Women typically live 5 to 6 years longer than men. But that extra time isn’t necessarily spent in good health — on average, women spend the last decade of their lives dealing with a cascade of health issues.

On this episode of Aging Forward, Maddy Dychtwald shares tips for making the most of those later years. She distinguishes between age accelerants and decelerants, and suggests exercises and habits to extend one’s lifespan, brainspan and healthspan.

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Joints are more than just bone meeting bone.

They’re made up of the support structures around them: cartilage, tendons, ligaments, muscles — and even the fluid in between. As we age, wear and tear, stiffness and pain can prevent joints from working the way they used to.

In this episode of Aging Forward, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Pamela Mehta talks shoulders, knees and toes. She breaks down how diet affects joint health, explains why joint replacement surgery isn’t always the best option, and weighs in on the barefoot shoe trend.

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When we or our loved ones are no longer able to care for ourselves independently, what do our options for medical care look like? While 98% of people would prefer to stay in their own homes as they age, changing health needs mean that’s not always possible.

On this episode of Aging Forward, Dr. Jeffrey Kang makes the case for home health care. He breaks down how we can bring 90% of primary care into patients' homes, how older adult care has changed over time, and what the future of the industry might look like.

 

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The Alzheimer's Association estimates there's about 6.9 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease. And that number— without a more potent intervention— is expected to double every 20 years.

On this episode of Aging Forward, Dr. Jonathan Graff-Radford talks how to spot the difference between normal aging memory loss and initial signs of dementia, risk factors for the disease, and his new book out this month, "Mayo Clinic on Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, Revised and Updated." 

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1 in 2 older adults are at risk for malnutrition. While our physiology is changing, so are the body's nutritional needs; changing tastes, comorbidities, and financial insecurity can also play a role. So how can we optimize good nutrition as we get older, in order to fuel longevity?

On this episode of Aging Forward, dietician Tara Schmidt talks how dietary needs change post-menopause, the decline of our metabolisms, and the key nutrients to prioritize for older adults.

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Every year there are about 13.2 million hospitalizations for adults 65 years and older in the United States. Hospitalizations save lives, but there are many things that occur during the stay — and other hidden risks that can impact outcomes — especially for the older adult.

On this episode of Aging Forward, hospitalist Dr. Allyson Palmer breaks down the hidden dangers of staying in the hospital, the importance of maintaining mobility while hospitalized, and what loved ones and caregivers can do.

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For Men's Health Month, we're getting to the bottom of something that many men dread: the prostate exam.

On this episode of Aging Forward, we probe with Dr. Derek Lomas into how diet affects prostate health, innovative approaches to prostate surgery, and how prostate screening might look different than what you think. 

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Healing from trauma is difficult—at any age. But when traumatic experiences have remained unresolved for decades, it can be even more difficult to know where to start.

On this episode of Aging Forward, clinical counselor Gracia Do shares what makes someone more vulnerable to mental health struggles, the ways in which trauma changes our brain structure and function, and how to build resilience moving forward. 

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Physically moving from one healthcare setting to another -- whether it be from the hospital to rehab, or rehab to nursing home -- can be a complicated process, both logistically and emotionally. And in the midst of all of that hubbub, it can sometimes be hard for the person in the center of it all to feel like they're properly being heard.

On this episode of Aging Forward, Dr. Maria De la Garza talks about the commonality of communication errors between health providers during care transitions, the importance of caregivers and loved ones in the process, a how to center the patient and their wishes in their care.

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Women's Health Week falls in May—a perfect time to talk about the menopause experience, and how it affects our bodies and our sexual health.

On this episode of Aging Forward, Dr. Carol Kuhle talks about how perimenopause can be a confusing time for women, emerging treatments for menopause symptoms, and how vibrators can be a useful tool for vaginal health.

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