Judith Graham

Judith Graham was a contributing columnist for KFF Health News until January 2025.

“Me tratan como si fuera vieja y estúpida”: adultos mayores denuncian a profesionales de salud que los discriminan por edad

KFF Health News Original

Las experiencias de Whitney revelan la discriminación por edad en los entornos de atención médica, un problema de larga data que está recibiendo nueva atención durante la pandemia de covid, que ha matado a más de medio millón de estadounidenses de 65 años y más.

‘They Treat Me Like I’m Old and Stupid’: Seniors Decry Health Providers’ Age Bias

KFF Health News Original

Ageism in health care settings, which can result in inappropriate or dangerous treatment, is getting new attention during the covid pandemic, which has killed more than half a million Americans age 65 and older.

Alzheimer’s Drug Targets People With Mild Cognitive Impairment. What Does That Mean?

KFF Health News Original

The condition can be an early signal of Alzheimer’s disease, but not always. Other health concerns could be causing thinking or memory problems, and the new drug, Aduhelm, would not be appropriate for those patients.

Clarity on Covid Count: Pandemic’s Toll on Seniors Extended Well Beyond Nursing Homes

KFF Health News Original

The latest research shows that although deaths in nursing homes received enormous attention, far more older adults who perished from covid lived outside of institutions. People with dementia and other severe neurological conditions, chronic kidney disease and immune deficiencies were hit especially hard.

Restoring a Sense of Belonging: The Unsung Importance of Casual Relationships for Older Adults

KFF Health News Original

Relationships with people you know only superficially can help develop a sense of belonging and provide motivation to engage in activities. Research has found that older adults who have a broad array of “weak” as well as “close” ties enjoy better physical and psychological well-being and live longer than people with less diverse social networks.

Doctores explican pros y contras de recetar la nueva droga para el Alzheimer

KFF Health News Original

Mientras médicos y expertos en políticas de salud debaten los méritos de Aduhelm, el primer fármaco para el Alzheimer aprobado en 18 años, los pacientes simplemente quieren saber: “¿me ayudará?”.

Doctors Weigh Pros and Cons of Prescribing Hot-Button Alzheimer’s Drug

KFF Health News Original

The potential benefits of Aduhelm are small, its effectiveness is not certain, and even the FDA Thursday shifted its guidance on who should get the drug. But physicians are dealing with an onslaught of interest from patients and their families, and figuring out which patients are best positioned to be helped by the drug will be difficult.

Paying Billions for Controversial Alzheimer’s Drug? How About Funding This Instead?

KFF Health News Original

Aduhelm, approved by the Food and Drug Administration last month despite questions about its efficacy, could be prescribed to at least 1 million patients a year, for a price tag of about $56 billion. Experts suggest there might be better ways to spend that money.

Tips for Older Adults to Regain Their Game After Being Cooped Up for More Than a Year

KFF Health News Original

Experts offer advice on how seniors struggling with physical, emotional and cognitive challenges following a year of being cooped up can address issues such as muscle weakness, poor nutrition, disrupted sleep, anxiety and social isolation.

Aiding Her Dying Husband, a Geriatrician Learns the Emotional and Physical Toll of Caregiving

KFF Health News Original

When the covid pandemic hit, Dr. Rebecca Elon was thrust into a new role, primary caregiver for her severely ill husband and her elderly mother. “Reading about caregiving of this kind was one thing. Experiencing it was entirely different,” she says.

Biden Seeks $400 Billion to Buttress Long-Term Care. A Look at What’s at Stake.

KFF Health News Original

Long-term care options are expensive and often out of reach for seniors and people with disabilities. The president has proposed a massive infusion of federal funding for home and community-based health services that advocates say will go a long way toward helping individuals and families.

‘I Can Breathe Again’: Older Adults Begin to Test Freedom After Covid Vaccinations

KFF Health News Original

Whether it’s making plans to hug their grandchildren, scheduling long-overdue medical appointments or just petting the neighbor’s dog, seniors are inching back to a lifestyle they’ve missed during the pandemic.

Reopening of Long-Term Care Facilities Is ‘an Absolute Necessity for Our Well-Being’

KFF Health News Original

Relatives and advocates are calling for federal authorities to relax restrictions in long-term care institutions and grant special status to “essential caregivers” — family members or friends who provide critically important hands-on care — so they have the opportunity to tend to relatives in need.