As the number of reported COVID-19 cases continues to rise in the United States, high-risk populations—especially older adults above the age of 50—are growing more concerned with protecting their health. In the case of one elderly couple, they’re afraid to even step into their local grocery store. Rebecca Mehra, who shared their story in a […]
Malnutrition is on the rise in older adults
While the obesity crisis is still considered the foremost public health epidemic in the west, one often overlooked condition is quickly becoming a growing concern. Malnutrition, sometimes referred to as under-nutrition, affects an estimated 3 million people in the UK alone. Globally, around 462 million adults are malnourished. Malnutrition is a condition where a person […]
Research shows that older patients with untreated sleep apnea need greater medical care
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common and costly medical condition leading to a wide range of health risks such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, depression, diabetes and even premature death. Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) found that the medical costs are substantially higher among older adults who go untreated for […]
Weight loss tied to loss of hip bone density in older adults
(HealthDay)—Obese and overweight older individuals who lose weight have lower bone mineral density (BMD) in their hips, according to a study published in the November issue of Obesity. Daniel E. Kammire, of the Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and colleagues gathered data from 77 adults (mean age, 67 years) at baseline, 18 months, […]
Simple test predicts older heart attack patients’ independence, function
A study just published in JAMA Internal Medicine finds that hospitals can administer a simple walking test to evaluate the likelihood of functional decline in older adults following a heart attack. Researchers say the nationwide study could have important implications for how patient care following heart attacks is managed, improving independence in older adults. The […]
Protein intake in older adults differs dramatically by ethnicity and race
As the population of older adults in the United States continues to grow and becomes more diverse, health concerns increase in parallel. The loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength and function is one such concern and can begin to occur as early as age 40 and accelerates after age 60. A contributing factor to the […]
Vitamin D is not linked to low blood pressure in older adults
Researchers from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) at Trinity College have shown in the largest study to-date that vitamin D is not associated with low blood pressure on standing (orthostatic hypotension) in older adults. Their findings have been published recently in the prestigious journal Hypertension. Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a common chronic condition […]
Deaths from falls among older Americans are on the rise
New research shows fatal falls have nearly tripled in older Americans in recent years, rising to more than 25,000 deaths yearly. The findings highlight the importance of fall prevention. A separate study bolsters evidence that programs focusing on improving muscle strength and balance can help achieve that goal. Both studies were published Tuesday in the […]
Older adults can be safely discharged from nursing homes if proper networks are in place
It could be your grandmother who fell and broke her hip and is in a nursing home receiving therapy to get her balance and strength back. Or it could be your father who became ill, but was well enough to be discharged from the hospital, but not well enough to go back home. Both have […]
Exercise may fight depression in older adults, study suggests
New research suggests that exercise-induced muscle changes could help boost mood in older adults. The study is published ahead of print in the American Journal of Physiology—Cell Physiology. Exercise increases the expression of certain proteins (transcription factors) that help regulate gene expression and the processing (metabolism) of tryptophan in the body. Tryptophan is a mood-enhancing […]