Pumping Irony

Elderly patients are often tagged with a “failure to thrive” label when doctors simply don’t want to spend the time and energy to determine a specific diagnosis. While leading geriatricians continue to argue against the designation, others point to its more salutary effects.

As Big Pharma continues to flail away on the Alzheimer’s front, new research increasingly turns toward identifying lifestyle changes that can lower the risk of falling prey to the disease.

Some 5 million elderly Americans fall prey to scam artists each year, and those who struggle to maintain social connections may be more vulnerable than most. A new evaluation program designed to measure an individual’s ability to make good choices could offer some help.

A new study suggests that poor balance may dramatically raise the risk of death — especially among the elderly. The conclusions, however, are about as rickety as my tree pose.

A trip to hospice typically means you’ve given up on life. But what if you could receive in-home palliative care while still pursuing treatments for your afflictions? A Medicare pilot program suggests it could prolong lives — and save the agency money.

Cultural messages about the perils of old age often make it tempting to assume the worst about what lies ahead, but a new book argues that an upbeat view of aging can actually lead to a longer, more fulfilling life.

COVID, interest rates, and a tight housing market have dampened the appeal of downsizing for many empty nesters. But that only partially explains why we’re adding a second bathroom 10 years after the kids moved away.

The first comprehensive review of U.S. nursing homes in more than 35 years reveals an industry that has done little to improve resident care. And while policymakers talk about reform, everyone else seems to be talking about robots.

U.S. seniors have rolled up their sleeves for the initial rounds of COVID vaccines at a rate far above average, but as COVID-related deaths among vaccinated Americans continue to rise, public-health officials worry that too many have stopped short of the booster.

The thousands of retirees lured back into the workforce by companies desperate for workers are experiencing the kind of job security they could only dream of in pre-pandemic times. They may also be accruing some surprising neurological benefits.

An outing with an elderly friend seems to corroborate recent research weighing the impact of social isolation on the physical fitness of seniors.

Can certain personality traits protect us from cognitive dysfunction as we grow old? New research holds out some hope, but I have my doubts.

The pandemic has pushed pharmacists into primary-care territory traditionally dominated by physicians, and some policymakers believe convenience and expense argue for giving them even more latitude to test and treat. The American Medical Association begs to differ.

Could regular daytime napping be a precursor to dementia — or even a sign that the disease has already taken hold? A new take on what has generally been considered a salutary practice creates some concerns, despite its caveats. I’m going to try not to lose any sleep over it.

Biogen, the maker of the controversial Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm, last week released the long-awaited results of two clinical trials — which promptly raised more questions than they answered.

It’s no secret that regular exercise can lower your risk of a heart attack, but new research suggests that the same salutary benefits may apply to those who wait until they hit 70 to start moving.

New polling suggests that Americans — especially seniors — are more stressed than ever about the cost of healthcare. While policymakers struggle in vain to adjust the dynamics that fuel those costs, some of us have chosen to minimize our reliance on the broken system.

The older workers who are fueling the Great Resignation represent a daunting challenge to employers — and the economy — while remaining a mystery to this retirement-averse boomer.

The digestive benefits of prunes are well documented, but recent research suggests they may also help postmenopausal women maintain healthier bones — if they eat enough of them.

Despite our checkered history with recreational drugs, boomers typically aren’t screened for substance abuse when we visit a doctor. Meanwhile, thousands are dying of overdoses.

While the Medicare set awaits a final decision on coverage for Biogen’s controversial Alzheimer’s drug, a new study suggests seniors may get the same benefits from regular exercise. Both approaches, however, raise more questions than they answer.