Healthy Aging

Healthy Aging Articles

Are you functionally fit?

Exercise is important to maintain “functional” fitness, which is the ability of a person to perform regular daily activities, whether that means carrying laundry or playing with grandkids. A program to maintain functional fitness includes exercises that mimic daily activities, with motions that help the body get better at pushing, pulling, climbing, bending, lifting, reaching, turning, squatting, and rotating the trunk or shoulders. The exercises also train the muscles to work together. (Locked) More »

Staying connected can improve your health

Research shows that loneliness may have ill effects for health. Social bonds can fray as people age, particularly in times of stress such as after the loss of a partner or in cases of illness or disability. Taking steps to reconnect can not only help improve social life, but can also help protect health over the long term. More »

Free services to help your health

There are many free services that can help improve health. Grocery store workers can point shoppers toward fruits and vegetables that are in season and the freshest cuts of meat. Pharmacists may be able to dispense free prescription medications or free advice about how to use medications, and even take a person’s blood pressure at no charge. Some universities offer free online academic classes. Some nonprofit organizations provide free food to people who are too sick to shop or cook for themselves. And many organizations offer free exercise classes for older adults. (Locked) More »

More over-the-counter hearing aids on the way

In August 2017, Congress and the president approved the Over–the-Counter Hearing Aid Act, which gives the FDA three years to establish an over-the-counter hearing aid category and develop safety and labeling rules for the devices. More »

Lift weights to boost muscle

Men naturally lose muscle mass as they age—as much as 3% to 5% per decade after age 30. Weaker muscles mean less stamina, balance and mobility, all which increase a person’s risk for falls and fractures. Strength training, using either free weights like dumbbells, kettlebells, and barbells or weight machines that are designed to work specific muscle groups, can help men maintain and even add muscle. More »

An aspirin a day for your health?

Low-dose aspirin use has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer. But it’s not right for all women and can lead to serious complications, including gastrointestinal bleeding. A thorough risk analysis should be conducted by your doctor before you consider starting a low-dose aspirin regimen. (Locked) More »

Better habits, better brain health

Engaging in healthy lifestyle habits may help protect thinking skills. For example, aerobic exercise helps improve the health of brain tissue by increasing blood flow to the brain and reducing the chances of injury to the brain. Maintaining routine habits of good health—such as getting at least seven hours of sleep per night, managing stress, quitting smoking, and treating underlying conditions—also support brain health. Socializing also has important brain benefits. People who report having more companionship and more emotional support have a lower risk for dementia and stroke. (Locked) More »

Is my bruising normal?

If you find that you are bruising more easily, it may be due to aging, which causes changes to your blood vessels and skin that make bruising more likely. More »

Keep on driving

An older man’s health tends to go downhill after he loses the ability to drive. Driving keeps men more independent and increases their ability to socialize, visit the doctor, or go exercise. The best ways to ensure men stay behind the wheel is to sharpen certain physical and cognitive skills, as well as reviewing other aspects that affect driving ability, such as medication side effects and car accessories. (Locked) More »