Articles tagged with Older Adults
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.
A study found that three months of vigorous physical activity in older adults with type 2 diabetes improved the elasticity of their arteries, leading to a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke. The participants showed an impressive drop in arterial stiffness after just three months of exercise.
FSU researchers found that older adults face barriers to adopting new technology due to declining cognitive processes and abilities. Designers can create better products with simplified menus, large fonts, and external noise reduction to help seniors bridge the tech gap.
Middle-aged and older adults with little Internet experience showed significant brain activation patterns after just a week of online training. The study found that internet searching can stimulate neural activity, enhancing decision-making and complex reasoning in older adults.
A multi-year study of 428 thyroidectomy patients found only slight differences in rates of complications and hospital readmissions between older and younger patients. Elderly patients had a slightly higher hospital readmission rate due to transient calcium levels issues, not age-related complications.
A study at Georgia Tech found that older adults have difficulty recognizing emotions on robots, particularly happiness and disgust. Despite this, they excel at reading sadness. The researchers suggest that the robot's facial features may not be exaggerated enough to overcome age-related recognition challenges.
Researchers found that older adults are more willing than younger ones to have a robot perform critical monitoring tasks with minimal interaction. Robots can perform routine tasks like cleaning, but most respondents preferred non-interactive tasks. The study challenges the stereotype that older adults are less accepting of new technology.
Visual impairment without correction is associated with a higher risk of death among individuals aged 49-74 and all visual impairments. Disability in walking may represent an important indirect pathway to mortality for persons with visual impairment.
Researchers have identified a 'Getting-Out-of-Bed' (GoB) measure to assess motivation and life outlook in older adults. The study found that women with higher GoB scores were more likely to have good health-related quality of life, self-perceived health, and regular exercise at 6 months.
Frances Stout, a retired registered nurse, received the 2009 Community Health Leaders Award for establishing the first skilled nursing facility for elderly Native Americans. Her work also led to the creation of an elder care consortium addressing issues like transportation and housing.
Aging immune systems in elderly cancer patients are less efficient and require customized treatments. Researchers aim to understand intrinsic defects in the old immune system to stimulate antitumor responses.
The University of Florida will conduct a six-year study on structured physical activity's effect on preventing or delaying major movement disability in older adults. The Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) study seeks to fill the gap in scientific knowledge on exercise's ability to prevent mobility disability.
Preliminary evidence suggests that shortened working weeks may further extend increases in life expectancy and health. Disability prevalence has been falling, with increasing evidence suggesting that people are living better despite an increase in chronic diseases.
A study published in Sleep found that elderly women reported shorter and poorer sleep than men, but objectively measured sleep showed the opposite pattern. Women slept longer and had higher sleep efficiency, possibly due to differences in sleep duration determinants such as medication use and alcohol consumption.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have successfully implemented an interdisciplinary multisite fourth-year geriatrics clerkship, meeting all ambulatory core geriatric competencies. The program exposes medical students to various settings and diagnoses, enabling them to provide appropriate care for older adults.
Studies suggest that routine stroke prevention therapies could be highly effective in the very elderly population. Meanwhile, research on epilepsy in later life is needed to improve treatment and prognosis for this growing demographic.
A new study by the Institute for Aging Research found a significant association between high-heel wear and hind-foot pain in older women. The researchers analyzed data from over 3,300 men and women and found that nearly 64% of women who reported hind-foot pain regularly wore high-heels or pumps at some point in their life. The study su...
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society reveals that older adults with insufficient vitamin D levels are more likely to die from heart disease. The research analyzed data from over 3,400 participants and found that those with low vitamin D levels were three times more likely to die from heart disease.
Researchers aim to reduce isolation and depression among seniors by training them to use the Internet and social media. The study also focuses on increasing access to health information, making it easier for older adults to stay healthy.
A new study by Mount Sinai researchers found that cognitive testing by telephone is as effective as in-person testing in evaluating cognition in elderly individuals. The study used well-established neuropsychological tests and involved 54 healthy women with an average age of 79.
Regular exercise is associated with increased longevity and reduced disability in older adults. The study found that physical activity can delay functional decline and improve health outcomes in those who start exercising later in life.
A study published in the Journal of Applied Gerontology found that hairstylists have close relationships with their elderly clients and can identify signs of depression, dementia, and self-neglect. The stylists surveyed reported being willing to refer older adults to community services, but were unfamiliar with many available options.
Researchers found that elderly individuals have a slower response time when identifying faces, with one component of the brain's reaction being less sensitive to faces. This suggests that age-related decline affects face processing abilities.
A new study published in Annals of Epidemiology found that the waist-to-hip circumference ratio was a better indicator of obesity in high-functioning adults over 70 than BMI. The research also showed a significant link between increased waist size and higher mortality risk in both men and women.
Researchers developed an AI-powered system using RFID sensors and mobile devices to remind users of everyday tasks. The system recognizes user actions, assessing activities such as taking keys or leaving home, without modifying daily routines or requiring cameras or microphones.