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It is a surprisingly persistent idea: as people get older, they need less sleep. The National Institute on Aging considers this common enough to include it among its “10 Common Misconceptions About Aging.” Its guidance is straightforward. Older adults generally need about seven to nine hours of sleep each night, about the same as other […]

Getting good sleep affects far more than how rested you feel the next morning. Sleep supports cardiovascular and brain health, and a growing body of research has linked several types of sleep problems with a higher risk of stroke.[1] The American Heart Association reviewed the evidence in a 2024 scientific statement on sleep and brain […]

Eight glasses of water a day is familiar advice. For older adults, it is also surprisingly close to one major professional recommendation, although the science is more nuanced than a fixed number of glasses suggests. The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) recommends that older women generally be offered at least 1.6 liters […]

For most of our lives, thirst provides a useful reminder that it is time to drink something. As we get older, that reminder may become less dependable. MedlinePlus specifically identifies older adults as being at greater risk for dehydration because some people lose part of their sense of thirst as they age.[1] Research into aging […]

Indigestion is common. Heart attacks are common, too. Unfortunately, the sensations can sometimes be similar, particularly for older adults. That makes one distinction especially important: when new or unexplained symptoms could be coming from the heart, time matters. Waiting to see whether the discomfort goes away can delay treatment during a heart attack. The American […]

Recent research continues to examine the relationship between physical activity and blood glucose levels, including whether the timing of activity around meals may influence blood glucose responses. A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis published in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice examined 28 human intervention studies comparing physical activity performed before meals with activity performed after […]

Dogs are widely recognized as sources of companionship, and research continues to examine the relationship between dog ownership, physical activity, and health. One area receiving attention is dog walking and its connection to activity levels, particularly among older adults. Research has consistently found an association between dog ownership and increased physical activity. The American Heart […]

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other organisms. Current information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies several common causes, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The term “walking pneumonia” is commonly associated with infections caused […]