May is National Osteoporosis Awareness Month. Osteoporosis is a condition where bones gradually thin and weaken. It is common among older adults of all genders—yet many people mistakenly believe that it’s only a health concern of women. It’s true that more women than men develop the disease, but men are
May is National Stroke Awareness Month. During this month, the emphasis has been on ways to lower the risk of stroke and the latest research on stroke treatment. And one more thing that’s heavily emphasized: When it comes to stroke survival and recovery, fast treatment is of the highest importance.
May is Arthritis Awareness Month. Over 54 million people in the U.S. are living with arthritis, and with the aging of our population, that number will grow. Arthritis is the general term for a group of more than 100 conditions that affect the joints or the tissues around the joint.
The new vaccines to prevent COVID-19 are a real game changer! With more than three million doses being administered each day, we’re making progress toward achieving the estimated 70 – 90% of people who need to be immune before the pandemic is truly turned around. Until that day comes, people
Videoconferencing has helped us stay connected during these days when it’s not safe to be together. It’s not a brand new technology, but the rapid adoption across wide swaths of the population has given researchers a lot of new experimental data to work with. And they’ve learned about pitfalls most
A year into the pandemic, are you struggling with the notorious “quarantine 15”? A lot of older adults report that they are carrying around some extra pounds these days. It’s not surprising, as many of us are stuck at home, unable to access many of our usual exercise activities, and
While most people think of COVID-19 as primarily affecting the lungs, the data on millions of patients shows it can damage other body systems, including the brain. Some patients have experienced serious brain inflammation, delirium, hallucinations, psychotic symptoms, and strokes. Others report a milder, but still troubling, set of symptoms
February is American Heart Month. This is a great time to learn about cardiac rehabilitation, an important healthcare resource for people who have heart problems. It includes exercise, education on heart-healthy living, and counseling to reduce stress and help patients return to an active life. Patients receive personalized, comprehensive care
Gerontologists tell us that feeling we make a difference in the world provides a powerful healthy aging boost. A 2019 study of 7,000 older adults published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science showed that those who engaged in activities they consider worthwhile have more positive health outcomes. Study
Our New Year’s resolutions often include weight loss and healthy eating—and reducing our sugar intake can help us meet both of those worthy goals. USDA guidelines recommend that we take in less than 10% of our daily calories from sugar. For older adults, consuming too much sugar increases the risk
