Topic: Health

Health Matters: Surprising, Alarming… and Disgusting

Topics: Government, Health, Older Adults

We’ve been repeatedly told to cut back on salt to reduce the risk of heart disease. But there are new questions being raised about the possible risks of reducing sodium too much. And what government agency might justifiably be accused of being anti-salubrious? The FDA? Read about a debate on "The FDA's Caution Is Hazardous to Our Health." Spoiler alert: This one might actually make you sick. The Associated Press reports that “Doctors and nurses among nearly 100 charged in $223 million Medicare fraud busts in 8 cities.” (Philly’s not one). Guess these health care pros were texting during class the day they reviewed the Hippocratic Oath.

Posted on May 25, 2013

Sex News

Topics: Aging, Boomers, Health, Older Adults

Like Salt-n-Pepa sang, let’s talk about sex. First up, an LGBT thing. The LGBT Elder Initiative will host a workshop to address obstacles to health and wellness for LGBT older women on Saturday, May 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the South Philadelphia Older Adult Center. More info and to register? 267-546-3448 or info@lgbtei.org. And why aren’t most men, gay or straight, getting help with erectile dysfunction? What’s up with that? Some good news for postmenopausal women, though: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) significantly improves muscle function.

Posted on May 10, 2013

Bad News

Topics: Aging, Health, Volunteering

Coming of Age is All About What People 50+ Can Do. Alas, some of what we’re doing is not so good. For instance, we’re killing ourselves more. Literally. Boomer suicide rates, particularly for men, are up. And if you’re doing something that’s not good for your heart, there’s a good chance it’s probably also not good for your brain. And lastly, no less than the Huffington Post argues that we’re doing our elders a good bit of disservice.

Posted on May 10, 2013

Good News

Topics: Aging, Boomers, Civic Engagement, Health, Volunteering

Guess what? We 50 plussers make better decisions. It’s all right here. We’re also volunteering more—or so it says here. But maybe not; another report says we’re volunteering less. You decide. One thing we defintely are doing is helping our elders more, a phenomenon that is good for all concerned. And for those of you who don’t like growing older (We don't understand that; we think it’s a great thing to do!) you might try revving up your “cellular garbage disposal” (Bet you didn't know you had one!) to delay the aging process. BTW, we’re not kidding.

Posted on May 10, 2013

Can We Control How Fast We Age? Maybe.

Topics: Aging, Boomers, Health

Many of us struggle with the disconnect between the age we feel inside and the age we see and feel in our bodies (or see in the mirror). A new study in the journal Molecular Cell describes an exciting development in measuring biological aging, with implications in forensics, health treatments, and possibly ways to slow down the aging process. What's not to like? A high level look at the study's findings and some of its intriguing implications are here.

Posted on Apr 25, 2013

An Egg a Day is Really Okay

Topics: Diet, Disease, Health

While we know that egg yolks are high in cholesterol and therefore have been deemed a "no no" for anyone fearing heart disease or a stroke, a new analysis reports that eggs are not the dietary "pariahs" they were thought to be. The study suggests that for most people, eating one egg a day is not bad for the heart. Researchers reviewed eight studies including 263,938 subjects and pooled the data for analysis. They found no evidence that eating up to an egg a day increased the risk of heart disease or stroke. The results were the same for men and women and in all age ranges. Now we need a study that says bacon is really the key to good health!

Posted on Jan 31, 2013

Why Am I Shrinking?

Topics: Aging, Health

It is true...as we age we lose some height. Some of it is caused as the disks between the vertebrae of the spine dry out and become thinner, with the result that the spine becomes compressed. The bone loss known as osteoporosis can also contribute. On the positive side, those who exercise, strengthening their core, may retain or gain height through better posture. And some research, while not definitive, has offered promising evidence that yoga may even help reverse the curving of the spine. And make sure you are getting enough calcium and vitamin D. If exercise isn't your thing, you can always ask the doctor to measure you lying down!

Posted on Jan 9, 2013

You Are What You Think

Topics: Health, Positive Aging

When stereotypes are negative--older adults believing that aging means becoming useless, helpless, or devalued--they are less likely to seek preventive medical care, are more likely to suffer memory loss and poor physical functioning according to a growing body of research. But, positive thoughts about aging, when being older is seen as a time of wisdom, self-realization, and satisfaction produces very different outcomes. The message is: attitude counts and those who have studied this phenomenon believe that part of the answer lies in tackling ageism, which is pervasive in our youth-oriented culture and begins in childhood. To learn more about this fascinating finding, click here.

Posted on Jan 3, 2013

Exercise Improves Attitudes about Aging

Topics: Exercise, Health, Well-being

We have all heard about how important it is to exercise, especially as we age. What we probably haven't considered is that exercise can actually improve a person's attitude toward aging and make them feel happier and fulfilled. The research ers gathered 240 sedentary women from ages 70 to 93. They were divided into three groups and were studied over a 6-month period, with the first group following an exercise routine, the second learning computer skills, and the third going about their lives as usual. By the end of the program, the physical exercise group showed significant improvement in their positive attitude toward getting older compared to those in the other groups. The findings are illuminating and very positive... keep reading for the details.

Posted on Nov 28, 2012

Top 5 Boomer Health Trends

Topics: Aging, Boomers, Health

Last month, CNN took an in-depth look at baby boomers and came up with the top five trends in health and wellness for those born between 1946 and 1964: boomeritis (high rates of tendinitis, arthritis, tears, and fractures); the positives of brain games in improving memory and attention; increase in sexually-transmitted diseases; hepatitus C (often undiagnosed); and free preventive care for hepatitus, mammograms, counseling services, flu shots, and other kinds of care that are covered by most insurance plans. To learn more about each of these areas and see an informative video, click here.

Posted on Nov 28, 2012

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