Research on health and aging in later life. Covers attention and cognition, longevity, organ aging, and age-related disease.
Researchers found that short-term use of antipsychotics in older adults with dementia increases the risk of hospitalization or death. Atypical and conventional antipsychotics both carry a significant risk of serious adverse events, with the former being three times more likely to cause harm than the latter.
A study published in The Lancet found that metabolic syndrome increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in elderly individuals. However, it was not associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Instead, individual components of metabolic syndrome were linked to a higher risk of new-onset diabetes.
A new study by the American Urological Association finds that elderly men experiencing moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms are significantly more likely to fall. Symptoms such as urinary urgency and nocturia increase the risk, highlighting the need for precautions to prevent falls.
A randomized clinical trial found that anti-inflammatory drugs celecoxib and naproxen had no effect on cognitive function in older adults with a family history of Alzheimer's disease. In fact, naproxen may have a slightly detrimental effect, according to the study published in Archives of Neurology.
A significant difference in sleep disturbances was found between Alzheimer patients and their caregivers. Poor sleep quality was linked to various health problems such as depression, daytime sleepiness, and increased risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
A study found that older adults with higher levels of nighttime fragmentation, respiratory symptoms, diabetes, and pain were more likely to nap. Naps can be a reflection of needed sleep, suggesting that health problems may be contributing to disrupted nighttime sleep.
A study by Rush University Medical Center found that elderly patients with chronic illnesses who receive virtual care from a team of medical experts make fewer emergency room visits. This coordinated approach also improves patients' understanding of their medications and enhances communication between physicians.
Researchers found that lower wealth is associated with increased stroke risk up to age 65, while wealth is not a predictor of stroke beyond age 65. This study suggests that addressing the large wealth gap at age 50-64 may help reduce disparities in stroke incidence.
A University of Chicago study reveals that older adults are more socially engaged in their communities, despite popular stereotypes. Many people in this age group volunteer, attend religious services, and spend time with neighbors on a weekly basis.
Elderly patients over 70 years old benefit from frequent mammograms, which can detect breast cancers earlier and reduce surgical procedures. The study found that 19 of 24 cases of breast malignancy were initially identified on screening mammography.
A new University of Michigan study finds major gaps in hospice care availability across the US, attributed to low Medicare funding and reliance on charity. The study shows that communities with lower average incomes and education levels have fewer hospices, while areas with higher incomes and educated populations have more.
A recent Geisinger study found that reviewing patient files in the Electronic Health Record reduces elderly patients' use of psychoactive medications linked to increased fall risk. This decrease in medication usage has the potential to significantly reduce falls among the elderly, a major cause of injury and death.
A nine-week Iyengar yoga program improved elderly females' stride speed, flexibility, and single-leg stance. Participants experienced increased confidence in walking and balance, as well as reduced pain in some cases. The study suggests that yoga can help reduce the risk of falls by improving balance and stability.
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.