Health

This happens more often than you may realize: an older hospitalized patient undergoes surgery, with no complications from the operation, but then is stricken with a dangerous bacteria that leaves her seriously ill with devastating gastrointestinal symptoms. The cause: Clostridium difficile, otherwise known as C. diff. Older hospital or nursing home…

In a small but exceptionally important study (for those of us who can’t live without chocolate), Portuguese researchers have found a link between long term regular chocolate consumption and a reduced risk of cognitive decline. Studying people over 65, these researchers determined that in the 309 people enrolled in the…

Recently the Scottish press announced that a 107 year old woman had died and donated her corneas, making her Scotland’s oldest organ donor. While this story is remarkable, in fact, organ donation programs worldwide regularly welcome and include older organ donors. Every year in the United States 8,000 people die…

The value of exercise for physical well-being is undisputed, and we now know it also helps ward off cognitive decline. As well, social interaction is invaluable for keeping you mentally sharp. Now researchers in Japan report that combining the two – exercise and socializing – is an ideal way to…

Is it possible to make Alzheimer’s Disease go up in smoke? Well, if the smoke is from marijuana, that may possibly be the outcome. In a new study, researchers at the renowned Salk Institute in California have determined that THC, the primary ingredient in marijuana, removes the toxic build-up of…

Getting around to “The Talk” with your aging loved ones is never easy: no one likes to focus on the difficult decisions surrounding incapacity, financial insecurity or even end-of-life matters. But as tough as those conversations seem, experience underscores that it’s significantly more difficult to discuss these sensitive issues when…