Dear Abby: Concern About Retirement and Home Maintenance

My spouse and I have retired and are currently relying on Social Security. We’re both putting in a lot of effort to maintain a modest retirement lifestyle.

Our house is paid off, and we have minimal debt. However, both of us are facing physical and mental issues.

I’m worried about our home. Due to our physical limitations, it’s becoming challenging to keep it clean and maintained like we used to.

In the past, we would host gatherings, but now we hesitate to invite anyone over. We feel quite isolated.

There’s also a worry about potentially losing our Social Security and Medicare benefits, which we depend on for our daily needs.

Having contributed to the system since we were 15, shouldn’t we expect to enjoy the benefits we’ve earned over the years?

We often find ourselves anxious about the future, which feels incredibly daunting right now. Even if we manage to get through the next few years, the thought of our home falling apart is troubling.

I’m unsure about the direction I’m heading. Any suggestions would be appreciated. – Concerned about the future

Dear Concerned:

If there’s a senior center in your area, consider reaching out for services that might help you find affordable assistance with home care.

Don’t let embarrassment keep you from hosting friends. Perhaps invite them for afternoon tea, a picnic, or a barbecue if the weather allows.

You’re not alone in feeling uneasy about your Social Security situation. Around 70 million seniors in the U.S. share your concerns.

I suggest all seniors communicate with local politicians and lawmakers about these benefits. Reminding them of what you’ve paid in could have an impact, especially come election time.

Dear Abby: Dilemmas in Dating

I’m a single man who has never been married. Finding a nice woman has been challenging, so I bought a T-shirt from a dating website, wearing it in grocery stores and hardware shops to let women know I’m available.

Now I’ve run into a new issue—numerous women are approaching me, asking about the shirt and looking to date.

I appreciate the attention, but I’m having difficulty choosing who I want to go out with.

How do I politely express that I’m busy or that I’m not interested? It seems they don’t take “no” very well. – Conflicted in Florida

Dear Conflicted:

Try not to rush into saying you’re not interested. If you’re on the lookout for something special, you might need to do a bit of filtering. Dating often involves some trial and error.

Keep in mind, preferences can change over time.

By the way, I apologize for not mentioning the website where you got that shirt. Are they offering it in women’s sizes too?