[HELP WANTED] US faces looming LTC workforce shortage
"The number of US adults ages 85 years and older is projected to double by 2040, from roughly 6 million in 2026 to more than 12 million. Yet, the working-age population will barely grow during that period, according to a new analysis. The authors say the imbalance raises the question of who will care for an aging population."
[GET MOVING AGAIN] Video game therapy helps restore arm movement after stroke
"A customized retro-style video game helped chronic stroke survivors regain arm function by directly retraining impaired muscles rather than teaching ways to compensate for lost function, according to a study by Northwestern University researchers."
[LIGHTEN UP] GSA launches web-based toolkit for managing obesity in older adults
"The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) has released a new web-based edition of “The GSA KAER Toolkit for the Management of Obesity in Older Adults,” designed to help providers take a structured approach to managing the condition. The KAER acronym refers to a four-step process: kickstart the weight-management conversation; assess for overweight and obesity; evaluate treatment options; and refer for community resources."
[I’VE GOT THE POWER!] Power training may matter more than strength as people age
"Weight and resistance training are important for older adults, but the speed at which those exercises are performed, known as power training, may be just as critical for healthy aging, according to an article by AARP’s Kristen Fischer."
[HOME, SWEET HOME] Residential environment tied to subjective well-being
"An individual’s residential environment is linked to subjective well-being through satisfaction with key life domains such as health, relationships, and living conditions, a new study suggests."
USC study finds key Alzheimer’s risk factor may behave differently in Hispanic older adults
"A large USC-led study suggests the main genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease may be linked differently to brain amyloid buildup in Hispanic and non-Hispanic white older adults, underscoring the need for varied populations in Alzheimer’s research"
Study finds positive aging videos affected women’s views of getting older – for the better
"Researchers theorize that having a positive aging role model might be enough to change one’s own thinking: 'If they look good with gray hair, I might too'"
Social inequality is linked to faster biological aging
"Large meta-analysis finds consistent evidence across epigenetic measures worldwide"
Statin use linked to lower risk of frailty in older veterans
"Findings from a large observational study led by researchers at Mass General Brigham support a role for existing heart drugs in preserving healthy aging"
New findings highlight brain changes during menopause
"Menopause is a critical neurological phase, evidence shows"
Recognition for senior centers grows under National Center to Reframe Aging, Pennsylvania Department of Aging partnership
"The National Center to Reframe Aging joined a Pennsylvania Department of Aging-hosted Community Conversation in Philadelphia on June 10 to showcase research and communication guidance from the National Center that are helping maximize the potential of senior community centers as vibrant community spaces — similar to libraries or parks — where older adults can stay active and independent."
Michigan’s aging brains need more protection, poll shows
"Michiganders over age 50 want to prevent dementia, but many don’t know everyday actions are very important for preserving brain health"
Life after work: Why social connections matter
"Social networks may help protect cognitive functioning in later life, particularly among older adults who are no longer working, according to a new IIASA-led study. Drawing on data from 27 European countries, the researchers found that social connections can help compensate for the loss of mentally stimulating interactions linked to work, with different types of relationships benefiting women and men."
Healthy lifespan cut short by sex-dependent depressive symptoms in older adults
"Depression is a serious mental health issue that can rob us of joy - and years of healthy living. While we know that depressive symptoms can cut down the remaining years of disability-free living (or healthspan) in older adults, it was unclear exactly which symptoms could be the culprit. Researchers from Tohoku University, the Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, and the National Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition have found that different patterns of depressive symptoms are associated with disability-free survival in community dwelling older adults, and that these associations differ between men and women."
Common aging mechanisms may link vision loss disorder to increased risk of certain cancers
"“Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults and is increasingly recognized as a manifestation of systemic aging involving vascular and inflammatory pathways.”"
Four minutes of daily resistance training can quadruple fitness in older adults
"Just four minutes of daily strengthening exercise dramatically increases key factors in quality of life for aging adults, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State College of Medicine. Results published in PLOS One showed that strength — which impacts fall risk, longevity, independent living and more — significantly improved for adults aged 65 and older in as little as 12 weeks."
ACS Geriatric Surgery Verification hospitals screen nearly all older surgical patients for delirium, study finds
"At non-verified hospitals, only half of older surgical patients are screened for delirium, a common and preventable complication"
Struggle sleeping? These three common sleep habits tied to signs of brain aging, U of A study finds
"How we sleep may have lasting impacts for our brain health as we age. A new University of Arizona study has found that several common sleep behaviors may be linked to signs of brain aging. "
Favorable lifestyle and health linked to lower dementia risk even in people with a genetic risk factor
"A large Japanese study suggests that favorable lifestyle and health conditions are linked to lower dementia risk in people with no or one APOE ε4 allele, while those with two alleles may require different preventive or therapeutic approaches"
Delirium after surgery is a strong predictor of cognitive decline in older adults
"Researchers found postoperative delirium was strongly associated with long-term cognitive decline and the effect was not explained by rehospitalizations, highlighting the long-term impact of delirium on brain health"
Being “half-included” in American society takes a toll on immigrant health, study finds
"Acculturative discordance – the state of being socially integrated on some dimensions but not on others – is associated with high disability risks after age 65"
Preventing the fall: Assessing fragility fracture risks
"Pinpointing associated factors that contribute to injury in older adults"
New brain-vessel atlas maps vascular aging and points to stroke recovery risks
"MARVAL turns routine, non-invasive MR angiography into population-scale measurements of brain-vessel shape, creating an East Asian reference map and identifying small-vessel features linked to stroke prognosis"
[INDEPENDENCE DAY] Independent living occupancy rates high in CCRCs, non-CCRCs
"Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) continued to outperform non-CCRC senior housing properties in occupancy rates across all care segments in the first quarter of 2026, according to a recent analysis by Karan Shah of the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC)."
[GIMME MORE] Higher protein and exercise targets needed for long-term health
"Current public health recommendations for physical activity and protein intake are designed to prevent deficiency rather than promote long-term health, independence, and quality of life, and should be updated to reflect more recent evidence, argues Chris Macdonald, PhD, a fellow at Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge, and director of the Better Protein Institute, in a perspective paper."
[PASS IT!] Bill aims to combat loneliness among older adults
"US Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) have introduced the Addressing Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults (SILO) Act, legislation that would provide $62.5 million in annual grant funding to area agencies on aging and community-based organizations working to reduce social isolation among older adults and people with disabilities."
[LIVABLE, ACCESSIBLE] AARP doubles investment in community challenges
"AARP recently announced its largest-ever investment in its Community Challenge grant program -- $8.3 million to support 750 projects that will help make communities more livable for people of all ages. The commitment doubles last year's total and marks the program's 10th anniversary. This year’s projects fund improvements to public spaces, transportation, housing, digital connectivity, disaster preparedness, and other local priorities. Nearly half of the funded projects will support rural communities. "
[TIME OUT] 5-minute hourly breaks curb health harms of prolonged sitting
"Taking a 5-minute walking break every hour could offer the best balance between feasibility and effectiveness for countering the health harms of prolonged sitting, researchers suggest. They found that these brief breaks boosted mood, lessened fatigue, and didn’t undermine work performance."
