All Posts in "Health & Fitness"

Two advocacy organizations for Alzheimer’s patients and research have sounded alarms about what they claim are harmful cuts by the federal government of national health workforces.

Us Against Alzheimer’s and the Alzheimer’s Association denounced the eliminations of 20,000 workers within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), saying the cutbacks inject instability, uncertainty, and delays into the system that provides disease prevention, cures, and safety monitoring.

 Alzheimer’s is the only top-10 cause of death that has no cure and impacts over 50 percent of U.S. families. Disorder in healthcare stemming from federal reductions could delay or prevent millions of people from receiving life-saving treatments, said George Vandenburg, head of Us Against Alzheimer’s.

The Alzheimer’s Association said programs such as the Healthy Brain Initiative and Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure, which had staff placed on administrative leave as part of the HHS reduction, affect Americans every day. BOLD was reauthorized by Congress last December.

HHS officials, while not addressing the Alzheimer’s concerns, said its “restructuring” will save $1.8 billion per year by reducing its full-time employees from 82,000 to 62,000. The agency also claimed its services will be streamlined by consolidating divisions and centralizing functions such as human resources and information technology.

The Senior Scene by — May 6, 2025 in Health & Fitness
50 or older? This vaccine is for you

(Pictured: To help keep them smiling, the national Centers for Disease Control recommends the pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine for all adults 50 or older.)

Pneumococcal pneumonia is a potentially serious bacterial lung disease that can disrupt a person’s life for weeks and even land them in the hospital. Medical experts say there are ways to reduce the risk of serious illness.

An important step is getting a pneumococcal vaccination if it’s recommended for you. This vaccine helps protect against pneumococcal disease, including pneumococcal pneumonia, bloodstream infection (bacteremia), and infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). In October 2024, the national Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention updated its adult immunization schedules and now recommends pneumococcal vaccination for all adults 50 or older, even if they are healthy, and maintains its recommendation of vaccination for adults 19 to 49 with certain underlying medical conditions like asthma, COPD, chronic heart disease, and diabetes.

“The immune system naturally weakens with age, so even if you’re healthy and active, being older puts you at greater risk of severe illness from pneumococcal pneumonia. The CDC’s updated guidelines are intended to keep more people healthy and safe,” said Dr. Albert A. Rizzo, chief medical officer for the American Lung Association.

The American Lung Association maintains an ongoing educational program about pneumococcal pneumonia with Pfizer. The program includes these fast facts:

• Anyone can get pneumococcal pneumonia, and unfortunately, it is a disease you can have more than one time. Certain populations are at higher risk for severe illness, hospitalization, and death. You can use American Lung Association resources to help determine your risk.

• The symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia include fever, chills, cough, chest pain, difficulty breathing or rapid breathing, and these symptoms can appear suddenly and without warning.

• Having the flu increases the likelihood of developing pneumonia, including pneumococcal pneumonia. Reduce this risk by getting a flu shot every year to help prevent seasonal influenza. In addition, those at risk for pneumococcal disease can get vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia. Ask your healthcare provider about pneumococcal vaccinations.

For more information about risk factors, symptoms and prevention, visit lung.org/pneumococcal.

Source: StatePoint Media

The Senior Scene by — April 30, 2025 in Health & Fitness
Ways to stay in shape without wearing out your wallet

(Pictured: A set of resistance bands is an inexpensive alternative for strength-training.)

Gym memberships can be expensive and may lock a member into long-term contracts. Some at-home equipment on the market can also carry big price tags and possibly monthly subscription charges, too. But keeping fit doesn’t need to be a workout for the wallet. Here are some ways to save:

Stream workout videos for free.

Whether gentle yoga, heart-pounding cardio, or sensible strengthening routines, there are thousands of workout videos—available free—online (one easy place to start is aarp.org/fitness) or through some cable television providers and streaming services. You don’t need much for most of these workouts—just a yoga mat for floor exercises and enough space for a few steps (or lunges).

Buy studio classes in bulk.

If you prefer the community feel of in-person classes, most studios offer a free or highly discounted trial class or two. Once you’ve found one you love, consider buying a package of classes up-front—as long as you’re certain you’ll use all the classes in the allotted time limit. “If you pay for six months’ worth of classes at once, it’s cheaper than paying for the classes as you go,” said Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst with DealNews, a comparison-shopping website.

Discounted gym memberships.

High demand for memberships from New Year resolution-makers means that gyms tend to charge higher prices in January. You’ll get a better deal later, Ramhold said. Pay even less by taking advantage of discounts offered through workplace benefits or programs such as Silver Sneakers, available through some Medicare Advantage plans.

Make thoughtful gear purchases.

Looking to strength-train without spending hundreds of dollars on dumbbells? A set of resistance bands is a cheap alternative and will still provide a full-body workout. If you’re interested in larger equipment, like a treadmill or stationary bike, check out sites such as Craigslist, OfferUp, or Facebook Marketplace, where neighbors may be selling barely-used equipment for much less than you’d pay at retail. “There are a lot of people who buy exercise equipment and don’t use it,” said Lorraine C. Ladish, a certified yoga instructor and over-50 fitness influencer. “Often it’s secondhand, but it’s in pristine condition.”

Join a fitness retailer’s loyalty club.

While it’s rarely necessary to purchase purpose-made workout clothing, new threads can give some added motivation. The rewards programs at athletic-apparel stores may give you access to exclusive deals and discounts on merchandise. Some stores, such as Athleta, Reebok and Nike, may also provide access to community fitness events and classes.

Source: AARP

The Senior Scene by — April 16, 2025 in Health & Fitness

SAVVY SENIOR

By Jim Miller

Dear Savvy Senior,

At age 70, I’ve become more and more forgetful lately and am concerned it may be an early sign of dementia. Are there any memory screening tools or services that you can recommend to help me gauge my problem, without going to a neurologist?

Forgetful Frank

Dear Frank,

Many older adults like yourself worry about memory lapses as they get older, fearing it may be the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease or some other type of dementia. To get some insight on the seriousness of your problem, here are some tips and resources you can turn to. 

Warning signs.

As we grow older, some memory difficulties – such as forgetting names or misplacing items from time to time – are associated with normal aging. But the symptoms of dementia are much more than simple memory lapses. While symptoms can vary greatly, people with dementia may have problems with short-term memory, keeping track of a purse or wallet, paying bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering appointments, or traveling out of the neighborhood.

To help you recognize the difference between typical age-related memory loss and a more serious problem, the Alzheimer’s Association provides a list of 10 warning signs that you can assess online at 10signs.org.

The Alzeimer’s Association also provides other information, including the signs and symptoms on other conditions that can cause dementia such as vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and others at ALZ.org/dementia..

Memory screening.

A great resource and first step to get a handle on your memory problem is the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, which offers a National Memory Screening Program. This is a free, confidential, face-to-face screening done virtually in real-time that takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete and consists of questions and/or tasks to evaluate your memory status. Once the screening is complete, the screener will review the results with you. Available to everyone, these screenings are done daily Monday through Friday, and are given by doctors, nurse practitioners, psychologists, social workers, or other healthcare professionals across the country. A smart phone, computer, tablet, or any other device with a webcam and Internet capability is all that’s needed. Appointments can be requested online at ALZFDN.org/memory-screening or by calling 866-232-8484.

It’s important to know that this screening is not a diagnosis of any particular condition, but can indicate whether you should see your doctor for more extensive assessment.

Seeing a doctor.

If you find that you need further evaluation, make an appointment with your primary-care doctor for a cognitive checkup and medical examination. Depending on what’s found, you may be referred to a geriatrician or neurologist who specializes in diagnosing and treating memory loss or Alzheimer’s disease.

Keep in mind that even if you are experiencing some memory problems, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have dementia. Many memory problems are brought on by other factors like stress, depression, thyroid disease, side-effects of medications, sleep disorders, vitamin deficiencies, and other medical conditions. By treating these conditions, a doctor can reduce or eliminate the problem.

Send questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

The Senior Scene by — April 16, 2025 in Health & Fitness