Older Adult Health

On this page

Basics

• Summary
• Start Here
• Prevention and Risk Factors
• Treatments and Therapies

Learn More

• Related Issues
• Specifics

See, Play and Learn

• Images
• Health Check Tools
• 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.

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)

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Physical Activity Helps Seniors Stay Mobile (National Institutes of Health) Also in Spanish

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

• Aging Parents: 7 Warning Signs of Health Problems (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• As You Age: You and Your Medicines (Food and Drug Administration)
• Geriatrics (Geriatrician) (AGS Foundation for Health in Aging)
• 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
• Older Drivers (National Institute on Aging) Also in Spanish
• Other Safety Concerns and Self-Neglect (National Adult Protective Services Association)
• Safe Sex Tips for Seniors (AGS Foundation for Health in Aging)
• Safe Travel Tips for Older Adults (AGS Foundation for Health in Aging)
• Safe Use of Medicines for Older Adults (National Institute on Aging)
• Talking with Your Doctor: A Guide for Older People (National Institute on Aging) - PDF
• Ten Warning Signs Your Older Family Member May Need Help

Specifics

• 13 Tips to Keep Your Bladder Healthy (National Institute on Aging)
• Cognitive Health (National Institute on Aging)
• Easy Bruising: Common as You Age (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Facts about Presbyopia (National Eye Institute) Also in Spanish
• How Smell and Taste Change as You Age (National Institute on Aging)
• Managing Multiple Health Problems: Living with Multiple Health Problems (American Geriatrics Society)
• Nutrition for Seniors: MedlinePlus Health Topic (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
• Older Adults and Depression (National Institute of Mental Health) Also in Spanish
• Older Adults and Oral Health (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research) - PDF Also in Spanish
• Sexuality in Later Life (National Institute on Aging) Also in Spanish
• Skin Aging: MedlinePlus Health Topic (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
• Walking Tips for Older Adults (AGS Foundation for Health in Aging)
• Well-Aged Mind: Maintaining Your Cognitive Health (National Institutes of Health) Also in Spanish
• Your Aging Eyes: How You See as Time Goes By (National Institutes of Health) Also in Spanish

Images

• The Aging Eye (National Eye Institute)

Health Check Tools

• Older Consumers Safety Test (Consumer Product Safety Commission)

Videos and Tutorials

• NIHSeniorHealth (National Institute on Aging)

Statistics and Research

• Global Aging (National Institute on Aging, World Health Organization) - PDF
• Older Americans 2016: 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: Effect of physical fitness on colorectal tumor development in patients with...
• Article: Physical Fitness Training in Patients with Subacute Stroke (PHYS-STROKE): multicentre, randomised...
• Article: The role of social support in the psychological illness of women.
• 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 (National Association of Area Agencies on Aging)
• American Geriatrics Society
• Eldercare Locator (Department of Health and Human Services)
• National Council on Aging
• National Institute on Aging Also in Spanish

Men

• For Men: Tips for Good Health in Later Life (AGS Foundation for Health in Aging) - PDF
• Sexual Health: Testosterone Therapy (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish