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Whether it's a rare bout of insomnia, or a chronic pattern of sleeplessness, getting the zzzz's you need can be tougher as you age. Chronic pain, the effects of certain medications, and anxiety, can all affect how soundly you sleep, or the duration of your sleep.

Regardless of the cause, fractured sleep can often be improved through progressive relaxation techniques.  Counting sheep might work, possibly because it's just boring enough to help you doze off.  As someone with a busy mind that sometimes just won't shut off, I've discovered something that really does help, though it sounds a bit eccentric.

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If you're like me, winter is a time of barely-recognizable hands.  Granted, I live in Calgary, home of 20% relative humidity and this week, -40 degree temperatures with the windchill (whether you use Fahrenheit or Celsius scales, it's the same number).  But even if you are in a more moderate climate, forced-air heating and cold weather can wreak havoc on aging nails and hands, not to mention hair.   Not surprisingly, pharmaceutical companies sometimes do research in these extreme climates to find out what works.

I've interviewed dermatologists who say this is a common complaint among patients.  Apparently, petroleum jelly is a popular remedy for skin cracks on hands, as is Krazy Glue!

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A new study suggests that watching virtual reality tours on-screen while riding your stationary bike, will ward off more than boredom - it could help you avoid dementia.

Published in the February issue of the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, the research examined whether exercising on a 'cybercycle' would offer greater protection against cognitive decline when compared with exercise alone.

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An aging Margaret Thatcher is revealed in theaters this week, with the release of the new film "Iron Lady".  Meryl Streep portrays the now-86 year old former British prime minister - from her years as the first female leader of England (1979-1990), to today, as she struggles with dementia and frailty.

In a radio interview with the BBC, the current Conservative prime minister, David Cameron, applauds Streep's "staggering piece of acting," but questions the timing of the film's release.

"It's a fantastic piece of acting by Meryl Streep," Cameron said in the interview. "But you can't help wondering why do we have to have this film right now?  It is a film much more about aging and elements of dementia rather than about an amazing prime minister."

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