Robert Weisman
The Boston Globe
Boston, MA, United States
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Past articles by Robert:
New research points to a way to reverse aging. But don’t expect a miracle drug overnight.
A Harvard-led study could influence how researchers approach a range of age-related disorders. → Read More
Supreme Judicial Court rejects bid to legalize ‘physician-assisted suicide’
In a long-awaited decision, the court concluded that despite having a goal of helping terminally ill patients end their lives under peaceful conditions, a physician who provides life-ending medication to a patient can be prosecuted for involuntary manslaughter. → Read More
During holiday rush, a cheerfully old-school letter carrier picks up the pace
Dominic Corsetti and his veteran colleagues — more than 45 percent of carriers are ages 50 and over — are proudly old school. They show up in person and in every kind of weather. → Read More
Voices from the ‘right to die’ debate
With the debate over medical aid in dying focused on the coming legislative session and the Supreme Judicial Court, people on both sides of the issue shared their experiences and perspectives. → Read More
Lawmakers, citing new momentum, plan to reintroduce right-to-die bill in January
Supporters argue terminally ill residents, not the state, should decide whether to hasten their deaths. → Read More
Ex-Lasell Village chief wants to extend its intergenerational living and learning model
Anne Doyle, who stepped down as president of Lasell Village in Newton at the end of October, is planning an effort to link universities and retirement communities nationally and globally. → Read More
‘Gray divorce’ brings struggles and a possibility of late-in-life reinvention
Ending a marriage and flying solo later in life — while grappling with the eternal question, “What’s next?” — may be the most difficult reinvention of all. → Read More
Open-collar boomers ask nostalgically: Where have all the neckties gone?
More than a few older employees and retirees admit to nostalgia for a time when the tie signified a more structured, if slower paced, business world. → Read More
Consolidation of senior care homes is uprooting hundreds across Massachusetts
Faced with rising costs, inadequate reimbursement, excess capacity, and acute staff shortages, nursing homes and assisted living facilities are closing across Massachusetts. → Read More
Birthday cards are too mean and stereotypical, ageism advocates say. One group is offering more positive alternatives.
A group called Changing the Narrative is challenging America’s card makers to reframe their message and design a new collection of birthday cards that celebrate rather than denigrate aging. → Read More
Over-the-counter hearing aids could bring lower prices and a burst of innovation
A long-awaited FDA rule promises to drop the price of hearing devices substantially. → Read More
Older conservatives think Massachusetts and the country are careening off track
At a gathering of conservatives, the banter was friendly, but the sentiments were sour. → Read More
New law will drop drug prices for older residents, but savings will come over time
The new climate and health bill will cap out-of-pocket cost for prescription drugs and empower Medicare to haggle with drug makers over the prices of some of the most expensive medicines. But older residents in Massachusetts and nationally won't see the savings for several years. → Read More
The Netherlands makes aging and long-term care a priority. In the US, it’s a different story.
The Dutch are addressing the rising cost of aging with a game plan bolstered by a broad consensus that older people deserve to get the care they need. It's an approach that is intriguing — and chastening. → Read More
In a market badly out of kilter, many older residents are stuck in their homes
Many empty nesters, retired or downshifting, are living in houses that are too big for them. → Read More
Pandemic’s lesson for many older folks: Stay in your home as long as you can
As the pandemic grinds into its third year, a loose-knit society of technology gurus, gerontology researchers, and community “villages” powered by volunteers is trying to gauge how realistic it is for large populations to age in place. → Read More
Labor shortages across economy are creating opportunities for older workers
With turnover rampant and “Help Wanted” signs popping up everywhere, more employers are welcoming — or welcoming back — older workers, a group that has long felt derided and overlooked in the nation’s Darwinian labor market. → Read More
Boston doctor, addressing Russians, warns against nuclear war and ‘end of civilization’
Some Russian scientists Wednesday promised to join with American counterparts to oppose a nuclear conflict and call for scientific collaboration. → Read More
Medicare takes center stage in new push to hold down prescription drug prices
The finances of Medicare, which insures 62.7 million US residents age 65 and over, may be on a collision course with a fast-expanding biopharma industry that has built a business model around charging sky-high prices for innovative medicines. → Read More
Mass. doctor keeps crusading for peace in a time of war
A Boston doctor pushed for US-Russian health cooperation on the eve of the Ukraine invasion. But his efforts are on hold for now. → Read More