Mayo Q&A: Keeping your bones strong
Dear Mayo Clinic: My mother had osteoporosis and suffered a devastating fall in her early 60s that she never recovered from. I am 42, and I want to be proactive about my bone health. What screening do I need, and what, if any, supplements are necessary? A: Osteoporosis is a condition that causes the bones to thin and lose their strength. When bones become weaker, sudden fractures can ... READ MORE
What to know about ticks, Lyme disease
After a mild winter in the U.S., will there be an uptick in ticks this year? Researchers say it is hard to predict how the tick season will play out. This year’s mild winter and early snow melt could mean more ticks earlier than usual, and a wider spread of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases, scientists said. In Connecticut, ticks are showing up in greater numbers this year, ... READ MORE
Benefits of short- and long-term home care
Whether Dad needs help around the house for a few weeks after he’s discharged from the hospital or Mom requires around-the-clock dementia care, in-home care can meet these needs and everything in between. Best of all, home care enables aging loved ones to live as safely and independently as possible in their own homes. In-home care services are flexible One of the biggest advantages... READ MORE
Good things happen if you reduce sugar
Kicking a sugar habit is challenging — even for the most strong-willed among us. Research has found that sugar tricks your brain into wanting more and more of it. But there’s good news: A little sweetness is OK. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 6 teaspoons of added sugar a day for women. Also OK: the sugar found in whole foods like fruits and veggies. So,... READ MORE
Many mushrooms offer unique benefits
Mushrooms have been consumed and used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. The ancient Greeks believed mushrooms provided strength for warriors in battle, and the Romans perceived them as “food of the gods.” For centuries, Chinese culture has treasured mushrooms as a health food, labeling them an “elixir of life.” Traditional Chinese medicine continues to highly... READ MORE
How to time your meals for best health
There’s more to weight loss than simply watching calories. In fact, several studies have suggested that the time when you eat meals has a big impact on weight-loss success. So, what are those optimal times? That would likely differ by individual, but there are some general recommendations you can follow. Dinner: The overall consensus among health professionals and researchers is... READ MORE
Five easy ways to make yourself happier
Q: Is it possible to make yourself a happier person? A: Yes, the burgeoning field of positive psychology has identified ways to help us find happiness — by learning to appreciate the goodness in everyday life and to find joy through expressing gratitude and helping others. Here are five ways to add more happiness to your life: Smile at the first 10 people of the day. Why?... READ MORE
Can stress be a predictor of Alzheimer’s?
What if you could protect future generations from Alzheimer’s disease by simply visiting Johns Hopkins’ Bayview campus three times over two years? A new study at Hopkins, funded by the National Institute on Aging, is recruiting adults 60 and up with mild cognitive impairment. Hopkins researchers are focused on the role stress plays in the onset of Alzheimer’s... READ MORE
Using dating apps safely to meet others
Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good online dating apps or sites for retirees? I’m a 66-year-old widow and would like to find a new friend to spend time with, but don’t know where to turn. —Cautious Carol Dear Carol, Whether you’re interested in dating again or just looking for a friend to spend time with, online dating sites and apps have become an easy and... READ MORE
FDA approves pills for C. diff treatment
[Ed. Note: Clostridium difficile (C. diff), is a bacterium that can cause life-threatening diarrhea, most often in patients 65 and over who have taken antibiotics. The infection is typically acquired in a hospital or nursing home setting, where the easily-spread infection is common, or from someone else who has the condition.] U.S. health officials in April approved the first pill made... READ MORE
