WEEK OF
MONDAY AUGUST 24th, 2026
While time may not always move in a straight line, a person's life does.
We begin at birth and travel an unpredictable road toward an inevitable destination: death.
How long that journey lasts and how difficult it becomes depends on many factors. Some are within our control. Others are determined by forces beyond our control.
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NEWS YOU CAN USE
Costco Is Launching
Medicare Plans
— Here’s What Seniors
Need to Know Before
Open Enrollment
By James HendricksonCostco is entering the Medicare market. The warehouse club (NASDAQ:COST) is partnering with nonprofit SCAN Health Plan to launch co-branded Medicare Advantage plans in three states.
Plans will be sold inside Costco warehouses, through insurance agents, and online. Federal rules prohibit tying the coverage to a Costco membership, so shoppers will not need a membership card to enroll.
States That Offer
Free Tuition
for Senior CitizensWhether you're retired and looking to stay engaged or you simply want to explore a subject that's always interested you, it's never too late to go back to school. Many states and public college systems offer programs that let adults 60 and older take college classes for free or at a reduced cost.
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Is a Tiny Home
Too Small,
or Just Different?
By Erin Hybart
When people first think about tiny homes, the first question is usually, “Could I really live in something that small?”
It’s a fair question. Most of us were raised to believe that more space means more comfort.But after working in real estate and spending a lot of time studying tiny homes and smaller housing options, I think the better question is not, “Is this too small?”
There is no place quite like home. Your chair. Your kitchen. The view out your favorite window. For many of us, staying right where we are, surrounded by familiar routines and the things we love, matters more than almost anything else.The good news is that staying home is often very possible, even when daily life gets a little harder to manage. A professional in-home caregiver can help with daily activities while keeping you connected to the life you have built.
As we age, the skin loses part of its ability to regenerate, heal wounds, and maintain an effective barrier against the outside world. Among the causes of this deterioration is a low-grade, persistent age-associated inflammation, but the mechanisms that keep this response active in skin cells are not yet well understood.
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The absolute longest
humans could live —
even if we beat aging: study
By McKenzie Beard
A new study claims to have found the absolute upper limit of the human lifespan — even if scientists somehow crack the code on aging itself.There’s just one wrinkle: The oldest person on record made it to 122, leaving plenty of birthday candles to blow out before anyone can put the theory to the test.
By Caroline IgoThe act of worrying about getting older may be making you age faster. It sounds like a cruel irony, yet new research from NYU suggests there may be real truth to it. A study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology 1found that women with higher levels of aging anxiety showed signs of accelerated biological aging at the cellular level.
If you're 65 today and in decent health, there's roughly a 1-in-3 chance you'll live past 90. Most retirement plans end at 85. That gap, between how long retirements are planned for and how long they actually last, is longevity risk. Learn what the actuarial data shows for people approaching retirement age, how it affects your portfolio, and what to do about it.
GRANPARENTS
Why Grandparents
Matter More Than Ever
By Walker Larson
A growing body of research suggests that living near grandparents can have lasting benefits for parents, children, and family life as a whole.
Networks of extended family members, particularly grandparents, provide a crucial bulwark for the family and child-raising.
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Active Grandparenting:
Choosing Proper Footwear
Support to Stay Mobile
and Prevent Falls
Many grandparents find their daily adventures cut short by foot fatigue, knee stiffness, or joint discomfort. More importantly, age-related changes in foot structure can compromise balance, increasing the risk of slips and falls. To stay mobile and enjoy every moment with family, choosing the right foot support is one of the most critical health decisions mature adults can make.
Grandparents come with years’ worth of wisdom to share with their grandkids. Taking the time to get really get to know and learnfrom them can create lasting memories for kids and help them learn important life lessons.
There’s no better way to strengthen bonds and pass on important family values than through time spent with one another. Here are 10 things grandchildren can learn from their grandparents.
I came across a fascinating New York Times story about an 85-year-old woman named Jan who lives alone on the Washington coast.Spoiler alert, it turns out she has a roommate and it’s a robot. The piece opened with a line that stuck with me, that the first peopleliving alongside artificially intelligent robots turned out to be octogenarians, not tech bros in Silicon Valley. A year after Jan brought the robot into her home, her resting heart rate had dropped a few beats and her doctor noted her short-term memory had actually improved on cognitive testing.
From laptops and monitors to smartphones, here's how to build a retirement-ready tech setup without overspending.
Fortunately, most retirees don't need the latest gadgets or the most expensive devices. The right setup depends on how you plan to spend your time, whether that's managing finances, traveling, video chatting with family, streaming entertainment or running a small side business. Here are three retirement technology setups to consider based on your needs and budget.
Quote___________________
“So, have you heard about the oyster
who went to a disco
and pulled a mussel?”
Billy Connolly
_______________________
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
The Retired Boomers
Using Their ‘Third Act’
to Tackle Housing Shortage
Read more...
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4 Little Luxuries
Retirees Can Still Afford
Without Guilt
Read more...
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Best Credit Cards
for Your
Retirement Goals
Read more...
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Study finds
vegetarians over 80
less likely to reach 100
Read more...
^^^
There aren't enough
geriatricians—
how older adults
can still get the right care
Read more...
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6 Interesting Facts About Oysters
- Oysters can change sex. Many oysters begin life as males and later become females. Some can switch back and forth more than once during their lives.- They clean the water. A single oyster can filter a surprisingly large amount of water each day, removing algae and suspended particles. Large oyster reefs can therefore help improve water quality.- Oysters can make pearls. When an irritant gets inside certain oysters, the animal may coat it with layers of a substance called nacre. Over time, those layers can form a pearl.- They have been eaten for thousands of years. Archaeologists have found enormous piles of discarded oyster shells at ancient coastal settlements, showing that oysters were an important food source long before modern aquaculture.- Oysters don't have a brain. They have a simple nervous system rather than a centralized brain. They can respond to their surroundings but don't process information the way humans or other animals with brains do.- The old rule about eating oysters only in months with an “R” has some truth behind it. Before refrigeration and modern oyster farming, people generally avoided oysters during the warm months because they spoiled more easily and could carry harmful bacteria. Modern harvesting, refrigeration, and regulation have made oysters available year-round—but raw oysters can still carry serious health risks.↓
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Next edition
MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2026
©2026 Bruce Cooper
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Comments Box Below
THE WEEK OF MONDAY AUGUST 17th, 2026
editorial
The Government Is On Track
To Fail Seniors AgainI started thinking seriously about old age and retirement around my 50th birthday. That's when I began noticing that my body was changing.I had been losing my hair for about ten years, but at 50 it seemed to be falling out faster than November leaves.Losing weight became harder. Exercise took more effort. Even ordinary tasks began producing aches and pains in places that had never hurt before.There was no mystery to it. I was getting older, and my body was doing exactly what it was supposed to do.Continue reading...
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NEWS YOU CAN USE
AGING & lONGEVITY
Some brain functionsmay improve with ageCognitive changes such as mild forgetfulness are often a normal part of aging. Older adults may find that it takes longer to remember afact or learn a new skill. At the extreme end, the risk of dementia rises with aging. For example, the number of people with Alzheimer’s disease doubles about every 5 years beyond age 65.
^^^^The importance of rest
for healthy agingBy Ricardo MartinezAs we grow older, getting enough rest becomes just as important as eating well and staying physically active.
While a good night’s sleep is essential, taking time to rest throughout the day can also help seniors maintain their energy, improve concentration and reduce stress.^^^^Going to museums, movies,and theater may helpyour body stay youngerResearchers found that older adults who regularly participated in cultural activities tended to have bodies that functioned like those of people about three years younger. They believe stronger social ties, better mental health, and healthier habits could help explain the link, although more research is needed to determine whether cultural activities directly slow aging.
7 Best High-Fiber Foodsfor Older AdultsBy Erica SweeneyAs you get older, your digestive system can slow down, increasing the likelihood of issues like constipation, gas, bloating, and acid reflux. That’s why you need to prioritize fiber.
“Fiber helps populate healthy gut microbes, reduce constipation, and decrease many common gastrointestinal complaints associated with aging,”^^^^How senior citizenscan approach snackingAccording to a 2023 review published in the journal Nutrients, more than 90 percent of adults in the United States report eating one or more snacks on any given day. A separate study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics noted that snacking has been increasing in frequency and volume over the last several decades.
How Much SleepIs Too Much Sleep?What to Know AboutOversleepingPeople are often concerned about not getting enough sleep. However, oversleeping may also pose several health risks and indicate the presence of an underlying health condition. Keep reading to learn more about the potential causes, symptoms, and treatments for oversleeping.
^^^^5 Morning HabitsThat Boost EnergyAll DayIf you are reaching for your third cup of coffee before noon, you are not alone. A lot of us have come to rely on caffeine just to feel human in the morning. But functional medicine doctors say that constantly needing a boost can be a sign that something else is going on.
^^^^Unlucky Ladies:Why Dementia isRougher for WomenBy Kathleen MurphyFemales are far more prone to cognitive impairment than men. But new research shows that with the right approaches, many risks canbe averted.
But why the disparity – what makes women more vulnerable to health conditions like these, which can lead to cognitive decline?Social Security forecast
falls slightly.
Why checks could increase lessBy Sarah MooreA senior advocacy group this week predicted a lower cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security in 2027 than previously forecast, which could impact spending by those receiving the benefit.Social Security checks in 2027 could see a COLA increase of 3.6%, The Senior Citizens League said on Aug. 12, which would boost payments by $69.75. This forecast is 0.2 percentage points lower than the previous forecast in June by The Senior Citizens League, but still higher than what recipients received in previous years.^^^^Could a High-DoseFlu ShotLower YourAlzheimer's Risk?By Dennis ThompsonSeniors who got a high-dose flu vaccine had a nearly 55% reduced risk of Alzheimer’s, researchers reported earlier this month in the journal Neurology. This high-dose jab – four times stronger than the standard dose – is recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for folks 65 and older, researchers said.
^^^^10 Hobbiesfor Older AdultsThat Improve Brainand Body HealthBy Amanda GardnerIt's never too late to pick up one of these hobbies that have been scientifically shown to increase longevity. Americans often gain more leisure time as they age1, likely a natural consequence of fewer child-rearing responsibilities and, eventually, retirement from paid work. How we use that time has a huge impact on how we age, both mentally and physically.
Setting Boundarieswith Adult Children(Without Guilt)By Christine FieldIf setting a boundary with your adult child feels harder now than it did decades ago, you’re not imagining it. Boundaries at this stage of life come with a particular weight that they didn’t carry when your children were young.
Why This Gets Harder, Not Easier, with Age...^^^^The #1 ThingSenior CouplesFight AboutAfter all you’ve been through together; raising kids, building careers, navigating life’s curveballs, you’d think the hard part was over. And in many ways, it is. But relationships don’t stop changing just because you’ve reached a certain point in your life. Three psychologists said to Parade that one issue creates more conflict in later-life marriages than anything else. And it probably isn’t what you’d expect.
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Quote___________________
"Suspense is like a woman.
The more left to the imagination,
the more the excitement."
Alfred Hitchcock
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Nancy Guthrie's Disappearance:
Keeping Older Adults Safe
Read more...
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10 Bathroom
Safety Tips for Seniors
Read more...
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Understanding
geriatric pelvic fractures:
a growing concern
for older adults
Read more...
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How Retirees
Can Get ‘Free Money’
From the Government
Read more...
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SENIOR TIPS:
Creating Meaningful Gifts
Without Buying Anything New
Read more...
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Older Americans
are lonely.
It's a public health crisis.
Read more...
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Alfred Hitchcock
was afraid of eggs
You wouldn’t think of the filmmaker responsible for Psycho, The Birds, and Vertigo as having any phobias, let alone one as rare as ovaphobia. And yet the Master of Suspense once admitted on the record that he was “worse than frightened” of eggs, which he said revolted him — so much so, in fact, he refused to ever taste egg yolk, which he found particularly repulsive. “Have you ever seen anything more revolting than an egg yolk breaking and spilling its yellow liquid?” he asked in one interview. (Anyone who’s seen such lesser-known Hitchcock works as Frenzy and Family Plot might say yes, but the point stands.)
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Next edition
MONDAY, AUGUST 24th, 2026
©2026 Bruce Cooper
-30-
Comments Box Below