Find noteworthy news, motivational tips, uplifting stories and useful resources to stay young at heart. Updated every Tuesday.
Dear Savvy Senior: Are there any monitored medical alert devices that you know of that don’t require pushing a wearable help button? My 82-year-old father, who lives alone, has fallen twice during the past year but doesn’t like wearing an SOS pendant button. — Searching Daughter Read more
A new study shows that alcohol-related deaths among women are rising at a faster rate than those among men, particularly for people 65 and older. Read more
Dear Savvy Senior: How does Medicare cover preventive health screenings? I’m due to get a physical and a colonoscopy this year, but I want to find out what I’ll have to pay for before I go in. — Just Turned 65 Read more
Quick and simple usually aren’t terms used to describe medical treatments. Yet mindfulness meditation is a fast, easy way to reduce stress wherever you are. Read more
Cardiovascular disease — the No. 1 cause of death among people 65 and older — is poised to become more prevalent in the years ahead, disproportionately affecting Black and Hispanic communities and exacting an enormous toll on the health and quality of life of older Americans. Read more
During the early days of the pandemic, Julie Peatt Cassaday took an active role in caregiving for her mother, who suffered from dementia, and her experiences inspired her to write “Dear Sweet Mama.” In June, she gave a reading from the book at Brightview Westminster Ridge, the facility where her mother spent the last months of her life. Read more
Dear Savvy Senior: What can you tell me about green funeral options? At age 80, I would like to pre-plan my funeral and make it as natural as possible. — Old Environmentalist Read more
f you’re in your 50s and 60s with no retirement savings in sight, you’re far from alone. Read more
Possessing a remarkable memory later in life is linked to better mobility and physical quickness, according to a study that sheds light on the factors that shape how people age. Read more
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Dear Savvy Senior: Is regular heartburn or acid reflux anything to worry about? I eat a lot of Rolaids throughout the day to help manage it, but it’s gotten worse with age, and it keeps me up at night. What can you tell me? — Belching Bob Read more
When Dr. Benjamin Han, a geriatrician and addiction medicine specialist, meets new patients at the School of Medicine at the University of California, San Diego, he talks with them about the usual health issues that older adults face: chronic conditions, functional ability, medications and how they’re working. Read more
Dear Savvy Senior: Are there any services that you recommend that can help families resolve elder parent caregiving conflicts? My 86-year-old father was recently diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, and to make matters worse, my sister and brother and I have been perpetually arguing about how to handle his future caregiving and financial needs. — Conflicted Siblings Read more
‘Parting the Wild Horse’s Mane.” “Wave Hands Like Clouds.” “Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain.” These are not song titles or poems. Rather, they’re the deceptively complex movements of tai chi. Read more
Research suggests that the ability to maximize memory function may be related to what you eat. Read more
n a recent morning in this quiet village outside Amsterdam, an older woman stocked shelves inside the local supermarket. Read more
Dear Savvy Senior: Can you recommend some good resources for seniors with vision loss? My husband was recently diagnosed with macular degeneration, which has deteriorated his central vision, and he’s become discouraged. — Worried Wife Read more
Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. and a major cause of serious disability for adults. More than 795,000 people in the U.S. have a stroke each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read more
Ilyse Streim views massage for people in hospice care as “whispering to the body through touch.” Read more
Dear Savvy Senior: How are Social Security benefits handled when someone dies? After a long illness, my 68-year-old father has only weeks left to live. Read more
When Eleanor Hamby and Dr. Sandra Hazelip met more than two decades ago, it was best friends at first sight. Read more
Welcome to the first installment of a series dedicated to walking tips and inspiration. This time we’re exploring “awe walks,” outdoor rambles that can cultivate a sense of amazement. Read more
