Pessimism about old age may be a risk factor for dementia, study finds Read the story here.

                Submitted by Lydia Chan What is Alzheimer’s Disease? An estimated 5.4 million Americans suffer from the degenerative brain disorder Alzheimer’s disease. Most of those people are seniors aged 65 or older, with over 700,000 of them dying from Alzheimer’s or related conditions. Alzheimer’s falls under the umbrella of dementia, and the two share many of the same symptoms including memory loss, changes in personality, and other cognitive struggles. Other unexpected symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include: ● Trouble discerning right from wrong. ● Physical instability and frequent falling. ● Inability to remember the function of commonly used objects. ● Consuming old, rotting food…

As the elderly population continues to grow in the US, more people are becoming caregivers either professionally or as a service to a loved one. These loving individuals who take care of family and close friends make up 80% of the long-term caregivers in our country, but the added stress of these increased responsibilities can be difficult to cope with. Being a caregiver is extremely rewarding, but something known as “caregiver stress” is common. Signs of caregiver stress include: Feelings of being overwhelmed or constantly worried Being tired more frequently than usual Over-sleeping or under-sleeping Large fluctuations in weight Losing interest in long-time habits or passions Too much stress in…

With the US population being comprised of a larger number of senior citizens than ever, senior health is more important than it ever has been. People are living longer lives now, than at any other point in human history, and the following tips will help keep the senior citizens in your life happy and healthy for a long time to come. Health screenings – Though applicable to more than just the senior population, putting an end to smoking habits is critical for a long life. Smoking causes cancer, stroke, and heart failure in the long term, and can cause excessive wrinkling of the skin, and even erectile dysfunction in men.…

The crisis in Puerto Rico in the wake of the recent hurricanes is sending tens of thousands of displaced Puerto Ricans to Florida, accelerating what has been a steady move from the island to the mainland and has triggered wide-ranging effects on schools, jobs, and especially housing. Over 1 million Puerto Ricans reside in Florida, and that number has been rising at the rate of about 1,000 families per month relocating from the island. The passing of Hurricane Maria could potentially send 100,000 Puerto Ricans to Florida, and though it may seem like a small number in a state with over 20 million residents, the newest additions to Florida include…