If you’re a senior and you received a $90 Social Security check, you may be wondering why you got it—and why millions of other seniors didn’t. The payment is real, but it isn’t part of everyone’s regular Social Security benefit. Here’s what the $90 check is all about, who qualifies, and why roughly 40 million seniors were left out.

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One in Nine Older Adults 

Who Use Cannabis Meet Criteria

 for Cannabis Use Disorder

Cannabis use is becoming more common among older adults, but that doesn’t mean it’s risk-free. A new study finds that about one in nine older adults who use cannabis meet the criteria for cannabis use disorder—a warning that some seniors may be using it more often or in ways that can become difficult to control.

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Five snack trends 

shaping value,

 wellness and flavor

Snacking is changing, and older adults are part of that change. Today’s snacks are no longer just about satisfying hunger between meals. People are looking for better value, healthier choices and plenty of flavor. Here’s a look at the snack trends shaping what we’ll be reaching for next.

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Dating a Widower: 

How to Know If He’s Ready

 (or You Are)

Dating a widower can be complicated. He may be ready for a new relationship, or he may still be working through the loss of his wife. And the same may be true for you if you’ve experienced loss yourself. Before you get serious, it’s important to know whether both of you are truly ready to move forward.

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       - It was created by Alfred Nobel.

Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor of dynamite, established the Nobel Prizes in his 1895 will. He left most of his fortune to fund the awards.

       

       - The first Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901.

The original categories were Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace.

       

       - There is no original Nobel Prize in Economics.

The economics award was created by Sweden’s central bank in 1968 and is officially called the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.

       

       - The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Norway.

Unlike the other Nobel Prizes, which are presented in Sweden, the Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo, Norway.

       

       - Some people have won the prize more than once.

A small number of individuals and organizations have received multiple Nobel Prizes. Marie Curie was the first person to win twice—Physics in 1903 and Chemistry in 1911.

Can You Stop Taking Statins After Age 75?

 Study Offers Some Reassurance

If you’re over 75 and taking a statin, you may have wondered whether you still need it. A new study offers some reassurance for older adults considering whether to continue—or stop—these cholesterol-lowering drugs. The decision isn’t always simple, but age alone may not be a reason to stay on a statin forever.

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Your body ages more rapidly 

 certain decades of your life

Aging doesn’t happen at the same speed throughout your life. Your body goes through periods when changes can happen faster, and some decades may bring more noticeable shifts in your health, strength, metabolism and appearance. Knowing when these changes are most likely to occur can help you understand—and better prepare for—the aging process.

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Why Do Some People Need 

Less Sleep Than Others?

As you get older, you may notice that your sleep needs change. You might wake up earlier, sleep fewer hours, or feel rested with less sleep than you needed years ago. But is needing less sleep a normal part of aging—or a sign that something has changed? The answer depends on several factors, including age, health, lifestyle and individual biology.

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Can an App 

Help You De-Stress?

Stress doesn’t disappear when you get older. In fact, retirement, health concerns, family responsibilities and everyday worries can give seniors plenty to stress about. Now, there’s an app for almost everything—including stress. But can your phone really help you relax, sleep better and feel calmer?

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- Leaves don’t actually turn “orange” overnight.

 As green chlorophyll breaks down, other pigments that were already in the leaf become visible, producing yellow, orange and red colors.

- Cold nights can make leaves redder.

 Bright, sunny days followed by cool nights can encourage trees to produce more red pigments called anthocyanins.

- Yellow is often hiding in plain sight.

 Many leaves contain yellow pigments called carotenoids all summer. They’re simply masked by the much stronger green of chlorophyll.

- Not every tree changes color at the same time.

 Different species—and even trees of the same species—can change at different rates depending on temperature, sunlight, moisture and location.

- Fallen leaves are nature’s fertilizer.

 As leaves decompose, they return nutrients and organic matter to the soil, helping feed the tree and other plants the following year.