benefits – Page 2

The Health Benefits of Pets

Millions of people around the country have pets, most commonly cats and dogs, and they can feel the benefits, but there are some they may not even be aware of. Pets bring more to our lives than just a few laughs as they do something silly and pose for the camera. They give us a… Continue reading The Health Benefits of Pets

For Elderly Men, Testosterone Benefits Go Beyond Sex

As men age, their testosterone levels decrease, but prior studies of the effects of administering testosterone to older men have been inconclusive. Now, research shows that testosterone treatment for men over 65 improves sexual function, walking ability and mood, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine by team researchers from… Continue reading For Elderly Men, Testosterone Benefits Go Beyond Sex

Needed: A Better Understanding of Heart Disease and Exercise

Although heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in the United States, only 20 percent of adults know how much exercise is needed for a healthy heart, according to a survey by the Cleveland Clinic. The survey also showed 40 percent of Americans are exercising less than that recommended amount… Continue reading Needed: A Better Understanding of Heart Disease and Exercise

Is Genetic Testing for You?

Editor’s note: Genetic testing can be a frightening, expensive prospect – and it can also help you. How should you decide? Here, experts from the SeniorHealth division of the National Institutes of Health tell you what you need to know about this crucial choice. In a genetic test, a small sample of blood, saliva, or… Continue reading Is Genetic Testing for You?

Divorce And How It Can Affect Your Retirement Money

It’s the unthinkable that no aging person wants to face: divorce. The impact is huge on every aspect of your life, especially financially and the role it can play in planning for retirement. Certified Financial Planners Gary Plessl and Kevin Houser, authors of The Book on Retirement: Are You Ready for The Second Half of… Continue reading Divorce And How It Can Affect Your Retirement Money

“Green” Environments Benefit Seniors

Everyone knows that natural environments can promote physical, mental, and spiritual healing. Now, though, research shows that certain kinds of environments are especially beneficial for seniors. Research conducted by a University of Minnesota graduate student with a team in Vancouver, B.C., shows that green and “blue” spaces (environments with running or still water) are especially… Continue reading “Green” Environments Benefit Seniors

Housework Has Both Physical and Mental Benefits

Housework has both emotional and physical benefits for older adults, according to new findings by a Case Western Reserve University school of nursing researcher. “House cleaning kept them up and moving,” said Kathy D. Wright, PhD, RN, CNS, a postdoctoral KL2 Scholar at the university’s Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing. “A clean environment is… Continue reading Housework Has Both Physical and Mental Benefits

Why The Retirement Age Should Be Raised Even More

Researchers say that the age to receive full Social Security benefits should be closer to 70. But that might not be fair to people with shorter life expectancies. “We’re living longer and healthier than ever before, but the statutory age of retirement for receiving Social Security benefits doesn’t reflect that,” says lead author S. Jay… Continue reading Why The Retirement Age Should Be Raised Even More

Trust Grows as People Get Older

Instead of being grumpy and suspicious, people may actually grow more trusting with age, according to new researchers. That development can be beneficial to well-being. “When we think of old age, we often think of decline and loss,” said study co-author Claudia Haase, an assistant professor of Human Development and Social Policy at Northwestern University’s… Continue reading Trust Grows as People Get Older