Why Immortality Is Overrated
Before a health crisis hits, think deeply about the care you want and what you'd like to avoid. Make sure your family and your doctor understand your wishes, says John Henning Schumann.
Aging
Plan Approved To Fix Misunderstandings On Medicare Therapy Coverage
Many seniors are denied coverage for rehabilitation because therapists mistakenly believe that patients must be improving to qualify. A new legal order seeks to clarify the standards.
Easing Old People's Loneliness Can Help Keep Them Healthy
Little Brothers, which operates in San Francisco and several other cities, sends volunteers to brighten up the lives of isolated elderly people, helping them reduce the risk of serious illness.
Where Does Alzheimer's Treatment Go From Here?
The failure of an experimental drug that targets clumps of protein inside the brains of Alzheimer's patients called into question one of the leading theories about the cause of the dementia.
Patients Cared For By Female Doctors Fare Better Than Those Treated By Men
If male doctors were as good as their female counterparts at caring for older people in the hospital, about 32,000 fewer patients a year would die. What do female doctors do better than men?
Sign Up For Health Coverage If You Need It, Despite GOP Repeal Plans
Republicans' plans to overhaul the federal health law aren't expected to take effect immediately, so consumers can still sign up for 2017 coverage — and should, if they need insurance.
Caring For A Loved One At Home Can Have A Steep Learning Curve
People caring for someone at home often have zero training. Many learn on the fly, and some states are passing laws to make sure caregivers get at least basic instruction in home care.
A Brighter Outlook Could Translate To A Longer Life
This study doesn't prove that optimism actually causes better health or postpones death. But it joins a growing body of evidence suggesting that they're fellow travelers.
It's Never Too Late To Quit Smoking, Even In Your 60s
It's true that the earlier a smoker quits the better, but even people who quit in their 60s lowered their risk of death compared to those who kept puffing away.
Rule Change Could Push Hospitals To Tell Patients About Nursing Home Quality
Hospitals often shy away from offering quality assessments about skilled nursing care because of a Medicare requirement not to restrict choice. Federal officials are weighing changes to that rule.