ArcaMax

Dear Toni,

My husband recently fell from a ladder, shattered his hip and broke his right leg. After having emergency surgery, Jim is having a stay in a skilled nursing facility for his rehab to learn how to walk on his repaired hip.

A friend recently had a skilled nursing stay and was billed more than expected because she did not have the ...Read more

Set on a rocky outcrop overlooking the chilly waters of the Salish Sea, the lighthouse at Lime Kiln State Park in Friday Harbor in Washington’s picturesque San Juan Islands casts a spell. Not surprising since scenes from 1998’s “Practical Magic” were filmed in Friday Harbor, but primarily because it is home to several enchanting sights ...Read more

This summer, at dinner with her best friend, Jacki Barden raised an uncomfortable topic: the possibility that she might die alone.

“I have no children, no husband, no siblings,” Barden remembered saying. “Who’s going to hold my hand while I die?”

Barden, 75, never had children. She’s lived on her own in western Massachusetts since ...Read more

This summer, at dinner with her best friend, Jacki Barden raised an uncomfortable topic: the possibility that she might die alone.

“I have no children, no husband, no siblings,” Barden remembered saying. “Who’s going to hold my hand while I die?”

Barden, 75, never had children. She’s lived on her own in western Massachusetts since ...Read more

Toni:

In August, my husband and I enrolled in a Medicare Supplement, which has not paid a medical claim because we were in a Medicare Advantage plan when we applied for the Medicare Supplement. We could not leave the Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare due to Medicare rules.

I was told that Medicare’s Open Enrollment is when Sonny...Read more

In St. Louis, a team of students aboard a well-equipped van visits senior centers, a nursing home, a church, and other sites, learning to conduct comprehensive, hourlong geriatric assessments.

The team — future doctors, social workers, psychologists, and therapists — looks for such common problems as frailty, muscle weakness, and cognitive ...Read more

Aging has many benefits, and as your free time increases and many concerns from the past slip away, you can start to truly enjoy these years of your life. However, there is one thing that may stand in the way of all the new excitement heading your way: fatigue.

As you age, you may start to experience your body fatiguing more often, even when ...Read more

If you’re not living in the best place to retire, you probably know it by now. Just look at your bank account.

The price you pay in your community for groceries, gasoline, housing and other essentials will significantly impact your quality of life. And if you’re having trouble affording them now, imagine doing it while retired on a fixed ...Read more

Retirement is a dream for many — a time to relax, travel and pursue hobbies. But the reality can be quite different if you’re not financially prepared. That’s why the fear of outliving your savings is a major concern among retirees.

However, with proper planning and discipline, you can make your golden years more comfortable and less ...Read more

In St. Louis, a team of students aboard a well-equipped van visits senior centers, a nursing home, a church, and other sites, learning to conduct comprehensive, hourlong geriatric assessments.

The team — future doctors, social workers, psychologists, and therapists — looks for such common problems as frailty, muscle weakness, and cognitive ...Read more

On a ship carrying 6,700-plus fun seekers, it is a special treat to be cosseted among 300 or so guests enjoying the luxury, pampering and privacy of an exclusive ship-within-a-ship experience. And so it is with the Yacht Club aboard MSC’s World America, a 152-suite members-only enclave that comes with perks including butler service and 24-...Read more

Toni:

Currently, I am on a stand-alone Part D plan with a Medicare Supplement because of my serious health issues. Last week, I received information about the changes to the 2026 Medicare Part D plan I am currently enrolled in, and the premium is increasing by $50 per month, from $44.80 to $94.80 beginning January 1. The Part D ...Read more

Dear Toni,

My Medicare starts November 1, and I received my first bill, due on October 25, about a week ago. This bill is for three months, from November 1 to January 31, and it’s over $550. I currently have more than $12,000 on my Health Savings Account (HSA) debit card through my past employer, ...Read more

Toni,

My sister suggested that I send you an email because I’m confused on what to do with enrolling in Medicare since I turn 65 on Jan. 5, 2026. Please help me, Toni, because I’m overwhelmed by the marketing material received for Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period. What do I do?

I’m not sure when is the right time to ...Read more

For a while, walking the dog felt hazardous. Earl Vickers was accustomed to taking Molly, his shepherd-boxer-something-else mix, for strolls on the beach or around his neighborhood in Seaside, California. A few years ago, though, he started to experience problems staying upright.

“If another dog came toward us, every single time I’d end up ...Read more