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- Q How can I stay mentally sharp as I age?
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Dr. Dawn Marcus, NeurologyYour mind stays clearer in your senior years when you exercise your brain regularly. While mental activity does seem reduce your risk of developing memory problems, just doing physical exercise is less effective. Reading and playing board games... Full Answer
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- Q What is the normal weight range for older adults?
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America's obesity epidemic is constantly in the news and is an issue that should concern you because being overweight or obese is associated with conditions that can seriously impact your health and independence, including heart disease,... Full Answer
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- Q What causes weak thigh, hamstring, and butt muscles in older adults?
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Rick Olderman, Physical TherapyAs we grow older, we typically look for more energy-efficient ways to do things. Our leg muscles seem to get tired more quickly. One of the easiest things to do to conserve strength and stave off fatigue is to straighten, or "lock," our knees while... Full Answer
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- Q Will our elderly years be healthier than those of previous generations?
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Dr. Dean Ornish, Internal MedicineMaintaining a healthy lifestyle is especially vital in our later years. In this video, Dr. Dean Ornish discusses how preventative care can prevent the chronic illnesses so often associated with advancing age. Full Answer
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- Q How can I tell if an older adult is depressed?
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Anthony Cirillo, GerontologyProfessors of psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center have pinpointed a number of prime factors for determining seniors at risk for developing depression. The most apparent factors that contribute to depression include low-level... Full Answer
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- Q When should a senior citizen stop driving?
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Anthony Cirillo, GerontologyA group of neurologists has released a set of guidelines to help doctors and family members determine when seniors or elderly people with dementia should give up their car keys and stop driving."It is important that the decision to stop driving be... Full Answer
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- Q Which seniors are most likely to need nursing home care?
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Anthony Cirillo, GerontologyDementia is the most obvious reason that a person will require nursing home care. In a study, other factors that led to faster admission to a nursing home included living alone, functional impairment, major depression, and stroke. Seniors who had home... Full Answer
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- Q Can I deduct the cost of assisted living from my taxes?
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Anthony Cirillo, GerontologyThe cost of assisted living may be tax-deductible on federal income tax returns. The IRS has certain guidelines to determine eligibility. The cost of housing and meals and certain personal care services may be deductible; the determining factor is... Full Answer
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- Q How can I feel secure about retiring?
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Anthony Cirillo, GerontologyIn a study on retirement attitudes by The Met Life Mature Market Institute and the Scripps Gerontology Center, those who were confident that they would be comfortable in their retirement usually had a guaranteed stream of income and adequate savings.... Full Answer
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- Q What unforeseen problems might affect my retirement?
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Anthony Cirillo, GerontologyRetirement planning is not a simple equation of the lure of retirement vs. the pull of work. There are complex influences to consider. To begin, it helps to plan for a number of unforeseen problems. These may include the possibility of declining or... Full Answer
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