My niece, age seven, hasn’t had any friends over for play dates in a year. So, she invented new ones: sprites she calls her “cousins” — imaginary creatures who flit…
A few years ago, when I first started working at Independence Blue Cross, I had ambitious goals. My planned daily routine was the picture of perfect health: smoothies every morning,…
Why is accepting help so difficult? As someone who lives with a chronic illness, I know it certainly is for me. I cling to my independence fiercely, often refusing to…
Each year, over 43 million Americans provide unpaid care to adults age 50 and older. That’s about one in every seven people — which means the likelihood is high that…
If you’ve ever helped a loved one choose a Medicare plan, you know there’s a lot to consider. To help make this year’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) go as smoothly…
As we age, financial independence becomes harder to maintain. If you’re the primary caregiver for an older adult, you know exactly what I mean. It starts out small: standing for…
As a frequent contributor to this blog, I can write pieces fairly quickly, but I have a confession: I’ve been avoiding this one. The truth is that even though most…
When you or a loved one need medical care, the health care providers and hospital staff you turn to for help can become your lifelines. That’s why so many people…
During the grief process, we search for a sense of peace and acceptance after a painful loss. Rationally, we know that both loss and bereavement are healthy, normal parts of…
No matter how well you care for a loved one at home, some medical conditions require hospital stays. If you care for someone with a chronic illness — especially an…