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Why people age
Aging can be defined as our bodies becoming increasingly
vulnerable to stressors. We inherit some of these stressors,
and others are things we are exposed to in our environment.
(More)
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The rapidly aging US population
More than 35 million persons, or about 13% of the population,
in the US today are 65 years of age or older. The 77 million
baby boomers are turning 50 at the rate of 10,000 more per
day every day for the next 10 years. (More)
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Reducing seniors' risks
for falling
One-third of Americans over age 65 fall each year. A recent
study of men and women between the ages of 70 and 90 years
old found that regular Tai Chi lessons cut the risk of falling
by 25 percent. (More)
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Exercise is worth the
effort at all ages
According
to the Baylor College of Medicine, Huffington Center on Aging,
"short of being able to pick your ancestors who lived
past 85 and watching out for the proverbial Mack truck, exercise
is probably your best bet to enjoy however many years you're
going to have."
(More)
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Senior brain power –
use it or lose it!
Most of us experience annoying slips of the mind and memories
as we enter middle age. We may joke about having "senior
moments," yet medical researchers now suggest that they
may be completely avoidable. (More)
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Food for thought – you age how you
eat
Recent research from the US Department of Agriculture shows
that fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, strawberries,
and spinach improve short-term memory. In general, the most
powerful tool for keeping the human brain sharp, appears to
be a healthy diet. (More)
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Senior sleep
Sleep difficulties are common among older individuals. Typical
symptoms for individuals over age 65 include problems falling
asleep and maintaining sleep, early-morning awakening, and
excessive daytime sleepiness. A variety of reasons keep seniors
from getting enough rest. (More)
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It isn't always easy to care – elder
abuse in the US. . .
According to the Department of Health and Human Services
Administration on Aging, each year more than half a million
Americans over the age of 60 experience abuse, neglect, and/or
self-neglect. Ninety percent of the known perpetrators were
family members. (More)
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Protecting seniors from
fraudulent scams
Seniors belong to a generation given to trust and fair dealing;
most are honest and polite, finding it hard to terminate a
telephone conversation, even if they're not interested. (More)
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Keeping seniors safe from
violent crimes
In its most current report, the US Department of Justice
reports that persons age 65 or older were victims of 2.7 million
property and violent crimes, either completed or attempted,
in the five-year period between 1992 and 1997. (More)
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Social isolation of seniors
Studies show that prolonged social isolation will result
in a lack of support both physically and mentally. This may
include exaggerated reactions to physical illnesses or pain,
or a decrease in the ability to adapt to changes in life.
(More)
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Protecting your future
after the loss of a loved one
The death of a loved one can be emotionally devastating,
but asking trusted friends and family members to help take
care of important money and legal matters can ease or prevent
future losses. (More)
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