When Ann learned about a test that could reveal whether she had a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, the 72-year-old Des Plaines resident decided to take it. Her father and maternal grandmother both had the disease. The test that Ann — who requested that her last name not be used for privacy — took […]
Crafting a Memoir Helps Older Adults Connect By Melissa Ramsdell Chicagoan Beth Finke knows the power of a memoir. She teaches several classes in the Chicago area about how to write your own life story. Yet, a recent student served as a powerful reminder of the impact of writing down your memories. A woman […]Read More
Let’s face it: Nutrition needs evolve as we age. And healthy eating is important for healthy aging. A healthy diet and lifestyle can help prevent inflammation, obesity, and chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes. These conditions can lead to imbalances in the gut microbiome, which can create a domino effect that leads to a […]Read More
Meg Will began noticing changes in her mother’s behavior when her mother turned 80. Her mother was sharp — after she raised seven kids, she graduated from the University of Chicago and became a licensed clinical social worker. There were small signs at first. Her mother was seeing a limited number of patients in her […]Read More
Joan, an 81-year-old resident of the Chicago suburbs, recently fell into the “donut hole.” That’s the name for a Medicare coverage gap that requires people to pay more for their medications after the individual and their drug plan have spent a certain amount — $4,130 in 2021 — for covered drugs. While in the donut hole, individuals temporarily pay […]Read More
Michael Grecco is currently at the end of his rope. Not only is he, along with the rest of the world, dealing with the continued uneasiness of the pandemic, but for more than 15 years, he has had the responsibility of taking care of his now-81-year-old mother. A proud woman at her core, Grecco’s mother […]Read More
In a purr-fect pairing, pets bring love and companionship to older adults When her Arlington Heights retirement community locked down due to the pandemic, 83-year-old Virginia Maas dearly missed visits with her family and chatting over meals with other residents. During those long months when she was isolated in her apartment, however, she cherished her bond […]Read More
Specialists help seniors address mental health issues and find treatment While many older adults experience depression, it is not a typical part of aging. Some seniors may battle feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, but that struggle shouldn’t be accepted as just something that happens as we get older. However, due to the stigma that surrounds […]Read More
As gardens grow, so do older adults and their communities Every year, without fail, new growth emerges from the soil. When sprouts rise from gardens in spring and blossom into full-out glory in summer, it’s nothing short of magical. Even in the concrete confines of the city or in the midst of suburban sprawl, individual […]Read More
When people think about dementia, they typically think of memory loss. Yet, people with dementia may also experience a decline in all senses: sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. And despite a loss of touch, specific massage techniques can reach people with dementia in the most touching of ways. The decline in the sense of […]Read More
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