Many of America’s seniors may have an alcohol problem, but not the kind one would expect. It seems that many seniors may not be drinking enough to reap the research-backed benefits of moderate drinking. Those benefits include heart health, improved memory and cognition, better bone density, and reduced risks for some types of cancer and […]
This is a true story. The names are changed and the author, the daughter, chooses to remain anonymous. It happened many years ago, but the issues remain the same. At 72, Joan was an intelligent, accomplished woman who had suffered a stroke. She had trouble communicating, which frustrated her, but otherwise she was doing well. […]
Updated August 2025 The number of people at risk from pressure ulcers is increasing due to an aging population and a growing prevalence of long-term chronic conditions. Older adults who have functional limitations and immobility issues are especially at risk for developing bed sores. Bed sores, also called pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers, can result […]
Do you suffer with stiff and painful joints? According to the Arthritis Foundation, joint inflammation is the number one cause of disability and pain in the US, affecting 1 in 5 of all adults (20{d0e74b8a3596e4326b45924d39792f257a1f9983beed4201831d386befd3d18e} of the population). Arthritis tends to be chronic (can’t be cured) but treatment can help. Although there are over 100 […]
I tend to spend a lot of time in my work as a geropsychologist thinking about technology. Which is an interesting thing, when you think about it – older adults aren’t exactly the first demographic group that people think of when they think of technology consumers (much less older adults living in nursing homes – […]
Each year hundreds of thousands of older persons are abused, neglected, and exploited (The National Council on Aging states that one in 10 Americans over the age of 60 have experienced abuse. Some estimates suggest that as many as 5 million seniors experience abuse each year.) . Many victims are people who are older, frail, and […]
Drug misuse among seniors has become an “invisible epidemic,” or so the government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration believes. No one really knows how serious this epidemic has become, despite all the surveys and studies conducted by various government agencies and research organizations, and with good reason. Seniors use lots of drugs, probably […]
The definition of family has been evolving for some time. In 1950, “nuclear” families, two-parent families with children, headed 78% of the nation’s households.1 The United States was primarily a Father Knows Best nation. As a result of the increase in divorce, separation, death, and live-in partners, today’s norm is a “blended” family, defined as […]
The largest segment of home care consists of licensed and unlicensed non-medical personnel who assist individuals with daily tasks such as bathing, eating, cleaning the home and preparing meals. Caregivers work to support the needs of individuals who require such assistance, and this care helps them stay at home versus living in a facility. Oftentimes […]
Updated July 2025 Technology hasn’t managed to replace hugs and smiles–yet–but technology has made a huge difference in the lives of seniors, their families, and their caregivers. Tech for Aging is Here–and More is Coming With today’s technology, it is now possible to detect falls and summon immediate help, locate wandering seniors or lost keys […]