Articles tagged with Geriatrics
Middle-aged adults with diabetes are more likely to develop age-related conditions like cognitive impairment, incontinence, and vision problems. The study found that those with diabetes developed these conditions nearly double the rate of those without diabetes.
The US healthcare system is facing a significant challenge in caring for the growing number of Baby Boomers experiencing bone fractures. A new guide aims to improve care and quality for patients dealing with fragility fractures, addressing various aspects from hospital admission to rehabilitation.
A new evidence-based model of geriatric care management, GRACE, optimizes the health and functional status of community-dwelling lower-income older adults. GRACE improves health and quality of life, decreases emergency department visits and hospital admission rates.
A study found that Medicare costs in the last six months of life are driven more by patient characteristics such as ability to function and family support than regional factors. Patient impairment or decline was a strong predictor of higher Medicare costs, accounting for ten percent of variation.
The American Geriatrics Society and British Geriatric Society's updated guidelines for preventing falls in older adults emphasize the importance of exercise, such as tai chi or physical therapy, to reduce fall risk. The guidelines also recommend environmental adaptations, medication reduction, and cataract surgery where necessary.
A novel program in Livingston County, NY, uses EMS technicians to identify and address unmet needs of elderly residents, resulting in high patient satisfaction rates. The program's success highlights the potential of innovative collaboration between healthcare providers and social services to improve quality of life for seniors.
A study from Indiana University School of Medicine finds that a home-based geriatric care management program, GRACE, improves health and quality of life, decreases emergency department visits and hospital admission rates among high-risk patients. The program's cost-saving benefits are also highlighted.
A Yale study reveals that hospitalizations and injuries are linked to worsening functional ability in older adults, especially those who are physically frail. The study found that fall-related injuries led to the highest likelihood of developing new or worsening disability.
A randomized controlled study found that encouraging African-American women aged 60 or over to exercise alongside scripture reading and group prayer led to a significant increase in physical activity. The intervention resulted in a 78% increase in steps per week, four times greater than the control group.
The Association of Specialty Professors has announced the ninth class of T. Franklin Williams Scholars, supporting research on pulmonary fibrosis, chronic kidney disease, and palliative care for older adults. Seven new investigators will join 75 previous scholars in advancing knowledge on these topics.
Mezey received the award for her contributions to advancing gerontological education, including developing defined geriatric competencies and enhancing faculty knowledge in geriatrics. The recognition acknowledges her work in promoting gerontological care and research through her collaborations with nursing organizations.
Lewis Lipsitz has been recognized for his groundbreaking research on abnormal blood pressure regulation and its relationship to falls and syncope in the elderly. The 2010 Joseph T. Freeman Award winner will present a lecture at the GSA's Annual Scientific Meeting.
Leading physician policy experts propose several policy solutions to help the US prepare for an aging adult population. The proposed solutions include increasing funding for geriatrics in medical schools, leveraging Medicare's educational subsidy, and requiring practicing physicians to complete geriatric continuing education credits.
Geriatric Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation is a new bimonthly journal focusing on orthopaedic problems in older adults, featuring peer-reviewed research and reviews.
A study published in CMAJ found that low handgrip strength at 85 and 89 years is associated with increased all-cause mortality, highlighting its potential as a tool to assess mortality. The researchers also found that handgrip strength has a greater impact on mortality as people age.
The new series aims to address the shortage of geriatric expertise in healthcare. The series will explore themes that develop with aging, such as frailty and loss of independence. By analyzing real stories of patients and interviews, it will provide clinicians with pragmatic tools for translating evidence into daily practice.
A new UCLA study found that individuals between 60-69 years old experienced significant increases in disabilities, including basic activities, instrumental activities, mobility, and functional limitations. This trend is concerning as it may put a burden on the healthcare system and boost health costs.
Mathy Mezey, a renowned gerontological nurse researcher, received the 2009 Doris Schwartz Gerontological Nursing Research Award from the Gerontological Society of America. She is recognized for her sustained efforts in developing geriatric competencies and educational tools.
Eric A. Coleman has been awarded the 2009 Maxwell A. Pollack Award for his work on enhancing patient care transitions and promoting safe and effective care across acute and post-acute settings.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have successfully implemented an interdisciplinary multisite fourth-year geriatrics clerkship, meeting all ambulatory core geriatric competencies. The program exposes medical students to various settings and diagnoses, enabling them to provide appropriate care for older adults.
A study found that a physician-led hospital-at-home service can improve depression, nutritional status, and quality-of-life scores in elderly patients with acute decompensation of chronic heart failure. The alternative to traditional hospital care resulted in no significant differences in mortality rates or hospital admissions.
The Weill Cornell Institute of Geriatric Psychiatry has received a $10 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to advance research on geriatric depression. The team will focus on understanding the biological, medical, cognitive, and psychosocial aspects of depression in older adults.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society found that people with persistent pain develop functional limitations at an earlier age than those without pain. The study revealed that individuals with pain have higher rates of mobility limitations and are more likely to experience disability.
A new healthcare delivery model called GRACE improves health and quality of life for low-income seniors, decreasing emergency department visits and hospital admissions. The program's personalized care approach reduces high-cost hospitalizations and saves money.
The Association of Specialty Professors (ASP) has announced the eighth class of T. Franklin Williams Scholars, funded by a grant from Atlantic Philanthropies and John A. Hartford Foundation. The program aims to increase internal medicine specialists' capacity in caring for elderly patients with research projects focused on geriatric as...
A study of 6,476 adults aged 70+ found no link between cognitive decline and socioeconomic status. However, seniors who never married or are widowers tend to perform poorer as they age.
A recent study found that American over-65s scored significantly better than their English counterparts in a memory and awareness test. Higher levels of education and lower levels of depressive symptoms in the US may have contributed to this difference, while aggressive cardiovascular disease treatment in England could be a factor.
A study presented at ENDO 2009 found that ghrelin infusions increased calorie intake by 51% in older women with frailty, improving growth hormone levels and overall health outcomes. Larger follow-up studies will investigate the therapeutic potential of ghrelin or mimetic agents for this population.
Researchers discovered sedatives and hypnotics are associated with a four-fold increase in suicide risk among the elderly. The study found that even after adjusting for mental disorders, sedative treatment was linked to an almost fourteen-fold increase in suicide risk.
A Queen's University study found that cholinesterase inhibitors can cause slowed heart rates, fainting episodes, and increased risks of permanent pacemaker implants and hip fractures in patients with dementia. The study suggests that people at high risk should reassess their medication regimen.
The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) has developed an online curriculum to educate physicians about managing elderly patients with kidney disease. The curriculum addresses gaps in training and provides a comprehensive resource for geriatric nephrology care.
A study of over 2,000 seniors found that quitting smoking can slow down gait and improve overall health. Changing bad habits such as poor food choices and lack of exercise can also have a significant impact on senior health.
A new study published in Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics challenges the concept of consensus in anti-aging medical intervention, citing diverse therapeutic approaches and conflicting opinions. Dr. Imre Zs.-Nagy proposes an open-minded approach to reconcile differences and achieve a realistic goal of aging intervention.
Dr. MacEntee's research has significantly impacted the field of geriatric oral research, focusing on topics such as biomaterials, clinical science, and epidemiology. His work has identified key concerns in oral health among elderly populations, including neglect of oral hygiene and the importance of psychosocial factors in determining ...
A new study found that older women who reported taking daily naps had a 44% increased risk of dying from any cause. This association remained significant among relatively healthy women and was strongest for cardiovascular-related mortality.
A new UCLA study found that light to moderate drinking among seniors reduced their odds of developing physical problems preventing common tasks. Alcohol consumption at light to moderate levels appears to have disability prevention benefits only in men and women in relatively good health.
A three-year study involving over 3,400 chronically ill seniors found that deaths among patients in a proactive care management program were significantly lower than those in the control group. Hospitalizations were also slightly lower for patients in the intervention group, with a notable benefit for those with diabetes.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston launches the TEXAS program to promote geriatrics training for physicians. The four-year program has five components, including a medical school curriculum and elder abuse education seminars, aiming to improve care for frail elderly patients.
The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation has awarded UT Southwestern Medical Center a nearly $2 million grant to expand geriatric training in the medical school curriculum. The Southwestern Aging and Geriatrics Education (SAGE) program will improve physician trainees' knowledge, skills, and attitudes towards caring for elderly patients.
The grant will support the development of leaders in geriatric medicine and teaching programs, as well as new training opportunities for medical students and residents. The Wake Forest University School of Medicine will also establish a curriculum for specialty physicians to integrate geriatrics principles into their teaching programs.
Researchers developed an AI coaching system called COACH to assist older adults with moderate dementia in performing daily activities. The system uses computer vision and artificial intelligence techniques to deliver personalized reminders, resulting in increased independence for participants.
Dr Stephen Todd will investigate the role of beta-secretase in Alzheimer's disease using a novel blood-based assay. The study aims to determine if enzyme activity predicts disease progression and response to dementia treatment.
Researchers found that geriatric cochlear implant recipients experience significant benefit from the surgery, with improved QOL scores comparable to those of younger patients. Co-morbid conditions like heart disease do not lower QOL in geriatric recipients.
The Association of Specialty Professors (ASP) has announced the seventh class of T. Franklin Williams Scholars, who will research and develop career plans focused on integrating geriatrics into internal medicine specialties. The 12 new scholars will join the previous 52 recipients to achieve the program's goal.
Dr. James Steele has received the prestigious Geriatric Oral Research Award for his pioneering research on the relationships between oral health and nutrition in older adults. His work, which spans over three decades, has significantly advanced our understanding of the impacts of oral health on disease and well-being in the elderly.
The new center aims to prevent abuse and help victims achieve a life without mistreatment. The funding will support the advancement of strategies for addressing elder abuse and neglect, which affects up to 10% of older Americans annually.
A study by Rush University Medical Center found that elderly patients with chronic illnesses who receive virtual care from a team of medical experts make fewer emergency room visits. This coordinated approach also improves patients' understanding of their medications and enhances communication between physicians.
The Gerontological Society of America has awarded Hartford Doctoral Fellowships to four PhD students researching aging and social work topics, including cognitive function, diabetes health disparities, late life depressed mood, and stress-coping models. The fellowships support dissertation research over two years with $50,000 grants pl...
The Gerontological Society of America warns of a looming healthcare crisis as the US population ages. The Institute of Medicine report highlights a shortage of healthcare workers and frontline staff to meet growing demands for care.
The American Geriatrics Society warns of a critical shortage of geriatricians in the US due to perceptions of poor pay and lack of glamour. Geriatric medicine requires a team-based approach to address the complex needs of elderly patients with multiple health problems.
A study published in the American Journal of Geriatric Cardiology found that established ECG norms for older adults may need to be revised. The research team analyzed over 700 patient readings and discovered that average cutoffs for measuring ECG intervals were greater than current norms, particularly in men.
A new study from Brandeis University reveals that 1 in 10 elderly adults on Medicare consume more alcohol than recommended, with 9% engaging in unhealthy drinking habits. The study highlights the need for healthcare providers to be aware of this often-missed issue and consider individual factors when assessing risk.
A new study from Michigan Medicine finds that congestive heart failure patients experience high disability rates and increased need for nursing-home care. The condition imposes substantial burdens on patients, families and the long-term care system.
Brown University has been named a Center of Excellence in Geriatric Medicine and Training, receiving a three-year $450,000 grant award from the John A. Hartford Foundation to train geriatrics junior faculty and fellows. The funding aims to address the growing shortage of geriatricians across the US, with 26,000 expected by 2030.
A randomized clinical trial found GRACE's success in improving quality of care, health-related quality of life measures, while reducing emergency department use and hospital admissions. The program involves a support team meeting with patients at home to conduct comprehensive assessments and develop individualized care plans.
A home-based geriatric care program for low-income seniors resulted in higher-quality medical care, improvement in quality of life, and fewer emergency department visits. However, the intervention did not prevent decline in physical functioning. The program improved health outcomes without increasing hospital admissions.
Researchers tested a pilot program to change older adults' beliefs about aging, resulting in increased physical activity and improved mental health-related quality of life. The program, which combined attribution retraining with weekly exercise classes, showed significant increases in walking levels and age-expectation survey scores.
Linda R. Phillips, a renowned nurse scientist, receives the 2007 Doris Schwartz Gerontological Nursing Research Award for her sustained contributions to improving the lives of older people. Her research focuses on family caregiving, abuse, and nursing interventions to enhance caregiving quality.
The Gerontological Society of America has awarded $70,000 in fellowships to seven outstanding doctoral students in geriatric social work. The Hartford Doctoral Fellowships provide recipients with dissertation grants and academic career guidance.
The University of Iowa has been awarded a four-year $1.2 million grant to develop evidence-based guidelines for caring for elderly patients with mental health issues. The grant will support the creation of new curricula and competencies in geropsychiatric nursing, aiming to improve mental health care for America's older population.