Senior Issues / Public News Service

Total Medicaid spending in Indiana in fiscal year 2022 was $17 billion, with the federal government paying 75% of the costs. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, June 13, 2025

IN residents watch direction of Trump spending bill amid state budget cuts

As Congress reviews budget slashes to health care in President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," a new evaluation from the nonpartisan Cong…

Experts warn a government agency would not call or text you out of nowhere. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, June 13, 2025

MD seniors targeted by scammers, experts offer tips to protect finances

Next Monday marks the beginning of "PROTECT" week, when AARP helps seniors learn the signs of financial fraud. Experts say Maryland seniors can …

Advocates for rent stabilization rallied on the state Capitol steps in March. (Caleb Ewings Photography)

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

WA’s new rent stabilization law brings immediate relief

Gov. Bob Ferguson has signed Washington's first rent stabilization law and renters and advocates who fought for the bill are breathing sighs of …

The Alzheimer's Association says it needs at least 50,000 people to participate in ongoing clinical trials examining potential new treatments, with hundreds of thousands more needed for broader dementia-related studies. (Adobe Stock)

During Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month, Iowa seniors learn to plan

During Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month, mental health advocacy groups are highlighting treatment and medication advances in the last decade…

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed House Bill 2764 in April, 2024. (Adobe Stock)

AZ approves new rules for memory care facilities

Memory care facilities in Arizona have a new set of rules intended to improve quality of care for patients and ensure more accountability for provider…

The average American home contains more than 300,000 items. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: VA seniors should declutter their homes for brain health

June is Brain Awareness Month, and experts say Virginia seniors should consider decluttering their homes to improve brain health. According to an …

Medicare Fraud Prevention Week is an annual event near the date 6/5, because people become eligible for Medicare at age 65. (Senior Medicare Patrol)

Experts warn of scams during Medicare Fraud Prevention Week

Medicare loses $60 billion to $80 billion a year to fraud and this year, for Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, your local Senior Medicare Patrol has …

More than 40% of senior citizens report feeling lonely on a regular basis. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Senior social isolation: A silent epidemic, as deadly as cigarettes

Senior advocates are sounding the alarm about the effects of social isolation on older people in Illinois, saying loneliness is comparable to smoking …

Allen Institute scientists Trygve Bakken (left) and Jonathan Ting (right) discuss research figures and data related to enhancer AAV tools. (Jenny Burns/Allen Institute)

WA scientists create new tools to treat brain diseases

Researchers from Washington and across North America have teamed up to develop a powerful new set of biological tools which could be a game changer fo…

Hospice care, which has been shown to improve symptom management and quality of life, is underused, especially by minority Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health. (amazingstudio/Amazon)

Hard conversations, celebrations accompany AANHPI Heritage Month

Asian Americans, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders are a rapidly growing population in California and across the nation - but as they age…

A survey of Minnesotans by Compassion & Choices found they believe medical aid in dying should be a legal option for terminally ill individuals by a margin of 53 points, 73% to 20%. (mykeyruna/Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

MN honors cultural differences during AANHPI Heritage Month

Asian Americans, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders are a rapidly growing population in the United States - but as those living in Minnesota age…

A new law allows Iowans who are victims of bogus transactions at crypto currency kiosks to receive a refund if they report it within 90 days. (Adobe Stock)

Cryptocurrency kiosk regulations become law in Iowa

A new rule passed by the Iowa Legislature is intended to protect seniors from fraud at unregulated cryptocurrency kiosks. The measure is part of a …

The average annual rate of stroke for the Medicare population in Arkansas is 4.1%, slightly higher than the national average of 3.7%. (ilovecoffeedesign/Adobe Stock)

AR stroke rate higher than national average

As end of American Stroke Month nears, officials want Arkansans to know their stroke risks. According to a registry from the Arkansas Department of …

Seniors in Cook County, Illinois, said programs like Meals on Wheels providing hot meals delivered to them every day helps them feel safer in their homes. (Adobe Stock)

IL advocates highlight critical services for seniors

Illinois residents and elected officials are participating in a statewide day of advocacy to bring awareness to the Older Americans Act. Services …

Nearly 70% of working caregivers in Ohio struggle to balance job duties and family responsibilities, according to AARP. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio bills aim to ease financial burden for family caregivers

New bipartisan bills in the Ohio Legislature would provide a $2,000 tax credit to working Ohioans who care for family members at home. The goal is …

More than one in 10 Ohioans rely on public pensions for income in retirement, according to the National Institute on Retirement Security. (AdobeStock)

Expert: Ohio pension funds resistant to tariff-related market volatility

Market volatility linked to shifting federal tariff policies is raising questions in Ohio about the long-term effects on public pension funds and reti…

Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. <br />(Studio Romantic/Adobe Stock)

Nurse offers tips for Coloradans who suffer from strokes

May is American Stroke Month and the American Heart Association wants Coloradans to know the signs of a stroke so they can take action if needed…

Nurse offers tips for Marylanders, families who suffer from strokes

May is American Stroke Month and the American Heart Association wants Marylanders to know the signs of a stroke so they can take action if needed…

Experts on decluttering and downsizing say increasingly storing household items in your garage is

Why your spring cleaning should include saying goodbye to clutter

A lot of households might have junk piles on their kitchen counter or an overflowing storage room. A North Dakota expert says to avoid stress that …

Stroke ranks in top five leading causes of death in MI

May is American Stroke Month and the American Heart Association wants Michiganders to know the signs of a stroke so they can take action if needed…

Every Nevada county has an appointed public guardian. The public guardian is available when no party is willing or appropriate to serve on behalf of the alleged incapacitated person. (Adobe Stock)

NV lawmakers look to promote less restrictive alternatives to adult guardianship

A Nevada bill would make changes to adult guardianship by prioritizing less restrictive approaches. Sen. Melanie Scheible, D-Las Vegas, the bill's …

A form of dementia, Alzheimer's disease is primarily caused by the build up of amyloid and tau proteins in the brain. The proteins bind together and cause

New research shows most Nebraskans want to know their Alzheimer's status

Four of five Americans surveyed want to know if they face a future with Alzheimer's disease before symptoms arise, according to the latest …

Department of Government Efficiency cuts to AmeriCorps will affedct New Mexico's Boys & Girls Clubs. (bgcsantafe.org)

Program elimination, job loss as DOGE cuts funds for NM's AmeriCorps

The dismantling of the 30-year-old AmeriCorps national service program by the Department of Government Efficiency will have significant effects in New…

AARP says currently, civil law enforcement tools, namely injunctions and monetary orders, are insufficient in stopping scam operations and getting victims' money refunded. (Adobe Stock)

Plans advance for fraud restitution fund in MN

Fear, shame, and helplessness are feelings Minnesota fraud victims describe after losing their life savings to a scam. They're hopeful about a path …

Memory, language, and thinking problems are the first symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, followed by changes in a patient's personality or behavior, such as apathy, confusion and increased suspicion and fear. (Adobe Stock)

More Hoosiers facing Alzheimer's diagnoses as caregiver costs rise

A new study showed costs are rising for caring for Hoosiers with Alzheimer's disease and forms of dementia. The report indicated nearly 122,000 …

Experts say scammers blast text messages out in hopes they reach someone who has a car and drives where there may be tolls, where the scenario of owing a fee could be believable. (Adobe Stock)

Unpaid toll text scams on the rise in WI

Scam text messages impersonating the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and toll authorities are on the rise, despite the fact Wisconsin does not …

All employers in Oregon are now required to offer OregonSaves, a free service, to their employees if they do not already offer a retirement savings program. (Brian Jackson/Adobe Stock)

OR leads the way with state retirement savings plan

Oregonians have saved nearly $350 million for retirement through OregonSaves, a program allowing employees without workplace plans to automatically …

Research shows if Washington households saved about $95 a month, collectively they could erase the<br />taxpayer burden while ensuring themselves a decent standard of living in retirement. (Uwe/Adobe Stock)

WA on track to state retirement savings program

More than 1 million private sector workers nationwide have joined state retirement savings programs, which advocates for seniors said is a key step …

Residents of rural communities rely on Medicaid more than do their urban counterparts because of lower incomes, fewer private insurance options and higher unemployment rates. (ISKPRODUCTION/Adobe Stock)

GOP budget cuts to Medicaid could fray NM's safety net

Medicaid is a lifeline for many of New Mexico's families, making it one of six states that could be severely affected by cuts Congressional …

Bonnie Miller, President of the League of Women Voters of Arkansas, said

AR League of Women Voters sues over ballot initiative restriction

Arkansas Secretary of State Cole Jester is facing legal action from the League of Women Voters of Arkansas. The organization filed a federal lawsuit …

Reduced federal funding for Medicaid would lead to widespread coverage losses and tens of thousands of avoidable deaths each year, according to the Center for American Progress. (Adobe Stock)

West Virginia Senators push Medicaid cuts

Many residents of West Virginia are at risk of losing health care under a federal proposal to cut Medicaid funding by $880 billion. Sen. Jim Justice…

AARP has created an online pledge people can sign to

Social Security staff cuts could affect one in five Pennsylvanians

Pennsylvanians over age 50 are voicing concerns about the Department of Government Efficiency plans to cut 7,000 jobs from the U.S. Social Security …

Family caregivers face higher risks of heart attack, stroke and mental health issues, but research shows having just four hours of respite each month can significantly improve their health and well-being. (zinkevych/Adobe Stock)

Proposed Medicaid cuts threaten lifeline for TN caregivers

A Tennessee nonprofit is warning that potential Medicaid cuts could threaten crucial support for the state's nearly 1 million family caregivers…

National Healthcare Decisions Day is held on April 16 each year to educate health care providers and consumers about advance care planning and empower all to make their wishes known about care preferences in case they are unable to communicate them. (Pixabay)

Florida health disparities highlight need for advance care planning

Wednesday is National Healthcare Decisions Day and advocates are calling attention to Florida's pressing need for advance care planning, particularly …

California ranks 42nd in the country for utilization of hospice services. (David Pereiras/Adobe Stock)

On 'National Healthcare Decisions Day,' patients should explore options

Wednesday is National Healthcare Decisions Day, a time to educate health care providers and consumers about advanced care planning. People are …

In Virginia, it is estimated 135,000 seniors must travel more than 45 miles to visit their nearest Social Security office. (Adobe Stock)

Rapid Social Security changes leave Virginians vulnerable to scams

Back-and-forth decisions on Social Security policies have created confusion, which may leave some Virginians more vulnerable to scams. Last month…

In 2025, an average of almost 69 million Americans per month will receive a Social Security benefit, according to the Social Security Administration. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Older Kentuckians: We've worked hard for our Social Security benefits

The Social Security Administration backtracked on a new plan, set to take effect today, that would have required more people to apply for benefits in …

When a tariff is imposed, the importing business pays the tax to the U.S. Treasury Department. Importers then pass much of the added cost to consumers. (freshidea/Adobe Stock)

Texans brace for financial impact of trade wars

Texas is the number one exporting state in the nation - and although tariffs with Mexico and Canada have been delayed, Texans are still uneasy about …

Social Security benefits kept one-third of Wyomingites out of poverty between 2018 and 2020, according to AARP Wyoming. (Adobe Stock)

Wyomingites celebrate 'near miss' on access to Social Security

A plan from the Social Security Administration that would have ended certain telephone services as of today was canceled late last week, due largely …

Elon Musk claims Social Security can be cut by $500 billion without reducing people's benefits. (Adobe Stock)

Social Security cuts could impact one in six Coloradans

The Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, plans to cut 7,000 jobs from the U.S. Social Security Administration as it works to reduce the size …

With 22 million Americans lacking broadband access, according to the Federal Communications Commission, the Social Security Administration's reversal maintains a critical lifeline for seniors, particularly in states such as Mississippi, where 40% of rural households lack high-speed internet service. (Pixabay)

MS residents' outcry prompts Social Security Admin to reverse course on phone service cuts

The Social Security Administration has reversed its controversial plan to eliminate phone services for benefit claims, a move that would have forced …

Social Security is among a host of entitlement programs being considered for administrative reorganization by the Trump administration. (Adobe Stock)

AARP Iowa pushes back on Social Security changes

The Social Security Administration is standing down on implementing a plan which would have dramatically affected how recipients can access critical b…

Around 500 people gathered at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Pa., for a town hall to discuss concerns about potential cuts to Medicaid, SNAP and Social Security. (Anna Gustafson)

PA retirees fear Social Security cuts under President Trump

By Anna Gustafson for the Pennsylvania Independent.Broadcast version by Danielle Smith for Keystone State News Connection reporting for the Pennsylvan…

Critics of cuts to the Social Security Administration predict they will further strain an already struggling system, possibly depriving some people of being able to access benefits. (Adobe Stock)

You won't be able to apply by phone for SSA starting next week

In less than a week, many Wisconsinites will be unable to apply for Social Security benefits over the phone, which could lead to potential …

The Indiana Chronic Care Policy Alliance reports that 367,000 Hoosiers have reported an unmet need for mental-health services. (Adobe Stock)

Few treatment options for IN residents with linked chronic pain, mental illness

April is National Stress Awareness Month. Stress is the body's way of processing work, personal, and family pressures, or other triggers. A new …

A worker who relocates to a rural area is 13% less likely to have a workplace retirement plan. (Adobe Stock)

Rural Virginians less likely to have work-based retirement plans

Virginians who work at low-wage jobs often don't have a workplace retirement plan so they can save money through payroll deductions. A new study …

The FBI says fraud and scam losses nationwide reported by those age 60 and older topped $3.4 billion in 2023, including $128 million in Arizona. (Adobe Stock)

Arizona legislation targets cryptocurrency scams

Arizona lawmakers are considering a bill to prevent cryptocurrency scams and regulate what are known as "crypto kiosks." Brendon Blake, AARP …

Legislation regulating cryptocurrency kiosks is being considered in the Maryland House of Delegates. (Adobe Stock)

Crypto kiosk scams target of proposed regulations

A bill in the Maryland General Assembly would regulate cryptocurrency kiosks, the more than 700 ATM-like machines for virtual currencies around the …

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Senior Issues