Research on health and aging in later life. Covers attention and cognition, longevity, organ aging, and age-related disease.
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.
Researchers have confirmed that veins stiffen as we age, a change that may contribute to high blood pressure. Regular exercise training may help maintain vein flexibility. The study, led by William Farquhar from the University of Delaware, recruited healthy young and older adults and monitored their blood flow.
A recent study published in The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that varenicline was well-tolerated and effective in reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms in elderly smokers. The researchers reported mild adverse reactions, including nausea, but no participants withdrew from the study.
A Mayo Clinic study of 144 participants found that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplements had no effect on age-related changes in body composition, physical performance, or quality of life. The study's findings contradict previous reports and suggest that DHEA should be treated as a regulated drug.
A study of 1,911 adults found that visual impairment significantly increases the risk of hearing loss, with both conditions affecting physical and mental domains. The two impairments share common risk factors, including oxidative stress, smoking, and atherosclerosis.
Physicians can now provide personalized exercise recommendations using the FITT-PRO guidelines, which include frequency, intensity, type, time, and progression. Regular physical activity has been shown to benefit people of all fitness levels, particularly seniors who have limited access to information.
Researchers at McMaster University found that seniors can re-learn multi-tasking with practice, achieving levels similar to younger participants. The study showed that training improved performance in both older and younger subjects, with benefits lasting up to three months later.
A new study published in JCSM found that brief behavioral treatment for insomnia (BBTI) significantly improves sleep quality and daytime symptoms of anxiety and depression in older adults. The study showed a 71% favorable response rate among BBTI participants, compared to 39% in the control group.
Behavioral therapies produce reliable changes in bedtime problems and night wakings in infants and children, with 82% of children benefiting from treatment. For women with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), early diagnosis and treatment can reduce healthcare costs and improve sleep quality.
A Kent State University study develops a web-based intervention to alleviate depression in caregivers and stroke survivors through peer and professional support. The innovative program aims to improve the psychological well-being of both individuals concurrently.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that long-term lead exposure is linked to cognitive decline in older adults. The researchers tested 985 participants and found higher tibia lead levels were consistently associated with worse cognitive performance on tests, equivalent to two to six years of aging.
Researchers found that one-third of older adults struggle with bathing, highlighting the need for bathroom safety features and education. The study recommends installing shower curtains instead of glass doors and providing proper instruction on built-in safety features.
A team-based approach to treating depression in primary care significantly reduces suicidal thoughts in older adults, with patients receiving IMPACT care being half as likely to report suicidal thoughts even up to 12 months after treatment. The study also shows improved physical functioning and quality of life for patients.
A study of 120 older adults found significant memory problem complainants had reduced gray matter density in the brain, even without a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment. This suggests that memory complaints may indicate an early 'pre-MCI' stage of dementia.
A study found that reducing contrast material injection by at least 10% in elderly patients undergoing CT exams of the pancreas and biliary region can decrease costs and complications. This reduction was achieved without affecting image quality.
According to researchers at Harvard University and the University of Michigan, healthcare in America has been cost-effective overall. The study found that improved healthcare contributed significantly to increased life expectancy, with 70% of gains attributed to reductions in cardiovascular disease deaths.
A new study found that open-mindedness predicts higher intelligence in young adults, while disagreeableness is linked to better vocabulary and knowledge retention in older age. Conscientiousness also plays a role in strong short-term memory and visual processing in older adults.
A recent study published in Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that never-married individuals are 58% more likely to die between 1989 and 1997 compared to their married peers. The 'never married penalty' is higher for those in excellent health, but not among the poor or elderly.
A recent study found that extreme heat increases mortality risk among the elderly, diabetics, and African Americans. The research analyzed 7.8 million deaths across US cities from 1989 to 2000, revealing a significant association between extreme temperatures and cardiovascular-related deaths in African Americans.
A recent study published by the American Heart Association found that severe sleep apnea significantly increases the risk of ischemic stroke in older adults. The study analyzed data from over 390 participants aged 70-100 and discovered that those with severe sleep apnea were 2.5 times more likely to experience a stroke.
New research from Ohio State University finds that severe heat waves are particularly deadly in neighborhoods without businesses to draw older people out of their apartments. The study analyzed data from the 1995 Chicago heat wave and found higher-than-average mortality rates in areas with run-down, liquor-focused businesses.
A study found that drinking flavanol-rich cocoa improved blood vessel function in both young and older adults. This suggests that flavanol-rich cocoa may be a useful dietary approach for maintaining endothelial vessel function, particularly in the aging population.
A new drug, eszopiclone, has been shown to improve sleep quality and reduce daytime napping in elderly patients with insomnia. The study found that eszopiclone significantly reduced wakefulness after sleep had begun and improved sleep efficiency and total sleep time.
Sleep disturbance in the elderly is associated with decreased memory, impaired concentration, and impaired ability to function. Geriatricians recommend addressing sleep problems through lifestyle changes, such as keeping a diary to track sleep patterns, and trying daytime walks and environmental adjustments to improve sleep quality.
A computer card game called FreeCell has been adapted to detect early signs of dementia by assessing players' planning and efficiency. Researchers found that the game can distinguish between cognitively healthy elders and those with mild cognitive impairment, suggesting potential for early treatment strategies.
Researchers found that the death rate from mitral valve surgery decreased dramatically among elderly patients, with five-year survival rates of 91-97% for different age groups. The study also showed improved feasibility and benefits of correcting a leaking mitral valve in older patients.
The Quality of Life Technology Engineering Research Center aims to develop technologies that enable older adults and people with disabilities to live independently and productively. Researchers will create intelligent systems that monitor health, prompt memories, and control household appliances.
Research published in Heart reveals high humidity increases heart attack deaths among the elderly in Athens. Average monthly humidity was the single most important factor influencing average monthly death rates from heart attack in those over 70.
A recent study published in JAMA Network found that older adults who engage in more daily physical activity have a lower risk of death. The researchers measured energy expenditure over a two-week period using doubly labeled water and found that higher levels of activity were associated with a 69% lower risk of death.
Prolonged immobility in older adults can lead to functional decline within 48 hours. Simple policy changes can prevent complex problems and improve patient outcomes.
A personalized program of occupational and physical therapy, combined with home modifications, has been shown to improve daily living tasks and increase survival rates among the elderly. The six-month intervention helped participants build confidence, use effective coping strategies, and make their homes safer.
A study found that 34.9% of people over 65 with anxiety or depression used complementary or alternative medicine, compared to 26.5% without mental symptoms. However, fewer than 20% used CAM to treat their condition, a surprising finding.
The GeriEd Program aims to improve physicians' skills in medicine and navigating the healthcare system to better care for elderly patients. The program will target 157 practicing physicians and residents, as well as 750 medical students annually.
As early as 20 years from now, Germany's hours worked per capita may decrease by 8 percent due to the aging population. This shift requires a more flexible and evenly distributed workforce to maintain productivity.
Researchers found that practicing a combination of Qigong and Tai Chi improved balance, lower body strength, and stance width in healthy senior citizens. Participants also reported enhanced mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being after just two months of practice.
A recent study found that dehydration affects a significant proportion of older adults, particularly those in long-term care facilities (LTC) and emergency departments (ER). Sufficient fluid consumption has been linked to various health benefits, including reduced falls, constipation, and improved rehabilitation.
Research suggests a protein derived from fat tissue, adiponectin, may play an important role in longevity. Boosting growth hormone production also shows promise in extending independent living among the elderly.
Researchers found that participants receiving growth hormone secretagogues (GHS) experienced improved physical function and increased lean body mass. The treatment also led to higher levels of growth hormone and IGF-1 in the bloodstream, suggesting potential benefits for reducing aging-related effects.
A new study reveals that older American women, particularly those from minority groups, receive significantly lower rates of mammogram screening than previously reported based on self-reported data. The study analyzed national Medicare data and found that the rate of screening among non-white women is substantially lower than that for ...
The Aymara language locates the past ahead and the future behind, defying the conventional spatial metaphor for chronology. The study's findings suggest that cognition of everyday abstractions like time is partly a cultural phenomenon.
Studies in Sweden, China, and the US find strong links between smoking and osteoporosis, with smoking hastening bone erosion and increasing fracture risk. Second-hand smoke also significantly increases risk for osteoporosis and fractures in both men and women.
A study found that prominent hand veins are the physical characteristic most commonly giving away age, while fullness and lack of wrinkles make hands appear younger. Skincare regimens and non-surgical procedures like laser treatments and chemical peels can reduce age spots and improve hand appearance.
The article advocates for a more nuanced approach to treatment decisions for the frail elderly, emphasizing physician accountability and respect for patient autonomy. Dr. Rockwood suggests ways to empower patients and facilitate care that prioritizes their best interests.
A study found that colonoscopy screening in very elderly patients results in only a small gain in life expectancy, suggesting the benefit may be smaller than previously believed. The prevalence of advanced neoplasia increased with age, but the average extension of life expectancy was much lower in the elderly groups.