Older adults

A recent study has found that older adults are more likely to make riskier decisions than younger adults—results that contradict popular belief. While old age is associated with wisdom, this new research from the Max Planck Institute for Human Development has found that older adults are more optimistic about the outcomes of risk-taking thanks to ...click here to read more

New research from Tohoku University shows that depression and cognitive ability can be improved in the elderly through the use of speed training. Researchers from the university have developed a tablet PC based processing speed training game (PSTG) that targets processing speed and inhibition among seniors. When played regularly, the game has been shown to ...click here to read more

Constipation in elderly is becoming an increasingly common condition. As we age, our body undergoes various changes, and decreasing efficiency of digestive system is one of them. Unhealthy eating habits or changes in the diet can further slow down digestive processes, leading to constipation. Constipation is the inability or difficulty to pass a bowel movement. ...click here to read more

Hearing loss in older adults and accelerated brain tissue loss are linked, according to study findings. The brain naturally shrinks with age, but the study findings suggest that this shrinkage is accelerated in older adults with hearing loss. The researchers used information from an ongoing longitudinal study to compare aging brain changes over time in ...click here to read more

Atrial fibrillation in older adults may affect strength, balance, gait speed, and coordination. A study has found that atrial fibrillation – a common form of irregular heartbeat – can accelerate age-related declines in walking speed and strength. Lead author Jared W. Magnani said, “Particularly in older adults, we need to be mindful that the effects ...click here to read more

Hearing difficulties in older people linked to changes in the attention processes in the brain. Researchers recorded the alpha waves in the brain of 20- to 30-year-olds and 60- to 70-year-olds while they performed a hearing task. The participants listened to two spoken numbers and had to press a button if the second number said ...click here to read more

Blood pressure fluctuations cause faster cognitive decline in older adults, according to research. The findings revealed that blood pressure fluctuations were associated with faster cognitive decline among older adults over the course of five years. Lead study author Bo (Bonnie) Qin explained, “Blood pressure variability might signal blood flow instability, which could lead to the ...click here to read more

Asthma may raise the risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Abdominal aortic aneurysm is the weakening of the main blood vessel in the body. It can cause sudden death if it ruptures. The study uncovered that asthma patients had a greater risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Other notable risk factors for abdominal aortic aneurysm include smoking, ...click here to read more

Older adults with dementia face an increased mortality risk due to care transitions. The findings of the study uncovered that moving dementia patients from one place to another or having them stay overnight at a different location led to aggravated health outcomes. Although sometimes inevitable, unnecessary transition can be associated with medication errors, hospital readmissions, ...click here to read more

Testosterone treatment in elderly benefits sex drive and mobility, enhances mood, and lowers stroke risk. Testosterone decreases over time, and studies on testosterone therapies in elderly men have often been inconclusive. The latest study has found that administering testosterone therapy to men over the age of 65 can boost sexual function, mobility, and mood, and ...click here to read more

Excess salt has been shown to contribute to liver damage in older adults as well as embryos. It is well known that high levels of salt can contribute to high blood pressure, but the new research provides additional warnings against salt consumption to give you more reasons to reduce your intake. The U.S. government only ...click here to read more

Knee buckling treatment have been found to help reduce falls in older adults. Aside from easing up the injury, the treatment has been proven to alleviate the psychological effects that may accompany the fall experience. Treating knee instability is a priority, as the population continues to age and injuries caused by instable knees can negatively ...click here to read more

Many older adults do not report memory loss symptoms to their doctors. This could delay early treatment of impeding dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. The new study looked at federal government data of over 10,000 people and uncovered that only one in four older adults relayed their memory problems to their doctor. Furthermore, the older the ...click here to read more

How is your pill box looking these days? Organized by day and capsule color, or a mixed bag of pharmaceuticals that you sort through and eyeball carefully for morning, noon and night dosages? It all gets to be a bit much some days, but there’s a good reason for your pills. Or so we like ...click here to read more