When a loved one receives a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, family caregivers may feel at a loss, but there are concrete steps they can take to ease this phase of life. The statistics about Alzheimer’s disease can be staggering. More than 5 million Americans are currently living with the disease according to the Alzheimer’s Association. […]
Among the many lessons that 2020 has taught us is that human happiness goes hand-in-hand with human connectedness. That counts doubly so for intergenerational relationships between older adults and younger individuals, according to a 2019 AARP study. Researchers found that 93% of people on both sides of a close intergenerational friendship felt it came with […]Read More
Senior activists make their voices heard Crystal McGee had already begun praying when she felt the spit hit her skin. It was 1966, and McGee knelt at a prayer vigil in Cicero. She remembers that Jesse Jackson, then an up-and-coming activist, was leading the vigil to advocate for a West Side family whose power had been shut […]Read More
Senior residential communities face pandemic’s tough lessons At this time last year, family members could pop in at any time to see their loved ones living in a senior residential community. They could relax, catch up, and enjoy a meal together. That feels like a distant world now — and at this point, nobody knows […]Read More
Social isolation is at an all-time high. How seniors are connecting His purple bicycle is still getting as much mileage as ever. Since the start of the pandemic, geriatric nurse practitioner Dwayne Dobschuetz, 72, hasn’t stopped making home healthcare visits. The older adults he cares for need his contact, now more than ever before. “The […]Read More
The old wives’ tale that eating carrots is good for your eyesight isn’t entirely a myth. Eating carrots and other colorful vegetables as part of a healthy diet won’t improve your visual acuity, but along with other preventive measures like wearing sunglasses, avoiding smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight, a healthy diet helps prevent some […]Read More
Show appreciation toward older adults at Thanksgiving Now that the coronavirus pandemic is surging again, local public health experts are warning against Thanksgiving travel. Because older adults are at an increased risk of contracting Covid-19, public health officials recommend opting out of in-person celebrations this year. Yet, there are still safe ways to express thanks […]Read More
We all know the importance of a good night’s sleep. Sufficient sleep is essential for good health and memory. It also keeps us focused and productive during our waking hours. Roughly half of older adults complain about sleep issues, including difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, says Lisa Medalie, PsyD, a behavioral sleep medicine specialist […]Read More
Theater, music, sculpture — art is a means of expression. But whether you’re making art or experiencing it, art also serves as a means to improve your well-being, which can be especially helpful during these Covid-19 times. Art has a unique effect on older adults specifically — one that researchers are looking into. “There has […]Read More
While on a cruise with her husband in 2011, Andy Weitzberg suddenly felt compelled to photobomb a young couple getting their picture taken during dinner. “As a kid, I was always the class clown. I enjoy making people laugh and smile, and I thought that was the perfect opportunity for some fun,” says the 72-year-old […]Read More