An initiative promoting hospital mobility in the US yielded encouraging results, with 76% of participating sites implementing successful programs. Implementing mobility programs reduced bed or chair alarm use by 1.8-fold and increased daily walks for patients by 2-fold.
Researchers analyzed data from the Framingham Osteoporosis Study to explain the decline in hip fracture rates in the US. Lifestyle factors such as reduced smoking and excessive alcohol consumption contributed to the decrease, highlighting the importance of public health interventions.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine shows that genetic pre-screening can reduce the number of screening tests needed to identify individuals at risk for osteoporotic fractures by up to 41 percent. This could lead to cost savings and more efficient screening programs.
A study aimed to develop and validate tools for assessing delirium severity in older patients, which could lead to improved prevention and treatment. Researchers identified a set of items capturing the severity of delirium and developed a new instrument for quick and easy administration.
Researchers seek to improve symptom control and patient comfort in ICU patients transitioning to palliative care. Administration of opiates before ventilation withdrawal may help alleviate distress, according to a recent study published in the journal Chest.
A recent study reports a slight rise in hip fracture rates among long-stay residents in US nursing homes, with 36% of those who experience fractures dying within six months. The study suggests that underutilization of osteoporosis medications may be a contributing factor to the high rates.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that adapting the Hospital Elder Life Program for non-volunteers and family members can effectively prevent post-operative delirium. The tailored intervention reduced delirium occurrence by 19.4% compared to usual care, with greater functional and cognitive recovery afterwards.
A multistakeholder coalition has issued clinical recommendations to prevent secondary fractures in older adults with osteoporosis. The guidelines recommend increased communication with patients regarding fracture risk and mortality outcomes, as well as fracture risk reduction strategies.
A new study explores the treatment of aortic stenosis in older patients, revealing that frailty is a strong predictor of functional decline after surgery. The research highlights the need for patient-centered decision-making to balance quality of life with longevity.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine reveals six high-quality instruments to measure delirium severity, enabling accurate assessment and improving clinical care. The findings have the potential to stratify risk, target treatment, and monitor outcomes for persons with delirium.
A new imaging method, HR-pQCT, predicts fracture risk by analyzing bone microstructure. This method provides additional information beyond traditional BMD assessments, identifying deficits in trabecular and cortical bone density and structure as independent risk factors.
A large international collaboration identified 15 genetic variations linked to bone fracture risk, contradicting previous assumptions about clinical risk factors. The study highlights the importance of increasing bone strength in preventing fractures, rather than relying solely on calcium and vitamin D supplementation.
Researchers found that proxies who viewed a 12-minute advanced care planning video were more likely to have residents with advance directives indicating tube-feeding should be withheld. When proxies preferred comfort care, advance directives aligned with that preference.
Researchers found weight loss over 40 years linked to significant bone deterioration, increasing fracture risk by almost three-fold. Weight-bearing exercise and balanced diet may help counteract negative effects on the skeleton.
Researchers found that proxies more accurately predict length of life left and are less likely to agree to burdensome treatments for residents believed to have less than 6 months left. This discovery was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine.
A study published in The Spine Journal found that one-third of people aged 40-59 have image-based evidence of moderate to severe degenerative disc disease. Additionally, the prevalence of spinal osteoarthritis increased significantly with age, particularly among women.
Researchers found that delirium episodes cause distress for both patients and their families, with severity playing a role in emotional pain. The Delirium Burden questionnaire provides a reliable tool to measure this experience, potentially aiding future clinical trials in finding solutions.
Researchers found that nursing home residents with advanced dementia who undergo surgical repair for hip fractures have a lower mortality rate compared to those managed with palliative care. These patients also experience less pain and fewer pressure ulcers.
Researchers found that mid-back muscle decline is associated with increased kyphosis curvature, but not low-back muscle decline. Targeted resistance exercises may help prevent kyphosis progression
Research found that higher dairy consumption is associated with improved volumetric bone mineral density and vertebral strength in men aged 50 and above. The study also showed positive associations between cream intake and bone health in women, although results were less significant compared to men.
Researchers found that calcium deposits in large arteries increased the risk of heart attacks and mortality. The study suggests bone density tests can also screen for cardiovascular disease, making them a valuable tool in screening.
Researchers analyzed blood samples from nearly 10,000 people and found gene variants associated with intrinsic and extrinsic epigenetic age acceleration. Variants in the TERT gene were linked to older epigenetic aging rates and longer telomeres, highlighting its critical role in regulating the epigenetic clock.
A new study published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research found that older adults with type 2 diabetes have deficits in cortical bone microarchitecture, increasing their risk of fractures. This is particularly concerning for hip fractures, which are a significant public health problem.
A new assessment predicts fracture risk for patients in long-term care, identifying key factors such as age, mobility, and cognitive impairment. The tool has the potential to standardize fracture prevention efforts and save lives among nursing home residents.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found no correlation between thoracic kyphosis and physical function decline in those over 50. The study used CT scans to evaluate early signs of hyperkyphosis in a relatively young population, contradicting previous assumptions about its predictive value.
A comprehensive study published in Nature Communications reveals that lean body mass is highly heritable and can be attributed to specific genes. The research may lead to the development of future therapies to prevent the loss of lean mass and associated disabilities such as sarcopenia.
Researchers found that severe foot pain and flat feet were associated with a higher risk of recurrent falls. The study suggests that targeting foot pain may help reduce hospitalizations and loss of independence for older adults.
Researchers warn that hospital policies to restrict patient mobility may worsen health outcomes, citing increased risk of falls and medical adverse events. Promoting mobility with supervised walks and trained staff could help prevent these issues.
Researchers have discovered a way to predict long-term cognitive decline after postoperative delirium by analyzing pre-surgery cognitive function in patients. Those with higher cognitive scores before delirium are less likely to experience cognitive decline afterwards.
Researchers found that dairy foods like milk and yogurt are associated with higher bone mineral density in the spine, reducing bone loss risk. Vitamin D supplementation stimulates calcium absorption, benefiting bone health, particularly among older adults affected by osteoporosis.
Adults with higher intakes of dietary protein see greater benefits in muscle mass and strength, regardless of food source. Greater protein intake improves muscle health and strength in both men and women.
A recent study published in JAMA found that the proportion of advanced dementia patients receiving feeding tubes decreased from 11.7% to 5.7% between 2000 and 2014. The decline was observed across both white and black patient groups, with significant racial disparities initially present.
A study published in Annals of Surgery found that postoperative delirium leads to lesser functional recovery in older adults. The study, which followed participants for 18 months, showed that those who developed delirium experienced more significant decline in physical function after surgery.
A study published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research found that heritability of thoracic spine curvature is significant, with a heritability score of 54%, suggesting genetic control. This discovery may inform prevention efforts for hyperkyphosis, a condition causing breathing, walking, and daily life difficulties.
Researchers from Hebrew SeniorLife Institute for Aging Research found that women with the most severe kyphosis had the greatest declines in lung function. Hyperkyphosis restricts lung expansion and causes difficulty breathing, leading to serious health problems.
Researchers found a significant association between delirium and long-term cognitive decline in older surgical patients. The study, published in Alzheimer's & Dementia, suggests that delirium may serve as a marker for seniors with poor cognitive reserve.
Researchers found that sub-sensory vibratory noise delivered to the foot sole of older adults significantly augmented postural control complexity, leading to improved mobility and reduced TUG times. This study highlights the potential benefits of vibratory stimulation for enhancing physical function in older adults.
Researchers have identified a genetic variant regulating bone mineral density and fracture risk, which could lead to interventions that prevent fractures in older adults. The study found that the engrailed homeobox-1 gene plays a central role in regulating bone density.
A study published in JAMA Surgery found that postoperative delirium significantly increases adverse outcomes in older adults, including prolonged hospital stays and institutional discharge. Delirium alone exerts the highest risk of adverse outcomes at the population level compared to other major surgical complications.
A new article highlights key action areas for healthcare professionals to improve the quality of life of older adults by maintaining brain health. Action areas include formal cognitive assessments, screening for risk factors, and promoting physical exercise and social engagement.
Older adults at risk of delirium following surgery due to preoperative pain and depressive symptoms. The study found a significant interaction between pain and depressive symptoms, increasing delirium risk by two-fold.
A new grant will test a suite of videos to enhance conversations about advance care planning in nursing homes, aiming to reduce hospitalizations among elderly residents with specific conditions. The study aims to establish a methodology for conducting large pragmatic trials in complex healthcare systems.
Researchers found that imprinted genes influence puberty timing, linking it to breast cancer, diabetes, and heart disease risks. The study suggests a possible biological conflict between parents over their child's development, with the genetics involved potentially contributing to age-related conditions.
Researchers developed a new scoring system, CAM-S, to measure delirium severity in older adults, which is associated with hospital mortality rates of up to 33% and estimated annual healthcare costs of over $182 billion. The study found that length of hospital stay increases with delirium severity, as well as mean hospital costs.
A recent study has made significant progress in understanding the role of DNA in predisposing individuals to diseases such as type 2 diabetes. The research integrated computational methodology with experimentation to identify genetic variants that promote disease by interfering with gene regulation and altering fat cell function.
A recent study published in JAMA found that repeating bone mineral density (BMD) tests after four years offers limited value in assessing bone fracture risk in seniors aged 75 and older. The study suggests that updating clinical characteristics in the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) instead of repeating BMD tests may be a more eff...
A new study suggests that managed-care residents with advanced dementia are more likely to have a do-not-hospitalize order in place and fewer hospital transfers for acute illness. This research found no appreciable difference in survival outcomes between the managed care and fee-for-service groups.
Researchers found that higher dairy intake, particularly from milk and yogurt, is associated with improved bone mineral density in the hip. However, cream consumption was linked to lower bone density. The study suggests choosing low-fat dairy products can increase nutrient intake and reduce saturated fat consumption.
A recent study found that palliative care services significantly reduced emergency room visits and depression among seniors in long-term care. The intervention provided improved end-of-life quality of care by treating pain and symptoms, decreasing hospitalizations, and supporting patient-centered care.
Patients with Alzheimer's who suffered delirium episodes had a sharply increased rate of mental decline for up to five years after hospitalization compared to those without episodes. The study highlights the importance of recognizing and preventing delirium, which is estimated to cost the healthcare system billions annually.