Research on health and aging in later life. Covers attention and cognition, longevity, organ aging, and age-related disease.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that diet soda intake is directly linked to greater abdominal obesity in adults 65 years of age and older. Increasing waist circumference was associated with escalating cardiometabolic risk in older adults.
Researchers found that TAVR improves survival rates and quality of life for elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis. The study compared five-year outcomes of TAVR with standard therapy, showing significant benefits in the TAVR group.
A national survey found that one in three older Americans experience age-related discrimination, leading to new or worsened functional ailments. Healthcare providers can reduce this effect by treating patients with respect and dignity, regardless of age or socioeconomic status.
A recent study found that nearly 290,000 older adults from the US volunteered abroad in 2012, a 60% increase from the previous decade. Host organizations are clamoring for baby boomer volunteers with professional skills to offer. The average age of these volunteers was over 64, and they spent an average of 13 weeks abroad.
Researchers at UC Riverside found that perceptual learning training improved contrast sensitivity and visual acuity for both younger and older adults. The study also produced an unexpected improvement in visual acuity for older adults after just five days of training.
Research shows that training can effectively eliminate the age deficit in contrast sensitivity, improving visual function in older adults. The study found improvements in both near and far acuity, allowing participants to read more letters on eye charts after training.
A University of Missouri researcher found that even if one spouse stops driving, the other is less likely to work or volunteer. This decline in activity can occur even when the other partner can still drive. Planning for alternative transportation options is crucial to minimize negative consequences.
A study published in The BMJ found that older patients who stayed in the hospital for less than 10 days after a hip fracture were more likely to die. The research analyzed data from 116,111 Swedish residents and showed that shorter hospital stays increased the risk of death.
A study found that older adults with physical limitations who engage in low-intensity activities for a short duration can lower their risk of heart attack and coronary death. Participants who spent more time being sedentary had higher predicted risks, highlighting the importance of regular intervals of movement.
A primary care nurse-delivered intervention increased physical activity among older adults, with significant increases at both 3 and 12 months. The intervention included individualized PA plans and pedometer feedback, leading to higher step counts and moderate-to-vigorous PA bouts.
A study of over 1,600 older adults found that those in long-term marriages have a slight rebound in sexual frequency after 50 years. In contrast, remarried individuals have less frequent sex. Despite this, marriage order does not affect physical pleasure or emotional satisfaction.
A clinical trial found that mindfulness meditation improved sleep quality for older adults with moderate sleep disturbances, reducing symptoms of fatigue and depression. The study suggests that structured mindfulness meditation training may be a useful approach to addressing sleep problems in this population.
A new study by Georgia Institute of Technology found that music can impair the memory of older adults when trying to remember names. The researchers tested participants' ability to associate faces with names in silence and while listening to background music, discovering a 10% decline in performance among older adults.
A new study found that older adults with musical training were 20% faster at identifying speech sounds than non-musicians. The research suggests that music instruction can enhance brain areas supporting speech recognition, even in old age. Music training may help counteract cognitive decline and improve auditory processing abilities.
Research found that both adult children and aging parents identify stubbornness in the other, with individual and relationship-based factors linked to perceptions. The study suggests a need for intervention to increase understanding and provides insights for practitioners on how to address stubborn behaviors.
Research suggests umami taste has a beneficial role in health, especially for elderly patients, who may experience reduced sensitivity due to diseases or medications. 'Kokumi' substances found in garlic and onions can enhance flavors in low-fat foods.
A large study of 25 case-control studies found that head and neck cancers in young adults are more likely caused by inherited genetic factors, not smoking or drinking. In contrast, older adults with a family history of cancer were at higher risk.
A new checklist from Australian doctors aims to prompt frank discussions about end-of-life care and minimize futile treatments. The CriSTAL tool assesses 29 predictors of death in elderly patients, helping healthcare professionals recognize the inevitability of death and provide more appropriate services.
Researchers found a 30% relative increase in falls among older adults aged 65+, with an 8% absolute increase, from 1998 to 2010. The study suggests that the rise in reported falls may not be due to aging population demographics.
A study found that nearly two-thirds of older adults with complex or very complex health status maintained tight blood sugar control, suggesting potential overtreatment. This vulnerable population is unlikely to benefit from intensive glucose management and may experience harms such as hypoglycemia.
Research at the University of Illinois at Chicago found that playing catch can improve balance and prevent falls in seniors by enhancing anticipatory postural control. The study also showed a transfer effect, where training improved performance on other tasks beyond the specific activity.
A new study by Ruopeng An found that smokers and the obese incur substantially higher annual health care costs compared to their peers. Out-of-pocket medical expenses, inpatient and outpatient care, emergency room visits, and prescription drugs contribute to these added expenditures.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that providing additional $67 per month to elderly residents in poor countries improves their health outcomes. Participants who received this supplement showed significant improvements in lung function and memory, as well as increased access to healthcare services.
A recent study published in Journal of Gerontology reveals that cardiorespiratory fitness has a positive impact on long-term memory in older adults. The research found that participants with higher levels of physical fitness performed better on cognitive tasks and showed improved executive function.
A new study found that only 18% of seniors with Type 2 diabetes use apps to manage their condition, despite interest in web and mobile applications. The study suggests that age-related confidence in technology use is a significant barrier to adoption.
A randomized controlled trial found the high-dose flu vaccine produced a stronger immune response in frail older adults living in long-term care facilities. The study suggests the high-dose vaccine may be the better option for this population to protect against flu.
The IU and Regenstrief GRACE study is a pioneering program that provides comprehensive care management for older adults in their homes. It has been shown to improve quality of life, reduce hospital admissions, and decrease healthcare costs, making it a model for geriatric medicine.
A new study found that low-crime, walkable neighborhoods reduce severe depressive symptoms in older Latino adults. The 12-month and 24-month follow-up results showed a significant reduction in depression among participants living in safer neighborhoods.
A new study finds that malnutrition is an independent predictor of long-term survival in geriatric patients undergoing the Whipple procedure. Geriatric patients with preoperative severe nutritional risk had significantly decreased long-term survival, while those without SNR had a seven-year survival rate of 84 percent.
A study of healthcare professionals reveals persistent barriers to effective transitional care, emphasizing the importance of patient education and provider accountability in reducing complications and rehospitalizations among older adults
Regular internet use and engaging in civic, leisure, and cultural activities may help maintain health literacy skills among older adults. Health literacy scores fell by one or more points in around a fifth of people over six years, regardless of initial score.
A new study shows that senior citizens who run regularly can walk as efficiently as 20-year-olds, while those who only walk expend more energy. The research suggests that running helps slow down the aging process and improves independence.
A new survey of 11 countries found that Americans with Medicare have quicker access to specialist care than many other nations. However, the US population is also reported to be sicker compared to older adults in these countries.
A month-long residential program with strong linkage to community-based follow-up care enabled almost 30% of opioid-dependent participants to remain abstinent a year later. This study suggests that abstinence-focused, 12-step residential treatment may be a viable alternative to outpatient approaches for young adults.
Researchers found a link between the APOE e4 allele and increased risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as lower HDL cholesterol levels. Higher cholesterol in older adults may be associated with longevity, challenging current cholesterol-lowering medication practices.
The first issue of the 'From Policy to Practice' publication series from The Gerontological Society of America explores the impact of policies on pain care for older adults. Chronic pain affects 100 million Americans, costing the nation $635 billion annually, and this publication aims to address these issues.
A new Duke University study finds that older adults recruit an additional brain area to remember competing consumer products and choose the better one. The study suggests that this brain activity, involving the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, allows them to perform at a higher level.
A systematic review found that computerized cognitive training (CCT) has a small overall effect on performance of cognitive tests, particularly for nonverbal and verbal skills. Training completed under supervision showed positive outcomes, while training alone was ineffective.
A new study reveals that computer-based cognitive training can improve memory, speed, and visuospatial skills in older adults. However, self-directed brain training at home has no therapeutic effect on cognition. Training frequency is also crucial, with one to three sessions per week being most effective.
A study finds that elderly Americans with low health literacy are less likely to use the internet for health information. Interventions targeting health literacy among older adults may help bridge the digital divide.
Researchers at IU School of Medicine are evaluating the advantages of physical exercise, cognitive exercise, or a combination of both on the aging brain. The five-year project aims to enhance cognitive abilities in older adults with mild memory loss and may lead to a delay in dementia onset.
A new study from the University of Kansas found that neighborhoods that encourage walking for leisure and transportation are associated with improved physical health and cognition in older adults. The research suggests that easy-to-walk communities can help stave off cognitive decline, even in individuals with mild Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at MIT developed an algorithm that can accurately determine whether a patient is suffering from emphysema or heart failure based on carbon dioxide readings in their breath. The algorithm achieved an area under the curve of 0.98, outperforming traditional diagnostic methods.
A new study finds that life satisfaction increases with age in high-income, English-speaking countries, but declines in other regions. The researchers analyzed data from the Gallup World Poll and found that residents of these countries experience a U-shaped curve of increased satisfaction after middle age.
The AZTI study reveals that 50% of seniors are happy to accept new foods, but they insist on traditional flavors and health-enhancing properties. The research aims to design new foods for elderly people (65+) and pre-seniors (40-50) with a focus on pleasure and satisfaction.
A broad review of blood pressure medications found that mild control at 150 or less is sufficient for adults over 60, while more work is needed on older populations. The study's findings support a shift away from stricter guidelines, which prioritize younger adults.
Researchers found that vibratory stimulation applied to the soles of the feet using piezoelectric technology significantly improves balance by reducing postural sway and gait variability. The study participants showed a persistent improvement in performance on timed tests, indicating potential benefits for fall prevention.
A simplified frailty index based on the ACS NSQIP database can predict mortality and serious complications in older patients. Patients with high frailty scores had a significantly higher mortality rate and risk of postoperative complications.
A recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition found that making meaningful errors while learning can benefit memory. When participants made near-miss guesses related to the correct answer, they performed better on later memory tests. In contrast, random or unrelated mistakes hindere...
A new RAND Corporation study estimates that informal caregiving for elderly people in the US comes to $522 billion a year. Replacing this care with paid options would cost $221 billion or $642 billion annually.
A new study has identified high levels of drinking among low-income older adults, with spikes in consumption around social security check dates. The study used a novel approach involving bogus recycling bins to assess alcohol consumption and found that medical conditions like diabetes may reduce drinking rates.
A new study found that older adults who feel comfortable with the aging process are more proactive in seeking preventive health care services. These individuals were more likely to undergo regular health screenings, such as cholesterol tests and mammograms, compared to those who were less satisfied with aging.
A recent study found that approximately 20% of older adults in the affected area were homebound, highlighting a public health concern. The study's geographical analysis revealed that distances to retail stores and availability of hawker bus services significantly impacted the risk of being homebound.
A new study finds that insomnia symptoms in older adults may stem from poor sleep quality rather than long sleep hours. Discrepancies between self-reported insomnia and objective assessments using wrist actigraphy revealed that most older adults get sufficient sleep, but struggle with feeling rested.
A study by University of Akron researcher Jennifer Tehan Stanley found that young and middle-aged adults consider aggressive humor funny, whereas older adults do not. The study suggests our concept of what is funny may evolve over time as we age.
The Journal supplement highlights innovative approaches to healthy aging, including community-based efforts, technology uses, and civic service. Strategies like Experience Corps and volunteering are shown to enhance social engagement, independence, and well-being in older adults.
A large cohort study found that younger patients (18-64) have higher readmission rates for heart failure than older adults, but lower rates for myocardial infarction and pneumonia. After adjusting for confounding factors, the study suggests a post-hospital syndrome in both age groups, with similar timing and reasons for readmission
The Archstone Foundation's Depression in Late Life Initiative aims to improve depression care for older adults through collaboration among primary care clinics, family members, friends, and community-based organizations. Depression affects 2-5% of older adults in the community and 50% in nursing homes.
Regular physical activity and avoiding sedentary lifestyle crucial for brain health in older age. Older adults who engage in moderate-to-vigorous exercise tend to have less white-matter lesions, a key indicator of cognitive decline.
Adequate vitamin E levels are critical for fetal development and nervous system health. Inadequate intake is linked to increased infection, anemia, stunting of growth, and poor pregnancy outcomes.