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Reports |
Articles
Reports
Will Health Care Costs Bankrupt Aging Boomers? (February 2010)
Rising health care costs pose a significant threat to boomers’ retirement security. Although Medicare covers nearly all adults age 65 and older, premiums, deductibles, co-pays, and doughnut holes in the benefit package leave many older Americans with substantial out-of-pocket expenses. Unless health care practices or public policy change, seniors’ out-of-pocket spending will likely grow in coming years as health care costs continue to increase.
The Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports Provisions in the Health Care Reform Law (April 2010)
This report by the National Senior Citizens Law Center based in DC, examines the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) which was passed on March 21 2010. It has been found that Medicaid has previously provided more money on institutional care than for community-based care for enrollees with long-term services and supports (LTSS) needs. This report analyses how the new health care reform plans to strike a balance between community-based services and institutional care.
Free Trade in Health Care: The Gains from Globalized Medicare and Medicaid (October 2009)
Who benefits from a market-based health care system? Dean Baker and other authors argue that older US citizens could benefit financially if they could use Medicare and Medicaid for health care from providers
located in other countries. Please note the large differences between the per-person cost of providing health care in the US and the per-person cost in other countries with comparable health care outcomes. In 2006, the per-person cost of health care in the United States was $6,714, while the average cost in the 26 countries with longer life expectancies was $2,964. This gap suggests the potential for substantial gains from trade, with some travel thrown in.
Articles
New Robot Seat to Help the Elderly and Disabled (August 8, 2010)
(Article in Arabic)
According to statistics, 3.4 million Americans rely on wheel chairs, most of which are not suited for those suffering from severe body weakness and those living with paralysis. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are developing a robotic chair that will allow older people and the disabled to improve their mobility, allowing them to perform more daily tasks.
Preparing More Care of Elderly (June
28, 2010)
With the growing population of elders in the United States, it is critical to focus more on geriatric health issues. The Government must make health care not only accessible for older persons but also efficient. Find out what aspects of health care the current US administration intends to address.
Study Finds that Caring for an Elderly, Sick Spouse Sometimes
Has Positive Elements (June 22, 2010)
A psychologist at the University at Buffalo has found that helping loved ones may promote the well- being of the person providing care. Despite the burdensome nature of the caregiver’s role, often related to stress and burnout, caring for someone has some aspects that bring positive emotions. Read this article to learn the emotional benefits of being actively involved in care giving.
Filipina Nurses for Old
Age Caregiving. Part I: Filipina Nurses See Long Visa Delays Despite Nursing Shortage (June 15, 2010)
Following World War II, Filipino nursing education has mimicked the US system and used its curricula. Long-term care companies in the US have recruited those nursing graduates to work in the US. Despite the shortage in eldercare staff in the US, the State Department has slowed approvals of work visas for healthcare workers for years, creating a virtual freeze. While the goal of the current anti-immigration period is to protect the internal job market, it risks hurting US long-term care. This is the first of two articles from the 2010 New America Media Fellowship, supported by The Atlantic Philanthropies.
Filipina Nurses for Old Age Caregiving. Part II: Filipino Health Workers Struggle in Filling Eldercare Gap (June 16, 2010)
In the second of two articles from the 2010 New America Media Fellowship, supported by The Atlantic Philanthropies, this report reveals the controversies over anti-immigration policies that impede qualified Filipina health care workers from working in the US. Otherwise, the current shortage of health care workers might be resolved.
Obama Promotes New Health Care Law in Forum with Senior Citizens (June 8, 2010)
Recently US President Obama hosted a "tele-town hall" meeting at a senior center in Maryland. He focused on combating scams against seniors, cautioning older persons against giving out personal information. It was also mentioned that rebate checks of $250 will be sent soon to close the gap in Medicare's prescription drug coverage. While the rebate will help seniors, it falls short of matching the sharply increasing drug costs of US seniors.
Older Women Left Without Funding, Care (June 3, 2010)
The US Congress has failed to extend the Federal Medicaid relief, leaving the situation unresolved. Officials may have to close more than 100 Oklahoma facilities due to lack of funding. In addition, funding for caregivers in nursing homes may run out by the end of 2010.
Why do older persons, many of whom live in poverty, have to suffer these cuts in services?
How The Tax Bill Would Affect Health Care Programs (May 24, 2010)
In the politics surrounding the pending tax bill in the US, there are two proposals on the table to "fix" Medicare payments to doctors and subsidies for COBRA health insurance. The COBRA health system is a federal program which allows laid-off workers to stay on their employer's health insurance. The author outlines the
proposals that Congress is considering.
$250 Medicare Checks Highlight 2010 Reforms (May 3, 2010)
This year, anyone reaching the donut hole will get a one-time check for $250. Consumers do not need to do anything to get these payments. They are automatically triggered when an insurance company reports to Medicare that a person has entered the donut hole. Offers of assistance in obtaining the payments are likely to be fraudulent. All payments will be by paper check, a Medicare spokesperson said.
Seniors Aren't Flocking to
Quality Health Plans (April 29, 2010)
A study released by Avalere Health, a major consulting firm, looked at the health plans picked by seniors according to the plans' scores on a government rating system designed for consumers. The ratings, available on Medicare's website, assign one to five stars for quality, with one signifying poor performance and five excellent. The analysis found that 47 percent of Medicare beneficiaries are in plans that rate three stars or two--medium to fair quality. Just 23 percent were signed up in plans that rate four or five stars--very good to excellent quality.
Doctors Show Medicare Patients the Door (April 14, 2010)
Many Colorado patients are suffering from the recent 21 percent cut in Medicare reimbursements to physicians that went into effect on April 1. Although the US Senate is poised to stave off the reduction, it's too little, too late for some Colorado doctors and their patients.
Lawmakers Launch Bipartisan Effort Against Medicare Fraud (April 13, 2010)
In one of the first bipartisan efforts since the passage of federal health care reform, Florida lawmakers recently introduced the Medicare Fraud Enforcement and Prevention Act. The bill seeks to rein in fraud and to “put the rip-off artists in jail,” says Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a co-sponsor of the bill.
Immigration: Could It Solve Social Security, Medicare Woes? (April 11, 2010)
This year is the first year that Social Security will pay out more in benefits than it receives in payroll taxes. In the face of our draining Social Security and Medicare funds, Robert Reich writing in The Christian Science Monitor, who has been a trustee of both funds, explores fostering more immigration as a method of helping to boost these funds again.
What is a sustainable policy for the US? Expect more debates on this
emerging topic.
Consumers' Big Question: What's in It for Me? (March 30, 2010)
The new US health care law will eventually provide insurance coverage for 32 million uninsured Americans but it still leaves some unanswered questions. For example, when will the reforms take place, and what effect will they have on uninsured Americans? This article provides explanations to many of the questions, including provision for health coverage for the 94 percent of legal residents not currently covered by Medicare.
Healthcare Reform: What's In It For Our Seniors? (March 30, 2010)
In a straightforward summary, Bruce Chernof explains that the newly passed US health care legislation lays the groundwork for greatly improving the full continuum of health care services for seniors, including renovating the nation's nonexistent long-term care system. In addition to setting a framework for long-term care reform, the bill bolsters the Medicare system and insures that the Medicare Trust fund will not go bankrupt in seven years as was predicted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services last December.
Women, Diabetics Fall Fast Into Medicare 'Doughnut Hole' (March 30, 2010)
Among older people in the US, women and those with diabetes and dementia are most likely to find themselves in the Medicare Part D drug plan "doughnut hole." Along with this population, patients most likely to fall into the doughnut hole include those with end-stage renal disease, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, mental health conditions and congestive heart failure. Doctors should teach these patients on the best way to manage medication costs through either drug substitution or discontinuation of certain nonessential medications.
Options Expand for Affordable Long-Term Care (March 29, 2010)
In the wake of the signing of the US health care bill on March 23, 2010, it is not just older persons that are beginning to think about long-term care. Although laws are in place--such as the Class Act, a legacy of Senator Edward M. Kennedy--responsible for setting up long-term care insurance plans, many using this service are 65 and older. This does not reflect the numbers below this age requiring care. The increased cost of long-term care continues to be a tremendous expense for those in need; most are often not prepared for such a financial impact.
Study Finds Average Retired Couple Will Need $250,000 to Cover Medical Costs (March 26, 2010)
A couple retiring this year will need a quarter of a million dollars, on average, to cover medical expenses in retirement, according to a study by Fidelity Investments. This number has increased about 4% from last year's projections, and the estimate does not factor in most dental services or long-term care, such as costs from living in a nursing home. The study also does not account for the health care overhaul President Obama signed into law this week that aims to close the “doughnut hole” in Medicare drug coverage.
How Will Health Care Reform Affect Medicare? (March 26, 2010)
With the passage of the new health care reform plan, it is still unclear to many Utah residents who are on Medicare how their Medicare Advantage plans will be affected, since those decisions are left to the private insurers who sell them. Older rights groups like AARP say that there will not be any cuts in Medicare coverage. Wellness programs and preventative care will be free and $250 rebates will help to reduce the high costs of the “doughnut hole” in drug coverage.
Medicare Pay Cut For Doctors Still Looms At End Of Month (March 25, 2010)
While the new health care overhaul creates many new advances and changes in our health care system, many physicians are concerned about a 21% cut in the Medicare pay rate to doctors. Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., says, “There are things in this health care bill to correct the situation, but the plan we need most is to pay doctors what they are worth rather than some fixed price that Medicare sets.”
A New Long-Term Care Insurance Program (March 24, 2010)
The Class Act, one of the most potentially transformational parts of the health care reform, is still intact. Championed by the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, this plan calls for monthly premium payments by those who participate. After five years they'll be covered and can receive benefits if they need care--whether they are 20-somethings in snowboard accidents or 80-somethings with Parkinson's disease. It is not designed to pay the entire cost of long-term care, which can reach horrifying levels, but it will provide substantial help. Because participants will receive cash--$50 a day or more, depending on how disabled they are--they can buy the kind of assistance that makes sense to them.
House Passes Historic Health Care Bill (March 21, 2010)
In a historic vote, the House of Representatives approved health care reform legislation this past Sunday. The measure is intended to extend affordable health insurance to some 32 million currently uninsured Americans; penalize employers who do not offer coverage and individuals who do not purchase it; provide subsidies for people with limited income and moderate income; and prohibit insurers from denying coverage to people with pre-existing medical conditions.
Health Care Reform Endgame: What's Really in This for Americans Age 50 and Older? (March 19, 2010)
In light of the coming vote in the House on health care reform legislation, AARP outlined the bill and its effects on seniors. The suggested reforms in the bill include closing the prescription “doughnut hole,” free preventive care for Medicare patients, state aid for long-term independent living, taxation and Medicare funding and other measures.
Medicare 'Doughnut Hole' May Induce Illegal Foreign Drug Imports (March 10, 2010)
With many senior citizens suffer high drug costs due to the “doughnut hole” in Medicare coverage, many now order prescriptions online, which, while dramatically cheaper, can create problems. Nearly all drugs imported to the US for personal use are allegedly illegal; they often come from fake pharmacies that sell counterfeit drugs. In a discussion about purchasing prescription drugs from abroad, Gerardo Cardenas, spokesman for AARP Illinois, says, “We're not opposed to it…but we've always said that there should be legislation in Congress that legalizes and insures the safety of the importation of prescription drugs.”
Senate Rejects $250 Checks for Elderly (March 4, 2010)
A White House-backed initiative to provide $250 checks to older people, veterans, and the disabled was rejected by the Senate last week. While some believe the Senate is turning its backs on seniors by rejecting this bill, others see it as a superfluous measure in light of new policies that index Social Security with inflation.
Doctors Threaten Medicare Backlash (February 25, 2010)
With recent government cuts in Medicare reimbursement rates, the American Medical Association (AMA) has announced that many doctors will be either seeing fewer Medicare patients or stop accepting new ones. With over 250,000 members, the AMA is trying to provide patients with referrals and cash options if their physicians no longer accept them as patients.
Premiums Jump 14 Percent on Medicare Private Plans (February 19, 2010)
Millions of seniors who signed up for popular private health plans through Medicare now face a sharp premium increase of 14% this year. "These premium increases fit within a broader trend of increased financial pressure on the insured," said Lindsey Spindle, a vice president of Avalere Health, a data analysis firm that produced the statistical study. "We see very large premium increases and a continued upward creep in how much out-of-pocket expenses beneficiaries are expected to pay, such as copayments." Will US citizens ever have a chance to enjoy a low cost, high quality single payer system such as those found in Europe and other advanced countries?
Gray Matters: A Kennedy Dream Denied (January 31, 2010)
The late Senator Ted Kennedy was committed to passing the CLASS Act, which would for the first time begin providing long-term care of millions of elderly and disabled Americans. Now, in the midst of health care reform, Saul Friedman writes that this vision may be lost. Among the biggest gaps in Medicare coverage is its failure cover long-term nursing care. This means that older persons who need long-term assistance for daily living must pay for it entirely out-of-pocket. As a result, older couples are forced to impoverish themselves to qualify for Medicaid, or find other ways to manipulate the system to get long term care.
Congress Debates Medicare Payroll Tax (January 13, 2010)
As the legislative process on health care reform is coming to its final stages, lawmakers are struggling to find ways to pay for Medicare. The newest idea is to expand the Medicare payroll tax to include an investment tax on those with higher income. In the article, Marilyn Moon, a Medicare expert, and Stan Collender, a budget watcher, discuss the issue.
Obama Urges Excise Tax on High-Cost Insurance (January 7, 2010)
With House and Senate health care reform bills passed, President Obama has urged the House to consider adding a tax on higher-priced insurance policies--a measure that was in the final version of the Senate bill. The tax as proposed by the Senate would generate $149 billion over ten years, with the Senate bill costing $871 billion over ten years and the House bill costing $1.1 trillion. There are many benefits of the tax, including a reduction in the government cost of Medicare. Both bills include a tax on individuals and couples earning higher salaries. However, union leaders are concerned that the tax on higher-priced insurance plans will affect some of the union-provided plans. With increased pressure from the executive office, House Democratic leaders hope to reconcile their differences on this matter soon.
Private Insurance/Other
Reports
Toward True Health Care Reform: More Care, Less Insurance (2010)
The USA is the only country with a high per capita income that has no universal health coverage. Its health care system is inferior and expensive. The authors try to assess the situation and address the main issues, such as the need for far more people to have access to basic health care services, including prevention programs and routine care. Without these services, the authors argue that most people stay away from any health services until confronted with a life-threatening condition that puts them into the expensive health care found in the hospital emergency rooms. Couldn’t the richest country in the world do better than this for its citizens?
What is the Distribution if Lifetime Health Care Costs From Age 65? (March 2010)
The costs of medical care, both general and long-term, represent a substantial financial risk for most retired households. In 2007, amounts spent on Medicare premiums and co-payments among married couples aged 65 and over averaged $7,600. But such statistics are of limited value to households trying to determine how much to set aside for health care costs in retirement or how to manage wealth decrease during retirement. This brief outlines new research that calculates the distribution of lifetime health care costs. When deciding how much to save for retirement and how rapidly to draw down their wealth during their retirement, older people need to consider all of the risks involved, and how health care costs will affect their livelihoods.
Social Security: Options to Protect Benefits for Vulnerable Groups When Addressing Program Solvency (December 7, 2009)
A December 2009 report from the Government Accountability Office outlines ways that current proposals seek to reform Social Security. The report addresses the following key questions: (1) What are the options for modifying Social Security benefits to address concerns about benefit adequacy and retirement income security for economically vulnerable groups?; and (2) What effects could these options have on benefits those groups receive from SSI, Medicaid, and SNAP?
Articles
US Lawmakers Investigate Home Healthcare Companies (May 13, 2010)
The US Senate Finance Committee is investigating four for-profit home healthcare agencies over billing practices. Lawmakers say these billing practices raise questions about reimbursement from the Medicare insurance program. Recent findings suggest that the agencies intentionally increased utilization for the purpose of triggering higher reimbursements.
Treatment and Hospice Simultaneously (May 10, 2010)
Many people resist entering hospice care, sometimes until just days before they die, because they are faced with a major dilemma of whether to give up aggressive treatment. Some fear doing both curative and palliative care will muddle efforts to get patients to embrace the hospice philosophy emphasizing quality of life. "It could be great," says Terry Berthelot, an attorney with the Center for Medicare Advocacy, a Connecticut-based patients' rights group. But it also "may make dying more difficult, because some people may be chasing after cures instead of what hospices are about.”
Long-Term Care Coverage Headed for Change in California (May 6, 2010)
California's long-term care system, or lack thereof, is poised for change. How that change comes about and what the new system might look like will depend in large part on a race between two potential "game changers: "a new long-term insurance program in the national health care reform law and a huge demographic bubble of baby boomers hurtling toward old age.
An Insurer's New Approach to Diabetes (April 13, 2010)
United Healthcare will work with Y “lifestyle coaches” in seven cities to help people who are at risk for diabetes to lower their odds of developing the disease by losing just a modest amount of weight. An estimated 25 million people in this country have Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease, which generally develops in adults as a result of obesity and poor diet. UnitedHealth said it was investing tens of millions of dollars in this initiative, helping the Y develop an online curriculum and collect the data necessary to track the progress of the people enrolled in the program.
Big Cities See Gains as Boomers Delay Retirement (March 24, 2010)
Despite the large cohort of baby boomers who are reaching retirement age, population figures show that annual growth of retirement-destination counties is slowing down. Because of the recession, a growing number of baby boomers want to continue working after age 65, so many are choosing to stay in cities to hold onto jobs and keep their options open.
Senate Panel to Investigate Deaths at Long-Term Care Facilities (March 8, 2010)
The United States Senate will launch a formal investigation into patient deaths at long-term care hospitals, focusing on those run by the for-profit Select Medical Corporation. Such long-term care hospitals treat 200,000 patients a year, but rarely have full-time physicians on staff. The New York Times has reported on such tragedies involving patient neglect and over-medication that resulted in death.
New Survey Indicates Major Health Concern Among New York City Residents
(January 27, 2010)
New York City residents who care for an older relative face many difficulties. Partners in Care’s recent survey showed that 55% of respondents replied that they are "very worried" about managing the care of an aging relative. This concern ranks alongside New Yorkers' concern about the direction of the nation's economy over the next few years, with 52% saying they are “very worried.” Ms. Flannery, President of Partners in Care, says this poll “speaks to the universal truth that underneath all of our concerns about money and politics, New Yorkers are deeply concerned about making sure all people live their lives with dignity and respect."
Ageist Health 'Reforms' Can Be Lethal (November 13, 2009)
While the abortion exclusion in the new US House of Representative’s health bill has outraged many young women, it has also angered women 50 and over as the bill plans to also exclude women of this age group. The new proposals which exclude women 50 and over, and include new cuts in Medicare and Medicaid will collectively generate gaps in coverage that can be lethal for women in these two age populations. The exclusivity—known as age rating— will result in higher costs for women, who are more populous in this age group than men, and thus, lower use of health care. In turn, many US women worry what will happen both to the young and old with the possible passage of the new health bill.
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DRUGS/ PHARMACEUTICALS
Reports
Report: Seniors and Drug Prices in Canada and the United States, 2008 Edition (August 2008)
The Fraser Institute’s report compares Canadian and US prescription drug prices. The results show that Canadians pay an average of 101% more for generic drugs yet they pay 57% less for brand name drugs. The report suggests that a lack of competition among retail pharmacies and generic manufacturers may be the cause of high generic drug prices in Canada.
Articles
Medications Found to Cause Long Term Cognitive Impairment of Aging Brain (July 13, 2010)
A recent study revealed that a group of drugs called anticholinergics can affect the brain, causing long-term cognitive impairment. Anticholinergics are widely used in medical therapies and are known under brand names such as Benadryl®, Dramamine®, Excedrin PM®, Nytol®, Sominex®, Tylenol PM®, and Unisom®. Something what seems benign in fact can cause gradual memory loss.
Diabetes Drug Maker Hid Test Data, Files Indicate (July 12, 2010)
A test study by SmithKline Beecham of its own drug, Avandia, confirmed that it carries some risks to the heart. Not only did the company fail to publish the results of the study, it tried to cover up the test results, thus breaking the law. The article examines debates among experts on whether Avandia should remain on the market.
Biggest Pharmaceutical Companies Have
Initiated Mutual Project on Developing Drugs for Alzheimer's Disease (June 11, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
Major pharmaceutical companies in Russia have decided to unite their efforts to develop new drugs for diseases that affect nerve tissues. The decision will allow their extending the database of patients for further research. A common database will help define priorities in further research for new drugs dealing with neurodegenerative diseases.
California Cuts Threaten Latino Seniors' Health, Safety (June 10, 2010)
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) is a California government-sponsored program that supports low-income elders and young people with disabilities. However, the Governor of California has proposed cutting the IHSS program by half due to the State's budget deficit. Experts say that the reduction is more likely to have a reverse effect; it will do even more harm to the budget, thus exacerbating the problem.
Fifth Age
(June 1, 2010)
(Article in French)
American scientists hope to create an antidote to increase life expectancy
by 30 years. According to Professor Nil Barzilai from the Albert Einstein
College of Medicine of New York, some old people have genes that protect
them against cardiovascular diseases and other pathologies. The medicine
would reproduce the effects of those genes to boost life expectancy.
Drug Approved to Fight Osteoporosis (June 1,
2010)
The Food and Drug Administration has approved the sale of Prolia, an osteoporosis drug, to help prevent bone fractures in postmenopausal women. Prolia, administered by injection once every six months, works to decrease the destruction of bone, and increase bone mass and strength, by inhibiting proteins that activate cells and destroy bones.
Over One-Third of American Elderly Abuse Alcohol (May 8, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
More than one-third of US residents, ages 60 years and over, abuse alcoholic beverages. Doing so worsens existing illnesses and
interferes with the effects of prescribed drugs and medications.
Researchers at the University of California made this important discovery.
Anti-Aging Hormones: Little or No Benefit and the Risks are High (April 13, 2010)
Dr. Thomas T. Perls, associate professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine, has criticized the use of anti-aging hormones. In an editorial appearing in the journal
Aging Health, Dr. Perls applauds a recently published American Medical Association assessment of the risks and benefits of growth hormone, testosterone, estrogen and DHEA for anti-aging.
Millions of Older ER Patients Got Wrong Rx
(March 15, 2010)
Many older people treated in US hospital emergency rooms receive one or more potentially inappropriate medications, researchers estimate. A University of Michigan study, published in the journal Academic Emergency Medicine, found nearly 19.5 million older patients, or 16.8 percent of eligible emergency visits from 2000-2006, received one or more potentially inappropriate medications. Pain relievers and antihistamines-- sometimes used as a sedative or anti-allergic--are among the most common drugs used in emergency visits.
Marijuana Use Increasing Among the Elderly (February 22, 2010)
(Article also available in French)
Long a fixture among young people, use of the country's most popular illicit drug is now growing among older people, as the massive generation of baby boomers who came of age in the 1960s and '70s grows older. The number of people aged 50 and older reporting marijuana use in the prior year went up from 1.9 percent to 2.9 percent from 2002 to 2008. Observers expect further increases as 78 million boomers born between 1945 and 1964 age. For many boomers, the drug never held the stigma it did for previous generations when they tried it decades ago. Some have used it ever since, while others are revisiting the habit in retirement, either for recreation or to cope with aches and pains.
Alzheimer's Drug Dimebon Helps Huntington's (February 8, 2010)
There is no cure for Huntington's disease, a highly disabling disorder in which brain cells are damaged. People who inherit the genetic mutation that causes Huntington's have a 100 percent chance of developing the fatal disease. Dimebon, a pill being developed for Alzheimer's disease, helped people with Huntington's disease improve their thinking, learning and memory skills,
US researchers said on Monday.
Vigor Quest (January 17, 2010)
A minority of doctors has begun using hormones as a way to forestall the aging process. Cegenics Medical Institute, with offices in multiple states, develops detailed metabolism-modulating plans that delay aging. The plans include routine injections of a testosterone-stimulating hormone, vitamins, antioxidants, and sometimes even Human Growth Hormone. The effects are dramatic: initially sluggish, overweight middle-aged patients experience noticeable weight loss, lowered body fat, increased energy. However, the practice is still on the fringe of the medical community, as mainstream medicine is wary of the potential risks.
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HEALTHY LIVING
Reports
Sex, Romance, and Relationships: 2009 AARP Survey of Midlife and Older Adults (April 2010)
AARP conducted this survey of sexual attitudes and practices in August 2009. Some 1,670 adults, 45 years and older, responded. This report documents the basic findings from the survey and provides analysis by gender, age, and partner status. AARP has completed three such surveys over the past 10 years on the subject, adding to the small but growing body of research that seeks to describe and present the sexual lives of older persons.
Why Intelligent People Live Longer (April 2010)
Authors of this study followed a large cohort of Wisconsin high school seniors who are now age 18 to 69 years old. They found that survival varies positively with adolescent IQ. Rank in high school accounted completely for the relationship between IQ and survival. In fact, class rank has a much larger effect on survival than IQ. Higher cognitive functioning improves survival by promoting behaviors that boost health status and minimizes exposure to known risks, among other factors.
Policy
Options to Improve Specialized Transportation (April 2010)
Specialized transportation is vital to help people with mobility
limitations live as independently as possible. Authorization of the next
surface transportation law in the US will offer an opportunity to improve
specialized transportation services. This report recommends that
policymakers strengthen coordinated planning, increase support for
mobility management, and improve data collection and reporting on these
services.
Keeping Your Eye on the Process: Body Image, Older Women, and Countertransference (April 2010)
Many academics and others have researched body image among older women during the last decade. However, these researchers have largely overlooked body image and older women and countertransference. Read these seven case examples of racially and ethnically diverse women over 60 years old. The authors treat themes related to loss and grief, adult daughter and aging mother issues, incest, anger, disability, personality disorders, phobic reactions, and shame.
Still Out, Still Aging: The MetLife Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Baby Boomers (March 2010)
What will happen when the LGBT population in the US ages into retirement and beyond? Will it change the face of aging as much as it has changed attitudes about sexual orientation and gender identity? What are the critical concerns, needs, and issues that affect LGBT Boomers as they move beyond middle age? This study, conducted by MetLife, uses interviews with LGBT seniors to answer these questions. Changing family dynamics, misconceptions of long-term care funding, and an increased retirement age are just a few of the developing trends that this study reveals.
News From AoA (March 2010)
The monthly newsletter from the Administration on Aging (AoA) provides readers with a comprehensive look at new developments in issues of aging in the US. The March issue contains an update on a new White House Urban Affairs program, a summary of a new Aging in Place website, and other AoA events coming up.
US Census Facts (March 2, 2010)
In preparation for the Older Americans month in May, the US Census Bureau has released facts on the US aging population. Some of the highlighted information includes the following: 20% of the US population in 2050 will be 65 and older; in 2009, 9.1 million people 65 and older were US veterans; in 2008, 4% of all older people lived in nursing homes.
Interventions to Prevent Disability in Frail Community-Dwelling Older Persons: An Overview (February 2010)
Frail older persons have much higher risk of disabilities, hospitalization,
institutionalization and death, compared with their age-matched non-frail counterparts. In scenarios that predict future health service delivery in the Western world, aging experts see the rapid increase in frail older persons as one of the major health care challenges. The authors provide an overview of many interventions aimed to prevent disability among frail older persons and
summarize promising approaches.
Sex and Mental Health in Old Age (January 2010)
Sexual activity declines in late life but the cause has much to do with illness and social circumstances as with the physiology of aging. Older patients welcome advice on sexual health but because of the delicacy of the matter, physicians need to initiate the conversation and be aware of opportunities for sexual expression as well as limitations. When older people focus on intimacy and affection rather than intercourse and orgasm, they need not retire from sex simply because of advanced age or infirmity. The conspiracy of age and illness need not preclude physical intimacy. Skillful, compassionate practitioners should anticipate the sexual concerns of their older patients.
Outbreaks of 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Among Long-Term-Care
Facility Residents- Three States, 2009 (January 29, 2010)
In the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s weekly newsletter, researchers document three outbreaks of influenza in Colorado, Maine, and New York, in facilities primarily housing older people. In 2009, older persons aged 65 years and older were less likely to be infected with H1N1 relative to other age groups, but outbreaks still occurred in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Administrators of institutions dealing with older persons must take action to prevent such dangerous outbreaks by insisting on vaccination of all LTCF staff members and close surveillance of respiratory illness among patients.
Caregiving in the US: A Focused Look at Those Caring for Someone Age 50 or Older (December 2009)
In a December 2009 report, the National Alliance for Caregiving staff looked at US caregivers who assist people over 50 years of age. The purpose of the analysis was to learn who they are, what they do for the people they assist, and how caregiving affects their lives. The report estimates there are 43.5 million people over 18 years of age, or 19% of all adults, who provide unpaid care for someone who is at least 50 years old. Most caregivers are
female and are an average age of 50 years old. The report also contains an ethnic and demographic breakdown of the caregivers.
Articles
As
Older People Grow in Numbers, Experts Seek Ways to Handle the Coming Boom
(August 10, 2010)
By the year 2050, there will be 90 million Americans over 65. This
phenomenon will be a challenge to provide care for the aging boomers.
Experts suggest the following solutions: train more doctors and nurses to
fill the surging geriatric population’s needs, build senior centers,
provide home treatment for old people, and launch telemedicine.
Antidepressant Use Can Help Treat Major Depression During Perimenopause and Menopause, VCU Study Shows (August 8, 2010)
Statisticians show that depression in the United States is approximately twice as common among women as in men. However, not everyone knows that women may respond to antidepressants differently from men; they may also respond to medication differently at different times in their lives. A new study by Virginia Commonwealth University reviews the effectiveness of an antidepressant specifically for peri- and postmenopausal women with depression.
Brain
Fitness Programs May Help Frail Elderly Walk Faster (August 10, 2010)
A new study by researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine showed that computerized brain fitness programs not only improve memory and ability to focus, but also help the elderly to walk faster. The preliminary evidence offers hope of a better quality of life for old people.
Yoga’s Newest Fans (August 5, 2010)
Retirement communities are increasingly offering yoga classes adapted for older persons. They focus more on breathing practices and awareness and less on movement to accommodate people with different problems such as imbalance or weak legs. Why are yoga classes so popular among old people? Read this article to learn more about the benefits of yoga.
One Way to Judge a Nursing Home (July 27, 2010)
While the baby boom generation ages, the demand for nursing homes and quality care rises. Simultaneously, high turnover in nursing facilities leads to more reliance on medicine and technology, and less on relationships. This article discusses the issues encountered by nurses’ aides and the need of quality care for older persons.
Older
African-Americans and Latinos With Cognitive Impairment Live Longer Than
Whites; Less Likely to be in Nursing Homes (July 12, 2010)
According to a report from the Alzheimer's Association International
Conference on Alzheimer's Disease 2010 in Honolulu, older
African-Americans and Latinos with cognitive impairment live longer than
Whites. Also, they are less likely to reside in nursing homes. The
conference also addressed racial differences in nursing home placement and
mortality.
Friends Help People Live Longer (July 28, 2010)
(Article in Spanish)
Not having friends can be as dangerous to health as smoking or drinking too much, conclude US researchers. Published in the online edition of the journal PLoS Medicin, experts say that isolation harms the health of older persons. Also, people with fewer social relationships die earlier.
Free Eye Care for Older People (July 20, 2010)
Older people have a tendency to dismiss their vision problems for two reasons: lack of pain and co-pay cost. The American Academy of Ophthalmology has been running the Eye Care America program that allows older patients to receive qualified examinations and treatment without out-of-pocket expenses. The doctors accept Medicare or other insurance as payment in full, while uninsured patients aren’t charged at all.
Alzheimer’s Isn’t Up to the Tests (July 19, 2010)
The National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association recently proposed new guidelines for diagnosing Alzheimer disease — PET brain scans and analyses of spinal fluids. The experts expect the new testing procedure to promote early detection of the disease. The article also discusses some pitfalls among the newly adopted testing procedures.
Making Homes Safer for Dementia Patients (July 19, 2010)
The author suggests how to minimize household dangers for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. These valuable tips come from a registered nurse and a case manager who helped seniors in nursing homes.
Why Anti-Aging Science Really Matters (July
15, 2010)
Is it possible to develop anti-aging drugs? In this case “anti-aging” does not mean “reversing aging,” but rather delaying the onset of all age-related diseases by several years. With the opportunity to extend life, there are few downsides to take into
account.
With Crayons, Brushes, an Escape from Alzheimer’s (July 15,
2010)
The joint project of the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Alzheimer's Association offers new opportunities for persons with Alzheimer’s disease. Now they can enjoy an art class that helps them to express emotions and avoid isolation. More details about the project can be found in the article.
Study: Body Shape Affects Memory in Older Women (July 15, 2010)
Extra weight affects memory in everyone, but where fat is located makes a difference. Among women, it's better to have an apple-shaped body than a pear-shaped one. The study results show that risks of memory loss are higher with women who carry excess weight around their
hips.
Vitamin E-rich Diet May Curb Alzheimer’s (July 14, 2010)
Vitamin E has a reputation for keeping the mind sharp in old age. It is found in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, wheat germ and leafy green vegetables. New studies caution not to turn too quickly to vitamin E pills, but to eat combinations of food shown to be rich in the vitamin for more significant protection.
Alzheimer's Experts: Don't Hesitate to Get Paid
Help (July 13, 2010)
Family members avoid seeking paid care for their relatives with Alzheimer’s disease because of costs, guilt and other problems that accompany the disease. Yet, they sometimes wait too long and exhaust their own resources of strength. Experts say that having no outside help can take a toll on caregivers and patients alike.
Rules Seek to Expand Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s (July 13, 2010)
An international Alzheimer’s meeting in Hawaii resulted in new diagnostic guidelines. They include introduction of a new technology--brain scans--able to detect the disease even before memory problems or other related symptoms. Thus, the technology advances the study as it detects the disease before symptoms are visible.
Hot Flashes? Losing Weight May Help (July 12, 2010)
Hot flashes can diminish a woman's quality of life and also increase risks of depression, anxiety and insomnia. One way to deal with the problem is to lose weight. Recent research has shown that women with higher body-mass indexes tend to experience worse hot flashes. However, weight loss cannot guarantee effective results. Some women are desperate for relief. Low doses of prescription medications are sometimes prescribed for them.
Why Men Have Venus Envy (July 6, 2010)
What is the difference in men and women’s postmenopausal state? The author separates the two: while women started talking more openly about the issue, men are just
beginning the journey.
Viagra-popping Seniors Lead the Pack for STDs (July 5, 2010)
It is widely accepted that risks of pregnancies are eliminated over the age of 50. As a consequence, older men are less likely to use condoms due to the false illusion that safe sex practices are not important for elders. Reality shows otherwise: the numbers of older persons with STDs may be lower than those of young people but they show steady growth.
When Older Drivers Excel (June
29, 2010)
It is a common belief that young drivers have quick reaction times; however, a quick response to the road situation is not the single most important safety skill. Another critical skill involves the ability to recognize a potentially hazardous event and avoid it. The article shares the results of a recent study on old people’s driving skills and addresses the issue of careful driving.
Study Shows Age Doesn’t Necessarily Affect Decision-Making (June 29, 2010)
The Department of Psychology of North Carolina State University conducted research on the effect of aging on decision-making process. Researchers challenge the belief that aging leads to poor judgment. Rather, they bring a more detailed-oriented approach to explain differences in memory skills.
Alzheimer's as Seen by a Patient Who is Also a Doctor (June 27, 2010)
A retired physician and emeritus professor of medicine at UCLA diagnosed with Alzheimer’s traces his first signs of the disease. He shares his insights and tips for coping with this difficult and growing disease.
After Stroke, a Poet Hunts for the Language Lost (June 25, 2010)
Marie Ponsot, poet and author of four books, a winner of the National Book Critics Circle and mother of seven children, recently survived a stroke. Here’s her story about adjusting to memory and language loss.
How Many Years Does the Desire for Sex Last? (June 12, 2010)
(Article in Spanish)
Men are sexually active five years longer than women. A age 55, men can expect, on average, to maintain more than 12 years of sexual activity and women about 10.5 years. The key to this long sexual desire is good health. These findings come from a study conducted in the US with 6,000 people published in the British Medical Journal.
Videoconferencing
with Family Members Enriches the Lives of Nursing Home Residents (June 10,
2010)
Editors of The Journal of Clinical Nursing published a new study on how
videoconferencing influences the elder population. Older people who use
Skype or MSN to communicate with their families describe it as a positive
experience. They say videoconferencing offers the second-best option to
family visits.
For Ethnic Elders, Environmental Equality is Elusive (June
3, 2010)
According to experts, living in polluted neighborhoods increases the risk of contracting chronic conditions such as bronchitis and asthma as well as cancer and obtructive pulmonary disease. Old people suffer especially. Now environmentalists and legal experts are trying to protect the next generation of ethnic elders so that they can age more gracefully without leaving their homes.
Brief Exercise Reduces Impact of Stress on Cell Aging, UCSF Study Shows (May 26,
2010)
Vigorous physical activity as brief as 42 minutes over a 3-day period can protect individuals from the effects of stress. Researchers at the University of California in San Francisco discovered that the ramifications of stress reach deep into our cells, affecting telomeres, believed to play a key role in cellular aging and possibly disease development. The study showed that exercising contributes to longer telomeres, which acts as a "stress-buffer,'' and prevents the shortening of telomeres caused by stress.
Happiness May Come
With Age, Study Says (May 31, 2010)
An extensive Gallup poll has found that by almost any measure, people become happier as they age. In measuring the immediate well-being of the study's participants, researchers found that stress declines from age 22 onward and . reaches its lowest point at age 85. A number of studies support the findings but the underlying explanation is yet to be determined.
Suicide a Risk in Retirement, Nursing Communities (May 19, 2010)
Seniors who move into residential homes are often at risk for suicide, yet these communities are ill equipped to deal with these problems, U.S. researchers said. Older adults typically move to residential homes because of failing health, loss of a spouse or financial insecurity, all factors that can raise the risk of suicide.
Florida Health Study: Sexually Active Seniors Particularly Vulnerable to STDs (May 11, 2010)
Experts are beginning to acknowledge a different generation of STD-susceptible individuals: senior citizens. Floridians over the age of 40 reportedly had the “fastest growing rate of Chlamydia cases” in the last decade, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
U.S. Cancer Costs Double in Two Decades (May 10, 2010)
A new study published in the journal Cancer shows that the cost of treating cancer in the United States almost doubled between 1987 and 2005, with private insurers taking on a greater share of the cost.
Folks 45 and Older Enjoy Sexual Liberation, AARP Survey Finds (May 8, 2010)
Here are highlights contained in the new AARP sex survey, "Sex, Romance, and Relationships: AARP Survey of Midlife and Older Adults," based on data gathered in August 2009. The report gives readers a general idea of the quality and frequency of sex of those over 45 years of age. The recession and dismal times are blamed for lower frequency of sex, but older people are, in fact, having sex. The frequency of oral sex has increased. Since older people are fantasizing about sexual situations no less than before, it may be fair to say that desire has not diminished.
Study Finds High Rates of At-Risk
Drinking among Elderly Adults (April 24, 2010)
Researchers at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA have found that more than a third of drinkers 60 years old and older consume excessive amounts of alcohol. These excesses are potentially very harmful in combination with certain diseases or medications. Almost 35% of the study participants were considered at risk because of drinking alone, and about 20% of participants fell into multiple risk categories
No Link Seen Between Stressful
Events, Stroke (April 15, 2010)
It's common for people to attribute a sudden medical problem like a stroke to stress, but a new study found most forms of stressful life events showed no relationship to the risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage, a particularly deadly kind of stroke. In terms of prevention, researchers say, people should focus on avoiding or treating established risk factors for subarachnoid hemorrhage, which include smoking and high blood pressure.
In the Health Bill, a New Focus on Elder Abuse (April 23, 2010)
Under the recently passed health plan, $777 million has been allocated to programs that aim to prevent elder abuse. The state and local adult-protective service programs will have the first dedicated financing stream from the federal government. These agencies investigate reports of abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of elderly and disabled adults, and then insure the safety of those who have been victimized.
Team Discovers New Alzheimer's Risk Gene (April 14, 2010)
People with a common variation in a gene linked with coronary artery disease have nearly double the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease compared with others, according to US researchers. The gene MTHFD1L helps control production of the amino acid homocysteine in the blood. Different variations of the gene have been linked with a higher risk of coronary artery disease.
Questions Raised About Heart Implants Past Age 80 (April 12, 2010)
People of age 80 and older who get a pacemaker or defibrillator are more likely to die in the hospital after the procedure than younger patients, raising questions about the risks of these implants when used in very old people, according to US researchers. Most clinical trials looking at implantable heart devices involve people in their 50s and 60s. However, about a fifth of these implants are used in people over age 80, a group often overlooked in medical studies, the researchers said.
Advocates: At least One Assisted Suicide in Montana (April 9, 2010)
Since a Montana court ruled that assisted suicide wasn't illegal, doctors have helped at least one patient commit suicide. Will the state attorneys prosecute doctors who aided in the assisted suicide. The law remains unclear. Greg Jackson, a criminal defense attorney, says, "Frankly, it is a case-by-case determination and it is very fact specific to the case that would be before the court…Ultimately it falls on the desk of prosecutors to look at the facts of the case and determine if they think an individual should be prosecuted."
Book Review: Final Acts, Death, Dying, and the Choices We Make (April 1, 2010)
In the book Final Acts, Death, Dying, and the Choices We Make, edited by Nan Bauer-Maglin and Donna Perry, the contributors show that in the US, the process of dying is extraordinarily complex. With both functional lessons and emotional stories, Final Acts is a “reality check and a wake up call” that empowers readers to be well informed and prepared to face their own or a loved one's death.
Should Older Men be Screened for Prostate Cancer? (March 31, 2010)
Experts generally recommend against routinely using PSA blood tests to screen older men for prostate cancer. Using a strict age cutoff for when to stop screening may not be the best route either, a new study suggests. Right now, there are conflicting opinions as to when men should stop being screened for prostate cancer using PSA, or prostate-specific antigen tests.
Researchers Design Self-Test For Memory Disorders (March 2010)
Researchers have developed a new self-administered memory tool to help identify individuals with mild thinking and memory impairments at an early stage. Called the Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination (SAGE), research shows that four out of five people (80 percent) with mild thinking and memory (cognitive) issues will be detected by this test, and 95% of people who are normal thinking will have normal SAGE scores.
Down Syndrome Patients Could Unlock Mysteries of Aging (March 22, 2010)
Scientists are currently looking into why people with Down syndrome suffer disproportionately from some health problems, such as Alzheimer's disease, but are spared many others, such as heart attacks, strokes and certain types of cancer. While people with Down’s syndrome tend to shows signs of aging about 20 years earlier than others, scientists are asking questions such as “what protects their hearts?” and “why don't they get cancer?” One researcher says he is grateful to the Down syndrome community for teaching scientists so much.
Feeling Lonely Adds to Rate of Blood Pressure Increase in People 50 Years Old and Older (March 17, 2010)
A new University of Chicago study shows the connection between loneliness and increased blood pressure. The link is independent of age and other conditions that could cause blood pressure to rise, including body-mass index, smoking, alcohol use and demographic differences such as race and income. Like blood pressure, loneliness is sometimes not easy to detect. People who have many friends and a social network can feel lonely if they find their relationships unsatisfying. Conversely, people who live rather solitary lives may not be lonely if their few relationships are meaningful and rewarding.
Giving Researchers a Face for Alzheimer's (March 18, 2010)
A Northwestern University program is bringing neuroscience researchers out of the lab to meet patients
with Alzheimer's disease. The program pairs about a dozen patients with medical students each year for four informal hours a month. They might go to the symphony, take a walk or have coffee. The friendships that are formed from this buddy system humanize what can otherwise be very distant clinical work.
Gay Seniors Come Out Late, Start Second Lifetime (March 15, 2010)
Increased awareness and acceptance of various forms of sexuality has led to people coming out at younger ages, but in the later stages of life as well. People of ages 60, 70 and 80 are coming to terms with the truth that they are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. Those who come out feel inspired by the experience and feel like they have been given a second chance.
Safe in Bed? (March 10, 2010)
Most health care providers and geriatricians know the dangers of bed rails. Nevertheless, some nursing homes and assisted living facilities still use them. Bed rail use has dropped substantially in recent years, in part due to FDA warnings and guidelines, and partially because of lawsuits from family members of those who have been injured or died directly as a result of unsafe bed rails.
'Drowning in Alzheimer's': Minorities Struggle with Dementia (March 9, 2010)
Minorities are more likely to suffer from Alzheimer's disease, a new report from the Alzheimer's Association shows. Socioeconomic disparities can prevent access to health care, early detection, or proper management of other conditions linked to the disease such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Strong beliefs within minority communities claim that only family should take care of older relatives, putting a strain on families when a loved one suffers from Alzheimer's.
In America’s Gyms, More Than a Touch of Gray (March 3, 2010)
Island Fitness, with about 200 members, is a relatively small gym housed in what was once a machine shop. But the 8:30 women’s class and the 9:30 stretching class for older men that follows it are emblematic of a changing dynamic at fitness clubs coast to coast. Call it the graying of the gym: whether they have been prodded by their physicians or spurred by research showing the many benefits of physical activity for older adults, people in their 50s and 60s are joining gyms and jolting the workout culture.
Old Age, From Youth's Narrow Prism (March 2, 2010)
In a poignant article, Marc E. Agronin, M.D., writes of how younger people perceive age, and how we often forget that with older age comes new opportunities, growth, freedom and even love. We lapse into mistaken perceptions of old age and project our own fears concerning death. His experiences as a doctor have shown him that in reality older people accept their own deaths and continue to lead happy, fulfilled lives into old age.
When to Turn in the Car Keys: Newark Beth Israel Medical Center Helps Elders and Children Determine Ability to Drive (March 1, 2010)
The Newark Beth Israel Medical Center has issued guidelines to help older people determine if they need to be screened for driving safety. Beyond the ability to drive safely, the hospital urges people to pay attention to health concerns that underpin a decline in driving ability.
The Aging Brain is Less Quick,
but More Shrewd (March 1, 2010)
As we age, our reaction times slow down and it takes us longer to learn new information. However, research shows that people reach the peak of their complex reasoning skills as they enter middle age. This same research also shows that our brains are elastic, and continue to grow and change through our lives. One example of this growth is older people who successfully learn how to use new technologies, such as Google. Another study also finds that memory improves with increased physical exercise.
Graying Population Strains Senior Services (February 27, 2010)
In Michigan, one county sees how the aging baby boomer population will demand more health care funding than the county is prepared to provide. The senior population will increase by 68% by 2025. The revenue decrease due to the downturned economy will make funding for long-term care a big issue. One question on the table is whether or not local residents will support tax increases to fund public services for older persons.
Epidemic of Dementia in
US (February 26, 2010)
(Article in Arabic)
US researchers warned against the prevalence of dementia among the nation’s older people in epidemic levels after a study revealed that infection rates among them double every five years. According to Maria Corrada, a researcher at the University of California, incidence of dementia increases when men and women live beyond the age of ninety.
Fatty Diet Raises Stroke Risk After Menopause (February 25, 2010)
An author who has written a new study on post-menopausal women says that those who ate the most fat had a 44 percent higher risk of the most common type of stroke compared to those who ate the least amount of fat. The research also found that women who ate the most transfat had a 30 percent higher risk of stroke than others. The new study is the largest to look at stroke risk in women and consider all types of fat. “It's a tremendous increase that is potentially avoidable,” says Dr. Emil
Matarese, stroke chief at St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne, Pa. "What's bad for the heart is bad for the brain."
Vision Problems Linked to Higher Dementia Risk (February 23, 2010)
Older adults with poor vision, particularly untreated vision problems, may have a higher risk of developing dementia than those with better vision, a new study suggests. Researchers found that among 625 older Americans with initially normal cognition, those who said they had poor vision even with corrective lenses were more likely to develop dementia over the next 8.5 years.
Research: How You Think About Your Age May Affect How You Age (February 22, 2010)
A February study from Purdue University shows that how old a person feels has an effect on his/her perception of how they function and believe they will function in the future. The age identity of older adults is significant, although researchers are not sure which comes first: physical wellness or cognitive ability. The report also shows potential connections to age perception and gender.
FDA Says Eisai, Pfizer Alzheimer's Ads Misleading (February 19, 2010)
The FDA says that TV ads overstate Alzheimer's drug results. Two television commercials for Eisai Co. Ltd. and Pfizer Inc.'s Alzheimer's drug Aricept mislead consumers because they suggest the therapy offers a drastic improvement not supported by available data, U.S. regulators said in a letter released on Friday. The Food and Drug Administration, in a letter dated February 3, said the ads depicted patients whose behavior changes dramatically after taking the medication even though results from clinical trials do not support such an improvement.
World: How to Do the Ultimate Aging Study (February 17, 2010)
Longevity is one of the hottest areas of science, but there's a curious hole in the research. Scientifically speaking, the writer claims that no one knows how to measure aging, much less predict reliably how people will respond to time's ravages. After all, aging isn't just chronological. Some people are spry and nimble in their elder years. By middle age, others are afflicted by the diseases of aging: heart disease, diabetes, cancer, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, dementia and stroke.
Ethnic Seniors Grapple with Depression-Alone (February 18, 2010)
Many multicultural seniors suffer from depression. But unlike older whites, ethnic people 50-plus are blocked from treatment by poverty, limited or no insurance, lack of programs geared for them and the stigma of mental problems that permeates many cultures. This stigma of mental despair prevents seniors from reaching out for assistance with their problems. Mental health professionals should be more aware of multicultural perceptions about mental illness; they also need to remain flexible and creative in their work with older persons who may be poor or don't take easily to some established practices of psychotherapy.
Elevator - a Place of Injuries for the Elderly (February 17, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
US retirees are more likely to use the elevator for reaching the upper floors than the stairs or escalator. Therefore, according to Indiana University and Ohio State University, the number of annual injuries involving older persons’ use of elevators has increased.
Should We Be Scared of Senior Drivers? (February 17, 2010)
Should we be scared of senior drivers? Studies show that no, we shouldn't. While we frequently hear of car accidents involving seniors in the news, they are in fact not that common. "Senior drivers don't speed. They don't drink and drive. They wear seat belts. They don't take risks like teenagers," Rader said. "They're not the big threat to other people on the road."
Watch Your Step: Elevator-Related Injuries and Older Adults (February 9, 2010)
A new report from the Indiana University School of Medicine shows that from 1990 to 2006 about 45,000 elevator-related injuries occurred to people 65 years or older. Three-fourths of the accidents involved older women, and over half of the injuries were due to a trip, slip or fall. The researchers recommend simple changes to elevators to help reduce these injuries, such as larger buttons to hold the door open for persons making their way toward the elevator.
As Pot-Smoking,
Pill-Popping Baby Boomers Age, New Health Problems May Arise (February 8,
2010)
As baby boomers age, their past and present drug use may
present new health problems. Researchers who conducted the survey worry
that high rates of lifetime drug use among boomers is likely to create
health complications for millions of aging Americans and swamp the
country's drug-treatment programs. Peter Delany, who directed the recent
study on substance abuse among older Americans, said the toll of unchecked
problems will extend far beyond health effects to financial burdens for
the nation unless health care providers start paying closer attention now.
When She's Ready to Retire, She'll Know (February 6, 2010)
In this article, Dianne Fuller Doherty writes about her career as an adviser to entrepreneurs and how, as an older person, she derives energy and endurance from her job. At an age that is past the traditional retirement age, she writes about how much energy she still has and that she will retire when she is ready. Exercise and a love of her career help her stay healthy, positive and energetic.
Mammograms May be Overused in Women
With Dementia (January 29, 2010)
Some older women with severe cognitive impairment are getting mammography breast cancer screening even though they are unlikely ever to benefit from it, a new study finds. Researchers found that among more than 2,100 US women ages 70 and older, 18 percent of those with advanced cognitive impairment had received a screening mammogram in the past two years.
One-fifth of Nursing Homes Get Poor Ratings (January 28, 2010)
In an analysis of data released from Medicare, USA Today found that one-fifth of the nation's 15,700 nursing homes received poor ratings over the past year. Medicare began the rating system of nursing homes late in the Bush administration. The system is based on quality, staffing and health inspections, as well as an overall score.
Early Menopause Can Result in Earlier Onset Dementia (January 27, 2010)
A new study showing that women who experience menopause at an earlier age could develop dementia at a younger age. The researchers studied women with Down's syndrome who are known to have an early onset of menopause. While the study focused only on these women, the findings apply to the general population. The researchers specifically investigated a gene that plays a large role in the development of Alzheimer's disease. They found “the research results provide substantial information on the relationship between menopause and dementia and the relationship between menopause and death.”
Better With Age? Seniors
Report Spicy Sex Lives (January 27, 2010)
New studies from the University of Chicago show optimistic findings about sex and aging. In a summary of the studies, there is relative similarity of sexual problems across age groups. Within the group that stays sexually active into old age, these people function at relatively the same level as sexually active people who are younger. The research also found that just as healthy sex contributes to good health in younger populations, the same is true for older persons as well.
The Kids Will Be Alright (January 23, 2010)
With the upcoming population boom producing a surge of warnings and pessimism from critics around the world, Joel Kotkin offers an optimistic view of the future, predicting that
US demographic vitality will drive its economic resilience in the coming decades. The
US millennial generation--those who will be in their prime earning years late in the next
decade--will bring an economic resurgence. Some contributing factors to this resurgence will be the dynamism and new businesses coming from the immigrant population and streamlined business plans from more seasoned entrepreneurs. However, this optimistic scenario depends on intelligent and energetic actions by central and local governments, as well as community
organizations.
Summit Aims to Prepare For an Aging Larimer County Population (January 23, 2010)
One Colorado county is preparing for the growing aging population. The Foundation on Aging held a summit to raise awareness about the issues and to start developing strategies to address them; 170 participants from government offices, non-profits, and businesses attended. With the 65+ population of Colorado to triple in size in 2030 to what it was in 2000, the aging population is an extremely pertinent issue. Seeking to “enlist all sectors of the community in our search for solutions,” the Foundation's president emphasized that the goal should be to build livable communities that span all ages.
108-Year-Old Woman Can Still Touch Toes (January 20, 2010)
(Article also available in Arabic)
Catherine Reed, a Washington State woman who lived on her own until she was 107, celebrated her 108th birthday Tuesday. Reed was born in 1902 in St. Louis. She married at the age of 17 and she and her husband ran motels and restaurants in Missouri and New Mexico until his death 30 years ago. Reed can still touch her toes, although she has lost most of her hearing,
Guided Care Participants Rate Quality of Health Care High (January 19, 2010)
A new study published by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health shows that chronically ill older adults who receive “Guided Care” are twice as likely to rate their health care as high quality than those who receive the usual care. Guided Care includes a registered nurse, two to five physicians and the support of staff in the office. The group develops a plan for treatment, and the nurse monitors the patient, takes monthly tests, empowers the patient by informing him/her of the treatment, and ensures that no medical needs fall through the cracks.
Healthy Aging, With Nary a Supplement (January 12, 2010)
In the midst of a recession, people have been buying more dietary supplements with the hope of staying healthy living longer, and avoiding costly medical bills. However, the author highlights that a long and healthy life more likely comes from a well-balanced diet and regular exercise. Eating a balanced diet yields more effective results, with more benefits from nutrients in food, rather than replicating the nutrients in pill form. “Moving for Good Health” is also a critical means to health, with one study showing that
people aged 60-79 years who exercise enjoy increased brain function and better memory. The author tells readers to “…stop making excuses and make regular physical activity an integral part of your life, like eating, sleeping and brushing your teeth.”
Variant of a Gene Related to Longevity Would Protect Against Senility (January 12, 2010)
(Article in French)
Some American researchers have found that a variant of a gene related to longevity could help prevent memory deterioration and avoid dementia among older persons. The research
analyzed the medical data of 523 elderly persons who participated in a 25-year study
about aging. They found that the patients who had two copies of the specific variant of the CETP (cholesteryl ester transfer protein) longevity gene showed a slower decrease of memory and lower risks of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Overmedication in the Nursing Home (January 11, 2010)
A recent study published by researchers at the University of Southern Florida shows that 71% of people in nursing homes are taking psychoactive medication. Most did not take these drugs before entering the homes. Many nursing home residents move into the homes because of psychiatric illnesses, so the use of drugs is to be expected; however, 71% is a higher percentage than what seems reasonable. Lack of resources for nursing home staff may be one reason these drugs are over prescribed. Families must stay educated and informed about the medications their relatives should and should not be taking.
Assisted Living More Accessible to Well-Off: Facilities
Concentrated in Areas With Greater Wealth, Study Finds (January 7, 2010)
Researchers writing for the January Health Affairs have concluded that the average income in areas with more assisted living facilities is about $8,000 higher than in neighborhoods with none. The study, conducted at Harvard Medical School, illuminates the fact that these facilities are not accessible to less wealthy populations. While these facilities may not be suitable for everyone, the author brings to light that even if public funding were available to subsidize assisted living, it would not be easily available to many elderly people. The study also found that college education rates and home value were also higher in areas with a larger concentration of these facilities.
The Hidden Benefits of Exercise (January 5, 2010)
In this article, the author highlights various studies and expert opinions that show how moderate exercise has been proven to protect against certain chronic diseases, boost the immune system and possibly even slow the aging process. Not to be mistaken as simply a way to lose weight, doctors and researchers say that exercise is a powerful method of fighting off disease and colds, even for lean people. Many doctors have begun to prescribe fitness plans as a treatment for certain illnesses. One of these doctors, Dr. Sallis of Kaiser Permanente health insurance, treats patient fitness plans as if they were medications: “If there were a drug with the same benefits as exercise, it would instantly be the standard of care.”
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