Aging & Independence Archives

Boost Your Brainpower by Going Back to School

Jul 21, 2023 · UHN Staff · Aging & Independence

If you recently retired and are finding there are too many hours in the day now that you no longer work, how about taking college classes? “Not only will you make new friends and learn new things,” says Judith Neugroschl, MD, associate professor of psychiatry at Mount Sinai, “but studies … Read More

What’s That Drug Information Leaflet Trying to Tell You?

Jul 9, 2023 · Kate Brophy · Aging & Independence

In a recent survey carried out in the UK, only 32 percent of poll respondents understood the information leaflets that came with their medications. If you experience the same confusion, you may give up and toss the leaflet in the recycling bin without reading it properly. But this is a … Read More

A Technique Developed at Mount Sinai Is Making a Rare Type of Stroke More Treatable

Jun 26, 2023 · Kate Brophy · Aging & Independence

The most common type of stroke—ischemic— is caused by a blood clot. But strokes also can be caused by bleeding. These are called hemorrhagic strokes, and neurologist Carolyn D. Brockington, MD, director of the Stroke Center at Mount Sinai West and Mount Sinai Morningside, says that most people are less … Read More

Harvard-Led Study Suggests Yoga Helps Protect Against Frailty

May 25, 2023 · UHN Staff · Aging & Independence

Medical frailty refers to a loss of function, strength, stamina, and overall health and fitness. It can raise the risk of falls, hospitalizations, and death. But in a review of 33 studies, published in Annals of Internal Medicine (March 14, 2023), researchers from Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s … Read More

Under the Influence of Ageism

May 23, 2023 · UHN Staff · Aging & Independence

Remember that old saying, “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me”? Well, that’s not quite true when it comes to ageist comments and behaviors. Consider this: You see a social media post featuring an older couple happily holding hands. The caption reads: “Adorable geezers … Read More

Medication Management

May 23, 2023 · JonathanWanagat · Aging & Independence

Q: I have several pills to take twice a day to manage my chronic conditions. How can I best manage taking all these? A: In addition to basic pill sorters, there are medication reminder products and services that can help. For example, there are pharmacy services that can sort medications … Read More

Are You Losing Muscle?

May 23, 2023 · UHN Staff · Aging & Independence

We all lose muscle as we age. Roger A. Fielding, PhD, a professor of biochemical and molecular nutrition at the Friedman School and senior scientist of the Nutrition, Exercise Physiology, and Sarcopenia Team at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, leads a team of people working to uncover the … Read More

How Much Medical Care Is Too Much Medical Care?

May 23, 2023 · Rosanne Leipzig, MD, PhD · Aging & Independence

I often joke that appropriate medical care for older adults can be an evidence-free zone, given that few people ages 65 and up participate in clinical trials and those who do are relatively healthy. This means that most medications and treatments are approved without being tested in lots of older … Read More

What’s the Right Medical Care for You?

May 23, 2023 · Kate Brophy · Aging & Independence

As you get older, your health-care priorities change, particularly if you develop chronic diseases that cause bothersome symptoms and require specialized treatment. You can best ensure that your medical care focuses on what is important to you by identifying your priorities and sharing them with your family and health-care providers. … Read More

Ask the Experts: Recurrent Canker Sores; Colonoscopy at 79; Keto Gummies for Weight Loss

May 12, 2023 · UHN Staff · Aging & Independence

In the last few months, I have suffered from several painful canker sores. A friend says they are probaby being caused by my new dentures, but I went online and found information about a condition called recurrent aphthous stomatitis, which causes chronic canker sores. Is it possible I have this … Read More

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