Staying Healthy Now to Work Into Older Age

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 18, 2019 -- While you can take Social Security benefits at age 62 and get 75% of your maximum, waiting until you reach full retirement age (between age 66 and 67 depending on the year you were born) gets you much closer to the full amount. But the age at which Americans can collect the most dollars has inched up to 70.

The problem is that, in general, people today aren't as healthy during their pre-retirement years as past generations were. Having one or more chronic health conditions, from diabetes to arthritis, can make it harder to keep working through your 60s and, for those who want or need to, beyond.

For Seniors, 'Silent Strokes' Are Common Post-Surgery Threat: Study

MONDAY, Aug. 26, 2019 -- Silent strokes are common in seniors who have had surgery, and may double their risk of mental decline within a year, a Canadian study reports.

While an obvious (or "overt") stroke often causes symptoms such as weakness in an arm or speech problems, a silent (or "covert") stroke is apparent only on brain scans.

Staying Optimistic Might Lengthen Your Life, Study Shows

MONDAY, Aug. 26, 2019 -- An upbeat view of life may increase your odds for living to a ripe old age, new research suggests.

The finding stems from a look at optimism and longevity among nearly 70,000 women and 1,400 men. It builds on earlier research linking higher levels of optimism to lower risks of chronic illness and premature death.