How to keep your body and mind strong as you age
Sore muscles, joint pain and mental slowdowns might seem inevitable as you grow older. But what if degeneration wasn't a part of the aging process? Staying active is key for a healthy lifestyle, but what else can you do for your body as it ages?

Pet trusts offer animal lovers peace of mind
Many pet owners assume that they will outlive their beloved pets, but that isn't always the case. A pet trust ensures pets will continue to receive care and housing even after the death of the pet's human companion.

Breaking the barriers on bladder weakness
Women may be known as the more talkative sex, but when it comes to certain sensitive health topics their lips are sealed - even with their closest friends. Nearly 40 percent of women with symptoms of bladder weakness have never discussed the problem with anyone, according to a recent survey.

The high cost of saving money by delaying health treatment
If you delay medical treatment for a health problem that you feel isn't bad enough to justify the cost and time lost from work right now, you could be doing more to sink yourself financially than anything the economy may throw at you.

Planning for healthy aging
In just two short years, the first wave of baby boomers will turn 65. For some, this milestone birthday may signal retirement; for others it may not. For all boomers, it should mean an increased focus on health care. Baby boomers can take steps now to help ensure many more healthy years.

The ABC's of baby boomer retirement planning
If you are one of America's 78.2 million baby boomers, you are likely considering what ideal retirement will look like, and the steps required to achieve it. With the current economic downturn, many boomers are finding it necessary to revisit their initial retirement goals.

Life insurance: security you can bank on
The current high rate of unemployment is causing consumers to re-evaluate the importance of individual life insurance coverage, with many viewing it as an essential component of long-term financial security for their families and loved ones.

Wondering about nutritional supplements? How to choose
Few people, including you, actually get all the nutrients they need from the food they eat - hence the major market for nutritional supplements. But how do you sift through the plethora of information out there to choose the right supplement from the thousands on the market? Here are some things to consider when evaluating a supplement.

Turkeys gobble and sleigh bells ring - can you hear the sounds of the holidays?
Holiday music, noisy families feasting, and a hearty "ho, ho, ho" - the sounds of the holidays are as much a part of the spirit of the season as turkey dinners, twinkling lights and brightly wrapped gifts. But what do you do if you - or a loved one - can't hear the sounds of the holidays as well as you would like to?

Diabetic patients can prevent nerve pain
A common complication of diabetes is the development of nerve damage, also known as diabetic nerve pain. This damage affects the nerves that allow patients to feel sensations such as numbness and debilitating pain - also called neuropathy. But there are non-prescription treatments that can help.

Great tasting plum juice as effective as fiber supplements in aiding digestive health, study shows
Most people know that fiber aids in digestion and general health, but many are unsure what foods are high in fiber to add to their diet, or they dislike the taste of chalky fiber supplements. Plums are clinically proven to help regulate digestion through providing a natural boost of fiber, potassium and magnesium.

When do entrepreneurs look to buy a small business?
Who says there's an age limit on the question "What do I want to be?" According to a recent study, a large number of small business owners weren't bit by the entrepreneurship bug until they graduated from college or started down a completely different career path. When do entrepreneurs look to buy a small business?

Tips for staying safe through the holiday season
The best way to face down winter and all its challenges is to think ahead and be prepared. A few simple solutions will make winter much safer - and more enjoyable - for you and any guests you might invite over.

Must-have information about heart failure medications
Over the past several years advances in medications have made a big impact on the quality of life for heart failure patients. These medicines can help stabilize heart function, relieve symptoms and keep patients out of the hospital. But for prescriptions to be effective, patients must be proactive in understanding their medications and talk with their doctors about how the medicines affect their health.

How to dodge or deal with winter aches and pains
Whether you suffer from chronic ailments like arthritis or fibromyalgia, or simply experience the aches, pains and stiffness associated with past injuries or with aging, winter's cold and dampness can exacerbate these problems. Here is some simple advice to minimize winter's impact on chronic pain and avoid new pains from injuries.

How healthy is your brain?
What are the secrets to maintaining a healthy brain? According to a first-of-its-kind index, it may depend on where you live. If you live in the District of Columbia, you can consider yourself among the healthiest brains in America, according to the first comprehensive state-by-state measure of the nation's brain health.

Gout growing, but public awareness remains low
It's been called "the disease of kings" because of its association with historical figures like Henry VIII, Benjamin Franklin and Isaac Newton, but gout, a painful and potentially debilitating form of arthritis, is anything but a "historical" condition. In fact, 3 million to 5 million Americans currently suffer from gout, and this number is expected to rise as the population ages.

Got a chronic illness? Make yourself a priority and ask for help
Women still spend more time than their male counterparts on caring for families and managing household activities. Because of this, women often put others' needs ahead of their own health and well-being.

Are you at risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease?
There are many things that can put you at risk for developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Some of these things you have the power to change - if you smoke or exercise - and some you don't - your age or family history. Either way, you should know how all of these things can add to your chances for type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Too young to retire: A new career track for baby boomers
It seems the aspirations of baby boomers are changing from ones of retirement, to those of entrepreneurship. Over the past decade, Americans age 55 to 64 have seen the highest rate of entrepreneurial activity, especially since the traditional business model and large corporations no longer provide the job security they used to.

How to minimize winter's impact on your arthritis pain
Coping with arthritis can be even more challenging when the weather turns cold, making joints feel even more stiff and painful. Here are some tips for staying active and managing your arthritis this winter.

Visiting a senior? Keep the flu germs at bay
Schools with only a third of the students sitting in chairs, offices sending out notices to employees asking anyone with a fever or cough to please stay home, and hand sanitizer stations popping up everywhere; the signs are very visible this year that flu season has arrived.

Home, safe home, with some simple updates
Ninety percent of homeowners plan to stay in their homes for as long as their health permits, according to "Kitchen and Bath Business" magazine. And, as the place that you spend a majority of your time, your home can play a big role in your health and happiness.

Seventy-nine million boomers will change the world - again
Changing the world is not an easy assignment - but baby boomers did it once and they'll do it again. Now this cohort of baby boomers - this largest of all generations, born between 1946 and 1964 inclusively - is redefining what retirement means and is on the verge of changing the world again through active volunteerism.

Older adults looking to volunteer their skills have few boundaries
Look anywhere in the nonprofit world these days and you're likely to find an older adult volunteering his or her expertise in new ways. From the board room to the building site, organizations are putting those 50 and older to work to meet a rising demand for charitable services. In the process, members of the most experienced active generation are discovering the possibilities of giving back on their own terms.

Hearing helper? Help loved ones deal with hearing loss - the right way
Does someone you love often ask you to repeat what you're saying? If so, you may not be doing your loved one a favor by repeating what you just said. Here's how you can help.

Direct deposit of Social Security is safer, easier for winter travelers
As cold weather sets in, thousands of retirees are making plans for a winter getaway. If you're one of them, switch to direct deposit for your Social Security payments before you leave - it's the safest, easiest way to receive your money.

Medicare open enrollment: time to make sure you're in the right plan
Of the more than 45 million people relying on Medicare for health care coverage, many may be paying for a plan that doesn't meet their needs or is too expensive. However, Medicare annual enrollment, which starts Nov. 15 and ends Dec. 31, offers anyone with Medicare the opportunity to switch plans so that they're getting the most from their coverage.

Is your memory lapse normal aging or something more?
For most people older than 50, "senior moments" (occasional memory lapses) are a normal part of aging. However, sometimes memory problems can be signs of something more serious. How do you know what is normal and when you should talk to your doctor?

It's time to 'Stop Diabetes'
November is American Diabetes Month, a time to recognize the deadly disease that nearly 24 million children and adults live with today.

Keeping diabetes in check between doctor visits
Americans are taking a closer look at their own personal health and assessing changes they can make, as the topic of health care remains front and center. More and more, people are paying attention to the cost of prevention and care for chronic illnesses such as diabetes, as they have a high risk for health complications.

Essential tips for keeping your mind sharp
Most people focus on the physical changes that happen as you age - muscles don't bounce back the way they used to, hair becomes gray, and skin begins to wrinkle. But we often pass over one area that really deserves our attention: the brain. Not only can a healthy and active brain help you ward off disease, it can also help you live a more satisfying life.

Living with ALS can be easier
While a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease, is extremely frightening for patients, there is ongoing research, new technology and medications to help make life easier.

COPD patients: It's important to stay active
A diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) often results in a patient feeling helpless and depressed about not being able to maintain a normal, active lifestyle. However, with a chronic lung disease like COPD, it's particularly important, and tremendously beneficial, for patients to exercise and stay active.

You're not alone - finding financial guidance during a life crisis
Job loss, divorce, death of a spouse, serious illness or disability -- it's hard to imagine experiencing a major life crisis. Unfortunately most of us will at some point in our lives.

Help for Alzheimer's sufferers
Every 70 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer's, and as many as 5.3 million people in the United States are living with the disease, according to the Alzheimer's Association. This progressive, irreversible neurological disorder has no cure, but the earlier someone you love is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, the sooner he or she can receive the treatment they need.

Your health care: Know your rights to receive best care
Not knowing what your health care rights are, whether you're insured or not, could be a matter of life or death. It's essential to understand what your rights are in order to obtain the best health care possible, especially in an emergency situation.

Art therapy: healing the mind, body and soul
Through creating and reflecting on art, art therapy gives people the opportunity to cope with symptoms, stress and traumatic experiences in a creative, stress-free environment.

Aging in place can be done with style and grace
From attractive lighting designed to work well for aging eyes to barrier-free shower stalls that compete in beauty and practicality with what you might find in a luxury community for those 55 and older, plenty of home modifications now make it possible to age in place gracefully and stylishly.

Simple tips for promoting breast cancer awareness in your own life
Breast cancer is a prolific disease with an estimated 192,370 new cases diagnosed this year in women and 1,910 new cases diagnosed in men, according to the National Cancer Institute.

What to expect when you're getting older
The signs of aging aren't always as obvious as a few more wrinkles and grey hairs. The body naturally changes as you get older, but what exactly can you expect and how do you make sure you're aging in a healthy way?

New solutions for staying young and healthy
As we grow older, we look forward to the changes that life brings -- retirement, grandchildren, financial security and travel. Other changes that we might not accept so readily are the aches, pains and mental slowdowns that leave us longing for the good old days of our youth.

Simple steps to a healthy and happy retirement
Retired 80-year-olds can often have double the social interaction of their 50-year-old counterparts. This supports research that happiness increases with age because social interaction stimulates your brain to release "feel good" chemicals like norepinephrine, which leads to contentment. Here's how you can make the most and live out your golden years with a happy retirement.

Take control of your health care; make an advance care plan
Later in life or when faced with a serious illness, we face a variety of health issues and might not be able to care for ourselves like we want. Making an advance care plan can ease worries for you and your family about what might happen to you if you are unable to make decisions about your own care.