Northwest Prime Time

No Gym? No Problem

According to research published by the National Library of Medicine, stair-climbing can be an effective means of exercise for older adults to strengthen their legs. In fact, running up and down the stairs as quickly as you safely can has been shown to build muscle in older adults between the ages of 65 and 80. […]

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Start Planning for Medicare Coverage at 64

In 2025, a record 4.18 million Americans will reach retirement age, which equates to over 11,000 people turning 65 each day....

Senior Mental Health Survey: Anxiety and Depression in Americans Over 65

The goal of the survey was discovering how prevalent anxiety and depression were for adults in this age cohort, what factors were affecting their mental health, and to provide resources...

Gravesite Care When You Can’t Get There

There are a hodgepodge of places you can turn to for gravesite grooming, decorating and special care when you can’t get there...

Tips for Families Traveling with a Loved One with Dementia

Regardless of how far you’re traveling, taking a few simple steps in advance can go a long way to making the trip less stressful and more enjoyable for everyone....

Can Grip Strength Predict Your Chances of Living to 100?

Grip strength is increasingly being seen as one of the most reliable markers of health...

The Forever Factor: Exploring Longevity

The scientific breakthroughs powering humanity’s quest to defy death are closer than people think...

Top Job Search Resources for Older Job Seekers

There are a number of job-search websites and apps specifically tailored to older workers seeking full-time, part-time or remote positions...

Shingles Vaccines May Lower Your Risk of Dementia

Many seniors know they should get the two-part shingles vaccine but put it off because they’ve heard it can make you feel a bit sick afterwards. Those who’ve experienced the painful, blistering virus-caused rash have long urged others to get the vaccine, and usually the response is, “Oh, yeah. I should get that,” but they […]

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Grandpas United

70-something Jim Isenberg and his buddy, Frank Williams, formed a group in 2018 called Grandpas United. A recent NPR report provided an update on the group and its formation. When Isenberg first became a grandfather, he wanted to meet other men his age. But when he searched online “trying to find any kind of organization […]

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17 Towns that are Offering Perks to Attract Retirees

Recent reporting by Sarah Whittle lists 17 towns that are offering perks to attract retirees....

90 and Counting

Last year, 97-year-old Alberto Chab of Buenos Aires worked with his granddaughter to post a video asking other older adults to talk about their lives....

How Medicare Recipients Can Compare Doctors

Medicare.gov has a quick and easy way to find and compare doctors and other providers in your area. Here's how:...

Environmental Triggers on Dementia

A new study from the University of Georgia College of Public Health focuses on the powerful role our surroundings play in shaping dementia risk. ...

Seniors are Traveling More Than Ever, According to New AARP Survey

Travel in 20AARP released 2025 Travel Trends research revealing a significant rise in the percentage of adults age 50 and older who plan to travel—surpassing pre-pandemic levels....

SOCIAL SECURITY SCAMS

Social Security imposter scams continue to be widespread across the United States. Scammers use tactics to deceive you into providing sensitive information or money. If you receive a suspicious letter, text, email, or call, do not respond....

The Good Death: A New Way to Talk to Each Other During Our Dying Days

Dr. Figuero Gray's article examines the way language is used around loss and death and how modern medicine tends to approach death and dying as a failure...

Foundation Tax-Aide Sites Open Nationwide, Providing Free Tax Prep to Millions of Older Adults

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is providing free preparation now through April 15. Started in 1968, Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest free, volunteer-based tax assistance and preparation program and has served over 80 million people. For the 2024 tax season, nearly 28,000 volunteers helped almost 1.7 million taxpayers, 965,000 of whom were adults over 50 with low […]

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The TOP 10 webpages recommended by the Social Security Administration:

Here are the TOP 10 webpages recommended by the Social Security Administration: ...

Social Security Update: Changes to the Representative Payee Program Makes Life Easier for Caregivers

The representative payee program allows caregivers and third parties to manage the benefit payments of a beneficiary who is incapable of managing their own benefits. ...

What You’ll Pay for Medicare in 2025

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently announced their cost adjustments for 2025 and the increases for premiums and out-of-pocket costs for most beneficiaries will be moderate. But if you’re a high earner, you’ll pay significantly more. Here’s what you can expect to pay in 2025....

Social Security Update:

In an ongoing commitment to serve the public more efficiently, the Social Security Administration is expanding appointment-based services at local Social Security offices....

A message from the Social Security Administration…

In honor of Veterans Day (Monday, November 11, 2024), the Social Security Administration takes a moment to honor all veterans who served our country and risked their lives to protect us. ...

Navigating your health care choices: When to visit your primary care provider, urgent care, or the emergency room

Knowing where to turn for medical care can be confusing. Each option – your primary care provider, urgent care, and the emergency room – may be appropriate under different circumstances.1 Here’s a guide to help you make the best decision based on your situation....

SSI Changes Reduce Customer Burden

Social Security Administration has expanded access to Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The agency no longer includes food in 'In-Kind Support and Maintenance' (ISM) calculations. It has also expanded its rental subsidy policy exception, and has expanded the definition of a public assistance household....

Social Security Adds New Kiosks to Make Check-In Easier

At Social Security we strive to make our services more accessible while maintaining your privacy. We installed new kiosks in most of our local offices to make it easier for you to check in and conduct business with us. ...

Washington State and Elder Abuse

According to a new analysis of statistics from the National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System and the US Census shows, Washington state leads in the nation in the number of elder abuse cases. Financial exploitation was the most common form of elder abuse in the state. ...

Social Security Announces 2.5 Percent Benefit Increase for 2025

Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for more than 72.5 million Americans will increase 2.5 percent in 2025, the Social Security Administration recently announced. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $50 per month starting in January....

Washington State: Cancer Named the Biggest Killer

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was analyzed to determine the top five causes of death in Washington. This data was gathered in 2022....

Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

“The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America applauds the federal government for continuing to prioritize the fight against Alzheimer’s disease with the enactment of the NAPA Reauthorization Act and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act, both of which received Congressional approval and were recently signed into law by the President....

Social Security Wants You to Know About Senior Nutrition Programs

Are you eligible for Social Security retirement benefits or already receiving them? Did you know that you can also receive healthy meals and other nutrition services through the national Senior Nutrition Program? Local meal programs in communities across the country are waiting to serve you....

Social Security Administration Digitizes or Removes Signature Requirements for Many Forms

This month, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced progress this year to reduce customer burden by transitioning physical signature requirements to digital signatures for over 30 forms as well as removing the signature requirements altogether for 13 forms. ...

Encore Jobs

As retirees step into their golden years, many might picture themselves tending to gardens, embarking on long-awaited travels, or savoring precious moments with family. However, a new trend is transforming the traditional notion of retirement: the rise of the 'side hustle.' ...

Parks welcomes new Action Trackchair to Lake Sammamish

State Parks, together with the Outdoors for All Foundation, and with funding from the Bronco Wild Fund and the Washington State Parks Foundation, just launched a pilot program to offer an Action Trackchair at Lake Sammamish State Park. ...

Social Security in Plain Language

The terms and acronyms people use when they talk about Social Security can be a little confusing. Knowing where to find easy-to-understand definitions can be very helpful. We’re here to provide resources to help you understand much of what you need to know about Social Security and our terminology. ...

Study Finds Humans Age at Two Key Points in Life

A study that was published in through Stanford University and published in the journal Nature Aging shows that, at the molecular level, "human aging does not happen in a gradual, linear way." Instead, aging takes place in two accelerated bursts -- first at age 44, and then again at age 60. ...

Washington Health Care Costs Survey Results ‘Alarming’

Survey results on the affordability of health care finds that Washingtonians are worried about the rising costs of health care -- in some cases even avoiding treatment because of the price tag....

Washington Ranks #1 for Most Limited Hospital Access

A new report states that Washington is the state with the worst hospital bed access. According to research analyzing data from The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research (which has records for the number of hospitals, hospital beds, and critical care beds for each hospital type in every U.S. state), Washington had the worst record for hospital bed access per 100,000 people. ...

Longevity Doctor’s 3 Nighttime Supplements

Dr. Peter Attia says a good sleep is essential for longevity and that he takes three supplements to support his sleep each night. He also tries to get a hot sauna right before bed at least four nights a week (or a warm bath or hot shower may do the trick). ...

Update Your Online Social Security Account

We recently ran an article on this topic, but it's worth posting again -- this time from our Savvy Senior columnist, Jim Miller, who adds a focus on preventing scams....

Connect with Your Social Security Account from Anywhere

The Social Security Administration continues to find ways to make doing business with them easier. The "Social Security Video Connect" option allows you to conduct your Social Security business by using a video on your personal device, from your preferred location....

Can I stop my Social Security retirement benefits and restart them later to get a bigger payment?

Dear Reader, we typically run this "Savvy Senior" column in our Health and Aging News section, but this column by Jim Miller (savvysenior.org) seems appropriate for today's Senior News Update....

Security Announces Upcoming Changes to Accessing Online Services

The Social Security Administration announced that customers who created an online account (e.g., my Social Security account) before September 18, 2021, will soon be required to transition to a Login.gov account to continue access to their online services. Over five million of these account holders have already transitioned to Login.gov....

Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Statement on FDA’s Approval of New Alzheimer’s Medication

“We are encouraged by the FDA’s approval of donanemab and are optimistic that it will make a positive difference in the lives of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and their family caregivers. As with any medication, patient access and affordability to all those in need is vitally important, and we hope the FDA’s actions will facilitate both....

Medicare Rights Center Fact Sheet

The Medicare Rights Center's new fact sheet series is designed to help people understand important health care policy ideas during this election season. The series, called "What's at Stake," explores various policy ideas and their potential impacts on major health care programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA). ...

Defending Against Scammers Who Target Your Social Security Benefits

Scammers are always finding new ways to steal your money and personal information. The best way to defeat scammers is to know how to identify scams and to ignore suspicious calls and emails....

Protest Against Identity Theft

Identity theft is when someone uses your personal information to impersonate you or steal from you. It is important that you stay safe online. Please review these privacy and identity protection resources from the Social Security Administration:...

Washington Ranks 7th in 2024 America’s Health Rankings Senior Report

Washington is the 7th healthiest state for U.S. adults aged 65 and older according to the 2024 American’s Health Rankings Senior Report from The United Health Foundation. The ranking is a one-point increase from Washington’s previous position of 8th....

PSE to Resume Shutting Off Power for Residents Behind on Payments, Including Households with Vulnerable Seniors

Puget Sound Energy (PSE), Washington’s largest utility, announced a new plan for disconnecting customers who are behind on their utility bills. This plan will increase the number of customer disconnections for non-payment to levels not seen since before the COVID-19 pandemic. ...

Senior News Briefs

Assisted Living Workers at WA Facility Call for Higher Wages. Workers for an assisted living facility are calling for higher wages in their union contract negotiations. ...

A Rose By Any Other Name Would Be… Shiso, Zisu, Hangul, Perilla?

With an herb this flavorful and easy to grow, you’ll have fun finding ways to add its fresh herbal, salt-free flavor to your cooking repertoire...

June 18, 2025

Hydration: Are you drinking enough water?

Recent record-breaking temperatures and observance of National Hydration Day (June 23rd) have me wondering if I drink enough liquid, especially water. The human adult body is approximately 55 to 60 percent water. Staying hydrated is essential to our health and helping our bodies function optimally. How does water function in our bodies? Water is vital […]

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June 18, 2025

THE PASSAGE OF TIME…IN RHYME

Here are a few thoughts on the place time has in our lives...

June 17, 2025

We All Scream for Ice Cream

Remember when you were young and grandmother made the most wonderful sorbets, sherbets and ice cream?...

June 16, 2025

A Daily Cup of Beans May Help Boost Heart Health

Black beans are considered to be among the healthiest of beans because they have the highest antioxidant and may help protect against colon cancer, liver cancer, and cancer...

June 16, 2025

Bring on the Gazpacho: The Many Health Benefits of Tomatoes

The researchers found that the benefits of tomato consumption occurred quickly, showing a significant difference in metabolism after just one week...

June 16, 2025

Traveling with Older Loved Ones

"We took my 90-year-old grandparents on a cruise. I learned six important lessons." ...

June 16, 2025

Betty Jenkins & StoryCorps

...while the plane was flying near the Andes Mountains, she began to feel pressure and sensed a problem. The bra, whose pads could be inflated up to size 48, was expanding...

June 10, 2025

Dealing with Social Security Issues: A Personal Story

Instead of smoothly transferring her benefits, Social Security sent us a letter saying her payment had been stopped altogether...

June 10, 2025

A Rose By Any Other Name Would Be… Shiso, Zisu, Hangul, Perilla?

June 18, 2025

With an herb this flavorful and easy to grow, you’ll have fun finding ways to add its fresh herbal, salt-free flavor to your cooking repertoire...

June 18, 2025

Recent record-breaking temperatures and observance of National Hydration Day (June 23rd) have me wondering if I drink enough liquid, especially water. The human adult body...

June 17, 2025

Here are a few thoughts on the place time has in our lives...

June 16, 2025

Remember when you were young and grandmother made the most wonderful sorbets, sherbets and ice cream?...

June 16, 2025

Black beans are considered to be among the healthiest of beans because they have the highest antioxidant and may help protect against colon cancer, liver...