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Thursday, December 11, 2025

The Latest AI-Powered Trend: Surveillance Pricing

     



Are you paying more for plane tickets or hotels because of your browsing history? 


Corporations have long used personal data to target ads to specific individuals. Now, with AI-enabled surveillance pricing, two people might be seeing the same targeted ad, for the same product–with different prices. 

Unlike dynamic pricing, which is a feature of open markets and involves prices rising for everyone at peak times based on demand, surveillance pricing involves companies setting a personalized rate for each consumer based on that person’s collected data. That data can reveal your location, income, purchase history, and more.

This practice is already in place, and companies are now using it more frequently. A Federal Trade Commission report from January found that companies can even use your mouse movements on online retailers to infer your buying habits and purchasing power, and use those as factors in setting your personalized price. With this tactic on the rise, it’s time to learn how to recognize surveillance pricing and what you can do about it.

Where Price Point Meets Pain Point

In July, Delta Airlines said that they used artificial intelligence to determine 3% of their domestic fare pricing. By the end of the year (now), their goal was 20%. What does it mean for an airline to use AI to set prices? Delta, and likely other airlines, are going beyond just incorporating general factors that affect anyone–like holidays, storms, and fuel prices. Instead, AI enables them to tailor a price to each individual based on their personal data. 

Hotels and online travel agencies are taking the same approach. SFGate reporters found that online travel sites priced the same New York City hotel room at $829 for someone with a Bay Area IP address, and $318 for someone located in Kansas City. Most likely, the logic behind that $500+ difference in price is that a person who can afford to pay Bay Area rent can, and will, pay the higher rate for the hotel room. 

Another example of surveillance pricing already documented in action is on ride-sharing apps. “It’s not entirely clear,” said former Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan, “but researchers ran tests and found that riders with lower battery life on their phone were charged more.” She says that through surveillance pricing, companies assign individuals a “pain point”: in other words, the maximum that person is willing to pay for the product or service in their specific moment of need. Companies that can identify and charge a person’s exact price (pain) point will increase their revenue.

The Near-Future of Surveillance Pricing

Consumer advocates argue that marking up prices due to personal misfortune is deeply unethical. “Imagine this,” writes policy analyst Jay Stanley of the ACLU. “A family member has died, and attending their funeral is very important to you. Somehow—you don’t know how—the airlines know this about you, so when you go to buy a ticket they jack up their prices, forcing you to pay more for the same flight than other people.”

Yet Aradhna Krishna, a Professor of Marketing at the University of Michigan, doesn’t see this new capability as all bad. What if companies charged the wealthy more and poorer families less for the same service–wouldn’t that function as a “private-sector progressive tax system” and contribute to wealth equality? As she points out in The Conversation, it’s all about how surveillance pricing is regulated and implemented. As with so many AI-powered technologies, state and federal agencies are only just mapping out the new landscape, and policies will follow.

How to Avoid Paying More

For now, consumers can take a few steps to guard against exploitative surveillance pricing. First, share less data. One way to do that is to use a personal VPN, or virtual private network, which masks your physical location. Use Incognito or Private mode so your browsing history isn’t saved. You can also clear your browsing history regularly to make it harder for surveilling companies to read. 

If surveillance pricing practices take root, comparison shopping will become essential. That means checking prices on your phone in one browser and on your computer in a different browser, or asking your friend in another city to check the price for you. 

Whether or not surveillance pricing becomes yet another price we pay for the convenience of online shopping, time and legislation will tell.



Additional Sources:


Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors

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Three Senior Living Trends for 2026

    




In 2026, as demand climbs for affordable senior living options, the industry is prioritizing wellness, technology, and integrated community living. 


In 2026, experts expect senior living to be in high demand. According to the most recent Senior Housing Analyst Review and Outlook (SHARK) report, by the end of 2026, demand for senior living is expected to meet or surpass the record levels of 2008. At the same time, due to rising costs and labor shortages, many care communities are struggling to keep their doors open. In 2024 there were 63,000 fewer beds available in long-term care and skilled nursing facilities as compared to 2020, according to the American Health Care Association.

Heather Tussing, president of the Aspenwood company, expects that 2026 will be a transitional year for the industry. “While 2026 holds a lot of promise for new development, the headwinds of high interest rates and elevated construction costs will likely remain.” Supply chain issues and labor shortages will persist, too. These industry pressures, combined with the growing population of older adults, will amount to a gap of 370,000 senior housing units by 2050, according to the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing and Care (NIC). As a result, depending on their area of the country, boomers may have a hard time finding affordable options. 

Even so, the senior living industry needs to woo these clients. In fact, since new construction will likely remain expensive for the time being, many communities are opting to attract new residents with amenities and updates that appeal to the boomer sensibility. Experts predict three trends for senior living in 2026: wellness-centered, technology-rich, and integrated community living. 

Wellness-Centered Living

Boomers are concerned with wellness, and communities are responding by designing spaces and programming for the whole person. "A holistic approach to wellness is becoming a central design pillar” in senior living, says Laurie Schultz, co-founder of Avenue Development. Meditation spaces, yoga and mindful movement classes, and holistic therapies will continue to be popular in 2026, along with nutrition coaching and stress support.

Technology-Rich Living

Next year, industry experts expect the tech trends of 2025 to accelerate as AI-assisted smart home devices take up permanent residence in senior housing. It goes without saying that boomers are the most tech-savvy seniors in history, and many of them welcome advances in technology that make aging in place, or in senior housing, safer and more convenient. 

In 2026, expect to see continuing advances in Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), including smartwatches and other wearables that connect older adults to their care teams. These devices monitor blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and other vital signs, and can detect falls in real time, leading to faster responses and, research shows, fewer hospital admissions. The most up-to-the minute senior living communities will feature smart technologies like motion detectors and AI-powered systems that track habitual movements to notify the care team or families if a resident’s routine seems off. We can also hope that the industry continues to prioritize privacy along with safety in 2026 and beyond, as companies integrate these AI tools in the daily routines of senior living.

Community-Based Living

One trend that’s expected to pick up steam in 2026 is integrated community-based living. Steve Nygren, founder of Serenbe, says that as a cohort, boomers are very active. “As part of their active lifestyles, they’re seeking accommodations…that incorporate intergenerational living.” In 2026, Serenbe will start constructing a village-style community with 97 units. “The design emphasizes social life within the club while placing most services along the street, creating an active and engaging streetscape,” Nygren says. “This stands in contrast to the conventional institutional model where all services are centralized under one corporation.” 

The senior living industry knows that most boomers prefer to age in place, and that preference is motivating a movement toward creating senior living communities that are integrated into existing towns and cityscapes. Local governments are taking note, too. “Many municipalities are now including senior living in their strategic plans,” says Laurie Schultz of Avenue Development, because they recognize “a well-planned continuum of senior housing” as essential to the big-picture success of the town.

In 2026 and beyond, expect the challenges of rising demand and construction pressures to spur more innovation in the senior living industry.

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



Additional Sources:

Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors

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Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Prioritizing Mental Health Around the Holidays

  




Feeling bereft of holiday spirit? That's perfectly normal. Here are some ways to light up this darkest month of the year. 


The holiday blues: for many people, they’re a familiar part of the year’s end. Financial stress, grief, and a lack of sunlight can all be factors that influence our holiday moods–especially when the cultural narrative informs us that we should all be feeling like magical elves during this “most wonderful time of the year.”

For older people in particular, the holidays mean looking back on past seasons with loved ones who are longer present. Social isolation and financial stress, which disproportionately affect older adults year-round, can feel even more acute during the holidays. And among people, including seniors, with a diagnosed mental health issue like anxiety or depression, 40% report that the holidays make their condition somewhat worse. 

“Dying isn’t really the focus of hospice care,” Angela Novas, chief medical officer for the Hospice Foundation of America, told AARP. “The focus of hospice is to live well for the remainder of your time, however long that is.” To support people in maintaining that focus, hospice care is palliative care that emphasizes pain and symptom management.  

First of all, it can help to remember that many, many people don’t find this to be the most wonderful month. And if you’re missing loved ones this holiday, please acknowledge the feelings as normal and healthy–not an indication that you’re a grinch. 

Mental Health Resources for the Holiday Blues and Beyond

These online resources can help inspire you or a loved one to new forms of self-care or professional support this winter.
  • 988 Helpline. https://988helpline.org/ This free, confidential, 24/7 hotline is available throughout the U.S. and staffed by mental health professionals. 
  • Mental Health First Aid’s Holiday Toolkit. https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/2023/12/managing-your-mental-wellbeing-during-the-holiday-season/ Free to download, this up-to-date resource includes information and activities to guide readers through making a holiday budget, scheduling down time, embracing gratitude, and seeking support.
  • Deconstructing Stigma https://deconstructingstigma.org/older-adult has a portal with resources on mental health tailored to older adults, including mental health screenings in the form of online tests, and in-depth reading guides. 
    But we’re not fated to feel down during December. Taking time for true self-care, reaching out for support, and leaning into gratitude are all ways to lighten the darkness so many people feel during the holidays.

    Keep up healthy habits. Don’t jettison your exercise, diet, and sleep schedules during the busy holiday season. All the healthy habits you cultivate during the rest of the year will support your mood through holiday stress. Indulge in the treats that you really enjoy while keeping the big picture in mind. This can look like eating a healthy snack before going to a holiday party or leaving an event when you feel tired. 

    Schedule time for yourself, and use it for reflection and creativity. Downtime can be scarce during the holidays, and solitude helps recharge social batteries. Not all alone time is created equal, though. During a time of year when emotions surface along with memories of Christmases and Hanukkahs and Kwanzaas past, it may not be enough to decompress by scrolling or watching T.V. To process these emotions and give them an outlet, try doing something creative. The National Council on Aging suggests building creativity and journaling into your holiday season. Write down a few sentences about your day and see where it takes you. Try a new recipe or coloring book, or take time for your favorite craft. By doing something creative, we interrupt negative thought patterns and redirect our minds to the present moment—a recipe for improved mood. 


    Make new traditions with loved ones. Alone time is essential during the holidays, and so is meaningful time with family and friends. Grief for missing loved ones is part of the holiday season, always, but especially after a recent loss. During this time, remember that it’s okay not to carry on with holiday business as usual. Talk with loved ones about what you need from them, whether it’s conversation, space, or material support. And it’s important to feel free to make new traditions that both remember those we’ve lost and celebrate the life that’s still to live. 

    Bahby Banks of North Carolina told NPR that, before she died the day after Christmas in 2007, her mother’s house had started to look like Santa’s workshop. Creating new traditions around a holiday her mom had loved so much was difficult at first. "It's taken quite some time, but I decided the best tradition to honor my mother is to celebrate life and do what brings me peace,” she says. “This may vary from year to year and that's okay! I may spend a holiday by myself, or join a friend's family, or spend time with my mother's family." 

    Give yourself permission to decenter gift giving. The amount of money you spend on gifts this holiday season says nothing about how much you love and care about your family. Many people are experiencing financial stress this year. It’s okay not to give gifts, period. And it’s okay to give a poem or an act of service like making a meal. 

    Remember that the holiday blues are temporary. Melancholy around the holidays is just as temporary as it is normal. Looking ahead to what you’re excited about in the new year may help alleviate the feelings of sadness in the moment. In the same vein, consider if what you’re experiencing could be treatable as symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a condition triggered by the shortening days and a lack of sunlight. Medical help is available for SAD, including medication and therapy.

    From all of us at Senior Spirit, please accept our best wishes for a warm and meaningful holiday season this year.



    Sources:

    https://whatsyourgrief.com/creating-new-tradition-after-a-death/ 
    https://www.npr.org/2018/12/23/679334018/after-the-loss-of-a-loved-one-your-holiday-traditions-change-but-hope-endures 
    https://deconstructingstigma.org/guides/holidays 
    https://www.samhsa.gov/blog/supporting-your-mental-health-during-holiday-season 
    https://www.sdcoe.net/about-sdcoe/news/post/~board/news/post/mental-and-physical-wellness-over-the-holidays 
    https://truecare.org/blog/holiday-blues-managing-your-mental-health-during-the-holidays/ 
    https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/mental-health/tips-for-taking-control-of-the-holidays-so-they-dont-take-control-of-you/ 




    Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors

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    Monday, December 8, 2025

    Urgent Care, ER, or Freestanding ER? How to Choose

       



    Freestanding Emergency Departments are growing in popularity. What are they, and what factors should people consider when deciding where to go for care? 


    Most people have had to visit an emergency room or urgent care center for immediate medical care. A cut that might need stitches; shortness of breath; a cold and fever that keep getting worse: these could all require a visit to the doctor right now. But which doctor? The one at the urgent care center, or the ER? And what about Free-Standing Emergency Departments? 

    The choice hinges on two key factors: first, the capacity of the location to treat the issue the patient is experiencing. And second, how they will bill insurance. Understanding the factors before an emergency comes up can save precious time as well as money in the moment.

    Sometimes it’s clear that the issue can wait for an appointment with a primary care provider; for example, with a bothersome muscle ache or strain, ongoing gastrointestinal issues like heartburn, or a sore throat that’s persistent but unaccompanied by fever. Waiting to make a PCP appointment can save money and means talking with a provider you know and who knows you. 

    But other times, it’s clear that someone needs immediate medical attention, or the issue is ambiguous enough that the person wants to get care right away. In these cases, there are three main kinds of options for care. 
    • Urgent Care Facilities are walk-in clinics, usually open 10-12 hours/day and on weekends. They’re often located in retail areas.
    • Freestanding Emergency Departments (FSEDs), or Freestanding Emergency Rooms, are not attached to a hospital, but otherwise function like an ER. Most are open 24/7. Like Urgent Care centers, they’re often located in high-traffic retail areas.
    • Emergency Rooms (ER) are located within hospitals and are open 24/7.

    Medical Capacity at Each Type of Location
    The locations and hours of these three options differ, and so do the medical staff and equipment capacity. In short, urgent care facilities are equipped to handle non-life threatening conditions and injuries. If the person is in immediate danger, it’s important to call 911. The person will be transported to an ER or, less often, a FSED.

    Urgent care centers are not necessarily staffed by physicians, but will have nurses and nurse practitioners on staff. They’re not required to have the same life-saving emergency equipment as ERs. Urgent care facilities are well-equipped to treat mild to moderate illnesses and injuries, including urinary tract infections, strep throat, pink eye, mild to moderate cuts or sprains, and mild to moderate cold symptoms that could be COVID, RSV, or flu. People who don’t have PCPs may also use urgent care centers as their preventative care providers, and some urgent care centers are leaning in this model.

    FSEDs, in contrast, are staffed by qualified emergency physicians, just like a regular ER, and they have all the same equipment. In an emergency, either facility will be able to treat severe allergic reactions, serious injuries, chest pains, and other life-threatening conditions. 

    The benefits of an FSED over an ER vary based on timing and location; an FSED will always be better if it’s closer, and sometimes they have shorter wait times than ERs. A benefit of ERs is that, if a person requires hospitalization after initial treatment, they’re already at the hospital for an extended stay, whereas a person treated at an FSED will need to be transported to a hospital in an ambulance. Keep in mind that urgent care centers also have relationships with hospitals and will be able to transfer a patient in need of ER care to the nearest ER or, in some cases, FSED.

    How Will They Bill Insurance?
    Cost is the other major factor. Urgent care centers are more affordable, in general; the insured patients may only be charged a co-pay for treatment and prescriptions filled at the center. 

    Freestanding Emergency Departments, since they have all the staff and amenities of standard ERs, have a similar pricing structure. FSEDs started in the 1970s as a trend in rural areas where hospitals are few and far between. More recently, they’re becoming common in urban areas, too. States are still catching up with the trend, and regulation of FSEDs–from staffing to service to hours of operation–still differs from state to state. Similarly, pricing at FSEDs differs depending on location, your insurance, and type of treatment. 

    There’s probably no financial incentive to go to the nearest FSED over the nearest ER, unless the FSED is in-network with your insurance provider, and the hospital isn’t. It’s a good idea to know which FSEDs and ERs in your vicinity take your insurance, before an emergency strikes. If you’re traveling, the situation may not permit time to do this research–but if possible, try to call either your insurer or the facility to find out if they’re in-network before being admitted. 

    Many FSEDs are owned by hospitals in that region, in which case they most likely are in the same networks as that hospital system. Others are privately owned, and their network status will vary. It’s important to know that these private FSEDs aren’t eligible to accept Medicare or Medicaid on their own; but, increasingly, they’re partnering with hospitals or even building out their own hospitals in order to meet Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services requirements. 

    If you’re located far from the nearest ER, or if ER wait times are out of control in your area, the increasing prevalence of FSEDs could be good news in your neighborhood.  


    Additional Sources:


    Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors

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    Wednesday, December 3, 2025

    Best of 2025: Movies By, For, and About Seniors

      


    Get the popcorn ready for these four 2025 films featuring older adult protagonists and themes about family and aging. 


    An Italian family’s culinary dreams. A dystopian sci-fi odyssey. An intergenerational friendship in Florida. An ill-conceived art heist. In some of the year’s top films, older adults aren’t pigeonholed into stereotypical roles–they’re starring in diverse stories about late-in-life heroes. 

    Nonnas

    Nonnas stars Vince Vaughn as Joe Scaravella, a Staten Island would-be restauranter. But the real stars are the nonnas, or grandmothers, whom Joe enlists instead of professional chefs to cook for the guests at Enoteca Maria  –a real-life restaurant still in operation. After his mother dies, Joe wants to honor both her and his nonna, and their famous cooking, by opening a restaurant where the chefs are only nonnas and where the customers feel like they’re eating at their childhood dinner table. Things don’t go according to plan, as the nonnas initially fail to get along, a kitchen fire sets back the opening, and a key food critic won’t deign to review a Staten Island establishment. But this is a comedy best described as heartwarming, and you can rest assured that it all works out in the end. The film also stars Susan Sarandon as one of the nonnas. Find it on Netflix.

    The Blue Trail

    Tereza is a 77-year-old lifelong resident of a small Brazilian town. When the government knocks on her door one day to tell her it’s time to relocate to a senior housing colony, she declines–but it’s not optional. What ensues is a dystopian odyssey along the Amazon river, and an expertly-plotted tale of one woman’s search for freedom from authoritarian rule. The Blue Trail (O Último Azul) stars Denise Weinberg as Tereza, who escapes the government’s “wrinkle wagons”--or cages on flatbed trucks that haul away the noncompliant elders–to embark on her increasingly magical journey. “What’s remarkable about The Blue Trail and makes it such a delight,” according to the Hollywood Reporter, “is that despite all the oppression in the air, it’s a movie filled with hope and faith in human resilience at any age.” As of this writing The Blue Trail wasn’t yet streaming, but keep an eye out for it!

    Eleanor the Great

    Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut stars June Squibb, 96, who last year made her first star turn (after a career of supporting roles) in the comedy Thelma. In Eleanor the Great, Squibb plays 94-year-old Eleanor Morgenstein, who recently moved in with her daughter in New York City after the death of her best friend and longtime roommate, Bessie, played by Rita Zohar. Looking for companionship, Eleanor finds herself by accident in a Holocaust survivors’ support group. She didn’t survive the Holocaust, but Bessie did. When Eleanor shares her friend’s story as her own, it takes on a life of its own and brings her into contact with a grieving journalist, a news anchor, and a suite of characters played by actors including Erin Kellyman, Jessica Hecht, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. “The film may trip over its own contrivances,” writes Lindsey Bahr in her review, “but their performances will leave you moved.” Eleanor the Great is available on major streaming platforms. 

    Any Day Now

    This one is just plain fun. Like Nonnas, Any Day Now is based on a true story, but a very different kind–this is the tale of one of the world’s great unsolved art heists. It’s 1990, and Marty Lyons (Paul Guilfoyle, 76) is a career criminal who targets hapless twenty-something security guard Steve (Taylor Gray) to join the gang that will lift 13 paintings from Boston's Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. The multi-million-dollar scheme involves a motley crew of other semi-retired criminals, whom Steve is never sure if he wants to trust. Critics describe Any Day Now as predictable genre fare: not all that original, but enjoyable for the performances. And the way the plot unfolds, the characters–Marty in particular–are often one step ahead of the audience. Guilfoyle, an accomplished character actor, brings an atmosphere of mystery and comedy that makes the movie a fun diversion. Find it on streaming.

    Are you watching any of these movies over the holidays? Let us know what you think! And remember to send us your favorite 2026 movies featuring late-in-life protagonists for next year’s movie roundup.







    Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors

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    Monday, December 1, 2025

    Famous & 65

        

    Look who's turning 65 this month

    Find out which celebrities are turning 65 this month!

    December 3

    Because this actor’s given name–Julie Smith–was already in use by another actor of her generation, she became famous by a stage name that’s a portmanteau of both her parents’ names. A North Carolina native, she got her start on the daytime soaps before starring in an impressive number of turn-of-the-millenium hits: The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997), Boogie Nights (1997), The Big Lebowski (1998), Magnolia (1999), The End of the Affair (1999), Hannibal (2001), Far from Heaven (2002), and The Hours (2002). In 2014, she won an Oscar for her portrayal of a linguistic professor diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in Still Alice. Her most recent projects include the limited series Mary & George (2024) and Sirens (2025). And, she’s authored a children’s book series with a main character who shares her signature red hair: Freckleface Strawberry.

    Answer: Who is…. (click here to reveal)?


    December 3

    Born the very same day as the subject of the previous clue, this American actor is almost as well known for her environmental activism as for her film and television career. She’s been arrested multiple times since 2006 for taking action in defence of an urban farm in Los Angeles, in protest of mountaintop removal in West Virginia, and in front of the White House demonstrating against the Keystone XL pipeline. While she protests for environmental and peace causes in real life, on screen she’s known for playing violent characters. Her acting career started at age 17 in the horror film The Fury (1978). She did her own stunts as a homicidal android in Blade Runner (1983), and then became famous for playing the one-eyed assassin Elle Driver in the Kill Bill franchise. 

    Answer: Who is…. (click here to reveal)?

    December 10

    Born in Belfast, this actor and director is famous for interpreting Shakespeare for modern audiences. He both directed and starred in Henry V (1989), Much Ado About Nothing (1993), Othello (1995), Hamlet (1996), and As You Like It (2006). In 2019, he directed a biographical film about Shakespeare’s life, All Is True–and starred as the playwright himself. When asked why he keeps returning to Shakespeare, he replied: “The words have always moved me, from the moment when I was 17 and went to see King Lear…I’ve loved working on something where you really have to justify and prove that it still can matter.” He’s collaborated on several films with director Christopher Nolan as a supporting actor, including Dunkirk (2017), Tenet (2020), and Oppenheimer (2023). He won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for his semi-autobiographical Belfast (2021).

    Answer: Who is…. (click here to reveal)?


    December 26

    A comic strip can be more than just a comic strip, and that’s true of this cartoonist’s internationally-synicated Sherman’s Lagoon. The artist, a native of Virginia, says the strip combines his lifelong loves of art and the sea. Since 1991, the strip has featured characters including a lazy great white shark named Sherman, his volatile wife Megan, and their friends and neighbors under the sea. Aimed at teens and adults, the series has earned a reputation for its funny characters and environmental themes, and is now syndicated in over 150 newspapers. In 2000, Sherman’s Lagoon won an Environmental Hero Award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) "for using art and humor to conserve and protect our marine heritage."

    Answer: Who is…. (click here to reveal)? 


    Posted by at

    Friday, November 21, 2025

    How Decades of Nicotine Addiction Complicate Recovery in Later Life

        



    Nicotine addiction gradually rewires the brain, making daily routines and habits strongly linked to smoking. Older adults who have used nicotine for decades face harder withdrawal symptoms and prolonged cravings compared to younger adults. Over time, the brain adapts to the constant presence of nicotine, creating persistent urges even after attempting to quit. Long-term smokers experience slower recovery rates and higher relapse risks, especially in later life. Cognitive changes, mood fluctuations, and heightened stress can make quitting feel overwhelming. With this in mind, understanding how decades of nicotine addiction impact both body and mind is essential for planning effective cessation strategies. Awareness and structured support improve the chances of lasting recovery.

    Understanding the Long-Term Grip of Nicotine

    Nicotine slowly changes brain chemistry, creating strong habits that link smoking to daily routines. Older adults who have smoked for many years often notice cravings intensify in stressful situations or after meals. These patterns make breaking habits difficult. Another key point is that the brain relies on nicotine to regulate mood, energy, and focus, which reinforces dependence. Research shows that older adults struggle more than younger adults to quit successfully, largely because the body adapts over decades. Repeated exposure also strengthens associations between triggers and smoking, making avoidance more challenging. Recognizing these habitual patterns is crucial for planning cessation. Tracking triggers, timing cravings, and replacing habits with healthier behaviors improves success. Understanding the long-term grip helps older adults approach quitting realistically and with patience.

    Identifying Triggers in Later Life

    Smoking triggers often hide in familiar routines, such as morning coffee, evening relaxation, or social gatherings. These associations form over decades, making them difficult to recognize. For this reason, older adults must observe patterns closely and note situations that prompt cravings. Mental cues, like stress or boredom, often appear before physical urges. Avoiding triggers can reduce relapse risk, but replacement strategies also work well. Walking, light exercise, or breathing exercises help redirect attention. Similarly, mindfulness practices increase awareness of cravings and improve control over responses. Tracking progress, journaling episodes, and celebrating small successes can reinforce behavior change. Over time, older adults gain confidence in resisting triggers. Awareness of personal patterns strengthens recovery plans and highlights the importance of proactive strategies, increasing the likelihood of lasting cessation.

    Physical and Mental Impacts of Nicotine on Older adults

    Older adults often underestimate the physiological role nicotine plays beyond habit. Nicotine isn’t just addictive—it actively influences mood, alertness, and overall health. Over decades, it gradually damages the cardiovascular system, weakens the lungs, slows healing, and reduces immune responses. At the same time, it contributes to cognitive decline, heightened anxiety, depression, and increased stress levels. These physical and mental effects interact, creating a cycle that shows how it affects you, your daily activities, and overall well-being. Energy levels drop, focus diminishes, and emotional resilience decreases. Recovery plans must address both body and mind to succeed. Understanding these challenges helps older adults develop realistic expectations and strategies. After decades of use, the combined physical and mental toll makes quitting uniquely difficult, highlighting the importance of tailored support and structured cessation methods.

    The Role of Support Systems for Older adults

    Recovery becomes easier with strong social support. Family, friends, and caregivers offer encouragement, monitor progress, and provide accountability. Professional support, like counseling or senior-focused cessation groups, improves outcomes. Peer connections reduce feelings of isolation and provide tips from people facing similar challenges. Support also helps manage stress, which often triggers relapse. Emotional encouragement boosts motivation, while practical advice guides daily routines. In short, combining social, emotional, and professional support creates a comprehensive recovery environment. Older adults who engage actively in support systems report higher success rates. Encouragement from others fosters confidence, reinforces healthier habits, and reduces the sense of struggle. Structured support becomes particularly valuable after decades of nicotine addiction, helping older adults navigate withdrawal, cravings, and lifestyle adjustments.

    Medical Interventions and Senior-Specific Treatments

    Many people struggle with quitting their long-term struggle. Approximately 8.3% to 14% of U.S. adults aged 65 and older struggle with nicotine addiction. However, there are effective solutions. Nicotine replacement therapies, such as patches, gums, or lozenges, ease withdrawal symptoms for older adults. Prescription medications can also reduce cravings but require monitoring for side effects. Then again, older adults often have other health conditions, so consulting healthcare providers is important. Holistic approaches like stress management, gentle exercise, and mindfulness support overall recovery. Treatment plans work best when customized to age, health status, and smoking history. 
    Besides, combining medication with behavioral therapy improves success rates. Gradual reduction methods often suit older adults better than abrupt quitting. Tracking progress and adjusting treatment based on individual response increases adherence. These interventions make recovery safer, more manageable, and sustainable. Awareness of medical options empowers older adults to choose strategies that complement lifestyle changes and social support, improving the chance of long-term cessation.

    Nutrition and Exercise: Enhancing Recovery

    Nutrition and physical activity strengthen the body during recovery. Foods rich in antioxidants and vitamins support lung health and immune function. Hydration helps reduce cravings, while consistent meals prevent blood sugar dips that trigger urges. Light exercise, such as walking, stretching, or swimming, improves cardiovascular health, mood, and energy. Older adults benefit from routines tailored to physical abilities and limitations. Combining nutrition and exercise reduces stress and enhances mental clarity. In like manner, staying active promotes discipline and structure, which reinforce quitting habits. Adequate sleep further supports cognitive function and emotional balance. Implementing small, consistent lifestyle changes creates a strong foundation for recovery. Hence, older adults can improve physical resilience and mental stability, making quitting more achievable.

    Overcoming Mental Barriers in Later Life

    Mental challenges often hinder quitting the addiction. Fear of failure, discouragement from past attempts, and low confidence can reduce motivation. Setting small goals helps older adults experience consistent success. Visualization, journaling, and positive reinforcement strengthen determination. Managing stress through meditation, deep breathing, or social engagement reduces relapse triggers. On the other hand, building resilience requires patience and repetition. Cognitive strategies like reframing urges and rewarding milestones support sustainable habits. Celebrating small victories reinforces progress and maintains morale. Understanding that setbacks are normal prevents discouragement. Older adults who approach recovery with awareness and realistic expectations manage cravings effectively. Above all, mental perseverance, combined with physical strategies and social support, significantly increases the chance of lasting cessation after decades of nicotine use.

    Celebrating Milestones and Staying Committed

    Recognizing achievements motivates older adults to continue recovery. Tracking smoke-free days, health improvements, or reduced cravings highlights progress. Celebrating milestones strengthens confidence and reinforces habits. Sharing accomplishments with peers or family provides accountability and encouragement. Even small successes prevent feelings of stagnation and support long-term commitment. Structured reward systems, such as enjoying a favorite activity, reinforce positive behavior. Older adults who maintain consistent routines and stay mindful of triggers reduce relapse risk. Recovery becomes more sustainable when effort and achievement are acknowledged. Long-term commitment, awareness, and support form a strong foundation for quitting. Celebrating progress promotes lasting health improvements and encourages resilience.

    Overcoming the Challenges of Decades of Nicotine Addiction

    Quitting after decades of nicotine addiction is challenging but possible. Older adults must address physical health, mental resilience, triggers, and support systems. Consistent effort, tailored strategies, and patience improve recovery success. Understanding these long-term effects helps older adults approach cessation realistically, empowering them to regain health and maintain a smoke-free life.





    Author’s Bio: Pat Crilley is the executive director of a recovery center in Palm City, Florida. With a background in healthcare leadership, he guides the organization to bring the best quality services


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    Friday, November 14, 2025

    Gift Ideas to Help Seniors Stay in Touch Over the Holidays

     



    Spread the love and stay connected with adaptive phones and remote tech support subscriptions. 


    When parents, grandparents, and older loved ones are spread across the country or globe, family members find creative ways to stay in touch–and that’s especially important around the holidays. Hearing or vision loss can make keeping in contact more challenging, but the technology is out there to help any older adult use a phone to communicate via audio, text, and video. 

    The Ooma Senior Phone Bundle uses your home internet to provide a home phone experience with features tailored to older adults. It includes large backlit buttons, photo-dial keys, a loud ringer, visual ring indicator, and hearing aid compatibility. There’s built-in scam blocking thanks to the extra device, called Ooma Telo, that connects to the Internet and blocks common scams. You can also set it to send all unknown callers directly to voicemail. For family members worried about older adults living alone, Ooma’s address-based 911 will be a welcome feature; while cell phones only give a general idea of the caller’s location to 911 operators, the Ooma provides a registered home address. It will also place automated alerts to family if the Ooma user calls 911. Their customer support is well-reviewed and trained to provide service to older adults; users can call the “Concierge” service 24/7 for setup or help. But this service costs $14.99/month. The Senior Phone Bundle, which includes the adaptive Clarity phone and Ooma Telo Internet-connected device, sell for $159.99.

    The company Hamilton Captel offers captioning telephones that can be game changers for people with hearing loss. One user shared, “I now initiate telephone conversations instead of requesting my spouse to speak for me.” One of their best sellers is the CapTel 2400i, a captioning landline phone that displays word-for-word captions of everything said on a call, in real time. It features a large, backlit touchscreen display with adjustable font sizes, colors, and the ability to scroll through captions. The phone amplifies audio with tone control and hearing-aid compatibility, and includes a strong speakerphone for hands-free calls. It also includes a built-in answering machine that captions messages, a directory that can store more than 90 contacts, and speed dial and “dial-by-picture” features. The phone itself and the captions service is free for eligible users, funded by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Users can choose between Auto Captions (computer-generated) and Assisted Captions (human-assisted) modes.

    The Jitterbug Smart4 from Lively is a smartphone tailored for ease of use. It presents a single, simplified list menu with large, readable text so the user isn’t overwhelmed by many icons or nested menus. But it runs on Android and can download apps from Google Play store–it’s still a smartphone, just easier to use. The Jitterbug supports voice typing, which makes text messaging easier for people with limited hand mobility. There’s also real-time call captioning, so during phone calls, spoken words appear as text. The device has loud, clear dual speakers, long battery life up to 37 hours of talk time, and fast charging. The phone itself costs $119.99 from Lively (cheaper prices may be available from box stores like Best Buy), and users need to choose a Basic, Preferred, or Premium Lively plan, starting at $19.99/month plus data. A nice thing about these plans is that they all come with 24/7 emergency assistance and transportation support in the form of agents available to answer tech questions or schedule users a ride with Lyft. 

    Adding Tech Support Makes for a Truly Thoughtful Gift

    Remember, you can make remote support and setup assistance part of any gift. If it’s available but not already included, make the first call/setup session part of the present. Depending on the gift and the senior’s level of tech savvy, you can also create a written quick guide to accompany the new gift (e.g. “To call grandkids: press green button, then choose name”). This is especially thoughtful if you can’t be there in person to present the gift. 

    There are also services that provide tech support that meets the specific needs of older adults. Here are three: 
    • Cyber Seniors is an international non-profit that pairs young people with older adults for personalized tech support. The youth gain experience with tech and tutoring, seniors gain free help with tech problems on their own schedule, and everyone benefits from the intergenerational connections. Seniors can link up with volunteers for free through local Area Agencies on Aging or other nonprofits that license with Cyber Seniors. 
    • Candoo Tech has featured in this newsletter before because it’s one the best-known tech service attuned to the needs of older adults. Plans start at $19/month for unlimited tech support for a wide variety of devices. Subscribers also gain access to Candoo’s library of tech support workshops and videos.
    • The Smarter Service offers customized memberships to meet the needs of individuals, senior centers, and senior living communities. Plans start at $20.83/month and can include device support, help with travel planning and online ticketing, help with smart home monitoring and security, and help with password management, social media, and more. Depending on your area, they can even offer in person support. 

    We want our loved ones to be able to pick up the phone and call. All these gifts have the potential to help make it happen: less frustration and more connection this holiday season.


    Additional Sources:


    Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors

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    Resources That Make a Difference for Veterans

     



    As the nation celebrates Veterans Day, here are veterans benefits that every CSA should know about. 


    Some CSAs grew up in military families or served in the military themselves, and others aren’t as familiar with the challenges and unique needs of military families. As CSAs, our clients almost certainly include veterans, and possibly veterans who are eligible for a suite of services that they aren’t yet taking advantage of. Only 45% of Veterans Affairs (VA) beneficiaries use more than one VA benefit. 

    This Veterans Day, make it your business to get to know some of these benefits. For certain clients and their families, they could be life-changing.

    In a 2024 CSA Journal article, Carmen Perry-Tevaga provided readers with a guide to the Aid & Attendance (A&A) Pension available to eligible active-duty veterans and their surviving spouses through the VA. The A&A Pension is designed to help veterans cover the cost of long-term care, whether that’s in-home nursing care or assisted living. In 2024, the maximum annual pension rates under this program were: 
    • Single veteran: $27,549
    • Married veteran: $32,433
    • Surviving spouse: $17,935
    A person may be eligible if they need assistance with activities of daily living, are housebound, live in a nursing home, or have severely limited vision. 

    The A&A pension is a needs-based benefit, meaning the VA evaluates applicants based on financial need to determine eligibility. As of last year, an applicant’s net worth needed to be $150,538 or below; this number changes every year. 

    According to Perry-Tevaga in her recent article, the A&A pension can provide financial relief, improved quality of life, and support for surviving spouses–and yet, many people who may be eligible don’t try to take advantage. 

    Through the Disability Housing Grants program, the VA offers veterans and service members “with certain service-connected disabilities so they can buy or change a home to meet their needs and live more independently.” A Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant provides financial assistance to veterans who need to retrofit their home to allow them to live there with certain service-connected disabilities. In 2025, the maximum grant amount is $121,812, and other related grants are available for people who meet additional eligibility requirements. 

    Help for Caregivers

    The VA also offers programs that provide essential support to the caregivers of veterans. Respite Care provides short-time care for veterans who live at home, to provide a break for family caregivers. The Home Respite Care program pays for short-term in-home care of a few hours, and Nursing Home Respite Care pays for the veteran to stay in a care community for a few days while the family is out of town. 

    In some locations, Adult Day Health Care may be available for veterans who need assistance with activities of daily living. These programs provide a place for older adults to go during the day for companionship and recreation, while allowing caregivers to work at their jobs or rest. 

    Help with All the Paperwork

    With all these and other benefits, the paperwork involved can feel overwhelming and constitute a barrier to accessing the service or grant. Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) can assist with the paperwork, for free. Indeed, it’s highly recommended that veterans take advantage of this service in order to avoid delays in the application process. They’ll also help with tracking applications and appeals processes, when necessary.
        
    Applicants will need to provide their service record and all the other documents that determine eligibility–a Veteran Service Officer can help you determine what those documents are and where to find them. The National Veterans Foundation provides a list of federal, state, and independent agencies that provide Veteran Service Officers. 

    More Non-VA Benefits

    Most veterans are probably aware of the Wounded Warrior Project, but it’s worth taking a look at all the many resources they offer, including peer support groups, financial counseling, and the Independence Program, which can provide direct care and support to eligible wounded veterans who served post-2001. Similarly, the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) serves veterans and their families by assisting them with accessing VA benefits plus counseling, transition services, and entrepreneurship support. 

    Here are two other non-governmental resources that many veterans and their families may not know about: First, VetTix honors service members by offering free tickets to a variety of sporting events and concerts–all donated by the venues. Their mission is to help veterans “reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, build life-long memories and encourage service members and veterans to stay engaged with local communities and American life.” In 2024, they gave out 6.6 million tickets to veterans and their families, and they have over 3,500 open events on their website. The tickets include NFL, MLB, theater, stadium concerts, comedy tours, and more. Second, GOVX supports a variety of nonprofits that serve veterans and families, and they also host a clearinghouse of discounts available to servicemembers, from event tickets to gym memberships to streaming subscriptions. 

    While there’s no doubt that older veterans and their families need even more benefit options at the federal, state, and local levels, many of our clients aren’t taking advantage of the benefits that are already out there. CSAs can help make sure these clients aren’t missing out on thousands of dollars.

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




    Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors

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    Tuesday, November 11, 2025

    Understanding RSV

      



    Flu season is in full swing, and that also means an elevated risk of RSV, especially for older adults. 


    Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) only recently entered the public consciousness in a big way, but it’s been a major concern for doctors and researchers around the world for decades. Children and healthy adults who contract the RSV virus will usually experience mild cold-like symptoms. But infants, adults with weakened immune systems, and older adults are at risk of developing life-threatening illness, similar to a severe flu. RSV hospitalizes 159,000 adults over 65 in the U.S. each year, and between 10,000 to 13,000 die from RSV infection. 

    What should older adults know about RSV and the vaccines that are now recommended to prevent RSV infection and severe illness? 

    RSV Risk and Symptoms

    RSV is a common virus that affects the nose, throat, and lungs. It causes upper and, in severe cases, lower respiratory infections. 

    According to the CDC, adults with the highest risk for contracting severe RSV include: 
    Adults ages 75 and older
    Adults with chronic heart or lung disease
    Adults with weakened immune systems
    Adults with certain other underlying medical conditions
    Adults living in nursing homes

    In mild cases, people will notice cold symptoms like a runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, and a low-grade fever. In severe cases, RSV spreads the lower respiratory tract and causes symptoms including: 

    • Fever
    • Severe cough
    • Wheezing — a high-pitched noise that's usually heard on breathing out (exhaling)
    • Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing — the person may prefer to sit up rather than lie down
    • Bluish color of the skin due to lack of oxygen (cyanosis)

    Unfortunately, RSV is just as easy to catch as a common cold. It passes from person to person through the air or direct contact, and can also survive for hours on hard surfaces. It enters the body through the nose, eyes, or mouth. Best practice for preventing RSV infection is the same as the common cold or flu: wash your hands often, avoid sharing drink or food with others, and keep surfaces clean. And, just recently, there’s also an effective vaccine available for RSV.

    A New Vaccine Option

    The RSV vaccine is quite new: two RSV vaccines were approved by the FDA for the first time in 2023. In clinical trials, the vaccine had a 94% effectiveness rate in preventing severe disease in older adults. In the trial, severe disease was defined as needing a ventilator or supplemental oxygen to breathe.

    The 2023 approvals were at least 60 years in the making. “RSV has been one that’s taken us a while to be able to unlock its mysteries and secrets,” said Dr. Steven Varga, a researcher and dean at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital whose career has been devoted to the search for an RSV vaccine. “It’s a really exciting time,” he told CNN. “It’s been a long time coming.”

    The CDC recommends that everyone over 75 get an RSV vaccine, and that adults over 50 talk with their healthcare provider about their risk factors and consider getting the shot. The three vaccines available are Abrysvo, Arexvy, and mResvia. The CDC does not recommend one over the others. 

    Unlike the flu and COVID shots, the RSV vaccine is currently a one-time shot. So, if you already got it in the last two years, there’s no need to get another one. With more research, this recommendation may change in the future, when CDC determines how long effective protection from the vaccines lasts.

    Side effects from the vaccine are similar to those associated with other vaccines: most commonly, mild redness, pain or swelling at the injection site, and fever, headache, and nausea may also occur.

    The best time to get an RSV vaccine, if you’ve never had one, is in the late summer or early fall. But the incidence of severe disease peaks in December and January, so there’s still time to talk with your healthcare provider about getting shot before the holidays.

    If you do catch RSV during the holidays, and symptoms are mild, at-home remedies for the common cold will likely help: drink plenty of water, use throat lozenges, and get as much rest as you can. 


    Additional Sources:


    Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors

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    Monday, November 10, 2025

    For a Longer Life, Give Thanks

     




    An "attitude of gratitude" may be a cliche, but the truth is, having one can actually lengthen your life. 


    Before digging in to the turkey and cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving, many families will pause and share something they’re grateful for. According to scientists, bringing that Thanksgiving spirit and practice into the everyday can help people live longer and healthier lives. Here are some research-backed reasons for cultivating an attitude of gratitude year-round, and how to commit to the practice.

    Gratitude Is Powerful

    When scientists study the health and longevity benefits of gratitude, they’re usually referring to a practice of focusing on what we have, rather than what we don’t have. In other words, practicing gratitude means emphasizing what is, rather than what is not. Like a mindfulness practice, a gratitude practice is about bringing our attention to what’s around us in a non-judgemental way.

    In a recent study of female nurses between 69 and 96 years old, researchers found that those who felt gratitude more often had a 9% lower risk of mortality within three years. That effect emerged after adjusting for other factors like physical and mental health, social connectedness, socioeconomic status, and religion. One of the authors of the study, Tyler VanderWeele, is co-director of the Initiative on Health, Spirituality, and Religion at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

    "A 9% reduction in mortality risk is meaningful, but not huge," VanderWeele told Harvard Women’s Health Watch. "But what's remarkable about gratitude is that just about anyone can practice it. Anyone can recognize what's around them and express thanks to others for what's good in their life."

    Indeed, for such an accessible intervention, gratitude’s positive effects on health are pretty amazing. Experiencing gratitude on a regular basis has been shown to support cardiovascular health; in one study, people with a gratitude practice experienced an improvement in symptoms like inflammation, and were more likely to stick to treatment goals. In a meta-analysis of 64 clinical trials, researchers found that individuals who practiced gratitude had lower rates of anxiety and depression. 

    Dr. Emiliana Simon-Thomas studies well-being at the University of California, Berkeley. “It is unfair to demand gratitude from anyone if they’re feeling particularly impoverished,” she said in an interview with CNN.  “But it’s not unfair to point out some of the simple and easy immediate factors that are actually a source of goodness. It could be the feeling of warm sun through a window on your shoulder…it’s just a matter of really noticing that there are things around you, even in moments that are difficult.”

    How to Cultivate Gratitude Daily

    Everyone feels gratitude spontaneously sometimes, but the real health benefits emerge for those who cultivate gratitude with intention. Here are a few ways to practice.

    Stopping and Noticing: LIke Dr. Simon-Thomas suggests, pausing to notice the goodness in everyday moments is a form of gratitude practice. Any mindfulness technique will bring the same effect. To remind yourself to stop and look for the good, try connecting this new habit with something you already do everyday. For example, instead of using your morning coffee time to doomscroll or watch the news, use that time consistently to pause and notice the good things your senses are telling you. The smell of coffee, the sound of birdsong, the chill of the autumn air, the comfort of your favorite chair… all these are available for the noticing.

    Ask Yourself Three Questions: Pick three questions to ask yourself every day to generate a sense of gratitude. 
    What sensations am I grateful for in this moment?
    Who has given me something recently–a gift, kindness, their time?
    What is bringing me comfort?
    What art/book/movie/media gave me happiness today?
    What am I looking forward to? 
    You might decide to keep a gratitude journal: writing down your answers can help you remember to practice, and re-reading weeks of entries can bring back grateful feelings all over again. It’s also fine to simply write the questions on a post-it note and place it in a spot you’ll see every day. To improve health and well-being, the important thing is consistency, to build up an orientation of gratitude.

    Write a Thank-You Note: When a particular person comes to mind during your gratitude reflection, consider letting them know you’re thankful for them by writing a note or email. VaderWeele, one of the recent study authors, says, "I do think writing a thank-you note or gratitude letter gets your mind to dwell on something positive for a longer period, to think more deeply about it, because you have to put it not just in words, but in writing." Plus, "It also deepens the relationship and builds that bond."

    Gratitude doesn’t cost a thing, and it makes a real difference. This Thanksgiving season, take a few moments out of the busyness to let that gratitude in. 





    Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors

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