Have you ever noticed how a single word can change how you feel about aging? Language is not just about communication; it influences how we see ourselves and how others see us. For us and those who we care about, the words we use can affirm dignity or unintentionally reinforce stereotypes. Choosing words that ‘age well’ helps create a culture of respect and empowerment.

Tooth loss is challenging. So is figuring out the best way to restore your smile. If you’re considering dental implants, here’s what to look for in a provider you can trust.

There is something so magical about Christmas! As a child, the season glowed with wonder and magic. Now, as an adult, I am amazed by how much has changed. The holiday looks different when viewed through grown-up eyes. Still, for children, the enchantment remains.

We are coming into the fourth season of the year, and it can be chilly, as the winters generally are. Farm life slows down this time of year, but we have plenty of special days to look forward to as we pass the long winter, like Christmas, New Year’s Eve, the Super Bowl, and Valentine’s Day.

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Winter in western Pennsylvania can be isolating for older adults. It is challenging to maintain a social calendar while also trying to avoid illnesses. Getting out in the cold can be difficult if you experience mobility issues. However, nurturing your social connections and staying active in the winter months are essential to maintaining good mental and physical health. Here are some ways you can stay healthy this winter.

Few experiences rival attending a Steeler game and seeing a sea of Terrible Towels in the stands. Their energy revs up the crowd. Remarkably, this Pittsburgh icon, once just a "gimmick," turns 50 this month. Let’s take a look back at the towel’s rise to beloved status.

The year of 1996 ushered in a leap year. January 6-8, a blizzard ravaged the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, with even northern Florida experiencing some flurries. Sadly, 154 perished because of the heavy snowfall that blanketed the region. On April 3, after an 18-year manhunt, suspected "Unabomber" Theodore Kaczynski was arrested at his remote cabin in Montana. He was later convicted for a series of mail bombs that killed three people and injured 23.

As we welcome 2026, I am filled with gratitude and excitement for the year ahead. This winter marks the beginning of our 13th year of publication for Pittsburgh 55+ Magazine, a milestone that reminds us how fortunate we are to serve such an active, engaged, and inspiring community of readers. Your stories, your resilience, and your commitment to lifelong learning continue to shape every issue we create.

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