Washington, DC, resident John Schappi blogs about aging, exercise, diet, pills, supplements, and his life with Parkinson’s disease and prostate cancer. Once upon a time, he was addicted to nicotine, alcohol and sex. These days, his passions include gardening, playing bridge, meditating, going to the theater and traveling.

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Logically, being diagnosed with Parkinson's should have set me up for an unpleasant future. But the 365 days that followed my diagnosis were some of the best I've ever had.

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We all want to live just the way we want, and we all want to die the way we want. But we must communicate our wishes to family and physicians to ensure they're respected. Here are some insights about a very important and difficult subject.

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I wrote this piece on Thanksgiving, but it has meaning 365 days a year. The truth is that seniors like me would be utterly LOST without our caregivers.

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A life filled with ups and downs enable me to navigate Parkinson's, prostate cancer, and all the stuff that comes with being 84 with relative equanimity.

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I'm a firm believer that, when it comes to drugs and medical procedures, less is more—especially for seniors like me. Here's what the experts have to say about routine tests.

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The more I read, the longer I live, the more I understand the critical role that DIET plays in our well-being. I'm lucky: I LOVE following the Mediterranean diet, and a local Lebanese restaurant / carry-out makes it easy for me.

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I've been reviewing all the elements that have contributed to my (relatively) good health for somebody my age (84). WAY UP there on that list, I'd put my relationships. I bet you feel the same way.

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I meditate at least twice every day. Once -- and by far the most helpful -- in my own strange, wacky way; another by following specific instructions. Both help me.

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I'm usually so good about being the CEO of my own health. But this time, I let something nasty creep up on me: skin cancer. Here's what happened.

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Maybe senior brains—like mine—are like computers that are jam-packed with data. An overloaded computer needs more time to process information, right? Should my info-rich brain also need a bit more time?

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I'm almost 85, and have had a couple scary car crashes in the past few years. I've cut back dramatically on my driving, but I think it's time to look again.

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I so looked forward to this adventure, cruising around South America from Valparaiso, Chile, to Buenos Aires, Argentina. It didn't go as I'd hoped. I know now I should NOT have gone so far away, for so long, by myself. Here's are some of WHAT WENT WRONG.

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Since my Parkinson's diagnosis five years ago, my symptoms haven't been too disabling. I've lived a fairly normal, active life . . . for an almost-85 year old. I know that honeymoon is over now, and I'm wondering what happens next.

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Several recent developments—including a few mishaps on my cruise this winter around Cape Horn—have convinced me that my long, five-year Parkinson's honeymoon is over.

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Villages make it easier to age in place. THey are non-profit membership organizations designed to help seniors stay in their own homes -- active, safe, and comfortable. What a great idea!

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Medical authorities now say blood pressure for seniors without cardiac issues can go safely up to 150/90. For that and other reasons, I'm quitting the pills. Here's why.

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The cancer diagnosis over 20 years ago was pretty scary. After the prostatectomy, cancer cells remained. But the cancer—at least so far—has not been among my biggest health concerns.

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I spend lots of computer time reading about new studies concerning health, seniors, and medicine. I occasionally get excited about something, but I have to remember: those studies are usually flawed... in many ways.

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I sit way too much, especially in my home office looking at the computer screen. A new study shows it's not just enough to get exercise to maintain good health. We need to SIT LESS!

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Certain supplements—especially coconut oil and curcumin—generate lots of interest when it comes to the topic of Alzheimer's prevention. Leading neurologist and Alzheimer's expert Dr. Rudy Tanzi weighs in.

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