Social Security COLA Set at 2.8% for 2026

Social Security beneficiaries will get a 2.8 percent increase in their monthly payments next year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced on Oct. 24. The 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is slightly higher than last year’s 2.5 percent increase, reflecting a...

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Older Adults and Mental Health, pt 3

If you or an elder is feeling isolated, lonely, or emotionally low, these steps that may help improve well-being: -- Visit your doctor and be honest about how you’re feeling emotionally as well as physically. -- Reach out to family and...

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Older Adults and Mental Health, pt 2

Older adults, some of whom have difficulty with daily tasks — like bathing, dressing, cooking, or managing medications — are more likely to have symptoms of depression. In addition, depression is most common among older adults who have the least...

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Older Adults and Mental Health, pt 1

Every year on October 10, the World Health Organization (WHO) observes World Mental Health Day to raise awareness and improve access to care. Mental health matters at every stage of life—but for older adults, it often goes unnoticed and...

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Here Comes Flu Season

Seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory infection caused by different flu viruses. It follows a fairly predictable pattern, starting in the fall and ending in the spring. It’s important to understand flu symptoms so you can seek immediate...

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Modern Medical Procedures and Elderly Aging

In the past, the philosophy in dealing with the elderly diagnosed with cancer may have been to let nature take its course. A senior in their 70's or 80's, diagnosed with a slow growing tumor, may have been deemed...

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Hearing Loss in Elderly, part 2

Signs of hearing loss include: Trouble hearing during phone conversations Problems in following conversations in person A need to turn up the TV volume An inability to hear because of background noise A feeling that others are mumbling Hearing aids today come in sizes that...

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Social Security 2026 Cost of Living Adjustment

Social Security recipients now have the second of three data points that will determine their cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2026. A key gauge for inflation — the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (known as the...

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Hearing Loss in Elderly, part 1

Don't Ignore Signs of Bad Hearing According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, one third of those over 60 (and half of those over 85) have hearing loss. Those are staggering statistics. While a hearing loss is...

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Strategic Estate Planning

Estate planning is often viewed as a necessary task to handle the distribution of assets after your passing. However, a strategic estate plan is all about proactively shaping how your assets will be transferred, managed, and protected. This includes: --...

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