Mayo Clinic Aging Forward

Diabetes and prediabetes are increasingly common among older adults, with nearly one-third affected by diabetes and about half living with prediabetes.

This episode of Aging Forward features registered dietitian Laura Knudsen, who shares evidence-based strategies for managing diabetes through nutrition, weight loss, regular physical activity, and long-term lifestyle changes. She explains how sustainable diet and movement routines ca...

Today we're highlighting another one of Mayo Clinic's podcasts, Mayo Clinic Talks. On this special episode feature, Aging Forward host Dr. Christina Chen discusses Alzheimer's disease and its effect on family dynamics.

Nearly six million people in the United States age 65 and older have Alzheimer’s Disease; of these about 80% are 75 years old and older. It is a devastating disease, not only for the patient, but also for ...

When we talk about health, we usually think about physical well-being: scheduling regular checkups and staying fit through exercise. We may also consider mental health and self-care. But how often do we think about spiritual health?

On this episode of Aging Forward, the Rev. BJ Larson discusses her work as a chaplain, the role of spirituality in aging well, and what people most want to hear at the end of life.

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How is physical therapy just for athletes?

On this episode of Aging Forward, physical therapist Josh Millitzer says older adults are athletes too — their sport is staying strong to maintain function and independence. He discusses early warning signs of physical decline, the risks of the “slippery slope of aging,” and how we can stop — and even reverse — decline through targeted interventions and hard work.

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On this very personal episode of Aging Forward, Kathy Anderson shares her experience caring for her mother, Ronnie, who lives with dementia. From the first signs of her mother’s decline to the ways the two make the most of each day, Kathy offers insights and hope for anyone on a similar path.

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Women typically live 5 to 6 years longer than men. But that extra time isn’t necessarily spent in good health — on average, women spend the last decade of their lives dealing with a cascade of health issues.

On this episode of Aging Forward, Maddy Dychtwald shares tips for making the most of those later years. She distinguishes between age accelerants and decelerants, and suggests exercises and habits to extend one’s lifespan, brain...

Joints are more than just bone meeting bone.

They’re made up of the support structures around them: cartilage, tendons, ligaments, muscles — and even the fluid in between. As we age, wear and tear, stiffness and pain can prevent joints from working the way they used to.

In this episode of Aging Forward, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Pamela Mehta talks shoulders, knees and toes. She breaks down how diet affects joint health, explains why jo...

When we or our loved ones are no longer able to care for ourselves independently, what do our options for medical care look like? While 98% of people would prefer to stay in their own homes as they age, changing health needs mean that’s not always possible.

On this episode of Aging Forward, Dr. Jeffrey Kang makes the case for home health care. He breaks down how we can bring 90% of primary care into patients' homes, how older ad...

The Alzheimer's Association estimates there's about 6.9 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease. And that number— without a more potent intervention— is expected to double every 20 years.

On this episode of Aging Forward, Dr. Jonathan Graff-Radford talks how to spot the difference between normal aging memory loss and initial signs of dementia, risk factors for the disease, and his new book out this month, "...

1 in 2 older adults are at risk for malnutrition. While our physiology is changing, so are the body's nutritional needs; changing tastes, comorbidities, and financial insecurity can also play a role. So how can we optimize good nutrition as we get older, in order to fuel longevity?

On this episode of Aging Forward, dietician Tara Schmidt talks how dietary needs change post-menopause, the decline of our metabolisms, and the key n...

Every year there are about 13.2 million hospitalizations for adults 65 years and older in the United States. Hospitalizations save lives, but there are many things that occur during the stay — and other hidden risks that can impact outcomes — especially for the older adult.

On this episode of Aging Forward, hospitalist Dr. Allyson Palmer breaks down the hidden dangers of staying in the hospital, the importance of maintaining mobilit...

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 to get — and when to skip them. 

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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. 

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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 moving forward. 

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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 talks about the commonality of co...

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.

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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.

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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 ...

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.

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