Aging & Independence Archives

Stay Alert for Potentially Inappropriate Medications

Dec 21, 2020 · Kate Brophy · Aging & Independence

Medications cure what ails you, right? Not necessarily, particularly if you’re taking drugs that aren’t considered safe for older adults. These are referred to as potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), and rresearch (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Aug. 25, 2020) suggests that they are still being overprescribed to people age … Read More

Age-Related Resilience During COVID-19

Dec 21, 2020 · JoAnn Milivojevic · Aging & Independence

The health of older adults was front and center during the early days of the pandemic, for good reason—more severe illnesses and fatalities hit this age group in disproportionately greater numbers compared to other age groups. Another unfortunate outcome was an uptick in ageism. Of course, the category of “older … Read More

Flu Finds Unlikely Ally in Blood Pressure Drugs

Dec 21, 2020 · Carrie Adkins-Ali · Aging & Independence

After almost a year of taking steps to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, some folks are tired of social distancing and mask wearing. Unfortunately, just as their weariness is reaching its peak, so is flu season. A bright note in this otherwise gloomy scenario comes from a study … Read More

Muscle Mass Is Key for Healthy Aging

Dec 18, 2020 · Orli R. Etingin, M.D. · Aging & Independence

What’s one key ingredient needed for staying physically well as you age? It’s muscle mass. The difference between your body in your 20s, 30s, 40s, and beyond boils down to the ratio between muscle and fat. As we age, we lose muscle and gain fat. Besides contributing to weight gain, … Read More

Build Lean Muscle Mass for Improved Strength and Function

Dec 18, 2020 · Dawn Bialy · Aging & Independence

Every woman wants to enjoy a high quality of life and maintain her independence, regardless of her age, but the aging process can take a toll on your muscles. Fortunately, simple exercises that will increase your muscle mass can help you achieve those goals. “Muscle mass refers to the amount … Read More

Putting 2020 in Perspective, Looking to a New Year with Hope and Preparedness

Nov 19, 2020 · Jay Roland · Aging & Independence

For many different reasons, 2020 was as stressful and unpredictable a year as we have experienced in a long time. It began with a presidential impeachment, which kicked off a particularly rancorous campaign season and contentious election. A pandemic claimed the lives of more than a million people around the … Read More

Newsbriefs: Doing Good Boosts Well-Being; Older People Today Are “Younger” Than Seniors of Yesterday; Ten Minutes of Massage or Rest May Noticeably Lower Stress Levels

Nov 19, 2020 · Jay Roland · Aging & Independence

Why Doing Good in Little Ways Boosts Well-Being Performing simple acts of kindness for others may help you improve your health and well-being. In a study published by the American Psychological Association in Psychological Bulletin, researchers also found that those benefits vary depending on the type of kindness, the definition … Read More

Alzheimer’s Caregiver Tips

Nov 19, 2020 · JoAnn Milivojevic · Aging & Independence

Dementia is a very upsetting diagnosis that slowly robs a person’s ability to think, learn, remember, and take care of daily needs. How, when, and which symptoms manifest depend upon the type of dementia a person has and varies greatly among individuals. A proper diagnosis is essential because some instances … Read More

Modifying 12 Risk Factors May Help Delay or Prevent the Onset of Dementia

Oct 19, 2020 · Jay Roland · Aging & Independence

You may think of dementia as an unavoidable feature of growing old and that there is little you can do to affect the onset of memory and thinking-related problems later in life. But in a new report published in The Lancet, an international team of psychiatrists, neurologists, and other health … Read More

Online Social Interaction Can Help You Beat Loneliness

Oct 19, 2020 · Kate Brophy · Aging & Independence

According to recent research, online communities and video conferencing options have provided vital social interaction that may have helped assuage loneliness among older adults during the covid-19 pandemic. “Senior Centers, exercise programs, seminars, and other forms of social interaction have not been available on a face-to-face basis,” says Mount Sinai … Read More

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