Insights and Inspiration
The Double Standards of Aging
We know this scenario all too well: a couple in their middle-aged years whose marriage is falling apart. The successful, attractive husband described as a “gray fox” becomes distracted by a younger, beautifully fit female. All while the wife is described as older, less beautiful, and less youthful. Invisible. This trope is no coincidence but
6 Common Medication Problems in Aging,…
If you’re helping an older person with health and healthcare, chances are that person is taking at least a few prescription medications, if not several. Do you ever wonder if he or she is on the right medications? Do you worry about side-effects and interactions? These are sensible concerns to have. Many older adults end
The Real Cost of Caregiving
The Quiet Weight of Caregiving Roz Chast, the popular cartoonist, once wrote about a scratch she got while caring for her parents. Just a tiny thing on her leg that wouldn’t heal. She imagined it getting bad enough to land her in the hospital—just long enough to have someone else step in for a while.
6 Causes of Paranoia in Aging…
Q: My mother is 80. She is very active (despite breaking her hip 2 years ago), she still attends water therapy 3 times a week at the YMCA, she drives to the base (which is 20 miles away) and pays her bills on time. She is a retired Psych nurse and has shown signs in the
A Primer on Widow Dating by…
At 50, Debbie Weiss found herself facing a reality she had never imagined. She was a widow, alone for the first time since she was 17, and trying to navigate the bewildering world of online dating and midlife romance. After losing her childhood sweetheart George to stage 4 male breast cancer, Debbie found herself in
10 Ways to Boost Cognitive Function
“Doctor, what do you recommend for healthy aging?” “My mom is getting older and I want to help her stay healthy. What should we be doing?” On this site, I usually write about how to manage or avoid specific aging health challenges. But in real life, I often get asked the questions above. After all,
How to Stay Strong & Independent…
This is the second in a series of posts explaining my Healthy Aging Checklist. Remember, for the healthiest aging, we need to do the things that optimize health — and health care — so that the brain and body work at their best for now, and for the future. I’ve identified six broad actions to
5 Questions to Answer for Easy…
Since 2008, April 16th has been designated as “National Healthcare Decisions Day” (NHDD). It’s an initiative meant to “inspire, educate and empower the public and providers about the importance of advance care planning.” In other words, National Healthcare Decisions Day is meant to get you to think about things like advance directives, living wills, powers
7 Commonly Neglected Problems to Address…
This is the third in a series of posts covering the Healthy Aging Checklist. Again, the Healthy Aging Checklist summarizes the six fundamental activities I recommend when asked what to do to maintain the best possible health while aging. They are: In this post, I’ll cover the third item: addressing commonly neglected aging health problems
How to Manage Chronic Conditions for…
This is the fourth in a series of posts covering the Healthy Aging Checklist. Again, the Healthy Aging Checklist summarizes the six fundamental activities I recommend when asked what to do to maintain the best possible health while aging. They are: In this post, I’ll cover the fourth item: learning to optimize the management of any
