Two emotions are common for those who are nearing retirement - excitement and fear. Leaving the working world behind can feel empowering, however, apprehension about entering a new life stage may also creep in. If you're nearing retirement, you've likely taken steps to prepare financially for the future.

Parkinson’s disease is often described as a thief of movement — slowly stealing independence, balance, and even confidence. While medicine plays a critical role in managing symptoms, an exciting truth is emerging: lifestyle choices, coaching, and support can make a measurable difference in how people with Parkinson’s live day-to-day.

Exercise advice often feels overwhelming. Between doctors, media, and research reports, it can be hard to know where to begin. That’s where physical therapists can help. A physical therapist can translate the latest guidelines into a personalized plan. Here’s what the research recommends and how to get started. 

Dr. Jonas Salk started inoculating children against polio. Ray Kroc opened the first McDonald's franchise on April 15 in Des Plaines, Illinois, marking the beginning of the global fast-food empire. Disneyland opened in Anaheim, California, on July 17. Congress authorized all currency and coins to say “In God We Trust.” On September 30, James Dean died in a car accident at the age of 24.

Time is a funny thing. Recently, while my husband and I were watching our grandchildren, he told them that he was going to the Pirates game with their uncle the next day. In response, one of the kids started singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame. When they got to the lyric “buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack” one of the kids asked, “What’s Cracker Jack?” I explained that it is a candy and launched into the line from their jingle: “candy-coated popcorn, peanuts, and a prize—th

The Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon began in 1956, when Lewis hosted the Thanksgiving Party for MDA to raise funds for families battling muscle diseases in New York City. Co-hosting with his comedic partner Dean Martin, Lewis helped raise more than $600,000 in the telethon’s early years. Building on this charitable mission, a televised MDA telethon in 1966 raised over $1 million—a testament to the event's value in garnering nationwide support for those affected by muscle diseases.

Until the 1990s, most research involving human health and disease used the “male model”. As a result, women were significantly underrepresented in many areas of clinical research, particularly in early-stage trials. This has created significant gaps in medical knowledge, leading to potential untested treatments that might be ineffective or even harmful to women

Today’s kids are one of the first generations to grow up with smart phones, social media, and Google at their fingertips from the moment they are born. As a mom in my 40’s, we didn’t have dial-up internet until I was a teenager and I joined Facebook when you still needed a college email address to join, so I remember life pre-internet and how different it was. 

Hey folks! My name is Ron Eichner, and I am a fourth-generation full-time farmer. Our farm’s history dates to 1897, when my great-grandfather purchased his piece of heaven. I have worked for decades alongside my parents and grandparents, learning from their example of what farm life is like. Now my role is to pass on my family’s farming knowledge to our 5th and 6th generation family members and to share the “Facts from the Farm” with all of you.

Significant changes are coming to Medicare Advantage plans in 2026, including increased payments, updates to Part D coverage, and new regulations aimed at improving benefits. As demand for medical services continues to increase, Medicare Advantage plans must carefully align benefits with this increased demand to support members’ health needs today and in the future. 

The 17th Annual "Celebrating Champions" dinner and silent auction takes place Thursday, October 16, at The Westin Pittsburgh. Co-hosted by UPMC Senior Services and UPMC Western Behavioral Health, the event recognizes esteemed individuals and organizations who have improved the quality of life in our region. This year's distinguished honorees are united in their service to older adults and behavioral health.

When people think of ketchup, they think of Heinz—a brand that has become a household name across the globe. But long before the company dominated the ketchup market, its story began much earlier in Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania.

Katrina was just one storm in a record hurricane season that saw 27 named storms, surpassing the record of 21 set in 1933. There were so many tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic that we ran out of names and had to start using the Greek alphabet. Natalee Holloway, 18, became a household name after the Alabama teen vanished while on a class trip to Aruba on May 30. 

The first thing many people will tell you about health insurance is that it’s complicated. Between public and private plans, HMOs, PPOs, and high deductibles, it can be hard to know which plan is right for you.

As the seasons of life shift, this final chapter offers a profound opportunity for reflection, intention, and renewal. Far from being a slow fade into frailty, this period can be rich with vitality, presence, and even transformation—if we choose to center our health as a priority.

I grew up in a home filled with love and companionship. I am the youngest of eight children, with five brothers and two sisters. We always managed to find things to do over the summer. Our local swimming pool was about half a mile away, and on lovely days, we would walk to the pool and spend the entire day there enjoying ourselves.