Research on health and aging in later life. Covers attention and cognition, longevity, organ aging, and age-related disease.
A new study by Stanford researchers found that a virtual adviser, named Carmen, significantly increased walking among older Latino adults with low literacy levels. The participants who received personalized feedback and encouragement from Carmen showed an eight-fold increase in walking compared to the control group.
Researchers at the University of Michigan used an electroencephalogram to study how the brain responds to a fall. They found that many areas of the brain sense and respond to a fall, but this happens well before the muscles react. The study aims to improve understanding of falls in the elderly and potentially prevent them.
Dr. Cortes' $1.1M grant from HRSA will create a post-master's certificate program to address the need for adult advanced practice nurses with expertise in managing frail older adults with multiple chronic conditions. The program aims to foster interprofessional collaboration and improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers found that older adults showed less day-to-day variability in cognitive performance compared to younger adults. The study suggests that learned strategies, motivation levels, and daily routines contribute to the consistency of older adults' cognitive abilities. This finding has implications for workplace productivity and ag...
A study found that nearly half of older adults undergoing surgery with general anesthesia developed delirium in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), with 45% of patients experiencing delirium. Delirium is linked to decreased cognitive function and an increased risk of nursing home admission. The study suggests that even brief episodes ...
A study found that many family caregivers of older adults with dementia are willing to consider stopping cancer screening, which can reduce patient burden, healthcare costs, and family caregiver distress. Caregivers are most open to discussions when focusing on quality of life and burdens and benefits for the person with dementia.
Multiple hospitalizations for pneumonia, urinary tract infections, septicemia, and dehydration result in significantly lower survival rates among nursing home residents with moderate to severe cognitive impairment. These findings highlight the need for reevaluation of care goals and resource allocation for this vulnerable population.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev found that a single dose of methylphenidate improves balance control during walking, reducing the risk of falls among elderly adults. The study participants were 30 healthy older adults who received a single dose of MPH and underwent assessments under four task conditions.
A new study found that acceptance of what cannot be changed is crucial for older adults' happiness after losing independence. The ability to exert control was also linked to satisfaction, but secondary control - adapting to environment changes - played a more significant role in care residents.
Rates of severe depression fell significantly among older adults between 1998 and 2008, particularly among those aged 80-84, with late middle agers experiencing increased depression symptoms. Despite this trend, a significant percentage of the population continues to experience severe symptoms.
A recent study found significant disparities in major depression rates among senior citizens from different ethnic groups. Whites and blacks of Caribbean descent experience higher rates of depression than African-Americans, highlighting the need for tailored diagnoses and treatment approaches.
A new Vanderbilt study finds that vaccinated children are reducing the spread of pneumonia to grandparents and other older adults. The vaccine has been linked to a 40% reduction in pneumonia hospitalizations among young children, while also benefiting older adults with significant reductions in hospitalizations across age groups.
A new UCSF project creates choirs for seniors in San Francisco to assess the impact of singing on cognitive, mobility, and overall wellbeing. The study aims to provide scientific-based evidence that community arts programs can promote health among older adults.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that older adults are more likely to experience disability near the end of life, particularly women. Disability prevalence increased from 28% two years before death to 56% in the last month of life.
Researchers propose a new motion test that examines various walking features in healthy and clinical populations, identifying critical changes in mobility. The study uses advanced mathematical computations to extract data from accelerometer signals, showing significant differences between healthy and clinical groups.
Research from USC Davis School of Gerontology shows that attributing every forgetful moment to getting older can worsen memory problems. However, framing tests in terms of preventing losses due to forgetting can actually enhance older adults' memory performance.
A study found that elderly patients with kidney failure who use catheters have a high risk of death, while those using arteriovenous fistulas or grafts in their late 60s and 70s experience improved survival rates. However, for those over 80 years old, placing a graft may be a reasonable alternative to a fistula.
A study by UCLA researchers found that older adults who used the Dakim BrainFitness program demonstrated significant improvements in both immediate and delayed memory skills, as well as language abilities. The findings suggest that computerized brain training can be an effective way to improve cognitive skills in this age group.
A new phase 2 trial is underway to evaluate the efficacy of HER-2 targeted regimens in elderly patients with HER-2 positive metastatic breast cancer. The study aims to delay or avoid conventional chemotherapy while maintaining tumor control.
A new study published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation found that elderly patients can benefit from implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) just like younger individuals. The study of 5,399 patients revealed that older patients were as likely to experience life-threatening electrical shocks but had higher ra...
A new study found that participants who received the dietary supplement Juven experienced significant increases in lean body mass, while those who received a placebo did not. Blood concentrations of IGF-1 also increased among Juven recipients, but the correlation with improved muscle mass was not statistically significant.
Research from Carnegie Mellon University finds that volunteering decreases the risk of hypertension by 40% in older adults, suggesting a positive lifestyle factor. The study suggests that social connections and interactions through volunteer work can promote healthy aging and reduce disease risk.
A study of 783 older adults with diabetes found a two-fold increased risk for dementia among those experiencing hypoglycemia events. Clinically significant hypoglycemia was also associated with a greater risk for subsequent severe hypoglycemic events.
New research from Washington University in St. Louis suggests that older adults use less effective reference frames to visualize nearby objects, leading to difficulties with daily tasks like dialing phones and grasping objects. This study sheds light on the cognitive changes associated with aging and their impact on hand-eye coordination.
A new study from the University of Colorado School of Medicine found that elderly drivers are often more open to discussing their driving status than clinicians initially thought. The research suggests that health care providers should start conversations with elderly drivers earlier, perhaps at age 65 when Medicare benefits kick in.
A new study found that exposure to general anaesthesia may increase the risk of dementia in elderly patients by 35%. The research analyzed data from a prospective population-based cohort and found that participants who received general anaesthetics were more likely to develop dementia. This increased risk was significant even after adj...
A nationwide poll of over 18,500 adults found that healthy behaviors like exercise and a balanced diet are associated with better self-perceived memory abilities. Those who engaged in more than three healthy behaviors were 111% less likely to report memory problems.
A study finds that private Medicare Advantage plans have cost Medicare an extra $282.6 billion since 1985, with $34.1 billion overpaid in 2012. The plans' strategies include cherry-picking healthier beneficiaries and recruiting patients from the Veteran's Administration to increase profits.
A new study found that insomnia symptoms in middle-aged and older adults are associated with greater future use of costly health services, including hospitalization. Insomnia is common among this population, affecting over 40% of respondents, and may be a preventable indicator of poor health outcomes.
A recent study suggests that age-related atrophy of the medial temporal lobe (MTL) may contribute to difficulties in processing and remembering everyday events. The researchers found that older adults with MTL atrophy performed poorly in separating and chunking events, which can impact memory for everyday activities.
A study of 3,690 older adults found that even short-term use of strong anticholinergics causes memory problems. Taking multiple drugs with weaker anticholinergic effects also has a negative impact on cognition over time.
The study found a significant increase in the number of older Finnish adults with fall-induced TBI from 1970 to 2011, with an age-adjusted incidence rate that rose by 289% among women and 315% among men. The total number of individuals affected also increased considerably.
Recent research on TBI in the elderly highlights the need for specialized diagnostic tools and treatments due to unique characteristics of older brains. Studies have found associations between lifetime TBI and dementia risk, as well as differences in cognitive function and medical history between those with dementia and a history of TBI.
A recent study published in Clinical Gerontologist found that older adults with high levels of depression and low social needs fulfillment are more likely to experience financial fraud. The study, which included 4,440 participants, revealed a 226% increase in fraud prevalence among the most psychologically vulnerable population.
A matched cohort study found that MACE service patients had lower adverse event rates and shorter hospital stays compared to usual care. Functional status did not differ between groups, but MACE service showed better Care Transition Measure scores.
Research finds that palliative radiotherapy significantly improves the quality of life for elderly patients with painful bone metastases. The treatment, which involves a single fraction of radiotherapy, has been shown to be effective in all age groups, including those over 75, despite some variability in response.
A new review from the University of Luxembourg suggests that social media can provide valuable additional support for older people with sickness and diseases. The study highlights the potential benefits of social media, including enhanced feelings of control and self-efficacy, as well as access to health-related information and social ...
A new study suggests MDCT is more accurate than echocardiography for measuring annular size in TAVI candidates. This improvement can lead to better procedure success and valve selection, potentially changing the decision for 55% of patients.
A study found that the shingles vaccine halves the occurrence of this painful skin and nerve infection in people over 65. However, vaccination rates are low in the US, particularly among black people and those with low incomes.
A study by Krystal Warmoth found that older adults who categorize themselves as old and frail experience a cycle of decline, leading to reduced physical activity, poor health, and stigmatization. This self-fulfilling prophecy can result in a lower quality of life.
A recent study by Rush researchers found that older adults subjected to elder abuse face a greater risk of hospitalization than their non-abused peers. The study, which analyzed data from over 6,600 community-dwelling older adults, showed that reported elder abuse was independently associated with increased rates of hospitalization.
Research suggests that motor skills decline gradually after the age of 64, but healthy older adults can still create accurate internal models for action. This study aims to help clinicians identify abnormal loss of function in patients by pinpointing when deficits begin.
The new awake imaging device enables motion compensation reconstruction, removing blur caused by motion and allowing for transparent pictures of the functioning brain. Researchers aim to better understand brain development in babies, teens, and individuals with neurological conditions.
A recent Harvard study found that consuming fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids significantly lowers the risk of mortality among older adults, with blood levels linked to extended lifespan. The research suggests that adequate omega-3 intake can extend years of remaining life.
A study of 126 inactive older adults with cognitive complaints found significant improvement in cognitive function after 12 weeks of physical and mental activity. However, there was no difference between the intervention and control groups, suggesting that the amount of activity may be more important than its type.
Researchers found that despite voluntary temperature setting standards, hot water temperatures remained dangerously high in 41% of homes, posing a scald hazard to young children and the elderly. The study suggests equipping faucets with anti-scald devices as a potential solution.
Studies found that individuals with dementia and TBI may have distinct clinical characteristics, such as higher fluency and verbal memory scores. Additionally, elderly patients with TBI are at higher risk of premature death due to underlying health conditions or complications after injury.
Researchers found that pneumonia patients are nearly twice as likely to develop depression and cognitive impairments, which can lead to disability and nursing home admissions. Hospitalization for pneumonia also increases the risk of losing daily life activities.
Researchers found that boiled Greek coffee consumption was associated with improved endothelial function and reduced blood pressure, even in those with high blood pressure. The study suggests that the polyphenols and antioxidants in this type of coffee may be beneficial for cardiovascular health.
Researchers found that most medical subspecialty practices are unable to accommodate patients who use wheelchairs, citing transfer issues as the primary barrier. A new study suggests hydrochlorothiazide may be a safer treatment option than chlorthalidone for elderly patients with hypertension, due to its lower risk of electrolyte imbal...
A new study found a link between post-discharge activity levels and the risk of hospital readmission in elderly patients within 30 days. Activity levels were tracked using wearable devices, revealing that those with lower activity were at higher risk of rehospitalization.
A study by Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University Center for Aging Research found that many older adults resist stopping cancer screenings, even when they may not be beneficial. The researchers suggest developing specific messages for older adults to address concerns about screening and trust in physicians.
A multicenter study found no significant difference in combined outcomes of death, stroke, heart attack, repeat revascularization or new renal replacement therapy between on- and off-pump coronary bypass surgery in elderly patients. The results suggest that both techniques are safe and effective for this age group.
A home-based DVD exercise program called FlexToBa has been shown to improve flexibility, toning, and balance in older adults. Participants who used the program for six months saw clinically important improvements in physical function tests compared to a control group.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that antipsychotics with high binding affinity of alpha2 adrenergic and M1 muscarinic receptors are associated with a greater risk of stroke in elderly patients. The study also suggests that stroke risk is highest in the initial weeks of treatment and for those with higher daily doses.
A large epidemiological study found that short-term exposure to outdoor heat increases the risk of hospitalization for COPD and respiratory tract infections in the elderly. The risk was consistent across all age groups and genders, with a strong association between heat and hospitalizations.
A new study suggests that pneumococcal disease may be shifting its burden from infants to adults in Latin America, with significant economic implications. The research highlights the need for increased monitoring and surveillance to understand the full extent of the disease in the region.
A new checklist-based tool helps doctors assess health risks in older adults, considering factors like age, medical conditions, and functional status. The tool, called a 'mortality index,' has been validated with over 20,000 adults and can help seniors engage with their primary care provider to discuss informed health care maintenance.
A new study from North Carolina State University found that older adults who play video games experience better emotional well-being, with those who played reporting higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. In contrast, non-gamers showed more negative emotions and a greater risk of depression.
Researchers argue that traditional notions of healthy and successful aging fall short for many Canadians living with chronic diseases. Instead, they advocate for supporting older adults to live well according to their own definitions of health.