Whatever the age, there are specific activities that keep one healthy and active or help to become so. Research shows that it is almost never too late to make lifestyle changes. Colin Milner is an expert on active aging, and he has created ten "E-tips" to help. Here is one:

Expectations: If you've been following a healthy lifestyle up 'til now, simply keep going; if you need to make changes, anticipate succeeding, not failing - and don't let age be a barrier. Research has shown that thinking positively about getting older can extend your life by as much as 7.5 years.

Read all ten tips here.

Find out more about the International Council on Active Aging here.

Exercising five times a week and keeping physically fit is now shown to reduce the number and severity of colds. The fittest participants in this study actually had a 43-46% lower frequency of colds compared to those who only exercised one time a week, at most.

Read the entire article here.

 This documentary film is about the positive impact of art and other creative therapies on people with Alzheimer's disease.

Click here to watch now.

NPR recently released a timeline of milestones in long-term care policies, showing the larger part home- and community-based care are playing in America's eldercare system.

Learn more here.

Recipe of the Month: Preventing Heart Disease

Heart Health Factors: The Simple 7

• Get Active: By exercising for as little as 30 minutes each day you can reduce your risk of heart disease. The American Heart Association suggests at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise. To increase physical activity in your lifestyle try parking further away from your destination.
   
• Control Cholesterol: It is important for everyone to know their cholesterol level. A cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL or higher puts you in a high risk category. To keep your levels low, the American Heart Association recommends that you: schedule a screening, eat foods low in cholesterol and saturated fat and free of trans fat, maintain a healthy weight and stay physically active.
   
• Eat Better: A healthy diet and lifestyle help fight cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association recommends that you eat a wide variety of nutritious foods daily from each of the basic food groups.
   
• Manage Blood Pressure: High blood pressure is the single most significant risk factor for heart disease. While there is no cure, high blood pressure is manageable through lifestyle modifications.
   
• Lose Weight: If you are overweight or obese, you can reduce your risk of heart disease by successfully losing weight and keeping it off through eating healthy and keeping fit.
   
• Reduce Blood Sugar: The American Heart Association considers diabetes one of the six major controllable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. When diabetes is detected, a doctor may prescribe changes in eating habits, weight control, exercise programs and medication to keep it in check. It's critical for people with diabetes to have regular check-ups. Work closely with your healthcare provider to manage your diabetes and control any other risk factors.
   
• Stop Smoking: Smokers have a higher risk of developing many chronic disorders, including atherosclerosis - the buildup of fatty substances in the arteries - which can lead to coronary heart disease, heart attack (myocardial infarction) and stroke. If you need support when deciding to quit, look for quit-smoking programs through hospitals as well as hotlines with trained staff to help you with quitting.