Publications

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Mourning the Death of a Spouse
When your spouse dies, your world changes. You are in mourning—feeling grief and sorrow at the loss. You may feel numb, shocked, and fearful. You may feel guilty for being the one who is still alive. If your spouse died in a nursing home, you may wish that you had been able to care for him or her at home. At some point, you may even feel angry at your spouse for leaving you. All these feelings are normal. There are no rules about how you should feel. There is no right or wrong way to mourn.

Keywords: Emotional Health, Grief
National Institute on Aging Publications Catalog
See all National Institute on Aging (NIA) materials in one colorful, convenient booklet. This catalog lists 140 FREE items, from facts sheets and AgePage brochures to information about Alzheimer’s disease and Spanish-language resources. Publication descriptions and ordering information are included. A perfect handout for health fairs and doctors’ offices.

Keywords: Alzheimer's Disease, Healthy Aging
NIHSeniorHealth "At Last!" bookmark
This free bookmark is available individually to the public and in quantities to faith-based organizations, social service providers, or other agencies.

Keywords: NIHSeniorHealth
NIHSeniorHealth "Wisdom" bookmark
This free bookmark is available individually to the public and in quantities to faith-based organizations, social service providers, or other agencies.

Keywords: NIHSeniorHealth
Nursing Homes: Making the Right Choice
Lucille has lived in her home for 33 years. Even after her husband died 3 years ago, she was able to manage on her own. Recently, she broke her hip and now needs a walker to get around. At 85, she is no longer able to be on her own. Her children now are talking about how best to help their mom find the right care. Sometimes, decisions about where to care for a family member need to be made quickly, for example, when a sudden injury requires a new care plan. Other times, a family has a while to look for the best place to care for an elderly relative.
Spanish Version
Keywords: Long-Term Care, Nursing Homes
Older Adults and Alcohol
You Can Get Help Using checklists, questions and answers, and personal stories, this 18-page booklet offers help for older adults thinking about their drinking. Includes a special section for family, friends, and caregivers.

Keywords: Alcohol Use or Abuse
Older Drivers
At age 78, Sheila thinks she’s a good driver, and she would like to stay that way. But lately, she has been in minor accidents. Sheila wonders how she can stay safe behind the wheel. Will taking a class for older drivers help? You may have asked yourself this question, or maybe a family member or friend has asked about your driving. Getting older doesn’t make you a bad driver. But you should know there are changes that may affect driving skills over time.
Spanish Version
Keywords: Driving, Eyes and Vision, Safety, Sensory Impairment
Online Health Information: Can You Trust It?
A group of older adults are gathered for their weekly computer class. They are learning to use the Internet to find health information. Maria's husband, who is 75, had a stroke the month before so she's searching the web for some basic facts about stroke rehabilitation. Walter, who is 68, has questions about what causes Alzheimer's disease because he thinks that's what his mother had. Shirley and Howard, married for 48 years, are trying to find out if the cataract surgery their eye doctor suggests really is as safe as he says.

Keywords: Health Information, Internet, Web
Osteoporosis: The Bone Thief
Helen grew up on a farm in the Midwest. She drank lots of milk as a child. She also walked a lot. After graduating from high school, she got married and found a job. Family and work, she said, kept her too busy to exercise. Helen went through menopause at age 47. At 76, she was enjoying retirement—traveling and working in her garden. But then she slipped on a small rug in her kitchen and broke her hip. After Helen recovered, she needed a cane to walk, and gardening was a lot harder to enjoy.
Spanish Version
Keywords: Bones and Joints, Falls, Medicines, Nutrition, Osteoporosis, Women's Health
Pain: You Can Get Help
Phyllis loves playing with her grandchildren, working in the garden, and going to twice-weekly Bingo games. But, at age 76, the constant pain she feels in her knees from osteoarthritis (joint disease) is starting to take a toll. It is also starting to keep her awake at night, leaving her feeling groggy and tired the next day. Sometimes, the pain stops her from doing the things she likes. As time goes by, Phyllis feels more and more miserable and depressed, but doesn't know what she can do about it.
Spanish Version
Keywords: Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Medicines, Pain