Resources
Articles
Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder and Its Impact on Older Adults
As the days grow shorter and sunlight becomes scarce, many people experience a change in their mood and energy levels in winter. For some, these changes are more severe and have a greater impact on their everyday life, a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This form of depression, linked to seasonal changes—particularly the change from summer to fall/winter—affects millions of people annually, including a significant number of older adults.
Articles
Assessing Travel Readiness for Older Loved Ones During the Holidays
The holiday season is a time for family gatherings, shared meals and cherished traditions. When you’re caring for an older loved one, it also includes navigating the logistics of travel. While traveling can offer a wonderful opportunity for connection, it’s important to ensure that your loved one is healthy and prepared for the journey. Before booking tickets or packing bags, consider these steps to assess whether your loved one is ready to travel and how to ensure they have a safe and comfortable trip.
Videos
Election 2024—After the Dust Settles
With the historic and closely contested 2024 election behind us, one thing is clear: the new administration taking office on January 20 will bring with it new priorities in aging policy. Based on the campaign platform, Bob Blancato, President of Matz, Blancato & Associates and National Coordinator of the Elder Justice Coalition, provide an in-depth analysis of which aging policy issues are likely to take center stage in the coming years, given the new Congress. He also explores what to expect from the aging policy agenda and whether the election results make a 2025 White House Conference on Aging more—or less—likely.
Articles
Hygiene Tips for Caregivers: Promoting Dignity and Comfort
Caring for an older adult who struggles with personal hygiene can be challenging, both physically and emotionally. Some older adults may have physical limitations that make it hard to keep up with hygiene, while others may not recognize their needs or feel resistant to assistance. In either case, the situation can easily turn difficult for caregivers if not dealt with, and the longer a loved one goes without problem care being taken, the greater likelihood that a complication will arise from an unsanitary environment.
Articles
Managing Life After a Diabetes Diagnosis: Key Steps for Your Health
Being diagnosed with diabetes can feel overwhelming, but with the right steps, you can manage it effectively and continue to live a healthy, fulfilling life. There are key actions to take, along with other areas of your health to monitor for preventing complications.
Articles
Taking Over a Loved One’s Finances: A Step-by-Step Guide for Caregivers
Often caregivers find themselves in the position of needing to take over a loved one’s finances, especially following a dementia diagnosis. This can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re coming into the situation without a lot of prior knowledge of your loved one’s assets or the scope of their monthly bills. But, with the right approach and information, your help managing finances can work to secure your loved one’s comfort and stability as they age.
Videos
Age Discrimination in Employment—The Eras Tour
William Rivera, Senior Vice President of Litigation for AARP Foundation, discusses the evolution of age discrimination in employment laws in the United States with a focus on “hot topics” in the field, including the impact of technology and artificial intelligence on opportunities for older workers. He additionally discusses the work that AARP and AARP Foundation are doing to promote employment opportunities for older workers, and share tips for spotting and addressing age discrimination in the workplace.
Articles
Exploring the Benefits of Senior Centers
When you hear the term “senior center,” what comes to mind? For some, it might conjure images of nonstop games of bingo, or quiet afternoons spent knitting. And while knitting and bingo are certainly activities you might encounter—and enjoy participating in—at a senior center, summing up the experience with these stereotypes doesn’t do credit to the depth and breadth of activities available at today’s senior centers. These vibrant community hubs are continually evolving to meet the diverse needs and interests of older adults, offering a wide range of activities, services and opportunities that cater to a modern, active lifestyle.
Articles
Suicide Awareness and Prevention in Older Adults
Suicide among older adults is an often overlooked, public health concern. While conversations about mental health have become a lot more common and less stigmatized than in the past, the focus is frequently on younger generations, leaving older adults by themselves in the previous mindset of mental struggles being better left unspoken. Understanding the unique challenges faced by older adults is crucial in addressing this silent crisis and ensuring that those at risk receive the support and care they need.