Search our Blog

Search our Blog

Thursday, May 8, 2025

Is Public Internet Safe to Use?

 



Public Internet is notoriously sketchy, but you can protect yourself and your data with smart habits.


One of the first things we learned about the Internet, back when it was becoming a part of daily life, was: password-protected network, good. Free public WiFi, bad. Today, there are more protections in place to keep your data safe on public WiFi networks. However, it’s still important to stay guarded. Today, there are more–and more sophisticated–cybercriminals looking to steal your data, and they’re targeting public Internet networks.

The Risks of the Public WiFi Connection

The biggest concern with public WiFi is that it usually isn’t encrypted, meaning that anything you send or receive (like passwords or emails) can be intercepted. And if cybercriminals are intercepting your data, you’ll likely  have no idea. In what’s known as a “man-in-the-middle” attack, hackers position themselves between you and the network to secretly steal or alter your communications over email, text, and websites. 

Another main concern is malware distribution. Cybercriminals can exploit vulnerabilities in public networks to push malware onto connected devices, most often without your knowledge. You’ll notice it when your device’s battery starts to drain more quickly or overheat, and you’re getting unexpected pop ups or redirected to websites you don’t want to visit. In the background, the malware allows hackers to steal your passwords, view your online activity, and even extort money through ransomware. In other words, they force victims to pay a ransom to gain access to their data or avoid a data leak.

When you log onto public WiFi, it’s essential to be sure you’re choosing a legitimate connection. Rarely, you may see a network name in the list that impersonates the network you really want–for example, the real network name might be “Springfield Library,” and the imposter one might be named “Springfield Library1.” That second one is set up by hackers who want you to log on to the unsecured connection. 

Clearly, the consequences of using an unsecured connection are serious, for both personal and business devices.

How to Keep Yourself and Your Data Safe on Public Connections

The good news these days, according to the Federal Trade Commission, is that, while public WiFi isn’t usually encrypted, most websites now are. If you’re using a website that starts with https://, the “s” indicates an encrypted connection through an SSL certificate. In fact, the “s” stands for “secure.” On an https:// connection, the website scrambles your data so that hackers can’t just look or listen in, even on an unsecured public network. The https:// secure connection also ensures that you’re looking at the website you think you are, not an imposter website. Look for the little lock icon in your URL bar, along with the “s,” to confirm you’re visiting a secure site. 

While you can have more confidence using public WiFi when you’re accessing secure websites, there are more steps you can take to protect your data from targeted or sophisticated attacks. 

  • Use secure passwords. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency suggests using a password manager and making each password unique, long, and random. A strong password is still one of the best defenses against cybercrime. 
  • Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). For between $5 and $10 a month, a VPN creates a secure “tunnel” through which all your data travels. A VPN isn’t an Internet connection, but you log into it when you use any Internet connection to keep your data encrypted. VPNs can also protect you from companies viewing your data to target ads. Setting up a VPN takes some up-front work, but many people consider it a best practice for Internet safety.
  • Keep your operating systems up to date. Each update fixes known vulnerabilities, so every time you update your computer, phone, or other device, you’re protecting yourself against the latest criminal tactics.
  • Disable the “Connect Automatically” feature. Stay in control of which networks you connect to by making sure that your device isn’t connecting automatically to any open network. 
  • Be extra cautious about what you share. The best way to ensure that your sensitive information stays safe on a public network is not to share it in the first place. If you’re not sure if a WiFi network or a particular website is encrypted, avoid sharing your credit card information, SSN, and any other personal data.

Remember, the organization providing you with a free public Internet connection– whether a library, government office, business, or other space–isn’t responsible for keeping your data safe online. Take steps to protect your data, at all times, but especially when the WiFi network doesn't ask you for a password.


Sources: 
Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors

Posted by at

Used or New? The Car-Buying Dilemma in 2025

 





Today's economy is shifting the calculus of the car search. 

With changes at the federal level and a sustained demand for electric vehicles (EVs), buying a car takes more research than ever. Industry experts say that 2025 isn’t a terrible time to buy a car, considering that prices aren’t expected to drop back down to pre-pandemic levels anytime soon. But it’s getting more difficult than ever to abide by the rule of thumb not to spend more than 10% of your income on car expenses.

Once you’ve decided it’s time to buy, you first need to resolve the classic dilemma: used or new?


A Complicated Calculus

Before the new administration’s tariffs went into effect in April, inventory was up for new cars, meaning prices had stabilized since the supply-chain crises of the pandemic. Now, experts are predicting we’ll see a drop in the new car supply (and the inevitable increase in prices) similar to what we saw during the pandemic. As the new car supply takes a hit, demand for used cars is expected to rise as well. Plus, automakers made 8 million fewer cars during 2020 and 2021 than they would have in pre-pandemic times, so those are 8 million fewer used cars to hit the market today.

All of this makes the math trickier for thrifty buyers. Here are some factors to consider as you weigh buying used vs. new in 2025.

  • Buy sooner rather than later. According to Kelly Blue Book, the effects of the tariffs will trickle down to individual carmakers and dealers at different times, but everyone will be affected. Keep an eye on the prices in your area, and know that every month will probably be the cheapest month to buy a car for the foreseeable future.
  • Make the most of the car you have to sell. The silver lining here is that, if you have a car that still has some miles on it, you’re likely to get a good price when you trade in, and especially if you’re willing to go through the hassle of selling it privately. With used cars in such high demand, dealers are more likely to offer you a trade-in even for cars with over 150,000 miles. 
  • EV vs. Hybrid vs. Gas? If you’re leaning toward buying new, you could still save money on an EV. From January to September 2024, Americans saved $2 billion on over 300,000 electric and hybrid vehicles, thanks to significant tax incentives. At the time of writing, the federal government was still offering a tax credit for EVs. The incentive puts $7,500 back into the pockets of buyers of new EVs priced under $80,000. For pre-owned EVs and hybrid vehicles, the credit is up to $4,000. Check fueleconomy.gov for the latest updates on the status of the incentive program and to search for eligible vehicles.
  • Don’t rule out a used hybrid or EV, but beware. Buying a used hybrid or electric vehicle is arguably the most environmentally-friendly choice. And since hybrid cars, in particular, have been on the market since 2000, they’re out there on used car lots–but they’re also in high demand. When considering buying a used EV, the most important consideration is the life of the battery. Understand the charging capacity and where the battery is in its life cycle, and be sure to factor battery replacement timing into the total cost. 


Pay Special Attention for Flooded Cars

As more extreme weather brings higher flood risk to many parts of the U.S., cars become a casualty. Few drivers carry flood insurance, as it’s prohibitively expensive, but even a partial inundation can total a car, or set it up for expensive repairs a few years down the road. When car owners offload these flooded cars onto auctions and dealers, they often get transported many miles from the site of the flood. As a result, used car buyers are seeing more and more cars with flood damage on the lot–whether or not they realize they’re looking at waterlogged vehicles.

Unfortunately, uncovering a flooded car’s history isn't always easy. Totaled cars sold at auction should come away with a salvage title, but sometimes there’s only a number or letter code on the title to indicate the fact that a car was flooded. Only in a few states are flooded cars required to be re-sold with a “flood” title stating that history.

To avoid buying a used car with flood damage, check out the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System to confirm that the title of the car you’re considering hasn’t been “washed” of its flood history. Visually inspect the car, too: look under the dashboard for any bare screws that show signs of rust; see if the carpet has any signs of being waterlogged; and check if the cardboard in the air filter looks soggy. 

The bottom line isn’t great: car prices are rising, and any downward trends are unpredictable. But, as Experian says, the best time to buy a car is when you need one.




This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional financial advice from a qualified financial advisor.




Posted by at

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Pickleball's New Rules for Competition

  





This one's for the pickleheads. 


For the fourth year in a row, pickleball is America’s fastest-growing sport. At least 36 million people have tried pickleball, and pickleball courts now number over 16,000 in the U.S. alone. With all this growth, pickleball is starting to lose the reputation it once had as a sport just for older folks. The largest age bracket of pickleball players is now 25-34 (28% of players). About 30% of “avid” pickleball players–those who play at least once a month–are above 44 years old. 

Pickleball’s multigenerational appeal can be attributed in part to its accessibility. Sometimes described as a combination of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, pickleball has low barriers to entry. Pickleball coach Ernie Medina Jr. told The New York Times, “In tennis, the balls are all over the place. In pickleball, you're hitting a plastic wiffle-like ball, so it's less bouncy and doesn't fly as fast through the air. And the paddle is much easier to handle because it's shorter and lighter than a tennis racket." 

Of course, athletes should always know their limits and accept the inherent risks of playing a sport; pickleball players see their fair share of sports injuries. But pickleball is a great workout and promotes social interaction, which has plenty of mental health benefits. In CSA Journal, Issue 93, Kyle Laramie detailed the transformative, research-backed health benefits of pickleball, including everything from weight management to decreased stress. 

For the Avid Pickleball Players

If you’re a pickleball player, none of this is news. The rest of this post is for you, pickleheads. Since pickleball is still such a new game, USA Pickleball tweaks the rules each year. Don’t hit the court again without understanding what’s new in 2025–at least not with any avid pickleball competitors.

1. Introduction of Rally Scoring in Doubles Play. Before this year, pickleball employed a side-out scoring system, where only the serving team could score points. In 2025, USA Pickleball approved the optional use of rally scoring for doubles matches in certain tournaments. In rally scoring, the ref awards a point at the conclusion of every rally, regardless of which team served. This change aims to streamline matches and add a new strategic layer to the game. But keep in mind that traditional side-out scoring remains in effect for major tournaments, such as the USA Pickleball National Championships.

2. Clarification on the Start of a Volley. To eliminate ambiguities surrounding volleys, the 2025 rulebook provides a clearer definition of when a volley begins. A volley is now officially recognized as starting when the player's paddle makes contact with the ball. This clarification makes it easier for referees to call faults.

3. Equipment Specifications and Approvals. The 2025 rulebook makes some recommendations on equipment for competitive play.
Balls: For any USA Pickleball-sanctioned tournament, the ball in play must be listed on the official list of approved balls available on the USA Pickleball website. 
Paddles: Players are responsible for confirming that their paddles are approved and listed as "Pass" on the USA Pickleball Approved Paddle List. 

4. Serving Techniques and Restrictions. The rules surrounding the serve have been refined to promote fairness and consistency.
Ball Release: Players are permitted to release the ball with either their hand or paddle when serving. However, imparting spin on the ball during the release is prohibited. 
Drop Serve: When executing a drop serve, the ball may roll off the face of the paddle by gravity alone, without any additional force or spin imparted. 

5. Spectators Should Keep Their Opinions to Themselves. That’s right, the new rules outlaw “bleacher coaching." Spectators may no longer offer advice to players during a competition. 

If you’re new to pickleball, don’t let the competition rules overwhelm you. With thousands of people joining the sport every year, there are plenty of teachers out there. This summer could be a great time to pick up a paddle.  



Sources: 

Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors



Posted by at

Trends in Primary Care: Concierge Medicine

 



As concierge medicine becomes more affordable, who benefits?


These days, it’s not easy to find a primary care doctor. Many practices have waiting lists, especially in rural areas. When you do find one, insurance makes the rules: you’re not likely to spend more than 15 minutes with your physician. And you may have waited a month to get that appointment. 

Patients and doctors alike are sick of this model. Enter concierge medicine. Concierge medicine is a healthcare model where patients pay a membership fee for enhanced access to their physician. This special access may include longer appointments, 24/7 communication, same-day visits, and even accompaniment by the doctor to specialist appointments. Annual membership fees can range from $200 for very limited services, to $10,000, $20,000 or more for extensive access to the doctor. 

That fee covers many of the same primary care services that insurance would, but a concierge medicine subscription should not replace insurance. Emergency care, surgery, and specialist care will not be covered by the annual concierge fee, so be cautious of companies that try to pitch their subscription as a low-cost alternative to insurance. Insurance will always be the more affordable option–but concierge care offers benefits that many are willing to pay for in today’s healthcare landscape. And more affordable concierge options are growing, making personalized care accessible not just to the wealthiest.

Doctors and Patients Want to Get to Know Each Other
Concierge medicine is trending, but it isn’t new. “Retainer,” “boutique,” or “luxury” practices first appeared in the U.S. in the mid-90s. And even in 2013, surveys reported that as many as 1 in 10 doctors were leaving traditional practices for the relative freedom of concierge medicine. 

Why the exodus? The biggest reason is that concierge physicians serve fewer patients than they would in traditional practices. The average primary care physician in the U.S. has a patient panel between 1,800 to 2,000. Concierge doctors serve fewer than half that number on average, around 600 patients. So, it makes sense they can spend twice as much time with each individual. "My real joy is spending time with patients and trying to help them improve their health,” shares “Dr. F” from North Carolina on the Concierge Medicine Today site. The retainer model gives doctors that time back. “I spend about 30 minutes with a patient during our average visit. This is the main reason that most patients give for returning to our practice. People are willing to spend money on something they value, and they value time with the doctor."

Besides offering that personal time that both doctors and patients crave, the concierge medicine model also offers doctors a stable income from membership fees and independence from insurance constraints. In short, doctors are turning to concierge medicine to avoid the burnout that has become a hallmark of the profession in modern times.

The Downsides of the Retainer Medicine Trend
If only the U.S. had an overabundance of qualified primary care physicians. Unfortunately, the country is looking at a shortfall of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, factoring in the aging population’s growing need for care. "Concierge medicine potentially leads to disproportionately richer people being able to pay for the scarce resource of physician time and crowding out people who have lower incomes and are sicker," researcher Adam Leive told CBS News.

When a doctor transitions to concierge medicine, their previous patients experience a gap in care. With a current national deficit of more than 20,000 physicians, finding a new, non-concierge primary care doctor is already a challenge. Many people in this position end up abandoning the idea of a PCP and start to rely on urgent care centers or emergency rooms for primary care.

To help fill the gap, some practices are starting to distinguish between concierge medicine, a boutique service accessible only to the wealthy, and “direct primary care” or DPC. This newer model has been called the “blue-collar concierge practice.” One difference is that concierge practices always charge an annual fee–often tens of thousands of dollars. DPC practices, like Direct Primary Care in Boca Raton, charge monthly fees and don’t require a long-term contract. At Direct Primary Care of Boca Raton, for $85/month, you don’t wait to see your provider, and there’s more weekend availability. The practitioner doesn’t bill insurance, except for medication, and when patients need specialist care, the DPC provider will do a soft handoff to specialists who take their insurance. 

Some DPC providers will even accompany their patients to rehab centers or specialist appointments, but that’s not the norm. If that high level of personalized care is important to you, be sure to look for it in the contract, and expect higher monthly or annual rates. 

The concierge trend offers consumers more options for care and relieves doctors of the unrealistic patient load that today’s insurance system places on them. As this industry grows, patients and their advocates will want to stay aware of what’s available, while also promoting equitable insurance-based models of care.


Sources: 
Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors

Posted by at

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

The Late-in-Life Breakout Success of Colonel Sanders

 



The iconic figure behind KFC is more than just a face on a fast-food bucket—he's a true example of finding success in life when most would have given up.


With 24,000 locations in more than 145 countries, Kentucky Fried Chicken represents a quintessential American business success story. And KFC’s founder, Colonel Harland Sanders–known to millions as Colonel Sanders or simply The Colonel–offers a personal success story for all of us who wonder if we’ve missed the boat in life. At 65, Sanders didn’t have much to his name other than a failed roadside restaurant. At 73, he was a fried chicken millionaire. His story offers a friendly reminder that we just don’t know what tomorrow will bring, no matter how old we are.

Born on September 9, 1890, in Henryville, Indiana, Sanders’ father died when he was just six years old. His mother was forced to work, leaving Harland to care for his siblings. This early responsibility led him to develop cooking skills, particularly a knack for Southern-style comfort food.

Sanders didn’t have a smooth or focused career path. Over the years, he held a dizzying array of jobs: farmhand, streetcar conductor, railroad fireman, insurance salesman, and even a lawyer for a brief stint—until a courtroom brawl with his own client ended that career. By his mid-30s, he was operating a service station in Corbin, Kentucky, where he cooked meals for travelers in the back room. His fried chicken, made with a secret blend of herbs and spices, quickly became a local favorite.

It was during this time that Sanders developed what would later become the foundation of KFC: pressure-fried chicken that was crisp, flavorful, and cooked quickly. By 1936, the Governor of Kentucky gave him the honorary title of "Colonel" in recognition of his contributions to the state's cuisine. Business picked up, and he expanded into a proper restaurant.

But Sanders’ path took a major detour in the 1950s. At age 65, with the advent of a new interstate highway that bypassed his restaurant, his once-thriving business collapsed. He was forced to sell the property at a loss. 

Most people would have accepted defeat at that point, but not Sanders. With just $105 in his pocket and a Social Security check to his name, Sanders set out in his old car to franchise his chicken recipe. He drove across the country, sleeping in his car, going door to door to restaurants, cooking his chicken for owners and staff in hopes of making a deal. He offered a simple arrangement: they could use his recipe and name in exchange for a small royalty on every piece of chicken sold. He was rejected over a thousand times before finally convincing one restaurant in Salt Lake City to take him up on the offer. That restaurant’s sales soared, and word began to spread. Soon, more offers followed, and the KFC brand began to flourish.

By 1964, at the age of 73, Sanders had franchised over 600 outlets and sold the rights to his company to a group of investors for $2 million (roughly $20 million today), while retaining control over the quality and staying on as the brand's ambassador. He remained the face of KFC for the rest of his life, traveling the world in his signature white suit, black string tie, and goatee, promoting the chicken he loved.

Colonel Sanders passed away in 1980 at the age of 90. By then, KFC had grown into one of the largest fast-food chains in the world. 

Today, the Colonel is still the face of the global brand. Colonel Sanders’ didn’t hit his stride until most people his age were retired, when he decided to hit the road rather than accept the fate dealt to his original restaurant. “The easy way rests hazardously upon shifting sands,” he’s quoted as saying on KFC’s website, “whereas the hard way builds solidly a foundation.” Sanders didn’t just sell chicken—he served up hope that no matter how late it seems, your best days might still be ahead of you.


Sources: 


Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors

Posted by at

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Famous & 65

 

Look who's turning 65 this month

Find out which celebrities are turning 65 this month!

May 10 – Bono, rock star, activist

Dublin native Paul David Hewson started going by the nickname Bono long before he became one of the world’s biggest rock stars. At 14 or 15, his friend dubbed him “Bono Vox” after a local hearing aid shop called Bonavox, Latin for “good voice.” Bono took on the mantle, and his powerful voice is still moving fans to their feet today. He’s been the frontman of U2 since 1976.

In addition to his rock anthems, Bono is famous for his activism, particularly fighting against the AIDS crisis in Africa and global poverty. His campaigns, including One and Red, engage in lobbying to pressure governments to increase their support for humanitarian aid. Over the years Bono’s organizations have leveraged billions of dollars toward these causes. He’s been criticized for neglecting to work with African entrepreneurs and grassroots organizers; critics argue that One and Red’s approach contributes to African dependency on foreign aid.

Bono met his wife, Alison Stewart, the same year that U2 formed, and they’re still together (the couple and the band). During his Presidency, President Biden awarded Bono a Presidential Medal of Freedom.





May 24 – Kristin Scott Thomas, actor

While she’s from England, Kristin Scott Thomas raised her family in Paris, has starred in several French films, and says she sometimes considers herself more French than British. At 25, she landed her debut role in Under the Cherry Moon (1986). In 1996, Scott Thomas played Katharine Clifton in the highly-acclaimed film The English Patient, which garnered her Golden Globe and Oscar nods. Other well-known credits of hers include Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), Bitter Moon (1992), Mission: Impossible (1996), The Horse Whisperer (1998), and Gosford Park (2001).

In 2023, Scott Thomas made her directorial debut with a drama known as North Star in the UK and as My Mother’s Wedding in the U.S. It stars Scarlett Johansson and Sienna Miller. And this past September, she got married to John Micklethwait, the editor-in-chief of Bloomberg News.




May 31 - Chris Elliott, screenwriter, actor, comedian

Brad Garrett started out as a stand-up comedian in the 80s, and he’s still a stand-up comedian today, performing regularly at his own comedy club at the District at MGM in Las Vegas. The website of the Brad Garrett Comedy Club https://bradgarrettcomedy.com/ advertises it at the #1 comedy club in Las Vegas. By any standard, that’s a pretty long-running and successful stand-up career. Garrett is also known as a TV personality, starting with his role as Robert Barone on the CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond. His other credits include leading roles as Jackie Gleason in the made-for-TV movie Gleason and Eddie Stark on the sitcom ‘Til Death. Viewers of the Night at the Museum movie trilogy may (or may not) recognize Garrett from his recurring role as the Easter Island Head. The three-time Emmy Award-winner is a California native and UCLA alum.





Source:

Wikipedia




Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors

Posted by at

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

The Latest in Age Tech

  



We round up the most compelling new Age Tech startups featured at this year's major technology conference. 


Over 80% of adults over 50 own some kind of technology that enables aging at home, and most say they’re highly likely to buy more AgeTech in the future. AgeTech refers to technology that supports healthy and independent aging and care partnership. In a new report, AARP and the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) project that AgeTech will become a $120 billion market by 2030. So much for the stereotype that older folks don’t use new technology. 

Tech innovators have defined six domains of aging where AgeTech plays a role.
  • Financial fortitude: affordable technology that helps with budgeting, cost-effective care, and income-earning opportunities.
  • Cognitive resilience: learning platforms and AI-driven mental wellness tools to aid in cognitive health and early detection of cognitive decline. 
  • Social connection: online communities and smart devices that reduce isolation.
  • Holistic health: home-based diagnostic tools like glucose monitors and wearable health monitoring devices.
  • Safety and security: smart home tech and biometric security to support aging in place. 
  • Convenience: voice or touch-activated systems that offer accessible control of home environments.

Each year, AARP hosts an AgeTech Collaborative event at CES, the major technology conference produced by CTA. One of the attractions of the Collaborative is the Startup Showcase, which this year featured about 25 new AgeTech companies attempting to innovate within these domains of aging. 

Here are some of the most exciting health-related ideas to come out of the 2025 Showcase. It remains to be seen whether all these companies ultimately spread their wings and soar, but they’ve gotten off the ground with some promising ideas about the future of aging.

Wesper: Snoring can worsen with age, and with it a slate of health problems including an increased risk of stroke and heart attack. The startup Wesper promises “comfortable, non-invasive at-home sleep testing” with accurate results in an easy-to-read visual format. With two half-moon-shaped sleep patches and a pulse oximeter, Wesper offers not just sleep tracking, but also clinical information about heart rate, body position, respiratory effort, and airflow. Their offer is to bring the sleep lab to your own bedroom, and they advertise that their results correlate 95% to those you’d get in a sleep lab. They’re FDA-cleared and promote their product to both individuals and physicians looking to provide tailored care. Wesper comes packaged as a Sleep Wellness Program for a $75/month subscription fee.

Tuned: Hearing loss is frustrating by itself and has also been linked to a higher likelihood of both falls and dementia. Traditional hearing aids are expensive and can be hard to use–so it's about time that the next generation of hearing aid technology takes center stage. Enter Tuned, and AI-powered self-fitting hearing aid platform that announces they’re “redefining hearing care, making it accessible and affordable for everyone.” Their FDA-approved app walks users through a hearing evaluation and tunes their hearing aids to their comfort, a process that might otherwise need to happen in a doctor’s office. Prices weren’t available on their website at the time of publication.

XanderGlasses: Here’s another innovation addressing the needs of people with hearing loss. Ever wish that daily in-person conversations came with closed captions? The day has finally arrived. XanderGlasses project captions that look like text messages onto the “screen” of the glasses, so that users can read and understand conversations, even in a loud restaurant or other noisy place. The company has worked for several years developing the technology with the Veterans Administration and is now fulfilling orders on their waiting list at the VA. Check their website for updates on when the general public may be able to order closed-captioning glasses. 

Cephable: Click on a link by smiling? Answer the phone by nodding your head? Cephable AI gives users those options and more. They market their technology to businesses looking to help their employees be more efficient, and also to older adults who need accessible options for navigating online environments. Cephable says that while most AI startups focus on output, they’re paying attention to human input to improve the experience of interacting with the tech you already use. Their platform also allows users to attach larger buttons and ergonomic controls to computers and phones in order to facilitate easier use for people with joint stiffness or other mobility issues that make it difficult to use traditional computer or phone controls.

Other startups featured at the showcase included Tembo Health, an on-call dementia care support group, and Perry, a digital wellness platform that aims to close the perimenopause support gap. In an encouraging trend, many of these new tech platforms emphasize better access to reliable, personalized health information at home. 


Sources: 


Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors

Posted by at

What Can You Do About Car Insurance Premiums?

  



As rates keep rising, audit your current policy to make sure you're getting the best rate. Especially after turning 70. 


Back in December, the SCSA blog offered some tips on how to reduce your home insurance premiums. It will come as no surprise to drivers to hear that car insurance premiums have also shot up over the last several years. In 2025, the average cost of full coverage in the U.S. is up to $2,638, up 12% from last year. And in some states, rates have climbed even more: Florida drivers pay an average of $4,171 per year for full coverage, the most expensive rate in the nation. 

Thankfully, just like with home insurance, there are ways to nudge your car insurance premiums in a downward direction, including special tips for seniors. 

Consider carrying less comprehensive insurance, especially for older vehicles.

This one comes with caveats. You can save big on insurance by paying only for liability coverage, but be sure to look at the whole picture. Most experts will recommend carrying comprehensive coverage in case of non-accident-related damage to your car, and you may be required to have it if you don’t yet own the car. But if your car is older and/or pre-owned, you may be paying more for comprehensive insurance than the actual cash value of the car. 


More Car Insurance Discounts for Seniors

  • While car insurance costs tend to decrease in your 50s and 60s, there’s a tipping point at age 70. Statistically–that is, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety–crash rates start rising after age 70, hence insurers may start raising your rates. What can you do about it? If you notice you’re getting penalized for turning 70, talk with your company and ask them to lower your rate again. They may or may not acquiesce, so, at the same time, start shopping around. 
  • Take a driver safety course. Completing online courses from SafetyServe classes from AAA RoadWise Driver could lower your premium and help keep you safe. One driver https://clark.com/insurance/changes-that-saved-us-1600-annually-on-home-and-auto-insurance/ found they saved about $425 a year on insurance after taking the SafetyServe course.
  • Some companies offer preferred rates for older drivers. The Hartford partners with AARP to offer car insurance with seniors in mind, and they claim an average $577 member savings. Geico’s special Prime Time contract is available to drivers over 50 who meet certain requirements, including no drivers in the household under 25. The policy guarantees renewal year after year.
    Keep in mind that comprehensive insurance will, in most cases, cover damage from flooding, while simple liability will not. Flood risk is one of the reasons that Florida rates have risen so sharply. 

    Shop around every year.

    “If you haven’t given your insurance a hard look in a while, you could be paying too much, not have enough coverage, or both,” says Chuck Bell of Consumer Reports. Many companies give a discount for autopay, and perhaps that’s why… they’d rather you set it and forget it, because you may very well be able to get a better rate with them or another company. Consumer Reports suggests checking with your current company to see if they have any discounts for life changes you may have experienced, such as moving to a different state, getting a new job, or sending a teenage driver off to college. 

    Report your mileage if it’s under 10,000 a year.

    Another life change that can lower your premium is retiring. If you’ve recently retired and are now driving significantly less than you were when you were commuting, check to see if your company (or another one) will lower your premium. For many companies, 10,000 miles per year is a cutoff for discounted rates, and Consumer Reports estimates that people who get this discount save an average of $116/year.

    Hire an independent insurance agent.

    If the thought of having to shop around and compare rates on car insurance makes you want to get in your car and speed away, consider hiring an independent insurance agent to do the work for you. Independent insurance agents represent a number of companies, and their job is to find you the best rate, including from companies you may not have heard of. 


    Whether you do your own research or hire an agent: to paraphrase a certain gecko, it’s possible to save a significant amount of money on car insurance by investing just a little time.



    This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional financial advice from a qualified financial advisor.


    Posted by at

    Friday, April 4, 2025

    When Solo Aging is a Lifestyle

      




    As more people become solo agers, they're creating a new way to age in community. 

     

    For a working definition of solo ager, we like the one put forth by patient advocates Nancy Ruffner and Gerda Maissel, MD: older “individuals who, by choice or circumstances, function without the support system traditionally provided by family.” According to an AARP survey from last year, 13% of adults over 50 live alone and have no living children who would be able to care for them. Of these solo agers, 49% feel “extremely or somewhat optimistic” about their quality of life as they age. Only 22% feel pessimistic. 

    If that level of optimism seems high, it may be because the public perception of solo aging has long been: “avoid at all costs.” But solo aging is no curse. As Ruffner and Maissel point out, the media portrayal of solo agers has improved in recent years; instead of lamenting the lonely fate of “elder orphans,” we’re now hearing more about how adults over 50 are building community. There’s also a growing understanding that many of us will either be solo agers ourselves or experience the kinds of challenges faced by solo agers at some point, in moments when our children and spouses are unable or unavailable to support us. 

    Whether people intentionally chose to age solo or found themselves a solo ager due to circumstances, it can be possible to turn solo aging into a lifestyle that works for them. Here’s some inspiration from people who are doing just that. 

    Placing a Premium on Friendship

    Chicagoan and solo ager David Fink has spent his career in the arts as a theater promoter. “People keep adopting me,” Fink told AARP. “If you live your life with a positive attitude and do interesting things, people befriend you.” In his mid-60s, he says he has friends of all ages because of his many different interests. He serves on the board of an arts organization and takes part in storytelling classes. 

    In her recent book The Other Significant Others: Reimagining Life with Friendship at the Center, Rhaina Cohen profiles Barb Buettner and Inez Conrad, two single friends who, as they approached retirement, decided to link up to support each other as they aged. After two decades of friendship, with shared travels and holidays, they chose to move together to a new area of the country with the intention to buy separate houses. But they realized neither could afford a house on their own. “We thought, Well, we never killed each other on a trip,” Buettner said. “Maybe this could work out.” That was in 1998. In her book, Cohen recounts how Barb and Inez formed a partnership that went beyond friends in the way that we typically use the word. They were partners, and eventually, caregivers, granting each other medical and legal power of attorney. 

    While not every solo ager would want or be lucky enough to form this kind of friend partnership, it was life changing for Barb and Inez. They were grateful to have each other to rely on when COVID hit. Today, they have a circle of friends, but they’re still each other’s go-to person. 

    A Solo Ager and Superager

    Hilda Jaffee lives alone in her apartment in Manhattan, as she has for 20 years. She made the move to fulfill a dream–at the age of 88. At 102, she tries to walk 3,000 steps a day, has only a few health complaints, and enjoys grocery shopping and volunteering in her neighborhood. A recent profile in the Washington Post labeled Jaffee a “superager,” a person age 95 and up who has a high level of well-being. She herself attributes her long life to “pragmatism” and a “can-do” attitude.

    Perhaps some elements of her solo aging lifestyle contribute to her exceptional well-being at 102. She told the Post that she likes living alone because she can make all her own decisions. “If a problem comes up, I work it out,” she said. While she has time and space, she doesn’t experience social isolation. Jaffee keeps in touch with family and friends, and she’s a member at the Met Opera and frequents all the major New York museums. She volunteers as a docent at the public library and on the adult education board of her synagogue. 

    “Loneliness, it’s not an issue,” she said. “I have enough to do within my capability.”

    A New Paradigm

    Solo aging comes with challenges, not least of all financial challenges, which are on average more serious for women and minoritized people. Social isolation is a growing mental and physical health risk for older Americans, as well. But as these challenges affect more and more older adults, they’re envisioning new ways to solve the problems that come with aging without traditional family-based support systems. Once boomers and Gen Xers have left their mark on the way Americans age, maybe we won’t even need the term solo ager anymore.



    Posted by at

    Wednesday, April 2, 2025

    Curious About Cannabis? CBD and THC for Seniors

     



    As more adults over 50 use cannabis, stay aware of the benefits and risks.


    Since 2016, April has been National Cannabis Awareness Month. While marijuana remains a federally illegal Schedule I controlled substance, 15 states have now legalized cannabis for medical use only, and another 24 states allow both medical and recreational use. As more and more states lift restrictions on the drug, more seniors are giving cannabis a try. In fact, 21% of adults over 50 have tried cannabis products over the last year. 

    When discussing cannabis products, there’s an important distinction to be made up front between CBD and THC: two sibling phytocannabinoids, a.k.a. compounds produced by the cannabis plant. CBD does not cause a high, while THC does. The two compounds are also legally distinguished by the plants they derive from: either hemp or marijuana, two different species of the cannabis plant. CBD derived from hemp is federally legal, because by U.S. law, hemp is defined as cannabis containing less than 0.3% THC. The legality of CBD products derived from marijuana varies by state, depending on the level of THC they contain. 

    Why Seniors are Using CBD and THC Products

    Some older adults are longtime marijuana users, and others are taking advantage of new laws to give cannabis products a try for the first time. Among adults over 50 in a Michigan Medicine poll, some reasons given for using cannabis include sleep (68%), help with pain (63%) or mental health (53%), and to relax or feel good (81%). That 81% suggests that for many seniors, the high is the point. The teenagers who smoked pot back in the 60s, 70s, and 80s still enjoy toking up today…just without the thrill of breaking the law. 

    For others, a high doesn’t appeal, but the other physical and mental benefits of cannabis do. For these people, the new industry of CBD products provides a boon. According to Madilyn Tucker of SunmedTM | Your CBD Store®, which has over 400 locations nationwide, people try CBD products for all kinds of reasons. “Many of our clients seek CBD as a natural, non-pharmaceutical alternative with benefits that can be truly life changing,” she says. “While some effects are subtle, they can still be deeply meaningful.” 

    For people in their 60s, 70s, 80s, and beyond, CBD can make a difference by helping alleviate everyday aches and pains. “We've had customers regain the ability to walk without a cane, attend their grandkids' soccer games, cook family dinners, and enjoy daily walks again,” says Tucker. 

    In a recent study, CBD use among older adults was associated with overall physical and mental well-being. Other studies are currently underway with the goal of understanding how both CBD and THC may alleviate anxiety and other symptoms associated with dementia and cognitive decline. 

    Before You Try Cannabis

    “For most people, CBD is well tolerated, but potential side effects can include mild drowsiness, dry mouth, or digestive discomfort,” Tucker says. “We always recommend consulting with a healthcare professional, especially if taking medications, to ensure CBD is a good fit for their routine.” 

    It’s wise to talk with a physician because there’s a lot to learn about the benefits, risks, and potential side effects of THC and CBD products, and how they differ. Since these medicines have become more available and widespread only recently, scientific research is catching up, and there’s still plenty we don’t know about how cannabis affects the brain and body. 

    Because of its psychoactive properties, THC side effects may be more concerning than those of CBD. A main issue with THC use is impairment: because THC causes a high, it’s not safe to use while driving. Some people experience paranoia or memory loss with short-term use of THC. There’s also growing awareness of cannabis use disorder, which affects up to 10% of people who start using marijuana. Cannabis use disorder involves regular, heavy use of THC-containing products leading to tolerance and dependency. In the Michigan Medicine poll of cannabis users over 50, more than 20% of respondents reported at least one sign of dependency.

    Also, keep in mind that because of the piecemeal state-by-state legalization of THC and CBD products, most CBD products aren’t regulated by the FDA, so quality varies. Look for companies that do third-party testing and prioritize transparency.

    Happy Cannabis Awareness Month!

    Perhaps, after a decade-long honeymoon since Colorado became the first state to legalize recreational marijuana in 2012, Americans are growing more cautious about cannabis. Last November, only 55.9% of Florida voters wanted to legalize recreational marijuana, short of the 60% needed to pass the measure. Still, the long-term trajectory seems to point toward legalization. As more people of all ages give it a try, awareness of the different types of cannabis-derived products, and their associated benefits and risks, becomes more important than ever. 


    Sources: 


    Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors

    Posted by at
    Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)