Publications

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A Good Night's Sleep
Ever since he retired, Edward dreads going to bed at night. He’s afraid that when he turns off his light, he will just lie there with his eyes open and his mind racing. “How can I break this cycle?” he asks. “I’m so tired—I need to get some sleep.” Just like Edward, you want a good night’s rest. Getting enough sleep helps you stay healthy and alert. But many older people don’t sleep well. If you’re always sleepy, it may be time to see a doctor. You shouldn’t wake up every day feeling tired.

Keywords: Sleep, Sleep Disorders, Well-Being
Aging And Your Eyes
Are you holding the newspaper farther away from your eyes than you used to? Join the crowd—age can bring changes that affect your eyesight. Some changes are more serious than others, but for many problems, there are things you can do to protect your vision. The key is to have regular eye exams so you can spot problems early.
Spanish Version
Keywords: Cataracts, Eyes and Vision, Glaucoma
Alcohol Use In Older People
Anyone at any age can have a drinking problem. Uncle George always liked his liquor, so his family may not see that his drinking is getting worse as he gets older. Grandma Betty was a teetotaler all her life until she started having a drink each night to help her get to sleep after her husband died. Now, no one realizes that she needs a couple of drinks to get through each day.
Spanish Version
Keywords: Alcohol Use or Abuse, Risk, Safety
Arthritis Advice
The word "arthritis" makes many people think of painful, stiff joints. But, there are many kinds of arthritis, each with different symptoms and treatments. Most types of arthritis are chronic. That means they can go on for a long period of time.
Spanish Version
Keywords: Arthritis, Bones and Joints, Osteoarthritis, Pain
Beware of Health Scams
You see the ads everywhere these days—“Smart Drugs” for long life or “Arthritis Aches and Pains Disappear Like Magic!” or even statements claiming, “This treatment cured my cancer in 1 week.” It’s easy to understand the appeal of these promises. But there is still plenty of truth to the old saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!”

Keywords: Elder Abuse, Fraud, Safety
Cancer Facts For People Over 50
Cancer strikes people of all ages, but you are more likely to get cancer as you get older, even if no one in your family has ever had cancer. The good news is that cases of cancer and death rates are going down. That means that no matter what your age, the chances of surviving cancer are better today than ever before.
Spanish Version
Keywords: Cancer, Men's Health, Women's Health
Choosing A Doctor
Mrs. Wiley had a big surprise the other day when she called her doctor's office to make an appointment. The receptionist told her that Dr. Horowitz was retiring at the end of the year. After all these years of care, Mrs. Wiley felt like she was losing a trusted friend. Dr. Horowitz had treated her strep throat, bladder infections, and that nasty sprained wrist. He even helped her through menopause. Mrs. Wiley worried that she wouldn't be able to find a new doctor she'd like.
Spanish Version
Keywords: Doctor-Patient Communication, Health Care, Medicare, Physicians
Concerned About Constipation?
Nearly everyone becomes constipated at one time or another. Older people are more likely than younger people to become constipated, but most of the time it's not serious. Constipation is a symptom, not a disease. You may be constipated if you are having fewer bowel movements than usual, it takes a long time to pass stools, and the stools are hard.
Spanish Version
Keywords: Constipation, Digestive System, Nutrition
Considering Surgery?
Have you been told by your doctor that you need surgery? If so, you're not alone. Millions of older Americans have surgery each year. For most surgeries, you will have time to find out about the operation, talk about other treatments with your surgeon (medical doctor who does the operation), and decide what to do. You also have time to get a second opinion.
Spanish Version
Keywords: Health Care, Hospitalization, Risk, Surgery
Crime and Older People
Lucy is worried. She's lived in the same neighborhood for 50 years, but things seem to be changing. Last week, her friend Rose was walking to the store when a young man ran by and pulled her purse right off her shoulder. Two weeks ago, Joe, the man upstairs, put his grocery bags on the curb while waiting for the bus, and before he knew it, someone had picked up his bags and run off. Lucy feels sad to think she might have to move. She wonders, is anywhere safe for older people anymore?
Spanish Version
Keywords: Elder Abuse, Fraud, Personal Safety, Risk, Safety