Losing Weight After 60: Best Diets for Seniors

Weight loss for seniors is a popular topic, and for good reason – losing weight is difficult at any age, but it’s not impossible. The formula for healthy weight becomes more complex as we get older, thanks to changes in our metabolism, nutritional needs and overall physical state. However, with the right approach to eating …

Are You Sleeping Too Much? Here’s How to Tell (and Why It Can Be Risky)

Sleep generally comes with a host of health benefits, but overdoing it is associated with health risks and could indicate an underlying condition. There’s no debating that we need sleep. It’s crucial for our mental and physical health, quality of life, and overall safety, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Proper sleep not …

Smoking Speeds Cognitive Decline in Seniors, Study Warns

New research shows cause and effect in aging Americans. The detrimental effects of smoking on overall health are well-documented, but new research suggests that seniors who light up well into their sixties may be tampering with their brain health and cognition. If you’re a senior who smokes but is otherwise healthy and free of type …

Cognitive Health and Older Adults

Cognitive health — the ability to clearly think, learn, and remember — is an important component of performing everyday activities. Cognitive health is just one aspect of overall brain health. What Is Brain Health? Brain health refers to how well a person’s brain functions across several areas. Aspects of brain health include: Cognitive health — …

9 Secret Effects Your Blood Sugar Has on Your Health, Say Doctors

An alarming percentage of Americans have problematic blood sugar, which can invite conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Here are ways your body will try to signal that your blood sugar is out of whack.   Research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology estimates that 63% of Americans have less-than-optimal blood sugar health—up from about …

This New Medicare Benefit Lowers Insulin Costs

Starting in 2023, a new law caps insulin costs for people with Medicare drug coverage. “I was just diagnosed with diabetes. Will Medicare cover that?” Yes! And the good news is that a new law caps insulin costs at a low monthly rate for people with Medicare drug coverage. “Will everyone with Medicare get this …

Deprescribing: Should Some Older Adults Shed Their Meds?

Joanne Lynn, MD, has lost track of  the number of times in her 40 years as a geriatrician she’s seen a new patient come to her office carrying a bucket full of prescription medications – many of which they don’t need. Lynn, who is on the faculty of the George Washington University School of Medicine …