Aging & Independence Archives

The MIND Diet Contributes  to a Healthier Brain

Dec 17, 2021 · UHN Staff · Aging & Independence

Looking for a diet that might help you preserve your brain function as you get older? You might consider the so-called MIND diet. “MIND” stands for “Mediterranean-DASH-diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay.” Scientists developed it by combining features from those healthy dietary patterns—the Mediterranean-style diet and DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to … Read More

Anti-Aging Dietary Supplements: Fact vs. Marketing Fiction

Nov 24, 2021 · UHN Staff · Aging & Independence

Our quest for the fountain of youth is a big business. It has been estimated that the anti-aging products market in the U.S. was over $14 billion in 2020, and it’s projected to be worth over $83 billion by 2027. These products include supposedly anti-aging herbs, vitamins, and other dietary … Read More

Reaching Out in Difficult Times

Nov 24, 2021 · Rosanne Leipzig, MD, PhD · Aging & Independence

The holiday season traditionally is a time for family and friends to join in reflecting on the events of the past year, laughing together and sharing happy memories as we celebrate. However, as we get older, we’re more and more likely to have friends who are facing the holiday season … Read More

Is Therapy Appropriate As Cognition Declines?

Nov 17, 2021 · UHN Staff · Aging & Independence

Cognitive decline is often accompanied by mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression, as well as powerful emotions that can be difficult for the person to understand and manage. Psychotherapy may be helpful for some people experiencing cognitive decline, and not a good fit for others, says psychiatrist Felipe Jain, … Read More

Manage the Emotional Challenges Associated with Memory Loss

Nov 17, 2021 · UHN Staff · Aging & Independence

A diagnosis of dementia immediately triggers thoughts about memory loss, trouble concentrating, poor judgment, and difficulty with communication. But there is also an emotional aspect of dementia that can be just as challenging as many of those cognitive changes. The emotional consequences are felt by individuals who are still able … Read More

Maintaining a Healthy Sex Life in Older Age

Oct 29, 2021 · Kate Brophy · Aging & Independence

Many people think that once you hit a certain age your sex life becomes non-existent, but that isn’t the case for many seniors. In fact, one byproduct of the fact Americans are living longer and enjoying better health is that they are remaining sexually active much later into life—several major … Read More

Are Your Symptoms Signaling a Serious Health Issue?

Oct 29, 2021 · Kate Brophy · Aging & Independence

Aches, pains, and other health issues tend to become more common as you get older. The good thing is that they often can be easily managed with over-the-counter remedies and/or changes in your diet and physical activity regimen. But some symptoms should prompt a discussion with your doctor, since they … Read More

Play: It’s Not Just for Kids

Oct 19, 2021 · JoAnn Milivojevic · Aging & Independence

Play is as essential to human life as breathing, sleeping, and eating. When scientists closely scrutinize the why of play, they find a myriad of logical reasons for its purpose. For example, play connects us with others and helps balance emotions. Games like chess foster strategic thinking, athletic games build … Read More

Ask the Doctor: November 2021

Oct 14, 2021 · Maurizio Fava, MD · Aging & Independence

At what age does memory usually start to decline? It seems I’ve read that it happens anywhere from 35 to 55 or so. As you might imagine, every individual is on a unique timeline when it comes to things like memory decline and other age-related matters. Some research suggests that … Read More

Ask the Doctor: Morbidity vs. Mortality… Sepsis Defined

Oct 12, 2021 · JoAnn Milivojevic · Aging & Independence

I often hear the terms morbidity and mortality on the news. What’s the difference? Morbidity basically relates to physical or psychological injuries, disorders, and diseases, whereas mortality refers to death. Comorbidities, another common medical term used when discussing health, is when one person has multiple disorders. The disorders may not … Read More

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