By Helen Varvi, Deputy Director Those of us who frequently take a combination of prescription or over-the-counter medications usually don't think there is any danger when we also take vitamins or other dietary supplements. But there could be, according to FDA and CDC reports. One CDC survey indicated that 34% of participants (approximately 72 milli...

Is there a senior person in your life battling loneliness and isolation? Humans, regardless of their age, are social creatures who need social connections in their lives. It's important for older adults to feel they have a close circle of loved ones surrounding them so they don't develop unhealthy habits or distressing mental health condi...

Mental illness in seniors is a topic that isn't discussed enough, especially with data showing two out of every three seniors aren't getting the proper care and support they need. According to the CDC, over 20% of older adults suffer from mental health disorders with depression being the most reported among older adults. Here are 5 ways to talk to ...

By Helen Varvi, Deputy Director Half of all Americans have at least one chronic disease, and about 100 million Americans – one in three people – have ongoing pain, often referred to as chronic pain. An average of 7 in 10 deaths annually are due to chronic diseases. Conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, heart disease, and canc...

When caring for a senior adult, there are many aspects of their health to worry about — from sudden falls to increased health ailments. However, drug use is usually something parents worry about with their children more so than the senior adults in their lives. Surprisingly, senior adults are more at risk for substance misuse than people may realiz...

While many might believe substance misuse and addiction is more prevalent in the younger populations, senior adults are also at a high risk for these habits — and for a variety of reasons. From mental health issues like depression and memory impairment to physical health issues like chronic pain and medical conditions, it's often a slippery slope i...

Detecting depression in older adults can be difficult because symptoms may manifest differently than in younger people. For example, some seniors who are experiencing depression may not display sadness as a major symptom, but rather appear to feel tired more regularly or seem more irritable and grumpier than usual. What makes diagnosing depression ...

National Family Caregivers Month – celebrated each November – is a time to recognize the more than 40 million people in the United States who serve as unpaid family caregivers. Each day in homes throughout our nation, Americans with chronic or terminal illnesses, functional impairment, or disabilities receive compassionate care and support from fam...

By Helen Varvi, Deputy Director Among other observations, September is also recognized as Healthy Aging Month. It is a national observance created by the Healthy Aging organization designed to bring attention to the importance of healthy lifestyles for all adults, not just senior citizens – whoever they are! The observance began over 25 y...

By Helen Varvi, Deputy Director Despite the significant portion of the older adult population that is affected, social isolation and loneliness are serious public health risks that are not taken seriously, especially during COVID-19. Even before the pandemic began, a 2020 report published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medi...