Research on health and aging in later life. Covers attention and cognition, longevity, organ aging, and age-related disease.
The USPSTF recommends exercise, such as supervised classes and physical therapy, for adults 65+ at increased risk of falling. This intervention can help prevent falls-related injuries and deaths among older adults.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that older adults in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) with higher quality ratings had significantly lower risks for placement in long-term care facilities. The researchers used data from over 500,000 people aged 65 and older to examine the role of SNF quality in...
The USPSTF recommends against daily supplementation with vitamin D and calcium to prevent fractures in men and premenopausal women. However, they suggest these supplements may be beneficial for postmenopausal women, as current scientific evidence is insufficient for the general population.
Having multiple chronic illnesses plus functional limitations increases the risk of death among older adults with heart failure. The study found that those who had other chronic conditions or problems performing daily activities had a similar risk for hospitalization or emergency room visits.
New research shows that regular muscle stretching can improve blood flow to muscles of the lower leg in elderly people with reduced mobility. This non-invasive exercise technique may help alleviate lower leg problems, such as pain or weakness, and increase walking function in individuals with peripheral artery disease.
A three-month project by Queensland Ballet and QUT found participants experienced higher energy levels, greater flexibility, improved posture, and enhanced sense of achievement. Ballet participation was also linked to a general feeling of wellbeing and social connections.
A sudden loss of wealth was associated with an increased risk of death among US adults. The study found that losing 75% or more of total net worth over a two-year period left fewer resources for healthcare expenses and had long-lasting health consequences.
Dr. Callahan is recognized for his decades-long efforts in developing new models of care for older adults, focusing on late-life depression and dementia. He will deliver the keynote lecture at the Society of General Internal Medicine's annual meeting.
A recent Baycrest study found that memory training programs are only effective when tailored to an individual's specific memory difficulty, such as remembering faces or voices. Training focused on recollection improved older adults' abilities to mentally time travel and re-experience past events.
A study found that six percent of visits to physicians involve high-risk anticholinergic medications, commonly used for depression and gastrointestinal disorders. The prevalence varies by physician specialty and patient demographics, with women and those from the South being more likely to receive these prescriptions.
Dr. J. Eugene Lammers, MD, MPH, FACP, AGSF, is the 2018 Clinician of the Year for his innovative approaches to care and commitment to empowering healthcare teams. He has worked with interdisciplinary teams across the U.S., prioritizing person-centered care for older adults.
Dr. Heather E. Whitson, a leading geriatrics researcher and clinician, will deliver a plenary presentation at the #AGS18 Annual Scientific Meeting. Her work focuses on improving care delivery systems to serve older adults with complex health needs.
The American Geriatrics Society recognizes Drs John Burton and George Drach for their long-standing commitment to improving geriatric care and education. Through their work, they have helped develop educational programs and researcher career development awards, promoting geriatric expertise across specialties.
A pilot study found that an educational brochure and support from healthcare personnel helped 64% of hospitalized older adults stop taking sedatives. Participants reported no significant change in sleep problems after stopping sedatives, highlighting the potential benefits of reducing polypharmacy.
Research identifies poor attention and decision-making skills as linked to walking slowly and experiencing falls in older adults with dementia. Certain brain training methods may help improve mobility and prevent falls by addressing cognitive function issues.
Researchers found that older adults are more likely to rely on gist memory, leading to difficulty distinguishing between real and false memories. This can result in false memories being confused with actual events.
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends behavioral counseling for individuals with fair skin types between 6 months and 24 years old to reduce skin cancer risk. Counseling is also advised for adults over 24 with fair skin, although the benefit is considered small.
The American Geriatrics Society's AGS18 conference will feature more than 100 events and research updates, including the launch of a new comprehensive fracture care curriculum. Researchers will discuss controversies in hypertension management, the benefits of annual wellness visits, and innovative models for dementia care. Top clinicia...
A new study finds that treating elderly patients with levothyroxine may increase their risk of death, particularly those with subclinical hypothyroidism. The research suggests that physicians should carefully consider the risks before prescribing levothyroxine to individuals over 65 with thyroid function imbalances.
A study found that 4.9% of Medicare beneficiaries lack a personal physician, scoring lower on measures of healthcare quality and experiencing poorer mental health. Encouraging regular doctors for these patients may improve continuity and care.
Baycrest researchers discovered a new method to improve older adults' name recall by tapping into their brain's natural ability to process distractions. This approach harnesses the idea that older adults can use distraction to aid learning and could lead to an accessible memory training tool.
Researchers at DZNE found unstable activity in a key spatial navigation area of older adults' brains, leading to navigational difficulties. This may open up new ways for detecting Alzheimer's disease and designing therapies against age-related cognitive decline.
A new model forecasts that nearly 25% of elderly Japanese women will be impoverished, while only about 10% of men will face the same issue. The current pension system is expected to fail these women due to unfavorable benefits and higher risk of living in single-person households.
A new collection of articles highlights the growing concern of social isolation among older adults, which can lead to devastating health consequences. Research-backed initiatives aim to decrease isolation through initiatives such as free Lyft rides and interactive devices.
A new study reveals that older adults' resistance to digital technologies stems from personal values, societal concerns, and fears. The study suggests that designers of online services must offer better safety nets and reassurance to attract older users. Social isolation and a desire for face-to-face interaction also contribute to this...
A study by Kellogg Eye Center links smaller social connections to reduced likelihoods of cataract surgery in older adults. Adults with few family members had 40% lower odds of receiving the procedure compared to those with three or more family ties.
A study found that food insecurity occurs in 9.2% of older adults, with higher rates among women, people without a spouse, and those with certain health conditions. The researchers highlight the need for combined methods to identify food insecurity and connect older adults with community-based resources.
A study by University of California, Irvine researchers found that high-resolution brain imaging can identify the underlying causes of differences in memory proficiency between older and younger adults. The study revealed that object memory is more vulnerable to age-related decline than spatial memory.
Researchers found that family support is a key influencer of care preferences in older adults with advanced illnesses, but also discovered that individuals often lack a clear understanding of their own preferences. The study emphasizes the importance of considering these factors when providing person-centered care.
Falls among older adults are a significant contributor to healthcare costs, with nonfatal falls resulting in $28.9 billion Medicare payments and fatal falls costing $754 million. Preventive strategies can help reduce these costs and improve health outcomes.
Researchers used high-resolution functional brain imaging to study memory performance in younger and older adults. The study found that object memory is more vulnerable to age-related decline than spatial memory, with a specific region of the brain linked to this deficit.
A study published in Health Affairs found that male recipients of Colombia Mayor, a noncontributory pension program, had improved health outcomes. They reported 5.6% less bad health and a 5.4% reduced likelihood of hospitalization. The program provides eligible low-income elderly Colombians with a small monthly cash transfer of $16-34.
A review of 118 peer-reviewed studies on fall detection devices found gaps in testing, user acceptance, and caregiver input. The technology is not properly tested for real-world use, leading to unreliable results.
Researchers discovered that older adults naturally tap into this strategy to bolster memory when remembering becomes difficult. They unknowingly move their eyes in the same pattern over and over again, even when looking at a blank screen.
Research found that transcranial direct current stimulation improves memory in people aged 18-35 but not those aged 60-79. The study tested 48 participants in each age group and found a 50% improvement in memory for younger adults immediately after stimulation.
A study of over half a million Americans reveals that perceptions of aging shift as people get older, with younger adults viewing older age as negative and older adults feeling younger, while ideal retirement ages vary by age group.
A study by UT Southwestern researchers found that only half of older adults are transferred to long-term acute care (LTAC) facilities due to illness severity or complexity. Many others are sent based on hospital preferences and regional trends, potentially leaving them eligible for less expensive post-acute care settings.
A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that older men who engage in regular light intensity exercise have a lower risk of death. The researchers analyzed data from 1181 men aged 78 and found that each additional 30 minutes of light intensity activity was associated with a 17% reduction in mortality risk.
The American Geriatrics Society has launched a new platform providing resources and tools for hospitals to implement the AGS CoCare: Ortho model, which aims to improve care and lower health costs for older adults with hip fractures. The platform offers self-directed training modules, expert mentoring, and a networking platform to help ...
Higher levels of lifestyle physical activity are associated with increased gray matter volume in the brain of older adults. The study found a significant correlation between daily activities such as household chores, walking dogs, and gardening and improved cognitive function.
A new study reveals that efforts to discourage benzodiazepine use among older adults are showing progress, with prescription rates declining by seven percentage points since 2010. However, many prescriptions are still being written, highlighting the need for continued education and alternative treatments.
A new study found that a simple density measurement of bone quality from chest and abdominal CT scans can predict fracture risk in older adults. Having a low vertebral trabecular attenuation threshold was associated with an increased risk of future fractures.
Back pain is common in highly active older adults, impacting nearly half of well-functioning individuals. The condition was linked to less efficient walking and poorer endurance, which can lead to mobility issues. Better back pain management may help maintain independence and prevent future loss of mobility.
A study found that older adults with positive beliefs about aging have a lower risk of developing dementia compared to those with negative views. The protective effect was even observed among individuals carrying the high-risk APOE E4 gene variant.
A new algorithm developed at the University of Waterloo will help first responders and home care providers identify elderly individuals who are most vulnerable during natural disasters. The algorithm uses data from interRAI's home care assessment to generate an up-to-date list of those who may need assistance.
A study found associations between natural environment features and older people's physical activity, with water fronts and diverse landscapes encouraging mobility. Environmental factors such as walking difficulties were considered, revealing that older adults benefit from neighborhood design promoting outdoor movement.
A new study suggests that older adults who are frail are twice as likely to experience delirium following elective surgery than those of an older age. The review found that a history of delirium, frailty, and cognitive impairment are the risk factors most strongly associated with developing postoperative delirium.
A meta-analysis found that aerobic exercise delays and improves Alzheimer's symptoms, with a three times greater improvement compared to combined exercise. The study confirms the American Geriatrics Society's recommendations for exercise duration and frequency.
A new study from the University of Utah suggests that repeated stress from everyday activities like walking can cause microdamage to bones in older adults, leading to a higher risk of breakage. This theory, known as 'cyclic loading,' challenges the common-held belief that bone breaks are caused by single impacts or forces.
Research published in The Journal of Physiology found that elderly people walk at a slower speed and tire more quickly due to muscle loss. Building up leg muscles may be the only way to improve elderly walking, according to the study's findings.
A study found that depression symptoms among older adults undergoing aortic valve replacement procedures were associated with a higher rate of death. Screening for depression may be justified for these patients, highlighting the importance of mental health screening in cardiovascular care.
Dr. Chiaravalloti will test the modified Story Memory Technique's impact on new learning and memory abilities in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. The study aims to improve daily functioning and quality of life for this population.
A study of 575 older adults reveals that those with stronger physical abilities, such as faster walking speeds and better balance, have lower risk of death and shorter hospital stays. These findings suggest that pre-hospital strength can be an important predictor of outcomes in critically ill older adults.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that cognitive training improved memory scores by 35-40% in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, with benefits lasting six months. The training program, MEMO, also showed promise against dementia and depression.
A systematic review of 44 studies found that frailty, depressive symptoms, and smoking are associated with postoperative complications in older patients. Interventions targeting these risk factors before surgery can improve outcomes for this population.
A new study suggests an association between elevated amyloid beta levels and worsening anxiety symptoms in cognitively normal older adults. Higher brain amyloid beta burden is linked to increasing anxiety symptoms over time.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that older adults who received transitional care nurse (TCN) services at emergency departments had lower rates of hospital admissions compared to those who did not receive such services. The GEDI WISE program, which includes TCNs, helps patients transition to the...
A Mediterranean diet emphasizing plant-based foods may help keep people healthy and independent as they age. The analysis of published studies suggests that adherence to a Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of frailty in older individuals.
The study found that elderly men and women spent significant amounts of time on different types of housework activities. While engaging in some housework was beneficial to the health of older adults, long periods combined with too much or too little sleep were associated with poor health among elderly women. In contrast, elderly men wh...
A study of 6,489 female participants found that those with higher levels of light-intensity physical activity were less likely to die than those with lower activity levels. The researchers concluded that encouraging older women to increase their daily light-intensity activity could lead to better health outcomes.