What do we know about what happens when a terminally ill person voluntarily decides to stop eating and drinking? Click here for Paula Span's report in the New York Times on a recent conference on VSED (voluntarily stopping eating and drinking).
What percent of Americans helped select the Democratic and Republican candidates for President?
Click here to see a graphic explanation of how many were involved.
Two minutes from the Al Smith Dinner with Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump
Click here to see the video from CNN. There's an ad in the beginning.
Preserving Healthy Vision from Jo-Ann Rapaport
When you last visited your eye specialist did you receive all the elements of a comprehensive dilated eye exam? Vision threatening diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration may have no early warning symptoms. Early detection can be sight-saving.
Click here for a play by play description (with an animated video) of the components of a comprehensive dilated eye exam from the National Eye Institute, one of the National Institutes of Health.
Laughter--and Stress Relief from Jo-Ann Rapaport
In the 1970’s, Norman Cousins was diagnosed with a dreadful disease for which there was limited treatment and a poor prognosis. He and his doctor infused his treatment with doses of The Marx Brothers and Three Stooges movies and other comedies and discovered the healing potential of laughter. A new category of treatment was launched with his book Anatomy of an Illness As Perceived by the Patient and his subsequent research at UCLA into the biochemistry of human emotions, confirmed their relationship to healing. His book has been republished as an e-book by his daughter, Sarah Cousins Shapiro, and is available from Amazon for Kindles and in Hardcover.
Click here for a piece on stress relief from a Mayo Clinic publication, which says: Stress relief from laughter? It’s no joke. When it comes to relieving stress, more giggles and guffaws are just what the doctor ordered. Here’s why.
Traveling with Grandchildren, from Jo-Ann Rapaport
Some of us travel with grandchildren to share time together and experience far away places. Yet as the grownups, it’s our job to keep all of us healthy and safe. My childhood neighbor, Jane E. Brody, now a grandmother of 4 teenage boys enjoys traveling with them. Click here to read the very helpful feature she wrote after their trip to Africa.
Why are Women more Likely than Men to Be on Their Own in their Later Years and What are the Consequences?
By Paula Span, New York Times, October 7, 2016.
Among those over 85, 60 percent of men are married compared to 17 percent of women. Does this affect their health? If so, how? Click here to read the article.
Why is Fish Good for You?
By Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times, October 8, 2016. Click here to read the short but informative article.
Presentation by Roger Landry Encourages Life Choices to Foster Successful Aging
He recently gave a fascinating and entertaining talk in Woods Hole, MA. You can click here to read a report about it by my sister, Nancy Walbek. If you want to see a short video about his new book, Live Long, Die Short: A Guide to Authentic Health and Successful Aging click here.
Two Interesting Videos on the Presidential Candidates
For a recent portrayal of the 2016 Presidential Debate from Saturday Night Live (SNL), click here
For a Frontline video episode showing historical moments in the lives of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton click here.
Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You
Click here to see a trailer and read about this new PBS documentary film that premiers October 25, 2016.
Brain Benefits of Exercise Diminish After Short Rest
By Gretchen Reynolds, New York Times, September 28, 2016.
When formerly very active people stopped exercising for 10 days, the blood flow to their brains declined. Although their performance on cognitive tests did not decline, it is not known if it might if they were inactive for longer. Click here to read more.
The Art of Condolence
By Bruce Feiler, New York Times, October 1, 2016.
For a thoughtful discussion of how norms for expressing condolences have or have not changed click here.
Sleepy Hollow: Surrounded by History, and Legends
By Anne Mancuso, New York Times, October 2, 2016.
For an article from the Real Estate section of the Times, click here.
A Quest to Gather All My Medical Records in 72 Hours
By Ron Lieber, New York Times, October 1, 2016.
How hard would it be to gather our complete medical record? For one person's story, click here.
When a Spouse Dies, Resilience Can Be Uneven
By Jane E. Brody, New York Times, September 26, 2016.
Recovery may take two to three years. Three factors influence resilience: reliable comfort, social connectedness, and daily functioning. To read the article, click here.
What I Learned From a Stroke at 26: Make Time to Untangle
By Jonas Koffler, New York Times, September 25, 2016.
How an early stroke led one young person to reassess his life. Click here to read the article.
Want to Find Fulfillment at Last? Think Like a Designer
By Steven Kurutz, New York Times, September 17, 2016.
Prototyping, failure, and Odyssey Plans are some activities two Stanford professors use to teach how to build a satisfying life. Click here to read the article.
The Doctor Is In. In Your House, That Is.
By John F. Wasik, New York Times, September 23, 2016
Research shows some patients have better health outcomes at lower cost when doctprs come to them in their homes. Click here to read the article.
Feeling Their Pain
By Jason DeParle, New York Times, September 19, 2016.
This review of Arlie Russell Hochschild's new book, Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right, discusses what she has learned about why people support the Tea Party and are suspicious of almost everything the federal government does. Click here to read the review.
