Prescription drug costs can be a significant problem for older adults. According to a 2019 report published by the CDC, more than 88% of adults 65+ take at least one prescription drug per month — and almost 42% take five or more prescription drugs monthly. If you are Medicare eligible or will be soon, it’s…

If you’re feeling sick, you may wonder whether you have the flu. While your symptoms can provide some clues, the only way to know for sure is to get tested. That’s because common flu symptoms can overlap with symptoms of COVID-19 — or even the common cold. Having a clear diagnosis is an essential part…

If you’re preparing to take a trip, make sure your to-do list includes being up to date on all routine vaccinations — and getting any other vaccines that are recommended for your destination. That’s because other countries may have higher rates of certain diseases — including some infections no longer seen in the U.S. at…

Whether you have a short illness or a chronic condition, if your doctor prescribes medication for it, it’s important you take it the right way. If you don’t take your medications the right way, your illness might last longer. Or your chronic condition won’t improve — and may even get worse. Here’s how to make…

Aging is a fact of life. And with it comes an increased risk of developing a chronic illness. Chronic illnesses are health conditions that last a year or longer. Some 80% of older adults live with at least one chronic illness. Here is information about the four most common chronic illnesses in older adults. High…

If you’re feeling sad, hopeless, and irritable lately, you’re not alone. These are common signs of depression. And it’s on the rise worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has a lot to do with it, according to an October 2021 study published in The Lancet. It found that rates of depression climbed by 28% in 2020, with…

Our medicine cabinets contain products designed to help us get better when we’re sick and stay healthy. But sometimes those same medications and supplements can cause serious injury — and even death — when used incorrectly or by someone who shouldn’t be taking them. Supplements, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and prescription drugs can all contribute to…

Although countless dietary supplements are available today, the classic multivitamin is still the most popular. And for good reason: a good multivitamin will fill nutritional gaps in your diet. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), more than one-third of all Americans take a multivitamin. However, not all multivitamins are created equal. In fact,…

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), an umbrella term for several diseases that affect the heart, arteries, and blood vessels, is the leading killer of both men and women in the U.S., causing some 660,000 deaths a year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Here’s what you should know about the types of CVD…

Nutrition is a young science, and there’s so much we don’t yet know about how food affects health. But one thing experts agree on is that fiber is absolutely a good thing. Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that your body can’t digest. It’s found in unprocessed plant foods, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes,…