With the number of Americans over age 65 expected to skyrocket by 47% between 2022 and 2050, there is a growing emphasis on living well — not just long — into the senior years.

Two gerontologists from Home Instead, a national in-home senior care provider owned by Honor Company in San Francisco, shared their top tips for how aging adults can stay healthy and energized.

1. Checkup from the neck up

Lakelyn Eichenberger, PhD, a gerontologist (aging expert) and caregiving advocate based in Omaha, Nebraska, recommends getting a baseline cognitive assessment early on to monitor your cognitive health. 

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“Cognitive exams are included as part of the Medicare wellness visit for those over 65,” she shared with Fox News Digital. 

“Even if you have no current concerns about your cognition, having a baseline and normalizing the conversation with your health care provider can open doors if issues arise down the road.”

2. Volunteer and give back

Engaging in volunteer activities can provide a sense of fulfillment and purpose, and it can also promote longevity, according to Eichenberger.

“Giving back can lift your mood, knowing you’re making a difference in others’ lives.”

“The connections made through volunteering offer important social outlets and opportunities to form new friendships,” she said. 

“Giving back can lift your mood, knowing you’re making a difference in others’ lives.”

3. Stay social

Jenny Munro, MA, a Nebraska-based gerontologist, emphasized the importance of older adults having an active social life and cultivating quality relationships.

“Make a point of connecting regularly with relatives, friends and neighbors,” she recommended in an email to Fox News Digital.

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It can be helpful to maintain social connections with people of different generations, both older and younger, Munro advised.

“Volunteer at a school or community center,” she suggested. “Focus on the relationships and activities that you enjoy the most.”

4. Never stop moving

Adults age 65 and over should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

They should also participate in at least two days of strength-training exercises and balance-improving movements, the agency recommends.

Adults age 65 and over should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week, according to the CDC. (iStock)

“You don’t need to go to a gym every day, but you do have to move,” Munro said. “Movement can include going for a walk, gardening and climbing stairs.”

Walking a mile is good for you, she said — and walking fast for a mile is better, as it will raise the heart rate. 

“Movement is essential for vitality,” Munro noted. “If you haven’t been exercising, starting today can significantly protect your brain later. It’s never too late.”

5. Learn and stay curious

“Adopt a learner’s mindset and follow your curiosity,” Eichenberger said. “Mental stimulation is beneficial for brain health and comes in many forms.”

“Be open to new experiences and maintain curiosity about the world, leading to a more engaged and fulfilling life.”

The expert suggests engaging in activities that challenge the brain, such as completing puzzles, reading, learning new skills or playing musical instruments. 

“Be open to new experiences and maintain curiosity about the world, leading to a more engaged and fulfilling life,” she advised.

6. Get proper nutrition

To manage healthy blood pressure and blood sugar levels, Munro recommends eating a high-nutrient diet that’s rich in whole grains, vegetables, leafy greens, nuts, berries and fish — and low in red meat, butter and sweets. 

“When you eat a rainbow of vegetables, you eat a more diverse array of nutrients, many of them brain-friendly antioxidants,” an expert advised. (iStock)

“Eat a wide variety of different colored vegetables,” she said. “When you eat a rainbow of vegetables, you eat a more diverse array of nutrients, many of them brain-friendly antioxidants.”

The expert also recommends preparing meals at home, as this allows more control over the salt, sugar and fat content than buying prepared meals or food from restaurants.  

7. Manage caregiving stressors

Many family members become caregivers for an aging parent or loved one at some point. 

“While caregiving can be rewarding, it can also cause stress and put you at risk of burnout,” Eichenberger told Fox News Digital. 

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“Long-term stress hormones like cortisol can negatively affect health.”

Finding ways to effectively manage stress can benefit the aging journey, the doctor said.

“Use resources like home care or respite care to provide breaks from the caregiving role, allowing you to refresh, recharge and tend to your own needs,” she suggested.

8. Prioritize sleep

Losing sleep will have both short- and long-term consequences on your health, according to Munro.

“During slumber, your brain clears away toxic waste that builds up early in the development of Alzheimer’s disease,” she said. 

To ensure adequate sleep, an expert recommends sticking to a schedule, waking up to early morning light, eliminating electronics before bed, and sleeping in a cool, quiet and dark place. (iStock)

“The body also heals tissues, strengthens memory and even grows during sleep.”

To ensure adequate sleep, Munro recommends sticking to a schedule, waking up to early morning light, eliminating electronics before bed, and sleeping in a cool, quiet and dark place.

9. Cultivate a positive attitude

Fostering a positive outlook on life has been linked to better health outcomes and longevity, according to Eichenberger.

“Embrace aging and lean into the wisdom and experience you’ve gathered over your lifetime,” she advised.

10. Maintain a sense of purpose

“A sense of purpose means that you see life as having meaning, a sense of direction and goals to live for,” Munro said — something she calls “active aging.”

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Staying engaged in a job, especially one that’s satisfying, tends to keep people physically active, socially connected and mentally challenged, Munro said, which helps to protect cognition. 

“Embrace aging and lean into the wisdom and experience you’ve gathered over your lifetime.”

“Delay retirement as long as possible. And when you retire, don’t quit on life,” she suggested.

“Find activities that are joyful and stimulating. There’s power to maintaining a sense of purpose by continuing to learn, discover and complete complex tasks.”

11. Plan ahead to age your way

Think about where and how you want to age, Eichenberger advised. 

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“Consider your living environment and how you can make modifications to ensure it’s suitable for aging in place,” she suggested. 

“Also, think about the support you might need to age on your own terms.”

After President Joe Biden’s address to the nation Wednesday night, multiple doctors shared their opinions with Fox News Digital about his perceived health status based on his live speech.

Seated in the Oval Office, the president spoke relatively briefly about his withdrawal from the 2024 race and his commitment to continuing to serve the country for the next few months. 

He did not mention his recent COVID-19 infection, ongoing concerns about his cognitive health, or the recent assassination attempt on the life of former President Donald Trump.

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Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor — who has never treated the president — noted that Biden seemed to be reading from a teleprompter on Wednesday night, as he often does, making it difficult for those watching to gauge his medical fitness.

Although Biden stumbled over his words a few times, Siegel was more concerned about the president’s apparent “lack of emotion.”

“It is a very emotional time for him and he isn’t showing it,” the doctor told Fox News Digital after the speech. “He seems to lack conviction.”

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Siegel expressed concern that Biden “could be depressed and shocked by the current reality.”

“I feel compassion for him,” Siegel went on. “How can he quote from the Declaration [of Independence] without much conviction? I feel bad for him and for us.”

“It is a very emotional time for him and he isn’t showing it.”

Dr. Robert Lufkin, a California-based physician and medical school professor at UCLA and USC, also weighed in on Biden.

Lufkin noted that he has never examined Biden, but offered his observations based on Wednesday’s speech and recent media events.

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In previous appearances, Biden has shown signs of “cognitive deterioration,” the doctor told Fox News Digital.

“The findings in his previous presentations could have a variety of causes, including sleep deprivation, sedation, metabolic abnormalities or even neurodegenerative diseases.”

From left to right, Dr. Earnest Lee Murray; Dr. Marc Siegel; and Dr. Robert Lufkin offered observations about the president’s Wednesday night speech. (Dr. Earnest Lee Murray; Dr. Marc Siegel; Dr. Robert Lufkin)

Tonight’s short presentation appeared to be read from a teleprompter, Lufkin agreed — “which is less demanding than the more spontaneous Q&A debate format of some of his previous events.”

In previous appearances, such as the June 27 debate, Biden has shown “confused rambling, sudden loss of train of thought in the middle of a sentence, halting speech, and the repeated use of the word ‘anyway’ when lost in a sentence,” Lufkin noted.

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“Tonight, we did not see these in his presentation,” he said. “His delivery was fairly uniform without interruptions.”

The fact that these findings were less apparent tonight could be due to the speech format of the presentation and use of a teleprompter, according to Lufkin.

Biden addressed the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, July 24, 2024. “That format is much less challenging and less likely to uncover pathology than a more rigorous Q&A exchange or debate format,” a doctor told Fox News Digital. (Evan Vucci, Pool via AP)

“That format is much less challenging and less likely to uncover pathology than a more rigorous Q&A exchange or debate format,” he went on.

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He said he hoped that “continued interactions with Mr. Biden in various presentation formats will allow us to understand his situation in more detail.”

“I suspect the stress of trying to run for office and be president was leading to even worse daily cognitive performance,” said a neurologist on Wednesday night after watching Biden’s speech. Above, the president on Wednesday after returning to public view after nearly a week of seclusion due to COVID.  (Getty Images)

Dr. Earnest Lee Murray, a board-certified neurologist at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tennessee, said the speech from the Oval Office was “clearly better” for Biden than the debate, but also noted that the president struggled at times with reading the teleprompter. 

Murray has not treated or examined Biden.

“Reading simple passages do become difficult in patients with dementia,” he told Fox News Digital, expressing a professional opinion in general about such cases. 

“I suspect the stress of trying to run for office and be president was leading to even worse daily cognitive performance.”

“Patients with a dementing process have significant difficulties with multitasking,” said Murray, again speaking generally.

“President Biden seemed more rested and relaxed tonight,” Murray said. 

“I suspect the stress of trying to run for office and be president was leading to even worse daily cognitive performance,” he also said. 

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In response to earlier outreach from Fox News Digital, the White House press office stated that “health was not a factor” in the president’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 race. 

“He looks forward to finishing his term and delivering more historic results for the American people,” the White House said in its statement. 

DOCTORS’ APPROVAL – Two doctors explain why President Biden’s decision to back out of the 2024 election may have been best for his health. Continue reading…

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DEMENTIA DISCOVERY – Mayo Clinic has identified a new type of memory loss that’s often mistaken for Alzheimer’s. Doctors break down the findings. Continue reading…

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REST ON THE ROAD – Sleep and travel don’t always mix. Experts share 7 tips on getting restful sleep during the summer vacation season. Continue reading…

TRAIL TRAGEDY – Another heat-related hiking death spotlights the need for safety protocols. Experts share 9 things to know before hitting the trail. Continue reading…

ASK A DOCTOR – “Is it safe to swim underwater with your eyes open?” Ophthalmologist Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler has the answer. Continue reading…

It may be tempting to open your eyes underwater, but experts warn that prolonged exposure could put your vision at risk. (iStock)

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Whether it’s the dog days of summer or a cold snap in the dead of winter, extreme temperatures tend to bring people’s activities to a halt — including doctors’ appointments. 

Seniors in particular are more likely to skip their scheduled medical visits if it’s too hot or too cold, according to a study from the American Journal of Preventative Medicine.

On days that are 90 degrees or hotter, for every 1 degree increase in temperature, the rate of missed appointments rises by 0.64%, as reported by researchers at the Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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The rate of missed appointments is even higher on cold days, going up by 0.72% for every 1-degree decrease below 39 degrees.

“The key finding is that people are less likely to keep their doctors’ appointments when it is extremely hot or extremely cold,” said senior author Nathalie S. May, M.D., a professor at Drexel University College of Medicine, in a statement to Fox News Digital.

In the study, the researchers analyzed more than one million appointments involving 91,560 adult patients from Jan. 2009 through Dec. 2019.

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The appointments were all made at 13 university outpatient clinics in Philadelphia, according to a university press release.

The appointment data was compared to temperature and precipitation records from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Based on the findings, the researchers are calling for telemedicine to become a permanent covered mode of health care delivery. (iStock)

Lakelyn Eichenberger, PhD, a gerontologist and caregiver advocate at Home Instead, an Honor Company in Omaha, Nebraska, said she was not surprised by the study findings.

“For many older adults, going to a doctor’s appointment takes considerable effort, especially for those with mobility issues, chronic conditions, complex medical needs or cognitive impairment,” Eichenberger, who was not involved in the research, told Fox News Digital via email.

“When you add extreme or inclement weather, it presents even more challenges. For some, it might seem easier to skip the appointment altogether to avoid the risks that extreme conditions could pose.”

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Shana Johnson, a physician in Scottsdale, Arizona, who teaches at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Phoenix, also commented on the findings.

“Individuals with heart and lung conditions, including heart failure, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, have a hard time tolerating extreme heat,” said Johnson, who was also not involved in the study.

“The heat may exacerbate their symptoms, making breathing as well as dizziness and falls more likely.”

“For many older adults, going to a doctor’s appointment takes considerable effort.”

In her own practice, Johnson has seen many patients who had disabilities or difficulty walking.

“Transportation to the visit and walking safely were greatly affected by the weather,” she said.

“Cold temperatures, which often come with heavy rain or snow, make surfaces slippery, increasing the risk of falls and injuries.”

If the weather is poor, cancellations and no-shows tend to increase, she noted. 

4 ways to prevent skipped appointments

“It is critical that we have alternative methods for the delivery of primary care during various scenarios,” Adrienne Willard, M.D., associate professor of medicine at the Drexel University College of Medicine, told Fox News Digital.  

Experts recommend scheduling appointments during times when the weather is typically more favorable. (iStock)

Experts offered the following tips to ensure that seniors make it to essential appointments despite challenging weather conditions.

1. Plan ahead to ensure safety

Schedule appointments during times when the weather is typically more favorable, Eichenberger suggested. 

“For example, avoid early morning appointments in winter when sidewalks might be icy, and avoid mid-afternoon appointments during the hottest part of the day,” she advised. 

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“Monitor weather forecasts and reschedule appointments if extreme weather is expected — it’s better to err on the side of caution.” 

Allow plenty of time to get ready and travel safely to your destination, Eichenberger said. 

“Be prepared for weather-related delays or breakdowns during travel by carrying water to stay hydrated and snacks to avoid hunger and lightheadedness,” an expert advised. (iStock)

“Dress in layers during cold weather and wear appropriate footwear to prevent slips and falls,” she said. 

“In hot weather, opt for light, breathable clothing and use sun protection, such as hats and sunscreen.”

2. Consider telehealth appointments when possible

Based on the findings, the researchers are calling for telemedicine to become a permanent, covered mode of health care delivery — as it was during the COVID pandemic.

Previous studies have shown that the availability of telemedicine reduces the chances of missed appointments by 13%, they noted.

“If the opportunity to choose an [insurance] plan that provides coverage for telemedicine presents itself, it may be a preferred option,” Willard told Fox News Digital.

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Johnson agreed that telemedicine is the “most practical and immediate solution,” particularly for individuals with chronic conditions who are well-known to their providers.

“Telemedicine increases access to care providers and extends the reach of specialists to rural areas,” she said. “Telemedicine across state lines would extend that reach further.”

3. Find reliable transportation

For patients who still drive, ensure the car is serviced regularly to avoid car trouble, Eichenberger recommended. 

If the patient no longer drives, it’s important to arrange for reliable transportation options. 

“Telemedicine increases access to care providers and extends the reach of specialists to rural areas,” a doctor said. (iStock)

“This could include asking family members or friends for help — or using home care services, ride-sharing services or senior transportation programs.”

For those using public transportation, Eichenberger stressed the need to seek shelter while waiting for the bus to avoid being out in the weather.

4. Have the essentials on hand

“Be prepared for weather-related delays or breakdowns during travel by carrying water to stay hydrated and snacks to avoid hunger and lightheadedness,” Eichenberger said. 

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If traveling by car, she recommends keeping an emergency kit with essentials such as water, snacks, blankets and a first-aid kit — as well as any necessary medications that need to be taken throughout the day.

Potential limitations

The researchers acknowledged some limitations of the study — particularly that it relies on limited data sets.

“We acknowledge that the data collected on maximum daily temperatures from one central location may not capture urban heat island effects throughout the city,” Drexel College of Medicine clinical associate professor Janet H. Fitzpatrick, M.D., one of the lead authors of the study, told Fox News Digital via email. 

“It is critical that we have alternative methods for the delivery of primary care during various scenarios.”

“In addition, patients with multiple medical problems impacted the ability to explore how individual diseases affect the associations between extreme weather and missed appointments.”

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Other research has pointed to additional factors — such as the day of the week, previous no-shows and the use of automated reminders — as impacting the rate of attendance, according to a university press release.

The researchers recommend considering the availability of transportation in future studies assessing missed appointments.

• Dengue has spiked worldwide. The World Health Organization declared it an emergency in December as cases have globally increased tenfold over the last generation.
• The United Arab Emirates have issued many warnings about dengue. Mosquitoes spread dengue and have flourished in the UAE after it experienced record-setting rainfall.
• While the UAE did not answer questions regarding the number of cases, activists say that laborers are being hit the hardest by the virus.

Since the United Arab Emirates witnessed its heaviest recorded rainfall ever three months ago, the desert nation has issued a multitude of warnings about dengue which, activists say, has surged and struck hardest among the vast populations of laborers.

The tropical disease, spread by mosquitoes, has witnessed a worldwide spike. The World Health Organization declared it an emergency in December as cases have globally increased tenfold over the last generation.

Many people infected by the virus are asymptomatic, but some experience headaches, fever and flu-like symptoms. Severe cases can lead to serious bleeding, shock and death.

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In the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms, the disease has usually spread due to travel on long-haul carriers into the country. However, on April 25, the Department of Health alerted that locally transmitted cases without travel history have been documented since 2023 “as a result of climate change and an environment conducive to mosquito breeding.”

Changes in weather patterns turn countries previously inhospitable to Dengue-carrying mosquitoes into possible habitats.

The April deluges, which flooded portions of major highways and Dubai’s international airport, only amplified the risk in the Gulf country. While major thoroughfares quickly saw vacuum pumps arrive, others remained saddled for weeks with stagnant pools of water, where virus-carrying mosquitoes lay their eggs and spread the disease.

No official figures have been shared in the Emirates where broad laws severely restrict freedom of speech and almost all major local media are either state-owned or state-affiliated outlets. Queries sent to various governmental organizations about the exact number of confirmed dengue cases went unanswered.

The WHO also declined to discuss the situation in the UAE when reached by The Associated Press. However, the U.N. health agency noted in its May 30 report that there have been continued dengue outbreaks in Mideast “countries with stronger health-care systems that have been affected by unusual rains due to climate change.” It also said: “Timely data sharing also remains a challenge for other countries in the region for reasons such as the potential impact in the tourism, economy and other sectors.”

Meanwhile, public awareness campaigns across the sheikdom on the importance of cleaning stagnant water and warnings about dengue, also known as breakbone fever, have been widely aired on state media.

Still, activists stressed that communities of laborers are bearing the brunt of the disease.

The slow cleanup of flooded areas in industrial sites has worsened the spread of the disease among laborers, some of whom have left their home countries already affected by climate change for a chance to earn money in the UAE, according to a report issued by FairSquare, a London-based group focused on labor rights in the Gulf Arab states.

The July 4 report detailed a surge in dengue cases among migrant worker communities across the Emirates, citing three healthcare workers, a government official, and migrant workers. The group attributed the rise in cases to a lagging government response to the spread of the viral infection in areas where migrant laborers live and work.

James Lynch, a FairSquare co-director once banned from entering the UAE while at Amnesty International, told the AP that “the important thing here is the disproportionate impact” of how the virus seems to mainly spread among laborers. “What you would want to see is an even-handed approach to dealing with clean up and it doesn’t seem to be the case here.”

No specific figures were shared in the report which quoted a nurse, who works at a private clinic in the city of Sharjah, as saying they receive over 30 cases every four or five days, describing the rise in cases as “alarming.”

The UAE’s overall population of more than 9.2 million is only 10% Emirati, with millions of low-paid workers from Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

“I call it a double whammy of climate change on this very vulnerable population,” said Barrak Alahmad, a research fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “I see that these migrant workers are on the front line facing the effects of climate change and health.”

The effect of the virus also resonated in Iran.

The Islamic Republic relies on Dubai as a major transit point to the rest of the world due to the international sanctions it faces over its nuclear program and tensions with the West.

On July 9, Shahnam Arshi, an Iranian health ministry official, said of 149 people infected with dengue, 130 had been infected in the UAE while Hossein Farshidi, deputy health minister, said the first known infected person entered Iran on May 15, after the flooding in the Emirates.

Farshidi, in his latest remarks on July 23, said the number of infected people in the country, rose to 152, without giving further details.

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This year, Iran also reported its first locally transmitted cases of dengue, saying the number rose to 12 in July, all of them located in the Bandar Lengeh port, south of Iran.

Earlier this year, Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro declared a public health emergency because of mosquito-borne dengue fever, while in July, U.S. officials warned doctors to stay on alert as the tropical disease broke international records.

“Each year, we are going to see new places and different local governments struggling with either dengue or other issues from climate change,” said Alahmad, the research fellow. “It is an ever-expanding issue. I don’t know if we have an easy fix to this.”