Articles tagged with Geriatrics
Researchers at Stanford University found that very old mice are less prone to cancer, with significantly fewer lung tumors than younger animals. This contradicts the long-held assumption that cancer risk increases with age, suggesting a deeper biological cause.
A fully digital AI zero-cost method for detecting dementia has been developed and tested in a randomized clinical trial, increasing new diagnoses by 31% compared to usual care. The method combines a patient-reported tool with an artificial intelligence algorithm analyzing existing clinical data.
A new poll found large gaps in knowledge about palliative care and hospice among older adults, with many unaware of the options despite interest expressed once explained. The poll highlights racial and demographic differences in understanding and interest, with some groups more likely to know about these types of care.
A study of 31 healthy older adults found that consuming 60 grams of peanuts daily for 16 weeks increased global cerebral blood flow by 3.6% and verbal memory by 5.8%. Peanut consumption also improved systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure.
A new study found that ultra-processed food consumption is associated with smaller but significant declines in physical function, including slower gait speed and weaker grip strength in men. Limiting UPF intake may be crucial for preserving physical function and supporting healthy aging.
Poor sleep quality affects over 1 in 5 residents in long-term care facilities, leading to increased medication use, falls, and delirium. Modifiable risk factors like pain management, medication review, and improved sleep routines can help mitigate these issues.
A recent study from the University of Georgia suggests that older adults who use smartphones, computers, and tablets are more socially engaged than their less tech-savvy peers. This increased social engagement is associated with better well-being and a longer, more fulfilling life.
A study found that first-generation antihistamines may increase delirium risk in older hospital patients. The analysis of 328,140 patients aged 65+ revealed a 41% increased odds of delirium among those prescribed higher amounts of these medications.
Dr. Ana Daugherty, a cognitive neuroscientist with expertise in aging and Alzheimer's disease, joins Wayne State University's Institute of Gerontology as its new director. She will lead interdisciplinary collaboration, training for emerging scholars, and research on risk and resiliency in aging and dementia.
A new study from McGill University found that increased physical activity in older adults with cardiovascular conditions is linked to greater social support and access to greenspace. Brain imaging revealed a connection between brain connectivity and exercise behavior change.
A comprehensive guide describes the effects of spaceflight on the immune system, including microgravity, cosmic radiation, and sleep disruptions. The study provides integrated mechanistic insights into how these stressors alter immune physiology, with potential relevance in aging research.
A new study finds that benzodiazepines and antipsychotics prescribed to patients with dementia receiving hospice care may carry major unintended risks, including increased mortality. The study highlights two policy issues: lack of oversight of medication use in hospice and a mismatch between hospice policy and dementia care.
New traumatic brain injuries in older adults are associated with a higher risk of developing dementia. Research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that TBI is linked to an increased rate of incident dementia, even when sustained in late life, and how this risk changes over time.
Researchers found that older mice showed less stable spatial memory and difficulty navigating between familiar and unfamiliar environments. In contrast, younger mice developed distinct firing patterns for each track, allowing them to remember hidden reward locations on alternating tracks with ease.
A large-scale international study found that creative experiences slow brain aging and promote healthier brain function. Creative activities such as music, dance, and video games were linked to 'younger' brain profiles, particularly in regions vulnerable to neurodegeneration.
A large-scale population study found that oxaliplatin benefits only younger stage III patients, with no added survival benefit for those over 70. The study suggests using an age threshold to make evidence-based choices about chemotherapy.
Researchers evaluated a tool based on NCCN Guidelines to identify high-risk medications and their association with frailty and outcomes in over 380,000 older adults diagnosed with cancer. The study found that each additional high-risk medication increased the odds of being mildly or moderately-to-severely frail by 66%.
The International Osteoporosis Foundation identifies critical global barriers to osteoporosis care, including limited DXA scanning and outdated treatment criteria. The IOF advocates for a paradigm shift in bone health management worldwide, recognizing high fracture risk as a valid criterion for treatment and reimbursement.
A new review emphasizes the importance of both physical activity and reduced sedentary time for optimal skeletal health. Emerging evidence reveals that prolonged sitting and inactivity can harm bone health, even among regular exercisers.
A new study suggests that being overweight (BMI 25–29.9) may actually be protective in the short term after surgery for older adults, with a 0.8% 30-day all-cause mortality rate compared to 18.8% for those with normal BMI.
A new benchmark for hospital quality aims to identify areas for improvement by tracking older adult patient discharges to post-acute care facilities. The study found that 11.2% of patients were discharged to these facilities, with high and low outliers identified among hospitals.
A new study published in Sleep Medicine found that daily sleep patterns have a significant impact on cognitive function. Researchers discovered that individuals with moderate-to-regular sleep patterns performed better in cognitive assessments than those with highly irregular or rigid sleep patterns.
A modest gift card significantly increased enrollment of low-income individuals in a patient registry designed to accelerate Alzheimer’s disease clinical trials. Targeted outreach may be more cost-effective than offering larger prizes.
Research highlights preventable harms of intensive diabetes and hypertension treatment in frail older adults, calling for personalized care approaches that prioritize patient safety. Guidelines recommend cautious individualized care, but complications remain alarmingly common.
A comprehensive genetic analysis of nearly one million participants found hundreds of genetic markers influencing frailty risk. The study reveals frailty is not caused by a single factor but by multiple genes affecting the immune system, brain, and metabolism.
A study by the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus found that older adults participate more in social activities after moving into long-term care facilities. However, gaps in access to these opportunities persist, affecting men, nursing home residents from minority groups, and those with lower participation rates before admi...
A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that centenarians tend to accumulate diseases at a slower rate compared to non-centenarians. The study showed that centenarians are less likely to develop multiple diseases simultaneously, and those diseases often occur later in life.
Researchers found that taking blood thinners like warfarin does not significantly increase the risk of brain bleeding after blunt head trauma, contradicting previous assumptions. In fact, patients with poorly controlled warfarin activity had the highest bleeding risk.
The Mount Sinai Hospital has been listed among the nation's top 20 hospitals for care excellence by U.S. News & World Report for 2025-26, with top-10 rankings in five specialties and top-20 rankings in nine. The hospital was also rated High Performing in all 22 procedures and conditions assessed by U.S. News.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet shows that healthy diets can slow down the accumulation of chronic diseases in older adults, while inflammatory diets accelerate it. Researchers followed over 2,400 older adults for 15 years and found those on healthy diets had a slower development of cardiovascular disease and dementia.
A recent study by Florida Atlantic University reveals that up to 40% of hospital transfers from nursing homes can be avoided. The study identified common medical conditions linked to unnecessary hospitalizations, including feeding tube complications and urinary tract infections.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that older adults with serious illness before undergoing elective surgery had significantly longer hospital stays, higher rates of readmissions, and almost double the yearly costs of healthcare compared to their counterparts. Depression was found to be a signifi...
The American Geriatrics Society has released an updated list of alternative treatments for potentially inappropriate medications in older adults, providing safer and more effective options. The list reflects the needs of clinicians and is designed to support safer prescribing practices.
Research warns that GLP-1 drugs may not provide the long-term health benefit of improved heart and lung function. While they help with weight loss, patients may experience significant muscle loss, which can increase cardiovascular disease risk. Doctors are urging additional research to better understand the effects of these drugs.
A recent study published by Fujita Health University found that poor oral health can increase the risk of lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. The researchers examined 118 individuals aged 50 or above and found significant links between oral function test results and blood test results.
Researchers investigate cannabis-based treatment to improve quality of care for hospice-eligible patients with dementia. A clinical trial will test T2:C100, a drug containing THC and CBD, to determine its effectiveness in reducing agitation.
A new study identifies postoperative delirium as a preventable complication affecting roughly one in 30 older adult patients, significantly increasing their risk for poor outcomes. Simple cost-effective strategies can curb downstream costs and suffering associated with this condition.
Home care cooperatives have identified key drivers of improved care quality, including worker input, motivation, selective hiring, and high-quality training. These findings have the potential to significantly improve care quality across the home care sector.
JMIR Publications' portfolio of journals now includes 21 titles with a Journal Impact Factor. Several journals saw significant increases in impact factor, including JMIR Medical Education, which debuted with a score of 12.5, securing the top-ranked journal spot in its category.
A comprehensive review highlights the impact of anti-cancer treatments on bone health, increasing the risk of fractures and bone fragility. The International Osteoporosis Foundation advocates for a multidisciplinary approach to early screening and proactive bone-protective strategies.
A landmark review highlights how diabetes alters bone microarchitecture and increases fracture risk in people with type 2 diabetes, despite normal or elevated bone mineral density. The authors advocate for updated diagnostic tools, including a revised TBS algorithm, to more accurately reflect bone quality in individuals with central ob...
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine aim to reduce falls and adverse drug events among older adults by using personalized approach tailored to individual genetic profiles.
A new international study identified two distinct genetic signatures for complex forms of Alzheimer's disease, with one primarily driven by apolipoprotein E and the other involving a combination of 75 additional genetic variants. This shared biological mechanism is largely consistent across global populations.
Researchers developed a blood-based proteomic score to predict healthy aging and age-related diseases. A lower score is associated with higher mortality and disease risk, offering a powerful tool for understanding biological aging.
A study found that cannabis use among older adults in the US has reached a new high, with 7% of adults aged 65 and over reporting current use. The profile of those who use cannabis has changed, with pronounced increases in use by college-educated, married, female, and higher-income individuals.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh found that mindfulness training and non-invasive brain stimulation can significantly reduce bladder leaks and feelings of urgency evoked by specific environments or scenarios. The study, published in Continence, used transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to activate the prefrontal co...
As women age, more genes on their X chromosomes escape silencing, potentially influencing disease. This epigenetic change may explain sex-based differences in age-related diseases.
A study of 2,268 US individuals aged 60+ found strong association between social activities and low 4-year mortality risk. High social engagement, such as charity work and sports participation, was significantly linked to reduced risk of dying.
A large randomized clinical trial found that testosterone gel did not improve long-distance mobility outcomes for older women after a hip fracture. Supervised exercise, however, showed significant functional improvements and enhanced mobility.
A clinical trial found that applying testosterone gel with exercise did not improve physical function in older women recovering from hip fractures. However, the study discovered some positive effects on short-distance mobility, which warrants further investigation. The STEP-HI trial involved 129 women and considered two approaches: tes...
Paul Mulhausen, MD, will lead the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) in advancing healthcare for older adults. The AGS has elected Mulhausen as its new President following his extensive experience in clinical care, medical education, and policy advocacy.
Researchers developed a new health-assessment tool that uses eight metrics derived from physical exams and routine lab tests to characterize biological age. The tool predicts risk of disability and death better than current health predictors.
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) has awarded 19 new fellows for their commitment to advancing high-quality care for older adults. The new fellows will be formally recognized at the 2025 AGS Annual Scientific Meeting in Chicago, IL.
A new poll by Michigan Medicine reveals that nearly two-thirds of Americans over 50 believe Medicare will cover their nursing home costs, despite it not currently paying for this type. Only half have taken key actions to prepare for long-term care needs. The poll also shows that 70% of people who survive to age 65 will need long-term c...
The IOF Advanced Course on Osteoporosis is a comprehensive, 18-hour online training programme designed to equip healthcare professionals with the latest knowledge in osteoporosis prevention, diagnosis, and management. The course aims to promote timely diagnosis and treatment, reduce patient burden, and improve global outcomes.
Dr. Jeff Williamson, an internationally recognized geriatrician and clinical trialist, will explore the impact of aging research on improving outcomes for all of us as we age. His work focuses on integrating aging-focused perspectives into clinical trials to ensure that care is aligned with the needs of an aging population.
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) has honored 21 leaders in the field of geriatrics, representing various medical disciplines. The award recipients have made significant contributions to high-quality, person-centered care for older adults.
Dr. Rameau's cross-cutting research combines clinical expertise with AI to improve detection and treatment of swallowing disorders in older adults. She has made significant contributions to the field, including developing innovative tools for early diagnosis and intervention.
The journal will publish research exploring digital health and advance care planning for older adults, including caregiver integration and technological innovation support. JMIR Aging boasts a strong impact in the field, with a Journal Impact Factor of 5.0 and a CiteScore of 6.5.
Dr. Marie Bernard is being honored by the American Geriatrics Society with the prestigious Nascher/Manning Award for her tireless advocacy on behalf of older adults and her efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in geriatric research. Her leadership has driven systemic change, ensuring that research and healthcare reflect the popul...