September 7, 2022 —
Natural disasters are devastating. They cost lives. They cost communities. They cost money. But they are particularly deadly for seniors. Gustavo E. Flores, M.D., a member of the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Emergency Cardiovascular Care committee, explains, “During and after a storm, many people experience extreme stress and trauma, which research shows can lead to... Read More
August 29, 2022 —
During the past decade or so, evolutionary biologists have been looking at an interesting question: Why do humans, unlike almost every other species in the animal kingdom, survive long beyond their reproductive years? Despite the ageist stereotype that older adults are a “burden,” anthropologists agree that living in social groups that included older members was... Read More
August 22, 2022 —
September is Healthy Aging Month. Beginning in the 1960s, experts began predicting that the baby boom generation would be healthier than their parents and grandparents. The boomers were into jogging and aerobics and health food, and benefited from advances in health care. Are We Becoming Healthier As We Age? But as the decades passed, it... Read More
August 15, 2022 —
Making your own healthcare decisions can be tough. Making healthcare decisions for someone you care about — especially at the end of life — can be overwhelming. Even if an advance directive, such as a living will, explains your loved one’s wishes, it probably won’t cover all possible medical treatments. So, how can you advocate... Read More
August 8, 2022 —
Who – When – How? Moving to an assisted living facility is an important life decision for older adults and their family. How do you know when it’s the right time? What is the difference between assisted living and independent living? And how do you pick the best option? Like most important decisions, researching the... Read More
August 1, 2022 —
A miracle brain power supplement? Superfood capsules? Herbal shakes with mysterious “cognitive health” enzymes? If you watch TV or go on the internet or read magazines, you are likely bombarded with commercials for products claiming to protect the memory and stave off dementia, even to “boost brain power.” Then there are nutrition “experts” who make... Read More
July 25, 2022 —
During the pandemic, the role of family caregivers has increased, experts report. Caring relatives and friends have spent many hours keeping older loved ones safe, providing hands-on care, transportation, shopping for their loved ones, and doing what they could to support elders in senior living communities during quarantine. They’ve even been providing more tech support... Read More
July 11, 2022 —
If you could choose where you wanted to spend your final days, where would that be? Whatever the preference or circumstances of someone who is nearing the end of their life, understanding the care setting options is key to creating a plan that helps ensure the greatest comfort for the individual and their family. Let’s... Read More
June 20, 2022 —
In 2020 and 2021, many communities cut back or cancelled their Independence Day celebrations. Public safety experts reported that in the absence of traditional public fireworks displays, more people decided to put on their own amateur shows—and this resulted in an increase in injuries. According to the National Fire Protection Association, each year thousands of... Read More
June 13, 2022 —
Today nearly six million people in the U.S. are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and more than 16 million others are providing care for them. Most often, these caregivers are close relatives, and they often express concern about whether they, too, will experience memory loss as they grow older. They are right to consider this. Studies... Read More
