Judith Graham - KFF Health News

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.

Persistent fatigue — the feeling of having no energy — can contribute to frailty and affects 40% to 74% of older patients with chronic illness. Yet, its causes can be elusive.

Researchers are identifying new ways to assess older adults’ social circumstances and identify risks that can compromise their health. “It’s a more complete picture of older adults’ circumstances than any one factor alone,” one expert said.

Older people often aren’t being screened for anxiety disorders, even though it is a common affliction — one masked by other problems when growing old.

Programs assisting people with dementia — and their caregivers — improve quality of life and care. But millions of unpaid family and friend caregivers may not know where or how to find help.

COVID-19 continues to hit seniors with disproportionate severity. Experts say Paxlovid is an effective therapy that is being underprescribed for people 65 and older.

How do older adults know when the potential benefits from surgery are worth the risks? And what questions should they ask as they try to figure this out? We ask experts for guidance.

Multiple studies show a strong association between higher levels of optimism and healthy aging. We ask some dedicated optimists what might explain the connection.