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Women Lag in Life Expectancy Gains: American women are still expected to outlive their male counterparts by four years, but gains in women's longevity have slowed, according to a new study of mortality data. Between 1989 and 2009, life expectancy for U.S. men improved by an average of 4.6 years, while women's life expectancy improved by just 2.7 years. In many U.S. counties, women's life spans were shorter than they were 20 years ago.
Individual Insurance Market Too Costly for Most: More than a quarter of working-age U.S. adults"”or about 48 million people"”lacked health insurance at some point in 2011, according to a new study from the nonprofit Commonwealth Fund. The study polled people aged 19 to 64. Of those without insurance, 70 percent had spent a year or more without coverage, and 57 percent had been uninsured for two years or more.
The majority of Asian, African American and Hispanic retirees in the United States struggle to cover basic living expenses, according to new research from the non-profit Wider Opportunities for Women (WOW).
Tough on Tax Breaks? Members of Congress gathered Tuesday to begin considering changes to the U.S. tax code. Great, right? Everyone agrees the American tax code is absurdly complicated and could use some reforming. Unfortunately, that's where the agreement tends to end. Overhauling the tax code"”which could begin as soon as next year"”is bound to bring difficult trade-offs. Just consider one of the first area lawmakers are targeting: Tax breaks on retirement savings.
Emergency Plans Lack Specifics: Will your loved-one's nursing home be ready should emergency arise? Don't count on it: A recent government investigation found many nursing homes-even those in disaster-prone areas-are ill-prepared for natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes and floods.
Hungarian songstress and performer Marta Eggerth got her show-biz start as a child opera prodigy and went on to Broadway and film fame. These days, Eggerth"”who will celebrate her 100th birthday April 17"”still performs the occasional one-woman show at New York's Cafe Sabarsky, which hosts a series of 'upscale, unconventional' cabaret evenings.
A new report from the World Health Organization says dementia cases are set to triple worldwide by 2050. In 2010, 35.6 million people globally had dementia, the WHO said. That figure is expected to double by 2030, to 65.7 million cases. By 2050, it's expected to triple, to 115.million dementia cases.
Emergency Rooms of Their Own: A growing number of American hospitals have been debuting emergency rooms designed specifically for older adults, generally those 65 and up. Special accommodations include things like nonskid floors, rails along the walls, extra heating units, thicker mattresses to reduce bedsores and artificial skylights intended to combat "sundowning."
A surprising 62 percent of married couples disagree on the timing of their respective retirements.
A new study from MetLife finds that, contrary to predictions, older Americans are retiring. In fact, more than 60 percent of 65-year-olds"”the leading edge of the boomer generation"”are already collecting Social Security.