It’s Your Choice: You Can Change Your Views of Aging and Improve Your Life
By Judith Graham
April 11, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Becca Levy of Yale University talks with “Navigating Aging” columnist Judith Graham about how people can alter ingrained perceptions of aging — which are often formed unconsciously and are unrecognized.
Watch: What Experts Advise for Seniors Living Under the Long Shadow of Covid
October 11, 2022
KFF Health News Original
For older people, the pandemic is as taxing and worrisome as ever. Experts in geriatric care, mental health, social services, and infectious disease joined a KHN-Hartford Foundation panel to talk about a third covid winter and its outsize toll on seniors.
Adultos mayores, agotados por tener que organizar tanta atención médica
By Judith Graham
April 1, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Un nuevo estudio revela que los pacientes de Medicare dedican aproximadamente tres semanas al año a hacerse pruebas médicas, ver a doctores, someterse a tratamientos o procedimientos médicos, o pasar tiempo en el hospital o en centros de rehabilitación.
The Burden of Getting Medical Care Can Exhaust Older Patients
By Judith Graham
March 27, 2024
KFF Health News Original
It’s estimated that an older patient can spend three weeks of the year getting care — and that doesn’t count the time it takes to arrange appointments or deal with insurance companies.
Say That Again: Using Hearing Aids Can Be Frustrating for Older Adults, but Necessary
By Judith Graham
February 28, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Hearing loss is more than a nuisance. It also raises the risk of cognitive decline, dementia, falls, depression, and social isolation.
Do We Simply Not Care About Old People?
By Judith Graham
February 9, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Recently, thousands of older Americans have been dying weekly of covid. But most Americans aren’t wearing masks in public, a move that could prevent infections. Many at-risk seniors aren’t getting antiviral therapies, and older adults in nursing homes aren’t getting vaccines. Why?
Una decisión difícil: cuando los adultos mayores tienen que dejar de conducir
By Judith Graham
January 24, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Los riesgos para los conductores mayores aumentan con la edad y el desarrollo de afecciones como la artritis, el glaucoma y el Parkinson. Y cuando ocurren accidentes, son más propensos a sufrir heridas graves o morir porque son físicamente más vulnerables.
Preparing to Hang Up the Car Keys as We Age
By Judith Graham
January 24, 2024
KFF Health News Original
As cognitive skills erode with age, driving skills weaken, but an aging driver may not recognize that. Advance directives on driving are one way to handle this challenge.
America’s Health System Isn’t Ready for the Surge of Seniors With Disabilities
By Judith Graham
January 17, 2024
KFF Health News Original
More than a third of older adults have a disability. Many find it difficult to get the medical care they need. New federal regulations would address that problem.
She Once Advised the President on Aging Issues. Now, She’s Battling Serious Disability and Depression.
By Judith Graham
November 28, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Coping with disability — and the cost of coping with disability — is an enormously important issue for older adults. Nora Super, an expert on aging, shares her personal story.
Who Will Care for Older Adults? We’ve Plenty of Know-How but Too Few Specialists
By Judith Graham
November 10, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The principles and practices of geriatrics are being widely disseminated. And we understand much more now about how to improve older adults’ care. Yet we don’t have enough geriatricians to meet the growing demand.
Medicare amplía su lista de profesionales de salud mental
By Judith Graham
November 3, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Los prejuicios sobre las afecciones mentales y la discriminación por edad hacen que algunos profesionales no tomen en serio el sufrimiento de las personas mayores, profundizando las barreras de acceso a la atención.
Medicare Expands the Roster of Available Mental Health Professionals
By Judith Graham
November 3, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Medicare is expanding access to mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists come Jan. 1. But the belief that seniors who suffer from mental health problems should just grin and bear it remains a troubling barrier to care.
Doubts Abound About a New Alzheimer’s Blood Test
By Judith Graham
October 26, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Quest Diagnostics is selling a blood test online to consumers. But results may not be reliable or easy to interpret. And it isn’t covered by insurance.
Let’s Have an Honest Conversation About What to Expect as You Age
By Judith Graham
October 20, 2023
KFF Health News Original
A leading geriatrician says a lot of health information for older adults isn’t as useful as it should be. No person’s aging process looks exactly like another’s. So she’s written a guidebook.
Una charla necesaria: qué le ocurre al cuerpo y la mente a medida que se envejece
By Judith Graham
October 20, 2023
KFF Health News Original
El envejecimiento altera a las personas por décadas, un largo período influenciado por circunstancias sociales y económicas, conductas, el lugar en donde se vive, y otros factores. E impacta en la fisiología, pero no de manera uniforme para todos.
A New Medicare Proposal Would Cover Training for Family Caregivers
By Judith Graham
August 18, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The federal government is proposing having Medicare pay professionals to train family caregivers how to perform tasks like bathing and dressing their loved ones, and properly use medical equipment.
New Alzheimer’s Drug Raises Hopes — Along With Questions
By Judith Graham
August 11, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Clinics serving Alzheimer’s patients are working out the details of who will get treated with the new drug Leqembi. It won’t be for everyone with memory-loss symptoms.
New Weight Loss Drugs Carry High Price Tags and Lots of Questions for Seniors
By Judith Graham
July 25, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Although nearly 40% of Americans 60 and older are obese, Medicare doesn’t cover weight loss medications. Meanwhile, studies haven’t thoroughly examined new drugs’ impact on older adults.
En las personas mayores, un poco de sobrepeso no es tan malo
By Judith Graham
July 17, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Comprender las pruebas científicas y la opinión de los expertos sobre los problemas de peso en los adultos mayores no es fácil.