Articles tagged with Older Adults
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A new study has shown that lowering blood pressure in very elderly patients can significantly reduce their risk of death and cardiovascular events. The trial, HYVET, found a 21% reduction in total mortality rate and a 39% reduction in stroke mortality rate among participants.
The American Geriatrics Society warns of a critical shortage of geriatricians in the US due to perceptions of poor pay and lack of glamour. Geriatric medicine requires a team-based approach to address the complex needs of elderly patients with multiple health problems.
The study found nearly 40,000 older adults injured on escalators between 1991 and 2005, with most frequent cause being slips, trips, or falls. Most injuries were not serious, but caution is advised for those with mobility or balance problems when using escalators.
A study found that efficient primary care can prevent over 50% of hospitalizations caused by diabetic ketoacidosis, digestive haemorrhage, and chronic bronchitis in older patients. Effective management of these conditions could also reduce the risk of hospitalization for other health problems.
Research found that indoor tanning is a concern for all age groups, with 20% of 18-39 year olds and 10% of 50-64 year olds tanning indoors. Older adults who tan indoors have higher skin cancer risk due to cumulative exposure.
A new study from Brandeis University reveals that 1 in 10 elderly adults on Medicare consume more alcohol than recommended, with 9% engaging in unhealthy drinking habits. The study highlights the need for healthcare providers to be aware of this often-missed issue and consider individual factors when assessing risk.
A systematic review found that complex interventions, such as preventive home visits and community-based care, improved physical function and reduced the need for nursing home care in elderly people. The meta-analysis also showed a reduction in hospital admissions and falls, with benefits evident in studies started before 1993.
A new UCLA report calculates that the federal poverty line grossly underestimates the basic costs of living for California's seniors, with average annual costs ranging from $21,011 to $37,263. The Elder Index provides a more comprehensive look at expenses elders face.
The number of elderly individuals newly diagnosed with heart failure has declined, but those already living with the condition have increased steadily since 1994. This study found a significant economic burden on Medicare due to an aging population.
Researchers found that using HEPA filters for two days significantly improved microvascular function in healthy, non-smoking elderly individuals. The study suggests that indoor air filtration could be a feasible means of reducing cardiovascular risk by removing ultrafine, fine and coarse air particles.
A new five-year study aims to identify modifiable beliefs and behaviors that boost memory performance in middle-aged and older adults. By assessing psychological and physiological pathways, researchers hope to develop effective interventions to reduce distress, impairment, and dependence.
Research finds that men who exercised regularly and had a healthy lifestyle were more likely to live to age 90. In contrast, those with smoking, obesity, or hypertension had reduced longevity. Additionally, centenarians with certain health conditions developed them at an older age tended to have better mental and physical function.
A team approach to treating depression in older adults reduces total healthcare costs, with patients receiving IMPACT care having lower average costs over a four-year period. The cost-effectiveness of the IMPACT model makes it an attractive option for health organizations, which have already implemented it to improve patient outcomes.
A study published in the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved found that elderly adults are more likely to deny smoking when asked. Researchers used biomarkers like cotinine to validate self-reported nicotine use, revealing a significant discrepancy between true smokers and those who denied it.
Recent research by Natalie Denburg and colleagues found that 35-40% of healthy older adults exhibit poor decision-making abilities, which is associated with increased vulnerability to deceptive advertising. The study suggests that these individuals may experience disproportionate aging of the brain region critical for decision-making.
A study found that older adults with declining imagination are less able to recall detailed memories, hindering their ability to create imagined future events. Researchers discovered a link between episodic memory and the constructive-episodic-simulation process.
The Modified MyPyramid for Older Adults prioritizes nutrient-dense foods, including whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, with a focus on fiber-rich options. Regular physical activity is also emphasized to reduce chronic disease risk and improve quality of life.
Two studies from the Peninsula Medical School found that moderate drinking is fine for over 65s, with some cases showing better cognitive and general health than abstinence. The research showed no increased risks of physical disability, mortality, or depression among moderate drinkers.
A new study found that outcomes of high-risk cancer operations in 80-year-olds are considerably worse than reported, with higher mortality rates and lower survival rates. This limited information may lead to unrealistic expectations about the safety of these operations in the elderly.
A recent study of 213 elderly adults found that adherence to moderate exercise improved their physical function. Participants who exercised for 150 minutes or more per week showed greater improvements in walking speed, strength, flexibility, and balance.
A NewYork-Presbyterian study found that adults over 65 can improve their health through simple lifestyle changes, reducing risk for diseases such as obesity and osteoporosis. Adhering to a low-calorie diet and regular exercise can help stave off the diseases of aging.
Advanced imaging techniques reveal that normal aging degrades bundles of axons in the central nervous system, disrupting communication between different brain regions. This decline contributes to cognitive decline and affects processing speed, executive function, and memory.
A new study from Harvard University reveals that brain systems in older adults are less coordinated than those in younger individuals, even if there is no Alzheimer's disease present. This decline affects the way different brain regions communicate and process information.
A study found that adults over 60 with higher cardiorespiratory fitness lived longer than unfit adults, independent of body fat levels. Higher fitness levels were inversely related to all-cause death in both normal-weight and overweight BMI subgroups.
A recent study by Indiana University researchers found that fluoridated tap water reduces dental fillings and costs for all age groups, with older adults benefiting the most due to limited access to dental insurance. The study breaks new ground on adult dentistry, highlighting the importance of community water fluoridation for people o...
The American College of Physicians emphasizes the need for a more efficient and equitable healthcare system. Internists advocate for a focus on patient-centered care and recommend various strategies to achieve this goal. One such approach is implementing pay-for-performance programs that prioritize patient well-being over profit motives.
Research by Purdue University associate professor Karen Fingerman found that a majority of parents and children reported positive changes in their relationship as parents transitioned to old age. Despite declining health, many parents felt appreciated and nurtured, while children expressed gratitude for increased help from their parents.
A study of over 3,000 adults found that meniscal damage is often present in knees with osteoarthritis, but not directly responsible for pain. The researchers suggest that treating OA as a whole-joint disorder may help clarify the relationship between meniscal damage and knee symptoms.
A study found that high-trauma nonspine fractures in older women and men are associated with low bone mineral density and an increased risk of a subsequent fracture. The researchers analyzed data from two U.S. studies and found that low bone mineral density was strongly associated with high-trauma nonspine fractures.
Researchers found significant improvements in memory gains and perception of cognitive abilities in participants who completed a computer-based brain fitness program, surpassing traditional educational training.
A population-based study found that having a primary physician and high continuity of care lowered emergency department use among elderly patients. Additionally, rural residence, low socioeconomic status, and higher physician-to-population ratio were associated with increased emergency department use.
Researchers tested a pilot program to change older adults' beliefs about aging, resulting in increased physical activity and improved mental health-related quality of life. The program, which combined attribution retraining with weekly exercise classes, showed significant increases in walking levels and age-expectation survey scores.
A recent study found that CT colonography is effective in detecting new and significant abnormalities outside the colon, including cirrhosis and tumors, in elderly patients. The study also showed that a high percentage of patients had at least one malignancy, with extracolonic malignancies being more common than previously thought.
Using donated kidneys from older donors with health conditions can alleviate organ shortage among older adults, reducing waiting times and improving survival rates. Patient survival rates were similar across age groups, with 91% of patients over 60 receiving ECD kidneys surviving the transplant.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine report a 43% increase in functional impairment among obese adults aged 60+, while overall odds of ADL impairment decreased for non-obese populations. Obesity's quality-of-life effects may be deteriorating, highlighting the need to prevent disability.
A recent study found that expanded criteria non-beating-heart kidney transplants from ECD donors are not suitable for elderly patients with ESRD. The risk of graft loss and death was significantly higher in these patients compared to brain-dead SCD donors.
Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center found that older adults' ability to engage multisensory attention remains intact with age. Despite previous research suggesting otherwise, the study showed that older adults can speed up and slow down their brain's processing of relevant information, similar to younger adults.
A study published in Journal of Vascular Surgery found increased aortic arch calcium content and complex arch morphology are associated with higher risk of embolization during carotid artery stenting in patients over 75. This may lead to the use of alternative techniques to reduce risk.
University of Illinois scientist Karen Chapman-Novakofski conducted a nutritional study in Botswana, revealing that the elderly lack variety in their diet and have limited access to milk, fruits, and vegetables. The research aims to inform policy changes and support healthy eating habits for this vulnerable population.
Elderly patients with DVT are less likely to present typical symptoms and receive treatment outpatient. Researchers suggest that these patients represent a high-risk group due to the combination of DVT and COPD.
A retrospective cohort study found that elderly patients who started dialysis between 1990 and 1999 experienced significant improvements in survival rates. Patients aged 65-74 years at the start of dialysis showed a 23% improvement in survival, while those aged 75 or more saw a 15% gain.
The EU-funded sleep research project has investigated the effects of partial sleep loss on human health, finding that individuals' ability to perform complex tasks decreases with restricted sleep. The study also revealed changes in the immunological system, including increased C-reactive protein levels.
A new UCLA study found that vulnerable elderly patients enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid received only 65% of recommended tests and treatments, indicating significant room for improvement. The study examined quality of care for common conditions such as depression, diabetes, hypertension, and heart failure.
New studies support continued colorectal cancer screening among healthy elderly Americans, with screenings leading to earlier stage of CRC diagnosis and improved survival. Researchers found that adenomas were detected more frequently in older patients, and asymptomatic patients had significantly improved survival rates.
A new systematic review of trials comparing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) found that survival to 10 years was similar between the two procedures. CABG was more effective in relieving angina, but had a higher risk for procedural stroke, while PCI led to more repeated revasculari...
Researchers from Indiana University School of Medicine and Regenstrief Institute advocate for collaborative dementia care model that extends beyond primary care doctor's office into patients' homes and communities.
A 20-week randomized trial found that perindopril improved exercise capacity and maintained health-related quality of life in elderly participants. The degree of improvement was equivalent to that reported after 6 months of exercise training.
The USC team aims to design visual displays that enhance certain parts of an image to help people with AMD digest visual information better. They will use techniques from computer vision and computational neuroscience to build visual displays that compensate for neural loss.
A study of 447 patients with multiple myeloma found that thalidomide improved overall survival and response rates compared to standard chemotherapy. The MPT regimen was associated with significantly better outcomes, making it a potential new treatment option for elderly patients.
A large-scale study of 2,889 older women found that poorer sleep is associated with worse physical function during the day. Women who slept less than six hours per night walked slower and took longer to complete daily activities. Maintaining good sleep hygiene is crucial for optimal daytime function in older adults.
A survey of elderly Spaniards found poor knowledge about cancer, with many believing it's contagious or a punishment. The study highlights the importance of improving cancer education programs for older adults.
Researchers from NIH identify sources of bias in previous studies, suggesting strategies to reduce severe influenza outcomes among the elderly. The authors emphasize the need for better flu vaccines and new approaches, including antiviral drugs and targeted vaccination for high-risk individuals.
The Lancet Infectious Diseases report highlights frailty selection bias and non-specific trial endpoints as reasons behind the exaggeration. Few trials have included elderly people, especially those aged at least 70 years, which accounts for three-quarters of all influenza-related deaths.
The increasing elderly population will pose significant challenges in cancer care, including inadequate training of healthcare professionals and inappropriate ageist attitudes. Improved technology may help address some issues, but a digital divide and escalating costs threaten the accessibility of cancer treatment.
Decreased inhibitory ability in late adulthood can lead to prejudice, social inappropriateness, depression, and gambling problems. Poor inhibition also predicts increased rumination, leading to depression. Scheduling social activities earlier in the day may help mitigate these issues.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that urbanization significantly increases the risk of major depressive disorder among elderly Nigerians. The study also highlights a significant gap in treatment for this condition, with only 37% of lifetime cases receiving any form of treatment.
As China's population reaches 336 million over 60 by 2030, the country faces a growing burden of care for senior citizens. The one-child policy may leave some older Chinese without a family member to care for them, forcing them to rely on limited caregivers or facilities.
The UK Human Rights Act's implementation has been criticized for providing little more than lip service to the human rights of elderly people in care. Despite acknowledging good care, a parliamentary report highlights a lack of understanding among service providers and policymakers about the act's principles.
The first comprehensive national survey of older adults' sexual attitudes and behaviors found that most people ages 57-85 consider sex an important part of life. However, nearly half reported at least one sexual problem, including lack of desire, vaginal dryness, or erectile dysfunction.
A comprehensive survey found that most older adults (57-85) are sexually active and view intimacy as crucial to life, but face high rates of 'bothersome' sexual problems. Healthier individuals report more frequent sex, with physical health playing a stronger role than age.