Pneumonia Protection
Pneumonia vaccines for adults are now recommended starting at age 50 – a geriatrician explains the change Above photo: A new version of the pneumonia vaccine that specifically targets strains that affect adults helped spur the updated recommendations. | zoranm/E+ via Getty Images By Laurie Archbald-Pannone, University of Virginia Autumn brings a chill in the air – […]
Ongoing Fear
Older Venezuelans in the U.S. struggle with shifting immigration policies Fact checked by Katie Scarlett Brandt Mariela Sucre, a Venezuelan asylum seeker, has spent the past few weeks feeling utterly overwhelmed. There’s too much on her plate: working, caring for her 86-year-old mother (who has dementia), and waiting on an asylum case that hasn’t moved […]
Over the Threshold
America’s Unhoused Older Adults Did you know there’s not a single county in the U.S. where people can afford a 2-bedroom apartment on minimum wage? For older adults on fixed incomes and with complex medical issues, this is especially challenging. In this four-part series, published in spring 2024, Caregiving Magazine and Chicago Health Magazine delve into […]
Over the Threshold: America’s Unhoused Older Adults
Older adults face an increased risk for homelessness across the U.S. As many people search for solutions, they’re also asking themselves what it means as a society when we can’t care for our most vulnerable. This is part 1 in a 4-part series on older adults and homelessness. Read part 2 here about women and […]
Help Your Loved Ones Stay Safe This Winter
Winter in Chicago is a challenging time for many people. But for older adults, it is especially fraught with risks from falls, hypothermia, and isolation. Check out these winter safety suggestions from caregiving experts at two local agencies about how to keep your loved ones toasty and safe this winter. Winter safety tip #1: Keep […]
The Power of a Life Story
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 […]
Marijuana May Be Risky for Your Heart
Now that marijuana is legal for medical or recreational use in many states, including Illinois, growing numbers of Americans — including older people — are imbibing this popular drug. In fact, the percentage of people ages 65 and older who said they used some form of marijuana almost doubled between 2015 and 2018, a recent […]
Ask the Harvard Experts: For COVID-19, Defining ‘Older’ and ‘Chronic Disease’
Q: I keep hearing about how older adults and those with chronic diseases have a higher risk from COVID-19. What is “older” and a “chronic disease”? A: Indeed, older adults and those with chronic health problems who get COVID-19 are more likely to require hospitalization and admission to an intensive care unit. “Older” is more […]