Healthy aging and longevity Archive

The way people's bodies absorb and process medications changes as they age. This, along with additional health problems, muscle loss, or frailty, can make seniors more vulnerable to drug side effects and interactions. Adults 65 and older use more over-the-counter drugs than any other age group in the United States. Nonprescription drugs to reconsider include aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, proton-pump inhibitors, and older types of antihistamines.

In a 2024 randomized controlled trial, older adults (average age 71) who took part in an intensive weight training program (three times per week for one year) had better leg strength four years later than people who had taken part in more moderate strength training.

About one in five medications taken by older people is inappropriate. Many of these are heart drugs that are potentially harmful, have no clear benefit, or aren't as good as other options. These should be stopped or switched. One common example is low-dose aspirin, which is advised only for people who've had or are at high risk for a heart attack. Other drugs that may need to be stopped or replaced include beta blockers, warfarin, and older diabetes drugs.

Any type of eye-related surgery can trigger dry eye disease, which causes a burning, gritty, or itchy feeling in the eyes. Treatments typically start with over-the-counter remedies such as preservative-free artificial tears, eye gels or ointments used at night, and warm compresses or heated eye masks. If those approaches don't relieve discomfort, doctors can prescribe a number of treatments, such as prescription eye drops or nasal sprays, tear duct implants to help retain tears, special heat treatments, or amniotic membranes that help reduce inflammation.

Intermittent fasting is a weight-loss approach that involves not eating for a designated amount of time over the course of the day. One popular approach is called 16/8. Here, people eat during an eight-hour period followed by 16 hours of fasting. Intermittent fasting is often used to help with weight loss by placing the body in short-term ketosis, where the body burns fat for energy. While the supporting research is mixed, there's not much downside to trying intermittent fasting, and it also may help people manage their eating habits.

It's easy to feel too busy to be mindful, but everyone can find a few minutes during the day to pause and reflect. Even a brief, regular mindfulness practice provides a respite from the pace and stress of life, and can help with memory, concentration, and focus.

Many Americans aren't getting preventive medical care. About 12% are unsure when they'll schedule their next check-up, and about 20% don't have a primary care doctor. But skipping regular medical care can increase the risks of serious health consequences, especially for people with chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or obesity. To smooth the process of re-establishing primary care, people should take stock of their health goals and make a list of health-related occurrences or questions before their appointment.

Older adults who consume ultra-processed foods as a substantial part of their diet have a higher risk of early death than those who eat less of these foods.

Many single older adults say that they are not looking for a relationship, and that hesitation may be connected to the anxiety about how to pursue a new relationship. But men should explore dating if they are interested. There are now easier ways for singles to meet, such as online dating. Another option to meet other singles is to explore a new activity or hobby, like signing up for a class or workshop or joining a fitness group or club.

People who have trouble swallowing pills can try several strategies, such as changing head position when swallowing, adding pills to food that's easy to swallow, and breaking up pills into smaller pieces.