Mayo Clinic Aging Forward

What screenings matter as we age — and when and how often should we get them? In this episode of Aging Forward, Dr. Daniel Sanchez Pellecer breaks down what preventative health really looks like for older adults, especially those living with chronic conditions. He shares how screening can help us avoid unnecessary hospitalizations, reduce healthcare costs, and advises listeners on which screenings...

For Men's Health Month, we're getting to the bottom of something that many men dread: the prostate exam. On this episode of Aging Forward, we probe with Dr. Derek Lomas into how diet affects prostate health, innovative approaches to prostate surgery, and how prostate screening might look different than what you think.  Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails.  Find us online at Mayo Clinic Pre...

Healing from trauma is difficult—at any age. But when traumatic experiences have remained unresolved for decades, it can be even more difficult to know where to start. On this episode of Aging Forward, clinical counselor Gracia Do shares what makes someone more vulnerable to mental health struggles, the ways in which trauma changes our brain structure and function, and how to build resilience movi...

Physically moving from one healthcare setting to another -- whether it be from the hospital to rehab, or rehab to nursing home -- can be a complicated process, both logistically and emotionally. And in the midst of all of that hubbub, it can sometimes be hard for the person in the center of it all to feel like they're properly being heard. On this episode of Aging Forward, Dr. Maria De la Garza ta...

Women's Health Week falls in May—a perfect time to talk about the menopause experience, and how it affects our bodies and our sexual health. On this episode of Aging Forward, Dr. Carol Kuhle talks about how perimenopause can be a confusing time for women, emerging treatments for menopause symptoms, and how vibrators can be a useful tool for vaginal health. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emai...

Ever feel like your memory's not quite what it used to be? Or that it's more difficult to think on your feet, or to think as creatively? On this episode of Aging Forward, Dr. Therese Huston how, even though these deficits are a normal part of the aging process, that doesn't mean you can't fight back. She offers tips and tricks for how to improve memory, creativity, empathy and more. Purchase your...

Parkinson's disease is the second most common form of neurodegenerative illness, only after Alzheimer's disease. In fact, two percent of the population over age 70 has Parkinson's disease. This episode, for Parkinson’s Awareness Month, we're talking with expert Dr. Rodolfo Savica. He'll break down the difference between Parkinson's and Parkinsonism; why doctors are seeing a triplication of risk of...

How does exercise evolve as we age? In this episode of Aging Forward, lifestyle coach Matt Arnold explores why finding purpose is the key to staying healthy later in life. He also shares expert tips on essential nutrition and strength training exercises, proving that it’s never too late to boost overall health and enhance body function. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails.  Find us online...

The obsession with anti-aging skincare has many of us searching for the secret to looking younger. But our skin isn’t just about appearance—it’s a vital barrier against infection and plays a key role in regulating body temperature. In this episode of Aging Forward, Dr. Saranya Wyles breaks down the three essential skincare products everyone should use, the science behind skin cycling, and the futu...

80 percent of our health is actually determined by social factors -- including access to healthy food, our lived environment, financial security and social networks. On this episode of Aging Forward, Dr. Amit Shah breaks down how community ties are crucial to our wellbeing, and shares many of the lesser known benefits - from legal resources to transportation aid to respite care - available to olde...

Every year, one in four adults over 65 reports experiencing a fall. In fact, falls are actually the most common cause of injury and injury death for older adults. But why is do they happen more as we get older? And what can we do to prevent these falls and keep ourselves safe? On this episode of Aging Forward, we talk with Dr. Paul Takahashi about risk factors and warning signs, as well as easy an...

One in three women and one in five men over the age of 50 will experience bone fracture due to osteoporosis. And in the U.S., as our population is aging, the prevalence of the disease is expected to rise. On this episode of Aging Forward, we talk with Dr. Jad Sfeir about the key components of bone health and the need for a multidisciplinary approach when it comes to musculoskeletal care. Find us o...

In the United States alone, up to 30% of older adults suffer chronic pain. It can be debilitating, impacting function while also increasing social isolation. On this episode of Aging Forward, we talk with Dr. Jake Strand about how older adults experience chronic pain, misconceptions about pain management, and different approaches to relieving pain and improving quality of life. Find us online at ...

We all know our bodies ages — but what if we could potentially halt or reverse that process through exercise? For some people, execise can preserve function, independence, and health span. So what kind of benefits can we expect? And what kind of exercise is best for optimizing health? On this episode of Aging Forward, we talk with professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation Dr. Edward Laskow...

From childhood, we look to our doctors to help us heal when we are sick. But what does care look like when a patient is nearing the end, and doesn't expect to get better? On this episode of Aging Forward, we talk with Dr. Cory Ingram about how our end-of-life experiences have changed drastically over the last several decades, and his approach to providing hospice and palliative care that preserves...

After decades of research, frailty is much more than just a physical construct. It's a clinical syndrome that can affect different areas of health and care. But is frailty an inevitable part of aging? Or can we prevent or delay it? On this episode of Aging Forward, we talk with geriatrician Dr. Brandon Verdoorn about the importance of understanding and recognizing frailty as a geriatric syndrome —...

With so much information available about supplements, why are they still so confusing? And as older adults, how can we use them to deal with common symptoms of aging and improve our overall quality of life? On this episode of Aging Forward, we talk with Dr. Brent Bauer about integrating supplements into a holistic health plan. He also gives tips on how to assess if your supplements are working for...

Almost half of older adults experience loneliness. It can be harder to maintain social connections as we age, especially if we're retired, dealing with illness, or living alone. On this episode of Aging Forward, we talk with clinical social worker Kileen Smyth about the power of experimentation, and what we can do to stay positive, stay engaged, and make meaning in our golden years. Find us online...

Around 20% of adults between ages 40 and 79 are taking five or more prescription drugs—and for older adults, the numbers are likely even higher. Our relationship to medication can change over the years: our bodies take longer to clear them from our system, and in some cases, side affects from medications lead to even more prescriptions! On this episode of Aging Forward, we talk with clinical pharm...

Cognitive functioning is a key part of overall health and independence — which is why dementia can be especially challenging for individuals, family, and loved ones. But is dementia preventable? What can we do now to preserve brain health? And how do we distinguish between cognitive changes related to typical aging and symptoms of dementia? On this episode of Aging Forward, we talk with internist...

As we age, so do our organs, including our heart. So what can we do to make the most of our heart health as we get older? On this episode of Aging Forward, we talk with cardiologist Dr. Stephen Kopecky about how it's never too late to improve our heart health, and how even small adjustments to our lifestyle habits—from diet to exercise to sleep—can have a significant impact. Purchase Dr. Kopecky's...

As the population of older adults increases over the next few decades, caring for an aging America is going to be a unique challenge. We'll all be involved in caring for an older adult in some capacity — whether your're a caregiver or caring for yourself. So how can we help each other age healthfully and be proactive about improving our health span? In this introduction to the show, host Dr. Chris...

"Aging Forward" brings you expert conversations on healthy aging and geriatric medicine, so you can embrace older age with vitality and joy. Learn about the science of aging and discover strategies for healthy habits, preventive care, caregiving, and living your best life. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy