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The unusual way a Catholic health system is wielding an abortion protest law

A Catholic hospital system is suing several California patients and their advocates because the patients allegedly refused to be discharged.

15 Nov 2023

Biden administration’s limit on drug industry middlemen backfires, pharmacists say

The Biden administration's first major step toward imposing limits on the pharmacy benefit managers who act as the drug industry's price negotiators is backfiring, pharmacists say.

15 Nov 2023

Who will care for older adults? We’ve plenty of know-how but too few specialists

Thirty-five years ago, Jerry Gurwitz was among the first physicians in the United States to be credentialed as a geriatrician — a doctor who specializes in the care of older adults.

10 Nov 2023

Study offers critical insights into the assessment of orthostatic hypotension among older adults

A new study, "Timing of Orthostatic Hypotension and its Relationship with Falls in Older Adults", has brought critical insights into the assessment of orthostatic hypotension, a drop in blood pressure commonly found among older adults when transitioning from a sitting or lying position to a standing position that can lead to dizziness and falls.

7 Nov 2023

Medicare expands the roster of available mental health professionals

Lynn Cooper was going through an awful time. After losing her job in 2019, she became deeply depressed.

3 Nov 2023

Fluctuations in blood pressure from midlife to end-of-life: Correlation with dementia risk

Researchers assess the link between year-to-year blood pressure variability at different life stages and the risk of developing dementia.

2 Nov 2023

Financial challenges of housing-with-health-services models for low-income older adults

A groundbreaking study published in the journal Research in Aging sheds light on the financial challenges of housing-with-health-services models for low-income older adults.

31 Oct 2023

Spicing up memory: Wasabi found to boost brainpower in seniors

A 12-week study on adults over 60 found that wasabi supplements containing 6-MSITC significantly improved episodic and working memory. While other cognitive domains showed no improvement, the findings suggest that wasabi's anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties may offer new avenues for combating age-related memory decline.

31 Oct 2023

Doubts abound about a new Alzheimer’s blood test

For the first time, people worried about their risk of Alzheimer's disease can go online, order a blood test, and receive results in the privacy of their homes.

26 Oct 2023

Let’s have an honest conversation about what to expect as you age

How many of us have wanted a reliable, evidence-based guide to aging that explains how our bodies and minds change as we grow older and how to adapt to those differences?

20 Oct 2023

Fluctuating blood pressure may be a hidden culprit in dementia risk for seniors

Australian researchers find that fluctuating blood pressure, not just high levels, is associated with an increased risk of dementia and vascular issues in older adults. The study suggests that blood pressure variability could be an early marker for cognitive impairment, opening new avenues for treatment.

17 Oct 2023

RSV in seniors: Less common than COVID-19, but hits harder, CDC study reveals

In a recent CDC's MMWR study, researchers found that while respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections are less common than COVID-19 and influenza in Americans aged 60+ years, they result in much more severe clinical outcomes. This insight supports the CDC's recommendation for RSV vaccination in older adults, emphasizing its potential in preventing severe respiratory disease.

10 Oct 2023

Childhood verbal abuse: Overlooked harm echoing across age groups

Researchers from a study in the journal "Child Abuse & Neglect" systematically reviewed evidence on childhood verbal abuse, advocating for its clear definition and recognition as a distinct form of maltreatment. Their findings highlight the severe psychological, behavioral, and even neurobiological consequences of verbal abuse across all age groups.

9 Oct 2023

McLean Hospital partners with Rippl Care to address mental health needs of seniors with dementia

To address a crisis of unmet mental health needs among seniors with dementia and their family caregivers amid a shortage of mental health providers with expertise treating this population, McLean Hospital, a member of Mass General Brigham, has entered into an agreement to offer strategic advisory services and professional education to Rippl Care.

9 Oct 2023

Social security overpayments draw scrutiny and outrage from members of Congress

Several members of Congress are calling on the Social Security Administration to answer for issuing billions of dollars of payments it says beneficiaries weren't entitled to receive — and then demanding the money back.

29 Sep 2023

New Medicare Advantage plans tailor offerings to Asian Americans, Latinos, and LGBTQ+

As Medicare Advantage continues to gain popularity among seniors, three Southern California companies are pioneering new types of plans that target cultural and ethnic communities with special offerings and native-language practitioners.

28 Sep 2023

As covid infections rise, nursing homes are still waiting for vaccines

"Covid is not pretty in a nursing home," said Deb Wityk, a 70-year-old retired massage therapist who lives in one called Spurgeon Manor, in rural Iowa. She twice contracted the disease and is eager to get the newly approved vaccine because she has chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which weakens her immune system.

27 Sep 2023

What happens to health programs if the federal government shuts down?

For the first time since 2019, congressional gridlock is poised to at least temporarily shut down big parts of the federal government — including many health programs.

27 Sep 2023

Plant-based proteins boost muscle mass and cut fat in older adults

Plant-based proteins are just as effective as animal-based options in maintaining muscle mass and strength in older adults, a new meta-analysis finds. The study shows that plant proteins can even aid in reducing fat mass, offering a sustainable and healthful option for combating age-related muscle decline.

24 Sep 2023

Certain gut microbes may be linked to skeletal health

There is growing evidence that a relative abundance of certain gut microbes may be related to skeletal health, according to a new study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology.

22 Sep 2023