NCOA Publishes 10 Senior Scams to Beware

The National Council on Aging has published yet another great Top 10 list, this for typical senior scams.

Over 90% of all reported elder abuse is committed by an older person’s own family members, most often their adult children, followed by grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and others. Be able to identify a potential scam.

Health Care/Medicare/Health Insurance Fraud

Perpetrators may pose as a Medicare representative to get older people to give them their personal information, or they will provide bogus services for elderly people at makeshift mobile clinics, then use the personal information they provide to bill Medicare and pocket the money.

Counterfeit Prescription Drugs

Counterfeit drug scams operate on the Internet. The danger is that besides paying money for something that will not help a person’s medical condition, victims may purchase unsafe substances that can inflict even more harm. This scam can be as hard on the body as it is on the wallet.

Funeral & Cemetery Scams

In one approach, scammers read obituaries and call or attend the funeral service of a complete stranger to take advantage of the grieving widow or widower. Claiming the deceased had an outstanding debt with them, scammers will try to extort money from relatives to settle the fake debts. 

Another tactic of disreputable funeral homes is to capitalize on family members’ unfamiliarity with the considerable cost of funeral services to add unnecessary charges to the bill. Funeral directors will insist that a casket, usually one of the most expensive parts of funeral services, is necessary even when performing a direct cremation, which can be accomplished with a cardboard casket rather than an expensive display or burial casket.

Fraudulent Anti-Aging Products

Many older Americans seek out new treatments and medications to maintain a youthful appearance, putting them at risk of scammers. Whether it’s fake Botox or completely bogus homeopathic remedies that do absolutely nothing, there is money in the anti-aging business.

Botox scams are particularly unsettling. A bad batch can have health consequences far beyond wrinkles or drooping neck muscles.

Telemarketing

Scammers use fake telemarketing calls to prey on older people, who as a group make twice as many purchases over the phone than the national average. With no face-to-face interaction, and no paper trail, these scams are incredibly hard to trace. Also, once a successful deal has been made, the buyer’s name is then shared with similar schemers looking for easy targets, sometimes defrauding the same person repeatedly. 

Examples include:

“The Pigeon Drop”

The con artist tells the individual that he/she has found a large sum of money and is willing to split it if the person will make a “good faith” payment by withdrawing funds from his/her bank account.

“The Fake Accident Ploy”

The con artist gets the victim to wire or send money on the pretext that the person’s child or another relative is in the hospital and needs the money.

“Charity Scams”

Money is solicited for fake charities.

Internet Fraud

Pop-up browser windows simulating virus-scanning software will fool victims into either downloading a fake anti-virus program (at a substantial cost) or an actual virus that will open up whatever information is on the user’s computer to scammers.

A senior receives email messages that appear to be from a legitimate company or institution, asking them to “update” or “verify” their personal information. A senior receives emails that appear to be from the IRS about a tax refund.

Investment Schemes

A number of investment schemes have been targeted at seniors looking to safeguard their cash for their later years. From pyramid schemes to fables of a Nigerian prince looking for a partner to claim inheritance money to complex financial products that many economists don’t even understand, investment schemes have long been a successful way to take advantage of older people.

Homeowner/Reverse Mortgage Scams

The reverse mortgage scam has mushroomed in recent years. Scammers are taking advantage of this new popularity. As opposed to official refinancing schemes, however, unsecured reverse mortgages can lead property owners to lose their homes when the perpetrators offer money or a free house somewhere else in exchange for the title to the property.

Sweepstakes & Lottery Scams

Scammers inform their mark that they have won a lottery or sweepstakes of some kind and need to make some sort of payment to unlock the supposed prize. Often, seniors will be sent a check that they can deposit in their bank account, knowing it will take a few days before the (fake) check is rejected.

During that time, the criminals will quickly collect money for supposed fees or taxes on the prize, which they pocket while the victim has the “prize money” removed from his or her account as soon as the check bounces.

The Grandparent Scam

Scammers will place a call to an older person and when the mark picks up, they will say something along the lines of: “Hi Grandma, do you know who this is?” When the unsuspecting grandparent guesses the name of the grandchild the scammer most sounds like, the scammer has established a fake identity without having done a lick of background research.

Once “in,” the fake grandchild will usually ask for money to solve some unexpected financial problem.

At the same time, the scam artist will beg the grandparent “please don’t tell my parents, they would kill me.”

Class Helps People Help Elders (VIDEO)

Class Helps People Help Elders

From the LA Times...

Valencia's College of the Canyons in Ca. has designed a course to train students to help the elderly cope with chronic medical conditions and live more comfortably. The semester-long pilot program is the first of its kind in the country, administrators told the Times.

During the term, students study what it's like to grow old, learning the physical and mental changes involved, and how aging affects behavior and communication. And they learn practical skills to help seniors remain healthy as they age: strategies to prevent falls, reduce stress and improve their nutrition.

The students earn a certificate in Skills for Healthy Aging Resources and Programs. 

The program, which includes fieldwork, differs from a regular degree course in gerontology because it's more hands-on and emphasizes practical, care-giving skills. Students come away with skills to work in senior centers and homes and service agencies. 

Most students are women, some in their 50s and 60s. Some already had degrees and had worked in other careers. Many hoped to make themselves more marketable. And most cited stated a personal connection as their primary motivation.

More colleges should consider this program.

Statins protect against influenza mortality, study shows

Statins, you know Lipitor, Crestor, etc, continue to show they have new uses. Kind of a wonder drug just like baby aspirin!

Researchers have found they appear to reduce the risk of death in patients hospitalized with the flu. In a study of 3,043 men and women hospitalized with the flu, 151 died within 30 days of testing positive for influenza. However, after controlling for race, sex, underlying disease and flu vaccination status, researchers found that those who were taking statins had a 41% reduced risk of death compared to those not taking statins.

Investigators are uncertain as to why statins have a protective effect.

So if you are on one of these medications, take heart (pun intended) in knowing they are doing double-duty. And if your physician has advised you to start taking cholesterol medicine and you have hesitated, well maybe it's time to have another conversation with your doc.

Myths About Continuing Care Retirement Communities (VIDEO)

Myths About Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Age Wave, a research and consulting company focused on the lives and needs of the age 50+ population, launched a new study sponsored by Vi an operator of ten continuing care communities (CCRCs). This report was developed to better understand how older adults decide to move to a CCRC, and their priorities, hopes, concerns, and questions during the decision-making process. It concluded that here are prevailing myths and misperceptions about CCRCs which do not match today’s realities, and which can sometimes complicate or mislead decision-making.

Myth 1

“My current home will be the best possible place to live in my post-retirement years.”

Response from Ken Dychtwald, CEO Age Wave & David Baxter, SVP Age Wave: the ideal home evolves throughout our lifetime, so the best home for your next stage of life should be one that provides more freedom, more convenience, better care, and less worry. Is your current home the best “fit” for the years ahead? The reality is that, throughout your life, you have chosen different types of homes to meet your evolving lifestyle. From your parents’ home, to college dormitories, to smaller apartments during your singlehood, to larger homes when raising your family, you have repeatedly moved to new homes that provide the best communities, living space, lifestyle, and amenities for each stage of your life.

So what makes it so difficult for many people to move from their current home?

Some people are concerned that their lifestyle will be limited by rules and restrictions when moving into a CCRC. Yet residents interviewed consistently spoke of having greater independence and freedom because they are relieved of the burden and headache of household tasks and obligations, and have more free time for what they really like and want to do.

Myth 2

“My current home is the best option to continue an active social life and to stay connected with friends in the years ahead.”

Response: Remaining in your home can result in growing isolation and loneliness in later life. CCRCs offer opportunities to build new relationships and social connections with like-minded people. Social connections can help you live a longer, happier, and healthier life.

Myth 3

“It’s less expensive and more financially secure for me to stay in my current home.”

Response: Even though your mortgage may be paid off, monthly expenses to maintain your home and your lifestyle are higher than you realize and less predictable as your home ages or you are less able to physically manage the home. When combined with potential care costs, living in your current home may end up being the most expensive option.

Myth 4

“It would be easy to get any care I might need at home.”

Response: Care at home can be difficult and costly, while continuing care retirement communities offer a seamless solution for most care needs that may arise in later life.

Myth 5

“CCRCs are filled with old people who are sick and dying.”

Response: Many people choose CCRCs to pursue opportunities for new learning, new activities, and a “new chapter in life.” A final resting place? For some, the thought of visiting a CCRC conjures up images of sickness, decline, and dying. They resist moving to a CCRC because they view it as their “final resting place” or “exit strategy.” They put off the decision to move as long as possible. They think that someday they may consider moving, but today, they say, “I’m not quite ready.” Yet, one resident described her life like “a cruise ship that never leaves home.”

If you are a CCRC provider this a good report for you to use in your sales and marketing. But I do need to weigh in. CCRCs are not for everyone and most people cannot afford them, plain and simple. And this study was sponsored by an operator of CCRCs. So take it for what it is. I do not disagree with the selling points at all but there is a have/have not situation here and with a continued push for aging in place and a worsening economy, CCRCs do have their challenges ahead.

REPRINTED FROM MY ABOUT.COM BLOG

MRI Can Detect Cognitive Decline in Parkinson's Patients (VIDEO)

Look Out for These Medicare Scams

Beware Medicare Scammers

The web site Medical Billing and Coding has published Medicare Scams that you should be on the lookout.

The Poser Scam

One of the more common ways criminals scam those with Medicare is by posing as Medicare employees, health care practitioners, or insurance representatives, something many may not be expecting. These fraudsters call, email, or send a letter asking for personal information that usually includes bank, Social Security, and Medicare numbers. Federal employees, working for Medicare or otherwise, will never phone or email you to get bank or Medicare information.  

The Healthcare Reform Scam

Many adults don’t know what the new healthcare legislation actually entrails, and that’s just the way criminals want it. It makes many Americans easy targets for scams, like those that claim to sell "healthcare reform insurance" that purportedly protects seniors from any losses to their Medicare or any fines they make incur from not meeting guidelines. The thing is, healthcare reform insurance doesn’t exist.  

The Free Lunch Scam 

Scammers in low income areas are taking advantage of some of the neediest Medicare recipients by drawing them in to fake health care clinics with the promise of free food or gifts. Once they have the victim right where they want them, they try to get Medicare numbers through coercion and then use them to commit Medicare fraud.

The Kickback Scam 

Fraudsters might offer you a cut of the take in exchange for your Medicare number, but they won’t put it like that. Criminals might veil it under a prize, reward, or other guise to mask the fact that they’re doing something that is very clearly illegal. If anyone ever promises you any gift or monetary rewards for your Medicare number, decline their offer immediately.  

The Refund Ripoff Scam 

As part of the Affordable Care Act, many senior Medicare recipients may be eligible to receive a refund from the government of $250 to help cover their prescription drug costs. Criminals have pounced on these checks as an opportunity to make some extra cash and scam some Medicare numbers at the same time. Many have called seniors and told them that they need to confirm Medicare numbers in order to send out the checks. Keep in mind that Medicare numbers are like credit card numbers: they should never be given out to strangers over the phone.

 

The Imposter Employee Scam 

Many criminals looking to scam those on Medicare will call or even come to the home of recipients asking for personal information like Medicare numbers and bank accounts. Medicare will not send people out to collect this information, nor do they cooperate with private insurers to collect this information.  

The Free Medical Supplies Scam 

Exchanging medical supplies, which are usually of very low value, for Medicare numbers is not a bargain, it’s a scam. Criminals know that many seniors depend on medical supplies to keep them feeling good, and use that desire for backup or extra supplies, free of charge, to get personal and private information out of those who wouldn’t normally be swayed by such scams.  

The Not Usually Covered Scam 

If something isn’t covered by Medicare, it isn’t covered. If your provider or someone you don’t know tells you that an item isn’t covered but they know how to bill it so you won’t have to pay, that might sound great. But it’s also fraud and can get you, and that provider, in a lot of trouble. 

The Extra Equipment Scam 

Those with diabetes, arthritis, and sleep problems are frequent victims of this scam. Salespeople will go to homes of those they know suffer from these conditions and try to get them to buy extra equipment, often things that they really don’t need. It sounds great because these extra items can be billed to Medicare and you won’t have to pay a thing. Of course, once you hand over your Medicare numbers, scammers simply use it to rack up loads of bogus charges and if you ever see the equipment they promised it’ll likely end up collecting dust.

 

The New Card Scam 

Another way scammers are taking advantage of new health care regulations is by telling seniors that in order to keep receiving benefits or get their refund checks they’ll need to get a new Medicare card. This simply isn’t true.

 

The Medical Decisions Scam 

Some enterprising and highly unscrupulous insurance agents have been taking advantage of Medicare policy holders in a couple of different ways. Some are sending out release forms that allow agents to make decisions on their behalf. This can cause serious legal and financial issues, so never, ever sign anything without reading through it first and making sure you understand it. 

The Fancy Tests Scam 

Shady doctors and nurses often make their money by scaring or coercing patients into getting unnecessary and often very expensive tests. Your medical provider should never use pressure or scare tactics to get you to consent to any medical decision, it’s just unethical.

Thanks to the Billing and Coding site for this information. Hopefully we can get it to a wider audience who will heed the warnings.

MRI Can Detect Cognitive Decline in Parkinson's Patients

An MRI scan that detects atrophy patterns in the brains of Alzheimer's patients also can detect cognitive decline in Parkinson's patients.

Thirty patients with Parkinson’s disease and 22 control subjects underwent 3-T magnetic resonance imaging. Compared with control subjects, patients with Parkinson’s disease displayed significantly higher imaging resolution.

These findings demonstrate that magnetic resonance imaging of the brain's grey matter structures is useful for the evaluation of Parkinson’s disease. 

Investigators say this technology can predict which patients with Parkinson's disease will experience long-term cognitive decline or develop dementia in the future. Close to 80% of Parkinson's patients develop dementia as the disease progresses.

"Diagnostic tests like this can help us determine which patients would benefit from future clinical trials of medications aiming to stave off or prevent dementia progression in Parkinson's disease," the study's lead author, Daniel Weintraub, M.D., said.


The study was published online in the journal Brain.

Sexual Satisfaction for Elderly Women Linked to Quality of Life (VIDEO)

Sexual Satisfaction for Elderly Women Linked to Quality of Life

Write whatever you would like here!

@Jacobs Stock Photography, Getty Images

The University of California at San Diego published a study we should all like. It's about sex. Sex when you get older.

In elderly women, successful aging and positive quality of life indicators are linked to sexual satisfaction even when their physical health is declining.

Seniors, especially those who have high levels of physical and mental health, can enjoy sexual activity well into old age, which has a ripple effect on other aspects of life.

The scientists studied 1,235 women in three different age cohorts: ages 60 to 69, 70 to 79 and 80 to 89.

Sexual activity and functioning does decline along with physical and mental health as a woman ages. But overall satisfaction with their sex life was not statistically unusual throughout the age groups.

“Feeling satisfied with your sex life — whatever your level of sexual activity — is closely related to your perceived quality of life,” the study's co-author, Wesley K. Thompson, Ph.D., told Medical News Today.

For Profits and Private Investor Nursing Homes Have More Deficiencies (VIDEO)

For-Profit Nursing Homes – Yet Another Study Suggests Poorer Quality than Counterparts

Profit or patient?

Yet another study, this one by the University of California at San Francisco research team led by Charlene Harrington, RN, Ph.D., and backed by the Service Employees International Union, suggests that lower levels of nursing staff in large for-profit nursing home chains have resulted in substantially lower quality of care when compared to government-owned or non-profit nursing homes.

 

Researchers compared staffing levels and facility deficiencies received by the United States’ 10 biggest nursing home chains, versus facilities run by five other types of ownership groups. 

• Between 2003 and 2008, the for-profit facilities had fewer nurse “staffing hours,” researchers said.
  
• The 10 largest nursing home chains received 36% more deficiencies from regulators, according to the study.
  
• Additionally, the for-profit sites received more deficiencies after being purchased by private equity groups than before the purchases.

We have said this before. When investigating care options for your loved one, this is yet one more factor to consider. Ask about their profit status and probe to find who really owns the facility. These are becoming increasingly important factors.

How to Know When Your Loved One is Ready for a Facility

The following is a guest post from Sandra Harris.

No one really wants to get old and reach the point where they can no longer care for themselves. But, as hard as it is on the older person, it’s just as hard on his or her family and loved ones who must make the often heart-wrenching decision to move their loved one to a residential care facility.

Knowing when the time has come to choose a residential care facility can be difficult. Start the process early before your loved one is even ready to make the move. Take the time necessary to research different residential care facilities, ensuring that you don’t pick the first place you see. Visit them. Talk to staff and, if you can, talk to residents. You and your loved one really need to get a feel for whether the facility is right for your family.

But, now that you have a better idea of where you want your loved one to live, how do you know when it’s time to make the move?

Sometimes it’s not possible for families to care for their loved ones because they live too far away. But, there comes a time when your loved one cannot care for himself anymore. He may be in denial that he is unable to care for himself, not wanting to admit he’s getting older and cannot do the things he once did.

Memory loss, an inability to or disinterest in caring for one’s personal hygiene, and forgetting or simply not taking necessary medications may all indicate your loved one is no longer capable of caring for himself without the kind of assistance a residential care facility can provide.

Other telltale signs typically include:

●      Your loved one’s home – both inside and outside – isn’t as clean as it once was. Laundry may be piling up; the floors may be dirty, and the home may be in disarray.

●      You start noticing bruises on your loved one, even though he tries to cover them up. Bruises could mean he is falling, which can be especially dangerous if he lives alone.

●      Your loved one wears the same outfit every time you visit him.

Like countless adult children across the country and the world, you may be taking care of your loved one as he ages. But, depending on his health issues, he may need 24 hour care that you simply cannot provide him. It’s natural to feel guilty about considering moving a loved one to a residential care facility, but you may get to the point where you can no longer provide the level of care that is necessary for your loved one to live safely and comfortably or he simply cannot live alone any longer.

Talk with your loved one about your concerns. Giving up one’s independence isn’t easy, so be prepared to deal with arguments and resistance. Make sure your loved one is involved in the process of researching and looking at residential care facilities before the time comes to move to one, so he feels involved and knows what to expect.

Sandra Harris writes articles and provides insight for senior care issues.  She also works with seniors with regard to Houston assisted living facilities.

Many Planning to Work Into Their Eighties (VIDEO)

Many Planning to Work Into Their Eighties

Planning to work after 80?
@Imagno, Getty Images

Middle class Americans plan to save up a specific amount before retiring and put less emphasis on a given retirement age.  Many even plan to work into their eighties in order to live comfortably in retirement. That according to Wells Fargo. Psst, don't mention this study to my wife! She is not planning to do this and well she can afford not to. As for me however...

• Three-fourths of middle class Americans expect to work in their retirement years.
   
• About 54 percent of those aged 40 to 59 say that they will need to work in retirement to live comfortably in their golden years.
   
• Only 25 percent say they will work in retirement because they want to.
   
• A quarter of all respondents said they will need to work past aged 80 in order to maintain a comfortable quality of life in retirement.

Joe Ready, director of Wells Fargo Institutional Retirement and Trust asks: “Will people be physically and mentally able to work later in life? What will it mean for young people entering the workforce? And, how does our system of retirement savings need to be reformed to help reduce the savings gap?”

The median retirement savings goal was 350,000 dollars, while 29 percent of people in their 60s have saved less than 25,000 dollars for retirement. Furthermore, respondents significantly underestimated the cost of the healthcare expenses they will likely pay in their retirement. Most of those surveyed estimated a median of 60,000 dollars in costs, while only 20 percent estimated 100,000 dollars or more, which is a more accurate prediction.

Perhaps this is more a lesson for young people about saving for retirement. Because I think many of us of a certain age already know the realities.

Caregivers Health a Concern in New Study (VIDEO)

Alzheimers From the Frontline Shows What Needs to Be Done to Combat Disease (VIDEO)

Caregivers Health a Concern in New Study

Caregiving Costs: Declining Health in the Alzheimer’s Caregiver as Dementia Increases in the Care Recipient released by the National Alliance for Caregiving shows a significant decrease in family caregiver health over time and increased personal healthcare costs, as their care recipient’s dementia increases. 

The study was conducted by examining the use of formal health services in a large sample of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) caregivers.

The findings suggest that the strain of caring for someone with AD can cause family caregivers to use health care services at higher rates than non-caregivers of the same age. 

• Caregivers showed a 25% increase in the utilization of all types of services combined over the 18-month time period of the study.
   
• The results suggest that caregiver assessments would be valuable in identifying those at risk of having their own health decline.
   
• The report also suggests that primary care doctors should be sensitive to whether their middle-aged and older patients are family caregivers. They should be asking “Are you caring for a relative or friend?” as a potential risk factor that may cause stress or even physical strain.

This is not surprising. Past studies have shown that caregiver health is often worse than the health of the person they are caring for and in fact there is a significant percentage of caregivers who die before they one they are caring for passes.

Do you know who is caring for an elderly relative in your community? Reach out and help if you can.

Alzheimer's Report Addresses Action Steps for National Alzheimer's Plan

Alzheimer’s from the Frontlines: Challenges a National Alzheimer’s Plan Must Address is a collective effort to share the real and unrelenting struggles that must be addressed in the National Alzheimer’s Plan now being created through the implementation of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA). 

The Alzheimer’s Association and its more than 70 Chapters nationwide hosted over 130 public input sessions, a NAPA web site, and a national Telephone Town Hall to learn what Americans need in a bold and transformational plan. From their input, 10 major challenges emerged. The following is excerpted from the report.

1. A lack of public awareness.
   
   This includes a lack of knowledge and widespread misunderstanding about Alzheimer’s; significant stigma and negative experiences that affect personal and professional relationships; and a poor understanding of the scope of the disease.
2. Insufficient research funding.
   
   Because there’s no way to prevent, stop or slow the progression of Alzheimer’s, many expressed feelings of powerlessness to help themselves or future generations and called for bold action to secure a brighter future.
3. Difficulties with diagnosis.
   
   Challenges lead to delayed diagnosis, poor experiences in the diagnostic process, missed opportunities to immediately connect families with available support and alack of documentation in a patient’s primary medical record.
4. Poor dementia care.
   
   Communication barriers with health care providers and allied health professionals, care coordination issues with providers, and a lack of knowledgeable personnel equipped to meet the unique needs posed by Alzheimer’s and other dementias results in poor quality of care.
5. Inadequate treatments.
   
   Effectiveness of available drugs varies across the population, but none of the treatments available today alter the underlying course of this terminal disease.
6. Specific challenges facing diverse communities.
   
   Given the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer’s on ethnic and minority populations, efforts must be implemented to eliminate disparities in these communities.Specific challenges facing those with younger-onset Alzheimer’s. Preconceived notions of Alzheimer’s and age can delay diagnosis, act as a barrier to participation in research or government programs and make it difficult to find long-term care appropriate for younger populations.
7. Unprepared caregivers.
   
   Caregivers need critical support to provide in-home care but have trouble finding affordable services and education to care for a loved one, and to alleviate the emotional and physical burden of caregiving.
8. Ill-equipped communities.
   
   Many places are unprepared to address the individualized needs of people living with Alzheimer’s, especially those in rural areas.
9. Mounting costs.
   
   The costs to treat and care for Alzheimer’s can be tremendously high and unaffordable over time and even more difficult to bear when encountering barriers to qualifying for insurance or government support.

The report outline solutions too. Read the full post on my about.com site. 

90+ Population Growing (VIDEO)

90+ Population Growing

That's Philomena, my mom, 90!

According to an Associated Press report, nearly 2 million people are now are 90 or over, nearly triple their numbers of just three decades ago. Count my mom in there.

Unfortunately they are more likely than the merely elderly to live in poverty and to have disabilities. My mother is lucky in that regard.

The oldest old are projected to increase from 1.9 million to 8.7 million by midcentury — making up 2 percent of the total U.S. population and one in 10 older Americans.

An Associated Press-LifeGoesStrong.com poll in June found that more than one in four adults expect to live to at least 90, including nearly half of those currently 65 or older. A majority of adults also said they expected people in their generation to live longer than those in their parents’ generation, with about 46 percent saying they expected a better quality of life in later years as well.

According to the report:

• the share of people 90-94 who report having some kind of impairment such as inability to do errands, visit a doctor’s office, climb stairs or bathe is 13 percentage points higher than those 85-89 — 82 percent versus 69 percent.
   
• Among those 95 and older, the disability rate climbs to 91 percent.
   
• Census figures show that smaller states had the highest shares of their older Americans who were at least 90. North Dakota led the list, with about 7 percent of its 65-plus population over 90. It was followed by Connecticut, Iowa and South Dakota. In absolute numbers, California, Florida and Texas led the nation in the 90-plus population, each with more than 130,000.
  
• Among the 90-plus population, women outnumber men by a ratio of nearly 3 to 1.
   
• Non-Hispanic whites made up the vast majority of the 90-plus population, at 88.1 percent. That’s compared to 7.6 percent who were black, 4 percent Hispanic and 2.2 percent Asian.
   
• Most people who were 90 or older lived in households alone, about 37.3 percent.
   
• Some 37.1 percent lived in households with family or others, while about 23 percent stayed in nursing homes.
   
• About 3 percent lived in assisted living or other informal care facilities.
   
• Those who were 90 or older had median income of $14,760, about half of it from Social Security.
   
• About 14.5 percent of the age group lived in poverty, compared to 9.6 percent for Americans who are 65-89.

The older people get, the more resources they consume because of health care, and disability rates significantly increase. This creates demands for daily care, and for families the care burden increases dramatically, said researchers.

What struck me most was the amount of 90+ living alone. We need to keep an eye on these folks. Programs like Lotsa Helping Hands can help.