Blogs

Late-life depression descends on an estimated 20 percent of older U.S. adults, according to recent research. That may explain my recently sagging spirits — or not.

Some experts are hailing Alzheimer’s blood tests as a revolutionary advance in diagnostics. In clinical practice, however, these assessments raise more questions than they answer.

Are healthcare directives, touted as a way to ease end-of-life treatment decisions, worth the paper they’re printed on? Critics argue that the harsh reality of life-threatening illnesses — and the emotions of the moment — often render them moot. But not always.

A new study suggests that the presence of certain bacteria in the mouth may harm the brain as we age. Early intervention and treatment could be a game-changer for seniors — or at least for those who can afford to visit a dentist.

Seniors tend to sniff out online misinformation and scams better than young people, according to a new study. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t vulnerable. A variety of public and private initiatives — along with some neighborly support — have emerged to offer protection.

Researchers have identified how hormone depletion during menopause can cause osteoarthritis, but treatment options remain risky and further study may be a long time coming.

The trauma of combat has created an epidemic of heart disease among older U.S. veterans, according to a new study. I’m luckier — and, in some ways, unluckier — than most.

Recent studies suggest that learning a foreign language may delay the onslaught of cognitive dysfunction, leaving aging monolinguists like me wondering whether there’s an easier way.

Japan has invested heavily in robotics to ease staffing pressures and improve quality of care at long-term facilities. Could the same approach rescue our own struggling industry?

It can often seem naïve — or even foolish — to harbor high hopes for life in our later years, but recent research suggests doing so may help to ensure a healthier and happier future.

How does artificial intelligence improve our struggling healthcare system if, as one noted medical ethicist points out, medicine is “as much a moral endeavor as a technical one”?

With enthusiasm waning amid poor clinical trials and ineffective treatments, dementia researchers are increasingly exploring the role viral infections may play in the disease — and the salutary effects of a particular vaccine.

We’ve come to expect surgical procedures to routinely cure what ails us, despite recent evidence showing surprisingly frequent postoperative crises. A new report offers some insights and possible solutions.

New research suggests that my general aversion to socializing may contribute to a frail future — despite my well-intentioned commitment to strength training.

While my skeptical view of conventional medicine has softened in recent years, I continue to avoid prostate cancer screenings. A new study suggests I’ve made a good choice.

The Big Pharma approach to treating Alzheimer’s has met with some serious obstacles in recent months, a trend that may encourage more nuanced treatment protocols.

Does hearing loss cause Parkinson’s or does Parkinson’s cause hearing loss? Dueling studies, a visit with my audiologist, and conversations with my octogenarian pal offer little clarity.

In a rebuke to the longevity industry, new research on life expectancy suggests humans have reached their peak lifespan. So rather than worry about how long we’ve got left, maybe we should enjoy the time we have now.