Paula Span - KFF Health News

As the oldest baby boomers turn 80, researchers worry there won’t be enough room in nursing facilities for a rapidly graying nation.

Medical guidance often changes faster than prescribing habits. Researchers say elderly patients may still be taking medications longer or more often than necessary, despite known risks.

People outside the family frequently step into helping roles when older adults need assistance.

Seniors on foot aren’t injured by motor vehicles at a greater rate than other people, according to 2023 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. But they’re more likely to die.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, and older adults are at higher risk. But only about a quarter of patients eligible for screening are up to date.

A growing network of home-sharing programs is helping people find compatible housemates. And demand is rising, driven by housing shortages, rising rents and sales prices that affect the old and young.

Despite widespread support in polls for legalizing aid in dying, the number of people who go through with the practice remains very small.

Some screenings and treatments no longer make sense for patients as they age. Researchers have just added a few more to the list.

Known as community health educators, outreach specialists, promotores de salud and other titles, they prevent seniors from fall through cracks amid an aging population and shortages of medical professionals.

A long stay in intensive care can bring physical, cognitive, and mental health challenges that can take months or longer to resolve.