Skip Navigation Link
secslider

Introduction to Aging and Geriatrics

Aging & Geriatrics

Great improvements in medicine, public health, science, and technology have enabled today's older Americans to live longer and healthier lives than previous generations. Older adults want to remain healthy and independent at home in their communities. Society wants to minimize the health care and economic costs associated with an increasing older population. The science of aging indicates that chronic disease and disability are not inevitable. As a result, health promotion and disease prevention activities and programs are an increasing priority for older adults, their families, and the health care system.

Many people fail to make the connection between undertaking healthy behaviors today and the impact of these choices later in life. Studies indicate that healthy eating, physical activity, mental stimulation, not smoking, active social engagement, moderate use of alcohol, maintaining a safe environment, social support, and regular health care are important in maintaining he...More

Fast Facts: Learn! Fast!

What healthy choices should those who are aging make?

  • Choosing a doctor is one of the most important decisions anyone can make. The best time to make that decision is while you are still healthy and have time to really think about all your choices.
  • Studies show that endurance activities help prevent or delay many diseases that seem to come with age. In some cases, endurance activity can also improve chronic diseases or their symptoms.
  • You can improve your health if you move more and eat better!
  • As you grow older, you may need less energy from what you eat, but you still need just as many of the nutrients in food.
  • The Federal Government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly encourage older adults to be immunized against flu, pneumococcal disease, tetanus and diphtheria, and chickenpox, as well as measles, mumps, and rubella.
  • Sunlight is a major cause of the skin changes we think of as aging — changes such as wrinkles, dryness, and age spots.

For more information

What medical issues can those who are aging face?

  • Age can bring changes that affect your eyesight.
  • About one-third of Americans older than age 60 and about half the people who are 85 and older have hearing loss. Whether a hearing loss is small (missing certain sounds) or large (being profoundly deaf), it is a serious concern.
  • Menopause is the time around the age of 51 when your body makes much less of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone and you stop having periods, which can cause troublesome symptoms for some women.
  • The risk of osteoporosis grows as you get older. Ten million Americans have osteoporosis, and 8 million of them are women.
  • Prostate problems are common in men age 50 and older. There are many different kinds of prostate problems and treatments vary but prostate problems can often be treated without affecting sexual function.
  • Loss of bladder control is called urinary incontinence and at least 1 in 10 people age 65 or older has this problem.
  • In order to meet the criteria for an Alzheimer's disease diagnosis, a person's cognitive deficits must cause significant impairment in occupational and/or social functioning.

For more information

What mental health issues can those who are aging face?

  • Because the aging process affects how the body handles alcohol, the same amount of alcohol can have a greater effect as a person grows older. Over time, someone whose drinking habits haven’t changed may find she or he has a problem.
  • There are many reasons why depression in older people is often missed or untreated. The good news is that people who are depressed often feel better with the right treatment.

For more information


News Articles

  • After Heart Attack, Cardiac Rehab Begins Road to Recovery

    Fewer than one in 10 eligible Medicare beneficiaries get recommended heart failure rehab treatments, the American Heart Association recently noted. More...

  • COVID Boosters Keep Older Americans Out of Hospitals: CDC

    The risk of hospitalization for COVID-19 among older Americans is far higher for those who are unvaccinated than for those who are fully vaccinated and have had a booster shot, new government data shows. More...

  • Do You Feel Old? It Could Be Aging You

    People who believe their bodies and minds will break down with age may be creating a self-fulfilling prophecy, a recent study suggests. More...

  • Cleaner Air Could Mean Healthier Brains for Older Women

    Everyone knows cleaner air means healthier bodies, but new research suggests it might also help aging minds. More...

  • Four Factors in Midlife Predict a Healthy Old Age for Women

    Four specific factors -- higher body mass index (BMI), smoking, arthritis and depressive symptoms -- at age 55 are associated with clinically important declines in physical health 10 years later, a new study reports. More...

    • 45 More

    • Scientists Work Out How Exercise Saves Your Brain

      Older folks who are more physically active have higher levels of a protein that promotes better communication between the brain's synapses, a new study reports. More...

    • Medicare May Rethink Premium Hike for Pricey Alzheimer’s Drug

      Medicare has been told to reassess a significant premium increase it had announced that largely stemmed from the expensive new Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm. More...

    • Quality of Home Health Care Varies Between Urban, Rural Areas

      Need in-home health care? Know this: The quality of your care may depend on where you live. More...

    • Make 2022 Your Year for a Free Memory Screening

      The Alzheimer's Foundation of America offers routine screenings that are both virtual and free every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. More...

    • More U.S. Seniors, Especially Women, Are Retaining Healthy Brains: Study

      The percentage of older Americans reporting serious problems with memory and thinking has declined in recent years -- and higher education levels may be part of the reason, a new study finds. More...

    • More U.S. Women Are Retaining Their Hearing as They Age

      Hearing loss can happen with advancing age, but fewer American women appear to be affected now than in the past. More...

    • Over 60? You Have Billions of Potentially Cancer-Causing Cells

      The vast majority of these mutations won't do anything and most people (60%) will go their entire lives without a cancer diagnosis. More...

    • Many Seniors on Medicare Falling Into Medical Debt

      "Medicare For All" gets tossed around a lot by advocates of universal health coverage, but a new study finds that today's Medicare is far from free for seniors and people with disabilities. More...

    • Overactive Bladder, Dangerous Falls Often Go Together for Seniors

      An overactive bladder isn't just a nuisance and a source of embarrassment. For the elderly, it can also trigger a potentially fatal fall, a Canadian study says. More...

    • Could Viagra Help Prevent Alzheimer's?

      Looking at data on more than 7 million Americans, researchers found that those taking the drug were 69% less likely to develop Alzheimer's, when compared to non-users. More...

    • Black Americans Less Likely to Lose Hearing as They Age

      Older Black Americans are much more likely to have good hearing than white Americans, and the difference is especially notable among men, a new study shows. More...

    • 'Mild Cognitive Impairment' in Older Age Often Disappears, Study Finds

      A diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) might worry an older adult, who could see it as a stepping stone to dementia. But a new study suggests one does not necessarily lead to the other. More...

    • During the Holidays, Help Protect the Elderly from Falls

      A holiday visit with older relatives might be a good chance to help them remove fall risks in their home, an expert suggests. More...

    • 'Active Grandparent': Humans Evolved to Exercise in Old Age

      Becoming a couch potato as you get older goes against evolution and puts your health at risk, a new study suggests. More...

    • Reminder Apps on Smartphones May Help in Early Dementia

      Despite stereotypes about seniors and technology, a small study suggests that older adults in the early stages of dementia can use smartphone apps as memory aids. More...

    • Neurologists' Group Issues Guidance to Families on Controversial Alzheimer's Drug

      Neurologists must make sure Alzheimer's patients and their families understand that the controversial drug aducanumab does not restore mental function, the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) said in new position statement that includes ethical guidelines. More...

    • Trial Begins of Nasal Vaccine for Alzheimer's Disease

      The first human clinical trial of a nasal vaccine to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease is set to begin after nearly 20 years of research. More...

    • Grandmother's Brain In Sync With Her Grandkids': Study

      Grandmothers can have a strong bond with the little children in their families -- and the connection even shows up on brain scans, researchers say. More...

    • Most Older Adults Plan to Travel Soon, With Precautions: Poll

      Nearly 1 in 3 older Americans plan an extended trip next year, and 1 in 4 plan to travel for the holidays, but many will take COVID-19 into account, a new survey shows. More...

    • Demand for Liver Transplant Rises Sharply Among Older Americans

      More older folks are winding up on liver transplant waiting lists than ever before, as obesity and alcoholism supersede hepatitis C as the main cause of liver failure in the United States. More...

    • Pricey Alzheimer's Drug Drives Spike in Medicare B Premium: Officials

      A new and expensive Alzheimer's drug called Aduhelm is responsible for about half of the $21.60 increase in monthly premiums for Medicare's Part B outpatient program in 2022, Medicare officials report. More...

    • Alzheimer's Diagnosis May Come With Big Cost to Social Life

      Alzheimer's is a devastating disease, slowly robbing patients of their memories and even their sense of selves. Now, new research shows it also robs sufferers of a healthy social life. More...

    • Why Are So Few Seniors Getting Heart Failure Rehab?

      Heart failure remains a major killer among the millions of Americans on Medicare. So, it's alarming that fewer than 10% of eligible Medicare beneficiaries get recommended heart failure rehab treatments, researchers say. More...

    • Fish on Your Plate May Keep Your Brain Sharp

      Older folks who eat fish a couple of times a week may be doing their brains a favor. More...

    • Almost 1 in 3 U.S. Seniors Now Sees at Least 5 Doctors Per Year

      Nearly one-third of older U.S. adults visit at least five different doctors each year -- reflecting the growing role of specialists in Americans' health care, a new study finds. More...

    • Language Can Make the Difference Between Home, Hospital Care: Study

      A new study of home health care found that patients who speak a language other than English have higher rates of hospital readmission. More...

    • Use of Ritalin, Other Stimulants Can Raise Heart Risks for Older Adults

      ADHD medications are increasingly being prescribed to older adults, and they may cause a short-term spike in the risk of heart attack, stroke and arrhythmias, a large new study suggests. More...

    • Cataracts Tied to Higher Odds of Death From Heart Disease

      Cataracts, a common eye disorder that often comes with age, may also be linked to a heightened risk of death from heart disease, new research shows. More...

    • Right Amount of Sleep May Be Important in Early Alzheimer's

      Getting the right amount of sleep -- not too much and not too little -- could reduce your risk of mental decline as you age, even if you have early Alzheimer's disease, a new study claims. More...

    • AHA News: Hearing Loss and the Link to Dementia

      "The greater your hearing loss, the more likely you are to develop dementia," said Dr. Alexander Chern, an ear, nose and throat doctor at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. More...

    • FDA Eases Access to Cheaper Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids

      The proposal would create a category of hearing aids that could be sold directly to consumers, without either a medical exam or a fitting by an audiologist. More...

    • One-Third of Americans With Arthritis Get No Exercise

      Many American arthritis sufferers aren't getting any exercise despite its benefits for reducing pain and improving their quality of life, new research shows. More...

    • Many Older Americans Who Should Be Checking Blood Pressure at Home Aren't: Poll

      If you are over 50 and you have high blood pressure or a health condition for which blood pressure control is essential, at-home blood pressure checks can avert medical emergencies. More...

    • Retired and Want to Stay Sharp? Hop on the Internet More Often

      Help in retaining mental function when you age could be only a few keystrokes away. More...

    • FDA Approves Pfizer Booster Shots for Seniors, High-Risk Americans

      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved Pfizer booster shots for people over 65 and for those at high risk of severe COVID-19. More...

    • Turning 65 Brings Big Health Care Cost Savings, Study Finds

      When Americans are eligible for Medicare at age 65, they see a significant drop in their out-of-pocket medical costs. More...

    • After an ICU Stay, Social Support Crucial for Seniors' Survival

      Older adults who are socially isolated are more likely to experience serious disability or die after a stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), new research reveals. More...

    • Diets That Lower Brain Iron Could Keep You Sharp

      Older adults who regularly eat foods like fish, nuts and olive oil may have less iron accumulation in their brains, as well as sharper memories, a small study suggests. More...

    • Health Savings Accounts Used Least by People Who Need Them Most: Poll

      Tax-free health savings accounts can make it easier for Americans to pay for future health expenses, but most older adults aren't using them. More...

    • Could Cheaper, Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Finally Be Here?

      Less costly high-tech, over-the-counter hearing devices are being developed, and some have even arrived on the market from companies like the speaker manufacturer Bose. More...

    • Postponing Retirement Might Help Keep Dementia at Bay

      AdobeStock

      Early retirement may sound appealing, but a recent study hints that putting it off a few years might help older adults retain more of their mental sharpness. More...

    • How Common Is Opioid Misuse Among Seniors After Hip Surgery?

      Many seniors who undergo surgery after breaking a hip continue to take opioids long after being released from the hospital, new research indicates. More...

    • Vaccines' Power Against COVID Hospitalization Fades in Elderly: Study

      The ability of COVID-19 vaccines to protect adults older than 75 against hospitalization appears to wane over time, but still remained 80% effective as of the end of July, new federal data shows. More...

    • AHA News: What Are Researchers Doing to Stop Dementia?

      Researchers say dementias are so varied and complex, there remain more questions than answers when it comes to how to thwart them. More...

    • Why Water Is Key to Your Heart's Health

      New research suggests that middle-aged adults can lower their long-term risk for heart failure by simply drinking enough water on a daily basis. More...

Share This

Resources

Topics