elderly

The student debt crisis isn't just an issue for fresh-faced Gen Y'ers. Thanks in part to the Great Recession, an older cadre is finding itself buried under the weight of billions of dollars in unserviceable loans.

For the past few years, it has seemed like depressing economic news has been America's only actual growth industry, and all that negativity is still echoing in our heads. Across the age spectrum, we're downbeat about the future, even as the signs are finally looking up.

Conservative politicians have spent the past few months venting their ire on America's entitlement programs, and the alleged mass of lazy layabouts who make use of them. But a closer look at who actually lands in the social safety net reveals some surprising facts.

It's a tough time to be old in America, and it's worse than you may realize: According to a recent report, on average, if government benefits were taken out of the equation, the elderly would have far less income than they'd need to survive. Here's where the problem is worst.

In a shaky economy, senior citizens have become a prime target for scammers. Here are some of the common scams -- and warning signs -- to watch out for, along with some tips on how to protect your elderly loved ones.

Genworth Financial's Cost of Care survey tracked average prices of home care, assisted living facilities and nursing homes across the country, and unsurprisingly, found staggering variations. The priciest state for nursing home care in the U.S. averages more than four times as much as the cheapest.

For children, excursions with grandmother are an adventure. As time passes, however, the ride into the golden years can get bumpy; if you're financially unprepared, it can take a dramatic turn for the worse, and even drive you and your family into bankruptcy. Here are some steps you can take to prevent that.

Picture this: You're a middle-aged worker, raising your kids and worried about your job and mortgage, and suddenly your 75-year-old mother breaks her hip. She needs your help to continue living independently, and of course you'll rise to the challenge. But at what cost to your own financial and...

Being old and poor doesn't sound like much fun. Here's what you need to know to avoid that fate -- or get help if you can't. One quarter of baby boomers, ages 46 to 65, appear to be headed for poverty in their old age, according to a recent Harris poll, because they have no retirement or personal...

A major public initiative to crack down on investment fraud by training thousands of doctors to spot older patients who may be particularly vulnerable, and then refer them to securities regulators and social workers, is going national after a successful pilot run in Texas. The unprecedented...