Healthy Aging Archive

People have a 50% chance of developing at least one mental health disorder by age 75, according to some research. Among men, the most common are alcohol use disorder, depression, and anxiety disorders, with social anxiety disorder being the most prevalent of those. Many men miss the early warning signs of these disorders, or when they do, they often try to push through, which can worsen the symptoms. But identifying when they might have a problem is the first step toward seeking help.

A 2025 study suggests that owning a dog or cat may help slow cognitive decline as people age.

A 2025 study suggests that consuming higher amounts of flavonoids such as berries, apples, oranges, and black tea may promote healthier aging, particularly in women.

Tai chi uses a series of gentle, flowing motions and slow, deep breathing to exercise the body and calm the mind. It’s good for health in many ways, especially for balance, which improves as the body becomes more attuned to changes in movement. Tai chi can be practiced outdoors as well as indoors, which is helpful during winter months. To get started in a tai chi practice, it helps to take a class with an instructor who supervises practitioners’ progress. Classes can be found at wellness centers and health clubs.

Poor night vision could be caused by an outdated eyeglass prescription or an eye condition, such as dry eye, cataracts, or age-related macular degeneration. People should see an eye care specialist for a complete eye exam to check for these issues.

In a 2025 study, adults 45 and older with a strong sense of purpose were 28% less likely to develop cognitive impairment or dementia compared with individuals who had a low sense of purpose.

Older adults need a strong core to stay active and healthy. While the core comprises many muscles, the four main ones lie within the abdomen: the rectus abdominis in the front; the external and internal obliques on the sides; and the deep, flat transversus abdominis wrapping your midsection. Several core exercises work many of these muscles, but the dead bug exercise can engage all of them and is safe for older adults, as it can be modified for any age or limitations. The dead bug is done by lying on the back and moving the limbs up and down to imitate a dying insect.

Complete recovery from total knee replacement surgery can take six to 12 months. Working with a physical therapist to regain strength and mobility, most people can return to normal daily function within three months. It’s important to remain active once physical therapy concludes. Lower-impact activities, such as walking, hiking, biking, swimming, golfing, strength training, and aerobic activities, are recommended. High-impact activities, such as running, may shorten the life span of the implant.

An exercise routine that targets muscles in the legs and buttocks can help build the strength and stability that are essential for daily functioning. Lunges are an excellent exercise for this. Older adults can do them safely if they have sufficient leg strength to do the exercise correctly. For those who lack the necessary strength, modified versions can be done until it’s possible to gradually work up to doing the full lunge. Once that is mastered, more advanced versions include the side lunge and walking lunge. Holding weights can increase the challenge.

Waking up in the middle of the night happens to women more often after age 55 due to many factors. These include diminished hormones and circadian rhythm changes. Stress, bladder changes, medications, chronic pain, and alcohol and caffeine use can also contribute. People can break the cycle of nighttime wake-ups by practicing good sleep hygiene, addressing medical issues, trying mind-body techniques such as deep breathing or meditation, and limiting caffeine, alcohol, and heavy evening meals.