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The National Council on Aging recognizes Sept. 22-26 as Falls Prevention Awareness Week, a time to call awareness to the risk of falls for older adults. First, let’s acknowledge that anybody can fall. But for older adults, falls can cause serious injuries that can lead to even more health problems. For example, a broken hip… Read More
Planning for long-term care can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re navigating unfamiliar terminology and complex options. Whether you’re thinking ahead for yourself or helping a loved one, understanding the landscape of long-term care is essential for making informed decisions that protect both your health and your finances. Long-term care refers to a range of services… Read More
There’s nothing quite like spending time with the grandchildren. The laughter, the stories, the precious moments that create lasting memories. Grandparents have a reputation for being notoriously slack about the rules. At grandma’s house, the kids get to stay up late, eat ice cream for dinner, and watch the scary movies their parents might say… Read More
Hearing loss is a common experience among older adults. The World Health Organization estimates that worldwide, more than 400 million people have hearing loss. Recent studies estimate that 63% of adults over age 70 have some level of hearing loss. And it’s not just about not being able to hear. Hearing loss can make conditions… Read More
These days, it seems like everybody has a podcast—your congressional representative, your favorite sitcom actors, comedians, and true crime enthusiasts. There’s a podcast for every subject under the sun—for a good reason. In an era where streaming services dominate our screens and social media floods our feeds, podcasts have quietly emerged as one of the… Read More
As we age, maintaining meaningful social connections becomes more challenging yet increasingly vital for our overall well-being. Research consistently shows that social isolation among older adults can be as harmful to health as smoking 15 cigarettes daily, while regular socialization offers profound benefits that extend far beyond simple companionship. Multiple studies have demonstrated that seniors… Read More
Maria sat quietly by her father’s bedside, watching his breath grow slower with each passing day. Though he was still there, her heart already felt heavy. She found herself mourning moments: the stories they hadn’t yet told, the hugs that might soon be gone, the future memories that would never be made. This experience is… Read More
The middle of the year invites a thoughtful look at well-being, home safety, and the support network that keeps care on track. If you’re supporting an older adult or someone living with a health condition or disability, this can be a helpful moment to ask: How are things going? What needs to change? What’s working… Read More
We’ve all witnessed it, and maybe even done it ourselves without realizing: talking to an older adult in a sing-song voice, using overly simple words, or speaking louder than necessary just because of their age. This communication pattern has a name—elderspeak—and it’s more harmful than most people realize. Elderspeak is the patronizing way of speaking… Read More
Summer is in full swing, and many of us have made plans to enjoy the peak travel season in the United States. Everyone deserves to take vacations, and that includes family caregivers of people who are experiencing cognitive decline. Traveling with someone who has dementia can be rewarding, meaningful—and, at times, unpredictable. People who have… Read More