When Going Digital Makes Health Care Harder

(Editor’s note: This story is part of a special report for The John A. Hartford Foundation.) When Jeff Johnson, 66, went online to sign up for Medicare, the trickiness of the process left him frustrated and a little embarrassed. “Even for me, a lifelon… Continue reading

Nursing Home Ratings: Who Can You Trust?

(An update on the following Next Avenue story, which appeared in March 2019) On June 3, 2019, Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) released a report called Families’ and Residents’ Right to Know: Uncovering Poor Care in America’s Nursing … Continue reading

What Is Age-Friendly Health Care?

(Editor’s note: This story is part of a special report for The John A. Hartford Foundation.) It’s no secret: As we get older, it’s likely that we spend more time with doctors. And as people are living longer and the number of aging people in America is… Continue reading

Assessing Trump’s First 2 Years for Older Americans

The first half of the Trump administration is over, so it’s an opportune time to evaluate how older Americans have fared under the president’s policies over the past two years. As someone who reports and writes frequently (and without a political bias)… Continue reading

What’s New for Medicare in 2019?

Medicare costs change each year, so if you’re 65 or older, it’s important to understand and review your benefits for the upcoming year. Some new rules affect the cost of prescription drugs covered under Part D (Medicare’s prescription drug benefit) and… Continue reading

Next Avenue Picks the 6 Best New Personal Finance Books

There are two problems with many personal finance books. One, they’re dull. Two, they often tell you what you already know or suspect. So it’s refreshing when new ones come along that are actually interesting reading and helpful. Here are my six favori… Continue reading

Making Hospice an Easier Choice

(Editor’s note: This story is part of a special report for The John A. Hartford Foundation.) People with terminal conditions who receive Medicare are currently required to forgo curative treatment in order to receive hospice (care for people whose medi… Continue reading

How Realistic Is Dying at Home?

(Editor’s note: This story is part of a special report for The John A. Hartford Foundation.) On Jan. 29, 2014, David C. Skipworth died in Garland, Texas at age 67 after a long illness, holding his wife Sandra’s hand and listening to the National Anthem… Continue reading

The Medicaid Experiment Treating Mind and Body

Many of the 67 million Americans on Medicaid — mostly old and poor — can least afford to ping pong from one hospital visit to another either physically or emotionally. Yet that’s exactly what often happens, due to their chronic conditions, sometimes co… Continue reading