November 1, 2022 —
This year’s Great American Smokeout, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, is November 17. This third Thursday in November is set aside to urge all American smokers to quit that day or make a plan to quit. It’s never too late to quit smoking, especially for older adults. Many Americans still smoke, even though we... Read More
October 15, 2022 —
Everyone has moments of occasional forgetfulness. Maybe we forget where we left our glasses or misplace our cell phone. And increasing forgetfulness can be a normal part of getting older. Our bodies make lots of changes as we get older, and that includes our brains. It can take longer to learn new information, such as... Read More
October 1, 2022 —
Why are we here? What do we owe our communities and future generations? Is it worth it to contemplate our existence? These may seem like philosophical questions, but they are the type of questions pondered by people with a sense of purpose. Having a sense of purpose is generally defined as having goals, an aim... Read More
September 15, 2022 —
Almost everyone loves music. We use it as a soundtrack to our lives, in both happy moments like weddings and birthdays, and in more somber moments. Music can recall powerful memories of important moments in our lives. Our love of music is innate. Babies will bop along to a song that catches their ears, and... Read More
September 1, 2022 —
Surveys of older adults show that most of us would like to stay in our homes as we get older. We have invested time and money in making our homes exactly as we’d like. Maybe we know all the neighbors or live near cherished family members. It makes sense. The familiar environment is comforting. But... Read More
August 15, 2022 —
Advances in medicine mean that people are living longer than ever before. Those extra years we have added to our collective lifespans are not without some challenges. The older we get, the more likely we are to develop a health condition. And many of the health conditions older people develop will be chronic, or unlikely... Read More
August 1, 2022 —
It’s late, you’re busy, you’re tempted to tumble right into bed without brushing your teeth … but that is one task you shouldn’t neglect! Taking care of our mouths is one of those self-care tasks that we sometimes don’t get around to. And some older adults think that with age, it is no longer important... Read More
July 15, 2022 —
Summer is a great time to enjoy water-based recreation. The warm weather beckons us to cool off in beaches, lakes, rivers and community pools. We pack up our summer gear—sunglasses, sunscreen, swimsuits, water shoes, wide-brimmed hat—and head out for a day of recreation on the water. We may think we’ve got all our water safety... Read More
July 1, 2022 —
We know that falls can be a serious issue for seniors. Falls can lead to injuries that could limit mobility and independence. That’s why fall prevention is something seniors and their caregivers should always keep in mind. One way to prevent falls is to identify any existing balance issues. Balance disorders, also called vestibular dysfunction,... Read More
June 15, 2022 —
Summer is almost here! As we make our summer plans, we might be evaluating our stock of sun protection tools. While the sun does cause our bodies to produce vitamin D, which is needed for good health, we know that too much time in the sun can lead to sunburns and more negative effects of... Read More