Living Well, Living Longer

Get a jump on the rest of your life by committing yourself to making the following changes in your lifestyle today.

Consider this fact: More than half the people who ever lived to be 65 are alive today. That alone suggests that myths about aging based on past generations may not hold true for this one. Let's look at 10 of those myths, and see what experts have to say about them.

Through the daily grapevine of popular culture, we get the message over and over that young is better than old. But new research contradicts these age-old stereotypes. Indeed, studies suggest that the older you get, the happier you become.

In recent years, an increasing amount of scientific evidence has supported the idea that people can do quite a lot on their own to lengthen their life span and to enhance the quality of life as they age. Here are five steps to take every day that can promote healthy aging and boost longevity.

No need to search for a secret formula to erase the effects of getting older. You already have the power to keep yourself feeling young for years.

If you have occasional or chronic insomnia, you may be able to get to sleep by making lifestyle changes.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could look and feel years younger just by taking a supplement? The makers of "anti-aging" hormone supplements would like you to believe that this is possible. But before you accept their claims and open your wallet, see what medical researchers say.

Old age was long viewed as a time of decline in health and function. That is far from the case today.

The Internet is a great way to stay connected. Older adults can use it to send messages, keep in touch with family, learn new things or be entertained.

Many older adults enjoy a glass of wine with dinner or a beer while watching the game on TV. In fact, half of Americans ages 65 and older drink alcohol. Having a drink now and then is fine—as long as you don’t overdo it.

Just as you plan a financial portfolio, it's good to develop a social portfolio as you age.

No matter what you like to do, now is a great time to sign up for a class so that you can explore your interests. Many colleges and other educational organizations offer special discounts to older adults. Here are some ideas about how to get started.