February 2013 - New Old Age at the New York Times

For the Elderly, Lists of Tests to Avoid

Eighteen new lists of "Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question" were released last week, and they include the recommendations from geriatricians and palliative care specialists. Read More...

Published Thu, Feb 28 2013 3:54 AM by The New Old Age

Filed under: Health Care, medical tests, Choosing Wisely

Is the Pope Frail?

Paying attention to frailty makes sense for the rest of us and our elders. Read More...

Published Wed, Feb 27 2013 2:48 AM by The New Old Age

Filed under: Medical Issues, Benedict XVI, frailty

For Traumatized Caregivers, Therapy Helps

Therapists said they often encountered symptoms of trauma among caregivers, even though research documenting this phenomenon is scarce. Read More...

Published Fri, Feb 22 2013 3:34 AM by The New Old Age

Filed under: Family Relationships, caregiving, trauma

The Reluctant Caregiver

Many caregivers don't want the job -- and feel guilty about that. Read More...

Published Wed, Feb 20 2013 3:00 AM by The New Old Age

Filed under: Arts & Culture

A New Commission: Time to Cheer or Yawn?

In place of the Class Act, Congress created a Commission on Long-Term Care. Some doubt it will lead to anything. Read More...

Published Thu, Feb 14 2013 3:07 AM by The New Old Age

Filed under: Health Care, long-term care, class act, Affordable Care Act

Debate Over Brain Scans and Alzheimer's

An expert panel convened by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services concluded that data supporting use of PET scans to diagnose Alzheimer's was weak. Read More...

Published Tue, Feb 12 2013 10:50 AM by The New Old Age

Filed under: Medical Issues, dementia, Alzheimer's, U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, PET scans

The Executor's Assistant

An executor of an estate quickly learns that every step -- even with a small, simple estate that owes no taxes and includes no real estate or trusts -- is more complicated than expected. Read More...

Published Fri, Feb 08 2013 4:35 AM by The New Old Age

Filed under: Finances & Legalities, estates, wills, American Bar Association, probate

For Women, Reduced Access to Long-Term Care Insurance

Gender-distinct pricing is a strategy that will raise long-term care insurance rates for single women by as much as 40 percent beginning in April. Read More...

Published Wed, Feb 06 2013 10:30 AM by The New Old Age

Filed under: long-term care, insurance, Finances & Legalities, finances

In Blended Families, Responsibility Blurs

That sense of reciprocity we often hear from caregivers -- 'she took care of me when I was young, so I need to help out now that she's old' -- doesn't seem to apply in late-life stepfamilies. Read More...

Published Tue, Feb 05 2013 3:14 AM by The New Old Age

Filed under: Family Relationships, divorce, caregiving, stepfamilies

Therapy Plateau No Longer Ends Coverage

Thousands, and possibly millions, of Medicare beneficiaries with chronic health problems can now continue to be covered for physical therapy because of an action by Congress and a recent court settlement. Read More...

Published Sun, Feb 03 2013 4:49 PM by The New Old Age

Filed under: Medicare, Finances & Legalities, Center for Medicare Advocacy, Physical Therapy

Caregiving, Laced With Humor

Sacha Goldberger, a French photographer, turned his 93-year-old grandmother, Frederika Goldberger, into a minor European celebrity with his creation of Super Mamika -- an outgrowth of their unusual caregiving relationship. Read More...

Published Fri, Feb 01 2013 2:33 AM by The New Old Age

Filed under: Family Relationships, caregiving, Photography