Gerontology News and Research

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

Combination of metformin and rapamycin shows potential in treating aging and related diseases

A proven approach to slow the aging process is dietary restriction, but new research in the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University helps explain the action of a drug that appears to mimic that process - rapamycin.

21 May 2014

Researchers examine how basic biology of aging drives chronic disease

A new collection of articles appearing in The Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences examine how the basic biology of aging drives chronic disease.

16 May 2014

CarePond launches free, secure online community for informal caregivers

CarePond, Inc. today launched its new website CarePond.com – the first free and secure online community for informal caregivers – any spouse, partner, family member, friend, or neighbor taking care of an aging, ill, or disabled loved one.

15 May 2014

TransCare Partners to extend use of Transitional Care Model to reduce hospital re-admissions

The University of Pennsylvania Upstart Program announces TransCare Partners LLC to broaden the use of the Transitional Care Model developed at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. The Model, developed over 20 years by Dr Mary Naylor, has been clinically proven to reduce hospital re- admissions by up to 30% while producing substantial savings for hospitals and Medicare.

30 Apr 2014

Study finds that Medicare patients with dementia more likely to be readmitted within 30 days

A review of more than 25,000 admissions of Medicare beneficiaries to Rhode Island hospitals has found that patients with a documented diagnosis of dementia are nearly 20 percent more likely to be readmitted within 30 days than those without dementia.

30 Apr 2014

Leisure-time physical activity in midlife decreases risk of mobility limitation in old age

Strenuous occupational physical activity in midlife increases the risk of mobility limitation in old age, whereas leisure-time physical activity decreases the risk. This is found in a study which followed up 5,200 public sector employees for 28 years. The study was conducted at the Gerontology Research Center in Finland and the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.

26 Apr 2014

Research roundup: Structural concerns in ACOs; public's view of mandated contraception coverage

The Medicare Accountable Care Organization (ACO) programs reward participating health care provider groups that achieve slower spending growth and high quality of care.

26 Apr 2014

Listening to religious music decreases anxiety about death among older Christians

A new article published online in The Gerontologist reports that among older Christians, listening to religious music is associated with a decrease in anxiety about death and increases in life satisfaction, self-esteem, and sense of control over their lives. In particular, listening to gospel music is associated with a decrease in anxiety about death and an increase in sense of control.

19 Apr 2014

Research: Spending time online has potential to ward off depression among retirees

Spending time online has the potential to ward off depression among retirees, particularly among those who live alone, according to research published online in The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences.

18 Apr 2014

New set of criteria for diagnosing sarcopenia in older adults

Sarcopenia - the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength - may put up to 50 percent of seniors at greater risk for disability, yet there is no consensus within the medical community for how this condition should be measured.

16 Apr 2014

Life-space mobility reflects physical function and sense of autonomy in older adults

Physical function and sense of autonomy are independent determinants of life-space mobility in older people. This was found in a study conducted at the Gerontology Research Center of the University of Jyv-skyl-. In this project, 848 older men and women that lived independently in the Jyv-skyl- region in Central Finland were interviewed at their own home.

10 Apr 2014

Physical function, sense of autonomy are independent determinants of life-space mobility in older people

Physical function and sense of autonomy are independent determinants of life-space mobility in older people. This was found in a study conducted at the Gerontology Research Center of the University of Jyväskylä. In this project, 848 older men and women that lived independently in the Jyväskylä region in Central Finland were interviewed at their own home.

9 Apr 2014

President of Ukrainian Osteoporosis Association wins CNS Medal for contribution to cause of osteoporosis prevention

Today, Dr Vladyslav Povoroznyuk, President of the Ukrainian Osteoporosis Association, was awarded the first Committee of National Societies (CNS) Medal. The CNS Medal recognizes an individual CNS representative who has made an important contribution to the cause of osteoporosis prevention through active participation in CNS activities and by expanding IOF's messages and outreach in his/her country.

7 Apr 2014

Religion and spirituality have distinct but complementary influences on health

Religion and spirituality have distinct but complementary influences on health, new research from Oregon State University indicates.

29 Mar 2014

A diet rich in animal protein may protect against age-related decline

Elderly individuals who consume higher levels of animal protein may be reducing their risk of physical, social and intellectual decline in the future, show study findings.

13 Mar 2014

Eating high-protein diet in middle age is as deadly as smoking

That chicken wing you're eating could be as deadly as a cigarette. In a new study that tracked a large sample of adults for nearly two decades, researchers have found that eating a diet rich in animal proteins during middle age makes you four times more likely to die of cancer than someone with a low-protein diet - a mortality risk factor comparable to smoking.

5 Mar 2014

Research roundup: Medicaid peer support; doctor Jokes; ACA's asset rules for coverage

Since 2009, the eight states (Alabama, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin) participating in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Maximizing Enrollment program have worked to streamline and simplify enrollment systems, policies, and processes for children and those eligible for coverage in 2014. ... States [focused] on five key areas: 1) applications, 2) eligibility determinations, 3) renewals and transfers, 4) notices, and 5) business processes.

3 Mar 2014

Twin brains reveal similar progressions of neuropathological changes

Despite widespread use of a single term, Alzheimer's disease is actually a diverse collection of diseases, symptoms and pathological changes.

3 Mar 2014

Study investigates associations between self-rated physical fitness and dementia risk

How would you rate your own physical fitness? Is it good, satisfactory or maybe even poor? Surprisingly, your answer may reveal your future risk of getting dementia.

26 Feb 2014

Health effects of childhood obesity may be long-lasting and profound

Childhood obesity rates have nearly tripled in the previous 30 years and researchers are asking the important question of how this epidemic will impact the future health of these obese children and public health in general. A University of Colorado Cancer Center article recently published in the journal Gerontology shows that even in cases in which obese children later lose weight, the health effects of childhood obesity may be long-lasting and profound.

14 Feb 2014