On Robotics Progress, our sister siteRobots for aging at homeCompanions, lifting and walking aids, and medication helpers: how far each has got, and what to ask before buying for a parent. ↗
Keeping muscle mass and strength.
4Strength trainingWidely recommended · Free or low cost, at home or a gymStrength training, also called resistance training, is exercise that makes muscles contract, often to lift a heavy object against gravity.4ExerciseWidely recommended · Free, for almost everyoneExercise is anything that gets your body moving.3Protein supplementsLarge studies in people · Over-the-counter supplementProtein is one of the more common ingredients in supplements sold to improve exercise and athletic performance.3Vitamin DLarge studies in people · Over-the-counter supplementVitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin found in a few foods, added to others, sold as a supplement, and made by skin in sunlight.3Testosterone therapyLarge studies in people · PrescriptionTestosterone therapy uses man-made testosterone to treat low testosterone, and it can be given as a pill, gel, patch, injection, or implant.2Smart scalesSmall studies in people · Over the counterBioelectrical impedance is one way to measure muscle mass in studies of muscle loss.3 more · See all 9 for muscle →
Bones and joints
See everything for bones and joints →Bone density, osteoporosis and joints.
3Menopause hormone therapyLarge studies in people · PrescriptionMenopause hormone therapy means taking estrogen, with or without progesterone or a similar hormone, to replace hormones the body no longer makes.3Vitamin DLarge studies in people · Over-the-counter supplementVitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin found in a few foods, added to others, sold as a supplement, and made by skin in sunlight.3CalciumLarge studies in people · Over-the-counter supplementCalcium is a mineral your body needs to build and maintain strong bones and to carry out many important functions.3Testosterone therapyLarge studies in people · PrescriptionTestosterone therapy uses man-made testosterone to treat low testosterone, and it can be given as a pill, gel, patch, injection, or implant.2Stem cell therapySmall studies in people · Clinics, often abroad; clinical trialsStem cells are cells that can develop into many different types of cells in the body and serve as a repair system.2CreatineSmall studies in people · Over-the-counter supplementCreatine is a compound stored in your muscles that supplies them with energy.
Balance and mobility
See everything for balance and mobility →Walking, balance, falls and frailty.
4Balance training and preventing fallsWidely recommended · Free or low cost; classes and physical therapyTai chi is described as a gentle exercise with slow and graceful movements.4Strength trainingWidely recommended · Free or low cost, at home or a gymStrength training, also called resistance training, is exercise that makes muscles contract, often to lift a heavy object against gravity.4ExerciseWidely recommended · Free, for almost everyoneExercise is anything that gets your body moving.4Too much sittingWidely recommended · FreeToo much sitting means long periods of low-energy time spent sitting, reclining or lying while awake.3Staying socially connectedLarge studies in people · FreeLoneliness is the distressing feeling of being alone or separated.3Vitamin DLarge studies in people · Over-the-counter supplementVitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin found in a few foods, added to others, sold as a supplement, and made by skin in sunlight.3 more · See all 9 for balance and mobility →
Recent research
Matching training loads to strength or speed profile in older adults
Older adults trained at loads matched to their speed gap or at loads not matched.
Short exercise breaks for older nursing home residents with muscle loss
This is a plan for a trial, and it has not reported results yet.
Hearing, loneliness, and memory linked in older Europeans but not clearly causal
Poorer hearing went with more loneliness and weaker word recall.
Nursing home residents and nursing students may meet in a planned pairing program
This trial will test a six-week program where nursing home residents and nursing students meet weekly.
Also see: Age reversal, what the research really shows →
Books on this
This is general information gathered from the sources listed, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before starting anything new.