Everyone feels blue now and then. It's part of life. But, if you no longer enjoy activities that you usually like, you may have a more serious problem. Being depressed, without letup, can change the way you think and feel. Doctors call this "clinical depression."

Are you reluctant to talk to your doctor about your bladder control problem? Don't be. There is help.
Loss of bladder control is called urinary incontinence. It can happen to anyone, but is very common in older people. At least 1 in 10 people age 65 or older has this problem. Symptoms can range from mild leaking to uncontrollable wetting. Women are more likely than men to have incontinence.

Agencies will typically be the most expensive; independent providers will be the least expensive. However, home care agencies are also easier to use, since the agency finds and places the provider, handles payroll and any problems that may arise, and usually provides coverage for sick or absent providers. Agencies that are licensed and bonded are generally a good choice, although there are always exceptions. You have avenues of recourse (complaints, legal action) when dealing with agencies that are liable for problems. There is no real recourse (except firing) when dealing with independent providers or ones found through registries.

Many older people worry about becoming more forgetful. They think forgetfulness is the first sign of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the past, memory loss and confusion were considered a normal part of aging. However, scientists now know that most people remain both alert and able as they age, although it may take them longer to remember things.

You can have high blood pressure, or hypertension, and still feel just fine. That's because high blood pressure does not cause signs of illness that you can see or feel. But, high blood pressure, sometimes called "the silent killer," is a major health problem. If high blood pressure isn't controlled with lifestyle changes and medicine, it can lead to stroke, heart disease, eye problems, or kidney failure.
What Is Blood Pressure?

"I've smoked two packs of cigarettes a day for 40 years-what's the use of quitting now?"
If you quit smoking, you are likely to add years to your life, breathe more easily, and have more energy. You will have extra money for spending or saving, and food will taste better. When you quit smoking, you join over a million people who stop smoking each year. Whether you are young or old, you will also:

Mrs. Wiley had a big surprise the other day when she called her doctor's office to make an appointment. The receptionist told her that Dr. Horowitz was retiring at the end of the year. After all this time - after the doctor had treated her for strep throat, bladder infections, and that nasty broken wrist; after helping her through menopause - she felt like she was losing a trusted friend. Mrs. Wiley worried that she wouldn't be able to find a new doctor she would like.