Healthy Seniors Features

Alicia Arbaje, MD, PhD, MPH, of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, talks to WebMD about the health challenges of elders in America’s many Hispanic communities.

Native Americans face a host of health challenges as they age. Geriatrician Blythe Winchester, MD, who is a member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, discusses the biggest issues and what would help.

In many cultures, the expectation is that elders will age at home. How do families juggle that and what happens when it gets to be too hard?

Less mashed potatoes, more roti: Today's senior menus include more ethnic cuisines than ever before.

The number of opioid-related deaths of Americans ages 55 and up soared 1,886% between 1999 and 2019

¿Cómo ha afectado el COVID-19 a la atención médica de los adultos mayores? Esto es lo que puedes esperar al hacer citas y tomar decisiones a largo plazo.

Learn how genes and lifestyle interact to affect your health over the course of your life.

Physical therapy can fend off age-related changes and prevent injury and pain.

Safe sex is important at any age, but there are some issues that may be more common after 50.

Doctors and nurses may not ask older adults what matters most to them. Learn about a new approach to helping older people stay mobile and take fewer medications.

Learn about different considerations to make when thinking about if your aging parent should move in with you.

Learn about how to discuss housing options with your elderly parent gracefully.

Talking to your aging parent about reducing their driving can be difficult. Here are some tips to help start the conversation.

Unsure of how to protect your ears while listening to headphones? Learn more about hearing damage, headphones, and simple tricks to protect your ears.

Is joint pain just part of getting older? Find out why your joints change as you age and what you can do to prevent joint pain and stiffness.

Two members of the LGBTQ community share why they waited to come out and what the experience was like for them.

Have you noticed that your spine isn’t as straight as it used to be? Our postures can start to change as we get older. Find out why and what you can do to prevent a hunched back as you age.

Older adults, especially men, have a much higher death rate than other groups. One in 4 seniors who attempt to kill themselves will die, compared to 1 in 200 youths.

Do you need to take supplements if you’re over 50? Which supplements are best and which should you avoid? Learn which ones are best and how to choose safely.

It’s rare to get pregnant at 50 or older, but it can happen. Here’s what you need to know.

What’s a blood glucose test for? What kind of blood glucose test do I need? Which blood glucose tests are best for older adults? How do I use my blood glucose test? Find out what types of glucose tests you can use and how checking your blood sugar may change as you age.

What do you know about the shingles vaccine? Find out what it does and why it’s important for older adults to get vaccinated.

Long-term care insurance can help when you’re older and need ongoing care. Learn what it does, the best time to buy it, and how to get it.

Although having knee pain is common as you get older, it doesn’t have to become your new normal. Learn more about the symptoms, what causes it, and how to treat it.

If you’re ill or injured, Medicare could pay for a portion of home health care. Learn more about what’s covered and what isn’t.

Hormones dip and bodies change, but your sex life doesn’t have to suffer. Use what you have -- and these tips -- to keep it strong and satisfying.

As you get older, should you change your diet? Find out what nutrients are more important for older adults and what foods you should avoid.

These tools can make life easier, safer, and more convenient. Experts, older people, and caregivers share their recommendations for must-have devices.

It’s not easy losing weight as you get older. Get tips and tricks on how to shed pounds from people who have had success losing weight after age 50.

Your odds of fractures from weak bones, or osteoporosis, go up as you age. Find out what you can do to keep your bones healthy.

As you age, you may find that you can’t enjoy ice cream or milkshakes without painful gas or bloating afterward. Lactose intolerance is a fairly common, natural condition that develops over time. Find out what may put you at risk for lactose intolerance and how to manage uncomfortable symptoms if you still want to enjoy dairy foods.

Having hip pain as you age is more common than you think. About 50% of older adults say they have hip or knee pain. Luckily, there are things you can do to feel better.

Many older adults take these painkillers for relief, but they also come with serious side effects. Here’s what you need to know.

You see the ads for puzzles and apps that promise to help your brain work better and hold off dementia. Do they work?

Learning how to trust again isn't easy when you've been burned before.

Is it safe to try bodybuilding after 50? Is bodybuilding safe for women? What are the health benefits of bodybuilding? How can I do weightlifting safely after age 50? Learn why bodybuilding may be right for you and how to do it safely.

Dealing with a difficult elderly parent can cause stress and frustration for all involved. But you can balance patience and peace of mind. Learn how to set clear boundaries, adjust expectations, and find outside help when needed.

Guys, a long and healthy life starts having with a plan. Begin with your annual trip to the doctor.

Staying active helps you live a longer, healthier life, and may also boost your brain health. See our dos and don'ts for healthy aging for seniors.

Your risk of heart disease rises as you get older, but there are things you can do to slow or stop the process.

You don’t have to run a marathon to keep your heart healthy. Learn a few less-ambitious ways that you can make your heart healthy.

How do you keep your heart healthy after you turn 50? Here's one person's plan.

It can be hard to give up the not-so-healthy stuff you really enjoy. One expert says you may not have to.

El director médico ejecutivo de WebMD, John Whyte, MD, ofrece su perspectiva sobre el estado actual de la atención médica para los adultos mayores en Estados Unidos y sus tendencias futuras.

Exercising and socializing linked to better health as people age.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected health care for older adults? Here’s what to expect as you plan your appointments and make long-term decisions.

As WebMD’s chief medical officer, John Whyte, MD, is in a unique position to see both the current state of medical care for America’s older adults and the way things are trending for the future. We asked him to share his insight on a few topics, along with a bit of advice.

Just as pediatricians care for young patients, geriatricians focus on caring for older adults. Learn more about what these medical doctors do.

Many Americans are caregivers, bus some aren’t prepared for the job when it falls into their lap. Read advice for caregivers as they embark on their new role.