In London and elsewhere in the UK, the phenomenon of the “talking bench” has taken hold. No, these park benches don’t actually speak to you when you sit down. Rather, they are designated to encourage conversation, and as it turns out, play an important role in mitigating the loneliness that can plague older adults and…
In 2021, Lady Gaga was performing at Radio City Music Hall with the late, great Tony Bennett, who was suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease, yet he managed to remember the lyrics and songs they were both singing. Suddenly, he called her by her name, something he hadn’t been able to do during rehearsals. As she recalled,…
It’s pretty much a given that as we age, we experience some hearing loss. That’s because changes occur in our middle and inner ears over time. Hearing loss also stem from various medical conditions we may be experiencing. Today, it is said that hearing loss often begins in one’s forties, and by the time adults…
…But visions of sugar plums still danced in my head, and cookies, and cakes, and sweet buttered bread. Oh, what shall I do when I see a big platter, and think that more turkey really won’t matter? Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all! I needed advice, so the Witherell I called. And…
Yum! Hot dogs, salsa, potato chips, dips! With Labor Day and autumn BBQs on the horizon, those tasty morsels are on everyone’s menu. Yet their high sodium content should also be on everyone’s radar. According to a recent study as reported by Prevention and Science Daily – adding salt to prepared foods can actually lead…
This blog post is the second in a series about Medicare that briefly outlines some of the issues surrounding Medicare payments and reimbursement. The series is geared to those folks, primarily boomers or children of older adults, who would like to know more about a subject that is becoming increasingly important to them. While we…
By now, it’s a well-known fact that as we age, we lose muscle mass, particularly skeletal muscle mass (e.g. shoulder muscles, hamstring muscles and abdominal muscles) which we rely on to move, maintain posture and metabolism, and for strength. For the most part, losing muscle mass (sarcopenia) begins somewhere around the age of 40. By…
Ukraine, Covid, Politics, Inflation – sometimes the news can get you down, or at the very least, make you anxious – as can working long hours, worrying about a loved one, or experiencing financial hardship. All of it takes a toll on your body: anxiety can increase your blood pressure and heart rate, cause heart…
As the temperatures drop outside, make sure the temperatures rise inside, especially if senior adults are a part of your household. As we age, we produce less body heat. And if there’s a medical condition, you can feel even chillier. But cold weather can also bring about isolation and conditions that lead to falls. Here…
