Medicare open enrollment starts October 15 — what to know

The yearly window to review and change Medicare drug and health plans opens tomorrow, the one time most people can switch coverage for the coming year.

390,000 Minnesota seniors face Medicare Advantage changes

A large group of older adults in one state may lose or see changes to their plans, showing how coverage shifts can hit many people at once.

Massachusetts moves to seize licenses from RegalCare nursing home chain

State regulators acting against a troubled chain signals that serious care failures can cost operators the right to run homes.

Open enrollment starts October 15 — how to spot a scam

Enrollment season brings a rise in fraud aimed at seniors, so knowing the warning signs helps protect money and personal information.

Nursing home fines fall across 49 states despite more problems

A report finds penalties dropping even as inspectors cite more issues, raising questions about how strongly care standards are enforced.

Health & Wellness

Local health experts are offering tips for healthy aging, while new research suggests smart home devices may support older adults' mental health through social connection. One health system has also partnered with another company to help seniors catch health problems earlier.

Schneck Health Experts to Share Tips for Healthy Aging · The Crothersville Times

Smart home device use influences older adults’ mental health through social interaction and digital benefits · Nature

Emplify Health Working With Second Company to Help Older Adults Find Health Problems Earlier · Seehafer News

Medicare, Social Security & Benefits

Medicare open enrollment opens Thursday, and officials in several states are urging seniors to watch for scams and review their plans. In Minnesota, about 390,000 residents may see their Medicare Advantage coverage changed or dropped.

Michigan officials warn seniors about Medicare scams ahead of open enrollment · ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4

390,000 Minnesota seniors face loss or changes to Medicare Advantage coverage · MPR News

Medicare open enrollment begins Thursday | What Connecticut seniors need to know · fox61.com

Money & Retirement

Today's coverage highlights ways to make retirement savings last, including five tips to avoid outliving one's nest egg and guidance on federal pension rules. One report warns of an adviser accused of embezzling employee retirement funds in a Ponzi scheme.

Adviser Accused of Embezzling His Firm’s Employee Retirement Savings, Ponzi Scheme · plansponsor

The FERS Minimum Retirement Age and How to Get an Unreduced Pension · FEDweek

5 Essential Financial Tips to Help You Avoid Outliving Your Retirement Savings · Investopedia

Technology & Online Safety

Several cities, including Fresno and San Antonio, are offering free classes to help older adults build digital and AI skills, stay connected, and recognize online scams. The lessons also focus on protecting older adults from technology scams that often target them.

Fresno offers free digital literacy classes to help seniors navigate technology · ABC30 Fresno

Protecting Older Adults from Technology Scams · LeadingAge

San Antonio seniors learn AI skills to stay connected, avoid scams targeting older adults · KSAT

Caregiving & Family

Today's coverage highlights the emotional toll of caregiving, including how a caregiver's own well-being matters for suicide prevention and a fresh look at life as an MS caregiver. One story remembers a caregiver, loved like family, who was shot and killed in Jefferson County.

Carrying the weight: Why caregiver well-being is part of suicide prevention · VA News (.gov)

A different perspective on what being an MS caregiver actually means · Multiple Sclerosis News Today

'She treated him like family': Family remembers caregiver shot and killed in Jefferson County · KSDK

Food & Nutrition

Several reports today highlight senior nutrition programs, including a look at food insecurity among older adults and local efforts to expand access to healthy meals. One story notes how a county technology team helped a senior nutrition program run more efficiently.

Get the Facts on Food Insecurity and Older Adults · The National Council on Aging (NCOA)

County IT Team Helps Senior Nutrition Program Improve Efficiency · Santa Clara County (.gov)

Art of Aging: PCA's senior nutrition programs provide access to healthy foods for older adults · 6abc Philadelphia

Senior Living & Housing

Senior living operators are turning to group purchasing and other expense management to ease rising fuel costs. In community news, Peconic Landing earned a national Slow Food honor, and a Singapore shophouse paired assisted living with a social club.

Senior Living Operators Mitigate Rising Fuel Costs Through Group Purchasing, More Expense Management · Senior Housing News

Peconic Landing becomes second senior living community in nation to earn Slow Food honor · The Suffolk Times

Inside the Singapore shophouse where assisted living comes with a social club · Business Insider

Travel & Leisure

Today's travel coverage focuses on older adults, with security screening tips to avoid three common airport mistakes, a look at ten affordable and welcoming small towns for retirees, and a ranking of the twenty best countries for senior travelers to explore.

TSA Agents Say Senior Travelers Make These 3 Major Mistakes at Security—and What to Do Instead · Travel + Leisure

10 Best Small Towns in the U.S. for Retirees Seeking Affordability, Charm, and a Sense of Community · Travel + Leisure

These Are the 20 Best Countries for Senior Travelers and Retirees to Visit · Travel + Leisure