Research on health and aging in later life. Covers attention and cognition, longevity, organ aging, and age-related disease.
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.
The study found that Experience Corps volunteers experienced increased physical, cognitive, and social activity, which could lead to improved health outcomes. Volunteers also reported feeling stronger and had a reduced need for canes. In contrast, the control group showed a decline in social activity and an increase in TV viewing.
A recent study published by the American Academy of Neurology found a strong link between smoking and accelerated cognitive decline in elderly individuals. Smoking was shown to lower MMSE scores by up to .16 points per year, with higher cigarette pack-year exposure leading to greater declines.
The ECCO conference emphasized the need for risk-reducing interventions, genetic counseling, and psychological support for breast cancer patients. Delegates called for no upper age limit in treatment plans and patient participation in clinical trials based on performance status.
Older women with breast cancer often lose out on effective treatments, with prognosis not linked to tumour factor. Health policymakers need to develop strategies for elderly patients, while doctors must find suitable treatments tailored to their needs.
A study of 4,939 elderly patients with hypertension found that home blood pressure testing was more accurate than office tests in predicting cardiovascular events. Home blood pressure testing showed a 17.2% increased risk of cardiovascular events for each 10-mm Hg increase in systolic blood pressure.
A study by University at Buffalo researchers found that experience with elderly patients is more effective than classroom learning in changing age bias among dental students. Students who worked with elderly patients showed a decrease in negative bias, while those with limited clinical experience showed an increase.
A study by University of Alberta researchers found that 22 patients had vertebral fractures, with 45% going undiagnosed. Vertebral fractures often indicate osteoporosis, a common disease in the elderly that can be easily treated with drugs.
An educational program tailored to individual needs improved safety behaviors among older drivers, but had no effect on collision rates. The program focused on visual deficits and strategies to avoid challenging driving situations.
A study by Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation found that elderly patients experienced decreased pain intensity and improved sleep disturbances with once-daily Kadian dosing. The trial, KRONUS-MSP, showed a lower incidence of side effects compared to other opioids, making it an ideal option for managing chronic pain in older adults.
Researchers found that elderly women with low vitamin B-12 levels experience rapid hip bone loss, a risk factor for fractures. Simple dietary supplements or multivitamins may help slow bone loss rates.
Researchers aim to develop enhanced warning signals to aid elderly drivers in detecting critical information, as visual and auditory abilities decline with age. The study will examine the relationship between warning signal perceptions and driving skills in both young and elderly drivers.
A study examined trends in potentially inappropriate drug prescribing at ambulatory care visits among older adults from 1995 to 2000. The research found that pain relievers and central nervous system drugs made up most of the inappropriate prescriptions, with rates higher for patients with multiple prescriptions and women.
Researchers have identified four key characteristics that reliably distinguish Lewy body dementia (DLB) from Alzheimer's disease (AD). These include daytime drowsiness, falling asleep during the day, staring into space, and disorganized speech. The discovery aims to improve diagnosis and treatment of DLB.
A study published in Archives of Surgery examined 564,267 outpatient surgical procedures and found that risk factors include advanced age, prior hospitalization, and invasive surgeries. The results highlight the importance of proper assessment and resource availability for high-risk patients undergoing outpatient surgery.
A study by Oregon Research Institute found that cobblestone mat walking improves pain relief and mental well-being in older adults. Participants who walked on the cobblestone mat experienced enhanced physical activity and reduced stress levels compared to those in an attention control group.
Gerbrand Izaks and Rudi Westendorp propose a model where diseases are caused by cumulative risk factors, making every age-related change a potential symptom of an illness. This framework encourages doctors to reassess older patients' body functions, comparing results to 'normal values' from healthy young adults.
A study found that patient and doctor attitudes play a crucial role in influenza vaccination rates among older adults. A vaccination-friendly culture at veterans' hospitals exceeded the national goal of 90%, highlighting the importance of promoting preventive measures.
Researchers will monitor elderly individuals with existing heart disease to see how daily air pollution levels impact their ailments. The study aims to find an association between ultrafine particles and the severity of heart disease, which could lead to better air pollution regulations and improved medical treatment.
Epilepsy can develop as people age, often due to common health problems like stroke, cancers, or heart diseases. The NCOA and Epilepsy Foundation launch an initiative to educate about epilepsy in the elderly, emphasizing subtle symptoms and effective treatment options.