Exploring Co-housing Alternatives
- Written by Chuck Guilford
If you are looking for a living community that balances individual freedom with shared commitments and values, you might want to investigate the co-housing model, as described in the the New York Times article "To Your Left, a Better Way of Life?" To learn more, visit the Website of the Co-housing Association. While many co-housing communities are not specifically intended for seniors, most are intergenerational, and a growing number — such as Silver Sage in Boulder, Colorado, and Elder Spirit in Abingdon, Virginia — require members to be at least 55.
Mentally Sharp Past 90
- Written by Chuck Guilford
Researchers at Laguna Woods, a large retirement community south of Los Angeles, have found that many people stay sharp and engaged with life by regularly playing bridge. The combination of mental challenge and social interaction appears to stave off symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The challenges of remembering cards and strategizing with partners helps focus thinking and preserves attention spans. Read more about this interesting study.
Shopping for a Medicare-enrolled Doctor
- Written by Chuck Guilford
Sure, you have Medicare. That's great, but wait. Now comes the hard part—finding a doctor who will accept you as a patient. These days, many doctors, especially internists, are opting out of the Medicare program because of its lower payments and extensive paperwork. To learn more about this disturbing trend, and about how you can get the care you need, read Doctors Are Opting Out of Medicare in The New York Times.
It's Never Too Late to Exercise
Yet another article, this one from the BBC, explains that it's never too late to increase your level of exercise. A study in Sweden of 2,200 men, from age 50 to 60, found that those who increased their level of activity from low (sedentary) or moderate to high within that span lived as long as those who were already exercising at a high level by age 50!