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Aging

2 years ago

Men Vs. Women: Explaining the Life Expectancy Gap

It’s a tale as old as time—men vs. women competing in all aspects of life. Who makes the better dinner? Who’s best at tucking in the kids at night? And, the ultimate question: when it comes to longevity, who will live the longest? In 2010, women had a projected life expectancy that was approximately 4.8 years longer than their male counterparts. In 2021, the gap widened to 5.8 years. Girls born in 2021 now have an average life expectancy of 79, versus just 73 for their male counterparts born in the same year. This stark difference prompts a resounding question for both genders: Why do women live longer than men? Numerous biological, behavioral and social factors contribute to a person’s potential lifespan

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Aging

2 years ago

50 Is the New 40? Understanding Chronological Age vs. Perceived Age

If I asked you to tell me your age, would you give me your biological age, or would your brain revert to an age you feel more akin to? (To be fair, we’d probably shave off a few years because we feel younger at heart—and that’s okay). So, is age just a number? Chronologically, we all have a birthday that marks our years on Earth. But what about how old we feel? Those are two very different perspectives. Today we’re exploring the gap between how old you feel and how old you are, the factors that influence those perceptions and the benefits of embracing an age that is a few years younger than the one on your birth certificate. Chronological Age vs. Perceived Age Your chronological age refers to the objective number of years you’ve been alive. In contrast, your perceived age is how young or old you feel physically and mentally. Let’s say you’re 57. If someone asks your age, you may not look or feel remotely close to that number

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Aging

2 years ago

The 3 Most Common Age-Related Diseases (and How to Help Prevent Them)

Heart disease, osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease are among the most common age-related diseases in the United States. While aging increases the risk of developing certain conditions, lifestyle choices and preventive care can play a significant role in lowering that risk. While hitting 10,000 steps a day won’t guarantee perfect heart health, everyday choices — like regular movement, balanced nutrition and quality sleep — can meaningfully influence long-term wellness. Below, we examine three common age-related diseases and what you can do to reduce your risk. #1 Heart Disease The name alone may not sound too intimidating, but heart disease is the number one cause of death for people in the United States. In fact, it’s so common that one person dies from cardiovascular disease every 33 seconds. So, what is this silent but deadly killer that’s responsible for approximately 20% of the deaths in the United States? What Is Heart Disease? Otherwise known as cardiovascular disease, heart disease comes in many types that can affect people of all ages, and the risk of developing one of them only increases as you age. Some of the most common types include: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) CAD occurs when the major vessels supplying blood to the heart have difficulty sending it enough blood and oxygen. Cholesterol deposits are usually the main cause of CAD, and the condition generally develops over several decades. Heart Attack When CAD goes undiagnosed, individuals may not know they have it until the blockages cause a heart attack, which happens when the blood flow to the heart becomes severely blocked. How to Prevent Heart Disease While there’s no guarantee that you can be completely safe against cardiovascular disease, there are a few preventative measures you can take to lower your risk: Don’t Use Tobacco While this may seem obvious, there are approximately 28 million American adults who currently smoke cigarettes. Cigarette smoke lowers the amount of oxygen in your blood, increasing your blood pressure and heart rate

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Physiology

2 years ago

Medical Cardiovascular and Muscle Physiology: A Deep Dive Into Heart & Muscle Function

Ever found yourself lost in the labyrinth of graduate-level medical physiology courses, with course names and descriptions blurring together? Fear not, because we’re here to shed light on each course’s distinctive and essential contributions to the field. Today, let’s zoom in on Medical Cardiovascular and Muscle Physiology. This course delves deep into the intricate functions and regulation of muscles and the cardiovascular system. It uncovers how the body adapts to factors like exercise, environmental influences and diseases. But what sets Medical Cardiovascular and Muscle Physiology apart, and why should you make room for it in your already packed online course load? Join us as we unravel its fundamentals, explore its relevance for your future career and navigate its course structure. What Is Cardiovascular Physiology?

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Physiology

2 years ago

4 Major Factors That Affect Drug Absorption in the Body

In order for any drug to do its intended job — relieve pain, kill an infection, etc. — it must be absorbed by the body. This is a process we often take for granted. We simply swallow a pill or receive an injection and wait for the drug to begin working. But there are many factors that can affect drug absorption within the body, some of which may extend your wait time to feel better and become healthier. Drugs are generally made up of both active and inactive ingredients. The active ingredients are what actually treat the condition of concern (pain, etc.), while the inactive ingredients, such as the cellulose that makes up a capsule’s outer shell, simply make the drugs easier to swallow. Absorption involves the body breaking down the drug, which separates the active ingredients from the inactive ones and enables the active ingredients to enter the bloodstream. Only then will you begin to benefit from the drug’s effects.

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Aging

2 years ago

Starting a Business After Retirement: What Senior Entrepreneurs Need to Succeed

Just because someone retires doesn’t mean they leave behind the skills they spent decades developing. For many older adults, retirement marks the beginning of a new chapter — one that includes entrepreneurship. Starting a business after retirement is becoming increasingly common as retirees look for meaningful work, additional income or the opportunity to turn lifelong passions into profit. While older entrepreneurs often bring valuable experience, succeeding in today’s market means getting familiar with modern business practices and tools. Below are practical ways communities, organizations and institutions can support retirees who are ready to launch their own small businesses. Why Are More Retirees Starting Businesses? Many retirees enter entrepreneurship with established expertise, industry insight and long-standing professional relationships. Compared to younger founders, older business owners often have more defined goals and a clearer understanding of the markets they’ve worked in. With the right support, launching a venture later in life can be both practical and personally rewarding. Small Business Ideas for Retirees Rather than beginning entirely from scratch, many retirees build businesses that expand on prior careers or long-standing interests

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Physiology

2 years ago

What Is Disease X — and Why Are Scientists Preparing for It?

From the everyday uncertainties of choosing what to have for dinner to pondering the mysteries of life and death, our daily lives are riddled with anxieties that add unnecessary stress. But one fear in particular has loomed since the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020: the dread of the next major, potentially catastrophic disease. Could it eclipse the unforgettable impact of COVID-19, which has claimed over 7 million lives worldwide? This mysterious threat, referred to as “Disease X,” has gripped the world’s imagination. Scientists and researchers across the globe are working tirelessly to prepare for it. Yet, how do you prepare for something when you don’t know what it is or how it infects people?

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Aging

2 years ago

6 Unique Careers in the Field of Aging

Whether you’re embarking on a career change, considering graduate school or interested in expanding your professional horizons, get ready to explore six unique careers in the field of aging. #1 Gerontechnology Specialist As the name suggests, a gerontechnology specialist uses technology to improve the lives of older adults. They bridge the widening gap between today’s ever-advancing gadgets and the often not-so-tech-savvy elderly, helping them to learn to use different kinds of equipment that can increase their independence and overall well-being. Some of the technologies they utilize with their clients include: Telehealth platforms that make remote checkups more efficient. Elderly-friendly smart home devices, such as smart locks, refrigerators and stoves that others can control remotely. Health monitoring devices, like smartwatches, blood pressure monitors and medication dispensers. #2 Public Health Administrator Public health administrators oversee and manage multiple aspects of public and private public health programs at the federal and local level, including those focused on the elderly. While your duties would vary depending on your particular sector (state, federal or private), some of your responsibilities would include: Designing and Developing Programs for Older AdultsTo better serve the older population, public health administrators work with a team of other professionals to create programs that address the well-being of older adults. Some of these programs focus on topics of interest to the elderly, including fall prevention, mental health support and disease management. Advocating for Elderly-Friendly PoliciesFrom Medicare and Medicaid to other long-term care services, public health administrators work alongside other policymakers to advocate for policies that promote the improved health and wellness of older adults. #3 Intergenerational Program Coordinator Do you enjoy bringing people together for the greater good? How about seeing their faces light up when they’re enjoying the company of new (and sometimes unexpected) companions? Intergenerational program coordinators plan and oversee programs that unify people from different generations. Why do they do it, you ask? For a multitude of uplifting and joyful reasons, such as: Forging positive relationships between unlikely individuals

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Physiology

2 years ago

How Does the Body React to the COVID-19 Vaccine?

First appearing in China near the end of 2019, COVID-19 spread to North America and Europe by February 2020. By November 2020, two major pharmaceutical manufacturers had developed vaccines that were shown to be about 95% effective, which means vaccinated test subjects were 95% less likely to get COVID-19 than unvaccinated ones. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved these vaccines for use within about a year of their inception. Prior to this, the shortest time in which a vaccine had been both developed and FDA approved was four years: for the mumps vaccine, introduced in 1967. At time of writing, there are three primary vaccines in use in the United States, generally known by the names of their manufacturers: Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.

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Aging

2 years ago

5 Causes Behind the Growing Baby Boomer Caregiver Gap

As baby boomers turn 80, the realities of an aging population and their increasing healthcare needs are becoming impossible to ignore. Long-term care, support with daily living and professional medical oversight are no longer distant concerns — they’re the reality for millions of families. While baby boomers often cared for their elders, their children are less likely to fill that same caregiving role. So, where does that leave older adults in the baby boomer generation? In short, with a growing caregiver gap. In this article, we’re digging into five causes of the caregiver gap in hopes that we can collectively work toward reducing it and provide baby boomers with optimal care during the next phase in their lives. Why Are Baby Boomers Facing an Aged Care Shortage? The baby boomer generation refers to individuals born between 1946 and 1964. Today, millions of baby boomers are entering their late 70s and early 80s, increasing demand for healthcare services, long-term support and caregiving assistance. The baby boomer caregiving gap refers to the growing mismatch between the number of aging baby boomers who require support and the number of caregivers available to meet their needs. As baby boomers age into their 80s and beyond, demand for long-term care services is accelerating faster than workforce growth. What’s Causing the Baby Boomer Caregiver Gap? While there’s no single cause behind the caregiver gap, several social, demographic and economic shifts have contributed to the growing shortage of support for aging baby boomers

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