Andrea Wickstrom, BSN, RN

*The article was published on aarp.org and later printed in the AARP February/March 2025 magazine.

Standing in front of the water aisle in stores can feel overwhelming. Once we filled our glasses with the simplest drink that just flowed from the tap, but now the choices are dizzying: vitamin water, hydrogen water, sparkling water, electrolyte water.

Americans spent an estimated $49 billion in 2023 on bottled water and drank about 16 billion gallons, according to the Beverage Marketing Corp. That’s a lot of bottled-up H2O.

As people age, they may develop breathing problems due to illnesses or diseases like COPD or emphysema. For some, oxygen therapy may become necessary to help the body maintain adequate oxygen levels. Oxygen concentrators are oxygen therapy devices that continuously convert room air into nearly pure oxygen, which can help the body receive sufficient oxygen despite any conditions ...

Oxygen concentrators are one of multiple devices used to deliver supplemental oxygen therapy. By using oxygen concentrators for their oxygen needs, seniors can experience physical, mental, and social health benefits that improve their quality of life. This article will explain the basics of oxygen concentrators and go over the many health benefits of using one.

Around 100 Anthem Medicare Advantage plans are available in 14 states. This review highlights information about its plans, including costs, and compares Anthem to other popular carriers in our Best Medicare Advantage Plan Companies of 2024 rankings.

UPMC for Life Medicare Advantage plans are provided by Pennsylvania’s University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Learn the pros, cons and costs in our UPMC for Life review and compare this carrier to others from our Best Insurance Companies for Medicare Advantage of 2024 rankings.

Standing in front of the water aisle in stores can feel overwhelming. Once we filled our glasses with the simplest drink that just flowed from the tap, but now the choices are dizzying: vitamin water, hydrogen water, sparkling water, electrolyte water.
Americans spent an estimated $49 billion in 2023 on bottled water and drank about 16 billion gallons, according to the Beverage Marketing Corp. That’s a lot of bottled-up H2O.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system of primarily young adults. The progressive and relapsing nature can be debilitative and lead to paralysis. MS does not have a cure, but a variety of medications may help slow the progression, reduce relapses, and manage complications.

Artificial intelligence in nursing education is lagging. Find out recommendations and applications for nurse educators to utilize AI in the nursing curriculum.

Southern states rank lower for quality health care; learn how to be a savvy snowbird when flocking south for the winter.

Former Stone Academy students and graduates filed a lawsuit against Connecticut state officials for invalidating credits they earned while at the now-defunct school.

Excessive testing is only one part of what is considered low-value health care, a term that refers to health services that provide little or no benefits, cause potential harm, incur significant costs, or waste limited resources.

Nurses benefit by increasing their awareness of neurodivergent patients and colleagues. Find out more about the growing neurodiversity movement from a mental health expert.

Heather Pressdee, a previous nurse, is charged with multiple counts of alleged murder by injecting lethal doses of insulin into her patients.

Nurses’ mental health deteriorated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn about the CDC's new healthier workplace initiative to help combat burnout.

An accelerated nursing program can pivot a non-nursing graduate to a nursing degree in a shorter timeframe than a traditional bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program.