Research on health and aging in later life. Covers attention and cognition, longevity, organ aging, and age-related disease.
Researchers identified a group of elderly people with exceptional memories and brains that resemble those of middle-aged individuals. Their cortex thickness and attention region were found to be thicker than normal aging peers, suggesting a greater number of neurons and potentially improved cognitive abilities.
A new study found that people with high levels of inflammation-linked protein are less likely to develop dementia and have relatives who avoid the disease. Higher protein levels were associated with a lower risk for dementia in parents and siblings, suggesting a possible genetic link.
Stephen M. Golant has received the prestigious award for his innovative publication on the emotional and theoretical aspects of older adults' experiences in their living environments. His work proposes a new framework to understand how aging individuals optimize the fit between themselves and their physical and social environments.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic discover leukoaraiosis is a disease that alters brain function, affecting language processing and network activity. Moderate levels of the condition lead to decreased activation in key areas, while high blood pressure may also play a role.
The UIC study will compare two community-based health promotion programs for older adults with osteoarthritis, evaluating the effectiveness of adding a weight management component. Researchers aim to improve joint stiffness, pain, and function, as well as reduce anxiety and depression in participants.
Older adults tend to prefer positive looking patterns and show improved mood regulation when focusing on positive stimuli. This research suggests a causal link between positive looking and mood regulation in older adults.
A new study highlights the importance of frequent and coordinated communication between healthcare providers and family members who make decisions for hospitalized older adults with impaired cognition. Surrogate decision-makers crave detailed information, emotional support, and regular updates from clinicians to alleviate stress and an...
A three-year grant will investigate how people trust and rely on automation in various daily contexts. The research aims to understand why some types of automation are trusted and used while others are not, particularly for an aging population.
A randomized clinical trial found that treatment with growth hormone-releasing hormone improved cognitive function in both healthy older adults and those with mild cognitive impairment. The study also showed increased insulin-like growth factor 1 levels, which may play a role in brain health.
Researchers found that younger elderly (60s-70s) show faster rates of brain tissue loss and cognitive decline than older AD patients. This discovery has profound implications for diagnosing AD and finding new treatments.
A new study found that low vitamin D levels are associated with a higher risk of death among older adults, particularly those who are frail. Frail individuals with low vitamin D levels tripled their risk of death compared to those without frailty and higher vitamin D levels.
A new study led by Carnegie Mellon University found that mindfulness meditation training decreases loneliness in older adults. The research also showed that the training lowered inflammation levels and altered gene expression, suggesting a promising approach for reducing disease risk in older adults.
Researchers found that taking a brief wakeful rest after learning new information boosts memory retention. Participants who rested after learning a story remembered more details than those who played a game or were distracted, even a week later.
A new study by the Commonwealth Fund found that elderly Medicare beneficiaries have better access to care and financial protection than adults with private coverage. Only 8% of Medicare beneficiaries rated their insurance as fair or poor, compared to 20% of those with employer insurance and 33% who purchased insurance on their own.
Researchers found that caregivers who believe people with Alzheimer's disease are at risk for injury and accept help more likely rely on dependency support rather than promoting independence. Caregivers can learn to gauge individual abilities through observation, breaking down tasks into manageable activities.
A new study suggests that higher blood pressure is associated with lower mortality in extremely frail, elderly adults. However, the same association was not found for healthier, robust older adults. The researchers used walking speed as a measure of frailty and found striking results.
A study by Northwestern University found that many caregiver agencies do not conduct thorough background checks or provide adequate training for their employees. This can put vulnerable seniors at risk of abuse and neglect. The study suggests that consumers should be aware of the potential risks and take steps to ensure they hire a qua...
A pooled analysis of 11 randomized clinical trials found that higher doses of vitamin D (above 800 IUs) significantly reduced the risk of fractures in older adults. In contrast, lower doses showed no benefit for fracture prevention.
The American Federation for Aging Research's MSTAR program aims to address the growing shortage of geriatric medicine physicians. By providing medical students with training and research opportunities, the program seeks to increase the number of doctors specializing in age-related diseases and conditions.
A new study found that caffeine continues to enhance muscle performance in younger muscles but is less effective in older muscles. Researchers suggest that preserving muscle tone through physical activity could be key to maintaining health and functional capacity in the aging population.
According to a Northwestern University study, the prevalence of visual impairment in adults aged 65 and older decreased by 58% between 1984 and 2010. Improved cataract surgery techniques and reduced smoking rates are likely contributing factors.
A new study has found that insulin degludec, a long-lasting insulin, reduces the risk of nighttime low blood sugar in elderly diabetic adults compared to insulin glargine. The meta-analysis of phase 3 clinical trials shows that insulin degludec lowers major side effects like hypoglycemia in these patients.
A large-scale study found that low DHEA-S levels are independently associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular-disease events. The results indicate that low DHEA-S may be protective or serve as a marker for poor general health, highlighting the need for further research to understand underlying mechanisms and potential benefits.
A recent study by George Washington University School of Nursing found that three ACA provisions have inadequate addressed the needs of elderly Americans receiving long-term services and supports. The research highlights the potential for unintended consequences, including poor outcomes, if these provisions are not retooled.
A recent study found that almost 90% of older adults aged 65-96 were willing to undergo dementia screening, with refusal rates higher among those between 70-79 years old. The study's results suggest that age is the primary factor affecting willingness, with no significant impact from sex, race, or income level.
A study published in JAMA Network found that older adults are at a significantly higher risk of developing untreated kidney failure, with rates increasing with age. The study suggests that the incidence of advanced kidney disease in the elderly may be substantially underestimated by rates of treated kidney failure alone.
A study published in Archives of Neurology found that diabetes mellitus and poor glucose control are associated with worse cognitive function and greater cognitive decline in well-functioning older adults without dementia. Patients with diabetes who had higher hemoglobin A1c levels showed lower scores on cognitive tests.
A recent study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that loneliness is independently associated with an increased rate of death and functional decline. Older adults who identified themselves as lonely had a 59% greater risk of decline, and a 45% greater risk of death compared to those who did not experience loneliness.
Research indicates that older adults ages 65-92 struggle with 'tip-of-the-tongue' errors and other memory mishaps. In a study of 105 healthy, highly-educated participants, 61 percent reported these memory failures.
A study published by The Endocrine Society found that vitamin D and calcium supplements reduce mortality in seniors, but not when taken alone. Elderly patients showed a 9% reduced death rate during the three-year study.
A new UCSF report highlights the need for improved medical care for elderly inmates, who disproportionately account for escalating medical expenses. The report recommends nine policy areas to promote cost-effective quality care, including screening for dementia and palliative care.
A study found that most older adults (65+) in England cannot safely use pedestrian crossings, leading to social isolation and reduced access to healthcare services. The research highlights the importance of prioritizing safe crossing times for vulnerable populations.
In a post-hoc analysis, elderly patients with type 2 diabetes treated with JANUVIA achieved similar blood sugar reductions as those treated with a sulfonylurea. Notably, patients taking JANUVIA experienced significantly less hypoglycemia, with an incidence of 6.2% compared to 28.2% in patients taking a sulfonylurea.
A new American study shows that nearly two-thirds of osteoporotic hip fractures occur in people aged 80 years or older, highlighting a growing concern as this population segment is expected to comprise 25% of the US population by 2050. The study recommends more aggressive measures to prevent, diagnose and treat osteoporosis, including ...
The elderly are at higher risk for property crimes, self-neglect, and abuse, with financial swindles being one of the fastest-growing forms of abuse. Studies have shown that older homicide victims are more likely to be female and killed by family members or in the course of a robbery.
Researchers at Monell Chemical Senses Center found that humans can identify age based on differences in body odor, with elderly individuals' odors being recognized across cultures. Evaluators rated body odors from the old-age group as less intense and less unpleasant than those from middle-aged and young individuals.
A new study finds that older adults with low vitamin D levels are at a 30% increased risk of developing mobility limitations. Vitamin D plays an important role in muscle function and has been linked to various health conditions that can affect physical performance.
The American College of Physicians Task Force recommends updating hormone therapy guidelines due to significant adverse events. Exercise and vitamin D supplementation are effective at reducing falls, but multifactorial risk assessment is not recommended for all elderly patients.
Longitudinal studies suggest that light-to-moderate alcohol consumption may lower the risk of cognitive decline and dementia by approximately 35-45%. Moderate drinking patterns may also offer cardiovascular benefits. However, further research is needed to understand the optimal pattern of drinking for protection against cognitive decline.
A new study found that active tuberculosis is an independent predictor of lung cancer death in the elderly. The research analyzed data from 61,239 subjects aged 65 years or older and found a significant association between tuberculosis and lung cancer mortality.
A new study has shown that giving a daily low-dose of the chemotherapy drug carboplatin at the same time as radiotherapy significantly prolongs survival in elderly patients with lung cancer. Patients who received combined chemoradiotherapy were nearly a third less likely to die than those given radiotherapy alone.
A study found that older adults with asthma have a higher proportion of airway inflammation compared to younger patients, despite similar treatment regimens. This could be due to underlying airway inflammation being relatively resistant to current anti-inflammatory therapies.
A study published in Neurosurgery found that surgical and nonsurgical treatment for C2 fractures in older adults resulted in similar short- and long-term outcomes, including mortality rates and complication rates. The researchers analyzed the outcomes of 56 older adults treated for C2 fractures over a ten-year period.
A recent report from the Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy found a significant increase in older adult fall deaths following the introduction of ICD-10 update in 1999. The study revealed that improved reporting quality, rather than actual increases in fatal falls, was the main contributor to the rise in mortality rate.
Researchers found that almost half of patients with head and neck cancers had other health-related problems at the same time, affecting survival rates and quality of life. The analysis emphasizes the importance of taking a multidisciplinary approach to cancer in the elderly, considering co-morbidities when deciding on treatment.
Researchers at Yale University found that short- and long-term mortality decreased in all subgroups of age, sex, and race after mitral valve surgery. Despite this improvement, female and non-white patients still experienced higher mortality rates compared to male and white patients.
Despite federal recommendations for four hours of physical activity per week, Americans spend only about two hours engaging in sports and fitness activities. The most prevalent activity is dedicated walking, with teenagers spending seven times more time playing basketball than older adults.
A new University of Michigan Health System study found that middle-aged and older adults with diabetes showed strong survival rates, even those living in nursing homes or with multiple health issues. The study suggests that interventions can prevent or delay diabetes complications.
A new national poll reveals that significant gaps exist in primary care for older Americans, with only 7% receiving all seven recommended services to support healthy aging. The survey highlights the importance of counseling on falls prevention and accessing Medicare's Annual Wellness Visit to improve geriatric care.
Researchers argue that a youthful brain can be maintained through engagement and lifestyle choices, rather than just compensating for age-related decline. Engagement, including social, mental, and physical stimulation, has been shown to promote better cognitive performance in older adults.
A new study published in Annals of Neurology suggests that increased consumption of flavonoid-rich blueberries and strawberries may slow cognitive decline in older adults, delaying aging by up to 2.5 years.
A study by Regenstrief and IU found that screening for cognitive impairment in hospitals does not improve patient outcomes. The study suggests that a more nuanced approach to addressing the issue is needed.
A study by Bowling Green State University's National Center for Family and Marriage Research found that one-third of adults aged 45-63 are unmarried, with a more than 50% increase since 1980. Single baby boomers face economic and health vulnerabilities, including poverty, disability, and lack of health insurance.
Researchers found that one fall requiring emergency response occurs every 56 hours at Boston Logan International Airport, with 37% involving hospital transport. Diverting at-risk passengers to elevators could significantly reduce the number of falls.
The American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) has awarded nearly $2.5 million in career development grants to 83 advanced fellows and junior faculty members at 28 Hartford Centers of Excellence in Geriatric Medicine and Training. The awards aim to support research, teaching, and leadership in geriatric medicine.
A study found that older adults with major and minor electrocardiographic abnormalities were associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease events. The addition of ECG abnormalities to traditional risk factors improved the prediction of CHD events.
A study found that large day-to-day variations in summer temperature may shorten life expectancy for elderly people with chronic medical conditions. The researchers estimate that greater summer temperature variability could result in over 10,000 additional deaths per year.
Researchers found that older adults who experienced moderate psychological distress were seven times more likely to experience functional limitation than those without distress. Engaging in physical activity can help achieve greater independence and positive health gains for active older adults.
A study of 1,939 elderly people in Spain found that 62.3% of men and 37.4% of women are sexually active, with common practices including kisses, caresses, and vaginal penetration. Factors limiting sexual activity include physical illness, widowerhood, age, education level, and health perception.
A recent study published in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that elderly thyroid surgery patients are at a higher risk for serious complications. The study examined 7,915 patients from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database and found that elde...