Hydration does far more than just quench our thirst. Our brain is made up of 75% water, meaning even a tiny 1–2% drop in hydration can trigger brain fog, fatigue, headaches, muscle cramps, changes in blood pressure and heart function, and a severe lack of focus, to name a few. Yet, most of us walk around chronically underhydrated without realizing it.

Whether your loved one is laying on the guilt or the blame is largely self-imposed. Try to accept the situation and let it go. You can’t change their disease, condition or medical circumstance. If their situation has progressed, requiring a higher level of care, and you are unable to meet their needs safely, it is time to honor the goal of always caring for them and doing your best. This may not mean they remain at home, as you had promised. And that is OK.   

Retirement is not about the end; it’s about ending one chapter and starting a new one. We reinvent ourselves, try new things and embrace our later years, despite the inevitable wear and tear our bodies and lives may have taken.  

If loneliness is the problem, the remedy is to build social resilience, master new skills and relearn others. You read that correctly: re-learning skills includes one we probably never thought of as a skill when we were younger: making friends.

Learning a new tech device is more frightening than hearing a strange noise at night, a dental visit and a doctor appointment combined, according to a survey of adults 60+). Fifty-seven percent of older adults fear internet scams, hacks and computer viruses. 

Surveys and studies have documented the connection between age and what psychologists call emotional well-being. This is when a person consistently reports having more positive than negative feelings. Using this measure, researchers discovered that older adults are, overall, happier than younger people.

It's National Family Caregivers Month. When you're visiting for the holidays, take time to talk to the caregivers in your family. How are they doing? Is there a way you can help? An hour break from caregiving duties can be a lifesaver for some people.

One-fourth of Americans over 65 fall each year and over half of those falls take place in the home, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Many people believe falling and aging go hand-in-hand, but that’s not true. Falls are caused by many avoidable things. Read on for tips on staying on your feet and off the floor.