Pumping Irony

The Alzheimer’s Association and its Big Pharma allies are working behind the scenes to promote a plan that could vastly increase dementia diagnoses — and, not coincidentally, the demand for drugs that provide little relief.

Ultraprocessed foods, which first took hold among my baby boomer compatriots, now make up nearly 60 percent of the average American diet. Some experts say our addiction to this fare is lowering our life expectancy.

Fitness trackers have long been promoted as effective tools for monitoring key health metrics, but seniors have mostly ignored them. Recent research explains why

Can living amid bountiful green space improve a senior’s mental and physical health? New research — and the reemergence of ecotherapy — suggest that spending more time outdoors could make a difference.

While Big Pharma plods along in its search for an Alzheimer’s cure, new research suggests relief for some dementia sufferers may not begin in the brain at all.

Artificial intelligence is insinuating itself into our shaky healthcare system despite the warnings of experts who believe it may deliver more harm than help.

Mounting research — and the exploits of one extraordinary Irishman — suggest that it’s never too late for seniors to reap the benefits of strength training.

At a time when one in four American seniors is struggling with mental health issues, Medicare has expanded its coverage beyond psychologists and psychiatrists to include more accessible therapists. But will those counselors sign up to provide the services?

Recent research suggests that the “good” cholesterol that helps seniors prevent heart attacks and strokes may also raise their risk of developing dementia.

At a time when the U.S. population is aging at an unprecedented pace, the number of geriatricians trained to treat older patients is dwindling. Rebuilding that profession may require more than what our healthcare system can muster.

A much-delayed visit with a dermatologist offers some painful lessons about the danger of ignoring “benign” skin cancers — as well as the damage that may result from treating them.

Hospitals and medical groups across the country are severing ties with Medicare Advantage insurers, leaving seniors scrambling to find new providers that will accept their insurance.

Can lifestyle changes free us from the ravages of dementia? Recent research offers a modicum of hope, but few assurances.

Dreading the idea of growing old? A new study suggests such a view may keep you from engaging in the physical activity necessary to age gracefully.

Doctors and dentists are each in a position to identify symptoms the other could treat. Referrals, however, are exceedingly rare — leaving seniors especially vulnerable and public health experts routinely vexed.

While a growing percentage of Americans express skepticism about flu vaccines and other recommended immunizations, recent research offers a fresh incentive to roll up your sleeve: Those shots may reduce your risk of developing dementia.

Seniors are increasingly choosing to delay retirement, a trend some experts believe must accelerate if we want to protect Social Security and Medicare for the next generation.

Despite the lack of viable treatment options, Americans are flocking to genetic tests designed to reveal their chances of developing Alzheimer’s. The results can produce more reservations than reassurance.

Older drivers suffering from certain chronic illnesses can pose a threat to themselves and others on the road, but convincing them to surrender their car keys is no easy task. The Japanese government may have found a way to override their objections.

A new study suggests that seniors who spend too much time sitting around may be more prone to develop dementia — even if they exercise regularly.

Despite concerns about vision loss, seniors like me tend to ignore preventive screenings and treatments. Accessibility is an issue, experts say, but a lack of collaboration between physicians and ophthalmologists plays a role as well.