Articles tagged with Older Adults
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.
A recent study by University of California, Berkeley researchers has found evidence of neural compensation in individuals with beta-amyloid deposits, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. This discovery could help explain how some older adults maintain normal cognitive function despite the presence of these deposits.
A large case-control study found that long-term benzodiazepine use is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that the strongest association was seen with long-acting benzodiazepines, emphasizing the need for careful balance between benefits and risks in elderly patients.
A recent study reveals that nearly half of older adults (18 million) struggle with daily activities, with 20% requiring assistance. The majority receive help from informal caregivers, but unmet needs persist, particularly among those with few economic resources.
A study conducted by National Cancer Centre Singapore found that breast cancer surgery can be safely performed on women aged 80 and above. Most patients recovered without complications, while only 3% developed major complications. The results dispel the misconception that surgery is unsafe for elderly patients.
A meta-analysis found that antihypertensive therapy significantly reduces systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in older adults. The therapy also reduces the risk of all-cause mortality, death from cardiac causes, cardiovascular events, and stroke in this population.
A new study finds that volunteering is associated with reductions in depression symptoms, better overall health, and greater longevity. Volunteering appears to peak at a moderate level, with benefits diminishing beyond 100 hours annually.
A study by the JAMA Network found that vision loss significantly impacts daily life and can increase mortality risk. The research highlights the importance of addressing vision impairment to prevent adverse outcomes.
Researchers at University of Waterloo are investigating factors impacting food intake in long-term care settings, with a focus on improving nutrition for older adults. The study, funded by $1.5 million in grants, aims to understand the complex relationships between meal quality, food access, and mealtime experience.
A new study by Angelina Grigoryeva found that daughters provide an average of 12.3 hours of elderly parent care per month, while sons contribute only 5.6 hours. This gender-based division of caregiving responsibilities has significant implications for the health and well-being of caregivers and their families.
A study suggests that practicing hatha yoga for eight weeks can improve cognitive tasks in older adults, including information recall, mental flexibility, and task-switching. The findings indicate that yoga may boost brain function by reducing stress and anxiety.
A new study presents findings on how older adults coped with the economic downturn, revealing that over 40% reported a decrease in financial strain between 2006 and 2010. The research also found that initial financial strain and increasing strain exacted a toll on mental health, particularly anxiety and depressive symptoms.
Researchers found that a husband's declining health increases his wife's glucose levels, while a widowed spouse only affects men's blood sugar control. Caregiving demands on married women may lead to poor eating habits and inadequate glucose control.
A Vanderbilt-led study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that the high-dose flu vaccine is 24% more effective than the standard-dose vaccine in protecting persons ages 65 and over against influenza illness. The study, which enrolled 31,989 participants, showed that the high-dose trivalent vaccine induces significan...
A study found that nearly three-quarters of older adults with malnutrition had never been diagnosed, highlighting the importance of screening in emergency departments. Factors contributing to malnutrition include depression, difficulty buying groceries, and denture problems.
A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that poor sleep quality is associated with a higher risk of suicide in older adults. The research, conducted over a 10-year period, revealed that individuals who reported poorer sleep at baseline had a significantly increased risk of suicide, even when controlling for depressed mood.
A new study by researchers at UNC Chapel Hill found that over half of older emergency department patients were either malnourished or at risk for malnutrition. Most of these patients had not previously been diagnosed as malnourished, highlighting the need for better nutrition assessments and support services.
A study at the University of Adelaide found that certain areas of the brain remain protected from aging, enabling spatial attention skills to remain consistent across ages. The research challenges current models of cognitive aging and may have implications for understanding Alzheimer's disease.
A study published in Psychology and Aging found that older adults who were tested in the morning performed better on demanding cognitive tasks and showed greater activation of attentional control regions in their brains. This suggests that scheduling mentally challenging tasks for the morning can be beneficial for older adults.
A study found that storing medication in the bathroom and incorporating it into daily routines can improve adherence to prescribed inhalers. The research identified six strategies that aid elderly asthmatics in managing their condition, providing clinicians and care coaches with useful ideas to support patients.
A study of over 4,100 New York State residents aged 60+ found that 2.7% were financially exploited in the past year, with 78% having their money or property stolen. Family members, particularly adult children, are the most common perpetrators.
Barbara J. Bowers, PhD, RN, FAAN, of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has been recognized with the GSA's 2014 Minority Mentorship Award. Her research focuses on frail older adults and quality of care, influencing public policies and organizational practices.
A psychology researcher proposes a new theory, 'selective engagement,' to explain why older adults show declining cognitive ability in lab settings but not in daily life. Motivation plays a key role in this disparity, with tasks deemed personally relevant eliciting higher cognitive performance.
Researchers found that acupuncture at the Taixi (KI3) acupoint activates cerebral neurons in 20 brain regions, including the anterior cingulate gyrus and medial frontal cortex, in elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment. This study suggests a potential therapeutic approach for improving cognitive function in older adults.
A study from UMass Medical School found that older adults have two times the risk of falling while walking out of necessity than walking for recreation. The study also revealed that falls on sidewalks and streets are more likely to result in an injury, even with less walking distance.
New study finds orthopedic surgeries for patients aged 80+ generally safe, with significant decreases in mortality and complication rates. Spinal fusion, total knee replacement, and total hip replacement procedures show improved outcomes in patients without comorbidities.
Researchers found that motivation, crystallized knowledge, and compensatory mechanisms can help maintain cognitive function in older adults. Contrary to popular beliefs, older adults may not be more susceptible to consumer fraud.
A new study published in the Journal of Gerontology found that the Mediterranean diet has a significant correlation with slower cognitive decline among African American older adults, but not white older adults. The study suggests that further research is needed to confirm this association and understand the underlying factors.
Researchers evaluated 459 patients who underwent transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation for failed bioprosthetic aortic valves. The study found that survival rates were associated with surgical valve size and mechanism of failure, with patients experiencing better outcomes for regurgitation compared to stenosis.
Malnutrition is a significant problem in older adults due to chronic health conditions affecting dietary intake. A comprehensive geriatric analysis (CGA) includes nutrition screenings to address potential problems, emphasizing the importance of timely interventions involving healthcare providers.
Researchers at Duke-NUS found that short sleep is linked to faster brain ventricle enlargement and decline in cognitive performance. The study of 66 older Chinese adults suggests that seven hours of sleep per day may be optimal for brain health.
Researchers found that immune cells in the central nervous system of elderly mice fail to activate an important signaling pathway, lowering chances for repair after spinal cord injury. In contrast, young adult mice showed a functional repair response.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that older adults prescribed thiazide diuretics are at a greater risk for developing metabolic-related adverse events. The study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, suggests that these risks are common and warrant closer monitoring.
A large, multi-site clinical trial will test new patient-centered strategies to prevent fall-related injuries. The trial aims to develop and implement individualized care plans for adults at high risk of falling.
Two Regenstrief Institute investigators, Michael LaMantia and Noll L. Campbell, have received NIH career development awards to study delirium recognition in emergency departments and the adverse cognitive effects of medications in older adults. Their projects aim to improve care and management of older adults with delirium.
Researchers found usability problems with popular activity trackers among older adult users, including low color contrast, small fonts, and inaccurate step count tracking. The study suggests that companies should market their products directly to this demographic to improve health management.
A new study from Uppsala University found that elderly carriers of the FTO gene have higher ghrelin levels and lower leptin levels, making them more prone to weight gain. The study suggests that this genetic variant may facilitate weight gain by shifting the endocrine balance towards hunger hormone ghrelin.
A recent AP-NORC analysis of Californians' experiences with long-term care highlights growing concerns among minority groups, particularly Hispanics and foreign-born individuals. The survey reveals that nearly two-thirds of Californians age 40 or older expect to need long-term care, but many have not planned for it.
A study by University of Waterloo professors found that considering personal dilemmas as outsiders would lead to wiser reasoning. Employing a third-person perspective can help individuals think more wisely about relationship conflicts. The research results contradict the adage that age brings wisdom and highlight the importance of self...
Untrained elderly men achieved marked improvements in maximum oxygen uptake, muscle function, and bone mineralization after playing football for four months. The study shows that intense football training can change the lives of elderly men, making it easier to live an active life and overcome physical challenges.
Research highlights dangers of elderly gun ownership due to dementia, depression, and suicide risks. Proposed '5 L's' questions aim to identify guns in homes with vulnerable individuals.
Older adults who exercised regularly experienced less physical decline than their peers, according to a University of Missouri study. The researchers found that muscle-strengthening exercises, which are crucial for maintaining muscle strength, were often overlooked despite having access to recreational activities and exercise equipment.