Articles tagged with Older Adults
A VUB researcher's study found that loneliness can be temporary and even provide opportunities for self-development, challenging the common view of loneliness as solely negative. The study also highlights the importance of addressing loneliness throughout one's life.
A City of Hope clinical trial showed that patients over 65 experiencing significantly fewer treatment-related side effects when a multidisciplinary team analyzed each case and introduced personalized interventions. The completion of advance directives was also higher in the experimental group.
A new study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that older women are more likely to report depressive symptoms than men. The study, which tracked data from over 50,000 people between the ages of 45 and 85, suggests that late life is associated with increased depression rates, particularly among females.
A study of over 2,000 European retirees found that internet usage after retirement is associated with better cognitive scores. Specifically, female retirees who regularly surfed the internet recalled more words on a word recall test compared to their non-internet-using counterparts.
Researchers identified 99 saliva metabolites related to energy synthesis, digestion, growth, and cell health, with 21 metabolites differing between young and elderly individuals. Age-linked salivary metabolites reflect biological aging, including a 1.96-fold increase in ATP production in the elderly.
A new study suggests that lowering the age when older adults can enroll in Medicare might save them a significant amount of money. The study found that average out-of-pocket healthcare costs dropped by 27% for those turning 66, while nearly 9% of 64-year-olds were considered 'catastrophic' due to high health expenses.
A new model developed by Ben-Gurion University scientists can help policymakers simulate their choices and find the optimal strategy for combining vaccines and social distancing. The model suggests that vaccinating the elderly and imposing social distancing on adults is generally more effective than other approaches.
A new study found that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) significantly reduces deaths by suicide among older adults with depression in the months following hospitalization. The therapy may also improve overall health and cognitive functioning.
A new poll shows strong support among older Americans for requiring health care workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The survey found that 61% of people aged 50 to 80 believe the vaccine should definitely be required, while an additional 19% think it should probably be required.
A study led by Ruixue Zhaoyang found that frequent and pleasant social interactions can boost cognitive performance in older adults. Participants who reported more social interactions had better cognitive performance on the same day and for days following.
A new poll suggests that older adults are not using tax-advantaged savings accounts to save for future health expenses, with those who do more likely to have high incomes and education levels. The findings highlight the need for better understanding and support for low-income and vulnerable populations.
Researchers will examine protective immunity in older adults and assess the duration of immunity against emerging strains of COVID-19. The study aims to inform booster vaccine recommendations for seniors.
A new study highlights significant disparities in dementia care availability by gender, race, ethnicity, education level, and family structure. The findings emphasize the importance of family caregivers, with those having available spouse or adult child support being less likely to move into nursing homes.
A recent study found that warmer temperatures are associated with an increase in COPD exacerbations. The research analyzed data from over 1,100 smokers with COPD and discovered a 2% increased risk of exacerbations for every one-degree Celsius rise in ambient temperature.
A large-scale UK study confirms that COVID-19 vaccines are effective in reducing severe illness and hospitalisation. The study found that people who received one or two vaccine doses had lower odds of severe disease or hospitalisation than unvaccinated individuals, with a significant reduction in long COVID cases.
Researchers found that seniors moving from low-mortality areas to high-mortality areas experience a significant decrease in life expectancy. On the other hand, urban areas on the East and West Coasts have positive effects on longevity for seniors, while Midwestern metro areas score well. The study also identified parts of the deep Sout...
A community-based fall-prevention program helped reduce in-home falls among older adults by nearly 40%, resulting in cost savings of $1,613 per person. The program provided personalized plans to address fall risks and made simple home modifications such as grab bars and slip-resistant surfaces.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have found that brain tissue inflammation is a key driver of Alzheimer's disease progression. By targeting neuroinflammation, they believe combination therapy could be more effective in reducing amyloid plaque formation and limiting tau fiber spread.
Researchers created Community ASAP to help locate missing people with dementia, engaging community citizens as volunteers. The app aims to address the lack of alerts for this population, which has a high risk of wandering and experiencing serious injury or death within 24 hours.
A new study published in the Journal of Gerontology finds that engaging in diverse daily activities is associated with a diverse set of emotions. Individuals who regularly participated in a broad range of activities experienced more diverse positive emotions, particularly those between ages 33-44.
A research study is being conducted to understand muscle fatigue in older adults, with a focus on its effects on mobility and daily activities. The study aims to develop a new metric called fatigability to assess an individual's change in performance and perceived effort in response to standardized activity.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in the proportion of community-dwelling homebound adults aged 70 or older in the US, particularly among Black non-Hispanic and Hispanic/Latino individuals. Compliance with social distancing measures is believed to be a key factor contributing to this trend.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that older patients with multiple chronic conditions who read their visit notes reported better understanding their medications and taking them as prescribed. Reading notes also helped these patients feel more in control of their care.
A study of 1800 Japanese citizens aged 65 found that low weight and insufficient exercise are significant risk factors for sarcopenia. Those with possible sarcopenia exhibited higher degrees of frailty despite normal Specific Health Checkup results, highlighting the need for a test to identify sarcopenia early on.
Researchers discovered that almost half of patients who received personalized information about community resources shared them with at least one other person. Individuals in poorer health were more likely to report sharing the information, and those who visited or used a resource on their list were also more likely to share it.
Research published in The BMJ found that poor physical function from around age 65 is associated with an increased risk of death. Signs of decline, such as difficulty getting up from a chair or dressing, emerge up to 10 years before death.
The COVID-19 pandemic has likely led to an increase in falls among older adults due to decreased physical activity, worsened physical conditioning, and heightened fear of falling. This is a pressing concern as falls can result in significant injuries, particularly among this age group.
A Dartmouth research team led by Glyn Elwyn is testing interactive educational approaches to boost vaccine confidence among unvaccinated long-term care workers. The study aims to measure vaccine confidence, knowledge, and trust in the COVID-19 vaccines.
A study by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin found that older adults' living spaces reflect their personality traits and mood. When a space matches an individual's personality, they report better well-being and a better mood.
A new study suggests that older adults, particularly women and those in fair or poor health, are more likely to experience worsened mental health symptoms during the pandemic. The study recommends screening for depression, anxiety, and sleep problems and connecting participants to treatment resources.
A new study found that lower-wealth volunteers experience even greater health gains from volunteering compared to higher-wealth volunteers. Volunteering enhances self-reported health and reduces depressive symptoms regardless of wealth status.
A new study reveals that people's feelings about their age are closely tied to their physical health and well-being. Subjective age discordance, the difference between how old one feels and wants to be, was found to be more pronounced in older adults but fluctuated more in younger adults.
A study found that lonely older adults are at a higher risk of using high-risk medications. The survey data analysis revealed a significant correlation between loneliness and medication use among adults over 65.
The University of Maryland has developed a new hypertension management program for older adults, integrating the DASH diet with physical activity and self-management. The program aims to improve knowledge, access, and self-monitoring skills for this demographic.
A prediction model forecasts a significant increase in disability-adjusted life years attributed to oral diseases in emerging countries by 2025. Females and older adults are expected to have the highest burden of oral diseases globally.
A new study reveals that older people are slower to learn actions and behaviors that benefit themselves, but are just as capable as younger people of learning behaviors that benefit others. When making choices that give positive feedback to another person, older adults' learning ability is preserved.
A randomized clinical trial found that physical exercise was significantly more effective in improving depressive symptoms among older adults with mild to moderate depression, compared to antidepressant treatment. Adverse side effects were more common in the medication group.
A new study from the University of Georgia reveals that older Mexican Americans living in linguistically isolated neighborhoods face significant health risks, including higher mortality rates. The researchers found that language barriers hindered access to healthcare and social connections, leading to poorer health outcomes.
A total of 548 studies were included in the map, with substantial evidence for interventions promoting basic needs and mobility in older adults at home. Few studies have looked at impacts on social participation, financial security, ability to maintain relationships, and communication.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE suggests that physical activity can improve cognitive function in older adults by altering brain microstructure. The research, which analyzed MRI scans of 318 brains post-mortem, found a positive correlation between physical activity and increased cortical thickness.
An 83-year-old man was diagnosed with HIV after experiencing fever and weight loss. He was treated with antiretroviral therapy and achieved an undetectable viral load. The case highlights the importance of targeting older adults for HIV testing, as they are often diagnosed late and at higher risk of death.
A study by Duke-NUS Medical School finds that lonely older adults can expect to live a shorter life than their peers, forfeiting potential years of good health. In Singapore, where collectivistic culture and rapidly ageing population make loneliness more detrimental, loneliness among seniors has become a social and public health concern.
A new online calculator, RESPECT, uses big data to predict death within 6 months in older adults, prioritizing quality of remaining life over curative care. The tool was developed based on data from over 491,000 community-dwelling older adults and aims to support families and healthcare professionals in planning end-of-life care.
A study by the University of Copenhagen found that older adults' sense of smell declines specifically for savory foods like fried meat, onions, and mushrooms, but remains intact for sweet and fruity odors. This suggests that our perception of smell is closely linked to taste, particularly saltiness.
Researchers discovered that communicating with female friends decreases stress hormone levels for women across the lifespan. The study tested conversational efficiency and stress responses in younger and older adult women, finding that older adults demonstrated conversational dexterity with both familiar and unfamiliar partners.
A recent NC State University study found that a low-cost computer training program called Drive Aware can significantly reduce unsafe incidents among older adults. The program, which provides cognitive training to detect road hazards, was tested on 27 senior participants and showed a 25% reduction in accidents.
Researchers found that age-related hearing impairment is associated with poorer physical functioning and reduced walking endurance in older adults. The study suggests that addressing hearing loss could be crucial in preserving physical function and quality of life in older individuals.
A study by University of Bath researchers found that augmented reality prompts with a 'ghosthand' are more effective for older adults, leading to faster completion and increased confidence. The study highlights the need for designers to prioritize inclusivity and usability in AR applications to cater to this growing demographic.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that carefully considered surgical treatment improves the prognosis for elderly brain tumour patients. Almost half of patients who had ended up in institutional care due to a brain tumour were able to return home thanks to surgery.
A third of Americans employ unregulated caregivers for older adults and those with dementia, highlighting gaps in access to care. Gray market caregivers often lack training and screening, increasing potential for exploitation or abuse.
Recent guidelines discourage routine aspirin use in adults 70 and older, but research suggests that older adults with diabetes may have potential overuse of aspirin therapy. If not actively discontinued, this could lead to unnecessary risks and side effects.
A decade-long study found that personalized medicine, considering patient needs and environment, is more effective than one-size-fits-all approaches. The research team recommended a tailored approach for distal radius fractures, taking into account the patient's social environment and risk tolerance.
New study finds that elderly RA patients are not at higher risk of serious infections with bDMARDs or JAKi, but glucocorticoid use and underlying diseases increase the risk. Better physical capacity is associated with a lower risk of serious infection.
A study by Bentley University explores how the elderly use smart speaker technology at home, revealing heterogeneous use patterns. The results show that mornings and afternoons are more active, music and news are most prevalent, and simple commands dominate interactions.
Care home residents over 70 have a delayed and weaker immune response to vaccines compared to younger individuals, making them more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infections. This phenomenon has been confirmed by researchers from Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin.
A new study challenges outdated public health guidance on fan use during heatwaves, proposing increased temperature thresholds for young healthy adults. Electric fan use can be recommended most of the time in most regions, except extremely hot and arid areas.
A new analysis of national data found that socially engaged older women had a 76% higher odds of experiencing emotional abuse or mistreatment. Researchers suggest that social activities can connect people with valuable community support but also lead to unintended consequences.
A preclinical study suggests that senolytic drugs can significantly reduce mortality and severe disease in elderly people infected with SARS-CoV-2. The study found that treating older mice with senolytic drugs increased their survival rate from nearly 0% to 50%, reducing cellular senescence and inflammatory markers.
A Danish-Swedish study found that football and team handball training have a positive effect on telomere length and mitochondrial function in women, potentially increasing their health span and lifespan. The research involved 129 healthy women and showed that elite football players had longer telomeres compared to untrained controls.
A study from the University of Kansas found that the speech-to-song illusion occurs in adults 55 and older at similar rates as younger people, with no difference in perception or intensity. The findings suggest that older adults may not experience a decline in cognitive abilities related to this phenomenon.