Senior 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.