Many senior citizens have lived in the same house for most of their lives, perhaps since marrying. While there are of course many joyous moments contained within the walls of a long time residence, such as raising children, celebrating holidays, and countless other treasured memories, there is also bound to be an impressively large and disparate collection of stuff that has gathered over the years.

Pets are loyal friends who love us unconditionally. The unwavering commitment that a pet will have to our happiness can help to make even the worst of days just a little bit better.

When choosing a doctor for your eldery parents or other aging loved ones, there are a large number of different important elements to consider in the selection process. The issue for many people is that it can be difficult or not obvious to them what goes into choosing an effective doctor. After all, many of us who are younger and generally of sound health may have little to no experience with doctors and hospitals and medical treatment. But for our parents or other older relatives who are navigating their twilight years, the status quo for them and their health is multiple medications, regular checkups to ensure healthy lab tests and effective management of any chronic illnesses or conditions, and the potential for health emergencies at any time. The following criteria will be useful for anyone trying to determine if a given doctor is suited to care for your loved one.

While aging can bring a number of challenging things your way, nothing about the process of getting older should stop you from finding ways to creatively express yourself. Even if you find that your life is changing radically, there will always be some way for you to creatively express your feelings and personality.

The state of California legalized recreational marijuana a number of years ago, and before that medicinal marijuana had been legalized for some time. But since recreational legalization, adults aged 21 and over no longer need a medical card confirming a prescription by a healthcare provider to purchase cannabis and cannabis products from licensed retailers and dispensaries.

Aging is a natural and inevitable part of life, and many seniors will eventually end up at least some help above what they can do for themselves. Whether a fall injures them and hurts their mobility, they fall seriously ill, or develop dementia and lose their ability to function as well as they could, someone to assist with decision making and managing affairs will be invaluable.

One of the best things about summer is enjoying all the seasonal, local produce. Farmers’ markets are full of a rainbow of ripe, delicious fruits all bursting with juices and flavors. And besides just the flavors, fruits are full of all sorts of beneficial nutrients and vitamins to help with your bodily health and overall wellness.

The aging process is a great unknown for many of us. It’s a subject no one is keen to talk about, despite the fact that it happens to more or less all of us eventually. The truth is that there’s plenty of things you can do to prepare for the process, and tons of information you can find to guide you.

Most seniors have at least one, if not many more, prescription medications that they take daily. Depending on how medications are taken, they can be crucial for health when the guidelines are followed, or they can cause a major health setback if taken improperly. Whether it’s taking too many doses mistakenly, or forgetting the schedule and skipping medication at the appointed time, the results can be deadly.

It is unfortunate that some of the nicest weather of the year also comes with an onslaught of allergens. When pollen fills the air, people with allergies begin to groan and seek relief.

At certain points in our lives, the prospect of the future and discussing it with others can be endlessly exciting. Our minds will race at the possibilities of the adventures we can have, the places we’ll visit and vacation in, the various apartments and homes we can live in, the friends we’ll make and the future spouse or partner we’ll meet, and, if we’re lucky enough, the kids we might one day raise. However, for many of us as we age through our lives and reach the twilight years, thinking about the future can be somewhat less exciting, and a bit more overwhelming. Both for the individual, and for their loved ones.  

Osteoporosis is a common problem many seniors face as bones lose density with aging. Bones with lower density are more susceptible to fractures or breaks, and can be slower to heal after sustaining an injury like that. The good news is that there are many ways aging adults can help shield themselves from losing bone density and suffering osteoporosis, by making simple changes in their diet and lifestyle.

Many of us who have never experienced depression, or have only struggled with it from time to time after a tragic event, assume that it is merely an unshakeable feeling of sadness. While this can be true for some people, the fact is that depression does not necessarily have to include feeling sad. It may manifest in other, unexpected ways, that you or loved ones may not always associate with depression. Many times, for seniors, these uncommon and unexpected signs and symptoms can be normal.

As the old adage goes, a mind is a terrible thing to waste. As we age, mental acuity and brain structures tend to weaken. The good news is that there are things seniors can do to preserve, or even strengthen cognitive health. By taking steps to ensure healthy cognition, you can preserve a high quality of life and a high level of independence. Taking these measures can also help with maintaining optimal brain function, enhancing several areas of mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

The immune system is an important part of our body. It helps us stay healthy by protecting us from outside invaders that can make us sick. For those of us in our twilight years, a strong immune system is especially important, to fight off bacteria and viruses that can cause a serious infection and result in a hospital trip or worse.

A diagnosis of dementia of any type, including Alzheimer’s, will trigger a cascade of emotions in people. Many with Alzheimer's or dementia, especially when in the early stages while they’re still lucid and in control of themselves, will fear the stigma of the disease and feel confusion and uncertainty over how to maintain their lives.

Life is a rich journey, full of a variety of experiences, highs, lows, accomplishments, setbacks, gains and losses. One constant in life is that change is inevitable, and no stage of life is more marked by change than the time we begin aging into our twilight years.

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.

Loneliness, anxiety, and depression are on the rise with almost every age group. For older adults, who have always been at an increased risk of experiencing loneliness and isolation, it is important to make a more deliberate effort to stay in touch with friends and family. Social isolation and loneliness has been tied to a greater risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, depression and cognitive decline. It’s necessary to feel a connection and warmth, even from a distance. Here are some ideas:

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.

The holidays are a joyous and celebratory time of the year, with lots of cheer, family fun, and plenty of activity to keep busy. But for many people, the end of the holidays can be a dark, lonely and depressing time. As many as 64% of people have reported feeling what can be described as the post-holiday blues. Oftentimes, the exhilarating feeling of stress, thrill, and excitement from the holidays can translate to a period of feeling sad, tired, and depressed once that excitement is no longer present.