Older Adult Health

On this page

Basics

• Summary
• Start Here
• Treatments and Therapies

Learn More

• Related Issues
• Specifics

See, Play and Learn

• Videos and Tutorials

Research

• Statistics and Research
• Journal Articles

Resources

• Reference Desk
• Find an Expert

For You

• Men

Summary

People in the U.S. are living longer than ever before. Many older adults live active and healthy lives. But there's no getting around one thing: as we age, our bodies and minds change. You need to know what to expect. Some changes may just be part of normal aging, while others may be a warning sign of a medical problem. It is important to know the difference, and to let your health care provider know if you have any concerns.

Having a healthy lifestyle can help you to deal with normal aging changes and make the most of your life. This includes healthy eating, regular physical activity, and making mental health a priority.

Start Here

• Aging: What to Expect (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Guide to Geriatric Syndromes: Common and Often Related Medical Conditions in Older Adults (American Geriatrics Society)
• Living with Multiple Health Problems: What Older Adults Should Know (AGS Foundation for Health in Aging)

Treatments and Therapies

• Alternative Remedies (AGS Foundation for Health in Aging)
• Human Growth Hormone (HGH): Does It Slow Aging? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish

Related Issues

• As You Age: You and Your Medicines (Food and Drug Administration)
• Exercising with Chronic Conditions (National Institute on Aging) Also in Spanish
• Home Care (AGS Foundation for Health in Aging)
• Housing Options for Seniors (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
• How Do You Know When It's Time to Give up the Keys? (Administration for Community Living) - PDF
• Learning About Neglect (National Adult Protective Services Association)
• Safe Travel Tips for Older Adults (AGS Foundation for Health in Aging)
• Safe Use of Medicines for Older Adults (National Institute on Aging) Also in Spanish
• Talking with Your Doctor (National Institute on Aging)
• Ten Warning Signs Your Older Family Member May Need Help (Administration for Community Living)
• What Are the Signs that an Aging Parent Needs Help? (National Institute on Aging)

Specifics

• 15 Tips to Keep Your Bladder Healthy (National Institute on Aging)
• Aging and Your Eyes (National Institute on Aging) Also in Spanish
• Cognitive Health (National Institute on Aging)
• COVID-19 Risks and Vaccine Information for Older Adults (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Easy Bruising: Why Does It Happen (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• How Smell and Taste Change as You Age (National Institute on Aging) Also in Spanish
• Nutrition for Seniors: MedlinePlus Health Topic (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
• Older Adult Mental Health (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
• Older Adults and Oral Health (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research) - PDF Also in Spanish
• Safe Sex for Older Adults (AGS Foundation for Health in Aging)
• Sexuality and Intimacy in Older Adults (National Institute on Aging) Also in Spanish
• Skin Aging: MedlinePlus Health Topic (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
• Taking the Pedal Off the Metal: When Should Older Adults Stop Driving? (National Institutes of Health) Also in Spanish
• The Aging Eye (National Eye Institute) - PDF
• Tips for Walking for Older Adults (AGS Foundation for Health in Aging)
• Well-Aged Mind: Maintaining Your Cognitive Health (National Institutes of Health) Also in Spanish

Videos and Tutorials

• NIHSeniorHealth (National Institute on Aging)

Statistics and Research

• FastStats: Older Persons' Health (National Center for Health Statistics)
• Older Americans 2020: Key Indicators of Well-Being (Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics)
• State of Aging and Health in America (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Adaptation of Arterial Wall Viscosity to the Short-Term Reduction of Heart...
• Article: Influence of body visualization in VR during the execution of motoric...
• Article: The association of allergic asthma and carotid intima-media thickness in adolescence:...
• Older Adult Health -- see more articles

Reference Desk

• Changes in the Body with Aging (Merck & Co., Inc.) Also in Spanish

Find an Expert

• AAAs (Area Agencies on Aging) & Title VI Aging Programs (USAging)
• American Geriatrics Society
• Eldercare Locator (Administration for Community Living)
• National Institute on Aging Also in Spanish

Men

• Testosterone Therapy: Potential Benefits and Risks as You Age (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Tips for Good Health in Later Life for Older Men (AGS Foundation for Health in Aging) - PDF