Helen Dennis

07/25/2026 Q. Whenever I get together with my older women friends, the conversation is about their ailments, injuries, doctors and medications. I often feel I am in a clinic or pharmacy. Do you have any views on this? L.G. What you are referring to has been frequently called the “organ recital.” Clearly, there are benefits and disadvantages to such conversations. Benefits. Dealing with an illness, injury or an acute episode can be frightening, particularly if we don’t know th

7/11/2026 Q. My father is in his 70s and tells lots of stories. Often they are repeated. I am not sure how to respond when I have heard them so many times and don’t want to be rude. What are your thoughts? M.N. Storytelling is an essential human process and a universal experience that is associated with aging. According to neuroscientists, it’s a practical survival value for individuals and communities. Before written communication, knowledge and skills were passed on by word

6/28/2026 June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. I discussed what I planned to write for this week’s column with a close friend, who said, “Don’t tell me how many people will get the disease; please write something positive.” I replied, “We have to deal with what we know; then we can talk about lifestyle options and brain health for healthy aging.” Fortunately, that added phrase led to a positive conclusion to our conversation. An overview “Alzheimer’s disease is a pr

06/14/2026 Q. I recently went out for brunch with two of my lady friends who are in their mid-80s. After looking at their beautiful faces, I realized that at 87, I was the only one at the table with lines. I earned every one of those lines. Can you comment on this flawless trend? — I.R. A trend indeed! Our Western society is obsessed with a youthful appearance. This is not a new desire. We know that exposure to idealized images of women can lead to believing one’s physical ap

05/31/2026 This week’s theme is based on a card I received for my birthday several months ago. It was from my fitness coach with whom I meet twice a week. Yes, it’s to keep me strong, flexible, and “balanced.” The humorous birthday card read, “The secret to staying young is diet and exercise. No wonder it’s a secret. And that secret sucks.” And then he wrote, “I appreciate the hard work and your dedication over all these years. So happy with all you achieved in the past year

5/17/2026 May is the month when older adults are the stars. This is not about performing in a dance troupe, symphony, chorus, or drama. It’s about a month set aside to celebrate older Americans for their contribution to society. May is Older Americans Month. The observance is a time to recognize older Americans’ contributions, highlighting aging trends and reaffirming our commitment to serve older adults. Each year, there is a theme. This year’s theme is “Champion Your Health