Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health

Senior Citizens Who Walk Slowly Can Expect Dementia to Catch Up with Them

Series of research reports in recent years have dire predictions for slow walking seniors, including a shorter life

July 25, 2014 – If you are a senior citizen and you walk very slowly, you have some things to worry about. The latest is a report from a study of 27,000 seniors age 60 or older that declares it can predict dementia in the future of those who walk slowly and have cognitive complaints. Another study early this year says slow walking seniors are less happy and have shorter longevity. In fact, a study of seniors in 2011 says how fast they walk is a better gage of how long they will live than trying to do a more complicated analysis of their medical condition and history. More...

Features for Senior Citizens

How Can I Get Health Coverage for My Grandchildren?

When an adult child is out of work, grandparents may need to step up to help the grandchildren

July 25, 2014 – A reader of the Insuring Your Health column has come up with an unusual question, or maybe it is not that unusual. The question is, “How can I get health coverage for my grandchildren?” Michelle Andrews has the answer and it may be one many grandparents need. More...

Senior Citizen Alerts

Coffee-Loving Seniors, Others Warned by FDA to Avoid Powdered Pure Caffeine

FDA says at least one death reported from use of pure caffeine sold in bulk over internet

July 24, 2014 – Say the word caffeine and the heads of senior citizens usually pops up. It makes them think of their favorite drink – coffee. But, this time it is a message from the Food and Drug Administration warning about powdered pure caffeine being marketed directly to consumers. More...

Aging News & Information

Where You Live, Income May Play Significant Roles in Falls by Senior Citizens

Elderly living in lower-income neighborhoods at highest risk of injury on on sidewalks, streets and curbs

July 23, 2014 – A bit of good news for senior citizens about falling is that you are twice as safe from tumbling to the ground when you are walking for recreation or exercise that as you are when you a walking for some necessity – like shopping, or going to an appointment. The not so good news is that it is elderly with lower incomes who are most often walking because they have to. More...

Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health

False Memories May Be Result of Not Getting Enough Sleep

Findings raise questions about reliability of eyewitnesses who may have experienced long periods of restricted or deprived sleep

July 23, 2014 - Numerous recent studies have grabbed the attention of senior citizens with results showing that lack of adequate sleep can cause people – seniors in particular – numerous problems with cognition, memory and even disease. Now the scientist say lack of sleep can even cause us to create false memories. The possible good news for seniors is this study was with college students. More...

Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors

Rosemary and Oregano Herbs May Pack Punch to Stop Type 2 Diabetes

Study reveals diabetes-fighting compounds and that how they are grown makes a difference

July 23, 2014 - The popular culinary herbs oregano and rosemary are packed with healthful compounds, and now lab tests show they could work in much the same way as prescription anti-diabetic medication, scientists report in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. More...

Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health

Potential Found for Cancer Drug as Oral Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease

Previous work with mice found cognition improved, nerve cell loss was reduced when microtubule protein stabilized

July 23, 2014 - Scientists are reporting new progress on a set of compounds initially developed for cancer treatment that shows promise as a potential oral treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Currently, no cure exists for the devastating neurological disease that affects more than 5 million Americans – primarily senior citizens. More...

Senior Citizen Politics

Senior Citizens Leading the Charge for Medical Marijuana in Florida

Vote comes in November for recreational and medical purposes; most say senior citizens will decide the outcome, which could make this the 23^rd state to approve it for medical use

July 22, 2014 - The campaign to legalize marijuana use – especially for medical purposes – is riding the winds of victory that are blowing from the west coast to Florida, where a vote in November seems poised to make its use legal there. What is becoming obvious in the Sunshine State is that senior citizens may be the key to victory, making Florida the twenty-third state, plus the District of Columbia, allowing some form of marijuana use for medical purposes. More...

Features for Senior Citizens

Pew Finds Christians, Jews Rated Higher by Senior Citizens Than by Younger People

New Pew survey looks at how U.S. citizens feel about religious groups, atheists

July 21, 2014 – Senior citizens – citizens age 65 or older – are more likely than younger Americans to view Christian groups and Jews favorably, according to a new survey by Pew Research Center. The survey also found Jews, Catholics and evangelical Christians are viewed warmly by the American public - atheists and Muslims, not so hot. More...

Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health

Fish Oil May Help Protect Alcohol Abusers from Dementia

Up to 90% less inflammation, death in brain cells of drinkers after exposure to omega-3 DHA

July 21, 2014 – Anything that reduces the risk of dementia is of high interest to most senior citizens. New research says one way – at least for those who drink alcohol regularly - is to take omega-3 fish oil. The researchers discovered it will protect against inflammation and neuronal cell death that damages the brain in alcohol abusers and can lead to dementia. More...

Social Security News

Social Security Benefit Verification Available Online but Also in Local Offices

‘We recognize that some members of the public may require in-person assistance and we will have a presence in local communities’

July 17, 2014 – Despite a hard push to encourage seniors and others who need benefit verification letters from the Social Security Administration to obtain them online, the agency today issued a news release confirming that local Social Security offices will continue to provide benefit verification letters. More...

Senior Citizen Alerts

Study of Seniors Shows Niacin Too Dangerous for Routine Cholesterol Therapy

Mainstay drug for many seniors now linked to death risk, dangerous side effects and no benefits in large study of older adults

July 17, 2014 - After 50 years of being a mainstay cholesterol therapy for many seniors, niacin should no longer be prescribed for most patients due to potential increased risk of death, dangerous side effects and no benefit in reducing heart attacks and strokes, writes Northwestern Medicine preventive cardiologist Donald Lloyd-Jones, M.D., in a New England Journal of Medicine editorial. Read more...

Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health - Opinion

Alzheimer's Conference Offers Signs of Hope in Battle Against Mind-Crushing Disease

Below are some of the highlights from the Alzheimer's Association International Conference that are important to every senior citizen

By Tucker Sutherland, editor, SeniorJournal.com

July 16, 2014 – For the first time in the almost-20-years that I have closely followed the battle against Alzheimer’s disease, I am encouraged about our odds. As the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference for this year wraps up in Copenhagen, the researchers and other experts who made presentations convinced me we are finally getting our arms around this cruel killer, and have a chance to - someday - bring it under control. Below are the highlights and every senior citizen, the primary victims of the disease, needs to read them. More...

Health and Medicine for Seniors

Diabetics with Heart Disease Can Live Longer by Taking Statins Says Researcher

Patients taking statins at beginning of study had a 50% increase of being alive as compared to those who didn’t

July 16, 2014 – Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death and disability among people with Type 2 diabetes. In fact, at least 65 percent of people with diabetes die from some form of heart disease or stroke, according to the American Heart Association. The good news is that it appears they may add years to their lives by taking statins. More...

Health and Medicine for Seniors

One Injection Stops Diabetes in Its Tracks Report Salk Scientists

FGF1 treatment reverses symptoms of type 2 diabetes in mice without side effects

July 16, 2014 - In mice with diet-induced diabetes - the equivalent of type 2 diabetes in humans - a single injection of the protein FGF1 is enough to restore blood sugar levels to a healthy range for more than two days. The discovery by Salk scientists, published today in the journal Nature, could lead to a new generation of safer, more effective diabetes drugs. More...

Senior Citizen Alerts

Scams Targeting Grandparents Get Attention from Senate Committee on Aging

Goal today is to identify solutions to help authorities better detect and prosecute such crimes, and encourage retailers, phone companies to help protect consumers

July 16, 2014 – The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging will hold a hearing today at 1:30 p.m. to seek solutions to the increase in scams targeting grandparents. Sens. Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Susan Collins (R-ME), the committee’s chairman and ranking member, called for the hearing after receiving complaints from victims through the committee’s fraud hotline. More...

Caregiver & Elder Care News

Ten Questions About End-of-Life Care to Ask Your Aging Parents

May seem downright frightening, but it is important to know your parents' preferences at the end of life; may also be questions for discussion with a spouse

By Amy Tucci, President, CEO, Hospice Foundation of America

July 15, 2014 - If you have aging parents, now is the time to discuss what's important to them as they near the end of their lives. Too many adult children wait to have end-of-life conversations when their parents are dying or in the midst of a crisis. More...

Medicare & Medicaid News

HHS Funds to Enhance Ability of States to Improve Medicaid Reform

HHS also announces $11 Million to integrate HIV services in Community Health Centers

July 15, 2014 - A new collaboration with states to improve care for Medicaid beneficiaries by accelerating efforts in reforming their health care systems to improve health and care, while also reducing costs, was announced yesterday by Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell, who called the program “innovative.” More...

Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health

Exciting Glimmer of Hope in Fight Against Alzheimer’s in U.S. but World Epidemic Grows

New data on fewer new cases in U.S. and other developed nations suggests possibility of prevention and risk reduction; reports from Alzheimer’s Association International Conference

July 15, 2014 – Older Americans have become accustomed to assuming that Alzheimer’s disease in becoming more common among senior citizens and is destined to increase rapidly due to the increased incidence rate and the explosion in longevity. New reports today at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2014 suggest the possibility of reducing risk and maybe even preventing the disease most feared by most seniors. Some of the best news was found in studies from the United States.

Caregiver & Elder Care News

Patients Moving from Hospital to Hospice Often Prescribed Questionable Antibiotics

About 27% of hospice patients still taking antibiotics for infection in the final week of their life

July 14, 2014 - New research suggests that use of antibiotics is still prevalent among terminal patients who have chosen hospice care as an end-of-life option, despite little evidence that the medications improve symptoms or quality of life, and sometimes may cause unwanted side effects. More...

Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health

Seniors Almost Twice as Likely to Have Memories Affected By Environmental Distraction

‘Almost any type of memory test administered reveals a decline in memory from the age of 25 on’

July 14, 2014 - Seniors are nearly twice as likely as younger people to have their memory and cognitive processes impaired by environmental distractions (such as irrelevant speech or written words presented along with target stimuli), according to a new study from psychologists at Rice University and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. More...

Health and Medicine for Seniors

Stroke Risk in Seniors, Middle-Age Adults Jumps with Stress, Hostility, Depression

Psychological characteristics equally important to cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking other traditional risk factors

July 11, 2014 - Higher levels of stress, hostility and depressive symptoms are associated with significantly increased risk of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in middle-age adults and seniors, according to new research in the American Heart Association journal Stroke. Interestingly, anger was not seen to cause a significant increase in stroke risk. More...

Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors

Alcohol Drinking Gets a Couple of Bad Reviews and Seniors Should Know Limits

Many U.S. senior citizens consume low to moderate amounts of alcohol on a regular basis but need to be aware of special warnings for seniors by National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

July 10, 2014 – For a while now alcohol has had a good run with research studies declaring it a safe or even beneficial drink when it comes to major health threats like heart problems and cancer. Two reports this week seem to be pointing in the opposite direction. One says even light-to-moderate drinkers can lower their risk of heart disease, their body mass index and their blood pressure by cutting back on alcohol consumption. And, a doctors’ organization this week put alcohol on its list of things to avoid to reduce your cancer risk. More...