In the past 30 years, the number of aging adults with obesity has doubled. This has had a negative impact on the well-being of seniors. Losing weight in later life is possible, and even a modest weight loss has important health benefits. However, because seniors have special nutritional needs, the right diet is important. SOME…
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, extreme heat causes an average of 658 deaths per year in the United States. You can access their infographic on the topic here. That’s more than many natural disasters in this country! No one is more at risk from heat exhaustion and heat stroke than the…
When contemplating the issues of aging, we often ignore the link between aging and substance use. However, many seniors, struggling with physical and mental changes in later life, are susceptible to the beguiling promises of drugs and alcohol. What’s more, this problem is on the rise. Substance use disorders tend to look a little different…
After more than a year of restricted activities and minimal contact with loved ones, COVID-19 isolation has taken its toll on seniors. Although many American seniors are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the pandemic has left indelible scars on this vulnerable population. Moreover, so many routines — those that seniors once relied upon for social contact —…
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) ranks as the second most common neurodegenerative disease in America (after Alzheimer’s). In all, PD affects about 1% of Americans over age 60, with some 60,000 new cases diagnosed each year. About one million Americans live with PD today. Although scientists haven’t discovered the causes of PD, they have identified the brain…
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) affect a diverse set of Americans. According to The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), young children in non-helmeted bicycle accidents often sustain these types of injuries. Meanwhile, male teens and young adults face their highest risks of TBI from car accidents. Veterans are another group most susceptible to traumatic brain injuries.…
Since the 1990s, pulmonary hypertension has been steadily increasing among seniors. As the median age at diagnosis continues to rise, healthcare providers have expanded their repertoire of treatment options. Below, we look at how some of these exciting new treatments are transforming the lives of seniors. The Rise of New Treatment Options for Seniors With…
In July 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new HIV treatment for seniors. Although the COVID-19 crisis overshadowed this exciting development, it’s still positive news for mature HIV and AIDS patients. In particular, Rukobia (fostemsavir) is a new type of antiretroviral (ARV) drug approved for adults living with HIV. It largely benefits individuals…
Here in New York, we have access to some of the best health care in the world. All in all, as a generation of “Boomers” retires en masse, we can expect more incredible breakthroughs, particularly in the field of geriatric oncology. Today, we’ll cover these breakthroughs and point out how crucial these advancements are in…
The keto or ketogenic diet isn’t new. According to the AARP, keto diets have actually been around for a century. The first low-carb diet originated in 1862. Then, an overweight undertaker William Banting was prescribed the diet by an ENT surgeon named Dr. William Harvey. The Harvey-Banting Diet, as it came to be known, was…