Almost 20% of adults age 50 and older say health care professionals often cling to ageist stereotypes and disregard their input, resulting in poor diagnoses, unnecessary pain, a lower standard of care and other discrimination at a cost of $63 billion annually, one study estimates. The pandemic has exacerbated the problem in some areas, such as parts of Idaho, Alaska and Montana, where necessary health care rationing has led to rules that stress care for younger adults before older adults.

The record-high cost-of-living adjustment planned for Social Security will add up on average by an additional 5.9% or $92, according to Social Security Administration Chief Actuary Stephen Goss, who notes that recipients of Medicare Part B benefits likely will see a different amount. Notices detailing specific payment changes will be mailed in December.

Because workers are spending more in the early years of retirement, they should plan to replace 90% of their working-years income, according to a report from J.P. Morgan Asset Management. The widely accepted standard for replacement income has always been 70% to 80%.

Researchers who studied mouse models of Alzheimer's disease found that an amino acid supplement known as Amino LP7 slowed development of dementia and brain degeneration. The study, published in the journal Science Advances, found that a diet low in protein was associated with accelerated brain degeneration, but the effect was reversed with administration of the supplement.

The pandemic's unprecedented disruption to daily life has been coupled with an unprecedented mental health crisis. With all the time we've spent indoors staring at screens, it might come as a relief that there is now a documented connection between meme consumption and positive feelings. While the study is inspired by the pandemic, there's a broader lesson here: Not all media have adverse effects on mental health, and the ones that do have varying effects.

Amazon is expanding a pilot program using its Echo devices and Alexa voice-activated assistant in hospitals and senior living facilities to communicate with patients remotely. Patients can use the devices to send messages and requests to health care staff, who can "drop in" on patients; hospitals can build their own customized features; and residents at senior living facilities can get medication reminders and set up call lists.

As the average age increases around the world, companies need to take a fresh look at age discrimination at work, writes Sheila Callaham, executive director of the Age Equity Alliance. "The exclusion of older workers is particularly unsettling given that it predicts the future for everyone younger," Callaham writes.

Early-bird rates are available now for our On Aging 2022 conference April 11-14, 2022 in New Orleans. Rates start as low as $425 through October 31 only. Don't miss out!

Our Fall 2021 Generations Journal "Care Is Fundamental" is now available. Under the leadership of guest editor Josephine Kalipeni, each article was written by authors of color, and offers an important perspective as we look at the social contract in terms of giving and receiving care. Learn more about how ASA is investing in diversity, equity and inclusion.