Senior & Home Care

Keene, N.H. – September 22, 2026 -- Families trying to keep an older relative safe at home often run into two similar-sounding terms that mean very different things: home care and home health care. A HelloNation article featuring insights from Samantha O'Neil, a Home Healthcare Expert at Custom Helpers Home Health Care in Keene, New Hampshire, breaks down the distinction so families can match the right support to a loved one's actual needs.

Home care covers everyday, non-medical assistance

Mankato – September 20, 2026 -- Homeowners who install a radon mitigation system can expect measurable improvement within 24 to 48 hours, but confirming long-term protection requires follow-up testing, according to a HelloNation article featuring Radon Testing Expert Mitch Kelley of Basement Solutions in Mankato, Minnesota.

A fan and gauge system vents radon gas continuously from beneath the home.

Once installed, a certified radon professional's system uses a fan to pull radon from beneath the foundation through pipes and release it outdoors. A small gauge called a manometer is attached to the system to show whether it's operating correctly; a changed reading or no pressure difference can signal a problem.

Rancho Cordova, Calif. – September 19, 2026 -- New survey data from the Retirement Coaches Association shows 96% of professional retirement coaches believe poor vision can significantly threaten clients' independence and quality of life, with 61% saying they've directly seen clients scale back social activities or daily routines because of vision concerns.

The research, conducted in partnership with VSP Individual Vision Plans, surveyed 115 retirement coaches in May 2026 to gauge how sensory health affects retirement outcomes.

Original Medicare typically excludes routine eye exams and eyewear costs

Coverage through Medicare Advantage and other plans varies widely, leaving many retirees responsible for expenses they didn't anticipate. A routine eye exam costs approximately $214 out of pocket on average in the U.S. for those without vision insurance, according to VSP data.

Rosemont – September 19, 2026 -- Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among adults 65 and older, and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) says many of the biggest risks are hiding inside the home, not on icy sidewalks.

More than 14 million older adults, or 1 in 4, report falling each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The age-adjusted fall death rate among older adults rose 21% between 2018 and 2024. AAOS is highlighting the issue during Falls Prevention Awareness Week, Sept. 21-25.

Broken wrists and hip fractures often start with everyday clutter

"A fall can happen in a split second, but the injury that comes from it can have a much longer impact," said orthopaedic trauma surgeon Michael F. Githens, MD, FAAOS. He noted that many older adults suffer broken wrists, hip fractures and other serious injuries from falls that occur simply while going about their day at home.

Dover, Del. – September 18, 2026 -- Silver Awakening, an online personal empowerment platform for women 50 and older, launched today to help a demographic of more than 67 million people in the U.S. and one billion worldwide navigate major life transitions.

Women over 50 drive trillions in economic activity but rarely see themselves in media

Citing AARP's 2026 Longevity Economy Outlook, the company notes Americans 50+ generated $12.5 trillion in economic activity in 2024, accounting for 43% of U.S. GDP. NielsenIQ projects women will control 75% of discretionary spending by 2029. Despite that influence, AARP research found 64% of U.S. women 50+ rarely or never see themselves represented in current media.

Leominster – September 18, 2026 -- Families enrolling children in ABA therapy often ask the same question: will skills learned during sessions actually show up at home, in school, or out in the community? Rob Shapiro of Shapiro Educational and Behavioral Consultants in Leominster, Massachusetts, addresses this in a new HelloNation article focused on skill generalization.

Therapy sessions are designed to teach skills that transfer across settings

According to the article, ABA therapy relies on consistent reinforcement, prompts, and structured practice so children recognize that skills apply beyond the therapy room. Repetition across different locations is meant to build independence rather than a narrow, one-context habit.

Sterling, Va. – September 18, 2026 -- Cardinal Plumbing Heating & Air is urging Northern Virginia homeowners to complete a short list of fall maintenance tasks before freezing temperatures arrive, warning that delays can lead to costly winter emergencies like burst pipes and heating failures.

"Fall is the ideal window because homeowners still have time to act before freezing weather puts stress on pipes, outdoor faucets and heating equipment," said Daniel Fuentes, co-founder of Cardinal Plumbing Heating & Air. He noted that a single cold snap in the region can quickly expose weak spots in home systems.

Disconnecting hoses and draining spigots prevents burst indoor pipes

Fuentes recommends homeowners disconnect garden hoses and drain exterior spigots immediately, since leaving a hose attached traps water inside the faucet and can lead to a burst pipe indoors.

Fredericksburg, Va. – September 17, 2026 -- Retirement planning usually centers on savings and investments, but a lesser-discussed factor -- muscle mass -- can significantly shape how those retirement years actually play out, according to the co-founders of the Fitness & Finance Radio podcast.

"We spend decades building a financial portfolio for retirement, but we should be building our physical portfolio at the same time," said Jennifer Scherer, co-founder of Fitness & Finance Radio and founder of Fredericksburg Fitness Studio. She notes that muscle protects the ability to move, stay independent, and enjoy the life people worked to build.

Lawrence, Mass. – September 17, 2026 -- Massachusetts Medicare beneficiaries can now get free, confidential help checking their bills for fraud through the state's Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Program, following National "Report Medicare Fraud" Day on September 12.

Beneficiaries are urged to compare bills against actual care received

The MA SMP Program advises Medicare recipients to cross-check their Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs), Explanations of Benefits (EOBs), and other billing statements against the healthcare services they actually received. Charges for unfamiliar equipment, tests, or services not received are red flags worth reporting.

The program steps in when beneficiaries can't resolve issues alone

When a suspicious charge can't be sorted out directly, MA SMP reviews the situation and determines next steps, including referring suspected fraud or abuse cases to investigative authorities.

Social Circle, Ga. – September 15, 2026 -- Medicare hospice benefits cover nurses, aides, chaplains, and comfort medications for terminally ill patients, but families may still face out-of-pocket costs for inpatient room and board or private-duty caregivers, according to a new HelloNation article featuring insights from Hospice Care Expert Tammy Honeycutt of Abbey Hospice.

Eligibility requires a physician's certification of six months or less to live

Medicare hospice coverage generally becomes available once a physician certifies that a patient has a life expectancy of six months or less, assuming the illness follows its usual course. Once approved, the benefit includes visits from nurses, hospice aides, social workers, chaplains, and trained volunteers who manage pain, provide emotional support, and assist caregivers with daily tasks.