Research on health and aging in later life. Covers attention and cognition, longevity, organ aging, and age-related disease.
A new study found a close link between ageism and poor physical and mental health in older adults. Those with more health concerns experienced higher rates of everyday ageism, including internalized and interpersonal forms.
A new study from Keck School of Medicine of USC suggests that willingness to give away money may be linked to the earliest stages of Alzheimer's disease. Participants who gave more money scored significantly lower on cognitive tests known to be sensitive to Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers discovered that uncontrolled diabetes increases heart failure risk by 1.5 to 1.8 times in preclinical stages A and B. Early diabetes control can prevent progression to overt heart failure, suggesting a potential lifesaving strategy.
A recent study found that older adults in later-born generations are more likely to have multiple chronic health conditions than prior generations. This trend may lead to increased strain on the well-being of older adults and medical insurance systems, particularly as the US population ages. The researchers suggest that sociodemographi...
A study of 1548 people aged 13 to 77 found that passion and growth mindset decrease with age, while grit increases, suggesting that older individuals can still develop new skills. Notably, women tend to have a stronger growth mindset than men.
A randomized controlled trial found that spinal anesthesia was associated with worse pain immediately after surgery, but differences diminished over time. Researchers also found higher rates of pain reliever prescriptions at 60 days in the spinal anesthesia group.
A study found that older Latinos who participated in a culturally relevant Latin dance program for eight months significantly improved their working memory compared to those in a control group. The program used four types of Latin dance styles and incorporated elements of social engagement, increasing physical activity levels.
A new study by Baycrest and Western University suggests that older adults may benefit more from natural speech than previously thought. They found that for engaging stories, older adults performed similarly to younger adults in noisy settings, but struggled with disconnected sentences.
A new study published in eClinicalMedicine found that older men experiencing frequent bad dreams were twice as likely to be diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The researchers suggest that dream changes could serve as an early warning sign for the condition, which may develop years before characteristic symptoms appear.
A straightforward questionnaire, called the Attentional Failure during Driving Questionnaire (AFDQ), has been developed to assess older drivers' ability to drive safely. The study found that repeated attentional challenges were a key predictor of crashes among older drivers.
A new study from Michigan Medicine reveals that dementia diagnoses are often accompanied by significant increases in healthcare costs. The research found that the average Medicare spending jumped by 150% after a formal diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia.
Researchers analyzed data from 623,000 Asian individuals to find that being unmarried is associated with a higher risk of death. The study found the highest risk among men and younger people under 65 years old.
Residents of Ontario retirement homes have high rates of hospital-based care compared to long-term care facilities and community-dwelling individuals. They have double the rate of emergency department visits and hospital admissions as LTC residents, but lower rates of primary care visits.
A large US hospital study found that hospitals providing more registered nurse hours of care can decrease mortality rates in Medicare patients with sepsis. The analysis of over 702,000 patients suggests a strong association between nurse staffing and patient outcomes.
Researchers found that care coordinators identifying illnesses early and providing timely care allowed most residents to 'age in place,' reducing need for nursing home care. Exercise and socialization opportunities also improved physical and mental health outcomes.
A Korean study of 430 adults found that thicker macular retinal nerve fiber layers were associated with faster cognitive decline. The researchers suggest this finding could inform predictive biomarkers for evaluating cognitive function in older adults.
Researchers at FAU's Schmidt College of Medicine are conducting a two-year study to investigate emergency department-based prevention strategies for high-risk older patients. The project aims to identify effective fall prevention strategies that target limited resources to improve patient outcomes, safety, and reduce healthcare costs.
The USPSTF concludes that there is not enough evidence to support regular screening for impaired visual acuity in older adults. This recommendation applies to asymptomatic adults over 65 who do not have known vision problems. The number of affected adults is estimated at 2.9 million in 2015.
A study by researchers at Keck School of Medicine of USC found that interpersonal problems, such as loneliness and relationship dissatisfaction, predict vulnerability to financial exploitation in older adults. Social connectedness is shown to be a key protector against financial abuse.
A nationwide analysis found that local increases in green vegetation could have prevented between 34,000-38,000 deaths among adults 65 and older in large US metropolitan areas. The study also showed a significant increase in overall greenness in metro areas over the past two decades.
A recent study found that extreme heat was associated with higher all-cause mortality in the contiguous United States. The findings suggest a greater increase in mortality among older adults, men, and non-Hispanic Black individuals during this period.
A recent SFU study found that 79% of Vancouver residents have access to a grocery store within a 15-minute walk, while 99% can reach one via cycling. However, there are inequities in access across populations and neighbourhoods, disproportionately affecting children, older adults, and racialized populations.
A new study found that people over 50 are more likely to use sunscreen if they believe it prevents sunburn, while those who think it takes too much time are less likely. The researchers suggest using reminders from romantic partners or focusing on skin cancer risk as effective messaging strategies.
Researchers found that polypharmacy and sedative drugs are associated with an increased risk of long-term care needs certification among older adults. The study highlights the need for public health initiatives to reduce high-risk prescribing practices, which may lead to a decrease in disability risk.
A community-focused approach led by Boston Medical Center significantly improved COVID-19 vaccination uptake in historically disinvested Black and Latino communities. The initiative administered over 100,000 first doses, with a focus on mobile vaccination events and community-based clinics.
A new national poll reveals that most people over 50 feel their health is as good or better than before 2020, but a sizable minority say their health has declined. Key findings highlight the importance of social connections, hobbies, and getting outdoors in helping older adults age well.
A study conducted at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that a higher dose of melatonin (5mg) increased total sleep time compared to placebo in healthy older adults. The high-dose melatonin group showed significant improvements in both nighttime and daytime sleep episodes.
A Rutgers University study found that Black adults raised in the South are more likely to experience cognition problems later in life due to factors such as poverty and socioeconomic disadvantage. In contrast, White adults from the South with higher childhood socioeconomic status tend to perform better cognitively.
A new study reveals massive variations in hospice medication prescriptions, with treatment agency being the primary factor. Patients in agencies with high prescription rates were up to 50 times more likely to receive benzodiazepines or antipsychotics.
Researchers suggest a novel neuroimaging technique can unveil Alzheimer's disease secrets and predict symptom risk. The 'neuromelanin-sensitive MRI' method provides insights into the brain's noradrenergic system, linked to aggressive behavior and cognitive decline.
Researchers investigate the role of gut bacteria in pneumonia infection in the elderly, finding that a leaky gut can lead to inflamed lungs. The study suggests that aging compromises immune system control over bacteria, allowing them to migrate to other parts of the body and cause poor outcomes.
A combination of aerobic, strength, flexibility, and balance exercises alongside personalized nutritional counselling reduced mobility disability by 22% over three years. The intervention also improved physical performance and reduced muscle loss in older adults.
A systematic review and meta-analysis compared traditional strength training with power training for improving physical function in older adults. Power training showed similar benefits to strength training in terms of muscle power and functional ability.
A bioethicist contends that crisis-care protocols should ignore patients' age, proposing instead a patient-specific values approach. She suggests using a Clinical Frailty Scale to predict near-term survival and considers a lottery as the fairest way to prioritize individuals under dire conditions.
A new study suggests that supplementing a diet with Ascidiacea, also known as sea squirts, reverses some main signs of aging in animal models. The researchers found that plasmalogens, vital to body processes, decrease with age and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
A University of Washington model found that the body's ability to create cloned immune cells falls significantly with age, leading to increased susceptibility to COVID-19 in the elderly. The study suggests that genetic limits on cell division may play a role in the devastating effects of COVID-19 on older adults.
Initiation of lower gastrointestinal endoscopy before age 50 among women is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer. Guidelines now recommend that women initiate colorectal cancer screening before age 50 to reduce the risk, including cases diagnosed before age 55.
A new study found that half of older adults with both hearing and vision impairment have serious cognitive decline, compared to 28% with only vision impairment. The study highlights the importance of considering sensory impairments in identifying those at risk for cognitive decline.
A 25-year study found steady improvement in mortality rates and hospitalizations for another heart attack among older adults who survived a heart attack. However, men and Black patients were more likely to experience adverse outcomes, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address disparities.
Scientists have found that transplanting faecal microbiota from young mice into old mice can reverse hallmarks of ageing in the gut, eyes, and brain. The study suggests that gut microbes play a role in regulating some of the detrimental effects of ageing, offering a potential solution in the form of gut microbe replacement therapy.
A new study found that older adults are no more likely to fall for fake news than younger adults, except for those aged 70 and above. Analytical reasoning skills and positive affect impact detection ability, with 'shallow' information processing increasing vulnerability to deception.
Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a smartphone app that uses near-infrared camera technology to track pupil size changes, which can indicate cognitive conditions. The app is designed to be user-friendly for older adults and has shown comparable results to traditional pupillometry devices.
A Brazilian study analyzing data from 3,875 elderly men and women found that weak muscles combined with abdominal obesity can indicate an early sign of functional decline. The study suggests that monitoring simple actions such as sitting down, standing up, walking short distances may help identify this condition.
A Carnegie Mellon University researcher is working to create technology that supports health and expands access to marginalized communities. Her research explores how older Black adults interact with voice assistant devices, highlighting challenges such as difficulty phrasing questions and 'code-switching' to adapt to formal dialects.
A recent study found racial and ethnic disparities in health insurance coverage among Black and Hispanic adults aged 60-64, compared to white adults. The research suggests that policy reforms could help reduce these disparities.
Researchers found a significant association between residential green space and improved cognitive function in middle-age women. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed data from over 13,000 participants and discovered that those with greater access to green spaces performed better on cognitive tests.
Researchers found that people with advanced Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias who live in the community experience similar symptom burdens to those in nursing homes. The study suggests that palliative care interventions could ease symptom burden and improve quality of life for patients and caregivers.
Researchers developed a comprehensive approach to advance care planning in long-term care homes, involving residents as active participants. The BABEL approach achieved better outcomes, reduced unnecessary treatments, and improved resident comfort.
A combination of high-dose vitamin D, omega-3s, and a simple home strength exercise program (SHEP) showed a cumulative reduction of 61% in cancer risk among healthy adults aged 70 or older. The study, published in Frontiers in Aging, highlights the potential benefits of combining multiple public health interventions for cancer prevention.
A recent randomized controlled trial found that an online decision aid can help older adults decide whether and when to stop driving. The tool, called Healthwise DDA, had high acceptability and reduced negative feelings about the process among participants. It may help older adults make informed decisions about their driving abilities.
A new study found that people with sleep apnea are more likely to engage in risky driving behaviors such as speeding and hard braking. The researchers monitored the driving habits of 96 older adults under real-world conditions and collected data on over 100,000 trips. They also assessed cognitive impairments and molecular signs of earl...
A University of Houston program successfully reduces social isolation among seniors by connecting them with UH students in social work and nursing. Weekly telephone interactions establish trust, resulting in a decrease in loneliness and an increase in participants' well-being.
A recent study found that older adults who received a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine experienced short-term adverse events. The study assessed over 60,000 participants aged 60 or older in Israel and reported various side effects including fatigue, headache, and muscle pain.
ACOs with higher percentages of minority patients have lower quality performance and poorer preventive care outcomes. In contrast, ACOs with lower out-of-network primary care rates show no differences in quality performance among different racial and ethnic groups.
Researchers found a strong association between subjective memory complaints and larger white matter hyperintensity volumes, indicating abnormal brain structure. The study also showed faster cognitive decline among those with subjective memory complaints, highlighting their importance as an early sign of cognitive impairment.
A new poll by the National Poll on Healthy Aging finds that many older adults are not prepared for aging in place, despite wanting to live independently. The poll highlights the importance of planning for home modifications and social support, particularly for those without family members to care for them.
A new study published in the Chinese Medical Journal assessed mortality risk in middle-aged and older Chinese individuals with multiple diseases. The study identified four multimorbidity patterns, with cardiometabolic being the most common, and found that individuals with these patterns had a significantly increased mortality risk.
A new study published in PLOS ONE finds that high and very high cardiovascular risk are associated with depressive symptoms, especially in women. The researchers used data from a Mediterranean Diet trial and found that participants with higher cardiovascular risk had lower depressive status scores after following the diet.
A recent study found that most older adults in Canada are willing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, with only a small percentage expressing hesitation. Factors such as safety concerns and previous flu shot history played a significant role in determining willingness.
Rates of depression and loneliness surged among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly women aged 65-74 who experienced a 67% increase in loneliness. Effective interventions are needed to address social isolation, including digital technology education, virtual group fitness classes, and outreach programs for youth.