On Aging

Health & Safety

Studies Show Evidence Of Falling Dementia Rates Abroad

5:58pm July 21, 2013

by NPR Staff

The research gives a glimmer of hope about the health of aging populations. But both studies were conducted in Western Europe and may not reflect trends in the American population.

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The Greenes say they take it a day at a time and relish the many long-term memories they've shared for nearly 60 years.

Despite Alzheimer's, Couple Holds Tight To Old Memories

3:44pm June 29, 2013

by Ina Jaffe

Pansy Greene, 73, is still in the early stages of Alzheimer's. She and her husband, Winston, describe their "journey," a term they use to refer to much more than Pansy's struggle with the disease.

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Tackling New Tech In The Golden Years

2:58pm May 24, 2013

Smartphones, tablets and computers could help seniors stay connected to their communities and families. But a hefty price tag, steep learning curves, and designs meant for younger eyes and hands could keep some older adults from logging on. Guests discuss the best ways for seniors to tackle new technology, and how devices can be adapted to accommodate older users.

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Amy Goyer moved back to Phoenix to look after her father, Robert, when he began to show signs of Alzheimer's. He is just one of 5 million Americans living with the disease.

Health & Safety

Alzheimer's Cases Rise, But Hope Remains

7:47pm May 18, 2013

by NPR Staff

More than 5 million Americans currently have Alzheimer's disease, and the number is only going to increase — in part, due to aging baby boomers. But researchers say increased awareness and early detection is helping patients live with the disease.

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Health & Safety

Bedside Manner: Conversations With Patients About Death

2:29pm May 06, 2013

Doctors often struggle with conversations about death — navigating the murky waters of when and how to convey the risks of procedures and prospects for life expectancy. When doctors are less than forthcoming, out of sensitivity or haste, difficult situations become even more complex.

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Confusion over the details of the new health care law is leaving many people vulnerable to con artists. Evelyne Lois Such, 86, was recently the target of an attempted scam.

Scammers Find Fertile Ground In Health Law

10:18am April 22, 2013

by Jenny Gold

Law enforcement agencies are reporting an increase in health insurance scams across the country. Many of the scammers seem to be preying on the public's confusion over the massive changes taking place in the nation's health care system.

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An older man performs exercises in Mumbai, India. Research suggests that moderate physical exercise may be the best way to keep our brains healthy as we age.

How Exercise And Other Activities Beat Back Dementia

8:45am April 16, 2013

by Patti Neighmond

"What's good for the heart is good for the brain," one neuroscientist says. In addition to physical exercise, researchers say mental exercise, socializing and a good diet can help preserve memory.

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Lou Ann Schachner, 84, and Jay Schachner, 81, are volunteers with the Northwestern University SuperAging Project. They keep track of all their plans in a shared calendar. She loves to cook and study French and he is a part-time tax lawyer.

Inside The Brains Of People Over 80 With Exceptional Memory

8:45am April 16, 2013

by Michelle Trudeau

Research into why some people have strong memory well into old age suggests that their brains are different from their peers. Some parts of the brains of "superagers" responsible for attention, thinking and memory seem to be spared the typical age-related shrinkage.

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Health & Safety

Isolation V. Loneliness: The Difference And Why It Matters

2:11pm April 03, 2013

Researchers from University College London followed thousands of people over the age of 52 for seven to eight years to assess the effect of loneliness and isolation. Isolation, not loneliness, may actually shorten people's lives regardless of health or income.

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Health & Safety

A Focus On Adults: Living With Chronic ADHD

2:57pm April 02, 2013

With rates of childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder at alarming highs, a study confirms that, for many, the condition persists into adulthood. A study by the Boston Children's Hospital and the Mayo Clinic finds that the chronic form of ADHD can lead to depression and substance abuse.

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