Research on health and aging in later life. Covers attention and cognition, longevity, organ aging, and age-related disease.
A study found that higher dose flu vaccines significantly enhanced protection against naturally occurring influenza, increasing immunogenicity in the elderly. The research also showed that all three vaccine dosage levels were safe and well-tolerated.
A new NIAID study found that a higher dose of flu vaccine significantly increases the immune responses of older adults, providing hope for better protection against seasonal influenza. The trial showed that participants who received a high-dose vaccine had 44-79% higher levels of antibody than those who received the standard dose.
The study found that falls among the elderly in North East England resulted in a significant cost to the ambulance service, with an average of £145 per fall. A third of calls required assistance only and were related to sheltered housing organisations, while one in four of those transported to emergency care were admitted to hospital.
Research shows that generalized anxiety disorder affects 7% of seniors, causing significant impacts on quality of life. Untreated anxiety can lead to anxious depression and poorer cognition in the elderly. New studies aim to address the need for better treatments and therapies for anxiety disorders in older adults.
The study found that elderly individuals unable to complete the quarter-mile walk had a significantly higher risk of disability and death. Those who completed the test had a three-to-four fold higher risk of death compared to those in the fastest 25 percent of walk time.
Researchers investigated whether older adults' lower IQ scores are due to aging or sensory deficits. The study found that even subtle perception deficits, such as reduced spatial contrast sensitivity, can significantly impact performance on intelligence tests.
A study of over 2,000 women found that unpaid leave made a significant difference in reducing employee turnover among middle-aged caregivers. Access to family-friendly benefits like flexible hours and paid vacation days did not ease the psychological distress of caregivers.
Patients' views on treatments that may worsen their condition shift as their health declines. After experiencing a decline in functional abilities, patients become more willing to accept treatments for mild and severe physical disability. Cognitive impairment and pain remain unacceptable to most participants throughout the study.
Researchers estimate 27,152 glasses-related injuries treated in US emergency departments between 2002-2003. Injuries varied by age group, with falls and sports causing most cases. Protecting eyes with safety eyewear can prevent many of these injuries.
Chronic pain in elderly population projected to increase by 75% between 2010 and 2030, with limited effective treatment options. Dr. Debra Weiner emphasizes the need for more research to better treat chronic pain in older adults.
A study of 25,719 women found that five-year cancer survivors reported functional limitations, such as heavy household work and mobility issues. The authors highlight the need for interventions to prevent and reverse functional decline among elderly long-term cancer survivors.
A new Kent State group called the Center for Health Literacy aims to improve the health literacy of adults and families. The project will evaluate all aspects of the health information-seeking process and make recommendations to help health-related institutions craft more effective health information programs and services.
A study of 2,946 patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) found that those with more severe AMD had poorer cognitive function and lower brain reserve. This association remained even after controlling for other factors, suggesting a link between vision and cognitive impairment.
Researchers are conducting a year-long study on pastoral care for older Australians, gathering insights from elderly individuals, relatives, and caregivers. The project seeks to understand the value and practice of pastoral care in Australia's rapidly aging population, with a focus on its spiritual significance.
Researchers found that older participants preferred happy faces and avoided angry ones, while younger subjects showed a preference for fearful faces. This study challenges traditional views on how age affects emotional processing and suggests a more positive outlook in older adults.
A recent study found that patients with minor or subsyndromal depression are five and a half times more likely to be diagnosed with major depression within a year. These less-severe conditions often go undiagnosed and untreated, causing greater functional disability among the elderly population.
Research reveals that as people age, their brains become less specialized, a phenomenon likely driven by age-related changes in brain volume or efficiency. To compensate, older adults exhibit increased activity in the frontal cortex.
A 10-year federally sponsored flu vaccination promotional program aimed at the elderly could increase vaccination rates by 20 percentage points within its first five years and achieve a 90% vaccination target. The study found that such a program would save more than 6,500 lives at a cost of $37,600 per life-year saved.
The study suggests that factors like lack of transportation, poor financial situation, and dementia might contribute to smoking cessation in older smokers. Despite the potential benefits, quitting smoking at an advanced age can significantly lower the risk of death.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are developing a 'PAWS: Pet Care Awareness System' to improve the lives of seniors and their pets. The system aims to provide a seamless, virtually intuitive interface for veterinarians, physicians, and family members to access pet health information.
Researchers found that older adults are more likely to attribute actions to individuals alone when in a negative mood, while younger adults consider situational factors. This suggests that older adults may struggle with processing external information in negative emotional states.
Research reveals older people are far more successful in quitting smoking compared to younger populations, with notable differences in motivations and factors influencing cessation. Notably, female elderly participants are more likely to quit, while health diagnoses such as cancer or heart disease may play a role.
A new combination therapy of melphalan, prednisone, and thalidomide has shown significant clinical benefits in elderly multiple myeloma patients. The study found higher response rates and longer event-free survival compared to the standard treatment alone, while also increasing risks of thrombosis, neurological effects, and infection.
Older subjects showed a significant increase in exercise efficiency and reduced oxygen debt after aerobic exercise training. The study's findings suggest that a lack of fitness, rather than aging itself, contributes to the decline in exercise capacity.
A new study at Brandeis University found that middle-aged and older adults who believe they can control their memory performance do so better. The study used mnemonic strategies to enhance memory performance in adults aged 21-83.
A study found that depressed older adults are more likely to develop cognitive impairment within six years, with those experiencing moderate to high depression facing nearly twice the risk. The researchers discovered no correlation between depression and vascular disease, suggesting alternative mechanisms for the association.
A recent study by Harvard sociologists found that whites are more likely to experience a significant increase in mortality risk following their spouse's death compared to blacks. The study, which analyzed data from over 410,000 elderly American couples, revealed a stronger widowhood effect among white couples.
A study of 470 Dutch men aged 65-84 found that regular cocoa consumption was associated with lower blood pressure and a significantly reduced risk of death from all causes, including cardiovascular disease. The benefits were not attributed to lowering blood pressure alone but may be related to flavan-3-ols and antioxidants in cocoa.
A study found that older adults in North Carolina predominantly use food home remedies and other home remedies for health management, often as a form of self-care. The study also revealed significant differences in CAM therapy use among ethnic groups, with African-Americans and Native Americans showing higher rates of use.
A 15-year study found that elderly men with higher optimism levels had a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular death. The study also showed that older age, depression, and lower physical activity were associated with lower optimism scores over time.
The study found that training increases neural activation in areas associated with executive control, countering the idea that opposite brain areas compensate for cognitive decline in aging. Older adults who received training showed increased activity in brain regions tied to scheduling and planning, similar to younger participants.
A Purdue University study found that older adults who receive daily assistance with basic tasks like bathing and dressing are less likely to be hospitalized for acute illnesses. After six weeks of help, hospital admissions significantly declined, suggesting that home-based care can reduce healthcare costs while improving quality of life.
A study by Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care found that older adults are more easily distracted due to gradual brain changes beginning in middle age. The researchers used fMRI to scan the brains of three age groups, including young adults, middle-aged adults, and older adults, revealing a seesaw imbalance in frontal lobe areas.
A recent study from Tufts University found that higher whole-grain intake is associated with lower fasting blood sugar levels and a reduced risk of metabolic syndrome in elderly individuals. Consuming three or more servings of whole grains per day may help mitigate insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance.
A study led by Dr. Antonio Anzueto found that the newer medication moxifloxacin HCI is more effective at treating community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in elderly patients, with a recovery rate of 97.9%, compared to 90% for the standard medication levofloxacin. The study also assessed cardiac safety and found both treatments to be safe.
A recent study found that nearly a third of patients on commonly prescribed diuretics have their electrolyte levels tested, despite the risk of severe health problems. Low sodium levels were more common than low potassium levels, with 21% of tested patients having reduced sodium levels.
Researchers identified a preclinical phase of Parkinson's disease characterized by mild motor symptoms, which can be detected through assessment of subjective complaints. Over 6,000 elderly people were studied for an average of 5.8 years, revealing that those who reported stiffness, tremors or imbalance were more likely to develop PD.
Research suggests that structural brain imaging can identify high-risk individuals for developing dementia, even before cognitive symptoms appear. People with severe amygdalar or hippocampal atrophy have the highest risk of developing dementia.
A survey of internists reveals the most common reasons for recertification are to maintain professional image and update knowledge. In contrast, a review finds no evidence that oral nutritional supplements help elderly patients in a home setting. Meanwhile, unsupervised walking at home can slow decline from peripheral arterial disease.
A study found that ethnic differences in beliefs about health and health management are associated with home remedy use among elderly adults. The researchers analyzed data from the ELDER study, which showed that black and Native American elders were more likely to use home remedies than white elders.
Researchers believe that analyzing Medicare data will help assess medication use in real-life conditions, improving the nation's ability to understand risks and benefits of drug treatment. This can lead to increased data on whether drugs are used as intended and their potential risks.
The Medicare drug benefit is at risk of causing significant harm to vulnerable populations, including the poor, elderly, and disabled. A narrow six-week transition period to a new formulary may lead to difficulties in accessing essential medications, potentially resulting in health problems.
Elderly people in developing countries face significant health challenges, including infectious and non-communicable diseases. Nutritional interventions such as supplementation, food fortification, or development of nutrient-rich crops may help reduce the disease burden.
Researchers found that age has little predictive value for postoperative performance with cochlear implants in elderly patients. Instead, residual hearing capacity and language abilities appear to be key determinants of success.
A new screening tool called SNAQ identifies patients at risk of weight loss due to poor appetite, which can be fatal. The questionnaire takes less than two minutes to answer and has been validated for use in both elderly and younger populations.
Researchers found a 20% increase in pneumonia hospitalization rates for patients aged 65-74 and 75-84 years between 1988-1990 and 2000-2002. The proportion of patients with underlying conditions, such as chronic cardiac disease or diabetes mellitus, increased significantly during this period.
A study of 2,730 men and women aged 70 to 79 found that subclinical hypothyroidism was associated with a higher rate of incident and recurrent congestive heart failure. In contrast, no association was found between subclinical hypothyroidism and coronary heart disease or stroke.
Hospitalization rates for infectious diseases have increased significantly among older adults in the US, with notable rises in septicemia, postoperative infections, and other conditions. This trend is likely linked to the aging of the population, which will lead to a projected increase in hospitalizations among older adults.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine finds that alagebrium reduces stiffening in arteries by 37% and improves endothelial function by 102%. The drug works by breaking down advanced glycation endproducts, which contribute to arterial aging. The results suggest a potential new therapy for reducing cardiovascular disease in the elderly.
Researchers found that older adults increase activation in control-related brain regions and additional frontal brain areas when faced with difficult tasks. In contrast, young adults tend to deactivate certain brain regions. These findings suggest that older adults can adapt to challenging situations, although their brains may respond ...
Researchers found that exercise improves physical function and psychological benefits in older adults, increasing self-efficacy, quality of life, and overall satisfaction with life. Physical activity over time is associated with greater improvements in self-esteem and affect.
A recent Gallup survey found that 53% of adults with sleep problems are not receiving treatment, while 77% express concerns about long-term effects of prescription sleep aids. Worry is a common factor interfering with nearly 40% of older adults' ability to fall asleep, especially among primary caregivers.
The study found a 28% decline in invasive pneumococcal disease among adults aged 50 years and older, with significant reductions in cases caused by PCV-7 serotypes. The researchers estimate that 12,500 fewer cases and 1,100 fewer deaths occurred among older Americans between 2002 and 2003.
Researchers found that middle-age adults are more likely to use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for prevention rather than treatment, with biologically-based therapies used equally for both purposes. The study analyzed data from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey, covering 31,044 participants.
A study found that anemia is associated with a higher risk of death in the elderly, even among those with normal hemoglobin levels. Lower hemoglobin concentrations were linked to increased mortality risk, regardless of other factors.
A study found that second-generation antipsychotics increase the risk of death in elderly Alzheimer's patients. Alternative treatments, such as behavioral interventions and antidepressants, have proven effective in some cases.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that older men with Parkinson's disease have significantly lower bone density at the spine and hip, increasing their risk for bone fractures. The study also revealed a nearly three times greater risk of multiple future falls among those with PD.
VGTI researchers will investigate West Nile virus susceptibility in older adults, aiming to develop new treatments and a vaccine. The studies will focus on immune system responses and identify factors that increase susceptibility to the disease.
A recent study analyzed data from over 56,000 patients treated for acute coronary syndromes and found that adherence to treatment guidelines decreases with age. The researchers discovered that older patients were less likely to receive clot-reducing drugs and undergo diagnostic procedures.
A recent Columbia University study found that elderly nursing home residents with diabetes are four times more likely to fall than non-diabetics. The study suggests that controlling diabetes and addressing its complications may help reduce the risk of falls.