Ten safe, livable communities for retirees
Retirement is all about freedom and choice. It’s doing what you want on your terms — like moving to a new town to be closer to family, craving warmer weather, or simply wishing for a different view from your kitchen window. Making sure the retirement town you choose is safe and yet still provides everything you need when you retire is vital to any move. Analyzing data from the... READ MORE
January Housing News
New law protects Maryland renters If you rent your home and your landlord decides to sell it, a new Maryland law grants you first rights to buy the property. The Renters’ Rights and Stabilization Act, which Gov. Wes Moore signed last fall, allows tenants a 30-day window to make an offer before the property can be put on the real estate market. Landlords who don’t comply will be fined... READ MORE
Area communities offer tech to residents
Someday robots may wheel through the halls of retirement communities, distributing pills, answering questions, or checking in with residents. Artificial intelligence (AI) might be added to wheelchairs to avoid fender benders, tinted windows to block the glare, or heating and air conditioning systems to improve efficiency. In fact, some basic AI technologies are already being implemented in ... READ MORE
Seniors Helping Seniors does just that
If you’re living at home and need some extra help around the house, many companies are on hand to provide light housekeeping, run errands or cook meals. One company is unique, though. Seniors Helping Seniors hires older adults to care for other older adults. As they put it, they provide “affordable, professional in-home care services and heartfelt companionship.” Launched in... READ MORE
Is a niche retirement community for you?
Baby Boomers have been shaping consumer goods and services since they were in onesies. Now, history’s most influential generation is fueling the growth of the next logical sector: the niche retirement community. Niche retirement communities are exactly what they sound like. They’re residential developments — urban, suburban and even seafaring — designed to appeal to narrowly... READ MORE
After downsizing, should you buy or rent?
I grew up in a Red Sox household. The mere sight of the Yankees’ logo caused a gag reflex until my early 30s when I realized just how ridiculous that was. People tend to have similar feelings about renting vs. owning a home. They pick a side and stick with it. Logic be damned. For retirees, there are many more fans of owning than there are of renting, with Vanguard estimating... READ MORE
Best states to live as a retiree in the U.S.
Florida, Colorado and Virginia top the list of the best places to retire in the U.S. in 2024, according to a new survey from WalletHub. The survey compared the 50 states across 46 key indicators — from tax rates and the cost of living, to access to quality medical care and fun activities. Regardless of the reason for moving in retirement — living closer to family,... READ MORE
Methods to fund long-term care at home
Several years ago, when I was helping care for my parents toward the end of their lives, they were adamant they wanted to stay in their home for as long as possible. I quickly realized we would need lots of help to honor their wishes. Finding quality and reliable in-home long-term care (LTC) was expensive, but fortunately, they had the resources to pay for it. Witnessing how... READ MORE
Kitchen modifications for aging in place
Dear Savvy Senior, My 77-year-old mother, who loves to cook, has had several kitchen-related accidents over the past year. What tips can you recommend for making a kitchen safer and more practical for people like her without doing a big, expensive remodel? —Inquiring Daughter Dear Inquiring, There are a number of small improvements and simple modifications you ... READ MORE
Consider an electric leaf blower (or rake)
When I was a kid, I used to help my mother clear leaves the old-fashioned way — with a rake. These days, I don’t see many rakes in my neighborhood. It seems everyone has a leaf blower or a landscaper who uses one, often at ungodly hours, which disrupts humans as well as wildlife. The near-constant cacophony has led many communities around the country to restrict or completely... READ MORE
