Senior & Home Care

Woonsocket – October 03, 2026 -- Aetna, a CVS Health company, has unveiled its 2027 Medicare Advantage lineup, expanding plans that will reach 57 million Medicare-eligible beneficiaries across 41 states and Washington, D.C.

The insurer is widening access to its Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans while growing programs aimed at members with chronic conditions and those dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.

Every plan includes $0 copays for preventive care and Tier 1 drugs

All 2027 Aetna Medicare Advantage plans will offer $0 copays for annual physicals, colonoscopies, mammograms, and routine eye and hearing exams at in-network providers. Tier 1 drug copays at preferred pharmacies remain at $0, and many vaccines will also carry no cost at in-network pharmacies. In every county where plans are offered, Aetna will provide at least one option with a $0 monthly premium and low or no primary care copays.

Wheeling, W.Va. – October 02, 2026 -- Hospitals, clinics, and community health centers across northern West Virginia are ramping up hiring for registered nurses, medical assistants, and radiologic technologists, according to a new HelloNation article featuring insights from Chelsea Gianni of West Virginia Junior College.

The piece identifies these three roles as the region's fastest-growing healthcare careers, each supported by training that blends online coursework with hands-on clinical experience.

Registered nurses handle direct patient care and medication administration

Registered nurse positions remain among the most sought-after roles in the region. RNs provide direct patient care, administer medications, and support treatment plans across multiple medical settings. Training typically follows a hybrid model combining online coursework, supervised clinical training, and preparation for licensing exams.

Taylor, Mich. – October 02, 2026 -- Dr. J. Rashid, Doctor of Physical Therapy and clinic director at Family Rehab Care in Taylor, MI, is warning surgery patients that feeling better right after an operation does not mean rehab is optional.

Surgery fixes structure, but rehab restores function

According to Dr. Rashid, surgery corrects the physical problem, while physical therapy rebuilds the strength, mobility, stability, and coordination needed to actually use the repaired body part. Patients who skip rehab often develop stiffness, weakness, and compensation patterns that surface as new pain or injury months later.

Sacramento – October 01, 2026 -- California State Controller Malia M. Cohen announced that applications for the state's Property Tax Postponement (PTP) Program are now being processed, giving eligible homeowners a way to delay paying property taxes on their primary residence.

The program targets seniors, blind residents, and people with disabilities

The PTP Program, administered by the Controller's office, allows qualifying homeowners to postpone current-year property tax payments on their primary residence. Cohen said the program helps eligible Californians manage housing costs while maintaining the stability of homeownership.

Nearly $7.7 million in property taxes were postponed last year

Eligible homeowners deferred almost $7.7 million in residential property taxes during the previous tax year through the program.

Baraboo – October 01, 2026 -- Homeowners in southern Wisconsin should schedule HVAC maintenance in early fall, before freezing temperatures arrive, according to HVAC expert Gary Kowalke of Terrytown Plumbing, Heating & Cooling in Baraboo.

Waiting until winter risks rushed repairs and system failure

Kowalke warns that delaying maintenance until cold weather sets in often leads to reduced furnace performance and emergency breakdowns during freezing conditions. Scheduling service early allows technicians to catch issues before the heating system is needed for daily use.

Furnace checks cover heat exchangers, burners, and ductwork

Standard fall maintenance includes inspecting heat exchangers, checking burners and pilot lights, and cleaning or replacing filters. Technicians also calibrate thermostats and examine ductwork for leaks or blockages that can restrict airflow and raise energy use.

Oakland, Calif. – October 01, 2026 -- Blue Shield of California has unveiled its 2027 Medicare plan lineup, giving eligible residents new coverage choices ahead of the Annual Enrollment Period running Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2026.

Plan options span Medicare Advantage to prescription-only coverage

The nonprofit insurer's portfolio includes Medicare Advantage plans, a Dual-Eligible Special Needs plan for those who qualify for both Medicare and Medi-Cal, Medicare Supplement plans, and stand-alone prescription drug plans. Members seeking flexibility can opt for Medicare Supplement plans, which allow access to any doctor nationwide who accepts Medicare.

Evanston – September 30, 2026 -- A new Mather Institute study finds that older adults who age alone and own pets report significant boosts to physical activity, emotional wellbeing and social connection, with dog owners showing the strongest gains.

The online survey of 900 solo agers aged 55 and older found that 76% reported improved emotional wellbeing, 62% reported reduced stress and 45% reported increased physical activity. Nearly half said pets help reduce loneliness, and a third said pets led to more social interactions through daily walks and outdoor time.

Dog owners show the biggest activity gains among solo agers

Dog owners reported physical activity levels 42% higher than pet-free adults, the study found. Cat owners also described frequent short bursts of movement tied to feeding, play and household routines. Solo agers without pets recorded the lowest weekly activity levels of any group surveyed.

Cincinnati – September 28, 2026 -- Retirement readiness is not just a savings total, according to a new HelloNation article featuring insights from Joseph R. Wilson III, a Retirement Planning Expert with Omega Wealth Private Capital LLC in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Monthly spending needs should set the target for retirement income

The article states that lifestyle costs, not a single balance figure, should determine how much income a retirement plan must generate each month. Households that plan to travel frequently need a different income strategy than those who intend to stay close to home.

Multiple income sources must work together to cover daily expenses

Social Security, pensions, rental income, and investment withdrawals combine to fund everyday costs, the article explains. It notes that the age at which someone claims Social Security affects income for decades afterward.

Pueblo, Colo. – September 25, 2026 -- Parents wondering whether their child's slow progress with crawling, jumping, or catching is cause for concern now have guidance from Kathy Schleifer, a pediatric occupational therapy expert based in Pueblo, Colorado. Her insights, featured in a HelloNation article, outline how gross and fine motor skills develop in children and when early intervention therapy can help.

Schleifer distinguishes between gross motor skills, which involve large movements like sitting, walking, and running, and fine motor skills, which cover precise actions such as buttoning a shirt or holding a pencil. Each stage of development builds on the one before it.

Douglassville, PA – September 23, 2026 -- Lennar is opening Venue at Leaf Creek, a 55-and-better community in Amity Township, Douglassville, Pennsylvania, with homes priced starting in the $400,000s and an opening anticipated this fall.

The community offers more than 300 single-family homes across 10 floorplans.

Homes range from 1,570 to 3,700 square feet, with two to four bedrooms and two to four bathrooms. Each layout is a single-level, open-concept design that includes an exterior deck.

Every home comes with Lennar's Everything's Included program built into the base price.

That covers gourmet kitchens with modern appliances, upgraded bathroom finishes, premium flooring, Ring doorbells, and wireless thermostats.