1. A Plan for Easy Stretching by Harvard Men’s Health Watch
2. Harvard Men’s Health Watch says, “regular stretching becomes especially important as you age. Flexibility naturally declines over time, as muscles lose strength and tone, and ligaments and tendons get tighter. In fact, research has shown that men’s flexibility often drops sharply around age 70.” In this article, Harvard Men’s Health Watch highlights the best stretches to keep you flexible as you age.

1. Aging Well By Melinda Smith, M.A., Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., and Monika White, Ph.D. 
2. Melinda Smith, Jeanne Segal, and Monika White wrote, “Coping with change is difficult, no matter how old you are. The particular challenge for older adults is the sheer number of changes and transitions that start to occur…But if that sense of loss is balanced with positive ingredients, you have a formula for staying healthy as you age.” In this article, Smith, Segal, and White highlight the keys to healthy aging.

1. Do Not Let Life-Threatening Ailments Go Unchecked During the Pandemic By Kathleen A. Cameron, BSPharm, MPH
2. Kathleen Cameron says “Doctors believe that people are so scared of contracting COVID-19 that they’re not seeking help for life-threatening ailments. Nationwide, nearly a third of adults say that they have delayed or avoided medical care because they are concerned about contracting COVID-19, according to a poll from the American College of Emergency Physicians. Nearly 75% of poll respondents also expressed concern about over-stressing the health care system; more than half worried they won’t be able to see a doctor.” In this article, Cameron discusses the importance of seeking immediate medical attention for life-threatening ailments.  The risk of contracting COVID-19 is much lower than the risk of having serious complications from a stroke, heart attack, or other life-threatening ailments.

1. Easing Into Exercise By Harvard Health Publishing
2. Harvard Health Publishing says, “…doing regular moderate exercise — ideally for at least 30 minutes most days of the week — can lower your blood pressure and many other risk factors linked to heart disease. Even if you’ve never done formal exercise, starting in the second half of life can still make a difference.” In this article, they talk about ways to ease into exercising that could help reduce several health risks.

1. Ensuring Access to Needed Medications During the COVID-19 Pandemic By Kathleen A. Cameron, BSPharm, MPH
2. Kathleen Cameron says, “One of the challenges many people may face during the coronavirus pandemic is access to needed prescription and over-the-counter medications.” In this article, Cameron highlights how you can access medication with limited contact and provides information on how to access medication if you currently have limited financial resources.

1. Family Caregivers: Part of the Falls Prevention Team By Chelsea Gilchrist, MGS
2. Chelsea Gilchrist says, “research studies have shown that one out of four people age 65+ falls each year. 20% of falls cause a serious injury such as hip fractures or broken bones.” In this article, Gilchrist discusses the risks of falls, how to assess loved one’s risk of falls, and how to prevent falls.

1. Focus on concentration By Harvard Men’s Health Watch

2. Dr. Joel Salinas says, “Everyone’s brain is wired and programmed differently, and some people struggle with attention more than others. But if you notice any sudden change in your ability to concentrate — for example, if you have a harder time finishing routine tasks and chores, regularly misplace essential items, make more errors than you used to in your day-to-day life, or make more frequent poor decisions — don’t ignore it.” In this article, Harvard Men’s Health Watch discusses tips on how to slow the gradual decline of brain function.

1. Learn new things without leaving home By Harvard Health Letter

2. Dr. Joel Salinas says, “Engaging in mentally stimulating activities has not only been linked with a lower risk of full-blown dementia, but also a lower risk that the mild cognitive lapses we can have as we get older will get worse.” In this article, Harvard Health Letter discusses the many opportunities available to continue to learn at any age, and the benefits of continuing education as we age.

1. Make Food Safety a Priority By Dorothea Vafiadis, MS

2. Dorothea Vafiadis says “Whether you are a home cook, a recipient of a pre-made covered dish on your doorstep, or a caregiver preparing food for your loved one, it’s a great time to remember basic food safety practices.” In this article, Vafiadis discusses helpful tips for keeping your food and cooking area safe.

1. Practical advice for helping people with dementia with their daily routines By Beverly Merz, Executive Editor, Harvard Women’s Health Watch
2. Beverly Merz says, “Learning how to take care of a person with dementia can be a trial-and-error process. Every person with dementia and every caregiver is unique, and so is their relationship. However, the following general tips may be useful in helping people with dementia remain physically healthy and connected to the world.” In this article, Merz gives helpful tips on how to take care of loved ones with dementia. 

1. Seven Benefits of Home Care for Elderly Parents By Jamie Wilson
2. In this article, Jamie Wilson discusses many benefits of home health care and why it could be the best fit for your loved one.  Wilson says, “an increasingly popular care option is home care. There are many benefits of home care which allows your loved ones to stay in their own home, in surroundings they know and love, while they age with dignity. While home care isn’t suitable for everyone, for many people it offers a very viable alternative to the traditional – and often dreaded – care home environment.”

1. Staying Connected While Staying Home By Susan Stiles, PhD
2. In this article, Susan Stiles discusses the potential hazards and solutions to social isolation during the coronavirus pandemic. Stiles says “these restrictions [social distancing measures] may exacerbate an already growing problem for older adults: social isolation. Social isolation can (but does not have to) lead to loneliness and studies have shown that both isolation and loneliness can put older adults at higher risk for heart disease, dementia, mental health issues, and stroke.”

1. Top 10 Financial Scams Targeting Seniors
2. In this article, the National Council on Aging says “Financial scams targeting seniors have become so prevalent that they’re now considered ‘the crime of the 21st century.'” This article discusses the current top scams impacting today’s seniors and gives advice on preventing yourself or loved ones from falling victim to them.

1. Total daily steps, not step intensity, offer more benefits by Harvard Men’s Health Watch
2. In this article, Harvard Men’s Health Watch says, “…taking 8,000 to 12,000 steps per day was associated with lower death rates during the study period, including from cancer and heart disease. However, the researchers also found that among the high step takers, a greater steps-per-minute rate did not significantly lower their risk any further.” In this article, Harvard Men’s Health Watch talks about the benefits that walking every day has on overall health.

1. Quick fixes to keep you from falling By Harvard Health Publishing
2. In this article, Harvard Health Publishing says, “Older adults spend a lot more time at home, and they don’t realize there are things around their home that can make them lose their balance and fall,” says Madhuri Kale, a physical therapist at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital. In this article, Harvard Health publishing gives simple solutions on how to prevent falls.

1. Retiring? What about your health?  By Harvard Health Letter
2. In this article, Harvard Health Publishing says, “It’s great to approach retirement in a positive state of mind. But it’s also a good idea to consider your future health needs when it comes time to select a community where you can live out your golden years.” Harvard Health Letter discusses important questions to ask yourself before choosing where you will retire.  It encourages readers to educate themselves on their needs before making drastic lifestyle changes.

1. Where to Get Food Help Now By Brandy Bauer
2. In this article, Brandy Bauer says “affording healthy food is a challenge for many older Americans, but the spread of COVID-19 has made matters worse. Whether you’re facing difficult financial times or are unable to leave your home, there are resources that may be able to help.” Bauer discusses the challenges of affording healthy food for the elderly and provides resources to aid seniors who are facing these difficulties.

Videos:

1. The Future of Healthcare is in the Home
2. “Leaders from national industry organizations Home Care Association of America (HCAOA), The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC), The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), the Partnership for Medicaid Home-based Care (PMHC) and Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare (PQHH) share their thoughts on the importance of advocating for care in the home.”-Axxess

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