Choosing the Right Senior Community, Reducing Inflammation Through Food, and Preparing for 2025 Year-End Taxes

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Choosing a senior living community is a major decision, and the best fit depends on what you want your daily life to look like — not just the services offered. The goal is to find a place that supports your independence, meets your care needs, and feels comfortable socially and financially. A careful comparison of options can help you make a choice that truly suits your long-term plans.

Start by identifying the type of community that matches your needs: independent living, assisted living, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), or a specialized memory care setting. Tour several locations and pay attention to the details — how staff interact with residents, whether common spaces feel welcoming, and the overall cleanliness and safety of the environment. Ask about transportation services, dining options, social activities, and emergency response systems. It’s also important to review the community’s licensing status, inspection reports, and staffing levels. For CCRCs, read the contract carefully to understand entrance fees, refund policies, and how transitions between care levels work.

Compare costs by looking beyond monthly fees. Ask what’s included — meals, utilities, housekeeping, or medical services — and what costs extra. If you have long-term care insurance, check whether the community qualifies for coverage. Talk with residents if possible; they can give insight into what daily life is truly like. Consider location as well — staying near family, medical providers, or familiar neighborhoods can make the transition easier. Before making a final decision, visit again at a different time of day to see how active and comfortable the environment feels.

💌 If you found these ideas helpful, forward this newsletter to a friend. Finding the right community is easier when you explore your options with support.

“The Borrowed Bicycle”
From the life overview of Margaret T., 82, Rochester, MN. Shared with permission.

When I was twelve, my neighbor, Mrs. Haskell, let me borrow her son’s old bicycle for the summer. It was a red Schwinn with fading paint, crooked handlebars, and a chain that clattered like loose silverware. I had never owned a bike of my own, so I treated that one like a small treasure. Every morning before the heat settled in, I would wheel it down the driveway, hop on, and pedal loops around our block, my hair whipping in the breeze and my pockets full of nothing but keys and hope.

One afternoon, I rode farther than I ever had before. I had decided to follow the gentle slope of a quiet road that ran past a string of empty lots. The wind rushed in my ears, and for a few suspended seconds, the world felt impossibly wide—massive enough to hold every version of myself that I hadn’t yet imagined. I remember coasting to a stop, planting my feet on the warm pavement, and thinking that maybe freedom wasn’t as distant as I’d always assumed.

I returned the bike in September. Its paint was a little more chipped than when I first borrowed it, and its chain was still rattling. However, it had left its mark. Sometimes I feel like that borrowed Schwinn taught me more about direction and possibility than I’ve learned from any map that I’ve used since.

***

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Europeana Photography Collection
This open-access archive brings together historic photographs from museums and national libraries across Europe. You can browse portraits, street scenes, landscapes, and everyday moments spanning more than a century. It’s an easy way to explore visual history without needing any background knowledge—just a bit of curiosity and time.

Smithsonian’s Ocean Portal
Created by the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, this resource offers clear, well-crafted articles on marine life, ecosystems, and coastal cultures. The photography is quiet and engaging, and the topics range from scientific discoveries to the small details of ocean habitats. It’s a calm way to reconnect with the natural world.

The Biodiversity Heritage Library’s “Seed & Nursery Catalogs” Collection
These digitized catalogs, some more than a century old, combine botanical illustration, horticultural history, and a bit of quiet charm. Browsing them feels like wandering through an heirloom garden drawn in ink—peonies, beans, medicinal herbs, orchard fruit, each rendered with patient detail. It’s a soothing resource for gardeners and daydreamers alike, offering a slower pace and a sense of continuity across generations.

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Facebook Groups are one of the easiest ways to meet people who share your interests—whether that’s gardening, local history, grandparenting tips, classic films, or neighborhood events. These groups can help you learn new skills, ask questions, and stay connected with people who enjoy the same things you do. Here’s how to join them confidently and safely.

Start by signing in to Facebook. On the left-hand side, select Groups. You’ll see suggested groups based on your location and interests. To search for something specific—like “Knitting for Beginners” or “[Your City] Community Events”—use the search bar at the top.

When you find a group you like, click the group’s name to read its description. This tells you what the group is about, who can join, and whether posts are public or private. If it feels like a good fit, click Join Group. Some groups approve members automatically, while others may ask simple questions (for example: “Do you live in this neighborhood?”). Answer honestly and submit.

Once approved, you can read posts, ask questions, or simply observe until you feel comfortable participating.

If you'd like more control over what you see, you can adjust your notification settings. After joining a group, click the Notifications button and choose how often you want updates—everything, highlights only, or no notifications at all.

You can also follow specific topics within a group using the Topics feature, which helps you focus on the content you care about most. For example, in a gardening group, you might follow “Tomatoes” or “Indoor Plants.”

For privacy, review your profile visibility here. You might prefer to limit what group members can see—such as hiding their friends list or past posts. If the group offers Guides or Files, take advantage of them; many hobby groups include free tutorials, patterns, or step-by-step lessons.

Joining Facebook Groups is a simple way to stay informed, meet friendly people, and learn something new every day—no matter your level of tech comfort.

Cruise deal of the day: 4 Nights Bahamas Cruise - departing January 19, from $227

Unmissable American gem: Portsmouth, Rhode Island offers relaxed coastal beauty, waterfront trails, historic estates, and easy access to Newport’s cultural attractions—making it an appealing, low-key New England getaway for seniors who enjoy scenic views and gentle adventures.

Unscramble the letters to find a famous person, event, or object! Be the first to reply with the correct answer, and we’ll send you a free gift in the mail.

Today’s clue: Board game where obscure knowledge earned you wedges.

RIVALTI URPSUTI

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