Articles tagged with Older Adults
A new study by Penn State researchers suggests that elderly residents do not necessarily reduce school tax bases, but policy changes like property tax rebates can decrease spending. The study found that loyal senior citizens willing to pay higher taxes for the school district can support educational funding if they feel an emotional at...
A new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that spouse caregiving situations are associated with potentially harmful behavior, compromised mental and physical health, and increased mortality risk. Researchers highlight the need for screening and intervention efforts to address this issue.
A study found that over 28% of elderly individuals received potentially inappropriate medications, with women receiving more than men. The use of these medications has not decreased, highlighting the need for further understanding of their rationale.
Researchers found comparable weight loss results in patients over 60 compared to those under 60 undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Both age groups also experienced significant reductions in obesity-related diseases, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
A recent study found no correlation between increasing flu vaccination coverage in the elderly and declining death rates. The authors suggest that this disconnect may be due to disparities in who is likely to receive vaccination, particularly among those with fragile health. This finding has implications for influenza vaccination policy.
A study of 265 pairs of caregivers and care recipients found that spouses are more likely to be abusive when experiencing health problems or caring for a needy spouse. Researchers warn that such situations should trigger screening and intervention efforts to protect the elderly person.
A study by McGill University researchers found that COX-2 inhibitors like Vioxx increase the risk of heart attack by 24% in users who have not previously suffered a heart attack. Aspirin use can help mitigate this risk, but only in those taking low doses of Vioxx.
A study of 3,107 older adults found that screening for osteoporosis using a bone density test reduced the incidence of hip fractures by 36% compared to usual medical care. The study provides new evidence for the effectiveness of osteoporosis screening in preventing fractures.
Eating baked or broiled fish regularly has been linked to a reduced risk of stroke in older adults. A study found that consuming broiled or baked fish one to four times per week was associated with a 28-32% lower risk of ischemic stroke, while fried fish and fish sandwiches increased the risk by 37-44%.
A recent study found that most physicians prescribed potentially inappropriate medications for elderly patients, but adding awareness and education led to changes in prescribing practices. The researchers suggest using tools like the Beers criteria to identify these medications and plan interventions to improve elderly care.
Falls are a leading cause of death from unintentional injury in the US, with 7% of households reporting a fall requiring medical attention. Homeowners can take steps to prevent falls by installing protective devices such as grab bars, handrails, and safety gates.
A study of over 1,500 cervical cancer patients found that older women received less surgery and radiation therapy than younger counterparts. Treatment choices were influenced by tumor stage, medical conditions, and advanced age, which independently affected survival rates.
A study of 295 older men found that those who maintained daily physical activity had less cognitive decline than those who reduced or stopped activity. Physical activities of medium-to-low intensity, such as walking three miles per day, were associated with the least cognitive decline.
A study by University of South Florida researchers found that Medicare HMO beneficiaries who underwent colon resection incurred the same overall hospital charges as traditional Medicare patients, despite shorter hospital stays. The study suggests that Medicare HMOs failed to achieve their cost-saving goal in this instance.
A Northwestern University study shows that short-term exposure to social and physical activity improves cognitive performance and subjective sleep quality in older adults. The 14-day program included 90 minutes of daily activity, resulting in a 4-6% improvement in cognitive function.
A study of 1,518 older adults reveals that cumulative trauma across adulthood can worsen health in later years, particularly for those experiencing traumatic events between 18-30 and 31-64 years. Researchers found that younger adults were more affected by adult trauma than childhood adversity.
Researchers at VGTI found that aging mice have greater T cell clonal expansions, which are less effective in fighting disease. This leads to a reduced ability to fight off pathogens, making the immune system less diverse and capable.
A CT scan has identified air trapping as the cause of a puzzling cough among World Trade Center rescue workers. The test, which measures lung airways, reveals abnormalities not detected by standard pulmonary function tests.
The study found that older adults who received mental health treatment benefited considerably, refuting the notion that interventions are less effective for this age group. Mental health problems in later life lead to significant social, economic, and medical costs.
Researchers found that both young and old drivers struggled to detect important changes while using hands-free phones, leading to slower reaction times and increased errors. The impaired reactions were significant enough to pose a danger to drivers.
A three-year study of over 46,000 seniors in Washington state found that peak CAP rates coincide with flu season and are more common among men. Quitting smoking and getting influenza vaccinations can reduce the risk of pneumonia, while other factors like heart problems and dementia increase vulnerability.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found that DHEA replacement therapy significantly decreases both visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat in elderly men and women. The therapy also improves insulin action, correlating with the reduction in visceral fat.
Researchers found that DHEA supplementation reduced visceral fat by 10.2% in women and 7.4% in men, improving insulin action and glucose levels. DHEA therapy also decreased subcutaneous abdominal fat by an average of 6%.
A study of 26,071 elderly individuals found that annual influenza revaccination was associated with a reduced mortality risk of 24% compared to first-time vaccination. Revaccination after an interruption resulted in a similar mortality risk reduction as seen after the initial vaccination.
A prospective, longitudinal study found that hospitalization and restricted activity significantly increase the risk of developing disability among older adults. The study, conducted at Yale University, involved monthly phone interviews with over 700 residents aged 70+, revealing that 55% developed disability, with hospitalization and ...
Researchers found that optimists had a 55% lower risk of all-cause and cardiovascular death compared to pessimists. Optimism was associated with better coping strategies and protected against changes in risk factors that affect cardiovascular disease progression.
A new study from Saint Louis University has found that a standard test for vitamin B12 deficiency may be too insensitive, leading to potential misdiagnosis. The research urges doctors to also test for levels of methylmalonic acid in patients suspected of having the deficiency, which can easily be reversed with treatment.
A study of 354 elderly patients found that 59% experienced cognitive decline immediately after surgery, with declines persisting three months later. The study suggests that early improvement followed by later decline is a common pattern in postoperative cognitive function.
A study found that 31% of acute medical inpatients lack mental capacity, but recognition by clinical staff is low. Increasing age and cognitive impairment are key factors associated with a lack of mental capacity.
A multidisciplinary approach is needed to address elder abuse, directly impacting quality of life and requiring urgent response from healthcare professionals.
The Lancet article highlights the under-reported issue of elder abuse, affecting 2-10% of elderly people and increasing mortality risk by three times. A multidisciplinary approach involving family physicians, nursing, social workers, advocacy organisations, and law enforcement is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.
A review article suggests that age-associated executive function decline is due to frontal-striatal circuit changes, while medial temporal lobe memory system decline is more closely linked to Alzheimer's disease. Changes in white matter and neurotransmitter depletion also play a role.
A study found that black men aged 65+ were half as likely to be tested for prostate cancer as white men, highlighting racial disparities in healthcare access. Low screening rates among African American men may contribute to higher prostate cancer mortality rates.
The study estimates over 200,000 annual respiratory and circulatory hospitalizations associated with influenza in the US. Influenza rates increased among elderly over two decades due to population aging.
Researchers found that prolonged, sustained exercise preserves ventricular compliance and may reduce the incidence of diastolic heart failure in the elderly. Lifelong exercise training completely prevented stiffening of the heart muscle thought to be an inevitable consequence of aging.
Researchers found a link between positive emotions and reduced frailty risk in older adults. Another study showed that positive stereotypes about aging improved memory performance in older adults by reducing age-related differences. These findings highlight the importance of social environment in affecting aging outcomes.
Research by Yale University suggests that moderate gamblers aged 65+ experience improved overall health due to increased socialization and cognitive stimulation. However, the activity can still become highly addictive, particularly with non-strategic games, posing financial risks for older adults on fixed incomes.
The American Journal of Nursing and the Gerontological Society of America aim to increase nurse certification in gerontology, stimulate institutional changes, and provide continuing education resources. The partnership will produce a bimonthly series on nursing care of older adults, publishing 15 evidence-based articles.
Researchers found that extended outpatient rehabilitation therapy significantly improves functional abilities, strength, balance, mobility, and quality of life in elderly hip fracture patients. In contrast to standard home-based therapy, supervised rehabilitation with resistance training led to greater improvements.
The study found that vitamin E had no significant effect on incidence or duration of respiratory tract infections, but significantly fewer participants acquired one or more respiratory tract infections. Vitamin E also showed a lower risk of common colds among those who completed the study.
A study by Katharine Donato and Chizuko Wakabayashi found that women caregivers are more likely to live in poverty and rely on Supplemental Security Income. The researchers also discovered that women who took on caregiving roles in their early sixties were particularly vulnerable, with 15% of those aged 60-61 living in poverty.
A study by Duke University researchers found that over a year, one in five elderly Americans filled prescriptions for at least one 'drug of concern', including anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs with severe adverse effects. This highlights the need to improve education and screening of prescriptions to reduce risks.
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that 21% of elderly patients fill prescriptions for potentially inappropriate medications, with Amitriptyline and doxepin being common culprits. The researchers used a large national pharmaceutical benefit company's outpatient claims database to identify these inappropriate medic...
A study of 4,537 Olmsted County residents found that heart failure incidence remained stable between 1979 and 2000, but survival rates improved for women. In contrast, men experienced poorer outcomes, with higher incidence rates and lower survival rates.
Researchers analyzed over 750 fossils to discover that modern humans experienced a quadrupling of survival rates among older adults. This trend is believed to have contributed to population expansions and cultural innovations, as well as strengthened social relationships and kinship bonds.
A study of over 3,200 older adults found that even occasional exercise can significantly reduce the risk of death from heart disease and other causes. Physical activity was found to improve survival rates by 28-40%, depending on frequency and intensity.
Older black and Hispanic Americans are less likely to receive flu vaccinations due to reduced access to healthcare and poorer general health. Regular exams play a significant role in determining vaccination rates among the elderly population, with white individuals more likely to get vaccinated after receiving medical check-ups.
A study found that states with mandated in-person license renewal laws had a lower death rate among drivers aged 85 and older. In-person renewal allowed for medical evaluations, which may lead to decreased fatality rates among this age group.
Elderly individuals with chronic illnesses like depression, bipolar disorder, and severe pain are at increased risk of suicide. Researchers found that treatment for multiple illnesses also strongly correlates with an increased risk of suicide in this population.
Scientists discovered that certain brain systems remain intact in individuals with Alzheimer's disease, enabling the retention of implicit memory capabilities. Structured training programs may be an effective approach to improving cognitive function.
Researchers found that older adults with Alzheimer's symptoms can still use implicit memory to perform tasks, similar to young adults. By training these individuals using repetition and practice, their performance can be improved, according to a new study.
A new study will evaluate the effectiveness of a face-to-face support group for older adults with depression and HIV/AIDS. The intervention aims to improve coping mechanisms, quality of life, and social support.
A recent study found that diabetes-related mortality may increase in relative importance among the elderly population, with a 10% per year mortality rate among those with diabetes. The study suggests that prevention of diabetes among the elderly should be a priority, as demonstrated by the Diabetes Prevention Program.
A new matching system allows use of kidneys from older, high-risk donors increasing the number of patients who can benefit from transplantation. Success rates are similar between younger and older recipients, paving the way for more elderly adults to receive kidney transplants.
A Georgia Institute of Technology study found that older adults are willing to sacrifice some privacy for technologies that enable them to live independently longer. The study evaluated various technologies, including Cook's Collage and FaceBot, which sparked both positive and negative reactions among participants.
Anemia is associated with increased disability, poorer physical function, and low muscle strength in older adults. Researchers found that participants with anemia reported an average of 1.7 disabilities compared to 1.0 for non-anemic subjects.
A recent study found that height loss of between 2-3 inches increases the risk of hip osteoporosis by nearly fourfold. Researchers suggest a simple evaluation of height can help physicians decide whether patients should undergo a bone density scan to check for osteoporosis.
Researchers found that carpeted wooden floors were associated with the lowest number of fractures, while concrete floors carried the greatest risk. The study suggests that replacing uncarpeted concrete flooring with carpeted wooden surfaces could reduce hip fractures by up to 80%.
Researchers explored the potential of 7-oxo DHEA to enhance T-cell function in human lymphocytes, a key component of the immune system. The supplement may play an important role in restoring immune function in elderly individuals, improving quality of life.
A randomized controlled trial found that a home-based program, PEARLS, significantly improved depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life in medically ill, low-income, mostly homebound older adults. The study showed promising results for non-pharmacological treatments in this vulnerable population.