As we age through our lives and enter our twilight years, one thing you’re sure to notice is the increase in tips, advice, and conversations related to health and wellness. It makes sense, after all, we all want to age with dignity and remain capable and healthy for as long as possible, and for many of us, by the time we’ve become seniors we may have developed a chronic condition, or had one catch up with us. One topic you’ve probably heard over and over is high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a concern, of course, and has all sorts of negative health outcomes if left untreated, but equally dangerous and under discussed is low blood pressure.

April is, among other things, National Lawn and Garden month. Gardening is a popular hobby among seniors, and has many benefits, mentally, emotionally, and physically. But the actual work of bending, kneeling, working the soil, lifting and digging can become physically challenging due to the effects the aging process has on the body. But with a few tips and modifications, gardening can be made much more safe and enjoyable for someone to enjoy as a hobby well into their twilight years.

Declaring our goals is an easy task, but oftentimes we find ourselves within a week having slipped back into our old habits, or not having made any progress in achieving the new goal. It can be hard to take the leap from setting a goal to actually accomplishing it. If you find yourself unable to apply yourself to your goals, SMART goals might be the tool you need.

While many of us probably already have a primary care physician, particularly as we age into our twilight years and it seems there’s no end to prescriptions and appointments. But there may come a time when you need to branch out, and see a doctor who specializes specifically in the care of older adults. Consider that when you were small, or when your children were, you took them to a pediatrician. Just as children need specialized care specific to the concerns of their bodies that differs from adults, at the other end of the spectrum, older adults are different from the younger cohort in physical, emotional, and social needs. A geriatrician can, in many cases, be the best choice for aging adults, as their health status changes and they may find their goals for care becoming more complex.

Experiencing highs and lows is a natural part of life. As we look back on our life, the highs will typically be some of our best memories, and the lows might be things we still struggle with to this day. It is always important to remember that the lows are not forever, and with some simple strategies, you can help yourself to bust out of any ruts you may be feeling stuck in due to whatever has got you feeling down.

There’s an old adage that whatever we think will happen, will happen. With the process of aging, that holds true, and many seniors find themselves to have become whatever they think they will become in their later years. Having positive perceptions about aging, such as wisdom, self-realization, fulfillment, or vitality is associated with a nearly eight year increase in lifespan, compared to having negative perceptions about aging, such as being useless or helpless.

One of the most visible indications of age is the toll it takes on the largest organ in the human body, our skin. When we’re young, our skin is smooth, tight, and glowing. As we get older, no matter how good we take care of it, skin will lose it’s smoothness, become thinner, less elastic, less hydrated, and lines, spots, and other blemishes can appear.

Constipation is something that almost everyone experiences at some point in their life. While it can sometimes be a cause of embarrassment or frustration, usually it’s nothing serious. Older adults are more likely than younger people to become constipated, and because of the sensitivity of the subject, learning how to manage and overcome it is sometimes unknown.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t just have to be a day for couples. It can be a day we set aside to show and express our love for one another, and one that everyone should have the opportunity to celebrate. Everyone should be able to celebrate Valentine’s Day, and we should all make time to show love and affection to all of our family and friends.

Anemia, defined simply, is when the number of red cells in someone’s blood, or the amount of hemoglobin in their red cells, is lower than it should be. It can occur for a number of reasons, such as loss of blood, insufficient or faulty production of red blood cells, or the loss and destruction of red cells. The condition is easily diagnosed with a simple blood test.

Research has identified actions and steps we can take to maintain our health and function as we age into our twilight years. Improving our diet, increasing levels of physical activity, getting health screenings, and managing risk factors for diseases can influence all our different areas of health.

Our sense of taste helps us savor and truly enjoy the food we’re eating. Many seniors suffer from a reduced appetite in their later years, and one of the causes of this is reduced sense of taste. While it may seem like a minor problem, the lack of desire to eat that comes with a diminished sense of taste can lead to dangerous weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, frailty, poor quality of life, and a needlessly reduced life span.

With nine out of ten adults over the age of 65 taking some form of daily medication, and more than half taking four or more, seniors have plenty of opportunity to get to know their local pharmacist. With their knowledge of prescription and over the counter drugs, as well as how they can affect and interact with one another, there are several ways pharmacists can play a role in a senior’s health care plan.

When your job or time revolves around caring for another, one of the things that’s easy to let fall by the wayside is your own personal well-being. Exercise is incredibly important for not only physical health, but mental as well. Follow these tips for how to better find time for yourself to keep yourself active, and healthy.

Seniors may travel for all sorts of reasons. With having more free time in retirement, there’s plenty of time now to explore the world around us. Either to visit relatives, see exotic or domestic locales on their bucket lists, or something else, there are things seniors can do to make their travel experience easier on them.

While the idea of living to the age of 100 and beyond may seem like a faraway science fiction dream for many, with the majority of people measuring their lifespans in double digits, and the majority of those who do reach 100 or beyond becoming stories worth noting, the fact is that worldwide the number of centenarians, the term for people aged 100 to 110, is expected to increase sharply.

As we age, it’s important to know about all the changes we can make to preserve our health and longevity. After all, your body isn’t necessarily capable of all the same things it was when you were younger, so it doesn’t exactly make sense to keep living your life the same way you did at that time. By keeping preventable health problems in mind, knowing what you can do for early detection and treatment, men can preserve their health long into their advanced years.

People are living longer than ever these days, which naturally means the amount of their lives they’ll need care will increase. An estimated 70 percent of older Americans will need care and assistance at some point in their twilight years. 9 out of 10 older Americans as well plan on staying in their home as long as possible, known as “aging in place”. This has become the ultimate retirement goal of the Boomer generation.

COPD, short for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder, is an umbrella term that applies to multiple progressive lung conditions, such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis. Nearly 16 million Americans currently have a diagnosis for COPD, but there are millions more living without knowing they have it. COPD is a relatively common condition, but it most affects older age groups, primarily those aged 65 or older, with most diagnoses happening at age 45 or older.

For seniors aging in place, the bathroom can be one of the most dangerous rooms in the house. Wet conditions, slick tile, and a wide assortment of hard surfaces to land on such as the edge of the sink, toilet, or tub, can make the simple act of practicing good hygiene into a frightening and harrowing experience. It’s no wonder that, when presented with this difficult situation, many seniors opt to forgo bathing, neglecting their hygiene. Apart from the obvious issues that can arise from this, improper hygiene can, on its own, cause many different negative health effects.

According to the CDC, most of the five million people treated each year for skin cancer are 65 years of age or older. Because less than half of older adults protect their skin adequately from the sun when outside for an hour or more, seniors can needlessly put themselves at a higher risk of developing melanoma, or other harmful skin cancers. And with adults living longer than ever, practicing life-long skin care habits is more important than ever.

The older we get, the more important it is to plan out important events, and other lifestyle changes throughout the year to come. Planning factors such as budgets, home changes, transportation and more can help us not forget anything, but also relieve us of the stress we might otherwise incur.