(StatePoint) October is National Learning and Development Month, a time set aside for broadening one’s personal and professional skills. Here are four cool ideas for marking the occasion:

(StatePoint) As America’s opioid epidemic continues to impact communities large and small, new trends are raising new challenges for doctors and policymakers.

(StatePoint) It’s time to celebrate colorful falling leaves and cooling weather with fun seasonal activities. The good news? You don’t have to travel far from home to get your fall fix.

(StatePoint) When walking up the stairs and playing golf started to become difficult even on a good day, retired Navy Captain Allen Brady attributed the change to aging. Having spent six years as a prisoner of war, Brady was no stranger to living with a challenge. But, when he couldn’t finish a round of golf without feeling fatigued and short of breath, he and his wife knew something was wrong and decided to visit a cardiologist. Brady was diagnosed with a severe form of aortic stenosis, the most common valvular heart disease affecting an estimated 1.5 million Americans.

(StatePoint) Imbalances in mood, learning, memory and motivation could be a result of PKU, which is short for phenylketonuria. Also known as PAH deficiency, this is a rare genetic condition that disrupts neurotransmitters in the brain and requires a special diet.

(StatePoint) While most people care about their vision, fewer people take steps to protect their eye health. Open enrollment season, running through December, is the time to weigh your vision insurance options for the following year’s coverage.

(StatePoint) If you have Medicare and are looking for ways to save on the ever-increasing cost of medications next year, consider adding a prescription plan known as “Part D.” By making medications more affordable, Part D plans can help you stay on track to achieve your 2020 health goals.

(StatePoint) Approximately 30 million people in the U.S. have some form of liver disease, which occurs in people for many different reasons. Some common types and causes of liver disease include hepatitis, caused by viruses A, B, and C, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is caused by too much fat in the liver cells, and alcohol-related liver disease, caused by consuming too much alcohol. Having liver disease over a long period of time can result in cirrhosis, an advanced chronic liver disease, which then puts a patient at risk for hepatic encephalopathy (HE) – a serious complication of advanced liver disease.

(StatePoint) Consumers face major financial decisions at every stage of life. But experts say a basic understanding of financial concepts can help you make better decisions related to money management and reduce your stress at the same time.

(StatePoint) Choosing the right doctor is one of the most important decisions people can make for their health. If you are unsure who to turn to for your general care, experts point out that internal medicine specialists, or internists, specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a broad spectrum of illnesses that affect adults throughout their lives, making them the right choice for many adults.

(StatePoint) Sleep is essential to good health. Unfortunately, over a third of Americans are not getting enough sleep, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Over time, sleep deprivation can take a toll on one’s overall wellness.

(StatePoint) Recognizing and taking steps to address the warning signs of Alzheimer’s and other dementias can be extremely challenging -- especially in the early stages. It’s easy and common to dismiss cognitive changes in oneself or a family member as “normal aging.”

(StatePoint) Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are increasingly popular, offering robust benefits including vision, health, dental, drug coverage and more. For the more than 22 million people with an MA plan, the Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP), running from Oct. 15-Dec. 7, is the only time each year when they can shop for alternate plans.

(StatePoint) There’s no doubt about it -- what you do each day for work can make a huge impact on your overall well-being. According to a Society for Human Resource Management survey, key job satisfaction aspects include job security, respect, trust and a positive and healthy environment. If you don’t have these things in your workplace, you may be considering making a career shift.

(StatePoint) Native Americans serve in the U.S. military at a higher rate per capita than any other population group and have done so since the American Revolution. Yet there is no monument or memorial in the Nation’s capital that commemorates the contributions of American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. This is finally changing, as the first memorial to their service is being built.

(StatePoint) There are more than 300,000 professional financial advisors in the U.S. It’s fair to say that a majority are dedicated to helping their clients achieve their financial goals. However, some unethical individuals seek to take advantage of clients’ trust and lack of financial knowledge to benefit themselves.

(StatePoint) For many people, getting married and buying a house is still part of the American Dream. That’s reflected in the numbers. The homeownership rate among married couples in the U.S. is 80 percent, according to recent data reported by Statista. But what if something were to happen to you or your spouse? Would the person left behind still be able to afford the mortgage?

(StatePoint) When thinking about road trips, you might envision college kids heading on adventures, but older adults take road trips, too, according to a recent survey by Cigna.

(StatePoint) While you can’t choose your family, you can choose how close you live to them. A new survey suggests some healthy boundaries between parents and in-laws make for a happier family relationship -- something to keep in mind when shopping for a home.  

(StatePoint) Enrollment in Medicare Part D is on the rise. Having increased 12 percent since 2017, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the popularity of this prescription drug benefit may be due to the decline in the cost of basic premiums, projected to drop for the third year in a row.

(StatePoint) Play is important for everyone, no matter their age --- and when grandparents, parents and children play together, that’s where the real benefits of unstructured fun are discovered.

(StatePoint) As housing prices soar nationwide, a growing number of Americans are unable to find affordable housing. Experts say that the problem has reached a crisis point, and is harming the welfare not only of individuals and families, but of communities and the economy at-large.  

(StatePoint) If you ever experience eyestrain, tired itchy eyes, blurry vision or headaches, it may be time to give your home a lighting makeover.

(StatePoint) Any time of year makes a fine time to learn a new skill, take up an old hobby or set a goal. Here are five cool ideas to try:

(StatePoint) Firing up the grill is a year-round pastime for many, especially in fall, when tailgating takes over stadium parking lots nationwide.

(StatePoint) Songbirds are not only beautiful, they are a vital component of the ecosystems they inhabit. If you have a garden, you may have observed this in action.

(StatePoint) From cleaners and sprays to air fresheners and more, essential oils are making their way into the mainstream as commonplace, common sense household solutions. 

(StatePoint) Every day, roughly 10,000 baby boomers nationwide turn 65, according to the Pew Research Center, which means that a growing number of Americans are dealing with the many challenges associated with aging parents or relatives. Among them is determining when parents may need assistance they aren’t currently receiving.

(StatePoint) As misinformation continues to spread about vaccines, medical experts are reminding parents and the general public that vaccinations save lives.

(StatePoint) The world of wine can sometimes feel intimidating to the uninitiated, but a bit of knowledge about wine from experts can help anyone navigate everyday situations.

(StatePoint) Is your data secure? Whether you’re a typical consumer gearing up with smart home technology or a business owner with dozens of clients, understanding the latest trends in cybercrime can help you protect what matters.

(StatePoint) Losing weight is often an idea rather than an undertaking, suggests a recent Gallup Poll, which found that while 51 percent of adults want to shed pounds off their frame, only 25 percent say they are seriously working toward that goal.

(StatePoint) While a pest problem can cause embarrassment and concern, you can take comfort in the fact that not only is the problem is more common than you may think, but there are new ways of dealing with insects that can help you manage the problem without using harsh chemicals.

(StatePoint) We’ve all heard those time-tested ways to save money -- dine out less, sign up for rewards programs or switch off the lights when you leave the room. But in today’s digital world, there are some great ways to save that you may not have thought about.

(StatePoint) While we all get bored from time to time, it’s important to know that chronic boredom may be bad for health, as experts have found it can be associated with depression, anxiety and even bad habits like smoking and overeating.

 (StatePoint) For many Americans, the Cold War is a distant memory or something read about in history books. But for thousands of workers who supported the war effort as an integral part of the nation’s nuclear defense system, it continues to be a bitter reality, as many are battling serious radiation-induced health problems from working in or near nuclear plants or uranium mines. According to experts, newly implemented reductions in benefits are making it harder for workers to get treatment for related conditions.

(StatePoint) Whether celebrating a birthday, retirement, or other gift-giving occasion, for a surefire win, turn to gifts that one can sip -- those are the best kinds of gifts, after all, giving recipients a chance to kick their feet up and relax with a delicious beverage after a hard day -- something everyone deserves.

(StatePoint) In his distinguished career, actor Ted Danson has played many iconic roles, including a cantankerous but caring doctor. In real life, the 70-year-old says good relationships with health care providers are critical for healthy aging.

(StatePoint) When you think about exercise, you likely envision using the treadmill or lifting weights. But every bit as important to your long-term health and wellness are activities that keep your mind sharp and your cognitive abilities strong and limber.

(StatePoint) Visits to the doctor can be very productive with a little preparatory work in advance of the appointment, say experts.

(StatePoint) New research suggests that Americans may be picking up paint brushes over remote controls.

(StatePoint) While we all know that minimalism is “in” right now, thanks to Japanese cleaning guru Marie Kondo and her “Tidying Up” show on Netflix, decluttering your whole house can feel daunting.

(StatePoint) Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, it always helps to have a little guidance and inspiration.

(StatePoint) Approximately 2.5 million people in the U.S. are living with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and as many as 75 percent of people with the disease don’t know they’re infected. Untreated, HCV can lead to liver damage, cirrhosis and liver cancer. While these numbers may sound startling, there’s good news, too.

(StatePoint) Are you an older adult looking for some inspiration to stay physically active? This year, the 2019 National Senior Games presented by Humana gathered a record number of more than 13,700 athletes aged 50 and over to compete in 20 medal sports in Albuquerque, N.M.

(StatePoint) Whether you’re applying for a new credit card, refinancing a loan or buying a house, lenders consider many factors when making their decision. One of those many factors is your credit score, which helps paint a picture of your credit usage and behaviors over time.

(StatePoint) If you’ve been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) you know that it can impact many different areas of your life. What you may not know is that early and consistent management of the disease can greatly improve outcomes and overall quality of life.

(StatePoint) When visiting one of the stunningly diverse 419 national park sites nationwide, experts say it is important to recognize the individuals who have spoken up over the decades to protect and enhance these incredible places, as well as the work that is still needed.

(StatePoint) More than 26 million Americans are living with asthma, including 6.2 million children. While there is no cure, asthma can be managed and treated so that those with the condition can live normal, healthy lives -- indoors as well as outdoors.

(StatePoint) Chances are high that you know someone with COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It’s the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S., and more than 16 million Americans have been diagnosed with it. But according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), millions more people have COPD and don’t realize it. Could you or someone you know be among them?