Health:

• More options available to help stop snoring: If simple lifestyle changes and over-the-counter remedies can't control chronic snoring, more sophisticated surgical and nonsurgical treatments are another option. Los Angeles Times, August 10.
• More Than Temperature Puts Elderly at Risk in Heat: Medications, lifestyle are also contributing factors to hyperthermia, agency warns. HealthDay, August 10.
• 2 Checklists Aid Those Over 50 With Medical Decisions: Brochures help patients, doctors discuss tests to maintain healthy lifestyle. HealthDay, August 9.
• Prostate Screening Bias Against Obese Men Leads to Late Detection, Less Surgical Success: Aggressiveness of obese men's late-detected tumors and that they may be more difficult to remove, is a double whammy for fat guys. Senior Journal, August 8.
• Soy Protein Doesn't Lower Cholesterol: Regular consumption had little effect on LDL levels, study finds. HealthDay, August 8.
• Aging population making more visits to the doctor's: The aging of the U.S. population is translating into many more visits to doctors' offices and hospitals, a reality that is taxing weak spots in the health-care system, according to a government report released Wednesday. USA Today, August 7.
• Barrett’s Esophagus, a Pre-cancerous Disease, is Increasing Among White Male Senior Citizens: Study says doctors can do more about this disease linked to chronic acid reflux. Senior Journal, August 7.
• Herbs and Spices Found to be Good Soldiers in War on Aging and Diabetes: Season food liberally with herbs and spices to double or even triple the medicinal value of your meal without increasing the caloric content. Senior Journal, August 6.
• Light Exercise Prevents Atrial Fibrillation in Elderly: Walking a few blocks or gardening protects against the abnormal heartbeat, study finds. HealthDay, August 5.
• New Guidelines Rule Out Prostate Screening for Men Over 75: The hazards outweigh benefits, government task force reports. HealthDay, August 4.
• Vitamin C Shows Promise as Cancer Treatment: The nutrient shrunk brain, ovarian and pancreatic tumors in mice. HealthDay, August 5.
• Sorting Out Coffee’s Contradictions: As with any product used to excess, consumers often wonder about the health consequences of caffeine. The New York Times, August 5.

Medicine:

• Choosing the Right Sleep Medicines, or None at All: Insomniacs know all too well what it’s like to lie awake in a tangle of sheets, the day’s worries parading through the brain as the minutes tick past with agonizing slowness. The New York Times, August 9.
• Prices for some drugs skyrocket: Drug companies are quietly pushing through price hikes of 100% — or even more than 1,000% — for a very small but growing number of prescription drugs, helping to drive up costs for insurers, patients and government programs. USA Today, August 8.
• Mixing some cholesterol, heart drugs adds risk: Patients taking some common medications for high cholesterol and irregular heart beats can suffer severe muscle damage because of a problem in the way the drugs interact, the government warned on Friday. Associated Press, August 8.

Medicare:

• The lowdown on Medicare coverage: For most Americans, Medicare is on the distant horizon. But as you approach retirement age, knowing about Medicare and what it can or cannot do for you could be important to your physical and financial well-being. Bankrate.com, August 8.
• Medicare Part D - What You'll Pay: While each stand-alone prescription-drug plan or Medicare Advantage plan approved by Medicare must offer at least the equivalent of the Standard Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit, plans can vary their coverage. TheStreet.com, August 8.
• Medicare Drug Plan - What's Covered, What's Not: Medicare Part D's coverage can get confusing, but don't let it trip you up. You have too much to gain. The most important thing to understand is that the prescription drug benefit provides security and peace of mind, since your catastrophic drug costs are covered. TheStreet.com, August 6.
• Medicare Drug Plan - What It Is, How to Use It: Medicare Part D, the section of the government's health insurance program for seniors that helps pay for prescription drugs, can look confusing -- so here's a guide to help you understand what's covered, and what to look for in the benefits. TheStreet.com, August 6.

Personal Finance:

• Smart Ways to Inflationproof Your Retirement Portfolio: Prudent hedges keep rising prices from gnawing at your nest egg. U.S. News and World Report, August 8.
• How to tell if you're on track: Saving for retirement is one of the most challenging goals facing Americans. Many people don't know the first thing about investing, yet they're thrust into the position of money manager. Bankrate.com, August 5.
• Senior Homeowners Get Lift From Housing Bill: Buried in the new housing bill (The Housing and Economic Recovery Act) is some very good news for seniors whose main asset is the family home. TheStreet.com, August 4.
• Get help with your 401(k): You don't need to rely on iffy advice from your friends or family. Your plan offers far better options. Money Magazine, August 4.

Retirement:

• Top 5 Keys to Retiring Early: Many people dream of retiring early, but few actually make it a reality. SmartMoney, August 8.
• Split decision - One retires, one doesn't: What happens when you and your spouse quit working on different timetables? Get ready for a big adjustment. CNNMoney.com, August 8.
• How to Plan Spending in Retirement: Planning for your retirement often involves determining how you are going to save enough money to afford the lifestyle you want to maintain. But some forethought about when you'll withdraw money from your retirement accounts, and which accounts you'll tap first, can help you maximize your hard-earned savings. TheStreet.com, August 5.

Investing:

• 8 tips for investing in hard times: The economy occasionally heads south. When it does, you have to take a close look at your finances and review, regroup and perhaps recoup. Bankrate.com, August 5.

Social Security:

• 3 Unusual Strategies for Claiming Social Security Benefits: The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College published a paper describing unusual—but allowable—strategies future retirees can ponder before they sign up for their due. U.S. News and World Report, August 6.

Xtra!

• National Center on Elder Abuse Enhances Website to Better Help Seniors, Caregivers: The NCEA disseminates information to professionals and the public, provides assistance and training to states and community-based organizations. Senior Journal, August 8.
• America's Fastest Aging Counties: To compile our list of, we looked to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2007 population estimates, released today. Forbes, August 7.

Health:

• Centenarians Offer Long-Life Secrets: Many 100-year-olds embrace modern technology to stay young, survey finds. HealthDay, August 1.
• Couch Mouse to Mr. Mighty by Pills Alone: For all who have wondered if they could enjoy the benefits of exercise without the pain of exertion, the answer may one day be yes — just take a pill that tricks the muscles into thinking they have been working out furiously. The New York Times, August 1.
• Severe sleep apnea increases risk of death: People with the severe form of apnea, which interferes with sleep, are several times more likely to die from any cause than those without the disorder, researchers report in Friday's edition of the journal Sleep. Associated Press, August 1.
• Mediterranean, low-carb, low-fat? It's your choice! The Mediterranean, low-fat, and low-carbohydrate approaches all produce weight loss, according to a new two year study. The Mediterranean approach also has specific benefits for people with diabetes. And the low-carb diet is best at improving cholesterol profile. Health and Age, August 1.
• When Type 2 diabetes threatens or strikes: Managing the risk of developing diabetes, which grows with age. MarketWatch, July 31.
• Flu Vaccine Doesn't Protect Seniors From Pneumonia: Older, frail folks are more susceptible to flu and its complications, researchers say. HealthDay, July 31.
• A Call for a Warning System on Artificial Joints: Months after routine hip replacements, patients who had expected to live without pain were in agony. The New York Times, July 29.
• For Elderly, a Little Fall, a Big Worry: Falls are the leading cause of death from injury among people over 65. The New York Times, July 29.
• Secondhand Smoke Raises Stroke Risk for Spouses: But researchers note risk dissipates quickly once smoking spouse quits. HealthDay, July 29.
• Hearing Loss May Be More Widespread Than Thought: White, Mexican-American men at highest risk, survey shows. HealthDay, July 28.

Medicine:

• Experimental Alzheimer's drug shows early promise: Alzheimer's researchers from Scotland announced on Tuesday that for the first time they have developed a drug that can halt cognitive decline in patients with mild and moderate Alzheimer's disease. USA Today, July 29.
• Writing is on the wall for doctors' e-prescriptions: The move to get doctors to file prescriptions electronically is gathering steam and may get a further boost from new Medicare rules that give doctors money to go electronic — and take it away if they don't. USA Today, July 29.
• Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Might Help Prevent Alzheimer's: In one study, use of statin medications halved the risk. HealthDay, July 28.

Mind:

• Alzheimer's Research Holds Promise: For the first time in many years, researchers in the field are genuinely excited about the potential for effective drug treatments and helpful new risk factors. Time, July 31.
• Overthinking may offer protection from dementia: People who tend to overthink things might be protecting themselves from Alzheimer's, according to research presented Wednesday at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease. USA Today, July 30.
• Moms With Alzheimer's May Pass on Risk to Kids: The genetic link isn't there for fathers, researchers say. HealthDay, July 30.
• Upsurge in 'precursor to Alzheimer's' bodes ill: The incidence of mild cognitive impairment, often described as a precursor to Alzheimer's disease, is much higher than expected, said Mayo Clinic scientists who presented research on Monday at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease meeting in Chicago. USA Today, July 29.
• Family History May Add to Alzheimer's Puzzle: Genes play only a part of underlying risk for dementia, study suggests. HealthDay, July 29.
• MRI could be key in Alzheimer's fight: New techniques using magnetic resonance imaging may help scientists discover Alzheimer's-like brain changes earlier, while other MRI research is helping scientists learn more about how the disease progresses, according to several studies presented Sunday at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease in Chicago. USA Today, July 28.
• Alzheimer's Patients React Poorly to 'Elderspeak': Talking to them like children brings out more resistance, study found. HealthDay, July 28.

Personal Finance:

• Savings yardstick: How to tell if your 401(k) is living up to the best standards. MarketWatch, July 30.
• Dodging A Bear's Claws In Retirement: What if your retirement date is fast approaching? Yes, now, just after the market has taken big bites from your account. Investor's Business Daily, July 29.
• Economy hitting the elderly especially hard: Bankruptcies soar as retirees, agencies struggle to keep up with rising costs. MSNBC, July 28.
• How Wall Street Wrecked Your Retirement: When Will The Steady Stream Of Savings Erosion End? CBS, July 28.
• Your 5-minute guide to retirement savings: Your nest egg takes a little nurturing, but the planning is easier than ever before. Let these 22 tips help you. MSN Money, July 28.

Retirement:

• The new retirement --- later: As one of America's leading researchers on finance, employee benefit plans and retirement economics, Olivia S. Mitchell was tapped by the National Institute on Aging, or NIA, to collaborate on one of the most comprehensive studies on aging ever undertaken. Bankrate.com, August 1.
• Retiree Tax Heaven (and Hell): Where you live can have a huge impact on your tax bill in ways that may surprise you. Kiplinger's, August 2008.
• 10 Best Outdoorsy Places to Retire: If you like hiking, biking, or walking, these spots are for you U.S. News and World Report, July 31.
• 6 keys to retiring overseas: Retiring to a foreign country can be a cultural epiphany if you're seeking exotica. But without realistic expectations and careful planning, your move abroad could be fraught with frustration. Bankrate.com, July 30.
• The 3 Biggest Retirement Fear Factors: It’s 4 in the morning and you're wide awake, tossing and turning — and not just because you overindulged in the cheese plate last night. Your mind is gnawing on questions about the future: Have I saved enough for retirement? SmartMoney, July 28.

Insurance:

• Insurance to Protect Yourself for the Road Ahead: Long-term-care insurance companies are offering stripped-down policies with big cost savings. Kiplinger's, July 28.

Technology:

• iShoe by MIT Student May Save Thousands of Senior Citizens from Deadly Falls: Future versions could help correct problems by providing sensory stimulation to the feet when the wearer is off-kilter. Senior Journal, August 1.
• 4 Cellphones for Seniors: Seniors can use these phones for emergencies. US News and World Report, July 29.

Work:

• Retiring in stages: Boomer exodus sparks employer interest in phased-retirement programs. Associated Press, July 30.

Xtra!

• Simulating Age 85, With Lessons on Offering Care: Learning what it is like to be elderly can offer a chance to better understand one’s customers or even employees. The New York Times, August 3.
• Men Happier with Life Than are Women as They Become Senior Citizens: Nine out of 10 people of both genders reach adult life wanting a happy marriage. Senior Journal, July 29.

Health:

• Foods To Keep You Healthy (or not): Are you confused about whether what you’re putting in your body is making you healthier or killing you? Here’s the latest science on what’s up and what’s down on the food charts. Parade, July 27.
• Most Fit Have Less Brain Atrophy From Alzheimer's: Even moderate exercise, done regularly, improves quality of life HealthDay, July 27.
• Serving as advocate for patients is good business: Health Advocate is a call-in center that helps customers find the right doctor, haggle over insurance coverage and manage other medical system headaches. Associated Press, July 26.
• Researchers develop vision test that can detect diabetes: A vision-testing device developed by two University of Michigan researchers is showing promise in the detection of diabetes, both in its early and potentially blinding stages. USA Today, July 26.
• People With GERD More Likely to Develop Asthma: Study finds fluid back-up in esophagus can cause immune system changes. HealthDay, July 25.
• Many seniors’ insomnia in their heads: Study suggests older people expect too much shut-eye. MSNBC, July 24.
• Pre-diabetes must be treated, doctors urge: Diabetes experts created the first recommendations Tuesday for the treatment of people with pre-diabetes in the hopes of curbing the diabetes epidemic. USA Today, July 23.
• Sleep Apnea Linked to Night Heart Attacks: Breathing problem often goes undetected, researcher notes. HealthDay, July 22.
• More senior citizens hitting the gym for improved quality of life: In a study published in January, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that regular use of Medicare-sponsored health club benefits was associated with lower long-term health care costs. USA Today, July 21.

Medicine:

• Heart drug's safety scrutinized: A study that unexpectedly linked the heart drug Vytorin to excess cancer deaths has provoked controversy among heart specialists worried that the drug's risks may outweigh its benefits. USA Today, July 25.
• Cancer drug dramatically shrinks prostate tumors, study finds: The survival rate more than doubles among most of the men with aggressive cancers. A second, wider test shows similar results. 'Spectacularly effective,' a researcher says. Los Angeles Times, July 23.
• Vytorin doesn't prevent deadly hardening of heart valve: The blockbuster cholesterol-lowering drug Vytorin failed to slow age-related hardening of the heart valve that without surgery can lead to heart attack, stroke or death, doctors said Monday. USA Today, July 22.
• Hoping Two Drugs Carry a Side Effect - Longer Life: Sirtris, a drug company, has two drugs in clinical trials that it hopes will avert degenerative diseases of aging. New York Times, July 22.
• Viagra may aid women on antidepressants: Viagra may offer hope to women who experience sexual problems caused by antidepressants, a small study shows. CNN, July 22.

Mind:

• Early-diagnosis blood tests for Alzheimer's disease in development: Researchers say they think people would use such a test, if only to prepare for a future with limitations caused by dementia. Los Angeles Times, July 28.
• Drugs to reverse Alzheimer's disease prove elusive: Recent clinical trials aimed at halting Alzheimer's have faltered and such treatment appears to be far off. Even so, much has been uncovered about the devastating disease. Los Angeles Times, July 28.

Medicare:

• Medicare Part D a boon for drug companies, House report says: Taxpayers pay up to 30% more for prescriptions under the privately administered program than under Medicaid, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform finds. Los Angeles Times, July 25.

Personal Finance:

• 401(k) proposal would clarify fees: A regulation that the Labor Department plans to propose Tuesday would require employers to disclose more information — and in a clearer format — to workers about fees and investments in 401(k) plans, now the main retirement-savings vehicle for millions of Americans. USA Today, July 22.
• Congratulations! You're retired. Now what? For those who don't have a traditional pension they can count on, turning retirement savings into income can be a tricky proposition. The financial industry has come up with several strategies and products to help the average Jane and Joe produce income from savings pooled in 401(k)s, IRAs or other retirement vehicles. Bankrate.com, July 21.

Retirement:

• Planning for a happy retirement: Believe it or not, money can't buy happiness -- even in retirement. Getting the most out of this stage of life takes a little self-evaluation and planning. Bankrate.com, July 27.
• Helping women think about retirement: Women tend to earn less than men and are more likely to quit work to care for children or elderly parents. That means our retirement benefits are smaller. Yet, we live longer than men and have more years of retirement to fund. Baltimore Sun, July 27.
• Retirement planning for mom and dad: Saving for your own retirement is tough enough. You don’t want to be taking care of mom and dad too. Help them plan their finances before they reach their golden years. CNNMoney.com, July 23.

Social Security:

• Social Security unveils new earnings calculator: People planning for retirement got a new tool this week: a fast and easy online estimator for their Social Security benefits. Associated Press, July 21.

Fraud:

• Reverse Mortgage Abuse on the Rise: Lawmakers and regulators warn of predatory practices in the growing reverse mortgage market. Kiplinger's, July 23.

Xtra!

• Pet Doors Opening at Assisted Living Centers: The health benefits of an animal's companionship can be significant, experts say. HealthDay, July 24.
• More Sex for Today’s Seniors: The sex lives of senior citizens have improved markedly in the past three decades, according to a new study. New York Times, July 22.
• Magazine aims for high-income seniors: Sex over 60 and the right to die are among the stories that have been featured on the cover of ELDR, a Berkeley-based magazine launched a year ago that aims to carve out a profitable niche for itself in the publishing world by providing an edgy mix of stories to active and affluent seniors. Contra Costa Times, July 21.

Health:

• Hip resurfacing rises as an alternative for younger patients: The procedure may make subsequent surgeries more feasible than total hip replacement. Some doctors think it's the best option for young, active patients. Others caution against it. L.A. Times, July 21.
• Prostate cancer surgery doesn't mean incontinence: New surgical techniques can help protect the bladder's functioning. USA Weekend, July 20.
• Falls Are Top Cause of Injury, Death Among Elderly: Not all homes are the same, but common sense measures can reduce the risk, expert says. HealthDay, July 19.
• Rise Seen in Medical Efforts to Treat the Very Old: When Hazel Homer was 99, more than one doctor advised that there was little to be done about her failing heart except wait for it to fail a final time. But Mrs. Homer was not interested in waiting to die of what many would call old age. The New York Times, July 18.
• Walk with a goal in mind - to stay away from the doctor's office: It is free, you can do it at any time and it doesn't require being in top shape. In addition, brisk walking improves high blood pressure, tones the muscles, has many cardiovascular benefits and helps you get rid of some calories. What are you waiting for? Health and Age, July 18.
• Prevention - A New Way to Gauge Heart Disease Risk: Comparing blood pressure in the ankle and the arm could give doctors a quick way to know which patients are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease, researchers say. The New York Times, July 15.
• Senior Citizens that Bring Companions to Medical Visits are More Satisfied with Care: Companions are a valuable quality of care resource that could enhance the experience for millions of vulnerable Americans. Senior Journal, July 14.
• Colon Cancer Screening Rates Remain Low: Only half of Americans over 50 tested; education, insurance play role, group says. HealthDay, July 14.
• Vitamin D tests soar as deficiency, diseases linked: Testing for vitamin D levels, once uncommon, has skyrocketed as medical studies raise awareness about vitamin D deficiencies, according to three of the USA's largest medical diagnostic labs. USA Today, July 14.
• Eating Less May Slow Aging Process: Cutting just 300 calories a day slows metabolism, tissue failure, study says. HealthDay, July 14.

Medicine:

• Drugs to Build Bones May Weaken Them: New questions have emerged about whether long-term use of bone-building drugs for osteoporosis may actually lead to weaker bones in a small number of people who use them. The New York Times, July 15.

Mind:

• Alzheimer's vaccine stopped plaque, not dementia: Some doctors have long suspected that if the plaque that builds up in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease could be removed, they could be saved. But a new vaccine that did just that suggests the theory is wrong. Associated Press, July 18.
• Exercise Might Slow Brain Shrinkage in Alzheimer's Patients: Study found those who were more fit had larger brains. HealthDay, July 14.

Medicare:

• Means Testing, for Medicare: Right now, the United States is in the midst of a financial crisis, but even more pressing problems may lie ahead — and the presidential candidates aren’t addressing them. The New York Times, July 20.

Personal Finance:

• Managing 401(k)s for the Masses: With stocks dropping, plenty of participants in 401(k) and other retirement plans face steep losses. But the greatest threat to future retirement security may be the behavior of account holders themselves. TheStreet.com, July 14.

Retirement:

• 9 Retirement Killers: Retirement is the No. 1 goal of investors. Yet, looking at the numbers, it's clear that many investors are undermining their good intentions with unfortunate actions. Motley Fool, July 18.
• How to beat inflation in retirement: You don't need an economics degree to know that inflation is a growing problem. Fueling up the car and buying groceries are sharp reminders of how hard-earned dollars are worth less when prices jump. Inflation affects everyone, but retirees are particularly vulnerable. Bankrate.com, July 15.

Xtra!

• More seniors finding love online, but skipping remarriage: Elderly Americans aren't just living longer. They're dating more, and they're the fastest-growing users of Internet dating services and the fastest-growing group of cohabiters. McClatchy Newspapers, July 20.
• "Baby boomers" may still outlive assets: Even baby boomers who prune spending when they retire risk outliving their assets as they likely will live longer and experience volatile rates of both inflation and investments, a new study said on Monday. Reuters, July 14.
• Older Americans May Be Happier Than Younger Ones: The studies show that when you check on how happy people are at various ages, the elderly generally come out ahead. Washington Post, July 14.
• Why most boomers can expect to inherit little: An expected $41 trillion wealth transfer will be eaten by high healthcare costs, increased longevity, and diminishing market returns. Christian Science Monitor, July 14.

Health:

• Fighting for Your Legs - Peripheral Arterial Disease on Rise for Senior Citizens: ‘Silent killer’ bringing grave results that can include gangrene, amputation, or death. Senior Journal, July 10.
• Screening for Cancer in Elderly Fuels Fight: As with most cancers, the risk of breast cancer increases with age. Yet while doctors tell women to have annual mammograms after age 40, they often advise 85-year-olds to go two or even three years between scans. The New York Times, July 8.
• Omega-3, Some Omega-6 Fatty Acids Boost Cardiovascular Health: Reduce heart attack risk and blood pressure, studies show. HealthDay, July 7.
• Healthier Lifestyles Would Lengthen American Lives: Major study suggests slimming down, quitting smoking would boost average life span by 1.3 years. HealthDay, July 7.

Medicine:

• Do Antidepressants Make Bones Brittle? Studies suggest an increased fracture risk in people who take the medications. HealthDay, July 11.
• A List of Drugs That Increase Falling Risk: Researchers at the University of North Carolina have published a lengthy list of prescription drugs that increase the risk of falling among older patients. The New York Times, July 10.
• Allergan failed to warn of dangerous Botox side effects, lawsuit claims: Adverse reactions to the popular wrinkle-erasing drug have been rare, its Irvine-based manufacturer says. Los Angeles Times, July 10.
• Elderly may fare worse on prostate cancer drugs: A prostate cancer study that could change how doctors treat some patients found that widely used hormone-blocking drugs did not improve survival chances for older men whose disease hadn't spread. Associated Press, July 8.
• New method -- More meds, more quickly for type 2 diabetes: For years, doctors have followed a standard approach to treating their type 2 diabetes patients. USA Today, July 7.

Mind:

• Aging Brain Can Learn New Tricks: In MRI study, older folks' 'gray matter' grew as they picked up juggling skills. HealthDay, July 11.
• Is Your Parent Depressed? 7 million Americans over age 65 suffer from the disease, and many are not getting the help they need. Here's how to make sure your mom or dad isn't one of them. MSN, July 9.

Medicare:

• Long-Term Fix Is Elusive in Medicare Payments: Congress has voted to block a cut in Medicare payments to doctors but has done nothing to solve the fundamental problem that caused the cut, and the issue will come back to haunt the next president and the next Congress, lawmakers and health policy experts say. The New York Times, July 13.
• White House vows veto of Medicare bill: The legislation, passed this week in the Senate, would avert fee cuts to doctors who treat patients under the federal program. Los Angeles Times, July 11.
• Senate Reverses Course, Votes To Advance Medicare Bill: Aided by the unexpected arrival of Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., the Senate reversed course and voted to pass a bill that would avoid deep cuts in Medicare reimbursements for physicians. CNN, July 9.
• Doctors Press Senate to Undo Medicare Cuts: Congress returns to work this week with Medicare high on the agenda and Senate Republicans under pressure after a barrage of radio and television advertisements blamed them for a 10.6 percent cut in payments to doctors who care for millions of older Americans. The New York Times, July 7.

Personal Finance:

• How to create your own pension plan: Good-bye asset allocation, hello product allocation. MarketWatch, July 10.
• Longer lives, less pay -- women not saving enough: Longer lives and lower pay mean women aren't saving enough for retirement. Associated Press, July 9.
• How to Retire a Millionaire: No Matter What Your Age Is, You Can Save Enough to Retire. ABC News, July 8.

Retirement:

• Ways to downsize during retirement: In a nation obsessed with everything "biggie-sized," the thought of downsizing holds as much appeal as a root canal. Bankrate.com, July 11.
• 6 Ways to Tell if You're Financially Ready to Retire: If you're suddenly obsessed with thoughts of quitting the rat race and playing golf all day, it's probably a good sign that you're mentally ready to retire. But are you financially ready? That moment may be tougher to pinpoint. U.S. News and World Report, July 10.
• Retirement - When time isn't on your side: If you're within a few years of retirement, hanging tough in today's market may not be good enough. Money Magazine, July 9.
• Do You Have a Retirement Parachute? From 1974 to 2004, the percentage of Americans covered by an active defined-benefit pension plan shrank from 44% of the workforce to 17%. Today, more than 60% of workers are employed by companies that offer new hires only a 401(k) plan, a savings scheme originally intended to complement traditional pensions, not replace them. Barron’s, July 7.
• Whatever Happened to Retirement? Consumers fear they don't have enough money to quit working. ConsumerAffairs.com, July 7.

Fraud:

• Medicare scams used dead doctors: Scammers have found a lucrative source for squeezing money from Medicare: dead doctors. USA Today, July 8.
• In tough times, watch out for scams and for surprises on your bill: At times like these, it's more important than ever to be on the lookout for scams designed to exploit fear and desperation. USA Today, July 8.

Caregiving:

• Geriatric care managers help families meet seniors' needs: About 44 million Americans look after adult family members – an especially daunting task for adult children who live in another state or who have demanding jobs or their own children. The Dallas Morning News, July 7.

Work:

• In Act 2 of Life, Doing Work That Matters: After retirement, so-called encore career possibilities are endless and they can be both lucrative and personally fulfilling. The New York Times, July 8.

Xtra!

• Seniors Having More Sex Than Ever: Study finds big jump in number of those over 70 who are intimate and enjoying it. HealthDay, July 9.
• Ready for the Antiaging Clinic? Want your own personalized steroids and supplements regimen? Now you can have it. SmartMoney Magazine, July 9.
• 3 Industries Riding the Wave of Retiring Boomers: Baby boomers mean big business for the Generation Wave Growth fund, which bets on three industries poised to benefit from the torrent of boomers entering retirement over the next 15 years: healthcare, financial services, and technology. U.S. News and World Report, July 8.
• Senior services feel fiscal squeeze: Fewer seniors are receiving home-delivered meals, personal care help and other services as states struggle with tighter budgets and the senior population grows. USA Today, July 7.
• Keep Your Estate Planning Out of the Dog House: Confusion over Leona Helmsley’s will serves as a reminder of the importance of smart estate planning. Here’s help. Kiplinger’s, July 2008.

Health:

• The World's Longevity Secrets: It may have seemed like good news when federal officials announced last month that U.S. life expectancy had jumped four months and, for the first time, surpassed 78 years. But forget about 78. What if someone said that you--not some future generation--should be able to live into your 90s in relatively good health? Forbes, July 2.
• Tai chi helps older adults get good night's sleep: Regular practice of tai chi chih, a Westernized version of the ancient Chinese martial art of tai chi, can help older people rest easier at night, according to a study in the journal Sleep. Reuters, July 2.
• Glaucoma Treatment Can Prevent Blindness: Even those with severe disease can save some vision, experts say. HealthDay, July 2.
• Measuring Calcium Deposits in Heart’s Arteries Predicts Heart Attack Risk in Elderly: ‘Calcium scans can be the best predictor available to detect who is likely to suffer a heart attack’. Senior Journal, July 2.
• Diabetes -- Underrated, Insidious and Deadly: Vision, hearing, sexual function — you name it, diabetes harms it. The New York Times, July 1.
• Extreme Heat a Deadly Risk for Older Adults: Their bodies don't cool quickly, so caution should rise with temperatures. HealthDay, July 1.
• The 10 Best Foods You Aren't Eating: Want to do your body a world of good? It's as easy as expanding your grocery list. Men’s Health, June 30.
• Want to Know the Calorie Content of Your Favorite Drink? Reports tells how many carbs and calories are in 26 best-selling alcoholic beverages. HealthDay, June 30.
• One in Every Four Older Americans Now Diagnosed with Diabetes: Three million increase in two years pushes total in US to 24 million. Senior Journal, June 30.

Mind:

• New Screening Tool for Dementia: Checklist Gauges Ability of Older Adults to Perform Everyday Tasks. WebMD Health News, July 2.

Medicare:

• Docs Get Temporary Relief from Medicare Pay Cut Due Tomorrow: Washington Post says freeze by Health & Human Services could last 10 days. Senior Journal, June 30.

Personal Finance:

• Rising prices hammer seniors on fixed incomes: Nearly all Americans have felt the sting of inflation in recent months. But when you're retired and your sole means of support is a fixed amount that arrives each month — from Social Security and, for the lucky ones, a pension — the pain is especially severe. USA Today, July 2.
• For many, golden years mean less travel, more work: When Lynda and Don Perdew retired, they sold their home in Southern California and used the money to buy a 37-foot recreational vehicle. Then they set out to see the country. USA Today, July 1.
• The best way to take a pension: A life of monthly checks usually beats a big lump sum. Money Magazine, July 1.
• Preserve Your Savings for Life: New ways to spread your nest egg over the next 30 years. Kiplinger's, June 2008.

Retirement:

• Retirement Strategies for Tough Times: Nest egg looking a little fragile? Chances are you need to rethink your old investment tactics—and consider a few new approaches. Business Week’s Retirement Guide can help!. Business Week, July 2.
• Better think twice: Don't make these critical mistakes with your nest egg, even if times are tough. MarketWatch, July 2.
• Retirement planning for the surviving spouse: Right now, the last thing you and your spouse want to talk about is what happens to the survivor's financial security when one of you dies. You'd rather share dreams of the fun you're going to have spending your retirement money together. Bankrate.com, July 2.
• Is retiring early unpatriotic? Want to do something truly patriotic to help preserve the American way of life? Don't retire. At least not yet. Bankrate.com, June 30.

Social Security:

• Bigger Social Security raise in sight for seniors: The Social Security Administration bases its inflation adjustment on the average inflation rate in this year's third quarter compared with the previous year's third quarter. Chicago Tribune, July 6.

Insurance:

• Cash in on Your Life: It's easier now to sell a life-insurance policy for immediate cash. But it's not always a good idea. Kiplinger's, July 2008.

Caregiving:

• The Car Key Conversation: The “car key conversation” is a dreaded milestone of eldercare and one that adult children dread most. The New York Times, July 3.

Xtra!

• As Gas Prices Soar, Elderly Face Cuts in Aid: Fuel costs have stifled agencies that deliver meals to or provide transportation for senior citizens. The New York Times, July 5.
• Gas, food prices pinch elderly meal programs: Across the country, nearly 60 percent of the estimated 5,000 programs that belong to the Meals on Wheels Association of America have lost volunteers who can't afford gas. Associated Press, July 1.

Health:

• Weighing the Costs of a CT Scan’s Look Inside the Heart: Driven by financial incentives, many doctors are adopting CT scans, but there is scant evidence that they benefit most patients. The New York Times, June 29.
• 'Silent Strokes' Strike One in 10 Healthy People: No symptoms, but some loss of brain function occurs, study finds. HealthDay, June 26.
• Chinese Martial Art of Tai Chi Chih Helps Seniors Sleep Better, Fight Shingles Virus: UCLA researcher continues to find benefits for senior citizens in 20-movement exercise. Senior Journal, June 25.
• Fit, Not Frail: Exercise as a Tonic for Aging. The New York Times, June 24.
• Drug-Resistant High Blood Pressure on the Rise: High blood pressure, the most commonly diagnosed condition in the United States, is becoming increasingly resistant to drugs that lower it, according to a panel of experts assembled by the American Heart Association. The New York Times, June 24.
• From a Prominent Death, Some Painful Truths: Apart from its sadness, Tim Russert’s death this month at 58 was deeply unsettling to many people who, like him, had been earnestly following their doctors’ advice on drugs, diet and exercise in hopes of avoiding a heart attack. The New York Times, June 24.
• How to find the best medical treatment: Know your way around the Internet, arm yourself with statistics and don't be afraid to speak up. Los Angeles Times, June 23.
• Heart Scan May Predict Longevity: It's Not Just About Age; It's About Your Coronary Artery Calcium, Study Shows. WebMD, June 23.
• Brain injuries from falls a deadly risk for seniors: Nearly 8,000 older Americans who fell and banged their heads died from the brain injury in 2005, according to a government study released on Monday. Reuters, June 23.
• Low Vitamin D Could Raise Death Risk: Study is among the first to show such an effect from a nutrient, experts say. HealthDay, June 23.

Medicine:

• Doctors complain about increasing reliance on generics: More and more doctors believe that health insurance companies are taking medical decisions out of their hands by dictating the medications a doctor can prescribe to patients. Star-Gazette, June 27.

Mind:

• Alzheimer's Drug Shows Early Promise: Slowed cognitive decline in patients without ApoE4 gene, trial shows. HealthDay, June 27.
• Doctors Say Drugs Overused in Dementia: The use of medication to tamp down the outbursts of dementia patients has soared. The New York Times, June 24.
• Brain Scans Detect Alzheimer's Disease Quickly: New technique could speed the diagnosis, French researchers say. HealthDay, June 24.
• Dementia can hit after a stroke in prime of life: Most people with dementia are 65 or older, but about 500,000 people ages 55 to 64 struggle with it. USA Today, June 23.
• Alzheimer's clue found in specific plaque: Researchers have uncovered a new clue to the cause of Alzheimer's disease. Associated Press, June 23.

Medicare:

• Doctors Face Payment Cuts for Patients on Medicare: Doctors face a 10 percent cut in Medicare payments next week, following the Senate’s failure on Thursday to take up legislation that would have averted the cuts. The New York Times, June 27.
• Medicare cards open seniors to ID theft: By printing Social Security numbers on Medicare cards, the federal government is leaving seniors and disabled Americans vulnerable to identity theft, Sen. Chuck Schumer said Wednesday. Gannett News Service, June 26.

Personal Finance:

• How to Retire on a Shoestring: You often have to be a little frugal to make a retirement budget work. The $27,798 median income for American households headed by someone 65 or older doesn't offer much breathing room when gas, groceries, and out-of-pocket healthcare costs all are conspiring to make retirement more difficult. U.S. News and World Report, June 27.
• Housing crash hits baby boomers: Home-price declines will eat into boomer retirement nest eggs. MarketWatch, June 24.

Retirement:

• 8 ways to ruin your chances to retire: If 50 is the new 30, then 80 must be the new 60. Good thing, because otherwise a lot of people won't be retiring before they draw their last breath. Bankrate.com, June 27.
• Six Simple Ways to Retire Rich: Thanks to automatic 401(k) plans and one-stop investing options, saving for retirement is a cinch. Kiplinger's, June 25.
• Create a Retirement Paycheck: Turn your portfolio into an income stream with these withdrawal strategies. Kiplinger's, June 25.
• 6 smart rules for retiring sooner: The new retirement model has demands of its own. Here's how to make sure you can cut back sooner -- without being destitute by age 87. MSN Money, June 24.
• Only 28 Percent of Workers See Comfortable Retirement in National Poll: Bankrate survey says 33% think they can just get by when retired. Senior Journal, June 23.

Social Security:

• Secret Ways to Boost Your Social Security: Four legal strategies for adding as much as $12,000 a year to your retirement income. Kiplinger's, July 2008.

Insurance:

• Insuring for a long life: Longevity insurance solves problem of outliving assets, but there are downsides. MarketWatch, June 26.
• When Insurers Say 'No': Each year thousands of medical patients find themselves in a situation like cancer patient Karen Vinci, fighting their medical insurer to get the treatment their doctor had prescribed. San Francisco Chronicle, June 23.

End of Life:

• Inheritance battles -- how to avoid them: There are ways to sort things out without fighting after a loved one dies. CNN, June 23.

Xtra!

• Many seniors not filing for tax rebate checks: The Internal Revenue Service said it's taking steps to make it easier for retirees and disabled veterans to file for a tax rebate check. Associated Press, June 26.
• Senior Citizen Driving Courses Can Save You Up to 15% off Car Insurance: Discounted price for online safe driving course, which can earn insurance discount. Senior Journal, June 25.
• As the Roads Turn Gray, Ways to Make Driving Safer: It’s called the gray tsunami, the great wave of aging baby boomers nearing retirement, making older adults the fastest growing segment of the population. And by 2030, the roads will be full of them. The New York Times, June 22.
• If you're retired or a disabled vet, IRS wants to give you cash: Ordinarily, word that the IRS is looking for you would be cause for concern, especially if you're selling moonshine out of your garage. But if you're retired or a disabled veteran, the IRS is seeking you for a pleasant reason: The government wants to give you a check. USA Today, June 23.

Health:

• Think of Your Poor Feet: The average person walks the equivalent of three times around the Earth in a lifetime. That is enormous wear and tear on the 26 bones, 33 joints and more than 100 tendons, ligaments and muscles that make up the foot. The New York Times, June 21.
• New treatment saves man with deadly skin cancer: An Oregon man, given less than a year to live, had a complete remission of advanced deadly skin cancer after an experimental treatment that revved up his immune system to fight the tumors. Associated Press, June 19.
• New Studies Impacting Deadly Atherosclerosis Have Potential to Save Millions of Lives: Blocking ROCK1 could slow the disease; cooling the inflammation; repair with artificial veins and arteries. Senior Journal, June 17.
• Women Drinking Large Amounts of Coffee May Lower Their Risk of Death: Study finds coffee drinkers – caffeinated and decaf - with slightly lower death rates; men about even. Senior Journal, June 17.
• Diabetes and Depression Go Hand-in-Hand: And doctors need to be aware of the connection, study says. HealthDay, June 17.
• Study shows coffee lowers heart risk but not cancer deaths: Drinking up to six cups of coffee a day may lower the overall odds of dying prematurely, mainly because it cuts the risk of dying from heart disease, a study released today suggests. USA Today, June 16.
• Taking care: Russert's death is a reminder to be proactive about your health. MarketWatch, June 16.
• Older and wiser, but less active: Let's say there was a drug that could prevent heart attacks, strokes and cancer and treat everything from fragile bones to constipation, while quite possibly staving off dementia and improving sleep. Would anyone over 65 refuse this miracle elixir? USA Today, June 16.
• Russert death shows massive heart attack isn't easy to predict: For all their differences, NBC newsman Tim Russert and famed marathoner Jim Fixx, author of the 1977 best-seller The Complete Book of Running, have two things in common: Each died of a massive heart attack while still in his 50s. USA Today, June 16.
• Get a Hip Replaced and See the World: A growing number of seniors are traveling abroad for cheaper medical procedures. Kiplinger's, June 16.

Medicine:

• Research Shows Why Statins Don't Work for Everyone: A key protein change can lessen the cholesterol-lowering drugs' effectiveness. HealthDay, June 16.
• A Pill to Cure Alcoholism? A new treatment may offer hope to millions of people battling alcohol addiction. U.S. News and World Report, June 13.

Mind:

• New clue to Alzheimer's found: Researchers have uncovered a new clue to the cause of Alzheimer's disease. Associated Press, June 22.
• 'Brain fitness' market booming with aging Boomers: The brain fitness market passed a tipping point in 2007 thanks to the convergence of a very proactive boomer generation hitting their 60s. Associated Press, June 19.
• Promising Alzheimer's drug approved for late-stage trials: An experimental drug for Alzheimer's disease patients showed promise in Phase II clinical trials and is moving into final-stage trials, Wyeth and Elan, the makers of bapineuzumab, announced Tuesday. USA Today, June 18.

Medicare:

• Settlement to Ease Drug Costs for Some on Medicare: The Bush administration promised on Thursday to provide new protections for low-income Medicare beneficiaries to ensure they can get prescription drugs promptly, at minimal cost. The New York Times, June 20.
• GAO finds tax delinquency by 6% of Medicare providers in '06: More than 27,000 health care providers — hospitals, nursing homes and doctors — who care for the elderly owe more than $2 billion in unpaid taxes even as they continue to collect Medicare payments from the government, a federal watchdog agency has found. USA Today, June 19.

Personal Finance:

• Bankruptcy rising among seniors: Swamped by debt and rising medical bills, elderly Americans have been seeking bankruptcy-court protection at sharply faster rates than other adults, a study to be released Tuesday indicates. USA Today, June 16.
• Get retirement savings $$ from Uncle Sam: With most Americans doing a lousy job saving for their Golden Years, Barack Obama says the government has to step in. CNNMoney.com, June 16.

Retirement:

• Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Before You Retire? Should you own your home free and clear before you retire? Or is it better to keep your mortgage and invest the money elsewhere at perhaps a higher return while reaping the mortgage-interest tax break? U.S. News and World Report, June 19.
• What's Next After Retirement? Warning Signs For Troubled Retirees Include Lack of Interests, Depression. ABC, June 16.
• Getting Ready for a Surprise Retirement: Work often stops unexpectedly. You'd better be prepared with a financial plan. U.S. News and World Report, June 12.

Fraud:

• Preying on patients: Medical identity theft can imperil health care, insurance, job prospects. MarketWatch, June 19.

Insurance:

• AMA calls physician reimbursements flawed: Failings by insurers and Medicare add more than $200 billion a year to the nation's healthcare tab, report says. The Los Angeles Times, June 17.

Work:

• Is there an 'encore' career in your future? Study reveals characteristics of those who say they have a meaningful career. MarketWatch, June 18.

End of Life:

• Most cancer doctors avoid saying it's the end: Many people do not get such straight talk from doctors, who often think they are doing patients a favor by keeping hope alive. New research shows they are wrong. Washington Post, June 15.

Xtra!

• Millions more could get a rebate — if they file a return: Even as the IRS has sent out nearly 77 million tax rebates, more than 5 million retirees and disabled veterans who may qualify for a rebate haven't received one because they haven't filed a tax return, IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman said Thursday. USA Today, June 20.
• Healthcare Costs and Social Security Could Cause Economic Woes: At a Senate Finance Committee hearing, Gene Dodaro warns that the country is on unsustainable path. U.S. News and World Report, June 18.

Health:

• FDA to study Lasik's long-term effects on lifestyle: Patient satisfaction will be under review, and so will post-surgery daily activities such as driving and exercising, The Los Angeles Times, June 16.
• Six Great Foods For Men: Listen up, guys. If you’d like to improve your mood, memory, muscles, and more, forget expensive and potentially risky supplements. Just head to your local supermarket. You’ll find foods that help prevent age-related health conditions. As an added bonus, they all taste great and are easy to incorporate into your diet. Parade, June 15.
• A Health Gift for Men on Father's Day: Be aware of your prostate cancer risk, experts advise. HealthDay, June 15.
• Walking a little can go a long way: What if there was something simple you could do every day that would burn calories, be good for your heart, and help you stay young. You'd do it, right? CNN, June 13.
• Better Sleepers Are 'Successful Agers': Less daytime napping, fewer complaints of insomnia predicted a healthier life, study finds. HealthDay, June 12.
• Sunshine may be nature's disease fighter: Men lacking in vitamin D have more than double the normal risk of a heart attack, a study says, one of many suggesting the vitamin is crucial to good health. Los Angeles Times, June 10.
• More Evidence that Chinese Red Yeast Rice Has Stunning Ability to Prevent Heart Attacks: Latest study in American Journal of Cardiology says cancer mortality also reduced by two-thirds, all mortality one-third. Senior Journal, June 9.

Medicine:

• New Take on a Prostate Drug, and a New Debate: For the first time, leading prostate cancer specialists say, they have a drug that can significantly cut men’s risk of developing the disease, dropping the incidence by 30 percent. The New York Times, June 15.

Mind:

• Sleep Apnea Linked to Memory Loss: Study finds disorder shrinks brain cells much the way alcohol, Alzheimer's do. HealthDay, June 11.
• Study of Former World’s Oldest Woman Proves Dementia Not Inevitable with Aging: Woman, 115, had normal brain and remained mentally alert throughout life. Senior Journal, June 9.

Medicare:

• Medical Fraud a Growing Problem: Medicare Pays Most Claims Without Review. Washington Post, June 13.

Personal Finance:

• Should it stay or should it go? The do's and don'ts of withdrawing stimulus payments from an IRA. MarketWatch, June 11.
• 401(k) hardship withdrawals on the rise: Cash-strapped employees are turning to their retirement plans as the credit crunch drags on and costs for everyday necessities continue their upward spiral. Bankrate.com, June 9.

Retirement:

• You're Saving Enough for Retirement (Probably): Don't worry—you won't have to live on ramen and cat food. Slate, June 14.
• How long will you live? In retirement planning, everything is based on one number: your guess about your lifespan. It's harder to estimate than you may think - and there's a greater chance than ever that you'll be wrong. Fortune, June 10.
• A really late start on a nest egg: It’s never too late to start saving for retirement, but now that you’ve put it off - don’t wait any longer. Money Magazine, June 10.

Social Security:

• Social Security checks now offer debit card option: For millions of Americans, accessing their Social Security benefits is now just a card swipe away. USA Today, June 10.
• Social Security Debit Cards: 7 Things You Need to Know: If you don't have a bank account, your days of dealing with paper checks are over. U.S. News and World Report, June 11.
• Working After Age 62 Can Affect Social Security Payouts: If you collect Social Security and earn a certain amount of money by continuing to work, some and possibly all of your benefits can be withheld. But you don't lose those benefits forever. U.S. News and World Report, June 12.

Insurance:

• Long-Term Care Insurance Cost Nears $2,000 a Year for a Senior Citizen: Insurance association releases 2008 national price index. Senior Journal, June 13.

Travel:

• Taking These Ten Items Can Help You Have a Healthy Vacation: Harvard Medical School publishes new report on healthy travel. Senior Journal, June 13.

End of Life:

• End-of-life patients need big picture: Patients with advanced cancer often don't know how long they have to live or how chemotherapy will affect their lives, a study shows. USA Today, June 11.

Xtra!

• Cut your grocery bill in half: Everyone's hurting thanks to high food prices - here's how to slash what you spend on groceries. CNNMoney.com, June 13.
• Record life expectancy still lags: U.S. life expectancy has reached 78 years, a record high driven by declines in all but one of the major causes of death, the government reported Wednesday. USA Today, June 11.

Health:

• Sleep - A Necessity, Not a Luxury: An estimated 40 million Americans don't get a good night's rest. HealthDay, June 8.
• Studies question aggressive type 2 diabetes treatment: Two major studies released Friday cast doubt on the long-established doctrine that aggressive blood sugar control in high risk patients can prevent heart attack and stroke. USA Today, June 6.
• Incontinence - A 'hidden condition' for many women: Fewer than half of women with incontinence seek treatment. Some women are afraid to ask, and others don't realize treatments are available. USA Today, June 4.
• New Hints Seen That Red Wine May Slow Aging: Red wine may be much more potent than was thought in extending human lifespan, researchers say in a new report that is likely to give impetus to the rapidly growing search for longevity drugs. The New York Times, June 4.
• 3 Years Later, Knees Made for Dancing: Artificial knees, while certainly an improvement over severely arthritic ones, are not like normal, healthy knees. The New York Times, June 3.

Medicine:

• Are Blood Pressure Drugs Safe for Seniors? Blood pressure treatment reduces risk of stroke and heart attack in the middle-aged. In years past, however, experts worried that diseased arteries, more common in senior citizens, might actually require greater pressure to assure blood flow to vital organs. If that’s the case, then treatment of high blood pressure might not help, and could even harm, the elderly. The New York Times, June 4.
• Expect new drugs to treat aging, researchers say: Not yet, aging researchers say, but medical breakthroughs to significantly extend life and ease the ailments of getting older are closer than many people think. Atlanta Journal Constitution, June 3.
• Bone drug Zometa helps fight breast cancer: A bone-building drug also may help certain women with early breast cancer, a study shows. The Associated Press, June 1,

Mind:

• Socializing Appears to Delay Memory Problems: An active social life appears to delay memory loss as we age, a new study shows. The New York Times, June 4.
• Earlier diagnosis giving Alzheimer's a new voice: Alzheimer's patients are joining their counterparts with cancer and HIV to lobby Congress for more money to hunt treatments. Associated Press, June 2.

Medicare:

• Medicare drug coverage is costing most seniors more: Premiums for the top 10 prescription plans are up an average of 16% from last year, a new study finds -- a hardship for many people. Los Angeles Times, June 5.

Personal Finance:

• It takes a fortune paying for health care in retirement: Did you know that Medicare covers only half of the cost of health care for most elderly people and that they shoulder the rest of the burden themselves? Chicago Tribune, June 3.
• Get your parents some financial help: Older people can be targets in a number of financial scams. Here are a few tips to find your parents a professional planner. Money Magazine, June 3.

Retirement:

• Don't Let the Rules Overtax Your Retirement: When planning for retirement, make sure you know how these rules could change your financial picture after age 70. Business Week, June 5.
• 5 Keys to a Smart Retirement Move: Relocating isn’t just about money, but factors like taxes and healthcare may be tiebreakers. U.S. News and World Report, May 29.

Social Security:

• Secret Ways to Boost Your Social Security: Four legal strategies for adding as much as $12,000 a year to your retirement income. Kiplinger's, July 2008.

Housing:

• Renovation Revolution: You've got a new excuse to remodel - preparing for the limitations of old age. Need a grab bar with that hot tub? Forbes, June 16.

Travel:

• Seniors Buying Upscale Park Trailers to Spend Retirement in Vacation Spots: These luxury “Park Models” look more like a cottage than a trailer; seniors have bought 80,000. Senior Journal, June 7.

Work:

• Taking advantage of boomer retirements: Amidst chatter of baby boomers delaying retirement is talk of a different nature. Not about when boomers are retiring, but how certain industries and the rest of the work force will be affected when they do. CNN, June 4.

End of Life:

• Site lets people plan their own funerals online: Minneapolis — The generational cohort known as the baby boomers brought us the anti-war movement, the civil rights movement, the women's movement and the gay rights movement. Could the death movement be next? Star Tribune, June 2.
• Estates - Divvying Up the Silver: When it comes to estate planning, families often focus on the transfer of financial assets such as stocks, bonds, and real estate. But estate planners say it is often personal possessions—items with as much sentimental as monetary value—that can be the biggest stumbling blocks to amicably settling an estate. BusinessWeek, May 29.

Xtra!

• Bicycles for Boomers: Fun, fitness and easy on the joints are the reasons more and more baby boomers are turning to cycling than ever before. But what makes a good bike for boomers? NBC Today show.
• When It Comes to Sex Some Men are from Mars but Older Ones May be from Venus: Older men become more careful and particular in choosing sexual partners. Senior Journal, June 5.
• Singles find love, marriage after age 45: A USA TODAY analysis of Census records of Americans ages 45-55 shows that the percentage of those who said they had never been married in 2006 had doubled since 1990, and the percentage of those who were currently married had dropped by 9%. USA Today, June 2.
• Five lessons from 'Young@Heart' for us all: "I can't die I'm booked." That famous line from George Burns, who lived to 100, sums it up. USA Today, June 2.

Health: