A new research letter unveiled a “heart age” calculator that suggests most Americans’ hearts are aging faster than their chronological age.

Physical activity and eating heart-healthy foods are some of the best ways to preserve your heart’s biological age.

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How lifelong learning 

helps older adults 

stay sharp and connected

By Panashe Matemba-Mutasa

As America’s population ages, researchers are increasingly examining whether continued learning can help older adults be independent, confident, and increase social connection and purpose. A growing body of research suggests that challenging the mind with new skills, ideas and experiences helps support brain health, build cognitive reserve and promote healthy aging.

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Scientists Say 

a Daily Probiotic 

May Help Fight 

Depression in 

Older Adults

By Wiley

A new study suggests that altering the gut microbiome with probiotics may provide additional benefits for older adults being treated for depression. Older adults with moderate depression who took a probiotic supplement alongside standard antidepressant treatment reported somewhat greater improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms than those who received a placebo. 

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How Audiobooks 

Affect Your Brain

By Makai Elías Calles

Scientists can now watch what happens inside the brain as it takes in a story, whether through the eyes or the ears.

Here’s what they found.

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Rare genetic clue 

linked to 

healthy aging 

found in 

long-lived families

Researchers have long known that exceptional longevity often runs in families and is linked to a later onset of chronic illnesses. However, the genetic factors that help protect these families remain poorly understood.

One standout mutation appears to temper inflammation, potentially delaying disease and extending years of healthy living.

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Yale study finds 

nearly half 

of older adults 

improved with age

The study found that many older adults actually improve over time, and their beliefs about aging may play an important role in those gains. The findings suggest that improvement in later life is far more common than many people realize.

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Why Older Adults 

Need To Pay 

Closer Attention 

to Vitamin B12

By Martin Warren

Despite decades of research, vitamin B12 deficiency remains common, particularly among older adults, vegans, vegetarians, and people with conditions that affect absorption. Some people do not consume enough B12 because it is naturally found mainly in foods from animals, including meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products. Others struggle to absorb it properly.

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Why LEGO May Be 

One of the Best 

Hobbies for Seniors

Researchers and clinicians are taking a serious look at what LEGO building can do for older adults. And the findings are worth knowing about.

To put a set together, your brain has to follow instructions, plan ahead, solve problems, and figure out how pieces fit in three dimensions. That kind of active engagement works several areas of the brain at once.

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How “Gramping” 

Is Helping 

Grandparents 

Connect With 

Their Grandkids

By Rebekah Brandes

Late last month, dozens of kids and their grandparents set up camp in Southern California’s Dos Picos County Park for a weekend of arts and crafts, s’mores, games, and nature. They were partaking in a free annual “gramping” event run by officials in San Diego County, where some 18,000 grandparents are raising their grandchildren. 

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Top Reasons 

Why Weight Loss 

Gets Harder 

as You Age

As we age, it seems like the weight we once easily shed now clings to us a little longer, despite our best efforts. Many of us find ourselves wondering: Why is it harder to lose weight as I get older? The answer is complex, involving shifts in metabolism, hormones, muscle mass, and lifestyle. 

Most of my friends and relatives have done pretty well financially, and honestly—good for them. They’ve worked hard and deserve to enjoy the perks of getting older without stressing about money. A lot of them are married, have two retirement checks coming in, own their homes, and are mostly in good health.

But for those of us who aren’t married anymore, took big hits from medical bills insurance didn’t cover, and rely on Social Security as our only income… it hasn’t gone as well.

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- More than 2,500 years ago, Persians developed the "qanat" a network of underground tunnels that carried water from mountains to dry regions without pumps. Some qanats are still operating today. 

- The Dasht-e Lut Desert in southeastern Iran has recorded some of the highest land-surface temperatures ever measured on Earth, exceeding 150°F (65°C) in some satellite observations.

- The famous fluffy Persian cat traces its origins to ancient Persia (modern Iran). Long-haired cats from the region were brought to Europe in the 1600s and became the foundation of the breed. 

- People have lived in the region for thousands of years. Some archaeological sites in Iran date back more than 7,000 years, making it one of humanity's oldest centers of civilization.

- Iran produces some of the world's finest pistachios, saffron, and caviar. In fact, the nearby Caspian Sea has long been one of the world's most important sources of caviar. ([iranpress.com][3])

- The word "checkmate" in chess comes from the Persian phrase *"Shah Mat,"* meaning "the king is helpless" or "the king is defeated."

Welcome to our new once-a-week edition of TheSeniorLog.com!

We’ve made a few changes, but don’t worry—all your favorite features are still here, including “FYI” and our cartoons. We hope you enjoy the fresh new look and continue to stop by each Monday for the latest updates, stories, and a few laughs along the way.

Thanks for reading!

— Bruce

About 11% of people with Stage 1 hypertension may be able to forgo medication if they don't have any other heart risk factors, according to a new report. A new analysis of hypertension guidelines suggests some older adults — mostly women — with slightly high blood pressure could safely hold off on medications if they’re otherwise in relatively good health.

Maria Alvarez, Executive Director of StateWide, explains, "Hospice is a program of care and support for people who are terminally ill. The focus is on comfort and quality of life rather than on curing illnesses. "Scammers target individuals who reside in a facility or attendees at Health Fairs to sign them up for services they don't need. 

How the Scam Works:

Your quality of life hinges not only on the size of your nest egg but also on a select group of possessions that can boost your health, protect your independence and expand your options.

With that in mind, here are five essential things worth owning in your golden years....

This economic reality may leave some seniors reconsidering their retirement income strategies, with annuities emerging as one potential solution. By purchasing an annuity, retirees can secure a guaranteed income stream for life, but given today's unusual landscape, there are a few things retirees should know before buying one.

Don’t overlook these unusual symptoms as flu season approaches

Feeling off but not spiking a fever? That doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have the flu, COVID or other common illnesses that circulate this time of year. Many of the early warning signs of common infections appear differently in older adults — and some of the symptoms can be surprising.  

For decades, older Americans could count on their monthly Social Security check arriving in the mail. But in 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) was ordered to move to electronic payments. But the small group who still rely on paper checks will need support to make the transition and avoid scams. Vulnerable older adults will now have to consider banking access, fraud prevention, family involvement, digital literacy and their comfort level with an electronic payment system.

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Technology After 60: 

Could the Right Tools 

Make Your Next Chapter

Even Better?

By Jim Smith 

Technology After 60 Is Not a New Challenge Most of us have been adapting to change our entire lives.

We have watched handwritten letters give way to email and paper maps yield to GPS. Many of us maintain friendships across continents and stay connected to children, grandchildren, and communities through technology that would have seemed unimaginable just a few decades ago. And now, artificial intelligence is simply the latest technology asking us to adapt once again.

The FBI released an urgent security warning to the public about a fast-acting scam targeting Microsoft 365 users on Teams, Outlook and OneDrive.

The agency warned that the hacking platform Kali365 seeks out OAuth device codes, allowing scammers to sneak past multifactor authentication codes, and without the need for a password, to access Microsoft accounts.

Scammers will send a phishing email impersonating a trusted document-sharing service with a device code and instructions on how to verify, according to the FBI.

I couldn't help feeling a little pride on Saturday as I watched President Trump standing in front of his newly renovated "free" 747-8, talking up all its features. I have to admit, it's a beautiful aircraft, and I even like the new paint scheme. It looks exactly like what you'd expect a head of state—maybe even a king or sultan—to fly around in. Best of all, we're told the cost of converting the plane to meet Air Force requirements came in at just under $400 million.

Did we really need to spend that kind of money on a new Air Force One? Maybe. But here's where it gets interesting.

At the same time, there's the long-running project to convert two Boeing 747-8s into the next generation of Air Force One aircraft. Thanks to delays, redesigns, and endless technology upgrades, the price tag has ballooned to more than $4.3 billion, with total costs expected to reach nearly $5.7 billion by 2031.

That got me thinking about all the other "must-have" projects our illustrious leader has spent our tax dollars on—

Contnue reading...

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The tradition dates back centuries.

    • Men’s clothing buttons are usually on the right side because wealthy men were often dressed by servants, and this made buttoning easier for a right-handed servant facing them. 

    • Women’s clothing buttons are usually on the left side because wealthy women were also dressed by maids, and the opposite arrangement was considered easier for the maid. 

Today, the difference remains mostly because of tradition rather than any practical reason. Many modern garments ignore the rule altogether.

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