Subversive behavior may be the key to aging well. A British study published in December 2022, of people born in 1921 found that “subversive tactics,” combined with humor, contribute to a sense of independence and a positive attitude toward life. The study of participants aged 95 years does not suggest that older people should undermine […]
Most older Americans receive Social Security and participate in Medicare. Those programs help people meet their financial needs while assuring that they receive affordable healthcare. Yet those programs, combined with private retirement plans, are not always sufficient. The Census Bureau reports that, prior to the pandemic, one in six seniors relied on a needs-based assistance […]
Loneliness can afflict people of all ages. In some cases, loneliness is caused by social isolation. About 27% of Americans who have reached the age of 60 live alone. Yet research shows that many older people who live alone are not lonely or socially isolated, while some feel lonely despite living with family members. A […]
Updated May 2025 The stereotype that older people lose their mental sharpness is pervasive. Like all stereotypes, it invites judgment based on group membership rather than individual accomplishment. Nola Ochs [earned a masters degree at the age of 98. Peter Roget was 73 when he created the first thesaurus. Grandma Moses started painting when she […]
Updated April 2025 When they can, seniors typically choose to live independently. Some remain in a family home while others downsize or enjoy the comfort of a retirement community. Seniors who need assistance coping with health conditions may depend on family members for help. They may instead opt to reside in an assisted living facility. […]
Research shows that people often have more difficulty falling asleep and gaining a full night of restful sleep as they get older. On average, it takes about 13 minutes to fall asleep after going to bed and turning out the lights. Two thirds of individuals fall asleep on most nights within 7 to 20 minutes. […]
Updated April 2025 Ordinary products, ranging from food and over-the-counter medications to hand sanitizers and sunscreens, can pose a health or safety risk. Senior consumers can protect themselves by checking product recall lists and safety alerts from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as warnings about unsafe foods posted on the government’s FoodSafety […]
Vaccination rates of older Americans continue to rise. Nationwide statistics reveal that Americans who have reached the age of 65 have the highest rate of vaccination among all age groups. As of October 21, 2021, 96% of Americans ages 65 years or older have received at least one dose of a vaccine and 84.5% are […]
Understanding Dementia and Medical-Legal Implications By Sanjay Adhia, M.D. Dementia encompasses degenerative disorders to the brain. It can be subtle and fluctuate in severity even from day to day. It can accompany genetic factors, or be associated with an injury or repeated injuries to the brain and head. It is serious and marked by symptoms […]
Updated June 2025 In January 2021, a committee of the House of Lords published a report about the state of healthy aging in the United Kingdom. Notwithstanding the report’s focus on the UK, an editorial in Great Britain’s leading medical journal, The Lancet, notes that the impediments to health aging identified in the report pose […]