October 9, 2018 —
Did you get your flu shot yet? Last year’s severe flu season provided a big reminder of how dangerous seasonal influenza can be! Flu season 2017 – 2018 took the lives of 80,000 people, and caused 900,000 people to be hospitalized. Experts say it was the most deadly since the infamous Spanish flu epidemic of... Read More
October 4, 2018 —
Neurologists tell us that one of the best ways to protect our brains is to exercise our bodies. Exercise not only protects us from heart disease and other health conditions that damage the brain … but in its own right, it increases brain size and builds connections in the brain that keep us sharp. Anything... Read More
September 24, 2018 —
Last year’s flu season was unusually severe. This year—which is incidentally the 100th anniversary of the devastating 1918 Spanish flu pandemic—it’s important to pay attention to the dangers of seasonal influenza. The flu can be a serious illness for people of every age, and older adults are at highest risk of dangerous, even fatal, complications.... Read More
September 17, 2018 —
September Is Pain Awareness Month People who are living with chronic pain can feel discounted and insulted when someone says “It’s all in your head.” But studies show that the way we think about pain can make a real difference in how we perceive it, and how it affects our lives. It’s not just a... Read More
September 10, 2018 —
September is Falls Prevention Month. Falling is a big senior health issue! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 25 percent of older adults will fall this year, and many will suffer brain damage, a hip fracture or other broken bone—injuries that can be fatal, or so serious that a senior never... Read More
September 4, 2018 —
September is National Preparedness Month. This year reminded us about the importance of emergency preparation, for individuals, communities and the nation. We just learned that the effects of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico took almost 3,000 lives. Other hurricanes and winter storms ravaged coastal areas, including our very own Hurricane Harvey. Volcanic activity in Hawaii... Read More
August 27, 2018 —
Most of us know we should do some stretches before exercising. Some people begin their stretching routine by holding a series of poses; others use specific movements that stretch the muscles. Stretching helps warm up our muscles and limber our joints so we’ll be less likely to injure ourselves during our workout. Stretching after an... Read More
August 20, 2018 —
Too often we need a piece of information when we are least able to access it—during a medical emergency, at a doctor’s appointment, when meeting with a lawyer, or during a hospital admission. So, it makes sense to get organized ahead of time by pulling the information you may need into a convenient inventory. Here... Read More
August 13, 2018 —
Many studies show that owning a pet can benefit us in multiple ways, no matter what our age. Pets provide companionship, motivation to exercise, a context for socializing, stress reduction and a powerful emotional boost. But experts advise us that pet ownership is not a decision to make lightly, especially when we’re older. For some... Read More
August 6, 2018 —
Though most seniors wish to stay at home for as long as possible, health challenges often mean that moving to a skilled nursing facility is the best choice. If you are helping a loved one with this process, maybe you spent a lot of time making the decision, and finding a place that is the... Read More
