[FULL STOP?] Majority with cognitive impairment still drive
"A majority of older adults with cognitive impairment are still driving, despite concerns raised by caregivers and others, a Michigan Medicine study in a South Texas community has found. The researchers assessed more than 600 adults over age 65 years old who had cognitive assessment scores that indicated a likelihood of impairment."
[FOOD FOR THOUGHT] Motivating older adults to eat better
"The Mather Institute has released Food for Thought: Older Adults' Views on Healthy Eating, a research brief based on a survey of 688 people ages 55+, to provide active-aging communities and other organizations with insights into the interests, knowledge, and motivations around healthy eating among their constituents."
[QUICK FIXES] Smart appliances solve multifamily maintenance demands
"Parks Associates has released a white paper that addresses how smart appliances can benefit property managers, maintenance staff workers, and residents by improving the efficiency of appliances and adding new features and functionalities, such as maintenance monitoring, automation, and remote control. "
[LISTEN UP] Hearing aids could curb dementia risk for some
"Results from the largest randomized, controlled clinical trial of hearing aids for reducing long-term cognitive decline in older adults found that hearing aids did not make a difference in the general population, but they slowed cognitive decline by 48% in a subgroup of participants at higher risk for dementia."
[HIGHER AND HIGHER] Millions of jobs will shift to older workers
"A global study from consulting firm Bain & Company found that 150 million jobs will shift to workers over the age of 55 by 2030. That figure is nearly equal to the entire working population of the US. In the Group of Seven (G7) countries, Bain predicts these experienced workers will comprise a quarter of the workforce by the end of the decade—nearly 10 percentage points higher than in 2011."
Social isolation linked to lower brain volume
"Older people who have little social contact with others may be more likely to have loss of overall brain volume, and in areas of the brain affected by dementia, than people with more frequent social contact, according to a study published in the July 12, 2023, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology."
Could AI-powered robot “companions” combat human loneliness?
"A recent study by Auckland, Duke, and Cornell Universities proposes that in the future, artificially intelligent companion robots could potentially assist in mitigating the prevalent issue of social isolation."
Addressing disparities in Alzheimer’s disease research
"Age-related cognitive decline and the escalating prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease are pressing social challenges as the population of those 65 and older continues to expand. Age is the primary risk factor, but research has shown that social and structural determinants of health play significant roles in the higher incidence of Alzheimer’s among marginalized communities."
Mount Sinai participates in $40 Million multisite study of Alzheimer’s Disease in Asian Americans and Asian Canadians
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Significant variations in hip fracture health costs and care between NHS hospitals and regions, study finds
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College students help aging patients who are hospitalized
"Valentina Harmjanz often tapped into music on her smartphone to connect with older patients she visited at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital."
Study supports “catch up” HPV test in older women
"Cervical cancer screening recommendations for women over age 65 have been lacking empirical evidence; new study found that older women who received a “catch up” screening intervention were more likely to be diagnosed with cervical neoplasia"
Expanding use of brief assessment tools to increase early detection of mild cognitive impairment in primary care
"Expanding use of brief assessment tools to increase early detection of mild cognitive impairment in primary care"
Patients with Alzheimer Disease, Dementia face 2x risk of dying after ICU discharge
"Study in American Journal of Critical Care finds that older adults with Alzheimer disease and related dementia were much less likely to be discharged home after ICU stay and faced almost twice the risk of death in the same calendar month as discharge and in the 12 months following"
Older frail patients have a 1-in-3 chance of surviving CPR during surgery
"It’s estimated that around 25% of patients who have a cardiac arrest and receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in a normal hospital setting will survive. Those odds shoot up to 50% for patients who receive CPR during or in the immediate period following surgery, where they are closely monitored by specialists who know their medical history and can intervene without delay. But it’s unclear whether that trend applies to frail patients, who are often older and at a higher risk of experiencing CPR-related trauma and complications. Such uncertainty has led some doctors to wonder: are efforts to resuscitate frail patients in the operating room futile?"
Lack of sleep lessens cognitive benefits of physical activity
"Regular physical activity may protect against cognitive decline as we get older, but this protective effect may be diminished for people who are not getting enough sleep, according to a new study by UCL researchers."
Fighting loneliness by finding purpose
"A new study co-authored by Patrick Hill, associate professor of psychological and brain sciences, offers an important message for our times: A sense of purpose in life — whether it’s a high-minded quest to make a difference or a simple hobby with personal meaning — can offer potent protection against loneliness. "
[UNSTEADY COURSE] Dementia risk tied to cholesterol fluctuations
"Older people who have fluctuating levels of cholesterol and triglycerides may have a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias compared to people who have steady levels, according to new research "
[MONEY HEIST?] Older adults underestimate how long retirement will last
"A significant proportion of older Americans underestimate how long their retirement is going to last, according to a recent article in The Hill."
[NO CHEERS] Older drinkers more vulnerable to rapid brain aging
"Researchers shared their findings on the adverse effects of alcohol use disorder (AUD) on the brain and its interaction with aging and postural instability on June 25 at the 46th annual scientific meeting of the Research Society on Alcohol, held in Bellevue, Washington."
[PLAN AHEAD] Wellness outcomes favor life plan communities
"To explore the value of living in a life plan community, Mather Institute embarked on the Age Well Study, the first large-scale national evaluation on health and wellness among residents of life plan communities, conducted from 2018 to 2022."
[PEARLY WHITES] Dental health linked to brain health
"Taking good care of your teeth may be linked to better brain health, according to a recent study. The researchers found that gum disease and tooth loss were linked to brain shrinkage in the hippocampus, which plays a role in memory and Alzheimer’s disease. The study does not prove that gum disease or tooth loss causes Alzheimer’s disease; it only shows an association. Nevertheless, it's a reminder to educate constituents about poor dental health, which has been linked to many other health conditions, including inflammation and heart disease."
Poor sense of smell linked to increased risk of depression in older adults
"In a study that followed more than 2,000 community-dwelling older adults over eight years, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine say they have significant new evidence of a link between decreased sense of smell and risk of developing late-life depression."
Community spaces may promote healthy aging for rural Black, Hispanic adults
"Millions of Americans over the age of 65 lack access to the social and emotional support they need for healthy aging, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Non-white individuals in rural communities are especially susceptible. New research from Penn State found that the presence of social infrastructure — shared community spaces that are free or low cost to visit — in rural communities may help provide social and emotional support and promote healthy aging among older, non-white adults."
[UP CLOSE & PERSONAL] 15-minute neighborhoods accessible, affordable, sustainable
"As Canada continues to grapple with a housing crisis rooted in a persistent inventory shortage, international real estate company RE/MAX Canada explores possible solutions through the launch of its latest report, 15-Minute Neighbourhood: Lessons for Small Communities."
Older consumers of alcohol have a greater vulnerability to accelerated brain aging
"Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a common neuropsychiatric disorder marked by neuropsychological deficits and neurocircuitry brain damage that can lead to serious negative consequences for family, work, and personal well-being. Researchers will share their published findings on the adverse effects of AUD on the brain and its interaction with aging and postural instability at the 46th annual scientific meeting of the Research Society on Alcohol (RSA) in Bellevue, Washington."
Elevated Lipoprotein(a) is the latest variant of ‘bad cholesterol’ found to increase the risk of recurrent coronary heart disease
"Elevated Lipoprotein(a) levels, a form of 'unhealthy cholesterol,' in the blood pose a risk for recurring coronary heart disease (CHD) in individuals aged 60 or older, based on findings from a recent 16-year-long study."
Chula psychologist recommends mindsets for aging gracefully
"What is the Aging Gracefully concept? How can one face aging gracefully? Chula Psychology lecturer has the answers for those who are entering the aging society to have confidence in their physical and mental health."
CABHI funds over $1.9 million in latest cohort of healthcare innovations for older adults and caregivers
"The Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI), powered by Baycrest, today announced funding of over $1.9 million to support the development and validation of 40 innovations aimed at improving the quality of life for older adults, people living with dementia, and caregivers."
[D DAILY?] Vitamin D supplement may curb risk of heart attack in older adults
" Vitamin D supplements may reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attacks among people aged over 60, according to a new clinical trial. The researchers stress that the absolute risk difference was small, but say this is the largest trial of its kind to date, and further evaluation is warranted, particularly in people taking statins or other cardiovascular disease drugs. "
[WELL, WELL, WELL] Nike launches Well Collective
"In mid-June, Nike launched an initiative called Nike Well Collective, which aims to deliver “innovation, expertise, services and experiences across body, mind and life,” according to the company. The initiative “is designed to support wellness journeys for everyone, however they define them,” says Amy Montagne, VP/GM of Global Nike Women’s. “It celebrates all bodies and all forms of movement. Because we know holistic fitness is more than just sport,… our ultimate goal is to help more people move, feel good in their bodies and connect with what matters most — a life well lived.”"
[RISK OR BENEFIT?] Low-dose aspirin raises anemia risk in adults 70
" Older adults have long been told to take a daily low-dose aspirin to help prevent heart disease, and about half of older people in the US do so. One of the complications of aspirin use is an increased risk for major bleeding, particularly gastrointestinal bleeding. Although the risk for overt bleeding due to aspirin has been well characterized, very few studies have looked at the effect of aspirin on anemia, according to researchers from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, who did just that. "
[NO EXCUSES!] Motivating older adults to move: new report
"On June 27, the US Department of Health and Human Services released the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Midcourse Report: Implementation Strategies for Older Adults. The Midcourse Report is a guide to help policy makers; exercise and health professionals; healthcare providers; gerontologists; built environment professionals; local, state, territorial, and tribal leaders; and others working with older adults implement strategies to support physical activity among adults ages 65 years and older."
