Half of U.S. Adults Will Be Obese in 10 Years: A decade from now, roughly half of U.S. adults will be obese -- with nearly one-quarter severely so, a new study projects. HealthDay, Dec. 18.

 

Obesity in Middle Age Could Raise Odds for Alzheimer's Later: Obesity in middle age is associated with an increased risk of dementia later in life, according to a study of more than 1 million women in the United Kingdom. HealthDay, Dec. 19.

How the Topic of Mobility Could Come Up This Holiday Season: The holidays are a time for gathering and spending quality time with family members we don’t often see. It may also be the first time you notice a change in their health, such as their pace and mobility. Next Avenue, Dec. 17.

 

Broaching the Subject of Hearing Loss: If you have loved ones in denial about their hearing loss, here are six suggestions for bringing up an often touchy subject with your loved one. Next Avenue, Dec. 20.

 

FDA Gives Expanded Approval to Prescription Fish Oil for Heart Patients: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently gave expanded approval to a prescription form of fish oil called Vascepa, to help prevent heart trouble in people at high risk who are already taking statins. HealthDay, Dec. 16.

In Medical Billing, Fraudulent Charges Weirdly Pass As Legal: Much of what we accept as legal in medical billing would be regarded as fraud in any other sector. Kaiser Health News, Dec. 16.

The Hidden Drug Epidemic Among Older People: People in their 60s take an average of 15 prescription drugs a year. Combined with over-the-counter products, they may do more harm than good. The New York Times, Dec. 16.

 

What to Do If You're One of the 7.5 Million Seniors Who Can't Afford: Many retirees face big financial challenges on healthcare. A Gallup poll this year revealed the troubling news that around 7.5 million seniors in the U.S. can't cover the costs of a drug their doctor prescribed. The Motley Fool, Dec. 17.

Alzheimer’s Tests Soon May Be Common. Should You Get One? Diagnostic tests for Alzheimer’s disease are already here. But the results may raise as many questions as they answer. The New York Times, Dec. 20.

3 Ways Medicare Will Cost You More Money in 2020: Millions of seniors rely on Medicare to cover their health-related needs in retirement. But one major misconception about Medicare is that the program is entirely free. In reality, it's very expensive, and worse yet, its costs have the potential to climb, significantly, from year to year. The Motley Fool, Dec. 16.

Two Popular Medicare Plans Will Close to New Customers. Here's What You Need to Know: The alphabet soup of Medicare will lose a couple letters in the New Year, when two of the most popular Medicare supplement plans will be closed to new beneficiaries. Money, Dec. 20.

Congress Just Passed the Biggest Retirement Bill in More Than a Decade. Here's What You Need to Know : The SECURE Act aims to make saving easier. The House already passed the legislation, and President Donald Trump is expected to sign the bill into law by Friday. Money, Dec. 20.

 

Retirement Accounts You Should Consider: Saving for retirement doesn’t involve a one-size-fits-all plan. Since every situation is unique, it’s important to look for the retirement account that best lines up with your personal job situation and future goals. U.S. News & World Report, Dec. 18.

Worried About the Stock Market? How to Shield Your 401(k) Against a Trump Impeachment, Recession and Trade War: If you're feeling edgy about where your investments are headed next year, you're not alone. The professionals are anxious, too. USA Today, Dec. 19.

 

Retirement Costs That Could Surprise You: Before you can safely retire, you need to know that your income will cover your expenses. But many of the following costs can catch retirees by surprise. Anticipating these common budget-busters could help you prepare for a more comfortable and less stressful retirement. Nerd Wallet, Dec. 16.

Should You Get a Reverse Mortgage? The Reasons You Should or Shouldn't: A financial tool that allows older people to tap home equity and age in place, reverse mortgages can free up cash in retirement and, in some cases, eliminate a monthly mortgage payment. USA Today, Dec. 19.

 

As Reverse Mortgages End, Heirs Are Left with Heartache: After a death, heirs who want to pay off reverse mortgages to hold onto a family home can be stymied by a seemingly endless cycle of problems. USA Today, Dec. 19.

 

How to Donate to Charity From Your IRA: Retirees don't need to itemize to qualify for this charitable tax break. U.S. News & World Report, Dec. 17.

Retirees, Reward Yourself With a Cash Back Card: The holiday season is a good time to pick a card that will reward you with cash back on a percentage of the dollars you spend. Kiplinger, Dec. 18.

 

Preparing for the Unexpected Death of a Spouse: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average age of widowhood in the United States is a surprisingly young 59. That means there are many women who fall into the “donut hole” of not being able to draw Social Security benefits and who may have lost an income that had been essential for paying the bills. Next Avenue, Dec. 18.

Are You Working with a Retirement Specialist? Many financial planners are great at managing investments but fall far short on other critical areas of retirement planning. Is your planner equipped to go the distance? Kiplinger, Dec. 17.

How to Retire in 2020: When you are ready to retire, there are certain basic things you should do before you leave the comfort and security of your old job. You need to make final adjustments to your financial plan and make important decisions about Social Security and health insurance. US News & World Report, Dec. 20.

 

How to Create a Retirement Income Plan: When you’re closing in on retirement, the big financial question shifts from “How much should I be saving?” to “How can I make my money last?” Next Avenue, Dec. 16.

Managing Inflation Risk in Retirement: Longer retirements mean inflation can put a serious dent in even the best-laid plans. You need an income strategy to help keep up with rising prices. Kiplinger, Dec. 16.

Retirement Spots With Year-Round Nice Weather: Some retirees want to escape brutal winters, while others can no longer tolerate sweltering summers. In a few locations in the U.S., it is possible to avoid both extreme heat and cold. US News and World Report, Dec. 20.

5 Social Security Tips for 2020 -- and Beyond: If you learn a little about the government's pension program, you can get far more from it over the course of your retirement. The Motley Fool, Dec. 17.

Social Security Scams Have Caused Millions of Dollars in Losses in 2019 Alone: For many people, it’s a call they’re not expecting. An unknown caller tells you that your Social Security number has been suspended or canceled. CNBC, Dec. 16.

What the Obamacare Court Ruling Means if You Have Affordable Care Act Insurance: What should the approximately 20 million Americans with Affordable Care Act insurance be doing after federal appellate judges voided a portion of Obamacare? MarketWatch, Dec. 20.

Parenting Your Aging Parents When They Don’t Want Help: Relationships between adult children and their parents can fray with age. Experts offer help on how loved ones can preserve the love and negotiate those tension-filled final years. Kaiser Health News, Dec. 19.

 

My Mother’s Dementia Made Me a Better Person. My Dog Agreed: Seeing a parent go through dementia brought out the worst in me, and showed me how to do better. The New York Times, Dec. 19.

 

Why It’s Best to Involve People With Early Stage Dementia in Care Planning: Receiving a diagnosis of early stage dementia can fill a person and that person’s loved ones with fear and anxiety about what the future holds. Yet, dementia can progress slowly over years, giving people and their families and friends plenty of time to plan for the future together. Next Avenue, Dec. 16.

New Tech Ideas for Aging Well: New technology can counter some difficulties aging adults face with everyday tasks and can also help caregivers better understand the needs of their loved ones. Kiplinger, Dec. 17.

 

What Happens to Your Facebook and Twitter Accounts After You Die? When someone you love dies, sure, their spirit endures – but so does their social media. And when their photos, memories or posts surface unexpectedly, it can be a jarring purgatory for those still healing from the loss. USA Today, Dec. 11.

Retirees, Cover Your Trip and Your Health, Too: Packing your bags for a big trip? don’t forget the travel insurance. It can protect you if unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel or interrupt a trip—or if you get sick while on the road. Kiplinger, Dec. 17.

The Movement to Bring Death Closer: Home-funeral guides believe that families can benefit from tending to — and spending time with — the bodies of their deceased. The New York Times Magazine, Dec. 19.

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