Savvy Senior: November 21, 2019

Dear Savvy Senior,

How do I go about making a family health history? Most of my relatives have died before age 65, so my doctor recently suggested I create a family history to help identify my own genetic vulnerabilities.

Approaching 50

Dear Approaching,

This is a very good idea. An accurate family health history remains one of the most important tools in keeping yourself healthy as you age, and the holidays when family members come together is a great time to do it. Here’s what you should know, along with some tips and tools to help you create one.

Know Your Genes

Just as you can inherit your...