Heart disease is one of the biggest health risks as we get older, but there are steps you can take to protect your heart. A Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner shares recommendations for supporting heart health and reducing the risk of heart disease. Some may be familiar, while others may offer a different perspective on how to keep your heart healthy as you age.

What do people who live to 100 have in common when it comes to what they drink? A longevity expert points to three drinks that may be linked to a longer life. For older adults looking to stay healthy as they age, these choices are worth exploring—but remember, no drink guarantees a longer life.

Whole grains may do more than improve your digestion. New evidence suggests they can also help protect your heart and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. For older adults, adding whole grains to a healthy diet may be a simple way to support heart health as they age.

Every fall, homeowners face the same question: Should you rake up your leaves or leave them on the ground? A professional gardener explains why leaving some leaves can benefit your lawn, garden, and local wildlife—and when raking is still the better choice. Before you grab that rake, here’s what you should know.

Read more >>

Read more >>

Read more >>

Read more >>

It took me a while to admit I was getting old. Eighteen years, to be exact. I had to claim Social Security at 62, earlier than I’d planned. But at that age, the earliest you can collect benefits, I certainly didn’t think of myself as old. It wasn’t until I hit my 70s that I began to feel the first signs of what I like to call early-onset decrepitude.

I had just gotten out of a nursing home, where I’d been recovering from a devastating illness that left me with mobility problems. A walker and a cane had become my constant companions. You’d think that would have been enough to make me face reality, but I still resisted the idea that I was becoming an old man.

After all, thousands of people over 70 are still working full time. They’re not old. They’re “seasoned.”

If 70 is “seasoned,” then 75 is cured like a Smithfield ham! It’s no wonder so many people consider 75 a milestone birthday. After all, you’ve lived through three-quarters of a century. And if your goal is to reach 100, well, you’re already three-quarters of the way there!

So, how do I feel now that I’m 81?

Old! That’s how I feel. Turning 80 was a shock, but 81 has brought home the reality that I’m getting older, whether I like it or not.

I’m well past the biblical three score and ten, and I’m learning that getting older is a very personal experience. Some days I feel pretty good. Other days, my body reminds me that I’m not the person I was 20 or even 10 years ago.

Then I turn on the news and hear about another well-known American in their 80s who has died. Dolly Parton, Tim Curry, and most recently, Mike Ditka come to mind. They all seemed to be in better shape than I am. It’s a sobering reminder that none of us knows how much time we have left.

Scary, huh? I suspect I’m not alone in feeling this way. Getting older means dealing with changes in our bodies, wondering what lies ahead, and trying to make the most of the time we have. We may joke about being old, but deep down, many of us are still trying to figure out what growing old really means….bwc

- Monday is named after the Moon. 

The word Monday comes from the Old English Mōnandæg, meaning “Moon’s day.” Several other languages have similar connections between Monday and the Moon.

- Monday isn't the same first day of the week everywhere. 

In many countries, Monday is considered the first day of the week. In the United States, Sunday is traditionally shown as the first day on many calendars.

- Monday blues are a real phenomenon. 

Many people feel less enthusiastic on Mondays after a relaxing weekend. The change in routine, work demands, and sleep schedules can all contribute to the feeling.

- Monday has an unusual connection to heart health. 

Some studies have found that heart attacks occur more frequently on Mondays than on certain other days. Researchers have suggested that stress and changes in routine may play a role, although the exact reasons are not fully understood.

- Monday gets its name from different sources around the world.

 In Spanish, Monday is lunes, derived from the Latin dies Lunae, meaning “day of the Moon.” In French, it's lundi, which also comes from the Latin word for Moon.

The 3 Biggest Reasons 

People Go Back to Their Exes,

 According to a Therapist

Getting back with an ex doesn’t always mean the relationship is meant to be. Sometimes, people return because they miss the companionship, feel lonely, or hope things will be different the second time around. A therapist explains the three biggest reasons people go back to former partners—and what those reasons may reveal about the relationship.

Read more...

____________________________

Top 10 causes of death 

for older adults: CDC

As we get older, the risk of certain diseases and health problems increases. The CDC identifies the leading causes of death among older adults, including heart disease, cancer, and other serious conditions. Knowing what poses the greatest risks can help seniors make informed decisions about their health, take preventive steps, and talk with their doctors about ways to live longer, healthier lives.

Read more...

_______________________________

Alcohol and Older Adults

Alcohol can affect older adults differently than it did when they were younger. As we age, our bodies process alcohol differently, and drinking can increase the risk of falls, medication interactions, and other health problems. For seniors who enjoy an occasional drink, understanding these changes can help them make safer choices.

Read more...

_____________________________________

What’s More Important in Retirement 

– What You Want or What You Need?

Retirement forces us to make choices about how we spend our money. There’s a difference between what we want and what we need, and that difference becomes more important when we’re living on a fixed income. How much should we set aside for necessities, and how much can we spend on the things that make life enjoyable? Finding the right balance can make the difference between a retirement that feels restrictive and one that offers real satisfaction.

Read more...

_____________________________

Open Enrollment for 2027 Coverage

 through Medicare & the Marketplace 

— Basics for Advocates

Open enrollment is an important time for older adults to review their health insurance and make sure they have the coverage they need for 2027. Medicare beneficiaries and people who get insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace face different rules, deadlines, and choices. Understanding the basics can help seniors avoid costly mistakes, compare their options, and make informed decisions about their health coverage.

Read more...

↓

PLEASE NOTE

We are moving the 
EDITORIAL COMMENTS
to Monday

↓

Read more >> 

Read more >> 

Read more >>

Read more >>

- Hurricanes have an almost unbelievable amount of energy. 

A powerful hurricane can release heat energy equivalent to the explosion of a 10-megaton nuclear bomb every 20 minutes. Most of that energy comes from warm ocean water.

- Hurricanes have an eye that can be surprisingly calm. 

The center of a hurricane, called the eye, often has light winds and relatively clear skies. But don't be fooled! The most dangerous winds usually surround the eye in a region called the eyewall.

- Hurricanes cannot form just anywhere. 

Hurricanes generally need ocean water of about 80°F or warmer, moist air, and favorable atmospheric conditions. They also need enough distance from the equator for Earth's rotation to help them spin.

- A hurricane can produce tornadoes. 

As a hurricane moves over land, its rainbands can spawn tornadoes, sometimes far from the storm's center. These tornadoes add another layer of danger to an already powerful storm.

- The same storm has different names around the world. 

These storms are called hurricanes in the Atlantic and northeastern Pacific, typhoons in the northwestern Pacific, and tropical cyclones in other parts of the world. They are all essentially the same type of storm.