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Careth Reid has hiked mountains from Peru to Nepal, bicycled from northern Scotland to southern England, and ridden a camel in the Sahara. She was named Alumna of the Year by her alma mater and has been called "a creative genius" by child-care experts. But like many older people, the 69-year-old grandmother has felt at times like an unemployable failure. After her 31-year marriage dissolved when s...

About 39 million Americans are now 65 or older. Not only is this segment of the population booming, but today's seniors are generally healthier and more active than ever before. The trend has produced a corresponding boom in travel organizations eager to work with older people. You can now get discounts on hotels, motels, buses, trains, and boats, and, if you like, enjoy a host of travel adventure...

When Bebe Fitzgerald began working as a volunteer for the Audubon Society at age 53, it was something of a lark. But the resident of Billings, Montana, kept volunteering for three decades until her death at age 83. On one of her last birding trips, she admitted that she couldn't spot birds quite as easily as she used to, but she still provided invaluable assistance to a group of novices who didn't...

For some of us, the memories of backpacking from one youth hostel to another in Europe conjure up images of idyllic summers past -- full of unexpected adventure and a lifetime away from our workaholic routines today. But even if you've retired and are watching your college-age grandchildren head for Europe, Mexico, or parts unknown, you don't have to feel left behind. Now, for Americans 55 and old...

Most grandparents hope to spend their golden years blissfully spoiling their grandkids. For some, however, these years are filled with court battles and anguish when a child's divorce or other family problems prevent them from even seeing them. Grandparents Judith and J.H. Fleming of Perkins, Oklahoma, experienced this for themselves. When their son and his wife were divorced, the Flemings tried t...

What is macular degeneration? Most people have heard about glaucoma and cataracts, but there's another eye disease that senior citizens should know about, especially those of European descent. This is macular degeneration, or damage to the macula, an ultrasensitive part of your retina that gives you sharp focus in the center of your vision. If you develop this condition, you may have trouble driv...

What is urinary incontinence? If you frequently lose urine by accident, you have some type of urinary incontinence. You also have plenty of company. As many as 35 percent of older people living on their own have some degree of incontinence, and the rate is much higher in nursing homes. Incontinence isn't just a nuisance. Many older people give up golfing, a bridge club, drives to see the grandki...

What special risks do medications pose for seniors? As people grow older, needing a prescription medicine is almost as inevitable as gray hair and reading glasses. Two-thirds of all seniors take at least one medication each day, and 25 percent take three or more. Many seniors owe their lives -- or at least their lifestyles -- to medications, but the remedies can also carry serious risks. As a sen...

What is Parkinson's disease? We all lose brain cells as we age -- and most of them aren't really missed. But when the wrong cells stop doing their job, a person can become seriously ill. Certain nerve cells, for example, have the vital job of producing dopamine, a compound that relays messages between parts of the brain that tells muscles how to move smoothly. People develop Parkinson's disease ...

If you're a senior with a chronic condition such as arthritis, most days start with an ache. Your joints hurt as you crawl out of bed. Each movement sends a shooting pain through your back and/or hip. Even a relaxing walk is out of the question, because your feet are too sore. You may, in fact, feel like Marilyn Prater, 73, who was unable to return to work as an office manager in her 60's after an...

To many people, the word "cancer" represents their worst nightmare. For Ken Lloyd, a 65-year-old former firefighter, the nightmare began with his father, who had prostate cancer, and a sister who had breast cancer. Lloyd knew his risk of getting cancer was elevated, because his job as a firefighter in Napa, California, had often exposed him to toxic materials. "Cancer rates in firefighters are fai...

Depression is one of the most common psychiatric problems among older people, but it's not a natural or inescapable part of aging. Seniors don't become "grumpy" or "crotchety" (to name two stereotypical descriptions) simply because they've grown older. They may be clinically depressed -- which may be misinterpreted by others, and by the depressed individuals themselves. Friends, family, and even d...

Pets may chew on furniture, bark at shadows, pee in unauthorized places, jump on your face in the middle of the night, leave mangled birds at the doorstep, and never stop to apologize. Yet many people can't imagine life without them. As any pet owner will tell you, tooth marks on table legs and surprises in the corner are a small price to pay for the loyalty, fun, and unconditional love and affect...

When does gambling become a problem? Gambling can be a fun diversion for adults of any age. Many people enjoy going to the horse races, picking teams in an office pool, or dreaming of lottery winnings. For seniors, especially, a bingo parlor or casino can be a great opportunity for socializing and a nice break from routine life. The great majority of people, young and old, gamble responsibly, but...

Is substance abuse a problem among seniors? While the nation wages war on marijuana, cocaine, and other street drugs, roughly one out of five seniors struggles with a different kind of substance abuse. The drugs that have them in their grip -- prescription medications and alcohol -- are perfectly legal, but that doesn't make the addictions any less devastating to older people and their families. ...

Horny old broads, dirty old men. These commonly used terms speak volumes about how society views older people who are interested in sex. Experts say such derogatory labels reflect a deep level of discomfort in our youth-oriented culture with the idea that seniors are sexually active. Sex is identified with reproduction, youthful attractiveness, and power -- and most young and even middle-aged peop...

What is constipation? If you've ever exchanged tips about eating prunes or drinking lots of water to stay regular, then you've probably had personal experience with constipation. More than 4 million Americans feel constipated frequently, according to a National Institutes of Health survey. Although constipation is common in all age groups, people over age 65 suffer from it the most. Constipation ...

How can seniors take care of their feet? Foot problems are especially common in older people, for a variety of reasons. Feet lose cushioning as they age, and the skin and nails can grow dry and brittle. Many seniors have poor circulation, and this can slow the healing of foot sores. Finding comfortable shoes that fit is the best thing you can do for your feet. It's especially important to avoid t...

Robin Stanton supposes her appreciation for younger men was honed during the feminist revolution. Growing up in Ohio in the 1950s, she married her high school sweetheart at age 22. They had two children, but before long she realized her traditional marriage was killing her soul. To Stanton's dismay, her husband seemed threatened by her intelligence and high spirits, as well as her singing career. ...

Our homes should be safe havens from the dangers of the world outside, but even the coziest nest can hold hidden perils. Telephone cords, throw rugs, and slick tile can cause falls or injuries. Frayed wires or a worn-out heater can lead to a house or apartment fire. And if you're an older person who has trouble seeing or walking, you may be more vulnerable to such accidents. But you don't have to ...

Anyone can be the victim of a crime, but seniors are often targeted by criminals who see them as easy pickings. That's why you should always be armed -- with the facts. Knowing how to secure your home against intruders and being able to spot telephone scams are the most important weapons in your arsenal. How can I protect myself from burglary? Burglars want to get in and out of a house or apartme...

Why is hypothermia dangerous for seniors? In most parts of the country, a 60-degree day would hardly count as a cold snap. And yet if a senior citizen lives in a poorly insulated house and keeps the heater off to save money, such a day might be chilly enough to cause a hazardous drop in body temperature. As people get older, their bodies become a little less efficient at regulating heat. And if t...

Can prescription drugs be hazardous for senior citizens? Senior citizens need more medications than any other sector of the population, and the drugs can take a toll. By some estimates, one-third of their prescriptions may trigger serious consequences. While some of the risk is unavoidable, you can provide some protection for yourself and loved ones by staying informed. Many thousands of dangerou...

After Neil Hancock died, his family discovered an awful secret. Although Hancock didn't have a cassette player or a VCR, piled in his closets were more than 2,500 cassette tapes, along with hundreds of video cassettes and towering stacks of magazines from more than 100 subscriptions, says his daughter, Pat Raines. For four years before his death at 80, Hancock had been the victim of telemarketing ...

How can I prevent fractures? If osteoporosis has started to thin your bones, even a simple fall or twist can have devastating consequences. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 10 million people have osteoporosis, and almost 34 million more have low bone mass, which places them at risk for fractures. Indeed, one out of two women over 50 -- and one out of four men -- will suffer ost...

Americans live in a culture that glorifies youth. They're surrounded by images of ideal, ageless beauty that are impossible standards to meet. That's one of the reasons they spent an estimated $7 billion on anti-aging skin care products in 2008. Still, without getting caught up in a narcissistic attempt to stay young forever, there are some simple steps you can take to look great for your age, w...

There's a world of difference between being old and feeling old. Your birthdays may be piling up, but that doesn't mean you have to slow down, grow weak, or lose energy. All it takes to keep your body and spirits strong is a little exercise - and an understanding of what it does. Take this quiz to see how much you know about exercise for seniors. 1. Aerobic exercise is the fastest way for senior...

From the day you bought that first pair of reading glasses, you may have worried that your vision would go steadily downhill. While it's true that eyes can weaken with age, there's no law that says all seniors are doomed to poor eyesight. In fact, people can have excellent vision in their 80's and beyond -- especially when they're armed with a little knowledge. Take this quiz to see how much you k...

Have you ever asked for a "whatchamacallit" when you really needed a hammer? Did you ever forget the name of someone you just met? Even in the best of cases, memory is surprisingly fragile. As a person gets older, memory glitches can become a little more common -- and more frightening. Young people laugh off their forgetful moments, but many older people worry that every slipup is a sign of Alzhei...

Ever since the mid 1960s, doctors have been harnessing the power of human growth hormones to improve the lives of children with growth-stunting diseases such as chronic renal failure and Turner syndrome. In recent years, the hormone has attracted a whole new group of customers, including athletes looking for a competitive edge and older people looking for a fountain of youth. How much do you know ...

One of the great joys of growing older is the arrival of grandchildren and the mutual adoration that so often springs up between the youngest and oldest members of a family. Grandparents who aren't the primary caregivers often see in their grandchildren a chance to express boundless, unconditional love without the restraints and responsibilities of parenthood. But if your grandchildren live hundre...

What natural alternatives to hormone replacement therapy are there? Women who decide not to supplement their declining levels of estrogen with prescription hormones may want to choose from a variety of "natural" remedies that may help relieve their menopausal symptoms. Black cohosh root may bring some relief from hot flashes, with potentially fewer side effects than estrogen. Creams made from wild...

We spend a lot of time teaching children the importance of making friends. But we never outgrow the need for good companionship ourselves. In fact, friendship may be even more important for adults than for kids. Kids get the benefits of birthday invitations and a chance to learn social skills; adults may actually live longer, healthier, more fulfilling lives. Studies have found that friendships an...

When a loved one has Alzheimer's disease, time takes on new significance. Every day that he or she can hold onto old memories or stay out of a nursing home becomes a gift. Thanks to new treatments and a growing understanding of the disease, families and patients can enjoy more of those gifts than ever before. For some patients, new drugs can delay the advance of the disease for months, or even yea...

There's still no cure for Alzheimer's or known way to prevent it. But if you're worried about developing the disease, your doctor just might give you an unexpected prescription. She might urge you to exercise daily, eat a diet rich in whole foods, and watch your weight. She might even recommend taking a language class or some dance lessons. Or having a fish dinner twice a week. Or adding curry dis...

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