Caregiving Archive

Sometimes the emotional part of cancer is the toughest test.

Any kind of cancer diagnosis is life-changing. There suddenly are many decisions to make about treatments, possible surgery, and recovery. It can be a lot to deal with. But one part of the cancer process that often gets pushed aside is the psychological aspect — how do you manage the many emotions that come with it?

"The natural response to hearing 'cancer' is to feel a surge of anxiety and negative thoughts like 'I'm going to die,'" says Dr. John Peteet, head of the psychosocial oncology fellowship at the Harvard-affiliated Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. "Yet many men are reluctant to admit this and keep their feelings inside, so it's tough to know when they need help with this part of a cancer diagnosis."

Engaging your brain to write your memoirs can leave a recorded history for your descendants as it helps improve your cognitive fitness.

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As we grow older, there may be a tendency to feel less relevant to the people around us. We tend to withdraw as a result, and this isolation can lead to a greater risk of depression.

But here's an idea that will help you stay in the game as it helps your family better understand their own history. It's simple: write your life story.

In the journals

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People who make an effort to lose weight can help their partner do the same, according to a study published online Feb. 1, 2018, by Obesity.

The study tracked the weight-loss progress of 130 couples over six months. The couples were divided into two groups. In one group, one member of the couple was enrolled in a Weight Watchers program that provided in-person counseling and online tools to assist with weight loss. In the second group, one member of the couple received a four-page handout with information on ways to lose weight, like healthy eating, exercise, and weight-control strategies.

In the journals

So far, research has been mixed on whether brain training programs can improve or slow memory decline. Yet a new study published online Jan. 4, 2018, by the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that brain training may help people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the stage between normal brain aging and dementia.

Researchers recruited 145 adults, average age 72, who were diagnosed with MCI. They were split into three groups. Those in one group did two hours of brain training every week for two months. The training focused on improving memory by learning new strategies to better encode information. For example, they remembered errands by associating tasks with specific locations in their home, a process called method of loci. They also practiced how to better control their attention.

Dermatologists tell us what ingredients to look for in a skin serum to treat a variety of skin conditions.

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As you get older, you might start to look a little more intently at the rows of lotions and potions at the drugstore and the beauty counter. You may wonder which ones can really help your skin look more like it used to — minus the wrinkles, dark spots, and other signs of aging.

One word that's showing up on labels a lot these days is "serum" — typically on products that promise to brighten and smooth your skin and help roll back the clock. These little glass bottles contain a host of impressive-sounding ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and L-ascorbic acid. But do they really work?

The right combination of components is essential to get the results you hope to see.

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Serums can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, including brown spots, wrinkles, and dry or acne-prone skin. Below are the ingredients that Harvard dermatologists Dr. Abigail Waldman and Dr. Maryam M. Asgari recommend for various skin conditions.

Problem: Dry or sagging skin

If your skin is dry, tight, and flaky, look for serums that contain vitamin E, niacinamide, and glycolic acid. Also look for ceramides, which are fatty molecules that help hold the skin together and keep moisture from escaping. Other good options are serums that contain hyaluronic acid, or those with collagen peptides, epidermal growth factors, or stem cells.

Eating these selections often will pack more nutrients into your diet for better overall health.

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You don't need a whole-life overhaul to improve your health. Sometimes it's small changes that make the biggest difference. This is definitely the case when it comes to your diet. Eating better shouldn't require you to purge your refrigerator and subsist on kale shakes. Simply adding a few nutrient-rich foods to your regular rotation can give your body a boost without making you miserable in the process.

We asked Teresa Fung, adjunct professor in the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, what foods you should try to squeeze in every day — or at least every week — for better health.

Research we're watching

Drinking too much alcohol could raise the risk of developing early-onset dementia, says a study published online Feb. 20, 2018, by The Lancet Public Health.