Eye dryness often increases as we age

Dear Doctors: I am 72 years old and have started to have problems with dry eyes. It’s not all the time, but at some point each day, my eyes will suddenly get very dry. It’s even hard to blink. What causes that? Those lubricating drops help, but only for a little while.

Protect yourself and others by staying home

Dear Doctors: My sister and I are roommates, and we are both back to in-person work. We keep getting sick because co-workers with the flu won’t stay home and aren’t careful. I doubt we are the only ones wishing for a code of good behavior for when you’re sick. Can you talk about that?

Daughter hopes to help mom declutter home

DEAR HARRIETTE: Ever since I was a child, my mom never liked to throw anything away, whether it was old clothes, expired food, broken appliances or even random junk mail. At the time, I thought it was just her being quirky or frugal, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized it’s much more than that.

Bone test helpful in diagnosing osteoporosis

Dear Doctors: I just turned 65, and my doctor wants me to have a bone density test. What is it, and how does it work?Dear Reader: A bone mineral density test, or BMD, measures the strength of one’s bones.

Expat returning home faces overwhelm

DEAR HARRIETTE: Returning to New York City after five years abroad is both exciting and overwhelming.The thought of the logistics – flights, packing and navigating the city – makes me anxious, and it’s taking away from the joy of planning my trip.

DO JUST ONE THING

• For many of us, the idea of leftover wine seems like an oxymoron, but if you do have a little extra vino from a party, you can use it to help your plants. The nitrogen content in wine is beneficial for plants, gardens and compost bins.

Reluctant chef struggles to find recipes

DEAR HARRIETTE: When I was single, I never learned how to cook; my mom always took care of that for us. However, after getting married, I’ve been wanting to learn how to cook more than just fried foods and to try more varied meals.