A study found that older adults with pre-existing major depressive disorder demonstrated resilience to the stress of physical distancing and isolation during the pandemic. They used coping strategies such as maintaining regular schedules, distracting themselves from negative emotions, and using mindfulness.
Telehealth visits have skyrocketed for older Americans, with a significant increase in comfort levels and reduced privacy concerns. However, not all older adults see virtual care as an adequate substitute for in-person care, and some still lack experience or access to video conferencing tools.
A study conducted at the University of Jyväskylä found that older adults who reported attractive destinations more than 500 meters away were more physically active. This suggests that having diverse and quality neighborhood destinations may support older adults' physical activity, contrary to common assumptions.
A study found that children think robots can assist with various tasks for older adults, such as Pepper and Tessa, but are more doubtful about helping their own grandparents. The Uncanny Valley phenomenon may contribute to this skepticism, where human-like robots become less intimidating when assigned a clear task.
An fMRI study found that older adults' brain activity while experiencing event boundaries is similar to younger adults', but with some differences. The study suggests that older adults may process events in different ways, focusing on broader contextual information rather than specific details.
Baycrest researchers are studying the effects of COVID-19 and social isolation on cognitive health, finding a potential link between respiratory symptoms and decreased oxygen to the brain. The study aims to identify factors predicting dementia development in older adults.
A recent clinical trial found that aspirin use increased the risk of advanced cancer progression and early death in older adults. Aspirin was associated with a higher risk of metastasized cancer and stage 4 cancer, leading to higher mortality rates among those diagnosed with advanced solid cancers.
Researchers analyzed atmospheric and lightning data to study the relationship between thunderstorms and increased emergency department visits for respiratory illnesses among older adults. The study found that vulnerable groups may be susceptible to atmospheric changes caused by thunderstorms, leading to higher emergency visit rates.
A study by UC San Francisco found that over a third of adults aged 65 and older face difficulties seeing their doctor via telemedicine due to various obstacles. The researchers highlight the need for innovation in devices, services, and policy to ensure older adults are not left behind during the shift to telehealth.
This study assesses telemedicine unreadiness among older adults in the US, using data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study. The results show that a significant proportion of older adults are unprepared to access video or telephone telemedicine due to disability or technology inexperience.
A new study by the Yale School of Public Health found that approximately 30% of women and 17% of men in the US have experienced a major depressive episode. The study also showed that mental health programs can benefit a larger segment of the population than previously thought.
A study finds that immune suppression in older adults is reversible and can be relieved by targeting a specific cell type. This breakthrough could lead to more effective flu vaccines and potentially COVID-19 vaccines, increasing protection for seniors.
A recent study found that over 40% of hospitalizations among older adults with dementia were for potentially preventable conditions, such as pneumonia and heart failure. The study's lead author emphasized the importance of addressing sepsis and implementing patient-centered programs to improve outpatient care.
A new UBC study reveals that older adults experienced greater emotional well-being and felt less stressed during the pandemic compared to younger and middle-aged adults. Positive events, such as remote social interactions, also helped increase positive emotions across all age groups.
A reduced dose of prasugrel was found to be as effective as a standard dose of ticagrelor in reducing the risk of bleeding without increasing it, particularly in elderly or low-weight patients with acute coronary syndrome. This finding is based on a randomized trial that assessed efficacy and safety in nearly 4,000 patients.
A joint report from Trinity College researchers and ALONE highlights increased feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and isolation in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most callers to ALONE's national support line were from over-70s living alone, reporting negative emotions and putting off medical treatment.
A recent study has found that elderly Alzheimer's patients are more susceptible to COVID-19 infection due to increased expression of the ACE2 gene, which acts as an entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2. The research, published in the Journal of Infection, suggests that elevated ACE2 levels can lead to a higher risk of infection.
Researchers say that five to 10 days of physical inactivity can lead to muscle loss and chronic diseases. Older adults who walk fewer than 1,500 steps a day can lose up to 4 percent of their muscle tissue in just two weeks.
A new poll finds that over 80% of Americans over 50 experience at least one form of everyday ageism, which is linked to poor mental and physical health. Despite this, most older adults have positive attitudes towards aging, including increased comfort with themselves and a strong sense of purpose.
Researchers found that people tend to become more optimistic as they age, with a significant increase during young adulthood. Despite major life events, such as divorce or illness, people generally remain positive about their future, finding ways to maintain emotional balance and focus on happiness.
A Baycrest-CAMH study aims to examine the effects of COVID-19 and physical distancing on the mental health of older adults. The researchers will monitor changes in mental health and identify factors that affect seniors' emotional well-being, informing public health decisions and potential interventions.
The STRIDE study found that a personalized approach to falls risk reduction resulted in an 8-10% reduction in serious fall injuries among older adults. However, potential barriers such as transportation availability and copayments may have contributed to the lesser effect size seen in the trial.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine found that older adults taking opioids are at a higher risk of crashing, with a 5.4% increase in reported crashes compared to non-users. However, they also tend to self-regulate their driving habits and report lower self-rated driving ability.
Researchers study Tarahumara runners to dispel stereotypes about their athletic prowess. They find that traditional long-distance running is a socially vital form of prayer and develops endurance through regular hard work and physical activities like walking and dancing.
A study examining elderly people's attitudes and compliance with COVID-19 preventative measures found that older adults are not more willing to isolate or wear masks, despite being most vulnerable to severe illness. However, they are more likely to avoid public transportation and small gatherings.
A new study suggests that older adults spontaneously share fewer memories of their past experiences, with less detail in descriptions. Researchers analyzed daily conversations using a smartphone app and found this decline to be age-related, possibly linked to brain changes.
A new analysis of 16 years of health data reveals that long-term exposure to fine particles leads to increased mortality rates among the elderly. If current EPA standards were lowered, over 140,000 lives might have been saved within a decade.
The world's population aged 60 years and older is expected to reach 2 billion by 2050, with significant disparities in health conditions across the globe. The IIASA study reveals constant prevalence rates of severe activity limitations in low- and middle-income countries for the next 30 years.
A recent study found that nearly all nursing home residents with life-limiting conditions were taking statins, despite unclear guidelines for this age group. The researchers concluded that continuing statin therapy in these patients may be unnecessary due to potential side effects and a lack of proven benefits.
A nationwide study of over 2,000 Americans found that social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic did not lead to an overall increase in loneliness. Instead, people reported feeling more supported by others and a sense of community, which may have limited increases in loneliness.
A new study from Veterans Affairs Research Communications used predictive modeling techniques on over 275,000 patients with diabetes to identify factors that impact mortality. The results placed patients in three time frames for expected death and provide a framework for clinicians to make informed treatment decisions.
Researchers at SFU found that wearing hip protectors reduces the risk of hip fracture by over two times, while mobility aids lower the likelihood of injury by over threefold. The study aims to improve quality of life for seniors in long-term care through fall prevention and injury protection.
A nationwide study in South Korea found that elderly patients with hip fractures are nearly three times more likely to die by suicide within the first six months following surgical treatment. The study also suggests that mental stress and emotional status evaluation are crucial for management.
This study evaluated the relationship between preoperative Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index and long-term outcomes in elderly gastric cancer patients. The results showed that the GNRI is a useful prognostic indicator for estimating overall survival, cancer-specific survival, and postoperative outcomes.
A six-month clinical trial found that continuous glucose monitoring devices can significantly reduce hypoglycemia and severe hypoglycemic events in older adults with type 1 diabetes. The study also showed improved overall glucose control without worsening glycemic outcomes.
A new Irish study challenges claims that high blood levels of folate increase the risk of poor cognition in older adults. The study found no evidence of adverse effects, while higher folate levels were associated with better cognitive function in older adults.
A new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that regular volunteer work among older adults (50+) significantly reduces mortality risk, improves sense of well-being, and boosts physical activity. However, volunteering did not show direct impact on chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease.
A study found that an undergraduate service-learning course using music and filmmaking helped students connect with people with dementia, share unique stories, and process new experiences. The creative approach has the potential to humanize dementia and motivate a new generation of healthcare professionals.
A study found that older adults who engage in light physical activity and spread it throughout the day have a lower risk of developing major mobility disability. The researchers recommend building strength and balance first, then increasing moderate-to-vigorous intensity activity, and finally adding light activity.
Researchers from DZNE and experts from US institutions study how noise in movement speed perception affects spatial navigation. They found that internal noise, accumulating with age, is the main cause of errors in determining position, leading to age-related orientation problems.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing identify health challenges and care needs of older adults with COVID-19 upon hospital discharge. The Transitional Care Model offers a path forward for targeted federal and state policy responses to support these individuals.
A new study found that people with small airways relative to their lungs' volume are at increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) regardless of smoking habits. Individuals with smaller airways had the poorest lung function and were 8 times more likely to develop COPD.
A new study at Bar-Ilan University links COVID-19-based loneliness in older adults to elevated psychiatric symptoms of anxiety and depression. The researchers found that the effect of loneliness on psychiatric symptoms was most pronounced among participants who felt subjectively older than their chronological age.
A large study in northern Italy found that even frail elderly people (65 and older) who take blood pressure medication as prescribed live longer. The healthiest older people experienced the biggest survival boost, with benefits greatest for those taking more than 75% of their prescribed doses.
Researchers found that T cells increase their metabolism to survive, contradicting previous assumptions about immune function. The study suggests that targeted interventions like vaccines or immunotherapies could boost T cell immunity in the elderly.
A new study found that middle-aged and older LGBTQ+ adults are more likely to use substances like cannabis and opioids than their heterosexual counterparts. The researchers suggest that prevention and harm reduction efforts should be targeted towards this community, highlighting the need for addressing stigma and discrimination.
A national poll of over 2,000 adults aged 50-80 reveals that most were capable home cooks before COVID-19, with those who cooked at home most often rating their diets as excellent. However, solo diners reported less healthy diets and relied more on fast food, highlighting the need for support during the pandemic.
Researchers at Harvard and MIT have developed pop-up shoe grips inspired by snake skin that increase friction between the shoe and ground. These assistive grips could significantly reduce the risk of falls among older adults and improve the mobility of all-terrain robots.
A new study found that older men are less worried about COVID-19 than women their age or younger people, despite being at higher risk of severe or fatal infections. The study suggests that accurate perception of risk may be more effective in predicting preventive behaviors than worry.
A recent study reports a slight rise in hip fracture rates among long-stay residents in US nursing homes, with 36% of those who experience fractures dying within six months. The study suggests that underutilization of osteoporosis medications may be a contributing factor to the high rates.
A UK study investigated sexual activity during COVID-19 lockdown and found that only 39.9% of British adults surveyed engaged in any form of sexual activity. The study suggests that promoting sexual activity as a way to maintain physical and mental health could be an important public health message.
A randomized clinical trial found that reducing blood pressure medications for older adults can be done safely without significant changes in short-term blood pressure control. The study included 534 adults aged 80 and older, suggesting that potential risks of continued treatment may outweigh benefits.
A report from Johns Hopkins Medicine recommends adding home visit codes to MIPS quality measures and fostering research on home-based primary care. Currently, only 12% of homebound patients receive their medical care at home, highlighting the need for improved quality measures.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that women and older adults are still vastly underrepresented in lipid lowering therapy trials, despite their high disease burden. The researchers analyzed 60 studies from 1990 to 2018 and reported a modest increase in representation of women, but many trials excluded pregnant or breastfeeding wo...
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that social isolation is a risk factor for increased COVID-19 cases among older adults in Italy. Regions with larger households and high numbers of residential nursing homes experienced the highest rates of infection.
A new article highlights the lack of support for older adults with respiratory illnesses in community settings, who face significant health risks and mortality rates. Experts outline specific steps to ensure their safety, including increased testing, social support, and protecting home care workers.
A new study published in Ageing and Society found that daily internet use is associated with higher levels of social isolation among older adults. The research, which analyzed data from 4,492 adults in England, suggests that occasional internet users may have a better balance between online and offline contacts.
A study of 7,000 adults aged 65 found that those with dementia and poor vision experience significant limitations in self-care, mobility, and household activities. The research highlights the need for better support systems to address these challenges.
A new study from the University of Hawaii at Manoa found that strong relationships are key to influencing physical activity in older adults. Participants with higher educational attainment and a strong relationship with others were more likely to meet physical activity guidelines.
A new poll reveals that one in seven adults between 50 and 80 experience food insecurity due to cost or other issues. Older adults with lower household incomes and education face significant disparities. The pandemic may have worsened these disparities, highlighting the need for increased access to nutritious food and health resources.