Seniors

Health

The CDC now recommends that people 50 and older get vaccinated against pneumonia

Chandelis Duster

The number of people that have been diagnosed with a pneumonia-causing bacteria has increased over the past six months. Older people are at higher risk of pneumococcal diseases like pneumonia and menningitis.
Health

Advocates say new at-home COVID and flu test will help seniors' health and isolation

Heidi de Marco

The Food and Drug Administration authorized the first over-the-counter at-home COVID-19 and flu test combo test on Monday.
Health

Photos: How older adults navigate their health care needs in rural America

Tim Evans

Juliana Kim

Reporters for NPR traveled across North and South Dakota to see the challenges older adults in rural areas face when they need medical care — and to see what it's like for the people trying to help.
Health

A new Alzheimer's study suggests where you live can affect the odds of a diagnosis

Juliana Kim

Researchers found diagnosis rates varied depending on location — with parts of the Great Plains and Southwest seeing fewer dementia cases than predicted.
Health

What you need to know if you're in the path of wildfire smoke

Ginny Graves

As wildfires spread through Southern California, some people are at higher risk of health problems from the smoke, including children, older people and those with lung conditions. Here's how to stay safe.
Health

How to reveal a parent's hidden story

Aarti Shahani

Writers share advice on how to sensitively interview family members about painful or traumatic memories. These conversations may get loved ones to open up — and deepen our connections with them.
Health

Hormones for menopause are safe, study finds. Here's what changed

Allison Aubrey

Women under 60 can benefit from hormone therapy to treat hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause. That's according to a new study, and is a departure from what women were told in the past.
Health

A cheap drug may slow down aging. A study will determine if it works

Allison Aubrey

Studies suggest people who take metformin for diabetes may be at lower risk for cancer, heart disease and dementia. Now researchers aim to test if it prevents age-related diseases in healthy people.
Health

When is forgetting normal — and when is it worrisome? A neuroscientist weighs in

Terry Gross

Charan Ranganath recently wrote an op-ed about President Biden's memory gaffes. He says forgetting is a normal part of aging. His new book is Why We Remember.
Move over, senior center — these 5 books center seniors

Heller McAlpin

These books, including Roxana Robinson's Leaving, which comes out on Tuesday, all concern older women — some in their 60s, others in their 90s — who fully intend to enjoy all their years.