Seniors and disabled must enroll in managed care plans
By Al Norman
Beginning next January, the state of Massachusetts will require 105,000 low-income people to enroll in a managed care plan. If they do...
The real state of the (elder) commonwealth
For the past decade, I have reviewed the text of the annual State of the Commonwealth (SOTC) speeches by three governors. I look carefully for use of the word “elderly” or “seniors” to see if there are any significant policy statements about our growing elderly population.
Between 2010 and 2020, the Massachusetts population 60+ is projected to grow from 1.27 million to 1.63 million, a 31-percent increase of 359,845 elders. One-quarter of all of the households in Massachusetts includes at least one person aged 65 and over. The population of people aged 65 and over in Massachusetts, as a percentage of total state population, will jump 50 percent between 2010 and 2030, from 14 percent of the population, to 21 percent of the population.
Strengthening exercises: Good for aging bodies
By Paul Reilly
Moderate to high intensity strength training can improve the health of older adults as well as increase their strength, independence, vitality and...
Environment’s role in shaping immune system
How a person’s immune system does its job seems to depend more on environment and the germs he or she encounters than on genes.
Hearing aid tax credit before legislators
By Dr. Robert Mario
Rep. Pete Olson (R-Texas) urged a gathering of 120 supporters of the Hearing Aid Tax Credit to help him work for...
There are four types of exercises for older adults
By Judith Boyko
A recent New York Times article reported on the benefits of group exercise for caregivers. It alleviates feelings of loneliness and isolation...
Uveitis: how to recognize the symptoms
By Dr. Jean E. Keamy
Uveitis is inflammation in the layer of tissue situated between the retina and the sclera (the white of the eye)....
Tinnitus may be a result of the brain trying to repair itself
By Dr. Robert Mario
Tinnitus appears to be produced by an unfortunate confluence of structural and functional changes in the brain, say neuroscientists at Georgetown...
How federal health reform is helping now
By Deborah E. Banda
At the end of January, we were gearing up for a major battle on Beacon Hill. Gov. Patrick was readying the...
New advances in cataract surgery
By Dr. Steven A. Nielsen
It’s a fact — as we age, so do our eyes. Most people over 40 will develop cataracts over time,...
