It’s that time of year again to think about what you want to accomplish in 2017. But wait! Past research tells us that 92% of New Year’s resolutions fail. So you might say, why bother? Instead, perhaps you should go about those resolutions in a more effective way. There are a number of reasons why… Continue reading Five Steps to Greater Fulfillment in 2017
Author: Sondra Forsyth
Sondra Forsyth is Co-Editor-in-Chief of ThirdAge.com. She is a National Magazine Award winner with scores of major magazine bylines and twelve books to her credit. Her most recent book is “Candida Cleanse: The 21-Day Diet to Beat Yeast and Feel Your Best”. Sondra was Executive Editor at “Ladies’ Home Journal,” Features Editor at “Cosmopolitan,” and Articles Editor at “Bride’s”. A former ballerina, she founded Ballet Ambassadors, an arts-in-education company in New York City, and served as Artistic Director for 16 years.
Food Safety for People with Diabetes
Food safety is important for everyone—but it’s especially important for people with diabetes. That’s why the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Food and Drug Administration offer this information to provide practical guidance on how to reduce your risk of foodborne illness. In… Continue reading Food Safety for People with Diabetes
Turning Back the Clock to Reverse Signs of Aging
Graying hair, crow’s feet, an injury that’s taking longer to heal than when we were 20 — faced with the unmistakable signs of aging, most of us have had a least one fantasy of turning back time. Now, scientists at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California have found that intermittent expression of genes normally… Continue reading Turning Back the Clock to Reverse Signs of Aging
The Importance of Walking for Older Hospitalized Patients
Is walking fewer than 900 steps per day associated with functional decline in older hospitalized patients? A research letter published online in December 2016 by JAMA Internal Medicine suggests it is. A release from the publisher notes that recent research has suggested 900 steps per day were normative for frail older adults and for older… Continue reading The Importance of Walking for Older Hospitalized Patients
Keep Your Dogs and Cats Safe From Holiday Hazards
This holiday season, while you’re busy decorating, cooking, and wrapping gifts, remember to watch out for holiday temptations for your pets. FDA veterinarian Carmela Stamper tells how to keep your animals safe. Stocking Stuffers and Pet Treats If your dog received a stocking full of pet treats, make sure he doesn’t gobble them all up… Continue reading Keep Your Dogs and Cats Safe From Holiday Hazards
10 Liposuction Myths Debunked
Liposuction is one of the top five most common surgical procedures in the United States. Approximately 363,912 procedures are performed each year. While every lay person knows that liposuction sucks out fat, many are misguided about the procedure in terms of who is an appropriate candidate, how long the results last, and what the procedure can… Continue reading 10 Liposuction Myths Debunked
Uncovering a “Smoking Gun” in Age-Related Disease
Aging is a key risk factor for a variety of devastating chronic diseases, yet the biological factors that influence when and how rapidly cells deteriorate over time remain largely unknown. Now, for the first time, a research team led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has linked the function of a core component… Continue reading Uncovering a “Smoking Gun” in Age-Related Disease
Happiness Boosts Physical Activity in Older Adults – and Vice Versa
In a paper published in the journal Annals of Behavioral Medicine in December 2016 by researchers at Chapman University in Irvine CA, findings showed associations between psychological well-being and physical activity in adults ages 50 and older. A release from the university quotes lead author Julia Boehm, Ph.D. as saying, “Researchers have long studied how… Continue reading Happiness Boosts Physical Activity in Older Adults – and Vice Versa
How Holiday Drinking Can Hurt Your Thinking
Tis’ the season to eat, drink and be merry. As we celebrate the holidays we often find ourselves joyously hopping from party to party with more and more cocktails being consumed. We all know how lousy we feel after a night of binge drinking, defined as more than three drinks within a three-hour period. We experience dehydration,… Continue reading How Holiday Drinking Can Hurt Your Thinking
13 Essential Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Weight During the Holidays
Now that the holidays are in full swing, you may be noticing you’ve packed on a few (or not so few!) pounds. If you’re like most people, this season—and the delicious treats that come with it—takes a toll on your waistline. It’s no wonder, when your calendar overflows with parties, big family dinners, bake sales,… Continue reading 13 Essential Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Weight During the Holidays
Quitting Smoking, Even After Age 60, Reduces the Risk of Death at 70 and Older
Tobacco use continues to be a major cause of cancer and premature death. Most studies of cigarette smoking and mortality have focused on middle-aged populations, with fewer studies examining the impact of tobacco cessation on disease and mortality risk among the elderly. A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine in November… Continue reading Quitting Smoking, Even After Age 60, Reduces the Risk of Death at 70 and Older
Frailty Screening Before Surgery Reduces Risk of Death
In a study published online in November 2016 by JAMA Surgery, Daniel E. Hall, M.D., M.Div., M.H.Sc., of the Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System and University of Pittsburgh, and colleagues examined the effect of a Frailty Screening Initiative (FSI) on death and complications by comparing the surgical outcomes of patients treated before and after implementation… Continue reading Frailty Screening Before Surgery Reduces Risk of Death
Holiday Bereavement Services: Comfort for Tough Times
A growing number of houses of worship, as well as counseling programs with religious affiliations, are offering special services, rituals, therapeutic groups, and other programming for those in mourning.Holidays such as Christmas and Hanukkah are generally considered joyful times infused with love for family and friends as we embrace traditions both societal and particular to our… Continue reading Holiday Bereavement Services: Comfort for Tough Times
Program Helps Teens “Get the Message” About Distracted Driving
Parent and grandparent alert! A program to educate teens about distracted driving–including a tour of a hospital trauma center and testimony from a trauma survivor–can increase awareness of the dangers of texting, cell phone use, and other distractions while driving. The study, done by Ruth Adeola, RN, MS, and colleagues of R. Adams Cowley Shock… Continue reading Program Helps Teens “Get the Message” About Distracted Driving
5 Cosmetic Procedures That Can Make You Look Worse
For the millions of people who contemplate getting cosmetic surgery, it is perfectly normal to flip flop over whether to go for it or not. Whether it’s a bump in your nose from an old accident that never healed right, or a plump up to lips that you always thought were too small, it’s important… Continue reading 5 Cosmetic Procedures That Can Make You Look Worse
Electronic Prescribing of High-Risk Meds May Contribute to Falls in Elderly
Certain medications are considered high risk in elders. In a recent study of 287 people 65 years and older who experienced a fall while hospitalized at an urban academic hospital, 62 percent of falls occurred in patients for whom high risk medications had been administered within the 24 hours before the fall, according to a… Continue reading Electronic Prescribing of High-Risk Meds May Contribute to Falls in Elderly
How To Avoid Becoming A Financial Burden On Your Kids
Americans are living longer than ever, which means retirement could last 20 to 30 years for some people – maybe even longer. That’s great for those who remain in reasonably good health and retire with plenty of financial stability. But lengthy life spans also increase the odds that many seniors will deplete their savings, face… Continue reading How To Avoid Becoming A Financial Burden On Your Kids
No Evidence for Age-Based Mammography Cut-Off
In the largest-ever study on screening mammography outcomes, researchers found that there is no clear cut-off age to stop breast cancer screening. The findings were presented on November 28th 2016 at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) in Chicago. This research adds support for guidelines that encourage screening decisions based… Continue reading No Evidence for Age-Based Mammography Cut-Off