MONDAY JULY 20, 2026

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Shedding Light 

on Daylight Saving Time

By HEATHER ZIEGLER

For a majority of senior citizens, the early descending darkness that begins in October forces them inside as many do not enjoy driving at night. It's a fact that as we age our eyesight falters a bit especially in dim settings. Driving in the dark can be a challenge if not frightening. This fact alone cuts into social interaction of older drivers.

There are medical experts who claim that the turning back and forth of our clocks, meaning our internal clocks, is harmful. One source suggests it results in depression. Studies have shown there are more traffic accidents attributed to the time changes.

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Social Security's 

2027 COLA estimate 

is out as inflation cools

By Hal Bundrick

pic aa

The latest inflation data may signal a modest cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security recipients, according to a new projection. 

The Consumer Price Index released Tuesday reported inflation easing to 3.5% for the 12 months ending in June, down from 4.2% for the 12 months ending in May. The Senior Citizens League estimates the 2027 Social Security COLA will be 3.8%, a full percentage point higher than this year's boost. 

Go to story:  https://finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance/investing/article/social-securitys-2027-cola-estimate-is-out-as-inflation-cools-204917731.html

The Difference

Between Having Time

and Knowing

How to Use It

Time without structure can feel surprisingly empty, while even simple routines can make life feel full again. People who adjust well to more open schedules often establish small structures throughout their calendar:

Cannabis use among older adults has raised concerns about whether it might accelerate memory loss or increase the likelihood of developing dementia. Previous research has produced conflicting results.

But recent research found no genetic evidence that cannabis use directly causes poorer brain health later in life.

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The Invisible

Housing Crisis

Facing 

Older Adults

By Brooke Weitzman

Older adults are one of the fastest-growing groups experiencing homelessness. Aging without housing creates unique challenges, including declining health, limited income, technology barriers, and difficulty navigating complex social services and legal systems. Lawyers play a critical role in preventing older adults from becoming invisible by advocating for housing, benefits, legal protections, and access to supportive services.

Senior living residents think more about the impact of their needs on loved ones, and remain highly anxious about independence compared with their counterparts aging in place in the greater community,

The move to a senior living community or nursing home often represents a response to crisis, not planning — and it shows, according to the report authors.

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Seniors are spending

more time on their phones.

Why that's a mixed blessing.

By Jennifer Bisram

As senior citizens spend more time on their phones, adult children are now telling their parents to put the phones down.

Artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday life, from smartphones and internet searches to banking and customer service. It’s also making scams more convincing and harder to spot, which is why a basic understanding helps. The good news is you don’t need to be a tech expert to use AI safely and with confidence.

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How to know

when it’s time

to replace your car—

start with this rule,

 experts say

By Mike Winters

Inevitably, even the most reliable cars break down, which poses a potentially expensive question for car owners: When does it make sense to keep and maintain an older vehicle, and when is it time to move on? For car owners who haven’t been in the market for years, the decision to replace a vehicle isn’t easy. 

 Start with the 50% rule...

Whether landing a part-time job, opening your own side-hustle business or simply rearranging your investment strategy to generate more post-retirement cash, figuring out a way to earn extra dollars in your golden years can relieve financial pressures and offer a lifestyle boost.

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96-year-old influencer

threatened with eviction

for throwing wild

nursing home parties

By Michael Gwilliam

“I’m getting kicked out of the nursing home,”  said Lillian Droniak in the clip shared with her many millions of followers. “I just got this letter. It says you’re getting kicked out if you don’t stop the parties.” The letter also claimed security footage showed people leaving Droniak’s room at 1 AM and warned that continued incidents could lead to visitor restrictions or a review of her residency.

A North Carolina senior citizen (Joan Rivet, 82) said she miraculously survived being trapped in her bathtub for nine days by using her foot to turn the faucet and splash water toward her face to drink after suffering a crippling fall. She spent hours crying out for help to no avail, with only the sound of her cat Phoebe meowing outside the bathroom door. Those hours quickly turned into days as she slipped in and out of consciousness from her injuries.

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Quote___________________

“When the weather is hot,

keep a cool mind.

When the weather is cold,

keep a warm heart.”

— Ajahn Brahm 

_______________________

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I don't often disagree with science. After all, who am I to argue with people who have spent their careers studying a subject?

But there is one area where I do have some expertise: old people.

My qualifications aren't academic. They're personal.

I've officially been an old person for the past 15 years. During that time, I've lived with, eaten with, laughed with, argued with, and become friends with hundreds of seniors. I've observed them in their natural habitat—the assisted living facility.

Continue reading ...

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From The Archives

The #1 Food 

People over 50 

Should Eat More Of, 

According to Dietitians

Read more

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How Long 

Could the Average Retiree 

Live on Social Security 

Alone in 2026?

Read more

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How the 'Senior Deduction' 

Could Save You Money 

on Your Taxes This Year

Read more

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The typical U.S. worker

 has $955 

saved for retirement, 

report finds

Read more

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6 Ways 

the New Wegovy Pill 

Compares to the 

Shot for Weight Loss

Read more

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The Hottest Place Ever Recorded

        

In 1913, Death Valley, California recorded the highest temperature on record, coming in at 134.1 degrees Fahrenheit. The area still holds the modern record after more than 100 years of sitting on top of the list. Why?...

        

 Furnace Creek in Death Valley, where the record temperature was recorded, is around 190 feet below sea level. When warm air descends, it gets an extra push downward from the atmosphere, trapping that extra heat close to the earth. It is also in a valley surrounded by mountains that trap the hot air, giving it no escape from the surface. 

        

 Death Valley may have a slightly tenuous hold on the record, however. Climate experts and historians have questioned the validity of the record, but it's still recognized for now as the hottest temperature ever recorded by the World Meteorological Organization's record keepers.

          

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Next edition 

MONDAY, JUY 27 , 2026 

©2026 Bruce Cooper

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Comments Box Below

NEWS YOU CAN USE

The harm they suffer is compounded by the fact that elder abuse often goes unnoticed and unreported for extended periods of time – resulting in an increased duration and severity of abuse against these individuals. A number of factors contribute to this problem, and help explain why abuse may continue against an older victim without meaningful intervention – even when the signs are there.

Once you understand why elderly people are at increased risk for becoming a victim of abuse or neglect, it’s important to understand what the warning signs of elder abuse and neglect look like - because recognizing the signs of potential elder abuse is the first step in taking the action necessary to bring help to victims and protect them from further harm.

Cardiologists should think about stress tests differently for an older patient.  In geriatric patients, stress tests can tell physicians a lot about their patient’s physical function in daily life, helping to tailor treatment to support a patient’s independence and quality of life.

The unique tax, distribution, and inheritance advantages of Roths

Although the Roth IRA shares many similarities with the traditional IRA, there are a few key differences between the two retirement accounts. Contributions to a Roth IRA are not tax-deductible upfront. You pay your contributions out of your current after-tax income. On the other hand, you can withdraw your contribution at any time without penalty.

Her plan to fix Social Security's fiscal flaws would ask workers to cover the full cost. Some Republicans are supporting it too. Raising the cap or removing it, as Warren wants to do, would provide more revenue for Social Security to redistribute to retirees. But Warren's plan has mathematical, political, and moral problems.

Approximately 6%1 of elderly adults have insufficient resources to meet their basic needs. While this rate is similar to other age groups, elderly poverty is particularly troubling because their financial lives are often intertwined with their health, and deterioration in either can create significant burdens for the social safety net and younger generations.

It is a critical time to strengthen and expand our infrastructure to support older adults. But, due to the holdup in reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA) and upheaval at the federal agency that oversees it, this infrastructure is in limbo.

As you age, certain factors outside of your control may require you to think differently about what makes the perfect pet for you. Getting a pet as you age involves thinking through behavior, size, strength and energy level, along with the time you can dedicate to an animal and the space you have available.

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Refurbished Tech: 

A Smart Way 

for Seniors to Save

Almost half of U.S. adults considered buying refurbished tech in the past year. Most said the reason was simple: the budget.

So what exactly is refurbished tech and how is it different from just buying something used? There is a real difference, and knowing it can save you a headache.

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10 Best Herbs 

to Grow on a Balcony

If you’re looking to add a little more flavor to your home-cooked meals, growing your own herbs on your balcony is a fantastic way to do it! Fresh herbs can take any dish to the next level, and the best part? You really don’t need a lot of space to start a mini herb garden.

Part 2

From the Ocean to The Mountains

Brooklyn was brutally hot during the summer of 1951. Without air conditioning, staying indoors was almost unbearable. Open windows and electric fans did little to cool the apartment. Cold drinks and an occasional cool bath offered temporary relief, but they didn't lower the temperature for long. The only real escape from the relentless heat was sitting under a shady tree, spending the day at the beach, or cooling off in the spray of an open fire hydrant.

There were other ways to beat the heat.

Continue reading....

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          Drinking water is always a good idea during a heat wave.

 

          Most experts recommend increasing how much you drink when it is hot, and it helps to start before you feel thirsty so you stay ahead of dehydration.

          But water may not fully replace the sodium, potassium, magnesium, and other minerals your body loses through heavy sweating. After prolonged exposure to extreme heat, it can help to replenish electrolytes as well. Coconut water is one natural option. Oral rehydration salts and similar products are designed to restore that balance, too.

          One more thing worth knowing: drinking extremely large amounts of fluid can create its own problem. According to the Cleveland Clinic, some people can begin to show symptoms of water intoxication after drinking a gallon of water within an hour or two. That does not mean cutting back; it means drinking steadily and sensibly, not flooding your system all at once.