Ask Linda

I am a long-distance caregiver for my mother, and it has been very difficult over the past year and a half—not being able to visit her as often and knowing that she is spending so much time alone because she is afraid of the virus. What can I do to provide support and comfort to her from afar and make sure she’s okay?

My mother lives in a memory care facility. I try to visit as often as I can and keep her company, but sometimes it’s hard to keep a conversation going because she has nearly no short-term memory, and I just don’t know what to talk about. What is your advice?

I have struggled with depression on and off for several years and have tried many different antidepressants without much relief. I heard that Oregon recently legalized psychedelic mushrooms for medical use...do you happen to know anything about this new form of treatment? It certainly sounds a bit daunting so I’m curious to know if there is any research behind it.

Dementia runs in my family and I’m determined to do whatever I can to reduce my risk. Is there any new research out there that I should be aware of?

There are just so many books and resources out there about how to improve our health and longevity. Frankly, it’s overwhelming! A lot of the suggestions and advice are just not realistic or practical...I might be able to keep it up for a few months, but after that I return to my normal habits. What do you suggest?

I like to think of myself as a “coffee achiever”. The smell of coffee, to me, promises a connection with a friend. I want to feel good about my health when I enjoy my morning coffee and afternoon coffee dates. There seems to be conflicting information about drinking coffee...is it good or bad?

It seems like wearable tech devices are becoming more common for monitoring health and vital signs. What do you think about these?

I’ve recently read that there is a strong link between mental health and heart health. What does this mean?

I’ve recently been reading about rampant age discrimination. Why are negative stereotypes about older people so prevalent in our culture, unlike in many other cultures where older members are revered?

I have always been a light sleeper, but in the past several months I’ve really been having a hard time getting a good night’s sleep. The more that I think and worry about it, the worse it gets—it’s a very vicious cycle! I don’t want to go on sleep medications because I’m wary of the side effects. What is your advice?

As COVID cases continue to surge, it looks like wearing face masks will continue to be part of our lives for the foreseeable future. Although I completely understand why wearing masks is so critically important, I still find them quite uncomfortable and difficult to breathe in. Do you have any suggestions or tips for making masks more pleasant to wear?

I have been feeling more down recently, especially with the colder temperatures making me stay inside more than before and with the holidays just not being the same this year due to COVID. What can I do to feel better?

My family and I want to be together over the holidays. With COVID cases rising, we know that there is a risk to this…but after so many months of feeling isolated and alone, we would really prefer to spend the holidays in person rather than via video chat. We feel that it’s important to balance physical health with mental health and emotional well-being. What do you recommend that we do to stay as safe as possible if we have chosen to spend time with each other in the same home?

My whole life, I’ve assumed that getting older would mean a less satisfying and enjoyable life, and our society certainly considers aging to be a negative thing. But my experience is that life just keeps getting better with age! Am I unique in feeling this way?

With everyone spending more time at home on their computers, I’ve heard that online scammers have gone into overdrive. What are some of the different fraudulent tactics that I should be aware of?

Ever since peri-menopause/menopause, I have struggled with weight gain in my midsection—something I never had an issue with before. No matter how much I exercise or try to eat healthy, this extra weight just won’t budge. What should I do?

I was recently diagnosed with high cholesterol and am trying to get it back to a healthy level by improving my diet. What are the best foods for lowering cholesterol, and what foods should I stay away from?

I’ve heard that chocolate offer some health benefits. Is this true, and if so, what type of chocolate does it need to be?

Recently I’ve been hearing about the “Blue Zones”—regions of the world that have the highest rates of centenarians in the world. What are their secrets, and how can I incorporate them into my lifestyle?

Recently I’ve been hearing about the “Blue Zones”—regions of the world that have the highest rates of centenarians in the world. What are their secrets, and how can I incorporate them into my lifestyle?

Recently I’ve been hearing about the “Blue Zones”—regions of the world that have the highest rates of centenarians in the world. What are their secrets, and how can I incorporate them into my lifestyle?

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I am going to have a telemedicine appointment with my doctor instead of going in person. I’ve never done this before and I’m a bit apprehensive since I’m not familiar with how it works. How should I prepare for my appointment?

I’m taking care of my mother who lives independently but is alone. I am also working a full-time job, and barely have any time to myself. What are some tips for practicing self-care and managing stress when you just don’t have the luxury of doing a 30-minute meditation or taking an afternoon to get a massage?

Technology seems to be such an important tool for communication these days and I want to stay in touch with friends and family, but I’m just not comfortable with it yet. How do I get over my apprehension about learning how to use new technology?

Is sex “exercise,” and if so, is it hard on the heart?

You are a gerontologist who understands both the challenges and the opportunities of aging. Even though we begin aging when we are born, what do you think the years after 70 offer that those before didn’t? You are such a respected professional, and one with a big heart and deep soul. Thank you for creating this timely and needed service.

I’ve heard and read a lot about the benefits of olive oil for health. However, I know that it’s also very high in calories and fat. Does eating olive oil really lead to longevity?

I am 75 and retired. I’ve basically done everything I set out to do in my life, including a career, taking care of my family, and my bucket list. I’m having trouble figuring out what is next.

With everything that’s going on in the world right now, I’m finding myself feeling increasingly more worried and uneasy. When I look up how to relieve stress at home, many of the typical suggestions such as “yoga” and “meditation” show up. I’ve never had much success with these...what’s something else?