My husband calls it Arthur’s disease – his version of “Arthur-i-tis.” That’s his attempt to make light of the pain and limitations of the chronic condition that affects nearly every move he makes – sitting, standing, putting on socks and shoes, using a computer or playing the piano.

In the United States, over 54 million people have arthritis – that’s approximately one in four adults. In people ages 65 or older, that number grows to nearly one in two (49.7 percent).

Arthritis includes more than 100 different diseases and conditions that affect the joints. Arthritis causes aches and pains as well as swelling and stiffness around the joints. Specific symptoms vary by the individual and type of arthritis.

Loneliness, characterized by the state of feeling alone, is experienced by many people. So, you aren’t alone when you feel lonely.

As we age, normal changes in the body can affect the way we process medications. For example, liver and kidney function may decrease, which can affect how a drug breaks down and is eliminated from the body.  

"There is no question that physiology changes as we age. Many chronic medical conditions don't even appear until our later years," said Sandra L. Kweder, M.D., F.A.C.P., deputy director of the FDA Office of New Drugs. "It's not that people are falling to pieces; some changes are just part of the normal aging process."

Had a good laugh lately? Laughter connects people, eases trouble and makes the day brighter. It releases stress, activates learning, burns calories and supports memory. In short, laughter is good for you.

Why is laughter so beneficial? Here are seven reasons:

Caregiving for a parent or grandparent can be complex. Family caregivers must learn how to balance lives full of responsibilities with their parent’s or grandparent’s’ lives.

Life hacks, tips and tricks, can help family caregivers find smarter, easier ways to accomplish everyday activities or solve common problems — all without breaking a sweat. Here are 13 ways to work smarter, not harder.

Growing old has its advantages: the wisdom of life experiences, the leisure of retirement, the joys of grandchildren and the benefits of senior discounts. On the other hand, growing old increases the likelihood of health concerns.

Data from Medicare show 80 percent of adults 65+ have at least one chronic condition. In addition, the most common health issue for adults 65 and older is high blood pressure, while the second is high cholesterol. According to the National Institutes of Health, 62 percent of adults age 50+ have high cholesterol. Similar to high blood pressure, high cholesterol causes no symptoms but can lead to impaired heart health.

A nurse’s role includes many responsibilities: getting patients’ health histories, administering medications and treatments, performing diagnostic tests, and collaborating with doctors and the health care team. Nurses teach patients and families how to manage health conditions. Nurses work in all kinds of settings including hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices, schools and government agencies. Skilled home health and hospice nurses take their skills on the road and provide care at their patients’ homes.

At the heart of it, nurses are caregivers. They juggle a lot of duties and mounds of paperwork as they give patients the very best care. Nurses are dedicated professionals. However, while caring for others is rewarding, it also can be tiring.

Spring has sprung! It’s time to shake off winter’s doldrums and get active. Whether you’re looking to invigorate the daily routine of yourself, your parent, your grandparent or all of the above, we have a list of ideas to ease into healthy movement.

You may have seen it on the news or social media – two new studies suggest soda pop may be linked to stroke and dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. The studies appeared in the journals Stroke and Alzheimer’s & Dementia.

If you’re a soda pop drinker – sugary or diet – this may give you pause for thought. Here are four things to consider:

You’ve heard of the three R’s of education: reading, writing and ‘rithmetic. You probably know about the three R’s of recycling: reduce, reuse and recycle. Having a list of three R’s can help us recall and prioritize what is most important.