Senior Health

Brain activity in older adults measured while walking and talking may predict the risk of falls. Study author Joe Verghese explained, “In older people who had no signs of disease that would make them prone to falls, higher levels of activity in the front of the brain, called the prefrontal cortex, were associated with a ...click here to read more

Higher levels of mental and physical well-being are seen among older adults using computers and cellphones. Seniors have been adopting technology as a means of connecting with others and it seems that their newfound use of technology is offering up great benefits for their mental health in return. Researcher Tamara Sims explained, “Using tech to ...click here to read more

Tai chi may prevent falls in older people and improve mental health, according to research findings. On the other hand, this ancient Chinese martial arts does not improve cancer symptoms or rheumatoid arthritis. The benefits of tai chi have long been studied, but the results have often been contradictory. The researchers decided to compare the ...click here to read more

Memory loss, forgetfulness, memory lapses and cognitive function with aging is not inevitable. In fact, the brain is very much capable of producing new cells at any age, it’s just about knowing those helpful tips to promote a healthy brain. Our memories are a cherished part of who we are. When we recall moments that ...click here to read more

High blood pressure risk in seniors lowers with volunteering and increases with negative social interactions. The study found that blood pressure in those who volunteered for at least 200 hours a year was lowered by at least 40 percent. The study reveals that volunteering may be a non-pharmaceutical approach to prevent hypertension – high blood ...click here to read more

New insight into age-related hearing loss has been uncovered. Age-related hearing loss is often believed to result from problems within the ear, but the new findings suggest the culprit is issues in the brain, instead. The researchers found that the brain’s ability to process sound diminishes as we age. The researchers divided 32 adults into ...click here to read more

Dementia can negatively impact a person’s life in numerous ways, including their driving ability. That is why it’s important to recognize cognitive factors that can prevent safe driving in older adults in order to reduce negative outcomes such as accidents. Nearly half of drivers on the road today are over the age of 65, and ...click here to read more

Nearly 31 million senior Americans are not getting in enough exercise, thus increasing their risk of many illnesses and diseases. Coauthor Janet Fulton said, “Adults benefit from any amount of physical activity. Helping inactive people become more physically active is an important step towards healthier and more vibrant communities.” The researchers analyzed data from a ...click here to read more

The FDA has recently approved eye implants placed in the cornea to help the eye better focus on small print and nearby objects. The implant is aimed for aging baby boomers who suffer from age-related loss of focus (presbyopia). Dr. William Maisel of the FDA said in a news release, “Given the prevalence of presbyopia ...click here to read more

Seniors who wear bifocals are at a greater risk for falls and misstep due to blurry vision. The study showed the effects of blurry vision on stepping accuracy were higher in participants looking ahead. Alex Black and colleagues wrote, “Our findings … support the benefits of gaze training to maintain gaze position on stepping locations ...click here to read more

Our bodies need protein for many functions, but the older we get the more we need. Unfortunately, many seniors are not getting adequate protein, so they suffer from muscle loss and weakness, which can increase their risk of injury and disability. When you were younger, you probably felt as strong as a bull. But now ...click here to read more

It is quite common to experience changes in our vision as we age, but the necessity to wear prescription glasses isn’t the only nuisance that arrives with vision loss. In fact, visual impairment isn’t just about not being able to see things clearly anymore – it can affect our mental health, too. Nearly 1.6 million ...click here to read more

Millions of American seniors are affected by poor vision, which contributes to dangerous falls increasing the risk of disability. Nearly 2.8 million seniors are believed to have severe vision impairment and of them 1.3 million experience a fall at least once. Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital, explained that falls “represent ...click here to read more

Worsening depression in seniors could be an early predictor of dementia in seniors, according to a new study. Dr. Gisele Wolf-Klein who reviewed the findings said, “More research is needed, but the study raises the possibility of an overlap between the pathology of dementia and depression.” The research team tracked depression symptoms among over 3,300 ...click here to read more