In the United States alone, up to 30% of older adults suffer chronic pain. It can be debilitating, impacting function while also increasing social isolation.

On this episode of Aging Forward, we talk with Dr. Jake Strand about how older adults experience chronic pain, misconceptions about pain management, and different approaches to relieving pain and improving quality of life.

Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.

Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

We all know our bodies ages — but what if we could potentially halt or reverse that process through exercise? For some people, execise can preserve function, independence, and health span. So what kind of benefits can we expect? And what kind of exercise is best for optimizing health?

On this episode of Aging Forward, we talk with professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation Dr. Edward Laskowski about the role of exercise in healthy aging, exploring physical activity options for older adults and how to incorporate exercise into our day-to-day routines.

From childhood, we look to our doctors to help us heal when we are sick. But what does care look like when a patient is nearing the end, and doesn't expect to get better?

On this episode of Aging Forward, we talk with Dr. Cory Ingram about how our end-of-life experiences have changed drastically over the last several decades, and his approach to providing hospice and palliative care that preserves patient dignity.

Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.

Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

After decades of research, frailty is much more than just a physical construct. It's a clinical syndrome that can affect different areas of health and care. But is frailty an inevitable part of aging? Or can we prevent or delay it?

On this episode of Aging Forward, we talk with geriatrician Dr. Brandon Verdoorn about the importance of understanding and recognizing frailty as a geriatric syndrome — and life hacks for dealing with frailty.

Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.

Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

With so much information available about supplements, why are they still so confusing? And as older adults, how can we use them to deal with common symptoms of aging and improve our overall quality of life?

On this episode of Aging Forward, we talk with Dr. Brent Bauer about integrating supplements into a holistic health plan. He also gives tips on how to assess if your supplements are working for you.

Purchase Dr. Bauer's new book, "Mayo Clinic Guide to Holistic Health," on the Mayo Clinic Press website today.

Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.

Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

Almost half of older adults experience loneliness. It can be harder to maintain social connections as we age, especially if we're retired, dealing with illness, or living alone.

On this episode of Aging Forward, we talk with clinical social worker Kileen Smyth about the power of experimentation, and what we can do to stay positive, stay engaged, and make meaning in our golden years.

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Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

Around 20% of adults between ages 40 and 79 are taking five or more prescription drugs—and for older adults, the numbers are likely even higher. Our relationship to medication can change over the years: our bodies take longer to clear them from our system, and in some cases, side affects from medications lead to even more prescriptions!

On this episode of Aging Forward, we talk with clinical pharmacist Tim Habermann about supplements, high costs of medication, and proactive approaches to medication management.

Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.

Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

Cognitive functioning is a key part of overall health and independence — which is why dementia can be especially challenging for individuals, family, and loved ones. But is dementia preventable? What can we do now to preserve brain health? And how do we distinguish between cognitive changes related to typical aging and symptoms of dementia?

On this episode of Aging Forward, we talk with internist and geriatrician Dr. Ericka Tung about these common questions, caring for adults with dementia, and positive outlooks for dementia prevention.

Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.

Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.