Judith Graham - KFF Health News

The principles and practices of geriatrics are widely disseminated, and we understand much more about how to improve care. Yet we don’t have enough geriatricians to meet the growing demand.

Medicare is expanding access to mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists come Jan. 1. But the belief that seniors who suffer from mental health problems should just grin and bear it remains a troubling barrier to care.

Quest Diagnostics is selling a blood test online to consumers. But results may not be reliable or easy to interpret. And it isn’t covered by insurance.

A leading geriatrician says a lot of health information for older adults isn’t as useful as it should be. No person’s aging process looks exactly like another’s. So she’s written a guidebook.

The federal government is proposing having Medicare pay professionals to train family caregivers how to perform tasks like bathing and dressing their loved ones, and properly use medical equipment.

Clinics serving Alzheimer’s patients are working out the details of who will get treated with the new drug Leqembi. It won’t be for everyone with memory-loss symptoms.

Researchers have found that while obesity at any age risks harming health, a few extra pounds in later life isn’t cause for concern.

Despite medical advances, disparities are expected to worsen in the coming decades. The expansion of the aging population and rising numbers of people with conditions that put them at risk are expected to contribute to this alarming scenario.

Dealing with a stubborn or resistant older parent can be a difficult problem for adult children. Family caregivers and professionals have some hard-won lessons on how to manage these relationships.

As your circle of close friends shrinks, there are ways to rebuild — but not replace — the social network you had when you were younger.