WASHINGTON—Health experts predict a rise in COVID-19 and flu cases this winter, and due to immune system changes that happen as we age, older adults are especially vulnerable. This month, AARP Bulletin shares the precautions needed to stay one step ahead of these diseases and stay healthy. Your commonly asked questions about diseases are answered by top experts rounded up for the cover story, such as:

• If I have symptoms, how can I tell which disease I have?
• Should I get the new COVID booster? If so, when?
• What can I do if I have long COVID?
• How can I help my immune system naturally?
• And more.

PLUS, A Nationwide Shortage of In-Home Caregiving Aides: Many older adults who need help with their daily activities are now forced to go it alone, since there are too few in-home care aides to meet the demand of our aging population. This has led to problems across the country. In Maine, nearly 11,000 hours of personal care are going unstaffed each week. And help can be hard to find inside nursing homes too; 3 out of 5 nursing facilities in the U.S. have limited new admissions due to staffing shortages. Read this month’s issue to learn more about this critical situation.

Also in the November issue of AARP Bulletin:

Your Money

• How to Buy Your Own Health Insurance: 1 in 4 older Americans ages 50 to 64 – too young for Medicare – consider health care costs as a major financial burden. The Bulletin offers a guide for navigating the alternatives for older adults who don’t have workplace coverage, including: COBRA, ACA, Medicaid, community health centers, and catastrophic coverage.
• How to Save on Winter Fuel Costs: Surging fuel costs mean that Americans can expect to pay more to heat their homes this winter than last year. But with some clever –and often free – adjustments, home heating systems can keep consumers warm more efficiently. In this month’s Your Money, Bulletin editors have compiled a list of helpful tips to save money on heating costs.

Fraud Watch

• The Art of Deceit: Many people believe they are too smart to fall victim to scams. But they miss the key point: Scammers manipulate your emotions, rather than engaging your brain, to get you to say yes. AARP Bulletin notes seven different tactics scammers use to get between you and your sense of reason – as well as six tips on how to stay rational. Read this month’s fraud piece to learn more.

Your Life

• Who Will Care for Us?: For the LGBTQ community, aging solo can introduce a host of caregiving issues. Essayist Steven Petrow, author of Stupid Things I Won’t Do When I Get Old, asks, “If I need in-home help, will I be comfortable acknowledging my sexual identity to a stranger who might have ‘issues’?” Learn about the unique health care challenges of LGBTQ older adults in this month’s Your Life.
• How Do I Get Rid of This Junk?: Every room in a home has its own breed of clutter, but garage stuff is often the worst. So much of it is toxic! It’s confusing knowing what you can throw away and what needs to be disposed of differently. Read the Bulletin for options to get rid of items that don’t belong in your trash can. 

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About AARP

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation’s largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.