senior citizens

Afqir Itto lives in the valley of Ait Hamza in the Middle Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Ait Hamza is known for its sheep, whose wool is used by the women weavers of Itto's cooperative.

PHOTOS: What it's like to be 72 — the faces (and wisdom) behind the age

10:16am March 03, 2024

by Laurel Dalrymple

We live in a rapidly aging world. A new global photography project captures the lives behind the statistics by documenting the lives of 72-year-olds — the world's median life expectancy today.

Alla Ilyinichna Sinelnikova (left), 90, and Sonya Leibovna Tartakovskaya, 83, were recently evacuated from Ukraine to Germany. Both are survivors of the Holocaust, and this is the second time they are fleeing war. "I never thought I would live to see such

World News

Ukrainian Holocaust survivors flee war again — this time to Germany

4:27pm April 12, 2022

by Esme Nicholson

Germany has welcomed dozens of the oldest refugees fleeing Ukraine — those who survived the Holocaust during World War II. They've now narrowly escaped death for the second time in their lives.

Anna Romero had to quit her part-time job during the coronavirus pandemic to care for her husband, Ivan, who has dementia.

Some Seniors Face Shrinking Nest Eggs As They Care For Loved Ones During Pandemic

2:33pm January 25, 2021

by Sally Herships

Many senior citizens entered their golden years with more debt than previous generations, and now they're struggling financially as they try to provide care for an ailing relative during the pandemic.

Kendra Gonzales coaches Linda Haverty on how to add a photo of a friend to her contacts list on her phone.

National

Youth Teaching Tech To Seniors Fosters Generational Connections

7:00am January 20, 2020

by Megan Kamerick

Senior citizens who don't keep up with technology are at risk of social isolation. A New Mexico nonprofit pairs tech-savvy youth with seniors, and both generations benefit from the human connection.

The Diner, which is a project of Meals on Wheels People in Vancouver, Wash., provides community in addition to meals for seniors enrolled in the program.

National

Meals On Wheels Serves Up Breakfast, Lunch And Community At Local Diner

7:00am January 18, 2020

by Deena Prichep

Meals on Wheels usually means home delivery or lunch at a senior center. But at a new project in Vancouver, Wash., it's a retro-hip neighborhood diner where seniors can get eggs, coffee and community.

Sheri Adler at an American Behavioral Health Systems office in Wenatchee, Wash. At age 72, Adler attempted to take her own life.

Isolated And Struggling, Many Seniors Are Turning To Suicide

8:03am July 27, 2019

The golden years are thought to be a well-earned, carefree time in life. But adults 65 and older now account for almost 1 in 5 suicides in America.

A resident at the Mother Teresa of Calcutta senior home in Caracas. The people at the home were not reluctant to be photographed, says photojournalist Wil Riera: "They want to share their history, to have a voice."

Health & Safety

Photos: The Forgotten Old People Of Venezuela

7:00am January 13, 2019

by Gustavo Ocando Alex

In poignant and powerful photographs, Wil Riera draws attention to senior citizens in a country teetering on the brink.

Video: Japan Created Easy-To-Swallow Foods To Prevent Senior Choking Deaths

12:57pm July 12, 2017

by Elise Hu

In NPR's Elise Tries series, correspondent Elise Hu tries out different experiences in East Asia. In rapidly aging Japan, an edible innovation is helping seniors enjoy meals without fear of choking.

Queue Listen Now

One client receives food from Meals on Wheels. Most of the federal money for the program comes through the Older Americans Act. That's part of the Department of Health and Human Services budget, which is slated for a cut of nearly 18 percent.

Food Is Just One Serving Of What Meals On Wheels Gives Seniors

11:30am March 23, 2017

by Ina Jaffe

The service delivers meals to homebound seniors and people with disabilities and could be facing big cuts in the Trump budget. Studies show the program improves health and saves money.

Don't Skip Medicare Coverage For Doctor Visits, Even If You Have Other Insurance

11:33am December 10, 2016

by Susan Jaffe

As more seniors keep working and maintain health coverage on the job, there is greater potential for costly confusion about when and how to sign up for Medicare.