Articles tagged with Older Adults
Researchers found using a fan with skin wetting reduces heat-induced cardiac strain in older people in hot and humid conditions. However, in very hot and dry conditions, fan use had an adverse effect, while skin wetting alone was effective in reducing heart work.
Research by UTHealth Houston found that ownership changes in home health agencies can result in increased Medicare spending and reduced staffing levels. The study also found that quarterly star ratings increased, but this may be due to upcoding of quality measures.
A Michigan Medicine study of over 18,500 adults found that obstructive sleep apnea was associated with a higher risk of dementia symptoms or diagnosis at every age level. Women were more likely to be diagnosed with dementia than men, especially as they aged.
A new study provides a clear definition of late-life homelessness, which is shaped by age-based structures, social relations, and intersecting forms of oppression. The researchers argue that policy makers and professionals need a comprehensive understanding of this issue to effectively address it.
Aging adults face increased risk of life-threatening complications when undergoing elective noncardiac surgeries too soon after a heart attack. Delaying surgery for three to six months following a heart attack can significantly reduce this risk, according to new research published in JAMA Surgery.
A new study by University of Eastern Finland researchers shows that life satisfaction remains high until very old age, but eudaemonic quality of life declines after 70. Having sufficient personal resources, such as health, financial, and social resources, can help maintain subjective well-being from age 50 to very old age.
Researchers found that polypharmacy in older adults with Alzheimer's disease exacerbates symptoms, functional decline, and health outcomes. The study highlights the need for medication optimization strategies to improve quality of life among this vulnerable population.
A new study led by CAMH shows that a combination of therapies can slow cognitive decline in older adults with conditions increasing the risk of dementia. Participants receiving Cognitive Remediation plus transcranial direct current stimulation experienced slower cognitive decline compared to those receiving a control intervention.
Researchers found that participants with Parkinson's who performed rapid side-to-side eye movements showed reduced body sway and improved posture. In contrast, those with Parkinson's who made vertical saccadic eye movements experienced increased body instability.
A new study published in the journal Aging & Mental Health found that people with more positive expectations of aging tend to report less frequent cognitive problems and are less likely to perceive a decline in their cognitive performance over time. Researchers suggest that modifying older adults' aging expectations could support healt...
New RSV vaccines have been found to be highly effective in preventing severe respiratory illness and hospitalizations, with an 80% efficacy rate. However, vaccination rates remain low, especially among older adults, highlighting the need for better understanding of risk factors and improved healthcare provider education.
This study reveals a substantial increase in US elderly cutaneous malignant melanoma incidence rates, peaking at 1.53 per 1,000 males and 0.59 per 1,000 females aged 85+ from 2012 to 2016. Incidence rates escalated with age and birth cohort, with continuous increases observed.
A new study found compositional and functional differences in the gut microbiota of Chinese long-living adults (over 90 years) compared to elderly adults (65–74 years). The researchers noted lower relative abundances of bacteria in certain genera, which may regulate biological processes like autophagy and telomere maintenance. These fi...
A new study from UT Arlington found that setting reminders can significantly reduce age-related declines in memory, particularly in prospective memory. The study suggests that reminders help counteract cognitive strain by making memory retrieval less reliant on internal processes.
Non-Hispanic Black patients are more likely to receive inadequate care and experience poor survival outcomes due to delays in treatment initiation. Guideline-concordant care is crucial in improving survival rates among these patients.
A new Concordia study reveals that bilingualism is associated with larger and healthier hippocampi in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The research found no evidence of hippocampal atrophy in bilinguals across the continuum of Alzheimer’s development.
A new study found that 3% of people with traditional Medicare switch to Medicare Advantage each year, but many switch back after a short period. The researchers discovered that people who switched from MA to traditional Medicare were more likely to choose higher-rated plans or those with broader networks.
The American College of Surgeons Geriatric Surgery Verification program reduces surgical death rates by nearly half and increases the percentage of patients with documented care preferences. Implementing the program also enables hospitals to improve patient-centered care and reduce costs.
Younger adults diagnosed with colorectal cancer have later-stage disease with more aggressive types of tumors. Obesity, family history, inflammatory bowel disease, and symptoms are strongly associated factors. These findings highlight disparities in colon cancer incidence among younger adults, particularly non-Hispanic Black patients.
A multi-state study published in The Lancet found the RSV vaccine to be highly effective in protecting older adults against severe disease, hospitalization, and death. The vaccine provided approximately 80% protection against these outcomes, including severe disease and ICU admission.
A new study found that initial prescriptions of benzodiazepines for older stroke survivors often include excessive doses, posing a risk of dependence, falls, and other harmful effects. Guidelines recommend avoiding benzodiazepine prescriptions if possible, but some cases may require limited use under close monitoring.
Older adults exposed to extreme indoor heat showed small reductions in end-exposure core temperature and heart rate when using electric fans. However, these changes were of questionable clinical importance and did not exceed previous suggestions for significance.
The study found an estimated 2.56% of US adults 40 years and older have glaucoma, highlighting the need for public health planning. Disproportionate impact on black individuals underscores the importance of targeted prevention efforts.
A new study found that fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in older adults. The Polsenior2 study revealed that middle and high FGF21 levels were associated with increased mortality risk, particularly when adjusted for age, co-morbidities, and blood parameters.
A recent poll found that 74% of people over 50 would not trust health information generated by artificial intelligence. Only 32% of older adults reported it's very easy to find something accurate online. Health systems, academic institutions, and government agencies can use the results to improve health information accessibility.
A cross-sectional study found that as hospital COVID-19 burdens increased, older racial and ethnic minority adults were more likely to die or experience major morbidity. The adverse outcomes were greater in magnitude among minority populations compared to white individuals.
A WSU-led study found that older adults tend to experience more discomfort in high heat, but it doesn't affect their mood as much as younger adults. Emotional responses to heat are highly individualized and moderated by age.
A new clinical model developed by researchers at Uppsala University accurately predicts the risk of hip fractures in the elderly. The model identifies patients at high risk without requiring bone density measurements, allowing for earlier preventive treatment.
A new study found that brain endurance training (BET) improves attention and executive function, as well as physical endurance and resistance exercise performance in older adults. BET outperformed exercise-only training in terms of cognitive and physical performance improvements.
A nationwide clinical trial found that electronic letter-based nudges significantly increased influenza vaccination in young and middle-aged patients with chronic diseases. The results suggest a scalable, cost-efficient strategy to boost public health.
The conference will feature comprehensive coverage of various topics in cardiovascular medicine, including can't-miss sessions. ACC Middle East chapter teams will also compete in the ACC FIT Jeopardy competition.
A recent clinical trial analysis found that patients with truly unmethylated MGMT promoter do not benefit from temozolomide treatment, challenging current treatment protocols. This study aims to transform the treatment landscape for older adults glioblastoma patients by identifying biomarkers for more personalized therapies.
Researchers identify modifiable determinants of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and arterial transit time (ATT) in older adults. A higher BMI was associated with lower CBF and longer ATT, while cardiorespiratory fitness linked to longer ATT in specific brain regions.
A case study of a 65-year-old woman with scurvy highlights the need to consider vitamin C deficiency in patients with restrictive eating patterns and limited social support. Vitamin C deficiency is more common than expected, especially among those with low socioeconomic status or substance use disorders.
A new study found that lower-income adults with Medicare Advantage plans struggling to pay for dental, vision, and hearing services despite coverage. Higher-quality plans had better dental coverage, but not for hearing and vision.
Virginia Tech researchers publish real-time data to better understand what happens when people lose their balance. The study uses wrist-worn voice recorders to capture immediate, self-reported data from participants, providing a more reliable understanding of the circumstances surrounding balance loss among older adults.
Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine will investigate factors that facilitate or hinder conversations between physicians and patients about medical misinformation. The study aims to develop a toolkit to increase health literacy and counter misinformation among older adults, who are disproportionately affected by hea...
Researchers found that living with dementia in communities with senior centers providing adult day health and social services was associated with fewer hospitalizations and lower Medicare costs. The study suggests that senior centers can minimize healthcare costs and acute care usage among those with dementia.
A new study found significant disparities in at-home test use among older adults, with those having a college degree or higher and higher incomes being more likely to use them. However, Black older adults were less likely to use these tests compared to other racial/ethnic groups.
The new pictograms are designed to make medication instructions clearer and safer for older adults. Developed with a team of researchers and collaborators, the pictograms will be used across public healthcare institutions and pharmacies in Singapore.
A new study presents an innovative curriculum for nursing students, exposing them to geriatric care early in their training with the goal of increasing interest in specializing in care for older adults. The curriculum uses virtual standardized patients, providing a higher level of training and covering knowledge, attitudes, and skills.
Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that older adults who sustained a traumatic injury were more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias if they experienced falls. The study suggests that completing cognitive screenings in older patients after a fall could help detect dementia sooner.
A University of Sydney-led study found multiple surgeries contribute to memory and brain health issues in older adults, with physical differences observed in brain areas responsible for memory. Cognitive decline is noticeable with each additional surgery.
A new study found that a high body roundness index over 6 years was associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease in adults older than 45. The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, suggested that BRI may be a valuable predictor of cardiovascular disease risk.
Research finds poor sleep quality directly relates to mortality risk, even before adjusting for lifestyle factors. Dementia is associated with increased mortality risk among individuals with better sleep quality, males, and older White adults.
Researchers found that older adults who were more attuned to their heartbeat were better at spotting liars and phishing emails. This study suggests that training people in body awareness could improve deception detection skills, particularly among the elderly, who lose an estimated $28 billion annually to financial scams.
A new study published in Communications Psychology found that older adults (60+ years) are more susceptible to social influence when making impulsive financial decisions. In contrast, younger adults tend to stick to their original preference even after seeing others opt for the impulsive option.
Older cancer survivors are at a higher risk of stroke, heart attack, and hospital admission for heart failure. Chemotherapy is also linked to elevated rates of these conditions.
A new study found that individuals with low financial knowledge are more likely to expect never retiring. Those who were overconfident in their financial knowledge also fall into this category. The findings suggest that many people who claim to never retire may be unaware of their financial situation and lack a plan for retirement.
A new poll from Michigan Medicine shows that nearly half of people age 50 and older plan to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine. However, some older adults with high risk of severe illness appear unlikely to seek the vaccine, highlighting the need for increased encouragement from clinicians and other sources.
A randomized trial of 50 older adults undergoing hip hemiarthroplasty found no difference in pain scores or other outcomes between liposomal bupivacaine and standard bupivacaine. The study suggests that the use of liposomal bupivacaine may not be worth considering for geriatric patients with hip fractures.
ASU has created an Edward R. Roybal Center to develop and adapt technology-enabled lifestyle and behavioral interventions for older adults with cognitive decline. The center aims to help individuals maintain independence while managing challenges of aging.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 29 studies involving 103,000 participants found that older adults experiencing dizziness are over 60% more likely to fall in the future. The study confirms dizziness as an independent predicting factor for falls.
A randomized clinical trial shows that transitioning insomnia care away from long-term sedatives to cognitive behavioral therapy can be achieved through a mailed, direct-to-patient approach. This method reduces sedative use and improves sleep outcomes in older adults.
Researchers found that cancer survivors with overweight or obesity are more likely to develop a second cancer, especially obesity-related ones. This study highlights the importance of promoting weight management and increasing awareness of second cancers among physicians and cancer patients.
Aging brains struggle to clear out outdated information, leading to slower processing and more frequent forgetfulness. Beta-band neural oscillations play a crucial role in regulating working memory, with older adults showing a stronger link between these oscillations and their ability to delete irrelevant information.
A recent study published in Health Data Science reveals a significant association between socioeconomic status (SES) inequality and the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Individuals with medium and low SES had a 10% and 22% increased risk of AMD, respectively, compared to high SES individuals.
A new study by University of Oklahoma researchers identifies key measurements of brain blood flow and ability to compensate as better predictors of mild cognitive impairment than traditional risk factors. The findings provide hope for preventing or treating memory problems early before they progress to dementia.
Researchers found limited evidence to support antidepressant use in older adults for most pain conditions, highlighting the need for a multidimensional approach and non-pharmacological strategies. Antidepressants were associated with increased negative effects, such as falling and injury, compared to placebo groups.
A new poll shows that 21% of people aged 50 and older used cannabis in the past year, with 12% using it at least monthly. The study highlights potential risks of cannabis use, including risky driving and addiction, as well as the importance of discussing its use with healthcare providers.