Elaine K. Howley

Waltham

Freelance Journalist at Freelance

Marathon and ice swimmer, health journo, sports writer, artist. RPCV Group 19 Ukraine. Jersey girl @❤️ Masshole in the 🚗 She/her.

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Articles

Should You Be Micromanaging Your Blood Sugar Levels With a CGM?

1 week ago | health.usnews.com | Toby Amidor |Gretel Schueller |Elaine K. Howley |Vanessa Caceres

Key Takeaways While continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is helpful for people with diabetes, its use by people without diabetes to "micromanage" blood sugar levels is not widely recommended by experts and may have unintended consequences. Some potential pros for micromanaging blood sugar in people who don't have diabetes include identifying someone with diabetes or prediabetes who might otherwise go undetected for a while.
Affordable Assisted Living Options

1 week ago | health.usnews.com | Elaine K. Howley |Elaine Hinzey

Key Takeaways Low-income senior living aims to keep seniors with limited assets and income housed and safe. Costs can vary widely depending on the location, the size of the unit, additional services offered and other local conditions. Federal and community-based programs, plus a variety of nonprofit organizations, can help seniors and their families cover senior care costs.
What to Do During a Mental Health Crisis

1 month ago | health.usnews.com | Elaine K. Howley |Aviva Patz

It can happen to anyone at any time: A triggering event, such as the loss of a loved one, work or school stress, financial problems, an illness, substance use or another factor, leads to a mental health crisis.
How to Talk to Your Parents’ Doctors: Tips for Successful Communication

1 month ago | health.usnews.com | Elaine K. Howley |Aviva Patz

Getty ImagesIt can be difficult to accept, but the people who took care of you when you were young may need your help as they age – and it's a good idea to plan ahead for this time. “Finding the right moment might not be easy, but waiting too long or until something frightening happens puts your parent’s health at risk,” says Dr. Zachary Bittinger, a clinical assistant professor in the department of family and community medicine at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.
Assisted Living vs. Memory Care: The Key Differences

1 month ago | health.usnews.com | Elaine K. Howley |Aviva Patz

Getty ImagesAge brings many challenges, among them a loss of independence that means some seniors will need help taking care of themselves. There are many senior living options available for folks who need hands-on support, and two common ones can provide big benefits for residents: assisted living and memory care. While these two options are similar in many ways, they have some important differences.
Meet Ryan Willis, Resident Ironman Triathlete on “Extracted”

1 month ago | triathlete.com | Elaine K. Howley

It’s not always obvious from outward appearances which individual in a group is the endurance athlete. But if you listen for the person who seems completely uninhibited discussing the sensitive matters of pooping in mixed company, you’re probably on the right track. This rule holds true for smoker-turned-triathlete Ryan Willis, who charms on Fox’s newest reality show, “Extracted” (8/7 p.m. Central).
What Is Life Like in an Independent Living Community?

1 month ago | health.usnews.com | Elaine K. Howley |Aviva Patz

For many older adults, there comes a time when selling the family home and downsizing becomes attractive. And for many, that means moving to an independent living community. Getty ImagesSuch was the case for Cathie Ghorbani's 82-year-old mother, Louise, who moved into Southminster, a senior living community in Charlotte, North Carolina, last September. Ghorbani says the family chose that location because it was familiar – Cathie's grandmother had moved there when it first opened.
Resources for Caregivers of Military Veterans

1 month ago | health.usnews.com | Elaine K. Howley |Aviva Patz

Getty ImagesFor a growing number of family members and friends acting as caregivers for military veterans, the burden of war lasts long after a loved one returns home. According to 2023 data from RAND, a nonprofit research and analysis organization, there are 14.3 million military and veteran caregivers, or about 5.5% of the adult population, in the United States. The costs of this caregiving can really add up.
What to Expect From a Memory Care Facility

2 months ago | health.usnews.com | Elaine K. Howley |Aviva Patz

For people with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia, there may come a time when they need more care than a loved one or other caregiver can provide at home. In those instances, it may be time to move them into a memory care facility. But what’s life really like in these places? Here, we’ll unpack everything you need to know about living in a memory care facility and what’s typical of this important senior living option.
What Is Life Like in Assisted Living?

2 months ago | health.usnews.com | Elaine K. Howley |Shanley Chien

For many seniors, there will come a time when living alone at home is no longer feasible. Tasks that were once easy may become too difficult to conduct without assistance, and it may be time to move into an assisted living community.