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New research suggests that weight, waist circumference, strength and physical function should be considered together when evaluating your health. For decades, body mass index has been the standard shorthand for determining whether someone’s weight falls into a “healthy” range. But after age 65, BMI alone may conceal as much as it reveals. A new longitudinal study led by University of Rhode Island researchers found that BMI and waist circumference provide different—and...

New research raises questions about vitamin D, fish oil and glucosamine—but scientists caution that the findings are preliminary and should not prompt people to abandon medically necessary supplements. For years, vitamin D, fish oil and glucosamine have occupied the "good guys" side of the medicine cabinet. They are widely available, often described as “natural,” and commonly taken by older adults hoping to protect their bones, brains, hearts or joints. But several studies no

I'm not a fan of reality TV, but when some friends we respect recommended "Clarkson's Farm," my wife and I decided to give it a chance. It was love at first episode. The "Clarkson's Farm" saga, which now spans five seasons on Amazon Prime, follows British broadcast personality Jeremy Clarkson as he struggles to learn how to farm the 1,000-acre farm that he has owned for many years. (The property's long-time tenant farmer retired.) Clarkson is in his mid-60's and knew nothing

A new WalletHub ranking places Atlanta among the nation’s best retirement cities, adding to years of recommendations for Atlanta, its suburbs and Georgia. That visibility could bring economic benefits—but also more competition for housing, health care and services. Atlanta has spent decades attracting young professionals, corporate relocations and families looking for opportunity. Increasingly, however, the region is receiving attention for something else: retirement. In its

My names (past and present) tell an American story. My grandfather Fred and my father, Paul. For most of my life, I thought of myself simply as an American, as if I had sprung from Uncle Sam’s head reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and waving a little American flag, like the ones they hand out at the Dunwoody July Fourth parade. I knew that my people, like most everybody’s people, had come from somewhere else. Heck, that’s why we ate sauerkraut and blood sausage when my mater

A little bit, yeah. Mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus have been detected in several parts of metro Atlanta. Most infections cause no illness, but the risk of serious complications does rise with age. By Randall BloomquistNext30ATL The modern world seems determined to provide us with an endless stream of things to worry about. Today's offering: West Nile virus. Fortunately, this one requires just a little bit of your fretfulness bandwidth. Mosquitoes collected at Roswell Are

When Rylie Middaugh suddenly needed a place to live, she found much more than a guesthouse. She found Tom. Middaugh, a 28-year-old wedding photographer, was living in Bend, Oregon, when she and her boyfriend broke up. Moving home to South Carolina was complicated because she already had photography jobs booked in Oregon. A friend suggested that she stay in the backyard guesthouse of Tom Ward, the 71-year-old former partner of the friend’s late mother. What began as an improvi

Dating apps may expand the field, but Atlanta’s best opportunities for connection often happen in places where people gather regularly around a shared interest. For single Atlantans over 50, the usual advice—“get out and meet people”—raises an obvious question: Get out and go where? Atlanta has no shortage of bars, festivals and restaurants. But many aren't great places to turn a brief conversation into a friendship, much less a relationship. Loud rooms, one-time events and u

Prostate testing usually starts with a blood test, For generations of men, the words “prostate exam” have conjured up one uncomfortable image: a doctor snapping on a glove and performing a digital rectal exam. That expectation may be keeping some men from discussing prostate-cancer screening after age 50. But here is the part many do not know: Today, the conversation usually begins with a simple blood test—not a rectal exam. The prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, test measure

A new legal clinic at Georgia State University will offer free assistance to qualifying property owners facing "heirs’ property" problems—a frequently overlooked threat to family homes and generational wealth. Heirs’ property issues commonly develop when someone dies without a will, trust or estate plan. A home or parcel of land may then pass informally to several relatives. Over generations, the number of people holding an ownership interest can multiply, while the deed and

Living Rock God Mick Jagger recently did two podcast interviews to promote the Rolling Stones latest album, Foreign Tongues. His conversations with the New York Times and Conan O'Brien are fascinating, even if you aren't a Stones or classic rock fan. In the NYT interview, Jagger rejects social pressure to deny that aging takes a toll, and acknowledges that he has to work around some of his limitations, likening it to still being on the soccer team, but now playing goalie inst

As Metro Atlanta's pickleball scene transitions from a chaotic craze into a premium, organized sport, navigating court spaces requires a game plan. Here's a plan to optimize your court time, gear and budget. 📱 1. Fast-Track Your Court Bookings The era of just showing up to a local park and waiting your turn is giving way to app-based coordination. The Power Apps: Download CourtReserve and Playbypoint. Nearly 80% of Atlanta’s top private hubs and municipal centers use these p

For decades, health-conscious adults over 50 have tracked their sleep like a strictly monitored bank account. The golden goal has always been simple: secure seven to nine hours of shut-eye a night to preserve sharp minds, high energy, and physical vitality. However, a groundbreaking study published by MindBodyGreen reveals that focus has been shifted away from a crucial component. It turns out that tracking the clock is only half the battle; ensuring a consistent sleep schedu

Researchers are finding important connections between oral health, inflammation, sleep and chronic disease. But the science comes with an important caution: A connection is not always proof of cause. We tend to think of the dentist as the person who fills a cavity, repairs a chipped tooth or reminds us—again—to floss more often. But your mouth may deserve a more prominent place in your long-term health plan. A growing body of research links poor oral health, particularly gum

Roseto’s residents once suffered remarkably few fatal heart attacks. Researchers eventually concluded that the town’s close families and strong community life may have helped protect their health. For years, Americans hoping to live longer have been urged to search for the right diet, workout, supplement or medical treatment. But the experience of one small Pennsylvania town suggests that another influence may belong on the list: the strength of our relationships. As recently

By Randall Bloomquist For decades, retirement housing has largely been built around separation. Older adults move into communities reserved for people 55 or 62 and older, often leaving behind neighborhoods filled with children, working adults and young families. But a growing number of retirees want something different. They are exploring intergenerational communities where residents of different ages intentionally share spaces, activities and responsibilities. Others are ch

Georgia is pouring federal money into rural hospitals, telehealth, dementia care and medical transportation. For Atlanta-area adults caring for parents elsewhere in the state, some of those investments could eventually make a difficult job easier. By Randall BloomquistNext30ATL Your mother still lives in the Georgia town where you grew up. You live in Atlanta. Most of the time, that arrangement works. Then Mom needs to see a specialist. Suddenly, a doctor's appointment can me

For older Atlantans who live alone or don't get out much, a regular phone conversation can provide companionship and an important connection to the outside world. Volunteer callers are always needed. By Randall BloomquistNext30ATL Sometimes a phone call is more than a phone call. For an older adult who lives alone, is homebound or has little regular contact with friends and family, hearing a familiar voice a couple of times a week can make a difference. That's the idea behind

The Peach State offers a wide range of elder care services that could save you money and stress. About 600,000 adults age 50 and older in the metro Atlanta area provide unpaid care to elderly parents. Statewide, nearly a quarter (24%) of Georgia adults serve as family caregivers. A substantial portion of these folks belong to the "sandwich generation", caring for both aging parents and minor children. If you're in this group, you know that caregiving can quickly become a sec

Why Atlanta Families Love It Drive time: About 4 hours from downtown Atlanta (roughly 240 miles) Location: Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, at the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park Best for: Grandparents traveling with grandchildren, multigenerational family vacations, couples' getaways, and long weekends Recommended stay: 3-4 days to enjoy Dollywood plus the surrounding area Estimated Vacation Budget (Family of Four) Expense Estimated Cost Two days at Dollywood $375-$50