The Battle for Balance
Many older adults struggle with keeping steady on their feet — but imbalance doesn’t have to be inevitable Fact checked by Shannon Sparks In season 2 of “The Pitt,” an older woman lands in the emergency department after an accident. As doctors evaluate her, they realize she and her husband are at risk of […]
The Value of Aging
Older adults contribute far more to their families and communities than society often recognizes Fact checked by Ros Lederman Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell wrote her final column in August 2024, just before retiring. After 34 years with the publication, Mitchell felt she was stepping into the role of “woman of leisure” — one that […]
When Aging Shrinks Life
How the right support can expand it again Aging rarely announces itself with a single turning point. It arrives quietly. A little less energy. A shorter drive. Fewer evening plans. A decision to leave early, just in case. Another invitation declined. Another moment postponed. Over time, life does not end. It contracts. Families often notice […]
Join AgeGuide in Championing Brain Health at Every Age
Most of us think about brain health only when there’s a problem. But research shows your cognitive wellness is shaped daily by what you eat, how you move, the connections you maintain, and even community policies. Protecting brain health is a shared responsibility that grows through knowledge, conversation, and action. The 4th Annual Aging Summit […]
Green Travel in Retirement
6 ways to lower your carbon footprint in retirement and still travel Fact checked by Katie Scarlett Brandt It’s still summer, and you need a respite. But is it possible to travel in a way that helps the earth? First, let’s do a reality check: 2024 was the hottest year on record, and rising levels […]
We Asked: What would you tell your younger self about aging?
In each issue, we asked our readers to share their insights on a specific topic. This go-around, we received many thoughtful, candid responses from our newsletter and social media. We couldn’t fit everything here, but you can read more on our website at chicagocaregiving.com/question-aging. Read on, and then let us know your thoughts, or watch […]
The Battle for Medicaid
Why do cuts to Medicaid matter for Americans over 65? Two experts on aging explain why lives are at stake Above photo: Medicaid provides health insurance coverage for more than 82 million Americans. FatCamera/E+ via Getty Images Republicans in Congress intend to cut about US$880 billion in federal health care spending. One of their primary […]
A Centenarian’s Sentiments
What 100 years on Earth has taught one centenarian — and what she continues to teach others Fact checked by Katie Scarlett Brandt Christina Brown helped her grandma, Kataryna Protyniak, celebrate a milestone birthday this past summer that not many people reach: 100. In fact, only an estimated 101,000 people currently living in the U.S. […]
Super Aging
With mental capabilities of people decades younger, SuperAgers are gaining attention from researchers looking at the link between lifestyle and brain health. What if, as you got older, your memory abilities stayed as they were decades ago? This is what happens for so-called SuperAgers — a term coined 15 years ago at Northwestern University. SuperAgers […]
Reading Rewards
Whether it’s books, magazines, or correspondence — studies show that reading offers protections against dementia as people age Learning to read is a revelatory experience for children. They discover that when certain letters of the alphabet go together, those letters become words that form sentences, revealing infinite possibilities. That initial thrill of reading can last […]