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If you feel lost at night without your phone, you’re not alone. More than 90 percent of American adults own a cellphone, and 44 percent take it to bed with them, one study found. But those late-night texts and calls could be disrupting your nightly appointment with the sandman.
We all know that dreaded moment when we agree to one commitment too many. You can’t think of a good way to say no, so you say yes, and immediately regret it as your stress level rises.
Continue ReadingWhile free Wi-Fi is available virtually everywhere these days — airports, coffee shops, hotels and shopping malls— you might not be aware that you're putting your information at greater risk when you use these public hot spots.
Continue ReadingThe benefits of improving air quality go beyond happier trees and better breathing. New research presented at the 2021 Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) finds that cleaner air may also improve cognitive function and lower a person's risk for dementia.
Continue ReadingYou might take older adults’ advice about managing money or working through problems with people. After all, their sheer time on the planet gives them more experience to learn from.
A growing number of health experts say many older adults may need to eat more protein than the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) to help them preserve muscle mass, bone health and strength as they age.
Continue ReadingAt least two-thirds of the 5.8 million Americans with Alzheimer’s disease are women. “It’s Time to Act: The Challenges of Alzheimer’s and Dementia for Women,” a report from AARP and the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement, carries a sobering message: Women are far more likely than men to suffer from Alzheimer’s — and not just because women live longer. A raft of data detail the ways that women’s bodies and brains may predispose them to dementia.
Music can spark joy. Whether you’re grinning to a Dolly Parton tune, thrilling to a Bach concerto or weeping through a Puccini opera, you are engaged in what may be a uniquely human activity — the translation of music into emotions.
Continue ReadingAs the executive director of the Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH), I am always on the lookout for brain-healthy foods. I scan grocery aisles for chocolate bars with more than 70 percent cocoa, feel that I’m stimulating my brain when I down my morning coffee and even feel virtuous when drinking a glass or two of red wine. Turns out all my assumptions have been wrong.
Older adults have borne the brunt of the coronavirus’ wrath, with rates of hospitalizations and deaths far higher than those of any other age group. And new research shows the pandemic has likely dealt another blow to 50-plus Americans by increasing their risk of falling.
Continue ReadingA well-known and yet hurtful reality of dementia or Alzheimer’s is the forgetfulness and memory loss that can occur. Memory loss is particularly difficult for family members to cope with when their parent or loved one forgets who they are.
Spending time with a parent or loved one living with dementia can be a worrying experience. “What should I say?” “What can I do?” or “What if they don’t know who I am?” are all completely normal questions you may ask yourself. Not to mention, if you weren’t that close prior to their diagnosis the task of getting to know them now may feel overwhelming. Fortunately, with a little preparation and patience, you will find there are many ways to engage and even have fun with your loved ones.
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