Today we're talking all things aging with an icon in the field of women's health.

We've heard since the beginning of the pandemic that COVID-19 is more dangerous for the "elderly." But who is that really talking about? 60? 70? 90-year-olds?

When it is time for your elderly parent to stop driving? Move out of the home? See a doctor? Learn how to help them adjust to some of life’s unwelcome changes.

Travel nurses work with people from all walks of life and all ages as well. While some nurses stick to their specialties (like pediatric nurses), others work with young adults to the elderly. 

Within this group, nurses may find it a little difficult to care for elderly patients for a number of different reasons. They may have trouble speaking or articulating themselves, they may have unique health issues that take longer to diagnose and care for, or they may have hearing loss, impaired vision, or even memory issues due to dementia or Alzheimer's disease. 

What's more, elderly patients are often subject to more sensitive topics such as end-of-life care, which can lead to delicate conversations or assumptions about a patient's abilities that can result in hurt feelings, fear, and other negative scenarios.

Fitness experts have predicted that this year will see more people doing high-intensity interval training (HIIT) as more Americans are finding ways to get fit and healthy. 

But, for seniors, trying to do HIIT exercises can be a challenge as it involves bursts of high-intensity exercise, and the risks of sustaining an injury are greater with this type of workout. 

Moreover, overly intense forms of exercise may trigger an older adult's pre-existing medical conditions, such as arthritis, which is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. 

Though HIIT and other forms of rigorous exercise—long runs, stair climbs, and deadlifts—can potentially cause injury to older adults, there’s no reason why seniors should avoid working out altogether. According to the CDC, older adults need at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week, and there are lots of ways to get fit without straining one’s joints or muscles or triggering arthritis symptoms. 

Here are a few gentle yet effective fitness routines to keep seniors active and happy.

Eighty-seven percent of adults over 65 would prefer to stay at home as they age, aaccording to AARP. 

Modern technologies and improving assistance programs are helping older adults to "age in place" instead of transferring to an assisted living facility. 

Adults who stay at home into their golden years not only tend to be more content, but also maintain their cognitive health longer.

More than 10,000 people in the U.S. turn 65 each day, and 90 percent want to spend their senior years in their homes. 

Aging in place has psychological benefits for seniors because it allows them to remain socially active in their communities and maintain established relationships. It also saves on finances, as assisted living facilities cost an average of $49,635 annually.

But as time takes its toll on bodies and minds, aging in place becomes risky — if not problematic. If your parents aren’t ready to budge from their place of residence, yet you sense a decline in either their home upkeep or self-care, it’s best to be proactive before a crisis occurs. 

This requires more than a phone call to check in with them. Their answer to “How are you doing?” will most likely be “We’re fine.” To make staying in their home viable, you’ll need to channel your inner Sherlock Holmes and go on a fact-finding mission.

What are the three things all caregivers need to know that no one usually tells them?

Recreational soccer is great for your health, even as you age.

Seniors can benefit from new technology when managing their health.

Why is death such a messy business?

If you have an aging parent, how can you determine the difference between the typical cognitive decline that tends to happen with age and dementia?

Dr. Darria speaks with Alzheimer’s expert, Lori La Bey, to answer listeners questions about the disease.

How can you mend broken relationships to help care for your aging parents?

Only 13 percent of seniors are extremely confident in their knowledge of possible flu complications.

Why would oncologists treat patients so late when life expectancy is very limited?

What signs should you look for before things get too blurry?

UNC’s oldest living baseball or basketball alum, Bobby Gersten, shares his secrets to aging healthfully and wisely.

How do you know the right time for an aging relative to move?

Roughly 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease annually. Do you know the early symptoms?

Roughly 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease annually. Do you know the early symptoms?

According to a recent study, many older adults who visit the ER are either malnourished or at risk for malnutrition.