Aging

The federal government will develop a website with information on how Medicare therapy claims should be handled.

Plan Approved To Fix Misunderstandings On Medicare Therapy Coverage

11:09am February 03, 2017

by Susan Jaffe

Many seniors are denied coverage for rehabilitation because therapists mistakenly believe that patients must be improving to qualify. A new legal order seeks to clarify the standards.

Emil Girardi, 83, and Shipra Narruhn, 67, chat in Girardi's San Francisco apartment. They were paired through a nonprofit called Little Brothers, Friends of the Elderly, which aims to relieve isolation and loneliness.

Easing Old People's Loneliness Can Help Keep Them Healthy

8:35pm January 01, 2017

by Anna Gorman

Little Brothers, which operates in San Francisco and several other cities, sends volunteers to brighten up the lives of isolated elderly people, helping them reduce the risk of serious illness.

Diseased brain tissue from an Alzheimer's patient showing amyloid plaques (in blue) located in the gray matter of the brain.

Where Does Alzheimer's Treatment Go From Here?

12:35pm December 29, 2016

by Bret Stetka

The failure of an experimental drug that targets clumps of protein inside the brains of Alzheimer's patients called into question one of the leading theories about the cause of the dementia.

Elderly hospitalized patients taken care of by female doctors had better results than those seen by male doctors.

Patients Cared For By Female Doctors Fare Better Than Those Treated By Men

6:24pm December 19, 2016

If male doctors were as good as their female counterparts at caring for older people in the hospital, about 32,000 fewer patients a year would die. What do female doctors do better than men?

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If you need to buy health insurance, don't procrastinate.

Sign Up For Health Coverage If You Need It, Despite GOP Repeal Plans

5:15pm December 13, 2016

by Michelle Andrews

Republicans' plans to overhaul the federal health law aren't expected to take effect immediately, so consumers can still sign up for 2017 coverage — and should, if they need insurance.

Bobo gives her mother a kiss. Her mother can't talk or move her arms or legs.

Caring For A Loved One At Home Can Have A Steep Learning Curve

7:41am December 12, 2016

by Taunya English

People caring for someone at home often have zero training. Many learn on the fly, and some states are passing laws to make sure caregivers get at least basic instruction in home care.

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Be the sunflower and you may live longer.

A Brighter Outlook Could Translate To A Longer Life

4:25pm December 07, 2016

by Katherine Hobson

This study doesn't prove that optimism actually causes better health or postpones death. But it joins a growing body of evidence suggesting that they're fellow travelers.

One more coffee, one more cigarette/One more morning, trying to forget — Van Morrison, You Just Can't Win.

It's Never Too Late To Quit Smoking, Even In Your 60s

2:10pm November 30, 2016

by Katherine Hobson

It's true that the earlier a smoker quits the better, but even people who quit in their 60s lowered their risk of death compared to those who kept puffing away.

Laura Rees (left) and her sister Nancy Fee sit with their father, Joseph Fee, while holding a photo of his late wife, Elizabeth.

Rule Change Could Push Hospitals To Tell Patients About Nursing Home Quality

10:10am November 27, 2016

by Jordan Rau

Hospitals often shy away from offering quality assessments about skilled nursing care because of a Medicare requirement not to restrict choice. Federal officials are weighing changes to that rule.

More than a quarter of Japan's population is over the age of 65, and its birthrate is falling steadily.

Golden Years, Iron Bars: Japan Sees Rise In Crime By The Elderly

5:50pm November 22, 2016

by Elise Hu

Senior citizens are committing crimes like shoplifting in bigger numbers than teenagers, and the threat of jail time doesn't seem to be a deterrent.