Blogs

Our managing editor talks about how activism has helped — and challenged — her mental health.

COVID has drawn fresh attention to our broken long-term-care system, sparking some ambitious government initiatives. But recent research suggests there’s much more work to be done.

The latest thinking on Alzheimer’s disease suggests we may slow its development with diet and lifestyle shifts, but a recent harrowing experience has me wondering whether my brain is already too far gone — or if I just need to pay better attention to what I’m doing.

Like many empty nesters, I often wonder what role I should be playing in my adult children’s lives. An unexpected visit from our daughter after months of silence provided some clarity.

A prediabetes diagnosis can trigger all sorts of nightmarish scenarios, but mounting evidence suggests that seniors are a lot less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than we’ve been led to believe.

A promising wave of geriatric emergency departments, designed to cut hospital costs and better accommodate seniors, has been slowed by a lack of support from insurers — including Medicare.

I’ve never won a contest of any sort in my life, so when I got word that I’d been chosen to receive a COVID vaccine, I figured there must be some mistake.

Four years have passed since Congress ordered the FDA to draft guidelines allowing the sale of affordable over-the-counter hearing aids. For the millions of hearing-impaired seniors, the agency’s response speaks volumes.

I’m not the only geezer trying to get back in shape after COVID-19 derailed my preferred fitness routine. A renowned British physician warns of a looming “deconditioning pandemic” among the elderly.

Cannabis-based medicine is gaining popularity among seniors coping with chronic pain, anxiety, and other conditions. But the research is sparse and the potential side effects worrisome.

Why has COVID-19 claimed such a disproportionate share of lives in nursing homes with predominantly minority populations? New research suggests it may be a natural consequence of a highly segregated industry.

With computer access and capabilities often standing in the way of elderly Americans trying to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine, a little patience — and perspective — can really come in handy.

Advanced directives can help ensure that doctors clearly understand your end-of-life treatment preferences. That doesn’t mean they’ll honor them.

Recent research suggests we take a more holistic approach to treating frailty among the elderly, focusing more on exercise than pharmaceuticals.

Like most of my boomer compatriots, I’m never going to save enough money to fund a work-free retirement. A recent study aims to help future generations avoid that fate.

Moving past aesthetic goals during resolution season is possible, if you explore what true happiness means to you.

Eight out of 10 American seniors take at least two prescription drugs daily, a fate I’ve been determined to avoid. But a stubborn illness helps me understand why it’s so tempting to reach for pharmaceutical solutions.

The pandemic persists, but evidence is accumulating that the elderly are coping with its challenges much more successfully than you might imagine.

Recent research suggests that geezers like me need to get out and socialize more in order to prevent dementia, but common sense — and a surging pandemic — tells me an addled brain is the least of my worries.

Our managing editor on how to bring joy to your winter life.

Wisdom from a palliative-care doctor helps me absorb both the enormous toll of the pandemic and the imminent demise of my brother.