Articles tagged with Geriatrics
A study found that chronic CMV infection is associated with frailty in older women, particularly those with high levels of inflammatory markers. The research highlights the importance of understanding the causes of frailty and developing potential treatments to improve outcomes for aging populations.
A seven-year study of over 3,000 black and white men and women aged 70 to 79 found that regular exercise reduced the risk of mobility problems by half. Participants who exercised regularly had lower rates of disability and health decline compared to those who were inactive.
Researchers found that individuals over 80 with active root caries had twice the odds of cardiac arrhythmias. The study suggests that oral health issues in older adults can be a marker of general physical decline and may require serious attention.
Researchers found that speaking Spanish, offering health benefits, and addressing community needs are key factors in recruiting Hispanic participants for studies. The study, presented at the American Geriatrics Society meeting, aimed to understand how diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease affect Hispanics.
Researchers found that primary care providers are equally likely to diagnose and treat depression in older African Americans compared to whites. The study highlights the importance of managing depression in the elderly due to multiple existing illnesses.
A review of nearly 1.8 million people age 52 and older revealed that hospitalized individuals are more likely to commit suicide. Researchers conclude that hospitalization may be a factor in suicidal tendencies among older adults, with women at increased risk.
A new study finds that fear of falling is surprisingly common among middle-aged African-American adults, affecting their activity levels and overall health. The phobia can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy, causing individuals to become weaker and more prone to falls.
Dr. Meurman's research on the role of oral infections in medically compromised patients has significant implications for geriatric populations. The 2005 Geriatric Oral Research Award recognizes his contributions to the field, including advancements in molecular biological techniques for detecting oral pathogens.
The US is expected to have over 70 million people over 65 by 2030, creating a shortage of trained geriatric specialists. Only 27 of 91 specialties require specific geriatric training, with modest expectations.
A study found that over 28% of elderly individuals received potentially inappropriate medications, with women receiving more than men. The use of these medications has not decreased, highlighting the need for further understanding of their rationale.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that spouse caregiving situations are associated with potentially harmful behavior, compromised mental and physical health, and increased mortality risk. Researchers highlight the need for screening and intervention efforts to address this issue.
A recent UCLA study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that people's drinking habits decrease with age, with an average decline of 9-11% per decade. The study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to track changes in drinking behavior over time.
Dr. Archbold's research focuses on family care for frail elders and new methods to better serve them. Her breakthrough findings have led to a new way of thinking about how nursing can support families caring for frail elders.
Dr. Morley has made significant contributions to three areas of geriatric medicine: appetite regulation, memory and dementia, and testosterone and andropause. He is recognized as one of the top ten geriatric programs in the country.
Dr. Cohen, originator of Duke University's Geriatrics Fellowship, has won the prestigious award for his work in geriatric medicine and cancer research. He will present a lecture at GSA's 57th Annual Scientific Meeting.
A large UK trial found no significant improvements in survival, hospital admissions, or quality of life from comprehensive assessment and management of elderly patients. However, social functioning showed a small benefit from hospital-based outpatient geriatric care.
The eight Hartford Fellows will conduct research on various issues in geriatric social work, including depression, end-of-life care, and aging. The program aims to cultivate the next generation of geriatric social work faculty who will improve care for older adults and their families.
The American Journal of Nursing and the Gerontological Society of America aim to increase nurse certification in gerontology, stimulate institutional changes, and provide continuing education resources. The partnership will produce a bimonthly series on nursing care of older adults, publishing 15 evidence-based articles.
A pilot program pairing medical students with older artists showed a statistically significant improvement in students' attitudes towards aging. The Vital Visionaries program aims to improve care for older people by changing medical students' perspectives on age and creativity.
The Hartford Faculty Scholar's Program aims to create faculty leaders in geriatric social work. Twelve scholars will address psychosocial needs of terminally ill elders and explore the use of video-phones as a telemedicine intervention.
Middle-aged inner-city African-Americans experience higher levels of depressive symptoms than the general US population, according to a new study. The research found that risk factors for increased depressive symptoms include decreasing social support and being severely underweight or obese.
Gerbrand Izaks and Rudi Westendorp propose a model where diseases are caused by cumulative risk factors, making every age-related change a potential symptom of an illness. This framework encourages doctors to reassess older patients' body functions, comparing results to 'normal values' from healthy young adults.
A recent study by the University of California - San Francisco found that dependent older patients incur significantly higher hospital costs compared to independent patients. On average, dependent patients stayed in the hospital for 2 days longer than independent patients, resulting in a 23% increase in costs.
A national expert panel updated widely used criteria for potentially harmful medications in older adults. The 1997 Beers Criteria has identified 48 medications to avoid, including estrogen and Benadryl, due to increased risk of adverse drug events such as depression and bleeding.
A Phase II study found dronabinol significantly reduced behavioral agitation in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The medication also improved caregivers' burden and daily living skills.
Summa Health System's ACE model of care enhances stroke care by focusing on comprehensive assessment, function-oriented patient-centered care, and interdisciplinary team management. The system's dedicated 34-bed stroke unit discharges nearly 1,000 patients annually, making it the largest provider of stroke care in Northeast Ohio.
Dr. Whall was recognized for her contributions to knowledge development and patient care in gerontological nursing, including theory development and research on aggressive physical behavior in dementia. She is a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing and holds GSA fellow status.
A study has identified that ophthalmology clinics are an ideal setting to screen elderly patients for depression, dementia, and functional impairment. Easy-to-use screening tools have been shown to be effective in identifying at-risk patients and improving healthcare outcomes.
Experts emphasize that clinicians can improve quality of life for Alzheimer's patients by following guidelines and utilizing available resources. The number of people with Alzheimer's is expected to swell from 4 million in 2002 to 14 million by 2050, highlighting the need for effective care options.
A new set of guidelines, known as Clinical Glidepaths, aims to improve treatment decisions for older adults by considering individual probabilities of life expectancy and function. The 24 paths cover various common problems faced by elderly patients, allowing clinicians to tailor care to each patient's unique needs.
Researchers found associations between altered physiologic systems and geriatric syndrome of frailty in a study of 5,888 community-dwelling individuals. The study suggests that understanding the biology of frailty can help develop interventions to better care for older adults.
A severe shortage of geriatric-trained nurses and healthcare professionals threatens the well-being of older Americans, with only a few percent of RNs certified in geriatrics. The authors call for increased investment in geriatric education and training across all healthcare disciplines.
Studies suggest that attention can be broken down into three distinct processes: maintaining readiness, setting response thresholds, and filtering out distractions. The researchers' findings provide a more specific understanding of attentional disorders and their relation to frontal lobe injuries.
Dr. Griffin and her team have made significant discoveries about the role of interleukin-1 in Alzheimer's disease, a progressive brain disorder. They've identified genetic variants associated with over-expression of IL-1, which can trigger inflammation and damage to neurons.
A shortage of geriatric doctors and nurses poses a significant challenge to the aging population in the US. With only 9,000 geriatric doctors currently available out of 20,000 needed, the authors suggest that students in health professional education programs should have required content in caring for older adults.
A USC study found that preventive occupational therapy significantly improves quality of life and reduces medical costs for seniors. The study involved three groups of culturally diverse adults over 60, with the intervention group showing marked improvements in physical and emotional well-being without increasing healthcare costs.
The Hartford Doctoral Fellows program aims to ensure a pool of trained and skilled geriatric social workers by recruiting, sustaining, and training talented doctoral students. The program is designed to produce tomorrow's social work faculty, with over 600,000 practicing social workers in the US requiring geriatric knowledge.
The Hartford Geriatric Social Work Faculty Scholars Program aims to train and research specialists in geriatric social work, addressing the growing needs of an aging population. The program supports ten faculty scholars over two years, providing institutes, workshops, and research projects focused on improving healthcare outcomes.
A new geriatric assessment protocol has been developed by Yale researchers to identify often-overlooked problems in elderly patients, including depression and driving safety issues. The protocol resulted in more recommendations for patients and did not significantly increase clinic visit time.
The Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing awarded American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing and Emergency Nurses Association for creating a geriatric presence in their activities. The awards aim to strengthen partnerships between specialty nursing organizations and enhance nurses' knowledge and skills in caring for older adults.
The NYC Council has awarded $750,000 to the Consortium of New York Geriatric Education Centers and The Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing to train healthcare professionals in caring for older adults. The three-year program will provide geriatric training to all five boroughs and focus on nurse-led care.
The Consortium of New York Geriatric Education Centers has received a $1.3 million grant to provide interdisciplinary training on geriatric care. The grant will support 40-50 hour certificate programs, continuing education conferences, and outreach to underserved areas.
A study by Yale researchers found that 24% of elderly people experience recurring dizziness, which may be caused by multiple problems. The condition, referred to as a geriatric syndrome, can be effectively treated by identifying and addressing contributing factors.
The Hartford Institute/NOLF Award honored two nursing organizations for promoting geriatric best practices among specialty nurses. The award recognizes their efforts in disseminating geriatric knowledge through workshops, newsletters, and conferences.
A recent study found that the majority of nurses in hospitals and nursing homes are ill-prepared to care for the elderly, with many having no formal training in gerontology. The study calls for increased geriatric education in nursing programs to ensure optimal care for older adults, who account for a growing share of healthcare needs.
A global conference at Baycrest Centre in Toronto brings together experts and survivors to address the specific needs of aging Holocaust survivors, while also learning from recent genocide victims in Rwanda. The event aims to provide health care professionals, academics, and families with coping strategies to deal with passed-on trauma.