Articles tagged with Older Adults
Researchers found that brain plasticity, the brain's ability to change and reorganize itself, can be improved in elderly subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) through a simple memory training program. This increases correct answers by 33% and opens new avenues for research into slowing Alzheimer's disease progression.
A University of Missouri nursing expert emphasizes the complexity of hospital discharge processes for older adults, citing stress, fear, and lack of understanding as common complications. Effective care requires open communication among families, patients, and healthcare providers.
A new study suggests that gardening programs can boost vegetable intake among older adults, with no correlation between time spent gardening and consumption. The research found that gardeners were more likely to consume vegetables than non-gardeners, regardless of age or ability.
Older adults who garden report enhanced optimism, increased physical activity, and higher energy levels compared to nongardeners. Gardening also promotes healthier lifestyles through increased consumption of fruit and vegetables.
Researchers found that combining tai chi with standard treatment for depressed elderly adults led to greater improvement in depression levels and quality of life. Participants who took escitalopram and participated in tai chi showed higher remission rates than those receiving health education.
Researchers found older adults take significantly longer to cross streets while talking on mobile phones, with heightened cautiousness offering no safety benefits. The study also revealed a significant impairment in street-crossing tasks for older adults engaged in dual activities.
A study published in The Journal of Immunology reveals that the elderly are more susceptible to pneumonia and bacterial infections due to a decline in immune system cells. Researchers have found that macrophages and B cells, which fight bacteria, appear effective but are fewer in number, making them less effective. Developing targeted ...
Research at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev found that elderly drivers are less likely to detect pedestrians on sidewalks and react in time. They attempt to cope with hazards by reducing speed, but may still be vulnerable to accidents. The study's findings highlight the need for increased awareness among elderly drivers.
A study of elderly patients found a strong association between undiagnosed high blood glucose and increased hospital death rates. Researchers now recommend routine blood glucose testing on admission to prevent unnecessary deaths.
A recent study found that total knee replacement patients retain high levels of functionality 20 years after surgery, defying common concerns about long-term decline. The study revealed that 95% of patients could walk at least five blocks and nearly half had unlimited walking abilities.
Patients with large kidney tumors benefit from nephron-sparing surgery, which preserves more kidney tissue and reduces chronic kidney disease risk. Researchers found that this approach resulted in better long-term kidney health outcomes compared to radical nephrectomy.
A new system developed by Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft aims to provide constant companionship to elderly people living alone, identifying potential fall situations through multisensory nodes and adaptive software. The system learns an individual's daily activities and alerts trusted individuals in case of emergency.
The myVitali system enables healthcare professionals to monitor and communicate with larger numbers of people, maintaining independence and quality of life for seniors. It also reduces doctor visits and provides personalized health records.
A recent study found that more than half of clinical trials exclude people based on their age or age-related conditions. This exclusion leaves healthcare providers in the dark when determining which treatment will best serve their patients.
A new study led by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that one year of moderate physical exercise can increase the size of the brain's hippocampus in older adults. The increased hippocampal size is associated with improved spatial memory function. The researchers also discovered a correlation between increased hippoca...
A five-year study of 288 participants found that a combination of physical activity and weight loss improved mobility by 5-20% in older, obese adults. This counteracts the common belief that weight loss is unhealthy for older adults. Community-based programs can effectively provide seniors with poor mobility
The University of California, San Diego's Trauma Epidemiology and Injury Prevention Research Center is expanding its older driver screening program to other counties, focusing on interventions for at-risk drivers. The program aims to identify and address medical conditions that may interfere with safe driving.
A Concordia University study reveals that younger adults are quicker to respond when faced with an unexpected event, whereas older adults take longer to adapt. This finding has implications for educators and older adults in situations where performance is crucial.
A study found that lower levels of beta-amyloid protein fragments, combined with less education, are associated with a faster rate of cognitive decline over nine years. Cognitive reserve measures modified the association, with those having higher reserves showing less decline.
A new study suggests that driving simulators can be an effective way to improve the driving skills of older adults. The researchers found that coaching and feedback through a driving simulator improved driving abilities in older drivers. This method may help keep older drivers on the road longer while maintaining safety.
A study by the University of Colorado at Boulder found that older adults taking zolpidem are significantly more likely to experience balance problems and cognitive impairments. Younger adults also showed significant cognitive impacts from sleep inertia, highlighting a need for further research on this topic.
Studies found that most anti-epileptic drugs increase the risk of non-traumatic fractures in individuals aged 50 and older. Anti-epileptic drugs are associated with greater bone density loss, particularly in post-menopausal women. The study identified phenytoin and carbamazepine as the most significant contributors to this increased risk.
A new study by Erik Trinkaus suggests that early modern humans and Neanderthals had similar adult mortality patterns, with no evidence of a longevity advantage for modern humans. This challenges the theory that Neanderthal shorter life expectancy contributed to their demise.
Psychologists at Jena University discovered that adapting to faces of older people can make a person appear younger. The study found that viewing multiple faces of the same age group can influence age perception and lead to estimates that are systematically wrong.
A study of 9 studies found that higher walking speeds were linked to increased survival time in older adults. Gait speed was most informative after age 75, with faster speeds corresponding to longer expected remaining life.
A study by researchers at Tufts University found a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome in low-income urban community in Ecuador, with vitamins C and E showing a significant relationship. Limited consumption of nutrient-dense foods such as chicken, vegetables, and legumes contributes to the risk.
A recent study found that diets rich in healthy foods, such as fruits, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products, may reduce mortality risk in older adults. The 'Healthy foods' cluster had a significantly lower risk of mortality compared to clusters with high consumption of unhealthy foods.
Researchers found that Echinacea has no significant effect on reducing the duration or severity of cold symptoms. In contrast, a diet rich in whole-fat dairy products may help lower the risk of developing diabetes due to increased levels of trans-palmitoleate. Exercise and Vitamin D supplements are also recommended as effective interve...
A UK doctor shares a poignant story of an elderly patient struggling with loneliness, highlighting the need for companionship and support. The Lancet argues that tackling loneliness requires a multi-faceted approach, including social clubs, workshops, and simply spending time with neighbors.
The Affordable Care Act offers comprehensive health benefits to 8.6 million uninsured adults ages 50-64 and 9.7 million underinsured adults. Baby boomers will gain improved coverage through essential benefit standards, limits on out-of-pocket spending, and elimination of lifetime benefit limits.
Researchers have identified an existing medication, lenalidomide, that can restore key elements of the immune system decreasing production during aging and rebalance cytokine levels. This discovery could lead to a daily pill boosting immunity in the elderly.
A new study by the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston found that hospitalized elderly patients who take even short walks around their unit tend to leave the hospital sooner than those who are less mobile. This correlation was observed after adjusting for varying severities of illness, suggesting a potential 'standard of ca...
Patients over 65 who survive hospitalization with mechanical ventilation are more likely to suffer from long-term disabilities compared to those without ventilation. Researchers found that these patients experience greater mobility difficulties and activities of daily living (ADL) disability, even when their pre-hospitalization disabil...
A recent study found that lower and higher vitamin D levels are associated with an increased likelihood of frailty in older women. Women with optimal vitamin D levels (20.0-29.9 ng/ml) were at the lowest risk, while those with levels below 20 ng/ml or above 30 ng/ml had a higher risk of frailty.
A comprehensive overview of volunteering and service activities among older people is now available. The book features essays from leading scholars and classic research articles from the Gerontological Society of America's peer-reviewed journals.
A new study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev has shown that individually tailored dietary treatment for acutely hospitalized elderly can significantly reduce mortality rates. The study found a 64% decrease in death rates among those receiving intensive nutritional treatment compared to the control group.
A study from the University of California, Riverside and Boston University found that perceptual training can improve visual performance in elderly adults. The researchers used a texture discrimination test to demonstrate that repeated performance of visual tasks can lead to improved vision.
A six-month music-based multitask exercise program improved gait, balance, and reduced falls in community-dwelling elderly individuals. The study found a significant reduction in falls and risk of falling among participants, suggesting that this program may be useful for fall prevention and rehabilitation.
A study of over 5,200 adults found that those with mildly decreased sodium levels had a higher rate of fractures, despite no difference in bone mineral density. Screening for low sodium concentration may be an important new strategy to prevent fractures.
A new biomarker, cardiac troponin T (cTnT), has been found to be associated with the development of heart failure or cardiovascular death in older adults. Higher concentrations of cTnT were linked to a greater risk of both outcomes, independent of traditional risk factors.
A novel program in Livingston County, NY, uses EMS technicians to identify and address unmet needs of elderly residents, resulting in high patient satisfaction rates. The program's success highlights the potential of innovative collaboration between healthcare providers and social services to improve quality of life for seniors.
A new screening test, Sweet 16, can detect dementia in elderly patients more rapidly, providing an alternative to the Mini-Mental State Examination. The tool has been shown to accurately characterize mental status without influencing patient education or sociodemographic factors.
A new cognitive assessment tool with 16 items could be useful for identifying thinking, learning and memory problems among older adults. The Sweet 16 scale correctly identified 80% of individuals with cognitive impairment.
A Kaiser Permanente study shows that electronic alerts can significantly reduce unnecessary D-dimer tests for elderly patients, resulting in a 69.7% decrease in orders. The alerts, which explain the test's inaccuracy in older adults, were implemented in eight primary care clinics and maintained throughout the study period.
A study found that testosterone treatment improved muscle mass, strength, and quality of life in frail elderly men, but these effects were not maintained six months after treatment. Researchers suggest a multi-disciplinary approach, including resistance exercise and lifestyle options, to interrupt the downward spiral into frailty.
A new study finds that older adults wearing multifocal contact lenses may have slower driving speeds at night and reduced ability to recognize road hazards compared to those using progressive addition glasses. However, they can still see road signs at a shorter distance.
A new study reveals that volunteering helps adults with functional limitations live longer by alleviating a sense of diminished usefulness. Older adults who volunteered were found to have lower mortality rates compared to those without such limitations.
A University of Toronto study reveals that visual attention diminishes with age, leading to better memory for irrelevant information. Older adults are less capable of filtering out distracting information, which broadly influences cognitive deficits in normal aging.
A study from Indiana University School of Medicine finds that a home-based geriatric care management program, GRACE, improves health and quality of life, decreases emergency department visits and hospital admission rates among high-risk patients. The program's cost-saving benefits are also highlighted.
A Yale study reveals that hospitalizations and injuries are linked to worsening functional ability in older adults, especially those who are physically frail. The study found that fall-related injuries led to the highest likelihood of developing new or worsening disability.
Three models of comprehensive primary care, including GRACE, Guided Care, and PACE, have shown promise in improving effectiveness and efficiency for complex primary care. These models focus on proactive processes such as comprehensive assessment, evidence-based care planning, and coordination of professionals to tailor care to patients...
Researchers found that patient age may diminish the death benefit of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. Moderate to severe pain was common in patients' final years, especially for those with arthritis. E-cigarettes pose a new challenge for physicians counseling patients to abstain from nicotine due to safety concerns and potentia...
A recent study has found that elderly women are at higher risk of receiving unnecessary urinary catheters in emergency departments. The study revealed that nearly half of female patients over 80 years old did not meet institutional guidelines for urinary catheter placement.
Kidney failure affects nearly half a million US individuals, with 48% being 60 years or older. Elderly patients are now more likely to receive a kidney transplant due to increased access to organs from living and deceased donors, as well as improved survival rates while waiting.
Research found that 60% of hospitalizations for severe sepsis were associated with worsened cognitive and physical function among surviving older adults. Cognitive impairment was 3.3 times higher following an episode of sepsis than for other hospitalizations.
Researchers found that celiac disease is on the rise, with increasing cases in the elderly, challenging the common speculation that it develops in childhood. Environmental factors may play a role in developing tolerance to gluten before an autoimmune disease sets in.
A randomized trial found that 30 months of supervised exercise followed by voluntary home training significantly reduced the risk of fractures in high-risk elderly women. The study also showed improved balance and gait, as well as lower mortality rates, compared to a control group.
Researchers at Florida State University found that people with Parkinson's disease alter their gait when asked to perform verbal tasks while walking, increasing the risk of falls. Even healthy adults without a neurological impairment demonstrated similar difficulties walking and talking, highlighting the need for healthcare professiona...
A new study by Timothy Salthouse found that mental abilities decline with age, but not as steeply as previously thought. After adjusting for 'practice effects,' which inflate test scores due to repeated testing, the study revealed smaller declines in mental aging.
A study published in CMAJ found that early surgery within 24-72 hours reduces the risk of death and postoperative complications. Hip fractures are associated with a mortality rate of 14 to 36%, but early surgery can decrease this risk.