Here’s an inspiring thought: Your most creative, enjoyable and fulfilling pursuits may lie ahead. By starting a new activity or developing a hobby that engages your mind, you will be able to live your later life to its fullest — while also maintaining a healthy brain.In many cases, adults in their later years are doing more than finding a hobby. They are finding their passions. A septuagenarian who has never taken a brush to canvas may find … [Read more...]

Thanksgiving is a special time to show family and friends how much you appreciate them. If you’re hosting the holiday dinner this year, you likely have to accommodate for a wide variety of age groups, from grandkids to grandparents. Make sure everyone feels loved and included – especially seniors – this Thanksgiving with a few simple tips:1. Pull out the family cook book Your senior loved ones have gained plenty of wisdom through the years, … [Read more...]

Oh, those achy knees! The older we get, the more likely we are to have knee pain. In some cases, cortisone shots or physical therapy can be used to treat the pain. In the most severe cases, either partial or total knee replacement surgery may be warranted.“The knee, like everything else in our bodies, is subject to aging,” says Kim Nonas, a Chicago-area physical therapist for VNA Healthtrends. “There’s a layer of cartilage that protects the … [Read more...]

Whether you’re a dog person or a cat person, a bird person or a fish person, there’s a pet for every personality. Pets can be an excellent investment for people of all ages – particularly for seniors seeking companionship.But which pet is right for you? With the help of Suzette Brown, author of Alzheimer’s: Through My Mother’s Eyes and owner of Flower, a certified therapy dog, we break down the primary senior pet options. Dogs for … [Read more...]

The human brain: it’s an incredible, complex organ that gives us the ability to think, learn, feel, create, innovate, see, hear and experience life. As remarkable as the human brain is, we do become vulnerable to mental decline as we age. Research has helped us gain a greater understanding of various forms of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, along with other types of cognitive impairment and memory loss. There is still so much to … [Read more...]

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. While there is currently no guaranteed method of prevention, here are five simple steps you can take to mitigate your risk of developing colon cancer.It’s recommended that everyone should start receiving colon cancer screenings at age 50. However, healthy choices that reduce your risk of developing colon cancer can begin well before that–and continue long after. … [Read more...]

World Stroke Day takes place on Oct. 29 every year. It’s a good opportunity to focus on the impact that stroke has on people across the globe and how they can prevent their risk of experiencing an incident. It’s important that seniors, who are particularly vulnerable to heart conditions, know how to lower their chances of having a stroke.According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year, stroke accounts for 1 out of … [Read more...]

It has been said that the best part of being a parent is becoming a grandparent. For the most part, grandparents don’t have to worry about homework problems, bad attitudes, and everyday life with kids. As a grandparent, you can dote on your grandchildren (a.k.a. spoil them rotten) and send them back to their parents at the end of the day.But when you do get the grandkids for a day or more, how will you spend the time together? Kaye Swain, a … [Read more...]

Senior Eye Problems Prevent Blindness America wants Americans to know that while cataracts are still the most common cause of blindness, they are also treatable. In fact, thanks in part to increasingly advanced, more effective surgical techniques for cataracts, today’s older adults are reporting fewer visual impairments than the preceding generation of seniors.According to a Northwestern University study published in Ophthalmology, visual … [Read more...]