Five steps to ensure a health crisis doesn't mean financial ruin
A serious long-term illness or disability can have a devastating, often irreversible, affect on a family's financial well-being. In fact, health care expenses are among the most common cause of bankruptcies, according to findings published in the "American Journal of Medicine" last year.

What is 'wellness?' How to define your personal health
"Wellness" has become a buzzword among the public, health care practitioners and legislators alike. But what exactly does it mean, and how can people benefit from it? The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) defines wellness as "an active process that promotes health and enhances quality of life.

Diabetic? How to protect your vision
For people with diabetes, proper nutrition can have a far-reaching effect on their health and wellness. It is important to note that problems with blood glucose and blood pressure from diabetes can damage the eye. Two national health associations, the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and the American Optometric Association (AOA), are collaborating to increase the public's awareness about the importance of optometrists and registered dietitians as part of the health care team.

Helping your parents and older loved ones
Spring and summer family gatherings such as holidays and family vacations are often the first opportunities that families get to spend time together. As a family, you have the opportunity to catch up with older loved ones and to notice possible changes in their physical or mental health that may stand out after not seeing them for a while. This is especially important if they are more than 65 years old or were previously diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

How to remain healthy and independent in retirement
You spent years working hard and saving so you could spend your retirement doing the things you want to do. Now that you're living that dream, you can ensure you'll be able to enjoy many years of retirement by staying healthy and allowing yourself to live independently for as long as you are able.

Eye care advice for aging eyes
Growing older and getting reading glasses seem to go hand in hand, just like getting gray hair or wrinkles as you age. But that doesn't have to be the case if you take steps to care for your eyes as you age.

Tips for a healthier you at middle age
With the popularity of movies like Sex and the City and the revival of the 50-year-old fashionista, the 42.9 million baby boomer women in America are approaching aging with confidence and style. It is important for women to be direct with their doctors when talking about all health issues, even those that may embarrass them.

Managing mom's heart disease can be a family affair
For many women, the role of "mom" and "caregiver" are one and the same. Whether it's for her children, spouse or her own parents, mom is there. However, when heart disease strikes in women - often in the form of a heart attack or stroke - the roles often are reversed and mom is transformed from "caregiver" to "care receiver."

Chill your buns: The coolest way to reduce swelling
Cold doesn't just reduce swelling in the bump on your noggin, it also helps soothe any kind of swelling from a baby's teething gums to a boxer's swollen eye. Cold therapy has long been recognized as an effective way to reduce swelling on all parts of the body - even in the sensitive area where hemorrhoids occur.

What every senior should know about identity theft
The very qualities that make some seniors feel safe - a tendency to not use credit much, operating on a cash basis and avoiding technology - make identity thieves view seniors as very appealing targets, credit experts warn. Here are some steps seniors can take to protect themselves.

Ten simple ways to make your home safe for every generation who lives in it
Most of us start life depending on our parents to take care of us. But as they age, chances are the roles will reverse. And, whether you provide additional help in their own homes - or move aging parents into your home - how do you prepare to meet the new needs of aging adults?

Standing tall: What women need to know about spinal fractures
When you think of women's health issues, spinal fractures probably don't come to mind. But they should. These common fractures can not only be disfiguring, but deadly.

How to dodge summer bumps, bruises and breaks
From the first knee scrape at recess to broken arms on the jungle gym, and from do-it-yourself jobs gone awry to ankle injuries on the tennis court, few of us are immune to injuries. By following some simple guidelines you can reduce your chance of injury and be sure that should you have a mishap, your recovery is as quick and complication free as possible.

Prevent a stroke in 5 simple steps
Did you know that 80 percent of all strokes are preventable? That figure, from the National Stroke Association, illustrates just how important it is that you know the steps necessary to prevent a stroke from affecting your life. What might surprise you is that many of those steps are lifestyle suggestions you've heard before - they just have the added benefit of helping to ward off a stroke.

Create lasting memories with a personal and visual memorial
From the Egyptian pyramids to the Vietnam Veterans Wall in Washington, D.C., the emotional importance of memorialization transcends history and cultures, and it satisfies a basic human need to remember and to be remembered.

Five surprising things that cause hearing loss
It's no secret that a lifetime of rock concerts and screaming babies can eventually add up to hearing loss as an adult. Though some of the more obvious hearing threats can be easily avoided, other less common factors affect ear health gradually over time. The five causes of hearing loss may be surprising to some, but can be easily managed through careful attention to auditory health. By following a few simple guidelines, many people are able to greatly reduce their likelihood of facing hearing problems later in life.

Help for knowing when it's time to take the keys away from a loved one with dementia
The decision on when an aging loved one should stop driving is never an easy one, but the issue becomes even more complex - and heart-wrenching - when the loved one also suffers from dementia. How do you know when someone is no longer safe to drive? How do you gently explain this to him? How do you take away her car keys without taking her dignity as well?

What are cancer clinical trials?
Clinical trials play an important role in the development of cancer treatments. They are carried out in hopes of finding safer and more effective ways to screen for, prevent, diagnose or treat cancer. In fact, cancer medicines now approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were first studied in clinical trials.

Helping Asian Americans reach their retirement goals
The financial downturn has affected most Americans in some way, and Asian Americans are no exception, a new survey reveals. In fact, eight out of 10 Asian Americans polled by Prudential Financial, say their savings and investments have been negatively impacted in recent years.

Six signs a senior needs living assistance
By many estimates, two-thirds of older Americans will eventually become dependent on others to complete everyday tasks. But realizing that you need help or convincing someone else that they do is often more difficult than arranging long-term care. Look for these signs to help determine your elderly loved one's needs and the best ways to meet them.

The importance of medication management and diabetes
Nearly 24 million Americans have diabetes, and as most people with diabetes know, fluctuating levels of sugar in the bloodstream can be dangerous. Because many people with diabetes also have other conditions, like high blood pressure and high cholesterol, they often need to manage multiple medications.

Don't let achy knees keep you out of life's game
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) can happen to anyone; in fact more than 10 millionAmericans are estimated to suffer from this painful condition.

Medication safety for seniors
If you're older than 65 and take multiple medications, you should be aware of potential interactions between your drugs. These interactions can cause unwanted side effects, reduce the effectiveness of your medicine, or even lead to hospitalization. Studies show that up to 30 percent of hospital admissions of elderly patients are linked to harmful effects of medications and other related problems.

Talking to your parents about getting older
As the Baby Boomer generation gets older, many children are faced with talking to their parents about aging. Never an easy conversation, there are ways to make this process less painful and uncomfortable for everyone involved.

The treatment for 'white coat syndrome': medical assistant care
No matter how important we know it is to see our doctor for regular checkups or when we're sick, for many of us the simple act of stepping into a doctor's office is a form of mental torture. Whether you just dread the possibility of a long wait, or have a full-blown anxiety attack with sweaty palms and a racing heart, "white coat syndrome" can be a debilitating problem.

Turn to Ask Medicare for caregiving resources
Are you caring for an aging, disabled or seriously ill friend or family member? If so, you're one of more than 44 million people who serve in the important - and often unrecognized -- role of a caregiver.

Four high-tech products every senior can use
Nearly 40 millions Americans are over the age of 65, and as the senior citizen population grows, so does the new technology targeted at this audience. From medical devices that make life easier to new technologies that help older and younger generations stay connected, there is a wide array of products available that are not only helpful, but easy to use.

Staying active with pain
For many Americans living with pain, getting regular exercise is nearly impossible. The burning, shooting pain and tingling sensation of pain can make it difficult to stand or walk to the car, let alone exercise five times a week.

Four smart home and auto insurance tips for seniors
Saving money is important, especial for senior citizens. And seniors may be going through some life changes. There are four simple insurance tips that can help ensure you're adequately covered and getting all eligible discounts.

Detect skin cancer early when it's most curable
Do you know your skin? Beyond your face and hands, which you probably look at every day, do you know what the skin on the inside of your arms or the bottom of your feet looks like? It's important to know what your skin looks like - every inch of it - so that if a suspicious lesion appears or a mole starts to change, you can make an appointment with a dermatologist to be checked for skin cancer.

Is your home decor giving you a backache?
Those with aching backs might want to look at their home decor to help ease the pain. When decorating, most homeowners consider their personal style, color schemes and price range, but many don't take time to consider products that can actually benefit their health.

Your guide to buying hearing aids
For many, accepting the fact that they may be suffering from hearing loss is a difficult process, and finding the best hearing aid for their needs can be difficult. Help is available to ensure that anyone in need of a hearing aid receives the very best information and professional service.

What caregivers should know about insurance needs
Becoming the caregiver for a parent or loved one involves many new responsibilities. As a caregiver, you are responsible for the health and well-being of your loved one. While most caregivers take on these duties with a love and dedication that is incomparable, many are inexperienced in the type of financial planning they should be implementing for themselves in order to protect their loved one in the event of the caregiver's death.

Revealing menopausal symptoms you may not have heard about
Although most postmenopausal women have heard of the traditional symptoms related to menopause - like hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings, fewer have heard of vulvar and vaginal pain and physical discomfort during sexual activity which may also occur during menopause. Women should not be embarrassed about talking to their health care professional about these symptoms.

Myths about the aging brain revealed
Who says you can't teach a mind new tricks at any age? Recent research shows that Americans have the power to positively influence their brain function throughout life.

Not your father's hearing aid: the new generation is small, sleek and super high-tech
Most individuals experiencing hearing loss are younger than 65, and hearing loss is significantly affecting their lives at work and home. Fortunately, with today's wealth of discreet and stylish hearing aid options it has become easier than ever to address a hearing loss.