For many of us, it’s our worst nightmare: to be desperately ill with no end in sight and no way to relieve the suffering. While a few states are wrestling with the concept of physician-assisted death, that involves a complex legal system of checks and balances to ensure that only…

No one enjoys going to the dentist, but there’s no dispute that regular dental care is essential for good health and well being. Tooth decay and gum disease can lead to pain, poor nutrition, social isolation and even medical problems involving your heart. So it makes little sense that our…

Few artists find the acclaim and acceptance of a Picasso or Koons during their professional lives. Many toil away in anonymity and survive with outside income and a passion that drives them even without mainstream success. If they’re lucky, like Carmen Herrera, for example, their talent and vision are eventually…

Yet another reason, if you needed one, to exercise: A new, albeit preliminary, study suggests that regular aerobic exercise, such as a brisk walk, may benefit those with memory problems. Certain non-Alzheimer’s dementias involve narrowing of the blood vessels in the brain and in those cases, aerobic exercise seems to…

Safe, reliable home care is often a challenge to put in place, and perhaps the weakest link in the chain is the home care worker. She (the majority of such providers are women) is usually poorly paid, with few benefits and an often uncertain work schedule. It’s a tough way…

You’ve probably heard of the organization Make-A-Wish Foundation, which provides seriously ill children with opportunities to experience events or activities that would otherwise be unattainable for them. For many seniors, especially those living in long term care facilities, there are also wished-for-dreams, but little way to fulfill them. One organization,…