Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers women face. The two biggest risk factors for this type of cancer are being female and getting older. Women over the age of 65 make up 40 percent of patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, start a “Did you know?” conversation with these facts:…
Alzheimer’s and dementia are often confused and used interchangeably, but they are different. Dementia is an umbrella term that refers to a list of different symptoms, one of those being brain and memory function. There are diseases other than Alzheimer’s which can cause dementia. When an individual is diagnosed with dementia, they are being diagnosed with a set of symptoms,…
Falls are the main reason for injuries in older adults and rank as the second largest reason for unintentional fatal injuries. Aquatic exercise and therapy can be key to combating these risks. It allows seniors to work on balance and improve bone density through weight resistance in an environment that reduces the risk of falling. Whether you enroll in an…
The number one cause of death and injury among older Americans is falling. As we age, our balance is compromised, our eyesight and depth perception change, and our limbs grow more fragile. Reducing fall risks is a critical part of senior health. For a senior, a fall can result in everything from minor bruising to death. Download our handy Home…
American labor has raised the nation’s standard of living and contributed to the greatest production the world has ever known and the labor movement has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. - U.S. Department of Labor The traditional retirement age was set at 65 with the passage of the Social Security…
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) each year 48 million illnesses, 128,000 hospitalizations, and 3,000 deaths in this country can be traced to foodborne pathogens. We’ve probably all heard our older loved ones comment that they have always (insert poor food storage adage here) and it was fine. However, bacteria have evolved since their youth. There…
It might surprise you to learn that older adults watch more television than younger people do. Watching TV comprises most of the leisure time for adults aged 70 to 105 years old. Television can be an avenue to learning new things, connecting with the world, creating a diversion, and providing some light entertainment. However, it can also supplant physical or…
When thinking of starting a fitness regime, many people may envision smelly gyms, sweaty feet, and plenty of grunting and pain. Often lofty goals, such as races or competitions, distract people from starting a sensible routine and result in abandoning the effort. Fitness goals should be about improving our health and how we interact with the world. It's never too…
Our skin is the first thing other people see and is the first thing most people are concerned about displaying signs of aging. As our skin ages, it becomes thinner, which can add to the appearance of wrinkles. We lose fat, elasticity, and moisture. Scratches and bumps often take longer to heal and are more visible. Depending on the sun…
July is Healthy Vision Month. Vigilance about senior eyesight is crucial to catch conditions early for easier, more reliable treatment. As we age, vision impairment is one of the most common physical losses. Many eye conditions that cause sight loss and blindness aren’t diagnosed until extreme measures are necessary. Vision impairment is not simply an annoying symptom of aging –…
