“Niece”
My 75 year old aunt is very fearful about developing dementia because her father developed Alzheimer’s in his late seventies. She is energetic, very engaged in her community, stays physically active,...
View ArticleMy mother my idol
“My Mother, my idol”….. I looked up to my mother, one who knew everything, always had a solution to everyday problems, a pianist, an opera singer, a community volunteer, involved in social causes and...
View Article“My Mother, My Idol”
Len: Dear “My Mother, my idol”……….. Your story is such a touching one and so beautifully told. Thank you for sharing it. My guess is that you have been and continue to be a wonderful child. Listen to...
View ArticleTo Retire or Not to Retire – That is the Question
To Retire or Not to Retire – That is the Question It seems like more and more of our relatives, friends, neighbors, and colleagues are stepping forward and announcing their leap into retirement. Heck,...
View ArticleWhen People Stash Instead of Trash
We didn’t receive any questions from readers this month, so we’ve decided to write on a topic of our own choice……hoarding. Surprisingly, one of the most vexing problems that health officials and aging...
View ArticleSex and Intimacy in Later Life
Sex and Intimacy in Later Life Hello, Cliff here: You probably think you know a lot about sexuality in old age. Here’s the list of what I think you think you know: People lose interest in sex as they...
View ArticleThe Value of Memories and Nostalgia
Exploring Our Memories in Later Life Cliff took the month off so I’m going solo. That gives me a chance to mix it up on the subject of memory and aging. Rather than talking about the symptoms of memory...
View ArticleWho Will Help Those Who Don’t Have Children?
My husband and I did not have kids. Our siblings all have children. We have saved and expect to be comfortable in our retirement. I am presently retired and my husband will retire in about 2 years. We...
View ArticleDo I need a geriatrician?
Do I need a geriatrician? Cliff: A geriatrician is a physician who specializes in the care of older adults. There aren’t many of us around. Most seniors see general internists, family physicians,...
View ArticleDo I need a professional geriatric care manager?
Do I need a professional geriatric care manager? Len: Last month in Age Smart, Cliff addressed what a geriatrician does and how this kind of medical specialist might be helpful to you. This month I...
View ArticleSleep and Aging
Professor Kaye is taking a break this month, so I’m going solo to talk about something that we can all relate to……..sleep. Earlier in my career I was a sleep researcher, studying sleep in diseases of...
View ArticleCaregiving and the Holidays
Caregiving and Holidays Dr. Kaye suggested this topic, which seems timely and important, but not something I have any special expertise in. First of all, I’m a guy, so I’m generally oblivious to...
View ArticleShould I Take Vitamin D Supplements??
It’s January in Maine. What should we talk about? Something sexy, exciting and fascinating you say? Well OK! We’ll talk about vitamin D deficiency. This is a good topic for January, since this is the...
View ArticleThoughts about Growing Old in the RIGHT Place
“Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam, Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home; A charm from the skies seems to hallow us there, Which seek thro’ the world, is ne’er met elsewhere....
View ArticleGrowing Older and the Meaning of Work
The Maine Department of Labor has reported what many of us already knew – our state’s labor force is aging. Approximately half of private industry workers are at least 45 years old and within the next...
View ArticleDoes Fasting Slow Aging?
Dear Age Smart: Does Fasting Slow Aging? From a person who loves to feast. Dear Feaster: Does fasting slow aging? Surprisingly, that might be true. But it depends what you mean by “fasting”. Prolonged...
View ArticleDrinking Alcohol as We Grow Older
Dear Age Smart: “I’m a 63 year old woman in good health but come from a family in which alcoholism runs rampant. I don’t think I’ve ever had a problem with alcohol and I like my glass of wine with...
View ArticleWomen and Cognitive Decline in Old Age
Women and Cognitive Decline in Old Age Cliff: The latest research results being announced at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference taking place in Washington DC this week have become big...
View ArticleSurviving the Midlife Crisis
Dear Age Smart: My father is in his 50’s and just bought a motorcycle. The other day he mentioned that he is planning his first skydiving trip. I’m concerned that this is the start of a mid-life...
View ArticleDiet and Risk of Dementia from Alzheimer’s Disease
In a previous column I discussed the brain-healthy effects of brief, periodic fasting. Happily, there is an alternative to going hungry every few days. An increasing body of evidence suggests that you...
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