Articles tagged with Older Adults
A population-based analysis of 1,193 major surgeries found that 13.4% of patients died within a year, with frail and dementia-affected individuals facing significantly higher mortality rates
A new study by University of Essex researcher Constantina Maltezou-Papastylianou found that older adults are less accurate than younger adults in detecting emotions from speech. This decline is associated with natural changes in the brain as we age, affecting understanding and interpretation of emotional cues.
A recent analysis found that older U.S. adults with poor prognosis cancers had preexisting conditions such as functional impairment and difficulty with mobility before diagnosis. These conditions can impact their physical function and quality of life.
Adults who sleep for five hours or less per night have a greater risk of developing multiple chronic conditions compared to those who sleep seven hours. Shorter sleep duration at mid-to-late life is associated with an increased risk of chronic disease and subsequent multimorbidity.
A new study found that sleeping five hours or less per night is associated with a higher risk of developing at least two chronic diseases over a 25-year period. This includes heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. The study analyzed data from over 7,000 men and women aged 50, 60, and 70.
A study found that online grocery shopping filled gaps for people with mobility limitations, quarantine, or sick with COVID. Despite technological limitations, many consumers predicted continued high usage of e-commerce in the food sector.
A recent poll reveals that 48% of people aged 50-80 have purchased at least one home health test, including COVID-19 and DNA tests. Notably, 82% of older adults express interest in future medical tests at home, while 90% agree to share results with their healthcare provider.
A new study found that bioelectrical impedance analysis can accurately assess knee muscle function, offering a non-invasive alternative to traditional methods. The findings suggest that thigh PhA is a better predictor of knee extensor strength than whole-body PhA.
A new approach combining online therapeutic games with non-invasive brain stimulation techniques has shown significant benefits in improving working memory capacity in older adults. The technology, COGNISANT, was found to be particularly effective in those with lower initial working memory capacity.
The study found that personality types, like orchids and dandelions, affect cognitive health in older adults. Researchers suggest designing supportive programs tailored to individual needs, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
A Baycrest study found that the gut microbiome plays a role in how diet and exercise affect brain health and dementia risk. Lifestyle interventions like Mediterranean-style diets can improve cognition and promote healthier microbiomes.
A study of over 300,000 Danish adults found that fractures closer to the centre of the body were associated with higher mortality rates. The presence of certain clusters of health conditions compounded this risk, suggesting a new way of identifying patients at high risk of poor outcomes.
Researchers found positive correlations between lipoxin A4 and cognitive brain functions, as well as its potential to potentiate the endocannabinoid system. The study suggests that reducing levels of this substance may weaken the body's defenses against neurodegeneration.
A University of California, Berkeley study found that aging and environment are more important than genetic variation in affecting gene expression. As individuals age, their gene expression profiles diverge, making genetics less useful in predicting which genes are ramped up or down.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that individuals with type 2 diabetes who exhibit psychological resilience experience fewer hospitalizations, better physical functioning, and a lower likelihood of becoming frail. Psychological resilience also appears to mitigate aging-related concerns.
Researchers at Lancaster University found that 3D printed flavor-based cues can stimulate rich sensory accounts and strong emotional connections in older adults, recalling memories from their youth. This technology has potential applications for dementia care, allowing individuals to relive cherished moments through the power of smell.
A Finnish study found that retiring individuals experience an increase in sleep time and a corresponding decrease in physical activity. This shift is attributed to the absence of work-related activities and commute time, which are replaced by sedentary behavior.
Scientists at UC San Francisco's Neuroscape Center have developed video game interventions that improve key aspects of cognition in aging adults, including short-term memory, attention and long-term memory. The games use adaptive closed-loop algorithms to challenge players, keeping them engaged while adapting difficulty levels.
A new research paper has demonstrated that psychological factors, such as feeling unhappy or being lonely, add up to 1.65 years to one's biological age, significantly impacting overall health and longevity.
Researchers found significantly larger neurons in the brain's memory region of SuperAgers compared to cognitively average peers, individuals with early-stage Alzheimer's disease, and younger individuals. These larger neurons were spared from tau tangles, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, suggesting they may maintain structural integrity.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that COVID-19 booster shots are essential for maintaining long-term immunity against infection, particularly among older adults. The results support the CDC vaccination guidelines recommending COVID-19 boosters and highlight the importance of continued research on factors affecting immunity.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found that intravenous omega-3 treatment improved immune function and stimulated healing of inflammation without compromising the body's response to COVID-19. The study suggests a potential new, cost-effective low-risk treatment for severe COVID-19.
A recent study found that among US patients with cancer during the first 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, 16,561 deaths were attributed to cancer or COVID-19 complications. The majority of these deaths occurred in older adults and minority groups, highlighting a concerning disparity in healthcare outcomes.
Research suggests that regularly exercising with weights is associated with a lower risk of death from any cause, excluding cancer. A weekly combination of weights and aerobic exercise appears to have an additive effect on mortality risk.
A recent study published in Aging-US found that feeling lonely, unhappy, or hopeless increases one's biological age more than smoking. The research used digital models of aging to analyze the effects of various factors on aging rates, revealing a significant correlation between mental health and accelerated aging.
A recent poll found that rising food prices have a disproportionate impact on the diets of older adults, especially those in lower-income households and with fair or poor physical or mental health. The study also shows that these groups are more likely to experience food insecurity and eat less healthy diets due to increased food costs.
A new study found that only around half of older adults with hypertension regularly check their blood pressure at home. Those who received a healthcare provider's recommendation to do so were three and a half times more likely to monitor their blood pressure regularly.
A new study proposes reducing toxic proteins in the blood as a potential therapy for Alzheimer's disease. By doing so, it aims to improve memory and learning capacity, as well as correct cognitive impairments. The next step is to test this treatment at a clinical level.
A cohort study of Chinese older adults found that sleeping for more than 8 hours increases dementia risk by 69% and going to bed before 9 PM doubles the risk. The study suggests monitoring cognitive function in those with prolonged sleep timing.
Healthy older adults exhibit greater mental well-being despite poorer cognitive performance than younger adults. The study reveals that neural mechanisms underlying these findings may inspire new therapeutic interventions to promote healthy brain function.
A new study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia found that daily multivitamin-mineral supplementation resulted in statistically significant cognitive improvement in older adults. The researchers estimated that three years of multivitamin supplementation roughly translated to a 60% slowing of cognitive decline.
A study by Nagoya University found that elderly drivers have longer reaction times, slower decision-making, and increased brain activity in areas responsible for inhibition and switching tasks. This suggests a higher cognitive load in situations requiring complex foot responses while driving.
Researchers analyzed data from over 25,000 US adults in a clinical trial and found that vitamin D3 and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation had no effect on frailty scores. Healthy lifestyle habits such as regular exercise and the Mediterranean diet are recommended for preventing frailty instead.
A study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that older adults with consistent daily routines are happier, less depressed, and have better cognitive function. Participants who rose early, stayed active throughout the day, and followed a regular routine performed better on cognitive tests than those with disrupted patterns.
A cross-sectional study of over 25,000 adults found that approximately 70% of identified adrenal tumors were nonfunctioning, regardless of participant's age. The prevalence of adrenal tumors increased with age, from 0.2% in young adults to 3.2% in older adults.
A new study found that reports of elder abuse increased, particularly in cases of physical and emotional abuse, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Financial abuse remained the most common type, but higher rates of emotional and physical abuse were reported during the pandemic.
A new poll reveals that nearly half of people over 50 experience joint pain, and many turn to prescription-based treatments despite potential health risks. The poll's authors stress the need for healthcare providers to discuss medication interactions and non-drug options with patients.
A recent study found that people with dementia are at higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 mortality due to underlying health conditions. The research identified risk factors such as comorbidities, anxiety, and delayed symptom recognition.
A study by Duke-NUS Medical School and collaborators found that cooler ambient temperatures increased the risk of a specific type of myocardial infarction (heart attack) in Singapore. People aged 65 and above were particularly vulnerable to this risk, with a 20% higher risk compared to younger individuals.
Researchers found that combining BCL-2 inhibitors can selectively eliminate senescent cells, improving efficacy and reducing toxicity by targeting high-MCL-1 expressing subpopulation of cells. This synergistic approach enables lower doses of drugs to be used, overcoming resistance to monotherapy.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that low physical function after age 65 is associated with a greater risk of developing heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. The study used the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) test to assess physical function in 5,570 adults over 75 years old.
A combination of anemia and weak muscles in older people increases the risk of death by 64% for men and 117% for women. The two conditions together pose a significant risk, especially for elderly women, according to a study published in Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics.
A recent study by Florida Atlantic University found that only seven out of 50 largest US cities have strong evacuation plans in place, highlighting a need for improvement in preparing for natural disasters. The study suggests that cities with experience in major hurricanes tend to develop stronger plans.
A recent study published in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity found that higher levels of light physical activity and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were associated with lower risk of death. In contrast, higher sedentary time was linked to increased mortality risk, regardless of genetic predisposition for longevity.
A study by DTU and SSI found that COVID-19 caused a significant loss of healthy life in Denmark, with an estimated 30,000 years lost. The majority of deaths occurred among elderly men, while younger populations were largely unaffected.
The USPSTF recommends prescribing statins for adults aged 40-75 with one or more CVD risk factors and estimated 10-year CVD risk of 10% or greater. For those aged 76 or older, the evidence is insufficient to make a recommendation. Statin use can significantly reduce CVD events and mortality in this population.
A study of 350 older adults found that those with multiple chronic health conditions, especially women, are more prone to large blood pressure drops and lower brain oxygenation after standing up. This increases their risk of dizziness, faints, and falls, highlighting the importance of detecting and managing multi-morbidity.
Researchers developed a method combining musical tests with EEG measurement to detect cognitive decline in old age. The study tested 50 elderly people who scored low on the mini-mental test, showing promising results in detecting mental deterioration.
A randomized clinical trial found that GlyNAC supplementation improves age-associated defects in older humans, including oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. This led to improvements in muscle strength, gait speed, exercise capacity, and other health outcomes, showing promise for promoting healthy aging.
The study found a 31% decline in sleep medication use between 2013 and 2018, with the strongest decrease in FDA-approved medications. Behavioral treatments for insomnia are increasingly encouraged due to their effectiveness and reduced risk of adverse outcomes.
Researchers analyzed data from over 3,000 participants and found no association between electrocardiogram measures and telomere length. The study suggests that ECG prolongation is age-dependent but not a marker of biological aging.
Research reveals that nursing homes in disadvantaged neighborhoods have lower clinical staff hours compared to those in more well-off areas. This disparity is particularly pronounced for registered nurses and physical therapists.
Researchers found a link between atrial cardiopathy and dementia in older adults, with those having the condition at a higher risk of developing dementia over time. The study suggests that subtle changes in the left atrium may be an independent risk factor for dementia, even after controlling for other vascular risk factors.
A new scale called the Geriatric Oncology-Potentially Inappropriate Medications (GO-PIMs) Scale was found to be more effective at predicting frailty than conventional methods. The scale identifies high-risk medications linked to falls and fatigue, allowing oncology teams to deprescribe them and improve patients' overall health.
Researchers at UNH will develop and test social assistive robots to aid in the care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia in their own homes. The robots will be equipped with smart home devices, artificial intelligence, and wearables to track patients' activity levels and health management.
A new poll shows that 61% of people over 50 who have already gotten at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine are very likely to roll up their sleeves for an updated booster shot. Health providers' recommendations will play a crucial role in increasing vaccination rates among older adults.
A recent clinical trial led by Massachusetts General Hospital validated a strategy for increasing shared decision-making about colorectal cancer screening in older patients. Brief physician training plus reminders resulted in patients reporting higher quality conversations, with more discussing their preferences and having more options...
Staff turnover affects both residents and their families, compromising the quality of care. Continuity of nursing home staff and leadership is essential for delivering personalized care, as frontline workers deliver 90% of care. Researchers emphasize the need to attract and retain well-trained staff who enjoy working with older adults.
A new study published in the European Journal of Ageing found that having a partner had a greater impact on reducing loneliness among older adults during the pandemic's first wave. Not having a partner was the most significant factor, with those without a partner experiencing a higher risk of moving into loneliness.
Researchers found a rapid decline in sense of smell predicts cognitive impairment, including dementia and smaller brain areas, in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. The study suggests using smell tests as an early screening tool to identify high-risk patients.