Vicki Freedman

Who Owns Long-Term Care Insurance?

About 7.2 million Americans currently own traditional long-term care insurance policies, a number that’s held steady for the last seven years. But who are they? And what does it say about the future of long-term care insurance? Overall, the share of older adults who own long-term care insurance (LTCi) has barely changed since 2002, according to new research by my [...]

Men Are Living Longer, More Active Lives Than Ever Before. The News Is Not So Good For Women.

Older men are living longer and enjoying more active lives than ever before. In fact, in a dramatic change from three decades ago, these men can now expect their last decades of life to look very much like that of women. Even as men live longer, they are less likely to suffer physical limitations than in past years, and when [...]

By |2016-04-01T09:51:22-04:00April 1st, 2016|Aging|0 Comments

The Challenges Of Caring For A Loved One With Dementia

Family caregivers help loved ones suffering from many illnesses, from heart disease to severe arthritis. But a new study shows that one condition—dementia—places an outsized burden on those family members. They spend more hours, do more difficult work, and provide assistance for more years than family members caring for older adults without memory loss. An article in the journal Health Affairs [...]

By |2015-10-26T09:00:36-04:00October 26th, 2015|dementia, family caregivers|0 Comments

What Are the Chances You’ll Need Long-Term Care And How Much Will It Cost?

What are the odds you’ll need assistance to help with personal activities such as bathing or dressing before you die? For those about to turn 65, it’s about 50/50, according to an important new study. On average, you can expect to need this high level of care for about two years. But one-in-five Americans will need such assistance for less [...]

By |2015-07-16T15:38:56-04:00July 16th, 2015|Aging, long term care reform|0 Comments

The New World of Assisted Living

Assisted living facilities (ALFs) may be going the way of cable TV.  Still around, but with a limited future. Their residents are changing. Even as their needs become more complicated, they are demanding less institutional-like care.  At the same time, assisted living will have to find its place in a world where medical and social care are becoming better coordinated [...]

By |2014-11-25T21:10:39-05:00November 25th, 2014|Senior housing|5 Comments

Nearly Half of All Seniors Need Help With Daily Activities, Far More Than We Thought

Nearly 18 million older adults, or nearly half of everyone 65 and older, report that they need some assistance with routine daily activities. That’s significantly more than generally believed and suggests that the burden on families and the overall care system may be much greater than previously thought. According to a new study by Vicki Freedman of the University of [...]

By |2014-10-08T10:56:35-04:00October 8th, 2014|Aging|6 Comments