How Old Do You Feel?

NY Times article entitled "How Old Do You Feel? Depends on Your Age." Researchers find that the older one gets, the more likely they see "old age" as a later time in life. Further, people tend to feel 10 years younger (on average) than their chronological age. This study also examined younger adults' attitudes towards aging. What are your thoughts about when "old age" actually begins? What do you expect older age to hold when you get there?

Teenagers Believe They'll Die Young

Columbus Dispatch/AP article entitled "Surprising Number of Teens Think They'll Die Young." This study indicates that approximately 15% of teenagers believe that they will die when they are young, leading to increases in use of drugs and alcohol, suicide attempts and other risky behavior. This study challenges conventional wisdom (e.g., Erikson) that indicates that teens engage in risky behavior because they believe they are invincible. What do the results of this study indicate in regards to cognitive and psychosocial development for teens? What other factors might be impacting the results of this research? What do the ethnic differences in the study indicate for those doing prevention work in school systems?

Extending Life With Extra Pounds

NY Times article entitled "Excess Pounds, but Not Too Many, May Lead to Longer Life." Recent research indicates that adults who are overweight -- but not obese -- lead longer lives than those of average weight or those who were underweight. What about the extra weight might be a protective factor? How might this conflict with the research on calorie restriction and longer life?

Drinking Age Affects Bingeing

NY Times article entitled "Drinking Age Affects Bingeing, To A Point." This study finds that as the drinking age has gone up, binge drinking has gone down -- except in college students. For those individuals who do not attend college, binge drinking rates have gone down since the change to the drinking age of 21 in 1984. What do you think influences binge drinking in college students, and why would this be different than in other adults in that same age group? How might colleges prevent binge drinking in under-age students?

Remaining Socially Active Aids Motor Skills

NY Times article entitled "Remaining Socially Active Aids Motor Skills." This brief article reports on a study that indicates that older adults who remain socially active experience the least decline in their motor skills over time. How might older adults and caregivers use this information to maintain an active lifestyle in late life? How could retirement facilities design programs around this type of research?

Hazards for Elderly

NY Times article entitled "Study Warns of Hazards for Elderly Using Walking Aids." This recent study indicates that although canes and walkers are meant to prevent elderly individuals from falling, that walkers and canes are involved in a significant number of falls in this population. Although the study did not explore why this was, the authors speculate that it may be due to inappropriate use or design flaws with the equipment itself. What are other factors that could contribute to walkers and canes being involved in falls? Are older adults who use equipment like this properly trained in the use and care of their equipment?

Girl's Sports Struggle

NY Times article entitled "Left Behind -- A City Team's Struggle Shows Disparity in Girls' Sports." The article discusses the gap between suburban and urban school systems in sports participation, particularly with female students. Although some of this gap can be attributed to finances, other barriers include the difficulties in the child's life. What are the benefits of sports to urban schools? How might sports programs in urban areas work through the barriers to involve more students?

An Alternative Therapy for Sundowning

NY Times article entitled "Dusk-to-Dawn Therapy for Dementia's Restless Minds." The article is about a non-traditional day-care program that occurs at night for those individuals with dementia who have sundowning. The program is sponsored by the Hebrew Home at Riverdale in NY and is a one-of-a-kind program in the United States. What would it take to get other healthcare facilities to provide this type of care? How would one empirically evaluate the effectiveness of programs like this one? Would you want your family member to have this type of care?

Doctors Taking Time

NY Times article entitled "If All Doctors Had More Time to Listen." With healthcare costs skyrocking out of control and more family physicians feeling overworked and overwhelmed, some physicians are turning to smaller practices to cut administrative costs and actually spend time listening to their patients. How might a change to this model impact the entire healthcare system? What groups of patients would this model work best with? What are the potential outcomes of this type of model (both positive and negative)?

Multiple Moves for Children Increases Suicide Risk

Chicago Tribune article entitled "Children's Suicide Study: Researchers Link Multiple Moves, Higher Suicide Risk." According to new research, the more times a child moves, the higher the risk of suicide. What might be other factors involved in this type of risk factor? How might this research change suicide prevention for children?

Mindfulness and Stress

CNN article entitled "Mindfulness Training Busts Stress." Mindfulness is a technique that has been around for centuries, and focuses on slowing down and paying full attention to the moment. Yoga, Tai Chi, and meditation teach mindfulness. Could you take a day to be mindful of what you are doing, in the moment, paying full attention to only one thing at a time? How might that reduce your stress?