Health

Did you know that hearing loss and brain health are interconnected? Research shows that hearing loss has been linked to a greater risk of cognitive decline, depression and falls. Get more details from this blog, which also discusses whether wearing hearing aids may delay cognitive decline. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more brain health information.

You may already know that walking is good for your heart and builds up bone strength. But are you aware that it may also help your brain block out distractions and keep you focused? Read what researchers say are the benefits that even a 10 minute stroll can have on your health. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more brain health information.

For decades, scientists have linked practices such as prayer and meditation to better health, but they haven’t understood exactly why. Recent research has begun to unravel how such practices might have a positive impact on the brain. Learn more in this article. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more brain health information.

Help is out there! Even as vaccine restrictions loosen and supplies ramp up around the country, appointments for a vaccination remain difficult to get, and many older Americans still need help to schedule one. A good place to start is with a vaccine-locating website such as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) VaccineFinder.org.   State and county government websites, national and local pharmacy websites, and aggregating websites such as VaccineFinder are also designed to help those who want the shot find available vaccines in their area.   Learn more: Online Resources to Schedule a COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment   Another helpful resource I've found is VaccineFairy.org. They will help you schedule an appointment, and I know people that have received appointments this way.   Have you successfully scheduled your vaccine appointment? What was the experience like? Do you know of additional helpful resources? If so, please share them here!

I have witnessed my wife go from an active, busy woman to a fearful, unmotivated, person. Now it is progressed to her not even caring for herself and experiencing weight loss, which she cannot afford to lose. She has had numerous (4) eye surgeries this past year and blames them for her anxiety. I cannot get her to do anything and I have tried walking, music, talking  and encouraging her to see a therapist. Her primary care doctor just wants to give her prescriptions for drugs and we don't want to do that. Any recommendations on sparking her ambition? 

My first round with Pfizer affected me with two or three mild symptoms for a few days without even a hint of fever, but my second one provided no discernible symptoms, other than a slightly sore knot at the injection site for about 2 days. I noticed the soreness only when I rubbed it. Otherwise, it was just business as usual. I have heard of everything from no symptoms up to being "a real doozy." So, just get the vaccinations when you can and don't worry about it. I worried that my second one might kick my butt, but I ended up riding my bike just about every day. That's how serious it was. I only know what I've read and heard and how that news compares to my experience. I'd gladly get the shots again with the hopes that it would keep me from even a mild case of the real COVID-19. Stay well,Lynn

Did you know that there is research that shows the most physically active people have less brain atrophy and more gray matter? If you want to protect your brain against the effects of aging, a brisk daily walk may do more for you than brain teaser puzzles or social activities. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more brain health information.

I get regular e-mails from Reader's Digest.This morning, I saw an article that talked about whether or not a person needs the vaccination, even if he or she has already tested positive for COVID-19. “If You’ve Had COVID-19, Do You Still Need the Vaccine?”By Tina Donvito, Updated: Mar. 10, 2021 My takeaway:The vaccines trigger more immune response than the virus infection does. So, even if you have had COVID, the vaccine can still help protect you better than natural immunity from the disease. Stay well,Lynn

Guidelines for the fully vaccinated from the CDC: It's OK to visit indoors with other fully vaccinated people without wearing masks or staying 6 feet apart. It's OK to visit indoors with unvaccinated people from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease without wearing masks or staying 6 feet apart. It's not necessary to quarantine or get tested following exposure to someone infected with the coronavirus as long as you don't develop symptoms. According to the CDC, someone is considered “fully vaccinated” if it has been at least two weeks since they've gotten the second dose of the two-shot Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine or a single dose of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.   Learn more: Fully Vaccinated? What the CDC Says You Should and Shouldn't Do Now

An initial allotment of 1 million doses of coronavirus vaccine is being distributed to about 6,500 pharmacy locations across the U.S., including many familiar retail chains. Vaccinations will be administered per the state eligibility guidelines where the pharmacies are located. More pharmacies will join the program as more doses become available.   For the full list of retailers and pharmacies as well as for state-specific vaccination info, visit Which Major Retailers are Giving Coronavirus Vaccines?   Have you gotten your vaccine? What was the experience like? If you are still waiting on your vaccine, we understand any frustration you are feeling and are here for you! AARP continues to advocate for the availability of the coronavirus vaccine to anyone 50+.  

Get your exercise while doing housework--yes, it sounds too good to be true! Check out these simple tips and get a good workout without leaving the house. Even better, with this activity, you can get the workout in while taking care of things around the house that need to be done. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more brain health information.

In a bad mood? Try petting a dog or cat for a few minutes. It doesn’t matter if it’s yours or someone else’s. What’s important is that you like animals and that Fido’s friendly. Studies show petting perks run the gamut from physical to psychological and emotional. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more brain health information.

Making a 'To-Do' list helps me stay organized, and it also gives me a sense of accomplishment. But what about making a list for routine tasks like meeting friends for coffee every Sunday at 10? For that I use my smart phone's calendar app and set reminders so I don't forget. Learn more about keeping your mind focused on tasks by reading this article. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp®  for more brain health information.

Some of us have been chomping at the bit to get the vaccines. If you're like me, you even missed announcements they were available for age 70+ until it was almost time for 65+ to be included.Luckily, after being told by my local health department that February was all filled up and we couldn't do anything about it until March, or so, an opening came up for last week and I signed up for Pfizer and got my first shot on Sunday (2-21), after a snow day made them postpone from last Wednesday (2-17). Since my wife is a teacher, she already had her second Moderna shot through her school district a week and a half ago.My wife's first dose gave her a sore arm near the vaccination site and little else. The second one gave her more of a rash on the arm and soreness, along with slight body aches and not much else.My first dose of Pfizer this weekend gave me some overall discomfort and tenderness in the muscle where I received the shot, but I've had worse experiences with my first half-day of a col

Have you been feeling grouchy and out of sorts lately? You may have the "winter blues." The short days of winter and lack of light can bring fatigue, trouble concentrating and an uncontrollable yearning for carbohydrate-rich foods. Learn what you can do to chase those blues away, including including eating more vitamin D-rich foods, in this engaging article. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp®  for more brain health information.

The AARP Virtual Community Center offers a wide variety of free, interactive, online events and classes designed for learning, self-improvement and fun!   Some of the class offerings include: AARP Fitness Friday - Aerobic Dance classes Yoga Timeout Tuesday classes There's a wide selection of classes to attend, and you're bound to find something new, interesting and enjoyable. Check out the Healthy Living classes now. Let us know what you signed up for and how your class was afterward!

Research says sleep temperature affects how easily we fall asleep, whether we sleep calmly, how much we sleep and how satisfied we are with our sleep quality. And when it comes to finding the right thermostat setting, experts agree that cooler seems to be better. Read this engaging article to learn about finding the right temperature for your best sleep. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp for more brain health information.

Where to start--literally! Too many items in the closet, attic, basement, or just in a pile on the table can undermining your sense of home and well-being. Read this article to learn what psychologists say can happen to people when their living space becomes too cluttered. You can also consider my favorite rule--when you buy something for your home, you have to let something else go! Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more brain health information.

Pasta is a staple in most Italian dishes, but if you're looking to cuts carbs and boosts your veggie intake without sacrificing flavor, try this gluten-free recipe that uses slices of roasted eggplant and zucchini instead of noodles. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp for more brain health information.

While not a panacea for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, some research suggests that common pantry foods such as canned pumpkin, nuts and dark chocolate may help protect memory, boost energy and reduce anxiety. Learn about more healthy foods, and how to store them, in this article. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more brain health information.

Revealing sensitive personal data can trigger identity theft. The Better Business Bureau has issued a tip to not post your vaccine card on social media once you've received a COVID-19 shot.   Typically, such cards contain your name, date of birth, patient number and other information that bad actors can use to steal your identity and commit fraud. That's especially true if your privacy settings on Facebook, Instagram or other social platforms are not strict, allowing the image to be widely shared.   Learn more: Don't Flaunt Your COVID-19 Vaccine Card on Facebook

Getting reasonable exercise with as many worn out parts as I have is not an easy task, so I rely on our Personal Trainer - Fritzie the dog. Getting past 75 has been a lot less troublesome with a couple daily dog walks. Dogs are perpetual 3-year-old children - they want to be outside doing stuff, need to stop and examine everything (which slows down the action to a doable level) and leads to pleasant interaction with other dog walkers. Best of all, unless you're in a big city, not even Covid interfers with your daily workout, and in the winter, wearing a mask is both a way to stay safe from the virus AND be kind to your lungs in the northern climes.

If you're like me, you've either eaten too little or too much before a workout with uncomfortable results. But what should you eat before and after exercising? This article helps you learn about pairing workouts with healthy snacks to keep your body properly nourished. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more brain health information.

Research shows that regularly practicing meditation and mindfulness can help you focus more effectively, relieve stress and enhance your happiness. The Staying Sharp Being Present Brain Health Challenge introduces techniques to help you learn about ways to experience and perceive your world with new focus and gratitude. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp for more brain health information.

Music is much more than a pleasant diversion. It also can be a useful tool to spark memories and bond with others. Check out this article to learn how music may help by reducing stress, boosting focus and masking other sounds. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp for more brain health information.