Stay behind the wheel longer

Aging may affect vision, hearing, coordination, thinking, visuospatial skills, or reaction time, any of which can have a direct impact on driving. Driver assessment programs help people overcome weaknesses behind the wheel. Some programs take a team approach with social workers, occupational therapists, and neuropsychologists who evaluate a person’s driving history, family concerns, overall health, cognitive function, and driving reflexes. A road test is also involved. The team then recommends if it’s time to stop driving or brush up on certain skills. More »

Ways to keep your relationship strong

Couples have a better chance of staying together, no matter what their age, if they work at keeping their relationship healthy. Ways to do this include identifying strengths and weaknesses as a couple; letting go of old arguments and disappointments about what hasn’t happened in a marriage; finding things to do together and also allowing each other to pursue interests separately; spending time with family and friends; and finding ways to cope with physical change. (Locked) More »

Add more nutrient-dense foods to your diet

For people who are not already eating a healthy diet, or are not eating enough healthy foods, nutrient-dense foods can help fill in the gaps. Nutrient-dense foods contain an abundance of nutrients and other healthful substances—vitamins and minerals, fiber, lean protein, and unsaturated fats—but are not excessive in calories. This is compared to foods of low nutrient density that are high in calories. Examples of nutrient-dense foods include leafy greens, whole grains, fruits, oily fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, and vegetables. (Locked) More »

When should you worry about fainting?

People who faint, or often feel like they’re going to faint, need medical attention. Fainting usually is caused by a temporary drop in blood pressure. Serious reasons for blood pressure to drop include internal bleeding, heart problems, and seizures. Less serious causes of fainting include stimulation of the vagus nerve, which can occur when straining while having a bowel movement (or, for men, passing urine), having blood drawn, getting an injection, hearing bad news, or even laughing too hard. More »

When medications make you sensitive to sunlight

Sunlight can cause a reaction when a person is taking certain prescription drugs, such as some diuretics, antibiotics, antihistamines, anti-arrhythmics, antiseizure medicines, and antidepressants. These medications, known as photosensitizers, can make the skin especially sensitive to the sun’s radiation. Exposure to that radiation can cause overly reddened “sunburned” skin, hives, swelling, and itchy, scaly skin. When taking these mediations, it’s best to limit the amount of time spent out in the sun and wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. (Locked) More »