Articles tagged with Older Adults
Researchers presented studies on predicting pregnancy-associated breast cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder in breast cancer patients, and novel drug candidates such as flavaglines. The conference also explored the use of circulating tumor cells and gene differences to predict survival outcomes in breast cancer patients.
The study analyzed over 11,000 elderly men in Sweden, US, and Hong Kong, finding that age significantly impacts the risk of falling, while ethnicity and environment play a role. The proportion of frequent fallers varied across countries, with highest rates in the US, followed by Sweden, and lowest in Hong Kong.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that spouses of dementia sufferers have a significantly increased risk of developing dementia themselves. The risk is six times higher for those whose spouse develops dementia, particularly men.
Researchers found that older adults with late-life depression don't respond normally to emotional stimuli, making treatment more challenging. This study highlights the importance of emotion in understanding late-life depression and developing effective therapies.
A new study found that cochlear implants improve hearing for older adults with age-related hearing loss. However, the effectiveness of implants decreases with increasing age, highlighting the need to reassess implant criteria for elderly patients.
Researchers found that volunteers high in neuroticism traits had lower volumes of gray matter in the frontal and medial temporal brain regions compared to those high in conscientious traits. This association suggests that personality may influence the rate of brain aging.
People who think more abstractly respond better to mixed emotions ads, which portray conflicting feelings. The researchers found that age and culture affect people's ability to think abstractly, with elderly and Asian subjects thinking more abstractly.
Participation in dance-based therapy can improve balance and gait in older adults, decreasing their risk of falling and reducing costly injuries. Nursing professionals can help move these programs into practice to reduce the burden caused by falls.
Significant increases in death rates from falls, motorcycle crashes, machinery use, and unintentional poisoning have been observed among older Americans. The overall change in injury mortality for individuals aged 65 years and older increased by three percent, with the greatest increase seen in whites.
A new study by researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center refutes the widely held belief that intentional weight loss in older adults leads to increased risk of death. The research shows that seniors who intentionally exercised and/or modified their diets to lose weight were half as likely to die within eight years of...
A study published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that maintaining regular daily routines is associated with improved sleep quality and reduced insomnia in older adults. Stability in basic activities such as bathing and eating was more strongly linked to better sleep quality than stability in instrumental activities.
A new study found that a patient's pre-surgical health classification, as determined by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), is a leading indicator of how well they will fare after hip fracture surgery. Medical complications were more common in patients with ASA class 3 and 4, highlighting the need for close medical managem...
A study of 3,746 elderly Americans found that over one-fourth lacked the capacity to make end-of-life medical decisions. Those with advance directives, however, received care in line with their wishes most of the time. The study emphasizes the importance of preparing oneself and family for complex medical decisions at the end of life.
Research from North Carolina State University finds that daily behavior changes significantly impact medication remembering, particularly in older and younger adults. Young people remember to take their medication more when they're busier, while older adults do better on days when they're less busy.
A new study shows that older adults' inability to ignore distracting information contributes to memory decline. Prior knowledge of an impending distraction does not improve working memory performance in this age group.
Older adults remember past experiences positively due to strong brain connections between emotion and memory regions. In contrast, young adults lack these connections, making it harder to recall positive events.
A new study has found that people in their 20s and 30s have significant balance issues, increasing their risk for falling. The test, developed by University of Missouri researcher Carmen Abbott, is a combination of a health questionnaire and physical performance tests.
Researchers found that physicians prioritize what's best for the patient overall, followed by the patient's preferences and pain management. However, ageist assumptions may influence decision-making, with a decreased reliance on patient preferences among older adults.
As one in four Canadians will be 65 or older by 2025, the need for safe driving retirement programs is growing. Municipalities and governments can develop solutions such as car pooling incentives, subsidized shuttle services, and urban planning to help seniors continue driving safely.
A study found that knee replacement surgery significantly improves dynamic balance and quality of life in elderly patients with severe osteoarthritis. The results reinforced the importance of balance in maintaining function and independence, especially for those with knee problems.
The joint position paper by SNE, ADA, and ASN emphasizes the importance of nutrition programs for older adults living in communities, addressing issues like food insecurity and malnutrition. The recommendations include promoting healthful aging, seeking community resources, and supporting more people staying healthy at home.
Research found no significant differences in tolerance and efficacy between elderly and non-elderly NSCLC patients receiving salvage targeted therapy or chemotherapy. Elderly patients showed comparable response rates, disease control, and survival times as younger patients.
Researchers found that exergames significantly improved mood and mental health-related quality of life in older adults with subsyndromal depression. The study suggests encouraging results from using video games to improve symptoms, with over one-third of participants experiencing a 50-percent or greater reduction of depressive symptoms.
A study of 2,929 individuals aged 65+ found that hospitalization for acute or critical illness was associated with lower cognitive scores and higher dementia risk. Noncritical illness hospitalizations had a 40% higher risk of dementia compared to never-hospitalized participants.
A University of Michigan study found that untreated visual disorders in the elderly are significantly more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. Early treatment of these problems may delay the onset of dementia, but many elderly individuals lack adequate vision coverage.
Research found high vitamin D levels reduce cardiovascular disease (33%) and type 2 diabetes (55%) risks. Vitamin D deficiency may contribute to cardiometabolic disorders.
A Review of hot weather health effects highlights the need for more awareness on how certain drugs are affected by heat. The authors also question commonly given advice, such as avoiding alcohol consumption, and emphasize the importance of gradual acclimatisation for elderly individuals to build up their physiological defences.
A study published in CMAJ found that low handgrip strength at 85 and 89 years is associated with increased all-cause mortality, highlighting its potential as a tool to assess mortality. The researchers also found that handgrip strength has a greater impact on mortality as people age.
A study of cancer survivors found that they become advocates for others but not themselves, suggesting a transition from passive to active care. They advise peers with cancer to seek second opinions, check doctors' credentials, and stay positive.
A study published in Physical Therapy found that decreased muscle strength is associated with difficulty performing daily activities like stooping, crouching, and kneeling. Older adults with weakened trunk extensor, knee extensor, and ankle flexion muscles had significant difficulties with these tasks.
A recent study published in the journal SLEEP found that healthy older adults can expect to have a reduced 'sleep need' and be less sleepy during the day compared to younger adults. Despite decreased total sleep time with age, older adults displayed less subjective and objective daytime sleep propensity.
A study in Brazil found that heavy alcohol use among the elderly is associated with more memory and cognitive problems than mild-to-moderate drinking, particularly among women. The study also revealed that older adults continue to drink throughout their lives.
A new study by Brown University researchers suggests that increasing insurance co-payments for routine doctor visits may actually make care more expensive. Patients with higher co-payments cut back on their doctor visits but ultimately require more expensive hospital care due to worsening illnesses.
Research found that social factors contribute to vulnerability to alcohol use and abuse in older adults. Higher income, social activity level, and friend approval are linked to excessive drinking, while older men may be more susceptible to social influences on drinking.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers suggests that limiting the depth of sedation during procedures could safely cut the risk of postoperative delirium by 50 percent. Lighter sedation was associated with a one-day reduction in the duration of delirium in those patients who still emerged from surgery confused and disoriented.
A new study found that older adults can effectively link relevant and irrelevant pieces of information together, granting them a memory advantage over younger counterparts. This hyper-binding ability allows older adults to retain more information from previous experiences.
A recent study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that reducing the depth of sedation can decrease postoperative delirium prevalence by 50% in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture repair. Lighter sedation was associated with a reduction in delirium duration, averaging almost one day per patient.
The use of atypical antipsychotics among elderly patients with dementia decreased significantly following FDA advisory in 2005. This decline resulted from a 34% yearly increase in antipsychotic mentions before the warning, followed by a 19% decrease in dementia-specific mentions after the warning was issued.
A study examines the effect of FDA safety warnings on atypical antipsychotics prescribed to patients with dementia, revealing a decline in usage among the elderly population. The findings highlight the need for improved risk communication between physicians and patients.
Researchers found that volunteering was associated with lower rates of frailty after three years, even after accounting for physical and cognitive function. The study suggests that participating in volunteer activities may help older adults maintain their health and prevent frailty.
A new study by Brown University finds that Hispanic elderly are more likely than whites to live in poor-quality nursing homes, facing structural problems, staffing issues, and financial trouble. The research highlights the need for better quality care and policy changes to address these disparities.
A study suggests that older adults can use unusual motor tasks, such as patting their heads, to reduce repetition errors in taking daily medications. The research found that participants who performed a complex motor task while taking their medication made significantly fewer mistakes than those who did not.
A recent study published in JAMA found that Ginkgo biloba supplementation did not slow the rate of cognitive decline in older adults with normal cognition or mild cognitive impairment. The researchers analyzed data from over 3,000 participants and found no evidence of an effect on global cognitive change or specific cognitive domains.
Research found that long-term exposure to traffic pollution independently increased the risk of hospitalization for pneumonia among older individuals. Long-term exposures to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) were each associated with a more than doubled risk of hospitalization from pneumonia.
A study found that ultrasound-guided cortisone injections showed a clinically significant improvement in pain level for 72% of patients with gluteus medius tendinopathy. Patients were satisfied with the results, making this treatment method a promising option for treating severe hip pain.
A recent study published in Archives of Surgery found that older adults are at a higher risk of complications and early death after commonly performed abdominal surgical procedures. The study analyzed data from over 101,000 adults aged 65 or older who underwent common abdominal operations between 1987 and 2004.
A study led by researchers at the University of Toronto and UC Berkeley found a 9% increase in disability rates among non-institutionalized adults 65 and over between 2000 and 2005. The trend is attributed to increasing obesity rates and lack of preventive services, which could lead to rising costs for Medicare and Medicaid.
Researchers at Université de Montréal discovered that recalling celebrity faces decreases with age, but accessing biographical knowledge via their name remains unaffected. This semantic memory test could become a crucial tool to identify individuals at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers pinpointed prime factors identifying elderly persons at high risk for developing major depression, including low-level depressive symptoms and poor social support. Preventive treatments hold promise for providing the greatest health benefit at the lowest cost.
Participating in social service activities like tutoring children can delay or reverse declining brain function in older adults. The study found that seniors made gains in key brain regions supporting cognitive abilities, improving daily life planning and organization.
Astronauts returning from long-duration space missions face balance problems, including dizziness and difficulty standing. Researchers have developed an adaptability training system using a treadmill with simulated balance disturbances to help them adapt quickly.
Research documents the value of the human-animal bond in improving child development, elderly care, and rehabilitation outcomes. A growing body of evidence highlights the healing power of companion animals in reducing stress, providing affection, and fostering a sense of security.
A study of 15,000 elderly individuals in 11 low- and middle-income countries found dementia to be the largest contributor to disability, followed by stroke, limb impairment, and depression. Chronic diseases, including those of the brain and mind, pose significant challenges for carers and society.
Chronic musculoskeletal pain in two or more locations and high levels of severe pain are linked to a higher risk of falls in older adults. The study found that participants who reported chronic pain had an increased rate of falls, with those reporting the highest levels of pain severity also at elevated risk.
A new study reveals that chronic musculoskeletal pain in older adults significantly increases their risk of falls. The research found that participants with chronic pain in two or more joints had a 50% greater risk of falling compared to those with no pain.
A study by Ohio State University found that older adults with alcohol dependence problems drink significantly more than their younger counterparts. On average, those over 60 have 40 or more drinks per week, compared to 25-35 drinks for younger age groups with similar problems.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine studied 575 patients who underwent surgery and found no evidence of long-term cognitive decline. The study suggests that if older adults physically recover from surgery, they will return to their previous level of cognitive ability within six months or a year.
Aging population faces limitations with technology due to age-related changes such as vision and hearing difficulties, motor control issues, and cognitive decline. Psychologists propose web design improvements like larger fonts, navigation aids, and instructional support to alleviate stress and improve usability.
A recent study found that consuming moderate amounts of protein per meal, around 30 grams, is most effective for building muscle. Eating larger portions does not necessarily lead to greater muscle synthesis. Shifting extra protein from dinner to lunch and breakfast may help optimize daily intake and reduce muscle loss in the elderly.
Changing behavior strategies such as pill boxes and reducing daily doses can improve medication adherence in older adults. Researchers found that these strategies have a greater impact than educating patients about the need for medication.