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Living Well, Living Longer
- Alcohol and Older Adults
  Many older adults enjoy a glass of wine with dinner or a beer while watching the game on TV. But alcohol can affect older adults differently. Here's what you should know.
- Exercise Ideas for Older Adults
  Finding ways to get exercise as you get older is a smart and easy way to stay fit and improve your health.
- Can Optimism Make a Difference in Your Life?
  A growing number of scientific studies indicate that optimistic people tend to live longer and have better physical and mental health than pessimistic people.
- The Physical Power of Social Support
  Certain behaviors may help safeguard you from illness and disease. These include exercising regularly and sleeping enough. Here may be another--staying socially connected. It may well do your body good.
Eating Well, Staying Fit
- Eating Well
  - How to Make Heart-Healthy Food Choices
    Maintaining a healthy diet is one of the best weapons for fighting cardiovascular disease and other heart conditions.
- Staying Fit
  - Exercise and Older Adults
    Exercise is good for people of all ages. It helps lower blood pressure, reduces the risks for falls and serious injuries, and slows the body's loss of muscle and bone mass.
  - Exercise Ideas for Older Adults
    Finding ways to get exercise as you get older is a smart and easy way to stay fit and improve your health.
Prevention, Self-Care, and Safety
- Fall Prevention
  - Older Adults: Preventing Falls
    Every year, millions of adults fall, leading to injuries and emergency room visits. Many of these falls and injuries can be prevented.
  - Emergency Information Form
    In an emergency, it's easy to forget even the most well-known information. That's why it is vital for you to complete the information in this form for each person in your household.
  - Vital Signs (Body Temperature, Pulse Rate, Respiration Rate, Blood Pressure)
    Vital signs are useful in detecting or monitoring medical problems. Vital signs can be measured in a medical setting, at home, at the site of a medical emergency, or elsewhere.
- Preventive Care
  - For Seniors: Don’t Brush Off Dental Care
    Older adults may have dental concerns that can't be fully taken care of with just brushing and flossing. Here's what you should know.
  - Overview of Sleep Problems
    There are many types of sleep problems. They can interfere with health and quality of life. Sleep problems can range from insomnia to snoring.
  - For Older Adults- You Can Beat the Heat
    After age 65, your body can't adjust to changes in air temperature--especially heat--as quickly as it did when you were younger. That puts you at risk for heat-related illnesses.
- Working with Your Health Care Team
  - Maintaining Your Personal Health Record
    A personal health record can help reduce or eliminate duplicate tests and allow you to get faster, safer treatment and care in an emergency. It also can help you play a more active role in your health care. Read on to learn more about creating one.
  - Choosing a Hospital
    You don't have time to choose a hospital if you have a health emergency. But if you're facing surgery or treatment for a particular health condition, taking time to find a hospital that meets your needs is well worth the effort.
- Well-Being
  - Depression
    - Major Depression
      Depression is a serious mood disorder. It touches every part of your life and is caused by a chemical imbalance in your brain. Treatment involves medicine and counseling.
    - Depression Not a Normal Part of Aging
      Depression is not a natural part of growing old. It's a health condition that should be treated aggressively. Read on to learn more.
    - Can Optimism Make a Difference in Your Life?
      A growing number of scientific studies indicate that optimistic people tend to live longer and have better physical and mental health than pessimistic people.
  - Older Adults: Preventing Falls
    Every year, millions of adults fall, leading to injuries and emergency room visits. Many of these falls and injuries can be prevented.
  - Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD
    Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression. It happens during certain seasons of the year, most often fall or winter. Here's what you need to know.
  - Divorce in Later Years
    Getting a divorce is almost always painful and stressful, no matter how old or young you are. But if your marriage falls apart later in life, you may face some financial and emotional setbacks that are more difficult to recover from than when you were younger.
- Home and Personal Safety
  - Do I Really Need a Fire Extinguisher?
    Fire extinguishers can be a small but important part of the home fire safety plan. This holds true only after you've already installed working smoke detectors and a safe home fire evacuation plan.
  - In Case of Emergency...Be Ready for Anything
    Don't wait to think about disaster until you're dealing with one. In the hurried confusion, you're likely to miss important items as you prepare your home or leave to find shelter.
  - 5 Home Safety Threats You Might Overlook
    For safety's sake, look through your home often. Keep an eye out for not-so-obvious hazards.
Using Medications
- Medicines and the Digestive System
  Medicines taken by mouth can affect the digestive system in a number of different ways. Both prescription and over-the-counter medicines, while usually safe and effective, may cause harmful effects in some people.
- Taking Your Medicine- A Smart Choice for Staying Healthy
  Medicines can be an important part of treatment for serious infections. They can help relieve pain and lift depression.
- Food-Medicine Interactions
  A food-medicine interaction can happen when the food you eat affects the ingredients in a medicine you are taking. This prevents the medicine from working the way it should.
- How to Get Medications for Less
  Here are strategies from the Food and Drug Administration to help you cut your prescription costs by 50 percent or more.
Health Concerns: Head to Toe
- Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease
  - Alzheimer's Disease
    - Alzheimer Disease
      Alzheimer disease is a disease that affects the brain and nervous system. It is a type of dementia that happens when nerve cells in the brain die.
    - Helping Someone with Memory Loss
      In older people, it's easy to mistake memory problems for the everyday forgetfulness that some people have as they grow older.
    - Alzheimer Disease Quiz
      Find out more about this degenerative disease of the brain by taking this quiz.
  - Parkinson's Disease
    - Parkinson Disease
      Parkinson disease is a motor system disorder that causes trembling, stiffness, and trouble moving.
  - Anatomy of the Brain
    The brain is an important organ that controls thought, memory, emotion, touch, motor skills, vision, respiration, and every process that regulates your body.
  - Overview of Nervous System Disorders
    Disorders of the nervous system include stroke, infections, such as meningitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and functional disorders, such as headache and epilepsy.
  - Neurology
    Neurology is the branch of medicine that is concerned with the study and treatment of disorders of the nervous system.
  - Neurosurgery (Neurological Surgery)
    Neurological surgery is used to treat disorders of the brain, spine, and nerves. The healthcare provider who specializes in neurological surgery is called a neurosurgeon or neurological surgeon.
  - Diagnostic Tests for Neurological Disorders
    Evaluating and diagnosing damage to the nervous system is complicated and complex. Many of the same symptoms occur in different combinations among the different disorders.
  - Neurological Exam
    A neurological exam may be performed with instruments, such as lights and reflex hammers, and usually does not cause any pain.
  - Neurological Rehabilitation
    Neurological rehabilitation (rehab) helps people with diseases, injury, or disorders of the nervous system. It can often increase function, ease symptoms, and improve a person's well-being.
- Memory Loss
  - Helping Someone with Memory Loss
    In older people, it's easy to mistake memory problems for the everyday forgetfulness that some people have as they grow older.
- Hearing Problems
  - Ear, Nose, and Throat Facts
    Read on for a detailed look at the parts that make up the ear, nose, and throat.
  - Otolaryngology
    Otolaryngology focuses on medical and surgical treatment for people who have disorders of the ear, nose, throat, and related structures.
  - Audiology
    Audiologists address hearing and balance problems in people of all ages. They also help with the fitting and management of hearing aids.
  - Hearing Loss
    Hearing loss affects nearly 36 million adults in the U.S. Read on to learn more about this condition, including possible causes and treatment.
  - Age-Related Hearing Loss (Presbycusis)
    Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) is the slow loss of hearing in both ears. It’s a common problem linked to aging.
  - Tinnitus
    Tinnitus is the sound of ringing in the ears. It may also be described as roaring, buzzing, hissing, or clicking inside the head. The sounds may come and go. Or they may be ongoing. Read on to learn more.
  - Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Children
    Your child’s inner ears may be damaged if they are around extremely loud noises or around loud noises for long periods of time. This is called noise-induced hearing loss. Read on to learn about common causes and prevention.
  - Acoustic Neuroma
    Acoustic neuroma is a rare noncancer tumor. It affects hearing and balance when the tumor presses on the nerves in the inner ear.
  - Ménière Disease
    Ménière disease is a balance disorder. It causes a severe spinning sensation (vertigo), hearing issues, loss of balance, and headaches.
  - Hearing Aids
    Hearing aids are electronic, battery-operated devices that can make sound louder. A microphone receives the sound and converts it into sound waves. The sound waves are then converted into electrical signals.
  - Hearing and Speech Communication Services and Devices
    Read about the many devices available to help improve communication for people with speech or hearing problems.
- Vision Problems
  - Anatomy of the Eye
    The structures of the eye include the cornea, iris, pupil, macula, retina, and the optic nerve.
  - Eye Care Specialists
    An overview of different eye care providers and what they do, from ophthalmlogists and optometrists to opticians and ocularists.
  - When to Get an Eye Exam
    During an eye exam, an eye healthcare provider looks at your health history and gives you a series of eye tests. The tests are done to check the health of your eyes.
  - Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses
    Eyeglasses are the most common form of eyewear used to correct or improve many types of vision problems. Contact lenses are worn directly on the cornea of the eye.
  - Low-Vision Devices
    Low-vision devices are categorized as either optical or nonoptical. Optical devices are magnifying lenses or closed circuit TV. Nonoptical devices are large-print books and talking computers.
  - Common Eye Disorders
    One common eye disorder is conjunctivitis, sometimes called pink eye. It's an inflammation of the blood vessels in the eye membrane. Another common disorder is a chalazion—a small bump that develops on the upper or lower eyelid.
  - Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
    Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease that affects a person’s central vision. It's the most common cause of severe eyesight loss among people age 50 and older.
  - Why Healthcare Providers Remove Cataracts
    When cataracts affect your ability to function, it's time to think about surgery. Here's what you need to know.
  - Cataracts
    A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye. This is an area that is normally clear. Cataracts can cause cloudy or blurry vision.
  - Diabetic Retinopathy
    While you can’t completely prevent diabetic retinopathy, you can reduce your risk of getting it. And controlling your blood sugar can stop it from getting worse. Read on to learn more about this condition.
  - Glaucoma
    Glaucoma is a health problem where the fluid inside the eye slowly builds up and doesn’t drain correctly. This causes an increase in eye pressure that can ultimately damage the optic nerve. Here's what you need to know.
  - Refractive Errors
    Read on to learn about common refractive errors, including astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness.
  - Cataract Surgery
    A detailed look at cataract surgery, including possible risks, what to expect during the procedure, and recovery afterward.
- Diabetes
  - Pre-Diabetes
    - Metabolic Syndrome and Prediabetes
      Metabolic syndrome is marked by higher levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. That's also a sign of prediabetes.
  - Diabetes Complications
    - Overview of Diabetes Complications
      Heart disease, high blood pressure, and kidney disease are some of the complications of diabetes. Learn more about the complications of diabetes and how to help prevent them.
    - Diabetic Retinopathy
      While you can’t completely prevent diabetic retinopathy, you can reduce your risk of getting it. And controlling your blood sugar can stop it from getting worse. Read on to learn more about this condition.
    - Cardiovascular Disease Screening and Management
      Diabetes affects the cardiovascular system, but many problems aren't apparent until a person has a heart attack or stroke.
    - Diabetes and High Blood Pressure
      If you have diabetes, you are twice as likely to have high blood pressure. Left untreated, high blood pressure can raise your risk for heart disease and other serious health problems.
    - Diabetic Foot Problems
      Diabetes can damage the nerves in your feet, as well as lead to blood vessel disease. Here are some tips for keeping your feet safe and healthy.
    - Special Foot Care for Diabetes
      It's not high blood sugar, heart disease, or stroke that most often puts people with diabetes in the hospital. It's their feet.
  - Facts About Diabetes
    When you have diabetes, your body doesn't make enough insulin. Or it can't use the insulin that it makes. Read on to learn more about this condition.
  - Type 2 Diabetes
    When your body can't make enough insulin or can't use insulin, it is called type 2 diabetes. Read on to learn more about this condition.
- Arthritis
  - About Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases
    Arthritis is a category of rheumatic diseases. Read on to learn more about these conditions and the types of health care providers who treat them.
  - Arthritis
    Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases are common conditions that cause pain, swelling, and limited movement. They affect joints and connective tissues around the body. Millions of people in the U.S. have some form of arthritis.
  - Arthritis Diagnosis
    Diagnosing arthritis and other rheumatic diseases is often difficult, as many symptoms are similar among the different diseases.
  - Anatomy of a Joint
    Joints are the areas where 2 or more bones meet. Most joints are mobile, allowing the bones to move.
  - Osteoarthritis (OA)
    Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It is a chronic degenerative joint disease that affects mostly middle-aged and older adults. Osteoarthritis causes the breakdown of joint cartilage. It can occur in any joint, but it most often affects the hands, knees, hips, or spine.
  - How to Manage Your Osteoarthritis
    Taking arthritis medicine is important, but what you do for yourself, including exercising, doing relaxation exercises and managing your emotions and attitudes, is just as crucial to your ability to lead an active, productive life.
  - Peripheral Vascular Disease
    Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a slow and progressive circulation disorder caused by narrowing, blockage, or spasms in a blood vessel.
  - Gout
    Gout is a condition that causes inflamed, painful joints. The symptoms are caused by deposits of urate crystals at the joints.
- Osteoporosis
  - Osteoporosis
    Osteoporosis is a disease that causes weak, thinning bones. This leaves the bones at greater risk of breaking. The bones most often affected are the hips, spine, and wrists.
  - Osteoporosis: Evaluate Your Risk
    Many people are unaware they have osteoporosis until they have advanced symptoms, which may include a broken hip or wrist, low back pain, or a hunched back.
  - Hip Fracture
    A hip fracture is a break in the thigh bone (femur) of your hip joint. The majority happen to people older than 60 years of age, and women get more hip fractures than men.
  - Kyphoplasty
    Kyphoplasty is a procedure used to treat fractures or breaks in the vertebrae. It involves injecting a cement-like material into the vertebra to make it more stable.
  - Vertebroplasty
    Vertebroplasty is a procedure used to treat fractures or breaks in the vertebrae. In this procedure, a thick cement mixture is injected into a fractured vertebra to stabilize the spine.
- Joint Replacement
  - Hip Fracture
    A hip fracture is a break in the thigh bone (femur) of your hip joint. The majority happen to people older than 60 years of age, and women get more hip fractures than men.
  - Evaluation Procedures for Orthopedic Problems
    To help the orthopedist determine your treatment, you'll need a physical exam, a medical history profile, and a description of symptoms.
  - Treatment Plans
    For most orthopedic disorders and injuries, more than one form of treatment may be appropriate.
  - Is It Time for a New Joint?
    Millions of us struggle with pain and loss of motion because of joint damage caused by arthritis. If other treatments fail to offer relief, you may wonder about turning in your worn-out joints for new ones.
  - Arthroscopy
    Orthopedic surgeons use arthroscopy to diagnose and treat joint problems. An arthroscope is a small, tube shaped instrument that is used to look inside a joint.
  - Joint Replacement Surgery
    Joint replacement surgery removes and replaces an arthritic or damaged joint with an artificial joint. Read on to learn how to get ready for the procedure, and possible complications.
  - Hip Replacement Surgery
    Hip replacement (total hip arthroplasty) is surgery to replace a worn out or damaged hip joint. The surgeon replaces the old joint with an artificial joint (prosthesis). This surgery may be a choice after a hip fracture or for severe pain because of arthritis.
  - Knee Replacement Surgery
    When your knee is badly damaged by disease or injury, an artificial knee replacement may be considered. During knee replacement surgery, your joint surfaces are replaced by prostheses. These are plastic and metal parts that are used to replace your joint surfaces. Read on to learn more.
- Bladder Problems and Erectile Dysfunction
  - Polycystic Kidney Disease
    Detailed information on the different types of polycystic kidney disease.
  - Prostatitis
    Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland and sometimes the area around it. It is not cancer.
  - Interstitial Cystitis
    Interstitial cystitis is an inflamed or irritated bladder wall. It can lead to scarring and stiffening of the bladder. The bladder can’t hold as much urine as it did in the past. It is an ongoing (chronic) disorder.
  - Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
    Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are infections in any part of the urinary tract. They are a common health problem that affects millions of people each year. Women are especially prone to UTIs.
  - Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
    Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is also called benign prostatic hypertrophy. It’s when the prostate gland becomes very large and may cause problems passing urine. BPH is not cancer. It's a common part of aging.
  - Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence)
    Erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence means you can’t get an erection. It can also mean you aren't happy with the size or hardness of your erections, or how long your erections last. Read on to learn more about this condition.
  - Urinary Incontinence
    Urinary incontinence (UI) is the loss of urine control. You may not be able to hold your urine until you can reach a restroom. It may be a short-term problem caused by another health issue. Or it may be a long-term problem that you’ll have to manage.
  - Bladder and Bowel Incontinence
    Bladder or bowel incontinence means a problem with holding in urine or stool. Here's what you should know.
- Other Health Concerns
  - Constipation
    Constipation is not being able to have bowel movements often enough. It can cause pain and other symptoms. Learn more about the causes, tests, and treatments for this common GI (gastrointestinal) problem.
  - Chronic Pain
    Chronic pain is pain that lasts for more than three months. Learn more about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments.
  - Dehydration
    Dehydration means that you don’t have enough water in your body. Learn more about this condition, including causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment.
  - Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)/Heartburn
    GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is a digestive disorder. It is caused when gastric acid from your stomach flows back up into your esophagus.
  - Gout
    Gout is a condition that causes inflamed, painful joints. The symptoms are caused by deposits of urate crystals at the joints.
  - Hemorrhoids
    Hemorrhoids are when the veins or blood vessels in and around your anus and lower rectum become swollen and irritated. This happens when there is extra pressure on these veins.
  - Hypothermia
    Hypothermia occurs when body temperature drops below 95°F (35°C). It is a medical emergency. Learn more about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments.
  - Indigestion
    Indigestion (dyspepsia) is a pain or burning feeling in your upper belly or abdomen. It is common in adults.
  - Influenza (Flu)
    Influenza, or flu, is a respiratory tract infection that spreads easily. It is caused by a virus.
  - Pneumonia
    Pneumonia is an infection of one or both of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or chemical irritants. It is a serious infection or inflammation in which the air sacs fill with pus and other liquid.
  - Shingles
    Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a common infection of the nerves that is caused by a virus. It causes a painful rash or small blisters on an area of skin.
  - Vestibular Balance Disorder
    Dizziness and a spinning sensation (vertigo) are classic symptoms of a vestibular balance disorder. These disorders can strike at any age. But they are most common as you get older.
Long-Term Planning
- Understanding Long-Term Care for Older Adults
  When older adults need others to help them with medical, physical, or emotional needs over an extended period of time, they need long-term care.
- How to Plan for Long-Term Care
  Most older people are independent. But later in life, you or someone you love may need help with everyday activities, such as shopping, cooking and bathing.
- Living Wills Offer Peace of Mind
  A living will tells others how you want to be treated when it comes to life-sustaining measures.
- Palliative Care: Bringing Comfort
  Palliative care focuses on improving a patient's quality of life by improving the symptoms of his or her illness, such as pain, shortness of breath, and difficulty sleeping. It's used with a variety of ailments, including cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney failure, or congestive heart failure.
For the Caregiver
- Being a Caregiver
  A caregiver provides assistance in meeting the daily needs of another person.
- Making the Home Environment Safe
  Home safety is important when you're caring for an ill, aging, or disabled person. Use this helpful checklist as a guide.
- Assistive Equipment for the Home
  Assistive equipment is any kind of tool or device that can help simplify caregiving or make the environment safer for an ill, disabled, or elderly person.
- Caregivers Need to Care for Themselves
  More than 22 million Americans are involved in some form of helping elderly family members or friends with their daily routines. If you're part of this group, whether you call yourself a caregiver, or simply a good daughter or son, you know that caring for an aging parent or friend has its rewards and its trials.
- Elder Care
  Life expectancy in the U.S. has increased in recent years. This has created a fairly new and growing area of healthcare and provider services, known as elder care. Elder care covers a wide variety of issues. Read on to learn more.
- Planning the Care of Your Aging Parents
  Many children of aging parents wait until there's a crisis, and then they're left scrambling for mediocre options. Here are some tips to start planning ahead.
- Understanding Long-Term Care for Older Adults
  When older adults need others to help them with medical, physical, or emotional needs over an extended period of time, they need long-term care.
- How to Plan for Long-Term Care
  Most older people are independent. But later in life, you or someone you love may need help with everyday activities, such as shopping, cooking and bathing.
- Getting the Most from a Mental Health Support Group
  If you’re interested in joining an online support group, read on to learn more about finding one that's right for you.
Home Health and Hospice Care
- Home Healthcare Overview
  Many types of medical and social home healthcare services are available: nursing care, physical therapy, pharmacy services, transportation, and home-delivered meals.
- Hospice Care Overview
  Hospice care usually involves relieving symptoms and providing psychological and social support for the person and their family. The goal of hospice care is to provide the terminally ill patient peace, comfort, and dignity.
- Paying for Long-Term Care, Home Healthcare, and Hospice Care
  Home healthcare services may be paid for directly by the patient, through insurance coverage, or through other public or private sources. Most hospice care programs are provided to the patient regardless of the patient's ability to pay. Read on to learn more.
- Hospices Offer Comfort at Life's End
  As medical progress prolongs our lives, the end can linger. So, more and more people are turning to hospice care.
- Choosing a Home Health Provider
  Finding appropriate home health and hospice care providers needs some research. Here's what you need to consider when evaluating a provider.
- Patient Rights
  If you are unhappy with the home health or hospice care you are receiving, you should notify the provider's administrator, your state health department, and the Better Business Bureau.
- Grief and Loss
  Grief moves in and out of stages from disbelief and denial, to anger and guilt, to finding a source of comfort, to eventually adjusting to the loss.
Medicare Part D
- Understanding Your Medicare Benefits
  Many different plans of Medicare available, with many factors to consider.
- Making Sense of Medicare Options
  Medicare is the federal program that helps people 65 and older pay for their healthcare. Here is a step-by-step process to help you get started.
- How to Find the Medicare Forms You Need
  Although filling out all the enrollment forms for Medicare can be overwhelming, there are a number of resources available to help you.
Videos
- What Is Knee Replacement?
  Watch this video to learn how knee replacement surgery will relieve your pain and restore your joint function.
- Understanding Slips and Relapses
  Recognize your nicotine triggers and learn how to cope with them to prevent a relapse.
- Creating a Quit Tobacco Plan
  See how a plan to quit using tobacco - including identifying your reasons for using tobacco, the triggers that cause you to use tobacco and how to avoid your triggers - can help you quit successfully.
- The Risks of Being Overweight
  Watch this video to learn the health risks associated with being overweight as well as some of the ways used to determine if you are considered overweight.
- Understanding Prediabetes
  Learn what the diagnosis of prediabetes is, its risks, and the steps necessary to take in order to prevent it from developing into type 2 diabetes.
- What Is Hip Replacement?
  Watch how hip replacement surgery is used to relieve pain and restore normal function within the damaged hip joint.

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