We love our dogs. In 2025, nearly 90 million dogs were living in U.S. households, meaning that nearly half of all households had one. Why do we let these furry four-legged friends into our lives? For most people, it's companionship as well as an excellent burglar alarm. But there are other advantages to having a dog, including many health benefits to you and your family, like: More exercise - When you own a dog, you should be taking it out for walks every day. And the benefi

Retirement is a major life transition. If you're reaching retirement age within the next few years, it's time to start making some important financial decisions. Here are several of the most critical issues you should be addressing in the coming months: Reduce risk. Now is the time to begin reducing your stock market exposure. While stocks have been a great long-term investment, they are notoriously volatile. There have been many times in history where stocks have plummeted

We have received reports of a phishing scam targeting Covered California enrollment partners. Recent reports indicate emails that appear to come from Covered California employees, requesting that recipients send payments via Zelle; other attempts may include requests to click a secure link to verify personal information, bank account numbers, or passwords. 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹; 𝗱𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗻

If you are a Medicare Advantage enrollee, you may have noticed that the number of plans available to you has shrunk during the last Annual Open Enrollment. It's not your imagination: A research letter published in the medical journal JAMA noted that about 10% of MA enrollees saw their plans discontinued for 2026, forcing them to switch to other MA plans, go back to Traditional Medicare, or sign up for a Medicare supplement plan. When a plan shuts down, it can disrupt care in

Being predisposed to developing dementia or Alzheimer's disease is something many adults worry about. However, experts say that it could be possible to delay the progression of these diseases by taking steps to improve our health, particularly for individuals who have diabetes, are obese and/or smoke. Studies show that taking steps to address these factors — dropping weight, improving blood-sugar levels or quitting smoking — can significantly reduce the chances of developing

Today's smart home technology has become synonymous with convenience, but it can have a positive impact on the quality of life for seniors. It can make their homes easier to manage, and it can also make them safer. This is particularly the case for older adults who need to take medication on schedule, and for those whose mobility is impaired. Smart home tech allows its users to customize their devices based on their personal preferences and individual schedules. It offers man

Did you know that individuals with dental and vision insurance are more likely to visit the dentist and ophthalmologist and have better overall health compared to people who don't? Anyone who needs corrective lenses should visit an optometrist or ophthalmologist regularly to have their eyes checked for overall health. And for overall oral health, everyone should visit the dentist regularly, and dental insurance can defray the costs of regular exams as well as any work you may

Finding respite care and breaks for caregivers involves exploring several options to ensure you get the support you need. Area agencies on aging are an excellent starting point, as these government or nonprofit groups assist older adults in every community and will know about funding sources, volunteer programs, care agencies, and facilities in your area. You can find your local agency at the Eldercare Locator or by calling 800-677-1116. There are various types of respite s

When people sign up for a new health insurance plan, be that an employer-sponsored plan or one purchased on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchange, they can often be confused about when coverage starts, what is covered, and whether they have to share in the costs of a medical procedure. The Kaiser Family Foundation recently compiled a list of seven takeaways from stories about people who ended up paying large out-of-pocket expenses for medical care. Health plan enrollees shou

Most of us want to stay in our own homes as we age, surrounded by our community and memories. However, managing multiple doctors, prescriptions, and daily needs can make that difficult. This is where WelbeHealth PACE comes in—and it’s a game-changer for local veterans. What is PACE? The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a comprehensive healthcare model designed to help seniors (55+) live safely at home rather than moving into a nursing facility. When y