December 17, 2018 —
Have you made your New Year’s resolutions yet? Maybe you’ve vowed to lose weight, save money, read more books or clean the garage? We’d like to suggest another worthy resolution that could benefit you, your older loved ones, and even the young folks in the family: fighting ageism. Today, there is an increased emphasis on... Read More
December 10, 2018 —
Days before Thanksgiving this year, government agencies warned of an outbreak of Salmonella bacteria in turkey products. And were you one of the many cooks who ended up throwing away the romaine lettuce that was earmarked for the salad after the E. coli scare? These two warnings right in a row might make us alert... Read More
December 3, 2018 —
Recent studies confirm that loneliness is a serious issue for older adults today. The health impact of social isolation rivals obesity and even smoking. Loneliness raises the risk of heart disease, depression, sleep problems, stroke, hypertension and dementia, and can shorten life. The holidays are considered a time of comfort and joy, when families get... Read More
November 28, 2018 —
December 1 is World AIDS Day, when health agencies worldwide call attention to the fight against HIV infection, and the need to support people who are living with the HIV virus. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. If not treated, it can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS. There is at present no cure for HIV,... Read More
November 19, 2018 —
It seems fitting that during November, we’ve been observing both Family Caregivers Month and Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. Millions of caregivers support the well-being of senior relatives. And caregivers whose loved ones are living with dementia carry an especially heavy load. The University of Michigan and the AARP recently conducted a study of people who... Read More
November 12, 2018 —
November is the month when families traditionally get together for Thanksgiving visits — and it’s also National Family Caregiver Month. Sponsored by the American Diabetes Association, November also is American Diabetes Month. So that makes this month a great time to discuss your family’s risk of diabetes. On the global level, the International Diabetes Foundation... Read More
November 4, 2018 —
We see plenty of public service messages around the holidays warning us not to drink and drive. And these days, we can get a ticket if we’re caught texting or using our phone while behind the wheel. But there’s another driving hazard that’s pretty common during this time of year. Even if drivers have abstained... Read More
October 29, 2018 —
Depression is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults. According to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, an estimated 15 percent of people older than 65 are dealing with depression, which affects the whole person: mind, body and emotions. Symptoms include a persistent feeling of sadness, lack of energy, changes in normal... Read More
October 19, 2018 —
With so much coverage of today’s opioid epidemic, there is new emphasis on alternative pain treatment. For many people with arthritis and other musculoskeletal pain, this includes the use of medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). This class of drugs includes aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve) and Celebrex. But while NSAIDs are overall safer than... Read More
October 16, 2018 —
Podiatrists report that autumn brings an increase in patients coming in with foot pain—specifically, the pain caused by bunions. Why? According to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), it’s because people, especially women, often wear sandals and other lighter shoes all summer. When the temperature drops, out come the enclosed-toe shoes—and bunion... Read More
