Gerontology News and Research

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Gerontology is the study of the social, psychological and biological aspects of aging.

Experts explore ways to improve safety of care for nursing home residents with dementia

By 2050, the number of people 65 and older with dementia in the United States is expected to nearly triple – from 5 million to more than 13 million – increasing the numbers in assisted living and nursing homes.

16 Aug 2017

Improving mental health treatment could reduce deaths among older adults at risk for suicide

According to the World Health Organization, suicide rates for men over the age of 70 are higher than in any other group of people.

9 Aug 2017

Researchers explore use of potentially inappropriate medications among frail nursing home residents

Medical experts know that older adults who have dementia or other mental health concerns that impact thinking or decision making should avoid certain "potentially inappropriate medications" (PIMs).

9 Aug 2017

New study examines potential Alzheimer's disease prevention strategies

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. It affects more than 5 million Americans.

9 Aug 2017

Identification of risk factors, beginning early interventions can prevent heart failure progression

Heart failure can quickly develop or become worse during a hospital stay, even when it isn't the primary cause for admission.

1 Aug 2017

Mediterranean, MIND-style diets linked to improved cognitive function in older people

Eating foods included in two healthy diets--the Mediterranean or the MIND diet--is linked to a lower risk for memory difficulties in older adults, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

25 Jul 2017

GSA-developed toolkit helps providers achieve earlier detection of cognitive impairment

The Gerontological Society of America is now offering a free online toolkit to aid primary care providers in achieving greater awareness of cognition in their older adult patients, increasing cognitive detection of cognitive impairment, securing earlier diagnostic evaluation, and referring to community services.

24 Jul 2017

West Virginia University research: Telenutrition can help aging adults in rural areas achieve weight loss

In many rural areas, treating chronic diseases related to diet and weight is challenging because of limited access to food and nutrition experts.

21 Jul 2017

Researchers explore how physical exercise affects brain metabolism

Numerous studies have shown that physical exercise seems beneficial in the prevention of cognitive impairment and dementia in old age. Now researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt have explored in one of the first studies worldwide how exercise affects brain metabolism.

21 Jul 2017

These preventive measures might help delay dementia or cognitive decline

In a landmark report, scientists have endorsed three strategies for preventing dementia and cognitive decline associated with normal aging — being physically active, engaging in cognitive training and controlling high blood pressure.

20 Jul 2017

Study to examine how improvisational dance can help people with dementia

Depending on what generation you belong to, the term "improvisational dance" may conjure up images of beatniks grooving to the beat of bongos in a darkened coffeehouse or the black-clad Dieter gyrating to techno pop in a Sprockets sketch on "Saturday Night Live".

14 Jul 2017

Family relations may both benefit and harm mental health of U.S. Chinese older adults

Family relationships may both benefit and harm the mental health among U.S. Chinese older adults, suggested by new studies published in The Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences Volume 72: S1 (2017).

14 Jul 2017

Natural compound found in strawberries may help prevent age-related diseases

Salk scientists have found further evidence that a natural compound in strawberries reduces cognitive deficits and inflammation associated with aging in mice.

11 Jul 2017

Study explores how hospitalized older adults make decisions about choosing skilled nursing facilities

More than 20 percent of all hospitalized older adults who use Medicare will be admitted to a skilled nursing facility following a stay in the hospital.

7 Jul 2017

Study examines how polypharmacy affects walking while talking in older adults

"Polypharmacy" is the term used when someone takes many (usually five or more) different medications. Experts suggest that, for most older adults, taking that many medications may not be medically necessary.

28 Jun 2017

Community-dwelling adults with dementia at risk of potentially fatal antipsychotic usage

Off-label use of antipsychotic medications to treat patients with dementia has reduced dramatically in recent years due to education programs warning of increased risk of death.

27 Jun 2017

Proton pump inhibitors do not increase risk for dementia or Alzheimer's disease

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are medications used to treat digestive problems such as ulcers and reflux disease by reducing the body's production of the acid that helps us digest food.

22 Jun 2017

Could the mTOR pathway be used to protect against cancer?

The mTOR pathway is probably the main pathway in humans and other animals that drives growth. That is, the accumulation of mass and adding mass to make an organism bigger by both making more cells, and making cells grow and become bigger.

22 Jun 2017

Frequent sex linked to higher cognitive function in seniors

According to a new study having sex frequently can boost brain power. The study from Oxford University was published today in The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological and Social Sciences.

22 Jun 2017

New study sheds light on patterns and impact of elder abuse in America

As World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is observed on June 15, new study data from the Chinese community in Chicago is shedding light on the impact of elder abuse in America.

15 Jun 2017

Gerontology News and Research

Experts explore ways to improve safety of care for nursing home residents with dementia

Improving mental health treatment could reduce deaths among older adults at risk for suicide

Researchers explore use of potentially inappropriate medications among frail nursing home residents

New study examines potential Alzheimer's disease prevention strategies

Identification of risk factors, beginning early interventions can prevent heart failure progression

Mediterranean, MIND-style diets linked to improved cognitive function in older people

GSA-developed toolkit helps providers achieve earlier detection of cognitive impairment

West Virginia University research: Telenutrition can help aging adults in rural areas achieve weight loss

Researchers explore how physical exercise affects brain metabolism

These preventive measures might help delay dementia or cognitive decline

Study to examine how improvisational dance can help people with dementia

Family relations may both benefit and harm mental health of U.S. Chinese older adults

Natural compound found in strawberries may help prevent age-related diseases

Study explores how hospitalized older adults make decisions about choosing skilled nursing facilities

Study examines how polypharmacy affects walking while talking in older adults

Community-dwelling adults with dementia at risk of potentially fatal antipsychotic usage

Proton pump inhibitors do not increase risk for dementia or Alzheimer's disease

Could the mTOR pathway be used to protect against cancer?

Frequent sex linked to higher cognitive function in seniors

New study sheds light on patterns and impact of elder abuse in America

Preclinical research using 1 Tesla desktop MRI

Understanding the rise in NTM infections

Counteracting premature aging

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