Articles tagged with Older Adults
A Michigan Medicine study found that half of seniors have geriatric conditions affecting daily living, such as falls and incontinence. The study highlights the need for clinicians to address these common conditions, which can lead to disability if left untreated.
The Hypertension in the Very Elderly Trial (HYVET) found that lowering blood pressure significantly reduces both stroke and mortality in patients aged 80 and over. The trial, which began in 2001, involved 3,845 patients from across the world and stopped early due to significant reductions in overall mortality.
Elizabeth Stine-Morrow's "Dumbledore hypothesis" suggests that aging adults can compensate for age-related cognitive changes by allocating effort differently. Older readers with good comprehension spend more time building a 'situation model' and pausing to integrate new information.
Older adults experience cognitive decline that affects their ability to comprehend humor, according to Washington University researchers. However, this decline does not mean they cannot understand humor, and previous experiences, preferences, and personality play a significant role in humor comprehension.
A new study found that hip and knee replacements are rarely performed in patients over 100 due to concerns about short-term life expectancy. However, the research suggests that these procedures should not be denied solely based on age and that the benefits may outweigh the risks.
A new study found that racial disparities play a significant role in the development of disability among older adults with arthritis. The study, which included over 7,200 respondents, showed that African Americans and Hispanic/Spanish groups experienced significantly higher rates of disability compared to whites.
Research suggests that older adults with poor health literacy have a higher risk of mortality compared to those with adequate literacy. The study found that individuals with lower education levels had poorer health outcomes, including increased rates of cardiovascular disease deaths.
The Lancet Series explores inappropriate prescribing in elderly people, with evidence suggesting overprescription of drugs and inadequate patient involvement. Drug-drug interactions are also a significant concern, with 46% of elderly outpatients at risk of potentially significant interactions.
Researchers suggest using insecticide-treated bed nets for adults and older children to protect against malaria. The strategy could substantially enhance protection of vulnerable groups by reducing mosquito transmission.
Sweden's baby boom highlights the need for efficient care services for older adults in the US, with a focus on moderate needs. The country's system of local, service-based care helps keep seniors independent longer.
Research abstract finds self-reported sleep complaints among the elderly increase the risk of completed suicide. Poor sleep quality, independent of depression, predicts an increased risk for eventual death by suicide.
A new study found that even slightly abnormal pre-operative red blood cell counts can increase the risk of death or cardiac events after major non-cardiac surgery. Researchers analyzed data from 310,311 veterans and found that maintaining a normal red blood cell count may be beneficial for elderly patients facing surgery.
A new study found that both newer atypical and older conventional antipsychotics are associated with increased mortality in older adults with dementia. The risk appears to be highest for conventional antipsychotics.
A Pitt School of Medicine study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that adding a medication to a standard treatment regimen for major depressive disorder in the elderly improves chances of recovery. The study showed that recovery rates increased from 40% to 60% when adding a second drug to the treatment.
Researchers found that a 45-minute walk restores the muscle-growth-stimulating effects of insulin to levels comparable to those seen in normal young adults. This breakthrough suggests that moderate aerobic exercise may slow the rate of muscle loss in aging.
A replication study found that financial resources, health, and meaning in life positively influence quality of life. Emotional support, companionship, and intimacy also play a significant role in enhancing quality of life among older adults.
A recent study showed that exercise, specifically resistance training, can reverse the genetic fingerprint of aging in healthy senior citizens. After six months of twice-weekly resistance training, older adults' mitochondrial function and muscle strength improved significantly, with some even surpassing those of younger adults.
Researchers found that older adults with a history of excess weight in midlife or earlier had worse physical performance than those who were normal weight throughout adulthood. Maintaining healthy weight may prevent or delay physical disability as we age.
Research suggests that older-adult dieting won't lead to reduced physical function, with women losing muscle but maintaining aerobic fitness and strength. Weight regain also doesn't negatively impact physical performance, as long as the regained weight is not excessive fat.
A University of Alberta study found that seniors are being stereotyped as grouchy and inflexible, with caregivers holding misconceptions about aging and Alzheimer's disease, while most seniors are adaptable and seldom angry. The study highlights the need for more education about aging and dementia to promote positive care.
The Gerontological Society of America has awarded new Hartford Doctoral Fellowships to eight outstanding doctoral students to support their research in geriatric social work. The fellowships include a $50,000 dissertation grant and matching support from home institutions.
Research suggests that older adults excel in situations where they rely on emotions and past experiences, but struggle when faced with unfamiliar information. The study highlights the importance of tailoring advice to the individual's cognitive abilities.
A study by Ohio University researchers found that one-third of sexually active older adults with HIV/AIDS have unprotected sex. The study suggests that more prevention efforts may be needed to target this specific group.
A study of 4,681 older adults found that chronic depression can cause Type 2 diabetes, even after adjusting for lifestyle factors. The study suggests that high levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, may be the culprit behind this link.
Researchers are exploring the effectiveness of telephone support groups for older adults with HIV. A new four-year study aims to test the benefits of this approach in treating depression and other mental health issues among seniors with HIV.
Older adults with low vitamin D levels are at increased risk for poor physical performance and disability. The study found a significant relationship between low vitamin D levels and poorer physical performance, with results holding true even after adjusting for other variables.
Research shows that elderly patients (90+ years) who receive recommended treatments for acute coronary syndromes have better survival rates, but at a higher risk of bleeding complications. Guidelines must be balanced to balance survival benefits with increased bleeding risk.
A study of 4,681 older adults found that those with high levels of depressive symptoms were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes over a 10-year period. The researchers followed participants for 10 years, tracking changes in depressive symptom scores and the development of diabetes.
A recent editorial by Dr. Malaz Boustani suggests that primary care physicians should not assess the safety of older drivers due to resource constraints and potential conflicts of interest. The editorial is based on a survey of Canadian family physicians, who reported low confidence in assessing driving fitness.
Researchers at MIT have developed a humanoid robot called Domo that can adapt to new environments, grasp objects, and interact with humans. The robot learns from its experiences and can perform tasks like putting away dishes, which could help elderly or wheelchair-bound people.
A $2.5 million grant will expand Care Management Plus, a technology-intensive primary care model that reduces hospitalizations and improves health outcomes for older adults with chronic illnesses. The program has shown promising results in initial studies, including better blood sugar control and reduced mortality rates.
A study published in Neurology found that blood pressure rates during periodic leg movements rose significantly in people with untreated RLS, increasing cardiovascular risk. The study also showed that age and disease history are key factors contributing to these increased blood pressure changes.
A new study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that patients who received regular preventive health exams were more likely to get recommended cancer screenings. The study showed that colon cancer screenings and prostate-specific antigen tests increased by three times in the checkup group compared to those without a checkup.
A new UCLA study found that practicing Tai Chi chih alone boosts immunity to a level comparable to the standard vaccine against shingles. Combining Tai Chi with the vaccine results in a clinically relevant boost and added benefits for middle-aged adults.
Research by Michael Kisley and Stacey Wood found that older adults exhibit a better balance in processing emotional information, as they tend to pay equal importance to both positive and negative images. This change in emotional priorities develops gradually from age 18 to 80.
A University of Alberta study reveals that older adults feel less confident about their computer knowledge due to memory issues and health problems. The research highlights the importance of adapting computer technology to accommodate vision, hearing, and motor skills impairments.
A study found that undocumented immigrants with pregnant women account for 48,391 Emergency Medicaid cases, with 99% being Hispanic and 95% female. This trend indicates an increasing burden on publicly funded healthcare, necessitating improved services such as comprehensive contraceptive care and chronic disease management.
As people age, their neurons must speak more loudly to muscles to achieve precise control, leading to poorer physical responses and increased falls. Exercise, such as weight training, can increase firing rates and preserve motor capacity in older adults.
A University of Virginia study suggests that older adults are more likely to commit suggestibility errors, where they believe an event occurred when it was suggested, and have high confidence in their recollections even if wrong. This has significant implications for the reliability of older persons' eyewitness testimonies in courtrooms.
New research found that older adults gain fat and lose lean mass each year until age 80, contributing to disability. The study also revealed that those born later experienced higher body fat percentages, highlighting the impact of the obesity epidemic on aging
The number of very elderly beginning dialysis increased from 1996 to 2003, with one-year survival rates remaining at around 50%. Ambulatory techniques for diagnosing sleep apnea were found to be as effective as polysomnography.
Researchers have made new discoveries about cerebellar functioning in rats, shedding light on how the brain controls movements. The study found that specific modules of the cerebellum regulate reflex functions during walking and adapt to situations.
Researchers investigated how specific body characteristics affect the elderly's ability to regulate temperature during cold stress. The study found that certain traits, such as percent body fat and skeletal muscle mass, become more important with age, suggesting changes in the body's thermoregulatory responses.
A new study from Harvard Medical School found no association between benzodiazepine use and hip fractures among the elderly. The study, which analyzed data from over 90,000 Medicaid recipients, suggests that policies limiting sedative prescriptions may need to be reexamined.
A review found that growth hormone had minimal effects on body composition but increased rates of unhealthy side effects, diabetes, and adverse events. The use of GH for anti-aging in healthy adults is not recommended due to the lack of evidence and potential risks.
A review of human growth hormone use in healthy elderly people found minimal benefits and high adverse events. Narcotics are often prescribed for chronic back pain but have poor efficacy data and high abuse rates. Meanwhile, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has improved HIV survival rates among those diagnosed since 2000.
A survey found that more than two-thirds of informal caregivers for disabled older adults at the end of life reported feeling rewarded, despite providing over 40 hours of care per week. These caregivers often experienced emotional, physical, and financial strains but also derived benefits from the person they were caring for.
Researchers suggest that mental training and physical activity can protect against declines in cognition, including memory, language, and abstract reasoning. A recent study involving over 3,000 participants found immediate improvements in memory and sustained benefits after five years.
A randomized controlled trial found that cognitive training improved cognitive function in well-functioning older adults, with benefits lasting up to 5 years. However, the impact on daily functioning was limited, with only the reasoning group showing significant improvements.
A new study found that short-term cognitive training can offset the expected decline in older adults' thinking skills, with benefits persisting for up to five years. The study showed improved performance in everyday tasks such as meal preparation and managing finances.
An observational study found that elderly men who received treatment for localized prostate cancer survived significantly longer than those who did not. The study suggested a reduced risk of mortality associated with active treatment in the elderly Medicare population.
A new study reveals that a balance training program focusing on increasing step length and speed is more effective at improving mobility and balance than tai chi. The program resulted in greater improvements in measures such as the timed up and go test and maximal step length test.
A recent study by Thomas Jefferson University researchers shows that providing extra support to caregivers can lead to less depression and increased use of adult day services. This approach also reduces the need for nursing home placements.
A Temple University study found that regular church attendance slows pulmonary function decline among men and women over 70. The study suggests that religious engagement provides social contact, emotional support, and psychological well-being, potentially benefiting health.
A large-scale review of bariatric procedures in older adults found significant increases in complications and mortality rates compared to younger patients. The study, which analyzed over 25,000 procedures, suggests that weight-loss surgery should be limited to those under 65 years old.
A new study found that rote learning can improve memory in seniors after an intensive period of memorization followed by a six-week rest. The volunteers exhibited improved memory performance, correlated with metabolic changes in the brain.
The Advancement of Geriatrics Education (AGE) Project will integrate geriatrics into HMS curriculum and provide education to medical and surgical residents, as well as practicing physicians. The program aims to expose physicians to the unique concerns of older individuals and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
A multicenter pilot study found that structured physical activity improved physical functioning in sedentary elderly individuals. Participants who exercised regularly showed significant improvements in walking distance and reduced risk of major mobility disability.
A pharmacy care program for elderly patients increases medication adherence, resulting in improved health outcomes. The study found that the program was associated with significant improvements in systolic blood pressure and sustained medication adherence.
Researchers developed a seven-point system to gauge the seriousness of heart failure in elderly patients. The system estimates patient survival based on factors such as advanced age, coronary artery disease, and low blood pressure.