About.com Senior Living

Will Boomers Age with More Disabilities Than Their Elders?

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:01:24 +0000

Widely reported news from UCLA suggests that boomers will enter their 60s with more disabilities than the previous generation.

Researchers looked at results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) during two different time periods--1988-1994 and 1999-2004, and studied how the levels of disability changed for people who were 60 to 69, 70 to 79, and 80-plus in four areas:

Activities associated with daily living: walking from room to room; getting into and out of bed
Performing household chores or preparing meals
Mobility: walking one-quarter mile; climbing 10 steps without stopping for rest
Functional limitations: stooping, crouching or kneeling

In all areas except #4, people in the youngest age group (60-69) showed a 40-70 percent increase in disabilities, but the older groups showed "no significant increases," according to a news release from UCLA.

While the UCLA study doesn't explain the trend toward increased disabilities among boomers, researchers suggest that it may be partly due to population increases in African Americans and Hispanics, who have higher risks for being overweight and having fewer health resources.

Study researchers are using these findings to predict the strong possibility that boomers, who are now moving into their 60s, are in for a bumpy ride. But nobody's saying you have to follow the trend.

We've been hearing for years that exercise helps older adults stay healthy and reduce the risk of dementia. If you keep your weight in check, keep moving, eat healthy foods and keep a positive attitude, you can help to ensure that you'll feel good and enjoy life in your 60s, 70s and beyond.

Want to learn more about the boomers and disabilities study? A few details are available in a news release
from UCLA. The full study, paid for by the National Institute on Aging, will be published in the American Journal of Public Health in January 2010.

Will Boomers Age with More Disabilities Than Their Elders? originally appeared on About.com Senior Living on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 12:01:24.

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My Search for Safe Cosmetics

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:52:24 +0000

After reading news stories about lead in lipstick, phthalates in cosmetics, and trying (almost) in vain to find shampoo without sodium laurel sulphate or sodium laureth sulphate (foaming agents made from sulfuric acid, monododecyl ester, and sodium--no thanks), I decided to look for safe cosmetics that are made without known toxins and carcinogens.

I started with the Web sites of my (former) favorite products but found little or no information about ingredients. I did find two good sources for information about safe cosmetics, and I'm sharing them with you:

If you're interested in organic cosmetics, check online or published reviews of organic cosmetics before you buy. Organic products shouldn't contain toxins or chemicals, but some do because the designation of "organic" can be somewhat loose.

My Search for Safe Cosmetics originally appeared on About.com Senior Living on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 21:52:24.

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Testosterone Boosters: Big with Boomers

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:36:51 +0000

FDA concerns about the safety of two testosterone boosters from Endo Pharmaceuticals may delay their approval, but safety concerns haven't kept testosterone sales from increasing 25 percent in the past year (while Viagra sales have dropped 8 percent), according Business Week.

Despite research studies, including one from the University of North Carolina, which show that testosterone boosters do not slow aging, they are commonly prescribed for older adults. Men use testosterone boosters to treat erectile dysfunction, and women use them hoping to increase sexual satisfaction.

Testosterone Boosters: Big with Boomers originally appeared on About.com Senior Living on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 15:36:51.

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Remember Michael Jackson in 1969?

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:12:03 +0000

With Michael Jackson's untimely death and the debut of the hit film, This Is It--about preparations for the concert tour he died too soon to make--many people only think of Michael Jackson as an odd but talented adult.

Remember Michael Jackson in 1969? originally appeared on About.com Senior Living on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 20:12:03.

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CDC Says Older Adults Unlikely to Need Early H1N1 Vaccine

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:09:27 +0000

The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that people age 65 and older do NOT get early doses of the H1N1 vaccine, for two main reasons:

CDC Says Older Adults Unlikely to Need Early H1N1 Vaccine originally appeared on About.com Senior Living on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 05:09:27.

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Need Help Remembering If You Took Your Pills? Pat Your Head

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:04:31 +0000

Have you ever taken a pill--vitamin or medication--and immediately forgotten that you took it?

Me too, and forgetting if you took your pills must be fairly common. Or researchers at Washington University in St. Louis wouldn't have done a study about it.

The study revealed that older adults who have to do something every day--like taking a pill, for example--often have no trouble remembering to do it. They just can't remember if they did it. Forgetting can lead to taking another pill--and the dangers of overmedication.

Need Help Remembering If You Took Your Pills? Pat Your Head originally appeared on About.com Senior Living on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 11:04:31.

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In National H1N1 Emergency, Don't Forget Your Seasonal Flu Shot

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:20:47 +0000

President Obama has signed a declaration making the H1N1 virus a national emergency. The declaration can make it easier for local governments and health agencies to set up alternate sites to provide the vaccine and treatment for huge numbers of people who are expected to want the vaccine.

With all the publicity for H1N1, don't forget about your seasonal flu shot.

In National H1N1 Emergency, Don't Forget Your Seasonal Flu Shot originally appeared on About.com Senior Living on Saturday, October 24th, 2009 at 21:20:47.

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HHS to Create National Resource Center for LGBT Older Adults

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:28:33 +0000

To address a national need for culturally-sensitive community support and services for lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) adults age 60 and older, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced plans to establish the first national resource center.

HHS to Create National Resource Center for LGBT Older Adults originally appeared on About.com Senior Living on Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 at 16:28:33.

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Sit Up Straight: Good Posture Increases Confidence

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 12:03:35 +0000

Sit up straight.

You may have heard those words from a parent or grandparent when you were growing up. And now it's time to pass them along.

But instead of replying "because I said so," you can say, "because you'll have more confidence in yourself."

Sit Up Straight: Good Posture Increases Confidence originally appeared on About.com Senior Living on Sunday, October 18th, 2009 at 12:03:35.

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Will Obama Get $250 Checks for Seniors in 2010?

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:24:15 +0000

President Obama supports giving $250 checks to seniors, people with disabilities and veterans in 2010, according to a White House press release about the proposed Economic Recovery Payments. This proposal is expected to cost $13 billion and will benefit 57 million people--including 49 million who receive Social Security benefits.

Will Obama Get $250 Checks for Seniors in 2010? originally appeared on About.com Senior Living on Thursday, October 15th, 2009 at 12:24:15.

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