Judith Graham

Author's posts

When Older Parents Resist Help or Advice, Use These Tips to Cope

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 evolving relationships.

How to Increase Your Social Network as You Age

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

How — and why — you should increase your social network as you age

Research shows good friendships are essential to health and well-being for seniors.

Fatigue Is Common Among Older Adults, and It Has Many Possible Causes

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.

Fatigue is common among older people. Finding its cause is important.

Often, older adults with fatigue stop being active and become deconditioned, which leads to muscle loss and weakness, which heightens fatigue.

Being ‘Socially Frail’ Comes With Health Risks for Older Adults

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.

Seniors With Anxiety Frequently Don’t Get Help. Here’s Why.

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.

Dementia Care Programs Help, If Caregivers Can Find Them

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.

What Older Americans Need to Know About Taking Paxlovid

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.

Weighing Risks of a Major Surgery: 7 Questions Older Americans Should Ask Their Surgeon

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? Our columnist asks experts for guidance.