Caregiving Archive

A 2025 study addressed the role of genes versus lifestyle habits and life circumstances in influencing a person's health. Researchers found that genes seemed to have a stronger influence than lifestyle and life circumstances for some diseases, including dementia, macular degeneration, and certain cancers. For other diseases, such as atherosclerosis involving arteries of the heart and brain, rheumatoid arthritis, and diseases of the lung, heart, and liver, lifestyle and life circumstances had a stronger influence than genes.

In a 2025 study of about 2,000 people (average age 80) who were followed for seven years, about a third developed dementia or mild cognitive impairment. Being socially active seemed to delay that diagnosis for about five years.

With ticks thriving in a wider geographic range, appearing earlier and sticking around later, it's important to stay vigilant about protecting yourself against ticks that cause Lyme disease and other illnesses. Learn some steps you can take to avoid tick bites.

Our health is intertwined with the health of planet Earth, and the impacts of climate change threaten our well-being. Collectively taking small steps like eating more plant-forward meals, using bikes or public transit, and even sharing our pledges can help move the needle in a positive direction.

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) drug ads promoting treatments for arthritis, cancer, heartburn, psoriasis, flagging memory, and more are all everywhere you look. All too often, the information shared is incomplete, biased, or confusing--here's what to watch out for and how to get the whole story when considering treatment options.

Acts of kindness do more than make the giver and recipient feel good-they can also bolster psychological and physical health. Research suggests kindness can improve happiness and increase social connectedness as well as reduce anxiety and lower blood pressure. Evidence also suggests concentrating good deeds into shorter time periods enhances well-being more powerfully than spreading actions out. Kind acts can include complimenting people, running errands for a neighbor, making a donation to charity, and signing up to volunteer.

People often don't realize they are at high risk for falling until after they've taken a tumble. Studies have shown that maintaining optimal core and postural strength, good balance, and flexibility in the calves and hips are the best ways to prevent falls. At-home tests can help highlight weaknesses in these three areas that can then be addressed with a personal trainer or physical therapist.

Body mass index (BMI) uses weight and height to calculate whether a person is overweight or obese. However, it cannot determine the amount of visceral fat that lies deep inside the body. Two better methods are measuring waist size and determining waist-to-hip ratio.