According to the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), more than 48 million people in the United States struggle with some form of hearing loss, including one in four of those over the age of 65. Since hearing difficulties can make it more challenging to connect with others, this can exacerbate the feelings of isolation that many seniors already experience. For quite some time, the general consensus in the … [Read more...]

For those over the age of 65, nutrition is a critical component of aging well and maintaining independence. Numerous studies have shown that many diseases and health conditions that affect seniors can be linked to a poor diet. But what might be an adequate diet for a 20 or 30 year old, may not be appropriate for someone who is 70. Read on to understand how nutritional needs evolve and change over time. Understand the Risks of a Poor Diet Proper … [Read more...]

The online world has opened many doors for people of all ages. We are able to shop online, be entertained, continue to learn, and even stay connected with loved ones - all from the privacy of our homes. During periods of isolation, the Internet has really been a lifeline for many people. Unfortunately, along with these benefits come several risks. Predators and scammers often lurk online, waiting to prey on unsuspecting consumers. Sharing … [Read more...]

Hypertension, better known as high blood pressure, is a condition that affects nearly half of the U.S. population, according to the CDC. Blood pressure is a measurement of the amount of pressure that a person’s blood exerts on the arteries. Blood pressure that is too high can lead to dangerous conditions such as a heart attack or stroke and can also cause a myriad of other problems. Fortunately, hypertension is a condition that can generally be … [Read more...]

Shingles, also called herpes zoster, is a painful reactivation of the chickenpox virus within the body and it frequently affects seniors. According to the CDC, 1 out of every 4 people will have shingles in their lifetime, and 2 out of every 3 cases are patients over the age of 50. Shingles can develop more than once in a person’s lifetime and can result in extreme discomfort and in severe cases even infection and hospitalization. Although the … [Read more...]

Dementia is a serious medical condition that affects roughly 50 million people throughout the world. This condition encompasses a range of symptoms and manifestations that can cause significant decline in physical, mental and emotional health. In addition to forgetfulness, dementia can lead to anxiety, depression and an inability to communicate effectively. Fortunately, several studies have shown that mindfulness and relaxation techniques can be … [Read more...]

According to the American Thyroid Association (ATA), approximately 20 million people in the U.S. suffer from some form of thyroid disease, but up to 60% are unaware of their condition. These statistics may be surprising, but thyroid disease often has vague symptoms that can be attributed to other things. Patients often report feeling fatigued, mentally scattered or sometimes slightly depressed. Read on for some tips to help identify and address … [Read more...]

Aphasia is a disorder that robs the afflicted of the ability to understand language and communicate normally. It is not a mental illness, and it does not result in an impairment of intelligence. This condition can affect younger people, usually as the result of head trauma, but it is especially prevalent in older adults who have experienced one or multiple strokes. In some cases, aphasia is caused by a slowly-expanding brain tumor that causes … [Read more...]