Healthy Aging - Caregiving

Vivian and Bernard Pinkowitz

Alzheimer's disease can be just as devastating to families as it is to patients. Here, Vivian Pinkowitz shares her story of caring for her husband through the good times and the bad.

Yes, You Can Deal With a Restricted Diet

When a medical condition means you or a loved one must change how you eat, it feels overwhelming. Start here.

Pet Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease

Being in the company of companion animals may benefit those with Alzheimer's. Here's how to harness of power of pets for your loved one's advantage.

The New Age of Older Trainers

A growing number of individuals are getting fit by working out with gray-haired trainers. Learn how you can benefit from the wisdom and experience of these in-shape seniors.

Be Smart About Sex (at Any Age)

Adults ages 50 and older are at an increased risk for STDs. Here's what you need to know to avoid catching or spreading serious diseases.

7 Must-Know Facts About the New Health Insurance Law

Big changes are coming to health insurance that may affect your family. Here is the information you need.

Is the Flu Different for Women and Men?

Due to evolutionary factors and hormones, one sex is more prone to a miserable bout of the flu.

Attitudes Towards Overweight MDs

Does your doctor's appearance affect your impression of his medical skills?

Ouch! How to Handle a Paper Cut

It happens to everyone... and it hurts! Here's what to do when you or a loved one gets a paper cut.

Nagging: Just What the Doctor Ordered

Need a reason to get moving? Let your nagging spouse (or child) help you out. Learn why nagging can be good for your health.

Home Safety: Prevention and First Aid for Burns

How to treat burns at home, and how to know when medical attention is needed.

Affordable Care Act: What Changes Can You Expect?

In this second installment of a two-part article on healthcare reform, we explore the changes that affect health insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid.

Affordable Care Act: An Overview

In this first installment of a two-part article, we provide the highlights of healthcare reform.

Your Partner or Your Pet? Loving Someone With Allergies

You love your pet. But what happens if your significant other can't set foot in your home without coughing or sneezing? Don't let allergies end your relationship. Read on for ways to solve the problem.

Slippery When Wet: How to Make Showering Safer

Slippery, hard surfaces in the bath and shower can turn routine hygiene hazardous, especially for those with impaired mobility. Prevent accidents by making your washroom fall-proof. Here's how.

Got GERD? A Magnetic Implant May Help

If you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a promising new treatment may help provide relief from your symptoms.

Enlarged Prostate and Transurethral Microwave Therapy

Excessive bathroom trips could be solved by this treatment option that's less invasive than surgery.

Chiropractic Care: Benefits Beyond the Back

Spinal manipulation is a helpful element of ongoing pain treatment for many. Learn what to expect from your visit to the chiropractor.

Who Will Care for Your Disabled Child After You Die?

One of the most painful questions parents of disabled children must ask is, "What will happen after I'm gone?" Here's a starting point for approaching this important topic.

Acupressure: Give Yourself Relief

You can easily access two pressure points used widely in this ancient form of healing.

12 Ways to Break Out of a Bad Mood...Fast!

These simple tips will help you clear away the clouds to let the sunshine in again.

Estate-Planning Pointers for Caregivers

Caring for an aging relative? You'll need to secure some legal documents for their long-term care. Here's a useful overview.

10 Household Cleaning Uses for Vinegar

This environmentally-friendly alternative to chemical-laden cleaning products works great on wooden floors, stainless steel appliances, and more. It effectively breaks up grease and sends mold and mildew packing.

Meal Delivery Services for Seniors: What Are the Options?

Food delivery services may help seniors remain in their homes longer. Here's a rundown of the different types of services.

Acute vs. Chronic Sinusitis: Understand Your Condition

For many, sinusitis means uncomfortable symptoms that may require the right treatment to overcome.

6 Tips for Finding a Live-In Nurse

Being a caregiver for a loved one is a demanding role, and you may find you can't do it all on your own. If you're thinking of hiring live-in help, here are some things to keep in mind.

The Gray Line Between Breast Cancer and Abnormal Cells

Determining what should be treated aggressively and what would do better to watch and wait is not always clear-cut. Understand the debate around ductal carcinoma in situ or DCIS.

Why Only Some Smokers Get Cancer

Smoking is a significant risk factor for lung (and other) cancers and is responsible for almost 90 percent of all lung cancer deaths. However, we all know individuals who smoke for a long time and never develop cancer.

Health by the Numbers: Caregiving

As the average life span continues to increase, more people are requiring caregivers in their later years. Here's a look at the trend by the numbers.

Owning Your Own Future

Planning for your retirement is exciting and perhaps a bit intimidating. Here's what to consider.

Arthritis 101

Learn about the most common forms of arthritis, from causes and symptoms to treatment.

Headaches 101

Headaches are among the most common pain symptoms in the world. Learn about the different types of headaches and what causes them.

Understanding Depression

Get the real story on America's most prevalent mental illness from symptoms and diagnosis to treatment.

Marijuana for Cancer Care

This drug seems to offer relief from pain, nausea and vomiting, anxiety, and loss of appetite, which are common side effects of cancer and cancer treatments. And there are other possible benefits as well.

8 Tips for Alzheimer's Caregivers

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease can be a challenge. Follow these tips to make it easier.

Is Weight-Loss Surgery for You?

More and more Americans are opting for bariatric surgery to shed major pounds and improve their quality of life. Find out if you or a loved one could be a candidate.

Depression in Older Adults

It's common for seniors to experience sadness and grief, but when these feelings are persistent, they may be a sign of depression.

Adult ADHD Survival Tips

Living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can be a challenge, but these tips can make it easier.

After Dark: Sundowner's Syndrome

Elderly patients often get confused or agitated toward the end of the day. Learn about the symptoms known as sundowning.

Is It Alzheimer's?

Caregiving expert Jackie Pinkowitz discusses the difference between age-related memory problems and Alzheimer's disease.

Tips for Alzheimer's Caregivers

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease can be overwhelming. Follow these tips to help deal with the diagnosis and cope with the holidays and every day.

What You Need to Know About Assisted Living

When it comes to assisted living, understanding all of the options available can be a challenge. Here, the most frequently asked questions and answers.

Full Spectrum: Bipolar Disorder

Not so black and white: study concludes bipolar disease is more of a spectrum disorder.

Sure Shot? Understanding the Flu Vaccine

Are you thinking about getting a flu vaccination this year? Learn about the risks and rewards.

I've starting taking care of my ailing mom, and it's taking a toll on my marriage. How can I find a balance?

If you are a caregiver to a family member, it's not selfish to want to tend to your own needs and whims.

5 Surprisingly Dangerous Jobs for Asthma

With one in seven adults reportedly experiencing occupational asthma, chances are high that work could actually make you sick.

Should You Get the Shingles Vaccine?

Remember having the chicken pox as a kid? That episode can come back to haunt you as an adult. Shingles normally presents with severe pain, tingling, or burning on one side of the body. That's followed by red, scaly blisters that break, dry, and crust over.

Updated Heart Guidelines for Women

What "real world" preventative steps should you incorporate into your life to lower your chances of heart disease?

Health Concerns: How to Keep Family Updated

The Web offers many options for staying connected and keeping loved ones updated on your or your family member's health issues. These methods are fast, easy, and efficient, and you'll know your support network is right there with you as a part of your journey.

Traffic Noise Linked to Higher Stroke Risk

If you've ever felt your stress levels go up upon hearing loud noises and wondered if the clamor was affecting your well-being, the answer is yes.

Hospice Care: When Is it Time?

What exactly is hospice care and how does it differ from hospital care? And how do you make the decision to place your loved one into hospice?

How to Keep Track of Multiple Medications

Are your daily doses making you dizzy? Handy help is here.

How to Make End-of-Life Decisions

It's important to take control and define the type of medical care we want, or don't want, at the end of our life.

Limit Salt, Not Flavor

Here's how to keep an eye on the (sometimes hidden) salt you consume, while maintaining the flavor you crave.

Add "Nature's Wonder Food" to Your Life

Packed with protein and fiber, but low in fat, this pantry must-have delivers a lot of nutrition at an affordable price.

Key to Better Balance in Elderly: Move to the Music

A program of "eurhythmics" shows results in promoting physical coordination and mental acuity in older adults.

Overlooked Antidepressant Risks for Seniors

There's no question that antidepressants can be a tremendous help to depressed seniors. However, antidepressants, in combination with other medications, can cause adverse reactions, or drug-drug interactions.

Risks and Benefits of Eating Heart-Healthy Fish

When it comes to mercury exposure from fish, what do you need to know to make the healthiest choices?

Diabetes: Possible Long-Term Consequences

Educate yourself on what can happen so you can take the steps now to change your outcome for the better.

Celebrate Being a Cancer Survivor

From the moment you are diagnosed with cancer, you become a survivor. And you are in good company. In 2010, the number of people in the U.S. living with cancer exceeded 11 million.

Your Recipe for Improved Memory

Which veggies promise to reduce age-related memory deficits?

How to Cope When You Have No Health Insurance

If you've lost access to insurance, you may be wondering how you'll survive. Is there a way to get good health care even if your finances are unstable?

10 Ways to Live 10 Years Younger

These simple strategies can knock a whole decade off of your outlook so you'll feel 10 years younger.

How can I help my elderly mother communicate with her doctor?

Elder-care expert Joanne Hill answers a reader's question about improving communication between senior patients and their doctors.

Worldwide Dementia Cases to Sharply Increase

Why the scary surge in cases?

Weight Gain Later in Life: A Disability Risk?

Learn about the health risks of weight gain after 50.

"Memory Matters"

Alzheimer's Foundation of America calls for national dementia screening.

Top Drugs' Strange Side Effects

Feeling weird? Your over-the-counter or prescription drug could be to blame.

Centenarian Secrets

More and more Americans are living to 100. Here, the secrets to their longevity.

Programs for Family Caregivers

The National Alliance for Caregiving and MetLife Foundation honored innovative programs for caregivers.

The 3 Scariest Mistakes That Doctors Make

Simple screw-ups are a part of life, but in medicine, these mistakes can be fatal. Learn how to protect yourself.

Understanding Hip Pain

Hip pain is an increasingly common phenomenon that tends to occur with age. Find out what causes hip pain and what you can do about it.

Understanding Dementia

As life expectancy increases, so, too, does the prevalence of dementia. Here, a look at the disorder, from symptoms to treatment.

10 Ways to Boost Your Memory

Follow these tips to enhance your recall and make your mind more nimble.

5 Holiday Tips for Long-Distance Caregivers

Follow these steps to make the holiday season easier for you and a loved one who lives far away.

5 Tips for Better Long-Distance Caregiver Visits

No matter how far away you live, these strategies can help you improve the time spent with an aging loved one.

Can a Pet Boost Your Health?

According to some researchers, a four-legged friend can add years to your life.

Understanding Heartburn and GERD

Heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), if it occurs regularly is a common digestive disorder that affects about 15 million Americans. Learn about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.