Suicide is a preventable tragedy but remains a leading cause of death in the United States.The National Center for Health Statistics has published a report documenting suicide rates among older adults over the course of two decades.

Malnutrition, which happens when the body does not get the nutrients it needs, is a major concern for seniors. Life-threatening malnutrition disproportionately affects those 85 and older. Recognizing malnutrition can help family members and caregivers know when to seek out medical care and assistance for their aging loved one.

Thanksgiving is a time when many families come together. About 45 percent of adults surveyed said they planned to travel for the holiday. With multiple generations gathering around the table, the annual meal presents an opportunity to broach sensitive but important topics with your aging loved ones. By communicating with them and knowing their wishes, you can help them plan for their future.

Many family caregivers are working caregivers; that is, they have a primary occupation in addition to caring for an aging loved one. Choosing to work while also providing care for an older person in their life comes with specific downsides, as a recent survey of 1,000 working caregivers shows.

Palliative care and hospice care can provide comfort to seriously ill patients and patients who have received a prognosis of imminent death. Each type of care is intended to improve the quality of life among patients who receive it. Many people use the terms hospice care and palliative care interchangeably, but there are important distinctions.

Not talking to your adult children about their inheritance comes at a cost. Do what you can to manage expectations for adult children as they forge their financial plans. Knowing their general inheritance situation can change their decision-making process and lead to better outcomes.

With the arrival of the new year, revisions to the annual gift tax and estate tax exclusions will be going into effect, as recently announced by the Internal Revenue Service.

Each fall, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) renews the federal guidelines that seek to protect individuals whose spouses are applying for or receiving Medicaid long-term care benefits.

Each fall, Medicare advertising intensifies as the open enrollment period for coverage takes place. From October 15 to December 7, seniors nationwide have the option to sign up for a new Medicare plan. With dozens of plan choices available, shopping for Medicare can be overwhelming. 

Social Security wasn’t meant to be a primary source of income for retirees when it was first created in 1935. It sought to provide an umbrella of protection for people who couldn’t save enough for retirement.