The American Geriatrics Society and Aquifer launch an innovative online curriculum to train healthcare providers in geriatrics. The curriculum provides evidence-based content and flexible learning options, aiming to address the shortage of geriatricians and improve patient care.
A recent study found that older adults with blood cancers who struggled with daily activities had a higher risk of death, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits. Researchers suggest screening for age-related conditions to improve function and tolerance for cancer treatment.
A recent study found that caregivers of older patients with advanced cancer are a vulnerable group, experiencing poorer physical and mental health. Strategies such as talking to healthcare providers about stress related to caregiving can help improve caregiver well-being.
Researchers found that acetaminophen use was associated with a slightly higher risk of stroke in people with diabetes. In contrast, the medication did not increase the risk of heart attacks or overall deaths. The study suggests that older adults with diabetes should exercise caution when taking acetaminophen.
Dr. Lauren Ferrante's research identifies promising markers of poor functional recovery in ICU survivors, which could help target older adults for interventions to improve function after ICU care. Her work aims to aid recovery, prevent disability, and reduce deaths following serious hospitalization.
Dr. Amy Kind will deliver a marquee presentation at #AGS19 on the social determinants of health, reorienting research, policy, and clinical practice to broader systemic factors. Her work focuses on improving health equity and has led to the development of the 'Neighborhood Atlas,' a neighborhood map assessing socioeconomic factors.
Research highlights chronic opioid use among older adults undergoing spinal surgery for degenerative spine disease, and intensified hypertension treatment at hospital discharge poses a risk without benefits. A practical two-stage frailty assessment also predicts poor outcomes after aortic valve replacement.
Dr. Laura Mosqueda will discuss state-of-the-art approaches to elder abuse identification, treatment, and prevention at the AGS Annual Scientific Meeting. Her talk highlights geriatrics' role in addressing mistreatment of older adults and promoting strong social supports.
Researchers found that using a CPAP machine consistently improved cognitive function for people with MCI, while inconsistent use accelerated decline. The study suggests that consistent CPAP adherence may be an effective strategy to slow memory loss in older adults.
Chronic periodontitis may increase the risk of developing dementia by 6%, according to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. The research suggests that preventing and treating periodontitis could lead to a reduced risk of dementia.
The American Geriatrics Society has identified five key principles to support the best care for older adults with multiple chronic conditions, including involving personal preferences and weighing benefits versus harms. The society also released a set of action steps to help healthcare providers make informed treatment choices.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has introduced a new policy that eliminates arbitrary age limits in research, promoting inclusivity across the lifespan. This change aims to improve care for older adults by reducing exclusions and enhancing data analysis.
A recent NIH-funded conference aimed to better understand the biological 'pillars of aging', which are interconnected factors driving the aging process. The study focuses on disrupting these hallmarks to contribute to chronic disease and frailty, with potential applications in improving function and independence for older adults.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that depression symptoms are linked to an increased risk of death in older adults. The research suggests that heart disease and stroke may play a role in this connection, but preventing heart disease is not enough to prevent or delay death.
Researchers found that high triglyceride levels were linked to lower risk of cognitive decline, frailty, and death in older adults. Current guidelines for lowering cholesterol may not be beneficial for this age group.
The AGS Beers Criteria update includes 30 individual medications or medication classes to avoid for most older people and 40 medications or medication classes to use with caution. The new list aims to guide health professionals and caregivers away from potentially harmful treatments while helping assess quality of care
Research found that 75% of older adults had at least one symptom, with nearly half having two or more. Symptoms increased with age, education level, and chronic conditions, leading to weaker grip strength, slower walking, and increased falls and hospitalizations risk.
The ELIA program, a leadership development initiative for geriatrics healthcare professionals, has seen significant successes including increased professional confidence and publication of research. The program's use of long-distance mentoring and project-based learning is key to its success.
Cognitive impairment significantly affects self-care and mobility scores in skilled nursing facility residents. Residents with severe cognitive impairments show less improvement, highlighting the need for additional support and intense rehabilitation.
A study found that older adults with heart failure who take five or more medications are at higher risk for cognitive impairment and difficulty performing daily activities. The researchers suggest that healthcare providers should consider these limitations when prescribing medications, as they may unnecessarily expose patients to incre...
Falls are a major cause of illness and death among older adults with impaired vision, affecting 50% who limit activity due to fear, and 1 in 4 experiencing recurrent falls. Researchers found that taking steps to prevent falls can help slow declines in well-being and independence.
Researchers found that postmenopausal Hispanic/Latina women had the highest risk of falls related to sarcopenic obesity. Postmenopausal women younger than 65 were also at a higher risk for falls connected to sarcopenic obesity, highlighting the need for targeted solutions to address this growing health concern.
A recent study found that eating more protein can slow the loss of muscle mass and preserve daily activity abilities in older adults. The researchers examined data from the Newcastle 85+ Study and discovered that participants who ate more protein were less likely to become disabled over five years.
The American Geriatrics Society defines 'healthy aging' as a broader, person-centered concept that prioritizes physical, mental, and social needs. The new definition emphasizes a lifespan approach to care, age-friendly concepts, and community engagement to promote health, safety, and independence in older adults.
Exercise has been shown to decrease fall risk among older adults with Alzheimer's disease and neuropsychiatric symptoms. The study found that those who exercised had a lower risk of falls compared to non-exercising individuals, while also highlighting the increased risk for falls in those with depression and anxiety.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that maintaining grip strength and protecting mental ability can prevent or delay disability. The research suggests that older adults who engage in physical and mental training may slow down their physical decline and reduce the risk of future problems.
A recent study found that liver transplant survival rates have improved significantly among older adults, with a notable increase in recipients aged 65-69 and those aged 80 or over. The one-year acute rejection rate decreased by 30%, and the risk of death was 57% lower compared to earlier years.
A study found that physical activity reduced deaths from cardiovascular disease in frail older adults, suggesting it may partly reduce the increased risk associated with frailty. The study also showed that being pre-frail or frail was linked to a higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease.
A recent study found that open heart surgery can cause some cognitive decline in the first month after surgery, but cognitive health largely returns to normal within six months. Aortic valve surgery may be associated with more early cognitive problems than mitral valve surgery due to the older age of patients.
Researchers used goal attainment scaling to help people with dementia and their caregivers set personalized health goals. The study found that 84% of goals were non-medical, focusing on improving the person's quality of life and reducing caregiver stress.
The American Geriatrics Society strongly opposes a proposed change to Medicare payment rates for Evaluation and Management services, which could negatively impact patient care for people with complex needs. The AGS urges CMS to withdraw the proposals and work with stakeholders on more effective solutions.
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) has successfully secured recognition and reimbursement for several key geriatrics services, including Transitional Care Management and comprehensive assessment and care planning for cognitive impairments. The society's efforts involved working with groups like the CPT Editorial Panel and the RUC to...
Two new studies and a commentary describe ways to make person-centered care more actionable for older people, putting personal values at the forefront of decision-making. Researchers developed Patient Priorities Care, a novel process to identify health goals and care preferences in just two sessions.
Experts at the American Geriatrics Society unveiled a list of recommendations to prioritize mobility care as people age. The new white paper focuses on assessing mobility for hospitalized older adults and offers ways to promote high-quality, person-centered care by proactively addressing mobility loss.
Experts discuss the connection between impaired vision, hearing, and cognition, highlighting the need to understand their inter-related processes and develop new tools to measure sensory and cognitive impairments. The report outlines important priorities for future scholarship and clinical practice to address these health concerns.
Researchers analyzed data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project to study the relationship between sexual behavior, function, and cognition. The study found that nearly half of men with dementia were sexually active, as well as 18% of women.
A new study estimated the costs of informal care provided by daughters to their mothers, finding that these costs are similar to those associated with full-time institutional care. The study also highlighted the impact of memory-related diseases on caregiving costs and experience.
The American Geriatrics Society unveiled a suite of online tools to aid surgeons in caring for older adults, with nine interactive clinical scenarios exploring unique challenges and opportunities in surgical care. The tools aim to improve care for the growing population of older adults undergoing surgery.
A study of older adults with multiple chronic health conditions and their caregivers revealed key findings about supportive and conflicted caregiver-care recipient relationships. Supportive behaviors included agreement on caregiving levels, mutual understanding, and collaborative decision-making. Conflicts arose from disagreements over...
Research found that even moderate weight loss (20+ pounds) over 20 years increases risk of death by 74%, while greater weight variability is associated with poor physical function. Long-term weight loss may be a marker for increased health decline in older women.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that short-term decline in physical function was common among older adults treated with chemotherapy for breast cancer. However, about half of patients were resilient and able to recover their ability to function within 12 months.
A new study found that physical therapy services in the emergency department after a fall can significantly lower repeat visits to the ED for falls. The researchers linked PT services to a reduced risk of future falls, suggesting that EDs could play a crucial role in reducing fall-related ED revisits.
A recent study found that antipsychotic medications are not proven to be effective for treating delirium in older adults after heart surgery, and may even cause heart rhythm problems and other dangerous side effects. The study suggests that the use of these medications is excessive and warrants more appropriate prescribing practices.
A study found that handgrip strength is linked to lung capacity in older Korean women. Testing handgrip strength could be a good way to identify potential impaired lung health.
Researchers linked cognitive function levels to crash risk in older drivers without dementia, finding lower cognitive function increases the risk of motor vehicle crashes. Depression also increased the risk for these drivers.
A new study found that caregivers can use six proven tools to detect delirium on their own, taking just several minutes or less to complete. This enables caregivers to identify symptoms more easily than healthcare professionals and notify them sooner, potentially leading to earlier diagnoses and improved outcomes.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that older adults in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) with higher quality ratings had significantly lower risks for placement in long-term care facilities. The researchers used data from over 500,000 people aged 65 and older to examine the role of SNF quality in...
The anthology explores dementia-associated apathy research, neural system effects on late-life depression, and adopting new models of care. It also proposes solutions to accelerate change in science, practice, training, and public policy.
Dr. Tony Rosen, an emergency physician, was awarded the Jeffrey H. Silverstein Memorial Award for his research on programs to address elder abuse. Most programs focus on raising awareness and public education, but only a few use high-quality study designs.
The American Geriatrics Society recognized over 20 outstanding leaders in person-centered care for older adults, including researchers, clinicians, and educators. The award recipients were honored for their groundbreaking contributions to improving the health and quality of life for older people.