Aging Untold

(Aging Untold) —A dementia diagnosis can feel overwhelming, especially when you start asking: What happens next? What’s normal, and what can be done right now? Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician, said one of the first practical steps is showing up to appointments with support. “The first thing I would — number one — want is, hopefully, that you brought somebody with you — another set of ears,” Rogers said.

(Aging Untold) — Only 31% of Americans have a will, according to a 2025 report by the National Council on Aging. That means nearly seven out of 10 people are leaving their families without one. “Everybody needs a will,” Amy O’Rourke, an aging expert, said. She identified two main reasons people avoid creating wills: fear of confronting mortality and cost concerns. “I don’t want to think about it. I don’t want to talk about it. I’m scared. I don’t want to look at mortality,” O’Rourke said.

(Aging Untold) — Gluten-free products fill grocery store shelves, reflecting the popularity of a diet that cuts out the protein. But experts say most people don’t need to avoid gluten for medical reasons. Gluten is a protein found in grains such as wheat, barley and rye. Many food products contain it, including bread, pasta, baked goods and cereal.

(Aging Untold) — Service dogs serve a deep purpose for people with disabilities. Service dogs provide the disabled with a new lease on life by performing a variety of day-to-day tasks that may seem simple to us, like opening doors, picking up a dropped cell phone or putting on socks. Of the 61 million people in the United States living with disabilities, fewer than 1% are teamed with service dogs.

(Aging Untold) — Hearing loss is not just a part of aging. It can also strain relationships and trigger other health issues, like falling or isolation. Amy O’Rourke, an aging expert, has hearing loss and said her husband noticed she was asking him to speak up and accusing their friends of mumbling. She struggled emotionally with the realization she was losing her hearing. “I started thinking, I better do something about it,” O’Rourke said.

(Aging Untold) — Medical marijuana is now legal in at least 40 states, plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico — and that might lead some families to ask a complicated question: Can cannabis edibles help ease dementia-related symptoms like agitation, memory loss and sleep issues? Edibles, including gummies, can be especially tricky because dosing and timing can be unpredictable — particularly for older adults.

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