Posts by Sprout Media Lab Testing

One key part of healthy aging is connection. I think, as a society, we missed how important social and personal connection is….until COVID. During those years, we saw what could happen if we didn’t reach out, spend time together and relate with each other on a personal level. We tried to compensate with virtual meetings…

Q: My doctor says I need a procedure, but my insurance company keeps delaying or denying approval. Why does this happen, and what can I do? I feel stuck between my doctor and my insurance provider. A: This is an important question, and I’m glad you asked and bringing up an issue many Americans have…

This month is Mental Health Awareness Month and Older Americans Month, making it a perfect time to explore an important question: Does our mental health get worse—or better—as we get older? The answer is, like most big questions, it depends. In some ways, our mental health improves with age. In fact, many older adults are emotionally stronger and…

I turned 73 this year and I am increasingly noticing that I am having difficulty sleeping.  I often find myself lying awake at 3am and then I am groggy and have low energy the next day. I used to be a great sleeper, what can I do to deal with this insomnia?   Insomnia is…

As adults, we’re often rewarded for knowing what we’re doing. Experience, competence, and confidence are valued—and rightly so. Over time, however, this emphasis on expertise can make us hesitant to try new things. We avoid activities where we might feel awkward, slow, or uncertain. We hesitate to begin. We’re so used to being good and…

Q: My husband is ten years older than me and is experiencing some cognitive decline. I’m worried about him when I am out of the home for more than an hour. My physician recommended I start to look for care in the home. How would you suggest I go about finding someone? A: Finding care…

Anxiety in older adults is far more common than many of us realize, but the issue often goes unspoken. Seniors themselves may minimize their worries, mask symptoms, or attribute emotional distress to “just getting older.” As a result, family members and professionals can miss signs of increasing anxiety that affect sleep, appetite, medical compliance, decision-making,…

Caregivers are often the last ones to notice their own exhaustion. The focus naturally goes to the older adult’s medications, mobility, meals, and mood. But a caregiver’s health is just as essential to the stability of the entire care plan. A simple 10-minute daily check-in can make the difference between steady, sustainable caregiving and feeling…

Kate Pomplun, AOS Care Management Care Manager Q: “As a grandparent, I love being involved with my grandkids, but sometimes I feel stretched thin between helping my adult children, caring for my spouse, and keeping up with my own health needs. How do I balance these responsibilities without burning out?”   A: This is a very…

Amy Phariss, LCMHC – Clarity Counseling NC Emotions are a natural part of being human. Though many of us want to escape certain emotions, being human means having feelings. We all experience a wide range of feelings throughout our lives, but society often labels certain emotions as “good” or “bad.” For example, happiness is seen…