospital patient carries a risk of its own. Parade, Feb. 8.
• Healthy Heart Tips for a Bad Economy: Don't let your body pay the price in uncertain times, experts say HealthDay, Feb. 7.
• Pancreatic cancer rare, very deadly: Despite the relatively low number of people affected, about 95 percent of those with pancreatic cancer die from it, experts say. CNN, Feb. 6.
• Cataract Surgery Doesn't Worsen AMD: Study says surgical advances may explain away the link seen in earlier research. HealthDay, Feb. 5.
• Breast cancer risk drops after women stop hormone use: Studies repeatedly have linked long-term use of postmenopausal hormones to an increased risk of breast cancer, but new research suggests that the risk falls markedly within two years of quitting treatment. USA Today, Feb. 4.
• Exercise Key Player in Knee Replacement Recovery: Workouts counter functional decline, could ward off osteoarthritis, study says. HealthDay, Feb. 4.
• Stool-Based Colon Cancer Tests Vary Widely in Accuracy: Colonoscopy remains the best way of spotting trouble, experts say. HealthDay, Feb. 3.
• More patients tackling heart issues earlier: A growing number of middle-aged Americans who aren't waiting until they feel the first warning signs of a heart attack to see a doctor. CNN, Feb. 2.
• Erectile Dysfunction Jokes May End with Study Finding ED, Heart Disease Have Relationship: Mayo Clinic Study Finds Younger Men With Erectile Dysfunction at Double Risk of Heart Disease. Senior Journal, Feb. 2.

Medicine:

• Strategies for Saving on Prescription Drugs: Drugs have never been so expensive — or so cheap. The New York Times, Feb. 7.

Mind:

• Seniors use brain training software to sharpen their minds: By 2015, the industry should reach $2 billion in annual sales. The growth will come from computer-savvy boomers and seniors eager to stay not just physically fit, but also mentally alert as they age. The Dallas Morning News, Feb. 6.
• Cutting calories may boost your memory: Having a senior moment? A new study suggests that cutting calories may help. CNN Health, Feb. 2.

Medicare:

• Senior Citizens Who Fall into Medicare Drug Program’s Donut Hole Decrease Use of Meds: Raises concerns about health, increased costs of healthcare; authors suggest policy change to mandate the coverage of generic drugs through modest increase in co-pays. Senior Journal, Feb. 3.

Personal Finance:

• Target-date funds missed the target in 2008: Target-date retirement funds were supposed to be the greatest thing since sliced bread. Then 2008 happened. And all of the 264 target-date funds sold by the 39 mutual fund firms that market them performed poorly and contrary to expectations. MarketWatch, Feb. 4.
• 10 tax laws that could affect your 2008 return: Federal lawmakers simply cannot resist tinkering with the tax code. By one estimate, more than 500 tax law changes were made last year alone. Bankrate.com, Feb. 2.
• As 401(k)s Crumble, Some Good News: Investors are furious about their 401(k)s. Account balances have shrunk. At Congressional hearings, experts complained that 401(k) costs are too high. Some witnesses called for substantial changes. TheStreet.com, Feb. 2.

Retirement:

• Helping mom with retirement: If a parent isn't on the ball with their own retirement planning, it may be time for you to step in. Money, Feb. 3.

Investing:

• Dividends you can count on: With the market bouncing around near its lows, we looked for stocks that will deliver regular payouts while you wait for a recovery. Fortune, Feb. 3.

Caregiving:

• Family Finance - Elders may need help with finances: At first you might notice a pile of unopened mail. Your normally fastidious mother may be getting sloppy with her checkbook. Your elderly uncle may be behind on his electric bill. The signs are often subtle, but they may indicate that aging relatives are no longer able to handle their personal finances. Associated Press, Feb. 6.

Technology:

• Fastest Growing Internet Users are Ages 70 to 75 as Online Demographics Get Older: Forty-five percent of these senior citizens are now online, most with broadband capability. Senior Journal, Feb. 6.

Work:

• The Second Time Around for Retirees: Here’s a sign of the times: Enrollment at the American Bartending School in New York City has shot up, and some of its new students are in their 50s, from retired social workers and laid-off investment bankers to fashion designers looking for extra income. SmartMoney, Feb. 3.

Xtra!

• More families move in together during housing crisis: Love isn't all that's keeping family together today. The bruising housing market is, too. USA Today, Feb. 3.
• Researchers Will Pay Seniors to Help Study Families with History of Long, Healthy Life: Recruitment builds on efforts during an earlier phase of the research, in which several hundred families took part. Senior Journal, Feb. 2.

Health:

• Studies Struggle to Gauge Glucosamine's Worth: But many doctors insist the supplement is safe and worth a try for arthritis pain. HealthDay, Jan. 30.
• Surviving a Heart Attack, Succumbing to Heart Failure: Many specialists link the significant increase in heart failure cases to improved heart attack care. The New York Times, Jan. 30.
• Seniors Who Exercise Help Their Health: In study, aerobics, resistance training lowered risk of insulin resistance, improved motor function. HealthDay, Jan. 29.
• Potassium May Be a Senior Citizen’s Best Friend in Fighting Hypertension-Causing Salt: Seniors trying to lower blood pressure should boost their intake of potassium, which has the opposite effect to sodium. Senior Journal, Jan. 29.
• 12 Health Risks of Aging That Baby Boomers Can Avoid: Diet and exercise can go a long way toward keeping you young. U.S. News and World Report, Jan. 28.
• Does diabetes make the mind go to pieces? Scientists are getting closer to understanding which parts of the brain are affected by glucose and insulin. USA Today, Jan. 28.
• Urinary Incontinence Is Common but Not Inevitable: There's plenty you can do to avoid loss of bladder control. U.S. News and World Report, Jan. 28.
• Throwing the Book at Salt: Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, New York City’s health commissioner, is waging a campaign to lower the amount of sodium America eats. The New York Times, Jan. 27.
• Fountain Of Youth In A Wine Rx? Researchers Tell Morley Safer Red Wine Substance Resveratrol Could One Day Lengthen Lives. CBS News, Jan. 25.

Medicine:

• Plavix Plus Heartburn Drugs May Hike Heart Risk: Combination might interfere with Plavix's anticlotting ability, experts say. HealthDay, Jan. 29.
• Zoloft, Lexapro the Best of Newer Antidepressants: Review looked at 12 drugs, 117 studies and 25,000 patients to arrive at ranking. HealthDay, Jan. 29.

Mind:

• Developing Diabetes Prior to Senior Citizen Years Increases Risk of Alzheimer's, Other Dementia: Having diabetes before becoming a senior at age 65 more than doubles risk for Alzheimer's disease. Senior Journal, Jan 28.
• Something to Think About: Brain Fitness Classes Keep Seniors Mentally And Socially Active. Washington Post, Jan. 27.
• Beat the winter blues: Having trouble with Seasonal Affective Disorder? Here are eight all-natural ways to boost your mood. Health, Jan 27.

Medicare:

• Medicare Widens Drugs It Accepts for Cancer: Medicare, with little public debate, has expanded its coverage of drugs for cancer treatments not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The New York Times, Jan. 26.

Personal Finance:

• Keep your nest egg safe from Uncle Sam: A big income means fewer ways to shelter your retirement money. But these steps can help you keep it out of the tax man's hands. Money, Jan. 29.
• New doubts about a once sure bet: Annuities were considered the ultimate safe investment - until insurers started wobbling. Can you still count on one? Money, Jan. 26.

Retirement:

• Pension Battles Loom Across the U.S.: Unlike most of us with 401(k)s, state and municipal employees have been promised money, and they'll probably fight to get their returns. TheStreet.com, Jan. 26.

Grandparenting:

• The 15-Minute Tip: Helping hands: Five great ways for grandparents to help families through tough times. MarketWatch, Jan. 28.

Caregiving:

• How to Set Up a Caregiving Agreement: More than 50 million family members provide more than $300 billion a year in uncompensated care to family members. U.S. News and World Report, Jan. 30.

Health:

• Diabetes -- What's in a name? Understanding the disease could help you prevent it. USA Weekend, Jan. 25.
• Oh-So-Cold Temperatures Plague Older People: Metabolism and other body changes exacerbate wintertime issues. HealthDay, Jan. 25.
• Seeing Straight Without Breaking the Bank: A month’s rent just for eyeglasses? Taking care of your eyesight doesn’t have to cost so much. The New York Times, Jan 23.
• Seniors - Drink to your health: A new study in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that healthy seniors who consume light to moderate amounts of alcohol reduce their odds of developing physical disabilities or dying in the next five years by 23 percent, compared with either heavy drinkers or those who abstain. CNN, Jan. 21.

Medicine:

• More Americans Skipping Necessary Prescriptions, Survey Finds: One in seven Americans under age 65 went without prescribed medicines in 2007 as drug costs spiraled upward in the United States, a nonprofit research group said on Thursday. The New York Times, Jan. 22.
• Medication for Anxiety Helps Older Adults: Study Shows Lexapro Has Modest Benefits for Patients With Generalized Anxiety Disorder. WebMD, Jan. 20.
• Drug Making’s Move Abroad Stirs Concerns: Experts and lawmakers are calling for a law that would require that certain drugs be made or stockpiled in the United States. The New York Times, Jan. 19.

Mind:

• Coffee Linked to Lower Dementia Risk: Drinking coffee may do more than just keep you awake. A new study suggests an intriguing potential link to mental health later in life, as well. The New York Times, Jan 23.
• Dementia More Likely in Some Isolated and Inactive Seniors, Study Finds: Attention, neurotic Woody Allen types: you really ought to get out more. The New York Times, Jan. 22.
• Simple Exercise Keeps Brain at Top of Its Game: In older women, being more fit helps cognitive function, study shows. HealthDay, Jan. 20.
• Positive Outlook Cuts Chances of Dementia: New research suggests relaxed, outgoing people less likely to get Alzheimer's. HealthDay, Jan. 19.

Medicare:

• Economic Crisis May Break Medicare by 2016, Three Years Earlier than Last Forecast: CMS announces programs to reduce costs of Medicare Fee-For-Service plan, hopes to influence health care reform. Senior Journal, Jan. 19.

Personal Finance:

• Who Has to Take An IRA Distribution in '09: The break for seniors whose retirement accounts have been battered by the market meltdown doesn't apply to people who have until April to make their 2008 required withdrawals. Kiplinger’s, Jan 22.
• Keep track of your IRA: Don't miss many new rules for individual retirement accounts. MarketWatch, Jan. 21.
• Let your retirement money grow: If you're over 70 ½, you might have to make withdrawals from your retirement accounts. Here's where to stash your cash. Money Magazine, Jan. 20.

Retirement:

• 5 Ways President Obama Plans to Change Your Retirement: President Obama plans to strike a new Social Security and Medicare "bargain" with the American people, he told the Washington Post last week. U.S. News and World Report, Jan 23.
• What Washington Has in Store for Your Retirement: Amid bailouts and stimulus, Congress may also take up IRAs and 401(k)s. SmartMoney, Jan. 20.

Social Security:

• Supersizing Senior Social Security Benefits: The benefits seem clear-cut, but here are three shrewd moves for seniors looking to boost retirement options. Bankrate.com, Jan. 23.
• President Obama Appears Poised to Tackle the Future of Senior Citizen Programs Quickly: We can’t kick this can any further down the street, the new president says. Senior Journal, Jan. 20.

Caregiving:

• Many Alzheimer's Caregivers Admit to Abusive Behavior: Incidents were reported by half of family caretakers surveyed in British study. HealthDay, Jan. 22.

Technology:

• High-tech sensors help seniors live independently: Recognizing the coming "silver tsunami" of graying baby boomers, tech companies are racing to help aging Americans spend more time living independently instead of in nursing homes. Associated Press, Jan. 24.
• Senior Citizens Not Flocking to Social Network Websites - Just 7% Have Posted Profiles: Most adults use online social networks primarily to connect with friends. Senior Journal, Jan. 22.

Travel:

• 20 Secrets to Save on Travel: Our insider's guide to snagging the deepest discounts on hotels, airfare, cruises and more. Kiplinger's, Jan. 23.

Xtra!

• EPA Alerts Seniors to Carbon Monoxide Dangers: Winter heating season prompts tips on how to avoid most common cause of poisoning in U.S. HealthDay, Jan. 21.
• Your Nest Is Empty? Enjoy Each Other: The empty nest may not be such an unhappy place after all. The New York Times, Jan. 19.

Health:

• Cholesterol Levels May Not Measure Cardiac Risk: Normal readings showed up in many who had heart attacks, study shows. HealthDay, Jan. 16.
• Link Between Blood Pressure and Outside Temperature for Seniors May Tie to Vitamin D: Researchers also urging close monitoring of elderly with hypertension during weather extremes; second study says thinking ability varies with blood pressure. Senior Journal, Jan. 16.
• Health Care You Can’t Afford Not to Afford: One in three American families struggles to pay medical bills, according to a recent survey, and nearly half say a family member has postponed necessary medical care. The New York Times, Jan. 16.
• Simple Checklist Makes Surgery Safer: A checklist for surgical teams that includes steps as basic as having the doctors and nurses introduce themselves can significantly lower the number of deaths and complications, researchers reported Wednesday. The New York Times, Jan. 14.
• Genetic testing boosts efficacy in cancer care: Tailoring cancer therapies to fit a person's genetic makeup could spare thousands of patients from harmful side effects and save millions of dollars a year, a study shows. USA Today, Jan. 14.
• Improved Web Tool for Maintaining, Sharing Health History Released by Surgeon General: Health history tool also designed to help caregivers make better use of this critical information - significant help for senior citizens. Senior Journal, Jan. 13.
• Women With Heart Attack Symptoms See Delays in Care: Differences in initial symptoms could explain discrepancy, study suggests. HealthDay, Jan. 13.
• New Thinking on How to Protect the Heart: Some newer suggestions for how to protect your heart may surprise you. The New York Times, Jan. 12.
• When the Outside Temperature Goes Down, a Senior Citizen’s Blood Pressure Goes Up: Study finds differences over time were larger in participants age 80 and older. Senior Journal, Jan. 12.

Medicine:

• Millions More Americans Might Be Placed on Statins: Recent data could lead to wider prescribing of cholesterol-lowering drugs, experts say. HealthDay, Jan. 13.
• With economy sour, consumers sweet on herbal meds: The choice between $75 prescription sleeping pills or a $5 herbal alternative is a no-brainer for Cathy and Bernard Birleffi, whose insurance costs have skyrocketed along with the nation's financial woes. Associated Press, Jan. 13.
• 5 Ways to Cut Drug Costs: The cost to fill prescriptions can quickly turn into a financial burden, especially when budgets are tight. SmartMoney, Jan. 13.

Mind:

• Gene Variant May Hike Women's Risk of Alzheimer's: Men can carry the variation as well, study finds. HealthDay, Jan. 12.

Personal Finance:

• Where Retirees Should Park Their Money: Investment expert Bud Hebeler's strategies for the toughest of times include a plan for coping with hyperinflation. BusinessWeek, Jan. 15.
• Six brutal facts to confront: You can be hopeful about your nest egg -- after you get real. MarketWatch, Jan. 14.
• Protecting your investment portfolio: When people fall victim to a scam and lose their investments, 20/20 hindsight often has the rest of us scratching our heads and wondering, "How the heck did they fall for that?" Bankrate.com, Jan. 13.

Retirement:

• Revive Your Retirement: You may have to save a little more and work a little longer. But you can still get there in good shape. Kiplinger's, Feb. 2009.
• Older Americans postpone retirement as economy sags: Miriam Gorman wanted to retire more than a year ago, but steep financial losses in her retirement savings mean the 71-year-old bookkeeper now plans to work on indefinitely. Reuters, Jan 17.

Investing:

• Retirement investing made simple: If you lack the time or the expertise to allocate and track your retirement savings yourself, sink your nest egg into a target-date retirement fund. Money Magazine, Jan. 13.

Social Security:

• Obama Pledges Entitlement Reform: President-Elect Says He'll Reshape Social Security, Medicare Programs. Washington Post, Jan. 16.

Xtra!

• Reverse Mortgages for Senior Citizens Continue to Grow Despite Mortgage Turmoil; Tampa Leads: New features for 2009 - higher loan limit, lower fees, home purchase component, co-op eligibility and stricter consumer protection. Senior Journal, Jan. 14.

Health:

• For back pain sufferers, surgery isn't always the answer: Back pain sufferers can wind up desperate for relief. But just because a treatment is new, expensive or elaborate doesn't mean it will actually make you feel better. Los Angeles Times, Jan. 9.
• You're Never Too Old for a Flu Shot: Death rates and complications plummet for immunized seniors, study found. HealthDay, Jan. 9.
• In Search of a Good Doctor: Leading physicians share their advice on researching doctors and diseases online. The New York Times, Jan. 8.
• Study touts brain stimulation for Parkinson's: The implants gave sufferers of the disease increased movement and a better quality of life than patients who received medication, researchers say. Los Angeles Times, Jan. 7.
• Evidence Mounts that Vitamin E Does Not Stop Prostate Cancer, Nor Does Selenium, Vitamin C: JAMA publishes 2 studies released early in public interest on supplements’ ineffectiveness in preventing cancer. Senior Journal, Jan. 7.
• The drive for longer life: Four factors that have slowed America's push for greater longevity. MarketWatch, Jan. 6.
• Vitamins get 'F' in cancer prevention: A flotilla of recent studies — including two papers published today — has sunk the notion that individual vitamin supplements prevent cancer. USA Today, Jan. 6.
• It Pays to Eat Less as You Age: Cutting calories can cut down on pounds in middle age, study says. HealthDay, Jan. 6.
• Sleep Apnea Connection to Stroke and Death Explained by New Study: One in 10 senior citizens suffer with sleep apnea that is more common as people age. Senior Journal, Jan 6.
• Implanted Defibrillators Benefit Older People: Improved survival seen in those 75 and older, study says. HealthDay, Jan. 6.
• When the Heart Stops Beating: Survivors tell their stories of sudden cardiac arrest. HealthDay, Jan. 5.

Medicine:

• Seniors Mixing Prescription and O.T.C. Drugs: Almost 70 percent of older adults who take prescription medications also use non-prescription drugs, dietary supplements or both, researchers have reported, and one in 25 older adults is at risk of suffering a bad reaction to a poor combination of drugs. The New York Times, Jan. 8.

Mind:

• Old Gastrointestinal Drug Slows Aging, May Alleviate Alzheimer’s Disease: Clioquinol can reverse the progression of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases in animal studies. Senior Journal, Jan. 7.
• Mental Deficits Appear Early in Diabetes Patients - Last Into Old Age: Confirms previous reports that diabetes impairs mental process. Senior Journal, Jan 5.

Personal Finance:

• Assess, rebalance your 401(k) after 2008 losses: To get past some of last year's devastating financial losses, you'll need to make some adjustments. You'll need to work through the psychological effects of your losses. You'll need to make some adjustments to your portfolio. And you may even want to make a few speculative bets on the stock market's recovery. USA Today, Jan. 6.
• Modest portfolio withdrawals the key for retirees: Last year was brutal for investors, but probably more so if you're a new retiree. Your nest egg could be significantly smaller today, just when you're starting to tap it. Baltimore Sun, Jan. 6.

Retirement:

• Hard work ahead on retirement policies: Six big retirement issues the incoming president and Congress must tackle. MarketWatch, Jan. 7.

Social Security:

• Obama Promises Bid to Overhaul Retiree Spending: President-elect Barack Obama said Wednesday that overhauling Social Security and Medicare would be “a central part” of his administration’s efforts to contain federal spending, signaling for the first time that he would wade into the thorny politics of entitlement programs. The New York Times, Jan. 7.
• Social Security Ready to Enroll 10,000 Baby Boomers a Day for 20 Years Online: Patty Duke Show stars helping agency promote new online enrollment form. Senior Journal, Jan. 7.
• Social Security unveils new online application: Facing baby boomers, Social Security unveils online application that can take 15 minutes. Associated Press, Jan. 6.
• Social Security overestimates death rates: The U.S. Social Security Administration, which pays out $600 billion a year in benefits to retirees, may have underestimated how a decline in smoking will increase life expectancy, two experts reported on Monday. Reuters, Jan 5.

Grandparenting:

• For grandparents, child care can be a blessing and a curse: 8% of children in the USA live with grandparents, and 30% of preschoolers are cared for by grandparents while mothers work. USA Today, Jan. 5.

Caregiving:

• How to Help Your Parents Through the Crisis: As money evaporates from their retirement savings, many parents are turning to their kids for help. SmartMoney, Jan. 8.

Technology:

• Grandparents get their widgets on: The Consumer Electronics Show's inaugural Silvers Summit focuses on the intersection of baby boomers, their parents and technology. Los Angeles Times, Jan 10.
• Older folks like Wii, PCs and cellphones, too: Seniors are helping dispel an age-old stereotype: that folks getting up in years have little or no interest in the latest technology. USA Today, Jan. 8.

Work:

• Five tips to make your midcareer job search a success: While finding a new job in a recession is tough, midcareer job seekers have some advantages, career experts say. MarketWatch, Jan. 4.

End of Life:

• Find end-of-life care to fit your finances: The question of cost drives many aspects of life; it even can play a role in choosing a hospital for end-of-life care. Bankrate.com, Jan. 9.

Xtra!

• Snowbirds Beware the Climate Changes: Switch to balmier days can be healthy and hazardous for seniors, experts say. HealthDay, Jan. 7.

Health:

• How to Live to 120: Boomers are clamoring for a longer life – and science may just give it to them. New York Post, Jan. 3.
• Surgeons Often Are Blamed When Hip Replacements Fail: Consumers urged to pay more attention to choosing the doctor, not the device. HealthDay, Jan. 2.
• To Squint or to See the Light: With new treatments, baby boomers pay the price to shed the glasses. The New York Times, December 31.
• Dubious Drugs, Tainted Foods Top 2008's Health Stories: But deaths from heart disease, cancer show encouraging drop. HealthDay, December 31.
• Vitamins Fail to Prevent Cancer: Study: C, E and beta carotene didn't halt women's risk of developing disease. HealthDay, December 30.
• Cookbook Medicine Won’t Do for Elderly: The population of aging Americans is expected to mushroom in the years ahead. Geriatricians, the experts in elder care, are already in short supply, and their numbers will continue to shrink. But knowing the kind of care that these specialists provide may help older people and those who look after them learn to seek it out wherever they go. The New York Times, December 29.
• Boomers think they’re healthier than they are: How they feel leads to perception that everything is fine: Atlanta Journal-Constitution, December 29.
• One Hour Additional Sleep Lowers Calcification in Coronary Arteries: New study looked at people under 50 but results will interest senior citizens. Senior Journal, December 29.
• Gene Linked to High Blood Pressure Discovered: Variant seems to help regulate amount of sodium in the body. HealthDay, December 29.
• New Model of Care Is Needed, Experts Say: American medicine is already in a crisis mode when it comes to geriatric care, and the problem will only become worse unless new approaches are found, experts say. The New York Times, December 29.
• Cut health costs, not your care: Balancing your budget shouldn't mean your health pays the price. Here are smart ways to manage both. Los Angeles Times, December 29.

Medicine:

• Free Generic Antibiotic Prescription Program Announced by Food Chain: Giant Food pharmacies will continue the program through March 21. Senior Journal, Jan. 2.
• Study Links Osteoporosis Drugs to Jaw Trouble: Condition marked by pain, swelling, loose teeth and exposed bone. HealthDay, Jan. 1.
• FDA Approves First Prostate Cancer Drug in Years: Degarelix for Men with Advanced Cases: Company waiting for a trade name before beginning marketing in U.S. Senior Journal, December 31.
• No Mug? Drug Makers Cut Out Goodies for Doctors: The pharmaceutical industry has agreed to a voluntary moratorium on branded promotional items. The New York Times, December 30.

Mind:

• Rising Blood Sugar May Harm the Aging Brain: And exercise might help offset the effect, study suggests. HealthDay, December 30.

Personal Finance:

• Your money: What to do now: Expert advice on how to ride out the financial storm. Consumer Reports, Dec. 2008.
• Alternatives to Target-Date Funds: With these 'no-fuss' funds struggling, there are better options. SmartMoney, December 29.

Retirement:

• Plan B for retirees who counted on home equity: Lost home equity in housing bust force Americans to scramble to bolster retirement plans. Associated Press, Jan. 2.

Social Security:

• 4 Unusual Ways To Boost Social Security Benefits: For many retirees, Social Security retirement benefits are their only source of fixed income once they stop working. Denver Post, December 29.

Housing:

• New rules rev up reverse mortgages: A new federal housing law has raised the ceiling on the amount of money seniors can obtain from a reverse mortgage and lowered the fees charged for the loan. Bankrate.com, December 30.

Xtra!

• Seniors give Daschle health reform ideas: Health reform doesn't have to be all about expanding health insurance. It can be about the little things too, such as shorter waits in the doctor's office and putting in place incentives such as free checkups that catch little problems before they became big ones. Associated Press, December 30.
• Gardening Growing Among Senior Citizens as Solution to Need for Extensive Exercise: Thirty minutes of daily exercise comes with ease in the garden. Senior Journal, December 30.

Health:

• A Mysterious Link Between Sleeplessness and Heart Disease: People who don’t get much sleep are more likely than those who do to develop calcifications in their coronary arteries, possibly raising their risk for heart disease, a new study has found. The New York Times, December 23.

• Older Americans take risky combo of medications: Many older adults in the United States are taking a confusing combination of medications, some prescribed by doctors and others picked up over-the-counter or in health food stores. CNN, December 23.
• Cancer Medicine Advances on Many Fronts: New drug approvals, more targeted therapies the highlights of 2008. HealthDay, December 23.

Medicare:

• Quality Rating Stars are Posted on Nursing Home Compare Website by CMS: Some nursing homes may not like their ratings but site gets support of aging committee chair. Senior Journal, December 22.

Personal Finance:

• Withdrawals From Retirement Accounts - What Seniors Need to Know: Seniors hoping that they wouldn't have to withdraw money from their depleted retirement accounts before their portfolios recover have run out of time. U.S. News and World Report, December 26.
• Rebuild retirement savings with 401(k) and smart use of stocks: The bear market and the economic slump have caused most 401(k) retirement savings to have a major meltdown this year. USA Today, December 25.
• How to Deduct IRA Losses: If you're like most IRA owners, you've taken a sizable hit. While it may feel like little consolation, there is a chance you can claim a tax deduction to ease your pain. Smart Money, December 24.
• Mixed News for Senior IRA Holders: For IRA owners who were hoping the government would make an eleventh hour call to suspend or modify the minimum required distribution, or MRD, rules for 2008, we've got some bad news. Smart Money, December 22.

Retirement:

• 9 retirement resolutions for 2009: 9 for '09: Resolutions to build a sounder, safer retirement in the year ahead. Associated Press, December 26.
• 10 New Year’s Resolutions for Retirement: Here is how to get your retirement plan back on track in 2009. U.S. News and World Report, December 23.

Social Security:

• Boomers Facing Tough Social Security Choices: Many stuck between reduced payouts now or gambling for later. ConsumerAffairs.com, December 24.

Insurance:

• States Cut Medicaid Coverage Further: Region Is Among Areas Where Poor Are Affected. Washington Post, December 26.

Caregiving:

• How to Help Your Aging Parents Without Going Broke: From making their daily life easier to affording in-home care, here's the (money) wise guide you need. Good Housekeeping, January 2009.
• Alzheimer's caregivers get no holiday: But the season can be joyful by leaning on others. USA Today, December 23.

End of Life:

• Rules Change Could Increase Hospice Use: Those who currently want it must give up aggressive treatments, researchers say. HealthDay, December 22.

Xtra!

• Senior Citizens Need to Exercise Extreme Caution if Shoveling Snow: Consumer Reports offers tips on making snow removal safer. Senior Journal, December 22.

Health:

• A Mysterious Link Between Sleeplessness and Heart Disease: People who don’t get much sleep are more likely than those who do to develop calcifications in their coronary arteries, possibly raising their risk for heart disease, a new study has found. The New York Times, December 23.

• Older Americans take risky combo of medications: Many older adults in the United States are taking a confusing combination of medications, some prescribed by doctors and others picked up over-the-counter or in health food stores. CNN, December 23.
• Cancer Medicine Advances on Many Fronts: New drug approvals, more targeted therapies the highlights of 2008. HealthDay, December 23.

Medicare:

• Quality Rating Stars are Posted on Nursing Home Compare Website by CMS: Some nursing homes may not like their ratings but site gets support of aging committee chair. Senior Journal, December 22.

Personal Finance:

• Withdrawals From Retirement Accounts - What Seniors Need to Know: Seniors hoping that they wouldn't have to withdraw money from their depleted retirement accounts before their portfolios recover have run out of time. U.S. News and World Report, December 26.
• Rebuild retirement savings with 401(k) and smart use of stocks: The bear market and the economic slump have caused most 401(k) retirement savings to have a major meltdown this year. USA Today, December 25.
• How to Deduct IRA Losses: If you're like most IRA owners, you've taken a sizable hit. While it may feel like little consolation, there is a chance you can claim a tax deduction to ease your pain. Smart Money, December 24.
• Mixed News for Senior IRA Holders: For IRA owners who were hoping the government would make an eleventh hour call to suspend or modify the minimum required distribution, or MRD, rules for 2008, we've got some bad news. Smart Money, December 22.

Retirement:

• 9 retirement resolutions for 2009: 9 for '09: Resolutions to build a sounder, safer retirement in the year ahead. Associated Press, December 26.
• 10 New Year’s Resolutions for Retirement: Here is how to get your retirement plan back on track in 2009. U.S. News and World Report, December 23.

Social Security:

• Boomers Facing Tough Social Security Choices: Many stuck between reduced payouts now or gambling for later. ConsumerAffairs.com, December 24.

Insurance:

• States Cut Medicaid Coverage Further: Region Is Among Areas Where Poor Are Affected. Washington Post, December 26.

Caregiving:

• How to Help Your Aging Parents Without Going Broke: From making their daily life easier to affording in-home care, here's the (money) wise guide you need. Good Housekeeping, January 2009.
• Alzheimer's caregivers get no holiday: But the season can be joyful by leaning on others. USA Today, December 23.

End of Life:

• Rules Change Could Increase Hospice Use: Those who currently want it must give up aggressive treatments, researchers say. HealthDay, December 22.

Xtra!

• Senior Citizens Need to Exercise Extreme Caution if Shoveling Snow: Consumer Reports offers tips on making snow removal safer. Senior Journal, December 22.

Health:

• Alternative Therapies That Really Work: According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as many as 62% of Americans use some form of alternative medicine. But few of these treatments are covered by the average medical-insurance plan. Parade, December 13.
• Vitamin D may be essential for heart health: Want to avoid a heart attack or stroke? In addition to well-known risk factors like diet and exercise, you may want to keep an eye on your vitamin D levels too. CNN, December 10.
• Vitamins and Supplements -- Do They Work? The picture is mixed, but thumbs up for vitamin D and fish oil. U.S. News and World Report, December 9.
• Selenium, Vitamins E and C Won't Prevent Prostate Cancer: Large trials fail to confirm suspected benefit. HealthDay, December 9.
• Cancer to Replace Heart Disease as Leading Killer in World by 2010, Says International Study: US cancer organizations unite to push action plan for Obama Administration. Senior Journal, December 9.
• Diabetic Eye Disease Rates Soaring: CDC study projects that by 2050, up to 16 million people will have vision problems. HealthDay, December 9.
• In a nutshell -- eat more nuts to reduce heart risks: Scientists have come across a nutty risk reducer: Eating a handful of nuts a day for a year — along with a Mediterranean diet rich in fruit, vegetables and fish — may help undo a collection of risk factors for heart disease. Associated Press, December 8.
• Women's Death Rate Higher From Severe Heart Attack: Undertreatment at the hospital may be a contributing cause, study suggests. HealthDay, December 8.
• 11 New Cholesterol Genes Identified: Could be targets for drug treatment, researchers note. HealthDay, December 8.

Medicine:

• Osteoporosis Drug Seems to Shrink Breast Tumors: Other drugs in pipeline also hold promise against the disease, researchers report. HealthDay, December 11.
• 10 years of Viagra -- what the blue pill couldn't cure: Before middle-aged men started singing "Viva Viagra" in TV ads, before former Sen. Bob Dole appeared in its commercials in the '90s, before the blue pill with a funny name entered the public lexicon, impotence was hush-hush. CNN, December 10.
• Placebo effect -- new survey gives life to ethical debate: A nationwide survey this year suggested that as many as half of U.S. doctors prescribe a fake treatment — or placebo — at least once a month. USA Today, December 10.
• Diabetes drugs double women's fracture risk: Long-term use of a popular class of oral diabetes drugs doubles the risk of bone fractures in women with type 2 diabetes, a new study reports. USA Today, December 9.

Mind:

• Helping Seniors Beat the Holiday Blues: Depression can be a common problem this time of year, experts say. HealthDay, December 14.
• Gaming your way to better health: Video games aren't just for kids and couch potatoes anymore. They're increasingly being used to motivate people of all ages to move their bodies and manage their chronic health conditions more effectively. MarketWatch, December 11.
• Alzheimer’s Foundation Calls for Congressional Policy on Dementia Screening: New report ‘shatters unsubstantiated criticism’ and emphasizes safety and cost-effectiveness of screening. Senior Journal, December 9.
• Dementia Often Missed as Cause of Death: This could skew the truth about deadliness of Alzheimer's, report says. HealthDay, December 9.

Medicare:

• Senior Citizens Have Until December 31 to Make Changes in Medicare Coverage: Health plan costs are going up in 2009 and changing plans could save big money says Medicare Interactive. Senior Journal, December 11.

Personal Finance:

• Help for seniors slammed by stocks: Congress and Treasury are trying to ease the strain on seniors facing penalties for failing to take out required retirement plan distributions. CNNMoney.com, December 11.
• Estate Planning Without Anxiety: With the markets in constant turmoil, planning for the here and now seems daunting enough; planning for the after-I-die is even less appealing. SmartMoney, December 9.
• Online Retirement Calculators: Hit and Miss: But figuring how big a nest egg you’ll need can be a wake-up call. U.S. News and World Report, December 8.
• Reverse Mortgages Get More Attractive: For seniors, the idea of a reverse mortgage seems appealing: Turn your home equity into a steady stream of income, and stay in your home as you age. TheStreet.com December 8.
• Retirement accounts offer tax relief: Rules for IRAs, 401(k)s, and other plans vary, so plan wisely. The Christian Science Monitor, December 8.

Retirement:

• Fixing the 401(k): Lawmakers are floating a number of ideas to protect your retirement savings. Here are a few possible changes. Money Magazine, December 12.
• Seniors face grim choices amid market shock: Many are delaying retirement, and even returning to work to cope with falling home values and deteriorating investments. CNNMoney.com, December 9.

Social Security:

• When to collect Social Security: If you can afford to put off collecting your checks for a few more years, you probably should. Money, December 9.

Housing:

• Program to Help Seniors Make Their Homes Safer Announced by Administration on Aging: The agency’s Eldercare Locator will partner with Rebuilding Together in three-point plan to prevent falls by senior citizens. Senior Journal, December 8.

Xtra!

• Risky times ahead: Baby boomers face three new risks in coming decades, but there are answers, MarketWatch, December 10.
• Most Senior Citizens Feel Younger, Think They Look Younger Than They Are: New study on aging says poor health quickly modifies these positive opinions. Senior Journal, December 8.

Health:

• Never Say Die: Step aside, quacks. The search for longer life is a real science now. Newsweek, December 6.
• Treatment Options Are Many for Prostate Cancer: Some doctors say many tumors can be left untreated, depending on man's age. HealthDay, December 5.
• Elderly with Depression Tend to Develop Pot Bellies but Little Fat Elsewhere: Depressive symptoms are associated with fat gain in the visceral region: could help explain why depression is often followed by diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Senior Journal, December 1.
• Vitamin D Vital for the Heart: Lack of the sunlight-derived nutrient tied to increased cardiovascular events. HealthDay, December 1.

Medicine:

• Generic Heart Drugs as Good as Brand-Name Counterparts: Review found most were as effective, despite editorials urging opposite. HealthDay, December 2.
• Doctors ditch drug samples to avoid influencing treatment: Free medication samples, at first glance look like a win-win-win situation for manufacturers, doctors and patients, but can have hidden costs. Plus, only makers of expensive brand-name drugs are doling out samples. And leaving pharmacists out of the equation might raise the risk of errors. USA Today, December 1.

Mind:

• Avoiding a Holiday Season of Discontent: Stress is everywhere, but learning what relaxes you can help, expert says HealthDay, December 6.
• Depression linked to fat in seniors: Older people who are depressed are much more likely to develop a dangerous type of internal body fat — the kind that can lead to diabetes and heart disease — than people who are not depressed, a disturbing new study found. Associated Press, December 4.
• Studies on How to Keep an Aging Mind Healthy are Pointing to Three Key Steps: It’s not a stretch to think we may begin hiring brain coaches in addition to physical fitness trainers. Senior Journal, December 2.
• Older Adults Who Exercise Boost Blood Flow in Brain: Aerobic workouts may prevent cognitive decline in some, study says. HealthDay, December 1.

Medicare:

• Medicare drug criticized as unclear: More than 1 million people in the Medicare drug program next year will pay almost the full price for certain brand-name drugs when they choose them over generics. USA Today, December 3.
• Governor’s Want $40 Billion for State Medicaid Programs, Obama Promises Help: CMS Also Issues Final Medicaid Rule to Gives States More Flexibility in Benefit Offerings. Senior Journal, December 3.

Personal Finance:

• Year-end checkup: Time to rebalance? Portfolio rebalancing requires disciplined approach to avoid costly emotional reactions. Associated Press, December 5.
• In tough times many dip into retirement savings: Bank of America survey says 18% withdrew funds from retirement accounts prematurely. CNNMoney.com, December 4.
• Hands off: Some savers tap retirement assets early -- here are tips to avoid that route. MarketWatch, December 4.
• 401K Rules May Change: A bill in Congress aims to help seniors whose nest eggs are shrinking. San Francisco Chronicle, December 2.
• Despite financial famine, you can find ways to boost bounty: Despite financial famine, seek ways to boost bounty. Chicago Tribune, November 30.

Retirement:

• Smaller Southern cities target retirees: Attention retirees, smaller cities throughout the South want you. Associated Press, December 5.
• Ready to Retire: How the baby boom generation is changing the concept of retirement. Newsweek, December 4.
• The Hidden Costs of Retiring Early: Almost everyone fantasizes about swapping the cubicle and BlackBerry for a life of permanent leisure while they’re young enough to enjoy it. And untold millions put in long hours to make the fantasy a reality. But increasingly, America’s patchwork health care system is making it harder to leave the rat race early. Smart Money, December 1.
• Downsizing your way to retirement: With our nation's present financial crisis, now, more than ever, many of us are looking for new ways to downsize. But for many retirees, downsizing isn't merely an option -- it's a necessary survival strategy that could stretch savings and prevent a critical money crunch later on. All it takes is one or two unfortunate life events to throw one's retirement plans into a tailspin. Bankrate.com.

Insurance:

• AARP’s Stealth Fees Often Sting Seniors With Costlier Insurance: After a half century of serving seniors, AARP may be slipping in its mission to members as its power grows. Bloomberg, December 4.
• Insurers propose universal, centralized healthcare: Several consumer groups criticize the early bid by America's Health Insurance Plans, a trade group that fought an overhaul in the 1990s, to take an active role in Obama's effort to revamp the system. Los Angeles Times, December 4.

Work:

• Where to find work -- job resources for seniors: Retirees considering re-entering the work force because of damage done to their nest eggs can find resources available to assist them. Chicago Sun-Times, December 6.
• Unretired -- Retirees are Back, Looking for Work: They saved. They planned. Then housing tanked and the markets melted. Now they need jobs, and there aren't any. Business Week, December 4.
• Second careers, with purpose: These prize-winning retirees help ex-cons, rural farmers, the environment. MarketWatch, December 4.

End of Life:

• The end-of-life discussion can be made easier: At Alexandra Drane's house, those topics may have come up, but so did this: a discussion of how family members want their medical care handled if and when they are approaching death and cannot speak for themselves. USA Today, December 1.

Xtra!

• Youthfulness an American obsession at what cost? It is a common sentiment in a society where many of us strive to look and feel decades younger — to prove to ourselves and the world that we are healthier and more vital than our parents were at our age. Associated Press, December 6.
• Senior citizens can be lose life savings via power of attorney: Vulnerable senior citizens are increasingly losing their life savings to unscrupulous individuals who have power of attorney over their finances, the AARP says in a report set to be released Thursday. USA Today, December 3.

Health:

• Stress reduction - why you need to get a grip and how: It damages the body, contributing to heart disease, diabetes and more. In these economic times, it's also a fact of life. Here's how to protect yourself. Los Angeles Times, December 1.
• Bone Finding May Point to Hope for Osteoporosis: Bone formation appears to be controlled by serotonin, a chemical that had been known mainly for its role in the brain, a new study suggests. The New York Times, November 26.
• Scientists Find Clues to Aging in a Red Wine Ingredient’s Role in Activating a Protein: A new insight into the reason for aging has been gained by scientists trying to understand how resveratrol, a minor ingredient of red wine, improves the health and lifespan of laboratory mice. The New York Times, November 26.
• New Longevity Drugs Poised to Tackle Diseases of Aging: New Drugs Target Mitochondrial Function At Core of Many Age-Related Diseases. ABC News, November 25.
• Weight Boosts Older Women's Breast Cancer Risk: It's the added pounds, not impaired detection, that's to blame, study concludes. HealthDay, November 25.
• Feed a Cold, Feed a Fever is Best Advice for Senior Citizens; Calories Needed to Fight Flu: Research shows having a body ready to fight a virus leads to a faster recovery and less-severe effects than if calories restricted. Senior Journal, November 25.
• New Cases of Cancer Decline in the United States: The incidence of new cancer cases has been falling in recent years in the United States, the first time such an extended decline has been documented, researchers reported Tuesday. The New York Times, November 25.
• Bad Bosses Are Hard on the Heart: Study ties work woes to fatal cardiovascular events in men. HealthDay, November 25.
• Longevity Linked to Heart Disease Protection: Older adults whose parents lived 100 years or longer are healthier than others their age and have dramatically lower risks of heart attack, stroke, diabetes or dying from any other cause, researchers at the Boston University School of Medicine report in a new study. The New York Times, November 24.
• Hypertension May Hit Black Males Earlier: Different tests may be needed to detect rising blood pressure in these men, experts say. HealthDay, November 24.
• Study Suggests Some Cancers May Go Away: Cancer researchers have known for years that it was possible in rare cases for some cancers to go away on their own. The New York Times, November 24.

Medicine:

• The Minimal Impact of a Big Hypertension Study: The surprising news made headlines in December 2002. Generic pills for high blood pressure, which had been in use since the 1950s and cost only pennies a day, worked better than newer drugs that were up to 20 times as expensive. The New York Times, November 27.

Mind:

• Senior Citizens Need to Avoid Distractions to Improve Memory: Scientists find more evidence the aging brain is easily distracted; highlights importance of hippocampus for making memories. Senior Journal, November 27.
• Alzheimer's diagnosis brings some couples closer: Happily married for 43 years, one couple initially blamed Hurricane Katrina for the discord that cropped up in their marriage in 2005. USA Today, November 24.

Medicare:

• How to Sign Up for Medicare Part D: Here we go again. Senior citizens now have six weeks to sign up for another year of Medicare Part D -- the prescription drug benefit -- that goes along with Medicare Part A (hospitalization), Part B (outpatient and doctor costs) and Medigap (the supplement that covers other costs including co-payments and deductibles). TheStreet.com, November 28.
• Studies Say Private Medicare Plans Have Added Costs, for Little Gain: Private health insurance plans, which serve nearly a fourth of all Medicare beneficiaries, have increased the cost and complexity of the program without any evidence of improving care, researchers say in studies to be published Monday. The New York Times, November 23.

Personal Finance:

• Max Out Your Retirement Savings: For most people, the best way to cut your tax bill today is to maximize your retirement savings for tomorrow. Kiplinger’s, November 28.

Retirement:

• How to Find a Low-Tax Place to Retire: Retiring in a town with low taxes can help retirees stretch their fixed income. U.S. News and World Report, November 25.
• Retirement Rescue: Stay on the job. Defer spending. Grit your teeth and take a hard look at your portfolio. Forbes, December 8.

Investing:

• How should you invest in a bad economy? Stocks? Bonds? Should you shift more money into stocks? Put it all into a savings account? Pay off your mortgage? Hop a freight and become a hobo? USA Today, November 25.

Housing:

• Economy Keeps Seniors from Retirement Homes; Others Must Pay Medical or Mortgage Bill: Unable to sell their homes in declining market, many elderly cannot afford to buy retirement homes. Senior Journal, November 25.
• Debt Struggles and Elderly Living: The credit crisis is battering the two largest publicly traded operators of housing for the elderly. One of them, Sunrise Senior Living, is trying to stave off bankruptcy. The other, Brookdale Senior Living, is considered likely to resolve its short-term problems, but it faces a mountain of debt in the next few years. The New York Times, November 25.

Caregiving:

• More Men Take the Lead Role in Caring for Elderly Parents: Even as they make up nearly 40 percent of family care providers now, men are less likely to ask for help to cope. The New York Times, November 28.
• Navigating Care For Aging Parents: Caregiving For Aging Parents Can Be Tricky For Siblings. CBS News, November 26.

Work:

• That Digital Divide, Bridged in a Classroom: Never-ending bad news about layoffs and unemployment has been sobering for job seekers like Flora Schmidt of Mineola, N.Y. But Ms. Schmidt, who is 73, faces an additional hurdle in landing a part-time job: a lack of computer skills. The New York Times, November 29.
• 20 Ways Older Workers Can Sell Themselves: Older workers don't need to be defensive about their age—they've got so many selling points. U.S. News and World Report, November 26.

End of Life:

• 20 Ways Older Workers Can Sell Themselves: Older workers don't need to be defensive about their age—they've got so many selling points. U.S. News and World Report, November 26.

Xtra!



• Ind. woman, world's oldest person, dies at 115: Edna Parker didn't drink or smoke; outlived her husband by nearly 70 years. Associated Press, November 27.
• Senior Citizens Can Stay Healthy and Happy With Pets as Companions: Petting your cat or dog can release the hormone endorphins that help you feel calm and relaxed. Senior Journal, November 24.

Health:

• Substitutions Make Holiday Fare Healthier: Altering recipes to cut fat, salt a quick fix without losing taste, experts say. HealthDay, November 21.
• Seniors Reminded of How to Decide if Thanksgiving Pain is Heartburn or Heart Attack: Recognizing the difference could save your life, or that of someone else at your celebration. Senior Journal, November 21.
• High Blood Pressure Stalks Many Americans: Seven in 10 don't do enough to protect themselves from stroke, heart attack. HealthDay, November 21.
• Kidney Disease Takes a Growing Toll: The number of people with the disease — often abbreviated C.K.D. — has been rising at a significant pace, thanks in large part to increased obesity and the aging of the population. The New York Times, November 17.
• Stay Upbeat, Exercise to Help Prevent Cancer in Old Age: Risk factors study found little link between drinking and malignancies. HealthDay, November 17.
• Primary care doctors in short supply: Primary care doctors are an endangered breed of physician, a new survey suggests. USA Today, November 17.
• Senior Citizens Continue as Least Likely Smokers, More Likely to Quit Than Most: Smoking in US causes 443,000 deaths annually, costs $193 billion; Great American Smokeout on Nov. 20. Senior Journal, November 17.

Medicine:

• A Call for Caution in the Rush to Statins: Is it time to put cholesterol-lowering statin drugs in every medicine cabinet? Judging by recent headlines, you might think so. The New York Times, November 17.

Mind:

• Exercise Keeps the Brain Young: Experiments in mice find running increases production of neural stem cells. HealthDay, November 21.
• Five ways to keep Alzheimer's away: Blanche Danick may be 86 years old, but she's pretty hip. She keeps up with all the latest health news, and a while back, she called her daughter wanting to know whether she should start taking the herb ginkgo biloba. She'd heard it might stave off Alzheimer's disease. CNN, November 20.
• Gingko biloba doesn't block Alzheimer's: Hopes have been dashed once and for all that the dietary supplement ginkgo biloba can protect against age-related dementia and the memory-destroying disease Alzheimer's, according to a large government-funded study out today. USA Today, November 19.
• Fewer Brain 'Tangles' May Mean Smarter Old Age: Autopsies of quick-witted elderly hint at how they stayed that way. HealthDay, November 17.

Medicare:

• Time to sign up for Medicare Part D: Because of big changes in coverage, including cost increases, seniors are advised to review their options. Enrollment continues through Dec. 31. Los Angeles Times, November 24.
• Medicare fraud risk grows during open enrollment: The six-week window to make Medicare changes is becoming a field day for con artists. Bankrate.com, November 21.
• Vast Majority of Senior Citizens Do Not Understand Donut Hole in Medicare Drug Program: Medco offers free guide - ‘What's Your Gap? Three simple steps to make the most of your Medicare Part D coverage and delay the Coverage Gap’. Senior Journal, November 18.
• No need for nursing home when PACE handles seniors' care: PACE helps keep people who are eligible for nursing home care living independently in the community. USA Today, November 17.

Personal Finance:

• Scrupulous savers want to safeguard their nest egg: A Chino Hills couple close to retirement spent a lifetime saving and investing. Now they feel threatened by the rough stock market. Los Angeles Times, November 23.
• 401(k)s: Employer Contributions Get the Ax: Desperate to cut costs, more and more companies are eliminating their matching contributions to employee 401(k) plans. Business Week, November 24.
• Target-date funds not a slam-dunk decision: Baby boomers who were smart enough to invest in target-date funds -- those no-brainer, one-size-fits-all vehicles that automatically shift to more conservative investments over time -- have escaped a lot of the tumult, right? Not exactly. Bankrate.com, November 20.
• Happy New Year? Not for some: Come Jan. 1, more than 10 million American workers who save for retirement in 403(b) plans may not be so eager to hear the phrase "Happy New Year." MarketWatch, November 19.
• Rebuilding Your Wealth: The nightmarish markets have taken their toll on consumers’ assets—and their confidence. But believe it or not, the crash has also created opportunities. Smart Money, November 18.

Retirement:

• Retirement dreams give way to despair, anger: Many grappling with golden year disappointments as nest eggs dwindle. MSNBC, November 20.
• As nest eggs shrink, many defer retirement: For newly retired and nearly retired, market meltdown forces tough choices. MSNBC, November 19.

Scams:

• AARP exposes shady retirement seminars: When it comes to these workshops, there is no such thing as a 'free lunch'. MSNBC, November 20.

Housing:

• Unable to Sell Homes, Elderly Forgo Assisted Living: The housing crisis has kept thousands of older Americans who need support and care from moving into retirement communities or assisted-living centers, effectively stranding them in their own homes. The New York Times, November 21.

Insurance:

• Health Insurers Offer to Accept All Applicants, on Condition: The health insurance industry said it would support a plan requiring insurers to accept all customers, but asked that Congress require all Americans to have coverage in return. The New York Times, November 19.

Caregiving:

• Caring for Family, Caring for Yourself: Whether you choose to be a family caregiver or the job is thrust upon you by circumstances, your most important responsibility beyond caring for your ill or disabled relative is caring for yourself. The New York Times, November 17.

Technology:

• Senior Citizen Population May Be Near Max for Internet Use; 4 of 5 Adults of All Ages Now Online: 184 Million U.S. adults are online from their homes, offices, schools or other locations. Senior Journal, November 18.

Work:

• 7 great paychecks for golden oldies: You may have planned to sip margaritas on the beach during your retirement, but if the recent stock market tumble has taken a good chunk of your savings with it, you may need to explore other options. Part-time work can help you pick up a few extra paychecks to cover basic expenses or perks such as travel and entertainment while your retirement portfolio rebounds. Bankrate.com, November 18.
• Financial Woes Force Boomers to Work Longer. That's Good: According to a study in October by AARP, 65% of people over the age of 45 say they will delay retirement if the economic situation doesn't improve significantly. Time, November 18.

Xtra!

• Baby Boomers Moving In With Adult Children: Both sides can cut housing costs and swap child and elder care. But tensions are likely, too. U.S. News and World Report. November 20.
• AARP May Face Serious Challenges to Its Integrity, Non-Profit Status, Membership Claim: Crack opens with Senate Finance Committee’s ranking member demanding answers to questions about misleading marketing of insurance by AARP. Senior Journal, November 19.
• The Baby Boomer Vote - Sandwiched Again: Age may have played a bigger role in the presidential campaign than race or sex. U.S. News and World Report, November 19.
• Boomerang Parents: There’s talk that Michelle Obama’s 71-year-old mother, Marian Robinson, may take up residence in the White House, to lend a hand with the children as she did during the campaign. Joe Biden’s mom, 91-year-old Catherine Eugenia Finnegan Biden, could be headed for a new home in the vice presidential residence at the Naval Observatory. The New York Times. November 18.
• Exercises reveal what it's like to have Alzheimer's: Arden Courts, which specializes in the care of people with dementia, recently instituted the training exercise to raise its employees' understanding of the challenges that residents face. The Dallas Morning News, November 17.

Health:

• Experts weigh in on which vitamins to toss back or toss out: Americans love to take their vitamins. More than 150 million Americans take dietary supplements according to the Council for Responsible Nutrition, a supplement industry trade group. CNN, November 13.
• Poor Night Vision May Predict Age-Related Eye Disease: Those with difficulties in low-light activities more likely to develop AMD, study says. HealthDay, November 13.
• Vitamins don't cut heart attack and breast cancer risks, studies say: Almost half of all adults in the U.S. take supplements daily, but the studies should prompt some of them to reconsider their rationale for doing so, one expert says. Los Angeles Times, November 12.
• Sleeping Less than 7.5 Hours Daily May Cause Heart Disease for Elderly with Hypertension: Particularly when it occurs with elevated nighttime blood pressure; sleep patterns should be checked for those with high blood pressure. Senior Journal, November 12.
• Less sleep in older adults linked to heart attack, stroke risk: People in their 60s and 70s who have high blood pressure may want to make sure they get enough sleep. CNN.com, November 11.
• Calcium, Vitamin D Won't Prevent Breast Cancer: But findings apply to postmenopausal women only. HealthDay, November 11.
• Heart Failure Rates Reaching Epidemic Levels for Senior Citizens in U.S.: Those over age 65 hospitalized for heart failure increased by 131%t between 1980 and 2006. Senior Journal, November 10.
• Vitamin E doesn't prevent heart 'events': An eight-year study of more than 14,000 male physicians found that taking vitamin C and vitamin E did not prevent cardiovascular disease. USA Today, November 10.

Medicine:

• Mixing Plavix, heartburn drugs raises heart attack risk: Stent patients who take the blood thinner Plavix along with certain heartburn drugs may face a greater risk of heart attack, stroke and other dangerous events, according to a study released Tuesday. Associated Press, November 12.
• Crestor would save lives at $500,000 each: Using Crestor to prevent heart attacks and save lives in apparently healthy people would add nearly $10 billion a year to the nation's medical bill, according to calculations released Monday. USA Today, November 11.

Mind:

• Memory loss - special report: We collect memories well into adulthood, but at some point, we start to lose them. How to tell the difference between memory lapse and signs of a disorder. Los Angeles Times, November 17.
• When Alzheimer's Hits the Family Finances – a special report: Learn the risks -- and what to do -- in our Alzheimer's Awareness Month report. Smart Money, November 14.

Medicare:

• Time to Revisit Your Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan: Rising costs mean it's time to review your plan during open enrollment. Kiplinger's, December 2008.
• Half the Senior Citizens in Medicare Drug Plans Could Have Saved Money with Better Choice: CVS/pharmacy joins National Council on Aging to assist seniors in finding best plan for 2009. Senior Journal, November 13.
• Private Website Releases Online Tool Showing Changes in Medicare Part D Plans for 2009: PD-Compare only such tool freely available to the public, says Medicare-PartD.com. Senior Journal, November 13.
• Drug costs for seniors growing: Elderly and disabled people in Medicare prescription drug plans with the largest enrollments will pay 43% more on average in monthly premiums next year than when the drug program began in 2006, and some enrollees will see increases of as much as 329%, two analyses show. USA Today, November 12.

Personal Finance:

• Calls grow to overhaul 401(k) retirement plans: The financial crisis, which has caused a dramatic decline in the value of the average worker's account, has undermined confidence in the system. Los Angeles Times, November 16.
• Reverse Mortgage Rules Change to Allow Senior Citizens to Buy a New Home: Purchase Reverse Mortgage Program allows seniors to purchase a new home, never make a mortgage payment for as long as they live in the home, may require sizable down payment. Senior Journal, November 14.
• Pension check: New rule could change pension payouts for some new retirees. MarketWatch, November 13.
• Withdrawal gains: How to make your money last longer in retirement. MarketWatch, November 12.

Retirement:

• Retirement annuities - Cash for life: A new breed of annuity can help smooth out the uncertainties of retirement. Fortune, November 14.
• How to save your retirement: With the risk to your No. 1 goal growing, you may be wondering what to do now. CNNMoney.com, November 10.
• Rightsizing your retirement: As the stock market sags, retirement savers must revisit their long-term options. Christian Science Monitor, November 10.
• Best retirement moves this year: Whether you are just getting started or fine-tuning your retirement plan, there are several things you can do today to boost your chances of being financially secure in your retirement years. Bankrate.com, November 10.

Caregiving:

• When Families Take Care of Their Own: Relatively little official attention has been paid to those people who provide the overwhelming bulk of services for those who are unable to care for themselves. The New York Times, November 10.

End of Life:

• Keeping a Promise When a Life Is Near Its End: “If something should happen to me, and I couldn’t help myself, would you be willing to help me?” The New York Times, November 10.

Xtra!

• Older adults' sexual desires don't have to fade: New studies on the sex lives of 57- to 85-year-old Americans find that such activity doesn't have to fade with age, but it helps to stay healthy and positive. Los Angeles Times, November 17.
• Florida Vision Test Law: Fewer Traffic Deaths Among Elderly: 2004 legislation appears responsible, but study finds reasons why are more complex. HealthDay, November 11.

Health:

• Once Just a Sign of Aging, Falls Merit Complex Care: For some, a fall sets off a downward spiral of physical and emotional problems that becomes too much to withstand. The New York Times, November 7.
• For Women, Red Flags About a Hip Device: Studies have repeatedly shown a higher failure rate for women who undergo the technique known as hip resurfacing. The New York Times, November 7.
• Too Few Americans Aware of 'Pre-Diabetes': It's when blood sugar levels are rising, but disease can still be prevented, CDC says. HealthDay, November 6.
• Consider Your Age and Gender Before Choosing Hip Resurfacing: Stick with conventional hip replacement if over 55 or female. Senior Journal, November 4.
• Osteoporosis threatens aging men, too: Men have osteoporosis at a rate of about one-half to one-third of women. Indianapolis Star, November 4.
• Know your blood pressure and protect your heart: High blood pressure is truly a silent killer. In fact, a heart attack or stroke may be the first sign that you even have a problem. That's why it's so important to get your blood pressure checked every time you go to the doctor -- especially if you're a woman. CNN.com, November 4.

Medicine:

• Wider cholesterol drug use may save lives: Study might lead far more Americans to consider taking statin drugs. Associated Press, November 9.
• When It Comes to Prescription Drugs, Get Smart: A well-informed consumer will be a healthy one, too. HealthDay, November 5.
• Study Sheds Light on Painkillers' Heart Risk: Cox-2 drugs, like Celebrex, less safe than Cox-1 drugs, like naproxen, study says. HealthDay, November 3.

Mind:

• Vitamin found in poultry, fish holds promise for Alzheimer's: Researchers report that huge doses of an ordinary vitamin appeared to eliminate memory problems in mice with the rodent equivalent of Alzheimer's disease. USA Today, November 7.

Personal Finance:

• Medicaid Picture Changing Rapidly for Senior Citizens Holding Annuities: In many instances, annuities are considered an ‘available asset’ and are counted as part of an applicant’s financial resources. Senior Journal, November 5.
• Try to delay taking required IRA/401(k) distributions: If you have been putting off taking required distributions this year from an IRA or 401(k) because of the plunging stock market, you might want to wait a little longer. Baltimore Sun, November 4.

Retirement:

• Time to rescue America's retirement plans: Add to the list of things Barack Obama must do after he becomes president on Jan. 20: Fix the nation's retirement system and fast. And I'm not talking Social Security. That's the least of our worries. MarketWatch, November 6.
• Obama proposals include retirement plan changes: Retirement initiatives among economic priorities in Obama administration. Associated Press, November 6.
• Retirement, Race and the Next President: We need a national discussion about race and retirement, and here’s why: White households in the United States had a median net worth of $118,300 in 2004, the most recent year for which Federal Reserve data is available—10 times the median net worth of the typical black household, which was just $11,800. SmartMoney, November 3.

Insurance:

• A No-Nonsense Look at Long-Term Care: Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine and the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance are partnering for the first time to offer two Long-Term Care Phone-In Days - Thursday, Nov. 13th and Friday, Nov. 21st from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. Kiplinger’s, November 5.
• AARP questioned on health plans: Some health plans offered by AARP, the older Americans advocacy group, mislead consumers into thinking they're protected from catastrophic health costs but leave them vulnerable to paying tens of thousands of dollars, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, says. USA Today, November 3.
• AARP suspends sales of some health plans: AARP, the advocacy group for older Americans, said Friday it would voluntarily suspend sales of a type of health insurance plan critics say leaves policyholders vulnerable to tens of thousands of dollars in costs. USA Today, November 7.

Work:

• Seniors and retirees step up hunt for jobs in bad economy: Dwindling financial resources are forcing many older people to stay in or return to the workforce. The Associated Press, November 6.

End of Life:

• Delicate Calculus at End of Life: Washington State joined Oregon in legalizing physician-assisted suicide, but for terminal patients and their doctors the questions are growing more difficult. The New York Times, November 6.

Xtra!

• Senior Citizens Were Only Age Group to Support Sen. McCain for President: Historically Democratic voters, senior citizens mysteriously favored McCain by wide margin. Senior Journal, November 5.

Health:

• Digital rectal prostate exam a ritual of doctor-patient bonding, for good and bad: The practice, and its awkwardness, will come less often into play as U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines now advise against it for men age 75 and over. Los Angeles Times, November 3.
• Falls Are Leading Cause of Injury to Seniors: But orthopedists say a home safety review could cut odds of fractures in those over 65. HealthDay, November 2.
• Grapes May Be Ultimate Weapon to Fight High Blood Pressure, Salty Diet and Protect Heart: Research shows grape intake reduces hypertension, signs of heart muscle damage, and improves heart function in lab rats. Senior Journal, October 29.
• Pets have a place in the sickbed: All pet owners and most in the medical community now acknowledge the healing power of animals. Some doctors even write prescriptions giving hospitalized patients access to the pets they left at home. USA Today, October 28.
• Medical Debt Sending Many Over Financial Brink: Experts say soaring health costs and medical crises fuel many foreclosures, bankruptcies. HealthDay, October 28.
• Vitamin E A Flop In Prostate Cancer Trial: Vitamin E And Selenium Fail To Prevent The Disease In Large Clinical Trial. CBS Evening News, October 27.
• Working beyond retirement could be good for you. Or not: As Americans watch years of retirement savings disappear in the stock market collapse, many are having the same thought: Maybe we'll just have to work forever. USA Today, October 27.
• Osteoporosis Meds Linked to Heart Problem: Bisphosphonates may up rate of serious atrial fibrillation, review finds. HealthDay, October 27.
• High-Dose Flu Vaccine Shows Increased Immune Response Among Senior Citizens: Key finding is that the new high-dose vaccine increased the immune responses to all three influenza strains. Senior Journal, October 26.

Medicine:

• A new heads-up for GERD sufferers: Taking PPIs for GERD may cause other health problems. USA Weekend, November 2.
• CVS slashes generic drug costs, escalates price war: Using the products as loss leaders, the drugstore giant will sell 90-day supplies of more than 400 medications for $9.99 and offer discounts for cash-paying patients at its in-store medical clinics. Los Angeles Times, October 31.
• Toviaz Approved by FDA to Treat Overactive Bladder that Plagues Many Older Women: Works by relaxing the smooth muscle tissue of the bladder, reducing the urinary frequency, urge to urinate, and sudden urinary incontinence. Senior Journal, October 31.
• Osteoporosis Meds Linked to Heart Problem: Bisphosphonates may up rate of serious atrial fibrillation, review finds. HealthDay, October 27.

Mind:

• Doctor says an oil lessened Alzheimer's effects on her husband: After two weeks of taking coconut oil, Steve Newport's results in an early onset Alzheimer's test gradually improved. St. Petersburg Times, October 29.

Medicare:

• Medicare drug plan spending drops $6B in 2008: In a rare bit of good news for taxpayers, the cost of the Medicare prescription drug program fell $6 billion this year — savings driven by the widespread use of low-cost generic drugs. USA Today, October 31.

Personal Finance:

• Tax strategies for retirement savers: With many retirement accounts in the tank this year, presidential candidates and other lawmakers have called for all sorts of measures aimed at helping people pick up the pieces of their broken nest eggs. MarketWatch, October 29.
• More companies may end 401(k) match: As the economic slump deepens, more companies are expected to join General Motors in suspending matches of contributions to their employees' 401(k) retirement accounts. USA Today, October 28.
• The biggest raise you'll ever get: The upside to an empty nest. Much fuller pockets. Make sure you don't blow the windfall. Money Magazine, October 27.
• 5 Questions to Ask Your Financial Planner: This is a great time to assess the help you've been getting from your financial planner. Everyone's been losing money, so you shouldn't be unnecessarily harsh on your planner just for having a negative return. Kiplinger’s, October 27.

Retirement:

• How Not To Retire: After working as a general contractor for 25 years, Michael Spark has spent the last two years of retirement doing exactly what he loves: teaching kids how to sail near his home on the Jersey shore and being town council president. Forbes.com, November 1.
• Ease Into Retirement: For some people, retirement is a long-awaited respite from a job they never liked. For others, it's the chance to do all those things they never seemed to have time for earlier in life. Motley Fool, October 30.
• Reverse Mortgages Get Better: New rules allow seniors to borrow more and even buy a new home. Kiplinger's, October 29.

Caregiving:

• Plan Early for Moving an Elderly Parent: If you have an elderly parent or other loved one, you probably know you may one day have to move him or her away from home. TheStreet.com, October 29.
• Caring for Aging Loved Ones Can Be a Catch-22: Journalist Gail Sheehy's painful passage through U.S. health system echoes that of many caregivers. HealthDay, October 27.

End of Life:

• Hospices Use a New Path Toward the Secular: More and more, ministering to the terminally ill in hospice care is likely to be nonsectarian. The New York Times, October 28.
• Seniors Tend to Stick With End-of-Life Care Preferences: Study found desires remained essentially unchanged over 3-year period. HealthDay, October 27.

Xtra!

• Is 100 the New 80?: Centenarians Studied to Find the Secret of Longevity. Scientific American, October 28.

Health:

• Salt and high blood pressure - new concerns raised: For years, Americans have heard, and largely ignored, urgings to cut salt intake to lower blood pressure. Some experts say it's time to get tough. Los Angeles Times, October 27.
• Chronic Constipation in Senior Citizens Topic for New Training for Health Care Practitioners: American Society of Consultant Pharmacists launches E-IMPACCAT and ElderlyConstipation.org. Senior Journal, October 23.
• Picking Up Good Vibrations (With Limitations): Hearing aids provide many benefits, but they do not restore hearing to normal, and that is a tough lesson to learn for many people who use them. The New York Times, October 22.
• Doctors Often Prescribe Placebo Treatments: Real drugs used for psychological effect, survey reveals. HealthDay, October 23.
• Being Physically Active Reduces Stroke Damage, Speeds Recover for Senior Citizens: The most active of these seniors – average age 68 - also had a better chance of long-term recovery. Senior Journal, October 22.

Medicine:

• Drug Improves Outcomes for Gout Patients: Study says pegloticase viable treatment for those who've run out of options. HealthDay, October 26.
• In Sour Economy, Some Scale Back on Medications: As people respond to hard times by juggling the cost of necessities, drugs sometimes have to wait. The New York Times, October 21.

Mind:

• More Alzheimer’s Risk Factors for Hispanics, Studies Suggest: A significant number of Hispanics appear to be getting Alzheimer’s earlier, according to recent medical studies. The New York Times, October 20.
• ALS, Alzheimer's Insights Could Improve Treatment: But each discovery awaits testing in humans, experts note. HealthDay, October 20.

Medicare:

• Caution urged for Medicare beneficiaries as they weigh private health care plans: Every fall, Medicare beneficiaries are bombarded with sales brochures for private health care plans that promise more benefits and lower bills than they get in traditional Medicare. The Dallas Morning News, October 21.
• Medicare's Costly Doughnut Hole: Seniors dread this time of year, when they run out of Medicare drug coverage and have to pay out of pocket. Some just stop taking their drugs. BusinessWeek, October 27.

Personal Finance:

• Got enough to retire? Think again: If you've enjoyed a prosperous working life, don't count on finding big savings once it ends. Money Magazine, October 24.
• The 4 mistakes older Americans make: Misguided financial decisions can put your retirement in harm's way. MarketWatch, October 22.
• A Strategy for Retirement Portfolios That Have Sagged: If your retirement assets took a beating in the recent stock market decline, converting a traditional I.R.A. to a Roth I.R.A. may be one of the best tax strategies this year. The New York Times, October 22.
• 5 Things Retirees Should Do Now: Steps to help you protect your retirement savings both now and in the future. Kiplinger’s, October 20.

Investing:

• Age-specific investment advice: Whether you are just starting out or already in retirement, you may not be comfortable with recent market swings. That means your risk tolerance likely is low. Bankrate.com, October 22.

Social Security:

• You Can Have Your Benefits and Defer Them, Too: Under a little-known part of the law, retirees who start collecting Social Security benefits can change their minds and start over later, reaping higher payments. The New York Times, October 22.

Caregiving:

• Helpful Hints on Caregiving, Long-Term Care Offered Free Online by MetLife: Produced with National Alliance for Caregiving for Long-Term Care Awareness Month. Senior Journal, October 24.
• Prepare For Elder Care: With at least one in four households providing care to an older loved one, the emotional, social and financial effects are spread far and wide. Forbes, October 22.
• Hi, Mom ... Goodbye, Retirement: Hard times force more Americans to delay retirement to care for aging parents. Associated Press, October 22.

Volunteering:

• Volunteers Go Into the Wild: Across the country, 50-, 60- and 70-somethings are increasingly opting to volunteer in state and national parks after careers often spent in hectic jobs. The New York Times, October 22.

Work:

• U.S. financial crisis adds pressure to keep working: With stock portfolios shrinking in recent weeks, and house values sinking over the past year, many older Americans still on the job say they see no end in sight. Reuters, October 23.
• Working Longer as Jobs Contract: As pensions shrink and layoffs loom, older employees are caught in the middle. Many must rethink or postpone their retirement. The New York Times, October 22.

Xtra!

• Where Presidential Campaigns Stand on Senior Citizen Issues Found on Websites: Fairly distinct difference can be found in presentations by Obama and McCain campaigns. Senior Journal, October 21.
• Suicide Rates Rise Among Baby Boomers: Middle-aged white women at increasing risk, study finds. HealthDay, October 21.

Health:

• Fighting Melanoma in the Mirror: Spotting cancerous moles on your own is difficult, unproved, seldom practiced and just might save your life. The New York Times, October 18.
• Rethinking Prostate Cancer in Older Men: Research suggests aggressive treatment is viable, even for patients in their late 70s. HealthDay, October 17.
• Aspirin Doesn't Prevent First Heart Attack, Stroke: Study contradicts current recommendations; expert suggests change. HealthDay, October 16.
• Drinking Alcohol May Protect Hearts in Older People but It Shrinks Their Brains: The more alcohol consumed, the smaller the total brain volume; stronger in women. Senior Journal, October 13.
• Blood Pressure on the Rise in America: More people being treated for hypertension than ever before, study finds. HealthDay, October 13.

Medicine:

• FDA Introduces New Web Page with Links to Key Safety Information on Prescription Drugs: Senior citizens may find it useful avoid drug errors and dangerous drugs. Senior Journal, October 17.
• Vioxx's Heart Risk Lingered Long After Use Ended: Some danger may come with other NSAID pain relievers, experts say. HealthDay, October 13.

Mind:

• Aerobics Can Reverse Mental Decline in Older Adults: Review of studies shows workouts that leave a person breathless boost brain tissue volume. HealthDay, October 16.
• Vitamin B No Help for Alzheimer's: Reducing homocysteine levels doesn't slow cognitive decline, study finds. HealthDay, October 14.
• Surfing the Web Stimulates Older Brains: Web-Savvy Baby Boomers, Seniors Plumb More Regions of the Brain During Internet Searches. WebMD Health News, October 14.
• Alzheimer’s offspring confront their own risk: Heredity, genetics make disease more likely, but how much isn't clear. MSNBC, October 13.

Medicare:

• Free Flu Shots Just One of the Preventive Services Covered by Medicare: Medicare Rights Center offers free one-on-one counseling over the phone about Medicare's preventive services. Senior Journal, October 15.

Personal Finance:

• The Pitfalls of a 401(k) Loan: Borrowing from your nest egg is a dicey move and could sap your savings. Kiplinger's, October 17.
• Don't Panic. Don't Stop Saving: When the Going Gets Rough, the Nest Egg Looks Especially Fragile. The Washington Post, October 15.
• Shore up your retirement plans: Here's how to rebuild your own future while the Feds bail out the big boys. You may even find some opportunities to build a better retirement in the current turmoil. Reuters, October 15.
• 3 Ways the Economic Crisis Is Destroying Baby Boomer Retirement: Here's how to cope with stock market declines, falling home prices, and the credit crunch. U.S. News and World Report, October 14.

Retirement:

• Middle-class Americans' retirement at risk: Traditional pension plans are disappearing in the private sector. Workers aren't saving enough in their voluntary 401(k) accounts. Longer life spans are stretching savings even thinner. Social Security remains under stress. Furthermore, all that was going on before retirement plans lost $2 trillion in the recent stock market dive. USA Today, October 18.
• Retirement-Plan Reality Check: The ups and downs in the stock market have dealt a blow to most people's retirement accounts. But while short-term fluctuations may be stressful, they won't necessarily derail long-terms goals. TheStreet.com, October 16.
• Will You Retire? New Economic Realities Keep More Americans In the Workforce Longer. The Washington Post, October 15.

Social Security:

• Candidates' Social Security plans lack details: Social Security's future: Obama would tax higher incomes more, McCain favors private accounts. Associated Press, October 18.
• Social Security Benefits Rising by 5.8%: Social Security benefits for 50 million people will go up 5.8 percent next year, the largest increase in more than a quarter century. Associated Press, October 16.

Grandparenting:

• 3 Tax-Friendly Ways to Pay Grandkids' Tuition: If you want to help with a grandchild’s college expenses, that’s awfully nice of you. Just make sure you do it in a tax-smart fashion. Smart Money, October 15.

Technology:

• Robots and sensors to help elderly stay independent: Someday soon, older adults may not need to move into nursing homes because they'll have a household of technological wonders to keep an eye on them when they become frail. The Dallas Morning News, October 13.

Housing:

• Delicate Debate Urged Over Withdrawal of Life Support: Gradual steps may benefit families but not the patient, and doctors need to communicate that more, study suggests. HealthDay, October 16.
• Baby boomer deaths could fuel funeral industry: Beyond the convention center filled with glistening hearses, beyond the rows of perfectly arranged caskets and bottles of embalming fluid, funeral directors await perhaps their greatest windfall ever: The death of the baby boom generation. Associated Press, October 16.

Xtra!

• Back to the future - living with your adult child: The kids are out of the house, your office building is a faded memory, and you've got lots of time and space all to yourself. Those are some of the purest joys of retirement. But a sudden change in circumstances could have you considering whether to live with one of your adult children once again. Bankrate.com, October 14.
• Eons.com Loses Some of Its Baby Boomer Optimism: An Eons.com Member Survey Reflects a Suddenly Bleak Outlook. Associated Content, October 13.

Health:

• The Future Of Health Now: New procedures and tools are revolutionizing medicine. Parade, October 12.
• John McCain, Barack Obama on healthcare: How workable are the presidential candidates' health reform plans? Here's a summary of their proposals and a list of online resources for more information. Los Angeles Times, October 12.
• A Vaccine as an Option to Keep Shingles at Bay: The shingles vaccine is approved for use in people 60 and older, though younger people may benefit too. The New York Times, October 10.
• Economic Crisis Takes Toll on Emotional Health: Experts seeing more cases of sleeplessness, anxiety, but they offer tips for coping. HealthDay, October 8.
• New Physical Activity Guidelines Say Seniors Should Try to Keep Up with Younger Adults: Adults – including senior citizens – need two and a half hours a week of aerobic physical activity, says Health & Human Services. Senior Journal, October 7.
• Doctors try to guide active boomers wearing out joint replacements: One in 75 patients who gets a knee or hip replaced must get it replaced again within three years, new research finds. Associated Press, October 6.
• Colon cancer screenings can stop after age 75, task force says: Most people over 75 should stop getting routine colon cancer tests, according to a government health task force that also rejected the latest X-ray screening technology. Associated Press, October 6.

Medicine:

• Aspirin, ibuprofen may cut breast cancer risk: Can taking aspirin or ibuprofen reduce your risk of getting breast cancer? One of the largest studies of its kind suggests that the answer might be yes. CNN, October 8.
• Vitamin C May Help Old Men Maintain Stronger Bones, Fight Osteoporosis: Did not see significant effects of vitamin C intake on bone in old women. Senior Journal, October 8.

Mind:

• Forgetting an Appointment or Name of Friend is Not Necessarily the Beginning of Dementia: Maybe there are just too many things to remember for the size of your brain. Senior Journal, October 8.

Medicare:

• Medicare Drug Plan Data for 2009 Now Available Online for Senior Citizens to View Options: Open enrollment is Nov. 15 through Dec. 31 – Links below to key information at Medicare. Senior Journal, October 10.
• Medicare drug options shrink for low-income: Low-income beneficiaries in Medicare's prescription drug program have fewer plans to choose from next year in every state except Wisconsin, raising concerns among advocates that millions will be forced to change plans — and may find skimpier coverage. USA Today, October 8.
• Senior Citizen May Get a Shock When They See Medicare Drug Plan Premiums for 2009: Medicare administrator urges every senior to check their plan and other options. Senior Journal, October 8.
• Medicare expands its crackdown on fraud: Acting Medicare chief Kerry Weems on Monday announced new efforts to combat fraud in seven states, focusing on companies that improperly provide patients with medical equipment such as wheelchairs and oxygen supplies. USA Today October 7.

Personal Finance:

• Across the Country, Fear About Savings, the Job Market and Retirement: As the market continued its steep slide, many Americans say they are sensing losses beyond the short-term hits to their portfolios. The New York Times, Octoner 11.
• Protecting Your Retirement Savings in Volatile Times: Wall Street's eight-day losing streak has wreaked further havoc on people's retirement accounts. Investors have lost a stunning $2 trillion in their retirement savings over the past 15 months, according to Congress's top budget analyst. SmartMoney, October 10.
• The ins and outs of reverse mortgages: For homeowners 62 years and older, a reverse mortgage may seem like an excellent way to tap into home equity, generating much-needed retirement income. After all, the loan typically doesn't have to be repaid as long as the last surviving borrower lives in the home or until the home is sold. Bankrate.com, October 10.
• Inflation brings bigger benefit, and higher expenses: Social Security recipients to get benefit hike soon, but steep costs eat up checks. MarketWatch, October 8.
• Americans' retirement accounts lost $2 trillion in past 15 months: The upheaval that has engulfed the financial industry and sent the stock market plummeting is devastating workers' savings, forcing people to hold off on major purchases and consider delaying their retirement, said Peter Orszag, the head of the Congressional Budget Office. Associated Press, October 7.
• How to Find a Financial Planner: 6 steps to help you avoid swindlers and find a qualified adviser. U.S. News and World Report, October.

Retirement:

• Retirement Wreck: For many Americans, 401(k) plans were supposed to be their own little golden parachutes into retirement. Now, it seems, those parachutes may not open in time. Washington Post, October 12.
• 10 Great Places to Retire for Democrats and Republicans: Some retirees want to live among members of their own political party. U.S. News and World Report, October 8.

Investing:

• Panic Creates Sale of the Millennium: The markets have been hit by the financial equivalent of a neutron bomb. It has left the companies standing, but destroyed the value of the shares that represent their businesses. TheStreet.com, October 10.
• As Market Falls, Start Making Plans: It's amazing how easily fear overcomes resolution, and how easily long-term investors turn into panicked sellers in a market decline. TheStreet.com, October 6.

Social Security:

• Time works against candidates on Social Security, Medicare fixes: Social Security and Medicare long have been considered the nation's fiscal time bombs, and the ticking is getting louder. McClatchy Newspapers, October 10.

Caregiving:

• The honeymoon's over -- Mom and Dad need you: In 2004, the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP reported that over 44 million Americans care for an adult family member or friend. Almost 80 percent of these are caring for someone older than 50. CNN.com, October 9.

Technology:

• Senior Citizens Will Love this Website that Provides Free Medical Diagnosis: Virtual doc conducts an interview, analyzes symptoms, and provides “expert” advice. Senior Journal, October 6.

End of Life:

• Patients Benefit From End-of-Life Discussions With a Doctor: Less likely to feel distress, more likely to enjoy better quality of life, study finds. HealthDay, October 7.

Xtra!

• For older voters, too, a call for change: Support among seniors appears evenly split in nationwide polls. Obama and McCain each garnered 47 percent support from likely voters 65 and older in an AP-Yahoo News poll conducted Sept. 5 to 15. Associated Press, October 10.
• Seniors embrace green ways: Economizing is important to retirees living on fixed incomes — even those in more affluent areas — but so is preserving the planet for their grandkids. USA Today, October 8.
• In ‘Sweetie’ and ‘Dear,’ a Hurt for the Elderly: Studies find that speaking to older people in the belittling style known as elderspeak can have health consequences. The New York Times, October 6.

Health:

• Acid reflux disease hits Americans hard: A jump in obesity may explain why about 60% experience occasional reflux symptoms. An array of medication may also be exacerbating the problem. Los Angeles Times, October 6.
• It's a Whole New Outlook for Cataract Patients: Simple surgeries, superior replacement lenses give many remarkable vision. HealthDay, October 3.
• For senior citizens, how effective are flu shots? Scientists challenge previous studies. Los Angeles Times, September 29.
• Popular supplements ineffective against arthritis: The second part of a long-awaited study of how well the dietary supplements glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate slow cartilage loss in patients with arthritis reaches the same conclusion as the first part: The pills didn't work. USA Today, September 29.
• You Can Find Dr. Right, With Some Effort: Most people wouldn’t buy a new car without checking consumer ratings, but they still rely largely on word of mouth to select a physician. The New York Times, September 29.
• You’re Sick. Now What? Knowledge Is Power: Are patients swimming in a sea of health information? Or are they drowning in it? The New York Times, September 29.
• Osteoarthritis solutions: Good news on bad knees: There's a lot you can do to prevent or treat this increasingly common problem. USA Today, September 29.
• Applying Science to Alternative Medicine: While sweeping claims are often made for alternative medicine treatments, the scientific evidence for them often lags behind. The New York Times, September 29.
• Heart patients should be screened for depression: Depression is about three times more common in heart attack survivors and those hospitalized with heart problems than the general population, according to the recommendations published in the journal Circulation. Associated Press, September 29.

Medicare:

• Medicare Won’t Pay for Medical Errors: Medicare will stop paying hospitals for the added costs of treating patients who are injured in their care. The New York Times, September 30.

Personal Finance:

• Retirement savings: Regroup or ride it out? Jitters about retirement savings have mushroomed as the Wall Street crisis has grown ever more ominous. During the first week of the meltdown last month, $411 million in 401(k) money was moved into fixed-income funds, including stable value, bonds and money market funds, according to Hewitt Associates. USA Today, October 3.
• Stock losses take heavy toll on retirement savings: So close and yet so far. It's a frustration being felt by Americans who thought the finish line to their working life was almost in sight. Associated Press, October 1.
• Retirees Scaling Back: Yes, retirees need to rein in their spending. But it's not as dire as the headlines might indicate. SmartMoney Magazine, September 30.

Retirement:

• Hard Times Wreak Havoc On Retirements: Nation's Financial Crisis Making It Harder For Retirees To Ease Into Golden Years. CBS News, October 4.
• Tapping a Portfolio in a Bear Market: New retirees should reduce withdrawals if they want their investments to last a lifetime. Kiplinger's, October 1.
• Calculate Retirement With Confidence: An annual survey released shortly after the collapse of investment bank Bear Stearns earlier this year noted that fewer workers and retirees were confident about saving enough for a comfortable retirement. TheStreet.com, September 30.

Caregiving:

• Choosing Long-Term Care: Advice From an Expert: For many of us, elderly parents and adult children alike, nothing is more complicated or consequential than understanding the differences between the many available permutations of long-term care, choosing which is most appropriate for our families and figuring out how to pay for it. New York Times, September 29.

Xtra!

• Report Compares Health-Care Platforms of Presidential Candidates: Commonwealth Fund says both want to widen availability of health insurance, but by vastly different means. HealthDay, October 2.
• Seniors Need to Act Now to Get $40 Discount on TV Converter Box for New Digital Signals: Commerce Department says orders should be made before end of year as broadcast TV becomes digital only on February 17. Senior Journal, October 1.
• Violations Reported at 94% of Nursing Homes: More than 90 percent of nursing homes were cited for violations of federal health and safety standards last year, and for-profit homes were more likely to have problems than other types of nursing homes, federal investigators say in a report issued on Monday. The New York Times, September 29.

Health:

• More Americans need flu shot: Far too few Americans get their flu shots each winter, the government is warning as it calls for a record number to line up for inoculations this year. Associated Press, September 24.
• Big culprit for allergies? Evidence points to global change: If you have respiratory allergies, you have an environmental problem: There's something in the air that makes you sniffle, sneeze, stuff up or wheeze. USA Today, September 22.
• Low Thyroid Function Linked to Heart Failure Risk: Researchers pinpoint what level signals danger. HealthDay, September 22.
• Acupuncture Eases Breast Cancer Treatment Side Effects: Ancient therapy bested antidepressant for relieving hot flashes in study. HealthDay, September 22.

Medicine:

• Stroke drug helps, even if given later: Stroke sufferers can still benefit from clot-busting medicine even if they receive it an hour or so beyond the current three-hour window after symptoms start, an important new study suggests. Associated Press, September 25.
• Gene-targeted drug could help heart patients: A drug touted as the first gene-targeted heart therapy reduced hospitalizations and deaths when given to heart failure patients with a specific genetic profile, researchers said Monday. USA Today, September 23.
• Drugs for Alzheimer’s Disease Found to Slow Cognitive Decline: ‘The results of this study should change the way we treat patients with Alzheimer's disease’ - treatment might even protect brain cells from further damage. Senior Journal, September 22.

Medicare:

• Seniors Not Quite Embracing Generic Drugs: Seniors who switch between low-cost generic drugs and the original products based on who's footing the bill are likely driving up the cost of the government's Medicare drug plan, according to a new study. Associated Press, September 25.
• Medicare Warns of Part D Changes: Seniors Urged to Check Their 2009 Drug Coverage. WebMD Health News, September 25.
• Average Medicare Drug Plan to Cost $3 More in 2009 but Lower Price Options Available to Most: National average monthly premium for basic drug benefit in 2009 projected to average $28; Medicare Advantage available to all. Senior Journal, September 25.
• One of Four Seniors Who Used Medicare Drug Program in 2007 Fell into ‘Donut Hole’: Many who fell in just stopped taking their prescription drugs. Senior Journal, September 21.

Personal Finance:

• Retirees ‘going through hell’ with declining markets, housing crisis: As asset values continue to fall, those 60 or older need bailout plan to work, analysts say. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, September 25.
• Time to reconsider rules-of-thumb: Don't panic, but re-evaluate conventional retirement-plan strategies. MarketWatch, September 24.
• About to Retire -- and My Money's Vanishing! Wow, the markets sure have been ugly lately. So ugly, in fact, that many advisors have been telling 401(k) investors to just walk away for awhile. Stop watching the news, don't check your balance, find something else to focus on for a bit. Motley Fool, September 24.
• Retirees Filling the Front Line in Market Fears: Older Americans with investments are among the hardest hit by the turmoil in the financial markets and have the least opportunity to recover. The New York Times, September 22.
• 55 and haven't saved a dime? Yikes: No doubt about it, your late start on building a retirement is going to cost you. But don't panic. You still have these 10 options for padding your golden years. MSN Money, September 22.
• The golden years have lost their glow: With home values down, costs up and their 401(k)s declining, some seniors have had to rethink retirement. Los Angeles Times, September 21.

Retirement:

• To retire comfortably, it all boils down to time: Everyone knows that wannabe retirees are in a bind today as they consider whether they have the financial security to make the leap. Shrinking nest eggs, nagging inflation, stagnant wages, vanishing pensions, dubious advice and runaway health care costs are among the obstacles that can block a retiree's escape route. USA Today, September 22.
• America's Best Healthy Places to Retire: U.S. News writers profile 10 healthy retirement spots around the country. September 18.

Social Security:

• Prop up your dwindling retirement account balance: Jean Chatzky on how to get the most from Social Security benefits. NBC Today show, September 26.
• Saving Social Security and Medicare: The cost: There are only two cures. Higher taxes or lower benefits. Be prepared for both. Money Magazine, September 23.

Grandparenting:

• Grandparents’ Gifts Selections May Be Helped by Toy Insider’s Top 20 Toys for Holidays: Full guide to be published in November Red Book; on stands October 16. Senior Journal, September 25.

• Helping Your Parent to a New Life: How one family eased mom's transition to a retirement community. Kiplinger's, October 2008.

Volunteering:

• The next generation of willing and ready volunteers - baby boomers: Enlisting even a fraction of them to volunteer would be a boon for the US. Christian Science Monitor, September 25.

Work:

• Retiring where the jobs are: With more people planning to work in their retirement years, choosing where to live increasingly means checking out the local job market. A new AARP job site can help. Fortune, September 22.

Xtra!

• Who will inherit your retirement account? Financial planners say it happens all too frequently: a person dies unexpectedly leaving ex-spouses or relatives they haven't seen in years large chunks of money because they hadn't updated their retirement plans or life insurance policies. Associated Press, September 26.
• More parents move in with kids: The number of parents, siblings and other relatives who live with adult heads of households grew 42% from 2000 to 2007, according to data released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau. USA Today, September 23.

Health:

• Osteoporosis, osteopenia screening and prevention are best done when we're older: Most healthy women can wait until they are 65 to be checked for bone loss instead of 50. Drug therapy, its long-term effects unknown, can also wait. The Los Angeles Times, September 22.
• Keeping tabs on blood pressure at home: Don't leave blood pressure checks to the professionals. Doctors now want you to do it yourself. The Los Angeles Times, September 22.
• Large study backs effectiveness of 'virtual' colonoscopies: "Virtual" colonoscopies are about as reliable as more invasive procedures for finding cancer and polyps, according to the largest study of its kind, published in today's New England Journal of Medicine. USA Today, September 18.
• Relaxation Tapes or Mozart Lower Blood Pressure: Approaches could supplement other therapies to treat the condition, study says. HealthDay, September 17.
• Ancient, but How Safe? LIKE many people these days, Lori Potter, a 50-year-old massage therapist living on Kauai, Hawaii, has explored alternative healing for everything from headaches to skin problems. So when she wanted to boost her immune system and lower her stress levels a few years ago, she made an appointment with a visiting practitioner of ayurveda, a medical system that originated in India thousands of years ago and has gained wide popularity in the United States. The New York Times, September 17.
• One of Three Older Women Suffer with Incontinence As Do One-Quarter of All Women: By the time women become 80 about half battle these pelvic floor disorders. Senior Journal, September 16.
• Consumer Ads for Medical Devices Subject of Senate Panel: As makers of medical devices like artificial knees and heart stents increasingly pitch their products directly to consumers, some lawmakers, medical groups and others are calling for restrictions on such advertisements, claiming they mislead patients. The New York Times, September 16.
• Alternative treatments serve a patient's mind, body and spirit: The American Hospital Association says today that 37% of hospitals around the USA make complementary and alternative treatments available — including acupuncture, touch therapy, and music and art therapy. USA Today, September 15.
• Most Women With Osteoporosis Unaware of Raised Fracture Risk: But lifestyle changes can lower risk, researchers note. HealthDay, September 15.

Medicine:

• New Help for Seniors to Find Better, Wiser Drug Deals Provided by Pharmacy Benefit Managers: Offering tools to find low-cost generic drugs, adhere to drug regimens and increase consumer choice. Senior Journal, September 18.
• Pfizer launches new website on medication safety: The world's biggest drug company is taking a crack at making that easier with a new website on medication safety — unusual in an industry often criticized as using marketing practices that oversell drug benefits and downplay risks. Associated Press, September 15.

Mind:

• Simple Blood Test Could Spot Alzheimer's Risk: Levels of amyloid beta peptide increase before, decrease after disease presents, study says. HealthDay, September 19.
• Forgetting: Is It Aging or Alzheimer's? How do you know what's normal (like forgetting your keys) and when things are growing more serious? U.S. News and World Report, September 19.

Medicare:

• No rise in monthly Medicare premiums for 2009: The monthly premium for the vast majority of the elderly and disabled participating in Medicare will hold steady at $96.40 next year. It's the first time since 2000 that the charge for health coverage is not increasing. Associated Press, September 19.
• Senate Bill Would End Practice of Placing Social Security Numbers on Medicare Cards: Durbin, Bingaman, Kohl introduce bill to protect Medicare card holders from identity theft. Senior Journal, September 17.
• Seniors in Medicare drug program's 'doughnut hole' seek relief from high costs: It's "doughnut hole season," when Medicare beneficiaries who had been accustomed to low co-payments suddenly reach the gap in their drug coverage and bear the full cost of their medications. The Dallas Morning News, September 15.

Personal Finance:

• What to do if your broker fails: There is a system in place to protect your portfolio - at least a good chunk of it. CNNMoney.com, September 15.

Retirement:

• No Longer Ready to Retire: In Economic Crisis, Nest Eggs Vanish, as Do Long-Held Dreams. Washington Post, September 21.
• Home is where the nest egg is: Dramatic drop in home values will crimp some homeowners' retirement plans. MarketWatch, September 17,
• Best Places to Retire 2008 - Healthiest Places Edition: For our second annual list of great places to retire, we asked readers to tell us about their personal retirement haven. Here are 10 additional retirement gems worth a look. U.S. News and World Report, September 15.
• To retire early, you must get this move right: You're not ready to go until you've lined up health coverage. This six-step plan can help. Money Magazine, September 15.

Social Security:

• Largest Social Security COLA Increase in Over 25 Years May Greet Senior Citizens in 2009: Current trends indicate it will be over 6% and largest cost-of-living adjustment since 1982; announcement due next month. Senior Journal, September 15.

Caregiving:

• Medicare Reaches Out to Caregivers: Medicare's new site for caregivers.The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has launched a new site for caregivers. The New York Times, September 18.

Volunteering:

• New push to increase volunteer service: Nearly half of older Americans say they're motivated by staying healthy, active. MarketWatch, September 18.

Work:

• Here's a Plan: Work Longer: Boomers say that they're ready to retire later and work in retirement. Good thing. Forbes Magazine, September 29.

Xtra!

• Happy 113th birthday for world's oldest man: Japanese ex-civil servant loves veggies, milk, fried shrimp but not alcohol. Reuters, September 18.
• ‘Invisible And Overlooked’: A growing population of lesbian and gay senior citizens seeks recognition for their unique needs and challenges. Newsweek, September 18.
• Silver Alerts help track wandering seniors: States experiment with programs for finding lost Alzheimer’s patients. MSNBC, September 15.

Health:

• Too Few People Know Symptoms of Heart Trouble: And that lack of knowledge could cost you your life. HealthDay, September 13.
• Changes in Seniors' Sleep Patterns Need Attention: Disrupted rest lasting more than 2 weeks should be brought up with doctor, expert says. HealthDay, September 13.
• Calcium Calculator Now Online to Help Senior Citizens Fight Osteoporosis, Bone Breaks: People who are physically active and get enough calcium can strengthen their bones - even in old age. Senior Journal, September 12.
• A Study Revives a Debate on Arthritis Knee Surgery: A study has found that surgery is no better than more conservative treatment to relieve knee pain caused by arthritis. The New York Times, September 10.
• Few on general internist path: Medical students are shying away from careers in general internal medicine, which could exacerbate the U.S. doctor shortage expected by the time the youngest Baby Boomers head into their senior years, researchers report today. USA Today, September 10.
• Hard to swallow: Americans are spending millions on vitamin and mineral supplements that might not do their bodies good. Baltimore Sun, September 8.
• Elderly Women Increase Their Risk of Falling with Less Than Five Hours Sleep: About one-third of adults older than age 65 experience falls each year. Senior Journal, September 8.
• Pre-diabetes is worth treating: Millions of Americans fall in between normal blood glucose levels and diabetic. Treatment, including exercise, better diet and weight loss, may prevent the full-on disease. The LA Times, September 8.
• Common Painkillers Like Aspirin Seem to Lower PSA Level that Predicts Prostate Cancer: Not enough data to say that men who took the medications were less likely to get prostate cancer. Senior Journal, September 8.
• New Website to Improve Pain Patients' Communications with Healthcare Pros: Let's Talk Pain formed by new coalition of to pain organizations. Senior Journal, September 8.

Medicine:

• Drugs in drinking water of more Americans: From anti-convulsant to cholesterol medication, drugs are getting into tap water through human waste and people flushing old prescriptions. USA Today, September 12.
• FDA posts list of drugs under investigation: The list names medications under investigation and the potential issue for each. CNN, September 8.

Mind:

• Vitamin B12 Key to Aging Brain: Deficiency led to more brain shrinkage, study shows. HealthDay, September 8.

Medicare:

• Original Medicare or Medicare Private Health Plan? Do You Have the Right One? Open enrollment period allows senior citizens to change their Medicare plan. Senior Journal, Sept. 13.
• Senior Citizen Advocates Say Medicare Information Phone Line Must Be Fixed: Thursday hearing of the Senate Special Committee on Aging focuses on 1-800-Medicare. Senior Journal, September 12.
• The ABCs of Filling Medicare Gaps: Choosing among the dozen private Medigap insurance plans can be difficult. Kiplinger's, September 9.

Personal Finance:

• How much do you know about IRAs? Many people seem unaware how useful IRAs can be as savings vehicles. MarketWatch, September 10.
• Retire without taxes: Only one savings plan gives you the chance to free yourself from taxes in retirement. Are you making the most of it? Money Magazine, September 9.
• Need money? You could tap your 401(k): Breaking open the 401(k) plan piggy bank can be tempting if you're in a financial jam. And it appears that more Americans are giving in -- jeopardizing their futures to meet current financial needs. Bankrate.com, September 9.
• Coping with a late-career bear market: The perfect plan. Hoping to retire in seven years, the Smiths wonder if they'll have time to recover from the market downturn. CNNMoney.com, September 9.

Retirement:

• 6 terrific towns on the water: Many baby boomers dream of retiring somewhere by the water. These half-dozen places are on a lake, a river or an ocean - yet they won't sink your retirement budget. Money, September 10.
• Study - Impact of housing bubble on retirement: A look at study on how the housing bubble affected retirement security. The Associated Press, September 9.
• Danger - Bumpy retirement ahead: For decades you worked hard, earned a competitive salary, lived within your means and faithfully socked money away in your 401(k). Yet here you are in your fifties or sixties, and suddenly your retirement dream has turned into a nightmare. Money Magazine, September 9.
• Early retirement? Why it pays to stay: Companies are dangling buyouts before older workers, but the packages are rarely enough to support their lifestyles. CNNMoney.com, September 8.
• The Top 50 U.S. Cities for Seniors: Survey ranks U.S. cities for senior living and lifestyle benefits. About.com, September 8.

Social Security:

• Marriage and Social Security Benefits: Millions of couples blissfully say "I do" each year with perhaps only a fleeting thought of eventually retiring with their beloved. But married couples should pause to consider the array of Social Security options they have that their single counterparts don't. USNews.com, September 11.

Grandparenting:

• Grandparents take on parenthood, again: Grandparents feel stress from financial demands as parents for the second time. CNN, September 8.

Housing:

• New homes focus on senior-friendly features: States and cities worried about where the growing number of senior citizens will live when they're older are starting to ask that all new homes be built to accommodate the elderly. USA Today, September 10.

Technology:

• Senior Citizens Offered 15 Percent Discount on Help With Digital Equipment Installation: Zip Express sends someone to help with TV, digital camera or computer. Senior Journal, September 11.

Xtra!

• Older voters could be pivotal in presidential election: The most important voters in close races are the ones that candidates can count on to show up on Election Day – and seniors may just become the new "soccer moms" in this presidential election. The Dallas Morning News, September 13.
• Spiffy new convertibles target new crop of Baby Boomers: Nothing shouts midlife crisis like a convertible — and automakers are rolling out new models to appeal to Baby Boomers hitting prime time. USA Today, September 12.
• Clothing stores rediscover Boomers: In recent years, as more middle-age women have tried to dress more youthfully, retailers have been flummoxed about how to respond. Most have floundered in their bid to attract those who don't want to dress like either their daughters or their mothers. USA Today, September 12.
• How to Deal with Cranky Senior Citizens is Topic of Online Discussion: Be aware that many things in society are not easy for elderly citizens, says wikihow.com. Senior Journal, September 8.

Health:

• Omega-3s - Mixed Findings for Elderly: Possible Longevity and Dementia Benefits, but Maybe No Mood Boost for Seniors Who Aren't Depressed. WebMD Health News, September 5.
• Stress Does Appear to Accelerate Aging – At Least in Males: Both sexes found to live shorter lives in stressful environment. Senior Journal, September 3.
• Health care costs expected to rise 5.7% in '09: Get ready for another hike in copays and deductibles. Associated Press, September 4.
• Blood calcium tied to lethal prostate cancer: Men with elevated levels of calcium in their blood may have a much higher risk of getting fatal prostate cancer, U.S. researchers said on Wednesday. Reuters, September 3.
• Study Confirms Older Americans Need to Have Colonoscopy at Age 50: Cancer's precursor polyps, known as adenoma, sharply increase after age 50. Senior Journal, September 3.
• Height Linked to Prostate Cancer Development, Growth in Review of 58 Studies: ‘We speculate that factors that influence height may also influence cancer and height is therefore acting as a marker for the causal factors’. Senior Journal, September 3.
• Almost Half of Older Americans Will Suffer Painful Knee Osteoarthritis if They Live to 85: Obese have a significantly higher lifetime risk, 64.5% compared to 34.9% for normal weight, 44.1% for overweight. Senior Journal, September 2.
• Doubts Grow Over Flu Vaccine in Elderly: The influenza vaccine, which has been strongly recommended for people over 65 for more than four decades, is losing its reputation as an effective way to ward off the virus in the elderly. The New York Times, September 1.

Medicine:

• The editors of a leading medical journal cautioned Don't 'just brush aside' Vytorin-cancer link: Tuesday that, without more data, it's impossible to rule out a link between the cholesterol-lowering drug Vytorin and cancer. USA Today, September 2.
• For Widely Used Drug, Question of Usefulness Lingers: Doctors heavily prescribe Zetia and Vytorin, though there is no proof that the cholesterol drugs help to prolong life or prevent heart attacks. The New York Times, September 1.

Mind:

• Early-onset Alzheimer's disease sufferer shares his story: Bob Blackwell can rattle off the names of every country in Europe, even the obscure little islands, but most days he can't remember his computer password or his wife, Carol's, cellphone number. USA Today, September 2.
• Modest mental test benefit seen with brisk walking: Brisk walking led to slight improvements on mental tests for older people with memory problems in what is billed as the first rigorous test of exercise on the aging brain. Associated Press, September 2.
• Vitamin B Deficiency Linked to Cognitive Impairment; Senior Citizens Often Low on B6: Nutrition research center on aging at Tufts U. releases second recent study on vitamin B. Senior Journal, September 2.

Medicare:

• Medicare Advantage Plans Cost $8.5 Billion More than Traditional Medicare in 2008: Extra payments pushed to $33 billion since 2004, will remain significant even after payment reductions in new legislation. Senior Journal, September 5.
• Is Medicare Healthy? Trouble looms and there are no simple solutions. What you—and the next president—need to know. Newsweek, August 30.

Personal Finance:

• Using Nest Eggs Before Maturity: Despite Penalties, More Workers Are Borrowing From 401(k) Plans. Washington Post, September 2.
• Bankruptcies soar for senior citizens: While the bankruptcy filing rate for those under 55 has fallen, it has soared for older Americans, according to a new analysis from the Consumer Bankruptcy Project, which examined a sampling of noncommercial bankruptcies filed between 1991 and 2007. USA Today, September 1.
• Unlocking your home equity: More people are using reverse mortgages to finance retirement, but the costs are steep. Fortune.
• Medical Bills You Shouldn't Pay: In a controversial practice known as "balance billing," health-care providers are going after patients for money they don't owe. Business Week, August 28.

Social Security:

• McCain, Obama Split Over Social Security: Presidential contenders John McCain and Barack Obama offered very different visions for solving Social Security's financial problems Saturday in separate appearances before AARP, a Washington lobby that advocates for older Americans. Associated Press, September 7.

Fraud Alert:

• Retirement Wreckers: Retirement scams you need to be aware of. Forbes, September 2.

Grandparenting:

• Raising grandchildren an extra burden for many: The joy of grandparenting comes at a price for Dave and Nora Dacus, like many others who step up when a child's parents can't or won't. Associated Press, September 7.

Xtra!

• 'Good News' on marriage: Couples improve with age: Married couples in their later years often show a great deal of affection,says best-selling author Maggie Scarf, 77, who has spent more than 30 years studying relationships. USA Today, September 3.
• Animals add love, excitement at senior-living centers: The pitter-patter of little feet is an increasingly common sound at nursing homes and senior-living residences. USA Today, September 1.
• Extreme Experience - Septuagenarian CEOs: Seniors who run the show aren't the norm in business. But quite a number do. Here are 25 who can teach boomer and Gen Y managers a thing or two. Business Week, August 28.