President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted trick-or-treaters for the annual Halloween bash on Thursday at the White House, with photos and videos showing the colorful festivities.
How often do you reach for your phone just to check something quickly? Maybe you're walking the dog or carrying groceries and don't feel like digging through your pocket. Now, scientists are working on a way to put a touchscreen directly into the clothes you wear. Yes, your sleeve could eventually become a screen you can tap with your finger.
Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed what they describe as the world's first touchscreen woven directly into a garment. Their prototype uses specialized electronic fibers to display images, play videos and respond to touch. Even more surprising, the technology survived 50 machine-washing cycles while maintaining nearly the same performance. The breakthrough, recently published in the journal Nature, could change how we interact with wearable technology.
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Here's how it works. Each fiber contains tiny light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, along with an electronic layer that senses touch. When someone presses the fabric, the sensing layer identifies the location and activates the corresponding pixels. This allows the garment to respond much like a traditional touchscreen. The system can also recognize multiple touches, allowing more than one area of the display to respond at the same time.
To build the prototype, researchers threaded 54 specialized fibers into the forearm of a sleeve. Each fiber contains 96 LEDs, creating a 96-by-54-pixel display measuring approximately 6.6 by 4.1 inches. The researchers also developed a manufacturing technique that connects more than 5,000 microchips through over 20,000 electrical connections. Using this process, they created electronic fibers roughly one millimeter thick and 10 meters long.
That engineering allows the fabric to bend with the wearer's movements while keeping its digital display functional. Each fiber also has its own control channel, so a problem with one fiber doesn't automatically shut down the others. It brings us closer to clothing that can interact directly with electronic devices. The research team, led by Assistant Professor Tural Khudiyev at NUS's College of Design and Engineering, developed the technology to bring digital displays and touch controls directly into fabric.
What can this touchscreen sleeve actually do?
The prototype already handles several functions you would normally associate with a smartphone. For example, it can display a photo gallery and run a calculator. It can also work as a digital compass and display body temperature readings from a sensor positioned under the arm. Video playback is possible, too. The screen refreshes at 30 frames per second with 8-bit color depth, although that drops to 25 frames per second when playing synchronized audio. Researchers also integrated a microphone and speaker into the garment through additional electronic fibers.
The sleeve can receive images over Bluetooth and respond to voice commands. It can even adjust its brightness automatically based on surrounding light. The interface also rotates its content when the wearer changes orientation. However, the prototype has only demonstrated specific wireless functions, including receiving images over Bluetooth. Researchers have not shown it replacing a smartphone screen or displaying all your phone's notifications. Of course, the 96-by-54-pixel resolution means you won't be watching your favorite movie in stunning detail. Still, the ability to watch moving images on something you can fold and wear is pretty remarkable.
Can touchscreen clothing really survive the washing machine?
One of the biggest challenges with electronic clothing has always been durability. After all, clothes get stretched and tossed into washing machines. Nobody wants to worry about destroying an expensive touchscreen every time they do laundry. That's why the researchers put their electronic fibers through extensive testing. According to NUS, the display's brightness and touch response remained nearly unchanged after 50 detergent washes in a typical washing machine. Independent reporting indicates the researchers placed the fibers in a laundry bag and used gentle wash cycles. The technology also maintained its performance after 1,000 bending cycles around a five-millimeter radius.
Those results are encouraging, but they don't guarantee that a finished consumer shirt containing all its electronics could survive years of everyday laundry. The testing took place under specific research conditions. The fabric remained breathable, too. Researchers found that its breathability was comparable to familiar clothing materials, including cotton and polyester. The team also reported that the display stayed within established safety limits for skin contact. These findings bring the researchers closer to making interactive clothing practical. However, there's still more testing to do before this technology could become something you'd wear every day.
Why touchscreen clothing could change wearable technology
We've already seen manufacturers experiment with flexible screens. Motorola, for example, previously demonstrated a bendable phone display that wraps around your wrist. The NUS research takes a different approach by building electronic functions directly into the fibers of clothing. That opens the door to clothing that could eventually display information without requiring someone to carry another screen. A jacket sleeve might show navigation instructions while you're walking through an unfamiliar city. A workout shirt could potentially display information from connected fitness sensors while you're exercising.
The researchers believe the same technology could eventually support more sophisticated interactions. Future versions may combine integrated sensors with artificial intelligence to provide information based on the wearer's activities or surroundings. Another interesting possibility involves manufacturing. NUS says thinner versions of these electronic fibers could potentially work with standard industrial knitting and weaving equipment. If researchers can make that happen, the technology might eventually fit into familiar clothing designs rather than requiring entirely new types of garments. The team is already working toward higher-resolution displays and more advanced sensing capabilities. However, those improvements remain future research goals.
Could your clothes eventually monitor your health?
Healthcare could become one of the most interesting uses for this technology. The current prototype already demonstrates body temperature sensing, and the researchers see opportunities to integrate additional physiological measurements into electronic textiles. According to Assistant Professor Khudiyev, "Healthcare is one particularly promising application." A future garment could potentially collect information from built-in sensors and display the results directly on the fabric. That might make certain health measurements easier to access without opening an app or looking at another device.
For older adults or people managing ongoing health concerns, clothing with integrated monitoring might eventually provide another way to stay informed. However, the current sleeve demonstrates temperature sensing rather than comprehensive medical monitoring. More advanced health features would require further development and clinical validation. The research team also wants to integrate on-device AI, which could eventually help interpret sensor readings or provide personalized feedback. For now, those capabilities remain under development.
What still stands between the lab and your closet?
As impressive as this technology looks, several questions remain. The display's current resolution is extremely limited compared with today's phones and smartwatches. Researchers will also need to address manufacturing costs and maintenance before they can reach a wider market. Perhaps the biggest practical obstacle is power. The current prototype still requires connections to an external battery and separate control electronics. That means the components needed to operate the display have yet to become fully integrated into the garment. Researchers will need to find a more convenient way to power and control the screen before touchscreen clothing becomes practical for everyday use.
There's another question worth considering: privacy. If clothing eventually monitors physiological information and communicates wirelessly with other devices, people will want clear control over what gets collected and shared. That becomes especially important when wearable technology can gather information throughout the day. For now, NUS has announced no commercial launch date or consumer price for the touchscreen garment. The researchers are continuing to improve the system, with the goal of making textile-based displays more capable and practical.
You won't find touchscreen shirts hanging in stores anytime soon. However, this research suggests that the next generation of wearable technology could look very different from today's smartwatches. Instead of buying another gadget to strap onto your wrist, you might eventually interact with digital information through clothing you're already wearing. That could be particularly useful when you're exercising or have your hands occupied.
The potential convenience is easy to understand. You might someday glance at your sleeve for directions or check a health reading without digging through your pocket. But that experience will depend on whether researchers can make the technology affordable, comfortable and easy to power. The ability to wash the electronic fibers also makes the concept more promising for everyday use. After all, even the smartest shirt needs to feel good enough to wear.
Kurt's key takeaways
I'll admit, the idea of tapping my shirt sleeve instead of constantly reaching for my phone is pretty cool. I can see how handy that might be when I'm out walking or trying to follow directions. And the fact that these electronic fibers survived 50 trips through the washing machine? That's impressive. We've seen plenty of wearable technology that looks great in a lab but never quite makes sense in everyday life. This one has me curious because researchers are actually thinking about how people wear and care for their clothes. Still, there's a long way to go before I'd buy a touchscreen shirt. Those external batteries and cables need to disappear first. And if our clothing eventually starts collecting health information, I want to know who's getting that data and what they're doing with it. I also have to wonder whether we really need another screen competing for our attention. I love seeing technology push into unexpected places, but if I'm going to wear a touchscreen, it better give me a good reason to use it.
Would you wear a shirt with a built-in touchscreen if it meant checking your phone less often, or have we reached the point where technology is taking over too much of what we wear? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
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A Purple Heart Vietnam veteran who was far-left Sen. Jon Ossoff's (D-GA) personal guest to President Donald Trump's Joint Address to Congress in March 2025 is accusing the incumbent of abandoning veterans altogether in a new Georgia U.S. Senate race political ad.
Finding a moldy piece of produce creates a familiar kitchen gamble, but the risk depends on what's growing and what it's growing on, experts say.
A recent survey out of Germany found that nearly one in three people cut mold off food before eating the rest, a habit that may not remove all toxins.
Fewer than half of respondents knew that cooking or baking does not destroy mycotoxins, which are produced by certain molds and can be invisible in foods. More than a quarter thought heat could destroy them, while another quarter were unsure.
The survey, which was conducted by Germany's Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, measured reported habits and knowledge, not toxin levels in food or illness.
The report highlighted the limits of relying on sight to judge food safety.
"Visible mold is reliably recognized and triggers intuitive avoidance," the authors wrote. "But this instinct does not work when food contains toxins without visible mold."
But what to do about moldy food really depends on the item, according to Brian Labus, an infectious disease epidemiologist and associate professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Public Health.
People often confuse ordinary spoilage with the kinds of germs that cause foodborne illness, he told Fox News Digital.
"Most of the stuff that we're talking about, especially with fruits and vegetables, it's not going to be something that's going to cause a foodborne illness," Labus said. "Those things are gross, but they're not the kind of thing that's going to make you sick."
Firmness is a useful guide when deciding what to do with visible mold, Labus said.
On a firm fruit such as an apple, he said, mold may remain near the surface, so a person can cut around the affected area. On soft, wet foods, mold can spread more easily through the food.
If lettuce or other produce has become mushy, he said, it should be thrown away.
With berries, discard any pieces with visible mold or soft spots, Labus said. Other berries that remain intact and show no signs of mold can be washed and eaten.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidance similarly advises throwing out moldy fruit and any pieces touching it, then washing the rest if they show no mold and are not overly mushy.
Bread is different, Labus said, because mold can grow into the loaf. If mold appears on a slice, he recommends throwing out the bread rather than removing only the visibly affected part. Germany's risk assessment agency recommends discarding moldy, water-rich produce.
Moldy jam or jelly should also be discarded, Labus said.
Some molds can trigger allergic reactions, and certain molds produce mycotoxins, according to the USDA.
People with mold allergies should avoid taking chances with moldy food, while those who are immunocompromised should be especially cautious with food handling overall, Labus said.
Labus also recommends keeping food refrigerated and buying only what you'll use soon — rather than stocking up on a wholesale-size container of berries.
Washing hands and preventing cross-contamination in the kitchen are more important food safety steps, Labus added. For example, he said, using the same knife on raw chicken and then on vegetables without washing it can spread illness-causing germs.
The madness of the midterm elections is upon us, and many of us are struggling. We’re doom-scrolling and compulsively refreshing polling data. We’re losing sleep.
As someone who has hosted a wellness podcast for more than a decade, I’ve been thinking about how to manage this stress — for myself and others. Here are five common misconceptions about how to stay sane in insane times, as well as some workarounds. Please take what works for you and leave the rest.
Misconception No. 1: Self-care is self-indulgent
If you are someone who worries that taking time for yourself is selfish, please know that it’s actually a public service. It can equip you to better respond to a world on fire.
Happiness expert Gretchen Rubin has some advice I love: “Treat yourself like a toddler.” In other words, make sure you eat well and get enough sleep. Engage in the practices that work for you — meditation, exercise, socializing — and do it guilt-free. Not only do you deserve rest, but self-care is also good citizenship.
Here is a super-quick practice that helps to regulate my nervous system year-round: Take three deep breaths. It sounds deceptively simple but can be quite powerful. I especially like “straw breathing”: Deep inhale through the nose, then slow exhale through pursed lips, as if you’re blowing through a straw. For me, the relief is immediate. Repeat as often as necessary.
Misconception No. 2: ‘Acceptance’ means complacency
“Acceptance” can be a tricky term. It means acknowledging what is happening — in the world and in your own mind — as a first step toward taking action. It’s hard to fix a problem if you aren’t seeing it clearly. So instead of wasting energy being at war with reality, accept it, then act.
Another practice that might help comes from the eminent meditation teacher Joseph Goldstein. Next time you’re in the throes of anger, anxiety or another difficult emotion, drop these words into your mind: “It’s OK.” This doesn’t mean that everything is OK. Instead, it means that it’s OK to feel whatever you’re feeling right then. When confronted with difficult emotions, many of us reflexively self-medicate (with, say, alcohol or shopping). The radical move is to feel your feelings, notice that they come and go, and make a sane choice on the other side.
Misconception No. 3: ‘Surrender’ means resignation
“Surrender” is another term that can be tricky. If acceptance is seeing things clearly, then surrender is recognizing what is in your control and what is not. It’s easy to hear surrender as a synonym for resignation or passivity, but it’s simply a way to conserve your energy for the areas where impact is genuinely possible.
Different traditions have ways of describing this. In Stoicism, they talk about “controlling the controllables.” In Buddhism, it’s “non-attachment to results.” AA has its serenity prayer. The core idea is that you can work hard on issues that matter to you while also recognizing that, in the end, the results are largely out of your control.
Practice: Next time you notice yourself in an anxiety spiral, use it as a moment to inquire. Is there a useful action I can take right now? If not, maybe just drop this word into your mind: “Surrender.” This move has saved me a lot of unnecessary suffering.
Misconception No. 4: I need my anger in order to stay in the fight
Given the corruption, the Iran war, the ballroom — it’s perfectly understandable that many of us find Trump 2.0 infuriating. Further, anger has its uses. It can help you identify problems and can be motivating. In my experience, however, when I am operating on uncut outrage, I inevitably burn myself out.
Try this: In moments of anger or anxiety, see if you can tune into what’s beneath these emotions. When you dig, you will likely find caring. Or, to use a less comfortable term, love. Love for your country, for your family, for yourself. For me, love is the cleaner burning fuel. Let it propel you forward.
Misconception No. 5: To stay informed, I need to compulsively check the news
No question, the stakes are high in these midterms. But does this mean you need to doomscroll in every free moment? In my opinion, no.
So how do you draw the line between staying informed and driving yourself crazy? It’s both highly individual and also more art than science. I recommend doing some personal exploration. How much news can your nervous system metabolize before you start to glitch? If you go for more than two straight hours, do you find yourself typing in all-caps on Bluesky? My friend Sebene Selassie, a meditation teacher, has a policy of “no news before noon.” (Sorry, Joe and Mika!) My own policy is to not look at my phone for the first and last hours of the day.
A practice: Savor the good stuff. The people who design social media algorithms benefit from keeping us in a perpetual state of fear and outrage because those emotions keep us scrolling. If you put your phone down and step outside, you’ll see tons of good stuff. People raising children, volunteering and engaging in small acts of decency. Tuning into this doesn’t negate the world’s problems, but it does put them in a larger frame. Personally, I like to take a warm shower and make a list of all the things that I am grateful for from the day. I find it retrains my mind to scan for the positive.
If you’re looking for constructive ways to consume news, I recommend the MS NOW membership app. It provides both news and tools to regulate your nervous system, so that you can then take the appropriate action. To me, that is a solid recipe for citizenship: Information, regulation, activation. Remember: The world is insane, but you don’t have to be.
Some experts express concern about ‘lack of transparency’ as agency removes warnings on three estrogen patches
Three more patches for treating menopause will no longer carry black-box warnings about cardiovascular disease, breast cancer and dementia, officials at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said on Friday.
The FDA did not convene an advisory committee and offered few details on the scientific basis for the decision in the press briefing. The news follows the removal of black-box warnings from six menopause treatments in February, as patients across the US struggle with shortages of the patches.
The decision follows earlier revisions in February, when the FDA authorized the removal of warnings regarding breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, and probable dementia
The decision follows earlier revisions in February, when the FDA authorized the removal of warnings regarding breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, and probable dementia
The decision follows earlier revisions in February, when the FDA authorized the removal of warnings regarding breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, and probable dementia
Three Chili's customers suffered chemical burns after consuming margaritas that mistakenly had a cleaning product in them on Wednesday at the restaurant in Forest City, North Carolina.
For many, managing weight in one's 20s and 30s is framed as a matter of aesthetics or a guard against late-onset diabetes. However, a massive longitudinal study suggests that carrying excess weight during these prime years may have a more immediate and severe consequence: an increased risk of developing cancer before the age of 50.
The findings, published in Annals of Internal Medicine by researchers at the Catholic University of Korea, shift the conversation from long-term geriatric risks to mid-life health. By analyzing health data from 6,313,338 individuals aged 20 to 39 who participated in a national screening program, the team tracked a population of unprecedented size over more than 11 years.
The Scale of Risk
At the start of the observation period, all participants were healthy. Over the following decade, more than 150,000 cases of malignant tumors were recorded. The data revealed a steady climb in cancer incidence tied to Body Mass Index (BMI): while those with a normal weight saw cancer in 1.84% of cases, the rate rose to 2.24% for those with Grade I obesity, and reached 2.62% for those with Grade II obesity or higher.
Most of us reach for a carton of eggs without a second thought, cracking them into a bowl or frying them in a pan as a mindless part of a morning routine. But there is a hidden tension in the kitchen between the desire for cleanliness and the biological reality of how an egg protects itself.
The risk of the invisible touch
The danger isn't always inside the egg; often, it's on the outside. Eggshells frequently harbor Salmonella, bacteria that remain invisible even when the shell looks pristine. The real risk is cross-contamination: touching a shell and then touching a smartphone, a kitchen towel, or your face, effectively transporting microbes across your living space.
To break this chain, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend washing hands with soap for at least 20 seconds immediately after any contact with raw eggs. Dr. Mikhail Gavrikin emphasizes that this should be an automatic habit rather than an occasional precaution, as ignoring this simple step significantly increases the risk of salmonellosis.
A tilted smile, a hand that drops before you even think to look, a word that gets stuck on the tongue. These are the small, observable signs that can appear in seconds, marking a moment where a familiar complaint might suddenly transform into a medical emergency. In high-stress situations, the human tendency is to search for a simple, actionable cue, a way to cut through the confusion and decide exactly what to do next. For stroke recognition, Russian healthcare officials have promoted a mnemonic device designed to do precisely that: a single word, UDAR, which translates to "strike,” serving as a rapid checklist for laypeople and first responders alike.
Nikolay Shamalov, the chief neurologist for the Russian Ministry of Health, outlined this framework in an interview with RIA Novosti. The method relies on a straightforward, visual and motor assessment that anyone can perform without specialized medical equipment. It is not a diagnostic tool in the clinical sense, but a screening heuristic intended to identify the acute phase of a neurological event when time is the most critical variable.
The Four Components of the Mnemonic
The word UDAR is structured so that each letter corresponds to a specific physical or verbal test. The logic is sequential and binary: the observation either matches a known symptom of cerebral ischemia or it does not.
Warren Buffett once told Bill Ackman over dinner that he hadn't had a glass of water for five decades.
Ackman recounted the story on a podcast this week discussing his relationship with the investing legend.
Buffett, 96, famously drinks five cans of Coke a day and lives on fast food and sweet treats.
Warren Buffett hasn't had a glass of water since at least the 1970s.
That's what the 96-year-old business icon once told Bill Ackman, the billionaire hedge fund manager recalled during an episode of the Equity Mates Investing podcast that aired this week.
Ackman said that Buffett came over for dinner at his home "years ago," and he'd made sure to stock up on the legendary investor's favorite drink, Cherry Coke.
The Pershing Square founder and CEO said that once they were sitting at the table, he asked Buffett whether he'd like still or sparkling water. Buffett politely declined, opting for his preferred soda instead.
"But I said, you know, 'Don't you drink water?'" Ackman recalled. "And he said, 'Bill, I haven't had water in 48 years.'"
Ackman didn't immediately respond to a request for more detail about Buffett's hydration habits.
Not drinking water might sound unbelievable, but Buffett — who retired as Berkshire Hathaway's CEO after 60 years in charge last December, and as the company's chairman this September — is famous for drinking five cans of Coke daily.
He quipped in 2015 that he was "one-quarter Coca-Cola," as it accounted for 25% of his daily calories.
Buffett's love of soda goes back decades. During Berkshire's 1986 meeting, he declared that after "48 years of allegiance" to Pepsi, he was switching to Cherry Coke, saying it would be the meeting's official drink going forward.
Coca-Cola has also been one of Buffett's landmark investments. Berkshire hasn't touched its roughly 9% stake in the beverage giant since it finished building it in the mid-1990s. The position cost about $1.3 billion and was worth around $28 billion at the end of December — a roughly 21-fold gain.
Coke is only part of Buffett's iconic diet. He's known for grabbing McDonald's for breakfast on his drive to work, and munching on hot dogs, fries, popcorn, cookies, candy, ice cream, and other comfort foods.
His love of fast food and sweet treats extends to his investments. Berkshire counts See's Candies and Dairy Queen among its subsidiaries, and Kraft Heinz among its largest stock holdings.
Buffett's childlike tastes have led to issues in the past, including a disastrous sushi dinner in Tokyo.
Bill Gates and his then-wife, Melinda, went to great lengths to ensure the investor didn't starve when he joined them on a 17-day trip to China in 1995.
They organized for their hotel's chefs to be taught how to prepare hamburgers and fries, and when they climbed the Great Wall, they made sure to have Cherry Coke waiting for Buffett at the top.
Three children are in intensive care with E. coli infections as health officials investigate a possible link to a California pumpkin patch that closed just days before Halloween.
Five cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infection have been confirmed, potentially originating from Brookshire Farms in San Luis Obispo, according to an Oct. 27 advisory issued by the County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Department.
The suspected exposure period is Oct. 16 through Oct 26.
Health officials advise that anyone who visited the pumpkin patch between those dates should monitor for gastrointestinal symptoms.
"We are working diligently to identify the source of these infections to protect the health of our community," said County Health Officer Dr. Christy Mulkerin in the news release.
"We encourage anyone who may have been exposed and is experiencing symptoms consistent with E. coli infection to seek immediate medical attention."
Typical symptoms of E. coli include cramping, severe abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea and signs of dehydration, which usually begin within three to 10 days of exposure.
Young children under 10 are typically at the highest risk for complications, which can include hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that damages blood cells and can lead to kidney failure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr. Tyler Evans, an infectious disease physician and founder of Wellness Equity Alliance in California, warned that diarrhea can lead to dehydration and fatigue.
"The diarrhea is really the key component here, and the stomach cramps," he told Fox News Digital.
The farm has voluntarily closed as a precaution while investigators work to identify the source of the infections, determine whether the cases are connected and assess whether others may be at risk, according to the county health department.
Brookshire Farms told Fox News Digital it was reserving comment pending test results from the county health department.
Carol Colborn and her husband, William, pay $3 a ride for a paratransit service.
Courtesy of Carol Colborn
Carol Colborn is a full-time carer to her husband, William, who has Alzheimer's disease.
She struggled, especially after being diagnosed with cancer, and the pair was confined to the house.
A Medicare benefit designed to help carers and keep their loved ones at home changed all that.
This story is based on an interview with Carol Colborn, 77, a retired academic from Mesa, Arizona. It has been edited for length and clarity.
My husband, William, and I married in 2008 when I was 60, and he was 65.
We both retired and went on an amazing adventure together: RV-ing full time across North America for eight years.
We drove to every state in the US, every state in Mexico, and every province in Canada. Then we traveled the world, visiting 29 countries in total.
The trips stopped after William was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2018, so we're glad we built so many happy memories on the road.
He'd shown symptoms of the illness, mostly forgetfulness. I gave him a shopping list of three items written in large print, and he'd come back with two.
We had a ritual: he'd bring me a mug of herbal tea while we watched TV in the evening. It made me calm and serene and helped me sleep better. He'd done it every day since our wedding and, when he forgot the first time, I was distraught.
The Colborns didn't want to leave their home and go into assisted living.
Courtesy of Carol Colborn
William had mild cognitive impairment for the first four years, which progressed into moderately severe Alzheimer's.
He needed 24/7 support, and I was his full-time caregiver. He stayed in bed a lot of the time, but I gave him his medication, three meals a day, and baths.
I had chemotherapy for lung cancer
His mobility was limited, but we still did our evening walks past four houses. It was his main exercise.
Things were relatively manageable until July 2025, when I was diagnosed with lung cancer. I had surgery in September and was in the hospital for four days.
My daughter and William's daughter stepped up to care for him, but it was a temporary arrangement because they lived in other states.
I began chemotherapy and had to juggle my husband's health needs with my own. It was incredibly stressful.
Colborn, after completing her chemotherapy for lung cancer.
Courtesy of Carol Colborn
"How can I take care of him while taking care of myself?" I asked myself. We considered assisted living, but we couldn't bear the thought of leaving our own home.
One of our biggest expenditures was transport. William gave up driving long ago, and I'd never driven. It meant we'd spend around $500 a month on Uber rides to get to things like his doctors' appointments and my cancer procedures.
We were paying between $30 and $40 a trip. It got to the point where we stayed home most of the time because we couldn't afford the cost.
It was exhausting trying to navigate the Medicare system
The walls closed in on us. We didn't go to mass or socialize with our friends. Things like date night at a restaurant were out of the question.
It was exhausting trying to navigate the Medicare system. It felt as if I was fighting for every benefit and getting nowhere. Every day was a challenge.
Earlier this year, I saw an ad on Facebook for Ez Health, a free or low-cost service that deals with Medicare on your behalf. It explained how federal legislation passed in January 2024, called Community Health Integration, aims to keep people who want to stay in their own homes as long as possible.
The Colborns can enjoy date nights together again.
Courtesy of Carol Colburn
The program supports carers like me. We were appointed a health advocate, known as a guide, who helped me through the qualification process.
We suddenly got many of the benefits I'd been struggling for, including eight hours a week of respite care. We also had access to medical professionals who came to your home, such as a physical therapist, a palliative nurse, a dentist, and a phlebotomist.
Dining out again has strengthened our marriage
Our transport is subsidized. The guide introduced us to a local paratransit service that costs $3 per ride. It has saved us as much as $400 a month. Best of all, it's opened up our world.
We use it not only for grocery shopping and health appointments — I'm having maintenance therapy for my cancer now — but also for date nights. Dining out again is transformative and has strengthened our marriage.
These days, rather than William's caregiver, I refer to myself as his "present companion," as I steer him through his later years.
Over nine years, Zach Reitano has repeatedly evolved Ro as patient needs and the healthcare market have changed, from its early direct-to-patient services to a leading platform for GLP-1 care.
During Business Insider's The Long Play, Reitano discussed the business decisions behind those shifts and how the company is positioning itself for the next era of consumer health.
As part of his conversation with Business Insider legal correspondent Melia Robinson, he also shared what he's learned as a founder leading in an era of quick and unrelenting change.
Riyadh’s dining scene is crowded with burger joints, each offering its own take on the familiar combination of meat, cheese, and a toasted bun. At Maroon, however, the appeal extends beyond burgers, with appetizers that bring a creative touch to a casual dining experience. The restaurant pairs a contemporary interior with an easygoing atmosphere, making it suitable for an informal lunch or dinner with friends or family. The setting feels relaxed, allowing the focus to remain on the food and the
On Thursday’s broadcast of MS NOW’s “The Weeknight,” Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) stated that people rolled off the Affordable Care Act “because they couldn’t afford it anymore” after the federal government stopped subsidies. Spanberger said, “We had over 100,000
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