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3 ways to bond with the older people in your life
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This week's White House Conference on Aging reminds everyone of the importance of spending time with the elderly. - photo by Kelsey Dallas
Politicians, health policy leaders and advocates for the elderly gathered in Washington, D.C., on Monday for the White House Conference on Aging.

Planned to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Medicare, Medicaid and the Older Americans Act, the event focused on how to best provide social, medical and financial support to older Americans, with sessions on healthy aging, long-term care services, elder justice and retirement security.

According to the Population Reference Bureau, 40 million people in the U.S. are currently 65 or older. That number is expected to rise to 89 million by 2050, a situation that presents unique challenges to health care providers, policymakers and families.

"We need to make sure our communities are preparing for an aging society in positive ways and viewing our changing demographics as an opportunity rather than a burden," wrote Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser and assistant to the president for intergovernmental affairs and public engagement, for The White House Blog.

The conference focused on supporting older Americans through government policies, and it also highlighted the importance of keeping the elderly engaged with society, whether through outings with friends, family members or community groups.

Here are three ways to spend more time with the older people in your life:

1. See a movie

Although the elderly might not be up for the latest Terminator or Magic Mike installment, other films hold special significance for older viewers. For example, Inside Out explores the complexity of emotions, leading people to reflect on the poignant moments that make up a full life, as The Washington Post noted.

2. Ask them about their life

One of the easiest ways to build a stronger connection with the elderly is to listen to stories about their life. People who are 65 years or older today were alive to witness the Civil Rights Movement, the invention of the Internet and even Beatlemania they have plenty of stories to tell.

Conference on Aging organizers have encouraged people to interview older adults about their experiences using the StoryCorps app. Each conversation submitted through the app is archived in the Library of Congress, and files can also be shared on social media with the conferences hashtag, #WHCOA.

3. Show them your newest gadget

At a time when Apple's latest product grabs as many headlines as a presidential speech, being uncomfortable with technology can be isolating. It can even be dangerous, because more and more health information has been moved online, creating a "digital divide in health care," as the University of Michigan Health System reported last year.

Younger people can equip the elderly with the tools they need to succeed in a digital age, and then keep in touch with them via email, Facebook and even Skype.
Its toxic: New study says blue light from tech devices can speed up blindness
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A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers. - photo by Herb Scribner
It turns out checking Twitter or Facebook before bed is bad for your health.

A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers.

That process can lead to age-related macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, according to the researchs extract.

Blue light is a common issue for many modern Americans. Blue light is emitted from screens, most notably at night, causing sleep loss, eye strain and a number of other issues.

Dr. Ajith Karunarathne, assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, said our constant exposure to blue light cant be blocked by the lens or cornea.

"It's no secret that blue light harms our vision by damaging the eye's retina. Our experiments explain how this happens, and we hope this leads to therapies that slow macular degeneration, such as a new kind of eye drop, he said.

Macular degeneration is an incurable eye disease that often affects those in their 50s or 60s. It occurs after the death of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Those cells need retinal to sense light and help signal the brain.

The research team found blue light exposure created poisonous chemical molecules that killed photoreceptor cells

"It's toxic. If you shine blue light on retinal, the retinal kills photoreceptor cells as the signaling molecule on the membrane dissolves," said Kasun Ratnayake, a Ph.D. student researcher working in Karunarathne's cellular photo chemistry group. "Photoreceptor cells do not regenerate in the eye. When they're dead, they're dead for good."

However, the researchers found a molecule called alpha-tocopherol, which comes from Vitamin E, can help prevent cell death, according to Futurism.

The researchers plan to review how light from TVs, cellphones and tablet screens affect the eyes as well.

"If you look at the amount of light coming out of your cellphone, it's not great but it seems tolerable," said Dr. John Payton, visiting assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. "Some cellphone companies are adding blue-light filters to the screens, and I think that is a good idea."

Indeed, Apple released a Night Shift mode two years ago to help quell blue lights strain on the eyes, according to The Verge. The screen will dim into a warmer, orange light that will cause less stress on the eyes.