|
|
|
Aging News on
Senior Journal
Today's Aging News and
Information for Senior Citizens & Baby Boomers
Aging News & Information
Americans Become Happier With Age Says Second Study
Challenging Senior Stereotypes
Baby boomers are not as content as other generations
 April
21, 2008 - Although some senior citizens may be as surprised as younger
people, researchers continue to find that older people are happy,
despite the aches, pains and other challenges of aging. Americans
actually become happier as they age, says the latest study, which
follows a study finding seniors more socially active than younger people
(see sidebar).
Read
more...
Senior Citizens Are More Socially Engaged Than Many
People May Think
Seniors more likely to volunteer, visit neighbors
than people in their 50s
 April
16, 2008 - Most people think that people become more socially isolated
as they reach into their senior years and beyond. That is just not true,
say researchers at the University of Chicago. Their study finds them
remaining vital and active members of society. Many in their 80s are
more active than when they were 50.
Read more...
Smart Features for Mature Drivers Introduced by AAA
at NY Auto Show
Read about CarFit
in story |
Research finds features to improve safety, comfort of
senior citizens – booming driver market: AAA starts senior driver Web
page
March 25, 2008 – AAA’s Smart Features for Mature
Drivers, introduced last week at the New York International Auto Show,
identifies vehicle features that can assist drivers with visual,
physical and mental changes that are frequently encountered as they age.
The AAA project was a partnership with the University of Florida’s
National Older Driver Research and Training Center (NODRTC).
Read more...
Senior Citizens Having Problems with Balance,
Walking Can Blame Their Brain
People with severe white matter changes were twice
as likely to score poorly on the walking and balance tests
 March 17, 2008 - New research shows how well people
get around and keep their balance in old age is linked to the severity
of changes happening in their brains. White matter changes, also called
leukoaraiosis, are frequently seen in older people and differ in
severity.
Read more...
Snoring Linked to Cardiovascular Disease,
Hypertension and Stroke
Study says odds of heart attack are 34% higher,
hypertension up 40%, stroke 60%
March 3, 2008 - Loud snoring with breathing pauses
is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and
increased health care utilization, according to a study published in the
March 1 issue of the journal SLEEP. Snoring, a problem that increases
with age, is common among senior citizens.
Read more...
Harvard Wants America to Sleep Better and
Contributes New Interactive Website
‘Health Sleep’ aimed at helping people better
understand sleep
 Feb.
27, 2008 – A topic that always gets high readership among senior
citizens reading SeniorJournal.com is sleep. It sometimes seems that a
better nights rest is a universal quest among older people. Now, even
the Harvard Medical School is trying to help with a new Website aimed at
helping people better understand sleep. Although it addresses sleep
problems at all ages, there are special reports and videos just for
older people. Read
more...
Long Life Mostly Determined by Choices We Make as
Senior Citizens, Study Finds
People living passed 100 even with chronic diseases
they battle for many years
 Feb. 11, 2008 – Only about a fourth of the
variations that determine how long we live can be blamed on genetics.
The other 75 percent appear to be associated with risk factors we can
control. For example, a new study says lifestyle choices by men in the
early elderly years – including weight control, regular exercise and not
smoking – go a long way in determining those that will live to reach age
90. Read more...
As We Age We See Spouses as More Irritating and
Demanding Until Old Age
Senior citizens have least negative relationships
with spouses, children and friends
Feb. 6, 2008 - While our relationships with
children and best friends tend to become less negative as we age, we’re
more likely to see our spouses as irritating and demanding. But once we
become senior citizens we seem to mellow out and all relationships
improve. Read more...
Three New Studies Focus on Problems in Sleeping for
Senior Citizens
Respiratory disturbances, periodic leg movement with
cognitive impairment, and benefits of daytime nap are explored
Feb. 1, 2008 - Sleep problems seem to be a common
discussion topic among senior citizens and three articles published in
today’s issue of the journal SLEEP speak to seniors. One finds
respiratory sleep disturbances increase dramatically with age. Another
says a higher periodic leg movement index (PLMI) predicted less sleep at
night in older people with cognitive impairment and sleep disturbance.
The third found a brief bout of non-REM sleep
during a daytime nap clearly benefits a person’s memory performance.
Read more...
Life’s Pattern Leads to Depression at Middle Age but
Back to Happiness as Senior Citizens
 Researchers find that middle-aged misery spans the
globe, not sure why elderly are happy
Jan. 29, 2008 - We start out pretty happy with life
and then sink into depression at middle age. But, say researchers who
looked at data on 2 million people, we bounce back and are happy again
as senior citizens.
Read more....
Study Raises Questions About How Much Alcohol Senior Citizens Can Drink
Older people should not drink a holiday toast to this
U.K. study
By Tucker Sutherland, editor
Dec.
19, 2007 – A study was released yesterday saying there is no need for senior
citizens to worry about drinking as much alcohol as younger people during
the holidays. It says regular moderate drinking poses no additional risks
for those over 65 and "may even bring health benefits." Before seniors drink
a toast to that news, however, they do need to consider why it is that
seniors are advised to be more moderate in their drinking.
Read more...
Never Too Late for Elderly to Improve Their Health,
Stop Major Diseases
‘Many elderly people feel that it is too late for
them to improve their health, but that is simply not true.’
 Dec. 14, 2007 – The author of a new study of
scientific data about senior citizens claims he has an important message
for the elderly: It's not too late to improve your health through diet
and exercise, even if you've had an unhealthy lifestyle in the past!
Read more...
Reducing or Increasing Sleep Leads to More Deaths
from Different Causes
Sleep Medicine group offers tips on how to get a
good night’s sleep
Dec. 3, 2007 – Reducing sleep for certain people
can lead to increased risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, but,
increasing sleep for others can increase their risk of dying from
non-cardiovascular problems. What adults need, say these researchers, is
consistently sleeping seven or eight hours per night, which is a
challenge for many senior citizens.
Read more...
Ohio Scientists Pushing Blue-Blocking Glasses,
Lights to Improve Sleep
Website says if glasses don't improve sleep, return
them within 30 days and money will be refunded
By Tucker Sutherland, editor
Nov. 13, 2007 – As for many other senior citizens,
reports about improving the ability to sleep grabs my attention.
Researchers at the Lighting Innovations Institute at John Carroll
University say they have developed eye glasses and other lights that
manipulate a person's circadian rhythm, which can improve sleep patterns
among people who have difficulty falling asleep. Circadian rhythm is the
24-hour internal clock determining the sleeping and feeding patterns of
all animals, including human beings.
Read more...
Evidence Mounts that Low Testosterone Increases
Death Risk for Older Men
Studies rate death risk from 33 to 80% higher than
for normal levels
Oct. 25, 2007 – Several recent studies are making
it abundantly clear that a low testosterone level in older men increases
their risk of death. A study published this month says men 50 or older
with the lowest testosterone had a 40 percent higher death rate over 18
years. Another, published in August of last year, found men over 40 had
an 88 percent increase in death risk over eight years.
Read more...
Dental Implants for Replacing Natural Teeth
Attracting More Senior Citizens
Loss of natural teeth is the final sign for many
that age has caught up
Oct. 24, 2007 - These days they say 60 is the new
40, but some senior citizens are not sure their teeth have heard this
news. The Center for Disease Control & Prevention says 26% of senior
citizens over 65 have lost all of their teeth. The salvation, for years,
was dentures. Today, however, many senior citizens are turning to dental
implants, according to Dr. Michael Tischler, a national authority on the
new technologies for dental implants and bone grafting.
Read more...
Genes Identified that Both Extend Life and Protect
Against Cancer
A person is 100 times more likely to get cancer at
age 65 than at age 35
Oct. 16, 2007 - A person is 100 times more likely
to get cancer at age 65 than at age 35. But new research reported
yesterday in the journal “Nature Genetics” identifies naturally
occurring processes that allow many genes to both slow aging and protect
against cancer in the much-studied C. elegans roundworm.
Read more...
Premature Aging Just Tip Iceberg in Worldwide Study
to Stop Free Radicals
Researchers to follow ‘smoking gun’ trail of
devastation caused to the body
Oct. 10, 2007- A worldwide network of researchers
will soon begin a study into the “smoking gun” trail of devastation
caused to the body by substances known as “free radicals.” Premature
aging is a major result of these chemicals but they are also a major
culprit in cancer.
Read more...
Risk of Death Doubles from Too Little
or Too Much
Sleep Says British Study
NIH says senior citizens should know sleep problems
not a normal part of aging
Sept. 24, 2007 – Most senior citizens seem to
wrestle with sleep problems at one time or another. But getting it right
– the right number of hours of sleep – is critically important,
according to a new study that says your risk of death from
cardiovascular disease more than doubles if you don’t get enough sleep,
of if you sleep too much.
Read more...
Hebrew Student to Patent Antioxidant Method to Retard Skin Wrinkles
Doctoral candidate sees a new generation of cosmetic
products
 Aug.
30, 2007 – A doctoral candidate at Hebrew University envisions a new
generation of cosmetic products from her discovery of a new method to stop
skin wrinkles. It not only combats wrinkles, it is more effective against
deeper levels of wrinkles than current products, she says. But, she is not
telling the plant source she used to develop the antioxidants, since here
commercial patent is pending.
Read more...
Aging Discovery May Lead to Drug to Protect People
from Disease-Causing Genes
Einstein researchers say bad genes buffered by
longevity genes
Aug. 27, 2007 – Some day, maybe, you can take a
pill that mimics a special "longevity gene" and live to more than 100.
That's the vision of researchers who have found that people who do live
to be 100 have unique genes that protect them from the harmful effects
of bad genes that carry disease.
Read more...
Senior Citizens Toss and Turn with Many Sleep
Problems that Come with Aging
Many older people may not be getting enough sleep
for healthy aging
Aug. 14, 2007 – As people age they seem to
encounter a new challenge almost weekly, but one of the most common, and
troublesome, is an unfavorable change in sleep patterns. Experts say
senior citizens need seven to eight hours of sleep each night for health
aging, but it is difficult for many who face a number of sleep problems
– not the least of which is the ability to fall asleep.
Read more...
Geriatric Conditions
May Hinder Half of All Senior
Citizens in Daily Activities
Same level of dependency as older patients with chronic diseases
Aug. 8, 2007 - A new study says half of America’s
senior citizens – those age 65 and older – have one or more conditions
that can hinder their ability to perform activities of daily living,
such as bathing and dressing.
Read more...
Theory of Aging Facial Fat Gets a Facelift from New
Research
Fat spots on face age at different rates, say medical
researchers
Aug. 6, 2007 – The longstanding idea that the
entire human face ages uniformly is in need of a facelift, say
researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center who have found that
multiple, distinct compartments of fat in the face age at different
rates. Read more...
Researchers Find Older Folks Don't Get the Joke
Take my grandmother, please
By Jennie Iverson
Aug. 1, 2007 -- It's no laughing matter that older
adults have a tougher time understanding basic jokes than do younger
adults. A new study says humor comprehension in senior citizens
functions in a different fashion than humor comprehension in younger
adults. Read
more...
As Millions Become Centenarians Interest Sparks in
Their Health Care
Study finds few hip and knee replacements in patients
over 100
Aug. 1, 2007 – It is astounding, but the Department
of Census projects there could be over four million Americans reaching
age 100 or more by 2050. This growing number of centenarians has sparked
new research into health care for these elderly. A new study, for
example, looks at hip and knee replacement performed on centenarians.
Read more...
Kicking Spouse in Bed at Night Can Now Be Blamed on
Your Genes
Gene found responsible for Restless Legs
Syndrome affecting 10% of senior citizens
July 19, 2007 – When your spouse complains about
you kicking your legs in the middle of the night, you can now blame it
on your genes. An international team of researchers has identified the
first gene associated with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), a common sleep
disorder affecting tens of millions of people worldwide. It is more
common in older people and up to ten percent of senior citizens are
affected.
Read more...
Senior Citizens Not As Dangerous Behind the Wheel as
Youngest Drivers
Not much more likely to cause auto accidents than
baby boomers
July 19, 2007 – Most adults are quick to criticize
older drivers as being “dangerous” behind the wheel, but a new study
finds that facts do not support this assumption. Senior citizens (65 and
older) are just one-third as likely as drivers 18 to 25 to cause auto
accidents, and not much more likely than drivers 26 to 64, which
includes the baby boomers, to cause accidents, according to a RAND
Corporation study issued yesterday.
Read more...
Four Simple Lifestyle Habits Extend Life, Lower
Heart Risk for Older People
Study included people up to 65 but probably
works for senior citizens, too
June
28, 2007 – It is probably easier than most people think to lower the
risk of heart problems and add years to their lives. A new study finds
that just four simple healthy behaviors can do the trick and it works
even if one starts late in life. Although this study only included
people from age 45 through 64, there seems to be no reason not to assume
it would also work for senior citizens.
Read more...
Hardest-of-Hearing Senior Citizens May Some Day Hear
with Auditory Nerve Implant
Appears to offer superior alternative to cochlear
implants in U-M animal study
June 18, 2007 – Hearing loss is one of the most
common ailments suffered by senior citizens – almost half of those over
75 have hearing loss. Hearing aids help many and, for severe cases, the
cochlear implants provide a partial solution. Now, however, scientists
have shown in animals that it’s possible to implant a tiny, ultra-thin
electrode array in the auditory nerve that can successfully transmit a
wide range of sounds to the brain.
Read more...
Elder Care News
Sleep Problems Among the Elderly Linked to Suicide
Risk
Many older adults get less sleep than needed due to
trouble falling asleep
June 14, 2007 - Self-reported sleep complaints
among the elderly serve as a risk factor for completed suicide,
according to a research abstract that focused on data that were
collected among 14,456 community elders over a 10-year period. It will
be presented Thursday at SLEEP 2007, the 21st Annual Meeting of the
Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).
Read more...
Brain Exercise for Senior Citizens Does Seem to
Work, Says Study
Teaches brain to filter sounds, heighten visual focus
June
7, 2007 - Can a fitness program for your brain improve thinking and
concentration the way lifting weights can increase muscle strength? From
crossword puzzles to computer games, there are a growing number of
options promoting brain exercise as a method to keep your mind young.
Initial results of a study, funded by the National Institute on Aging,
indicates these exercises do teach the aging brain to filter out
distracting sounds and increase visual focus.
Read more...
Male Mice Get Longevity Boost from Compound Found in
Creosote Bush
Male mice fed anti-inflammatory
substance may live longer
June 5, 2007 - Aspirin didn’t pan out. Neither did
two other potential anti-aging agents. But a synthetic derivative of a
pungent desert shrub is now a front- runner in ongoing animal
experiments to find out if certain chemicals, known to inhibit
inflammation, cancer and other destructive processes, can boost the odds
of living longer. Read
more...
Retinol Lotions Reduce Fine Wrinkles from Natural
Aging of Skin, Scientists Find
Senior citizens can rub it anywhere, and it will
help to treat the signs of aging
May
22, 2007 - Lotions containing retinol improve the appearance of skin
that has become wrinkled through the normal aging process, not just skin
that has been damaged by exposure to the sun, according to a new study
from the University of Michigan Health System published in the May issue
of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Read more...
Senior Citizens Accustomed to Sore Feet May Overlook
Foot Fracture
Pain on outside of foot can indicate broken bone
needing treatment
May
17, 2007 – It has been said that if there is anything certain about old
age, it is sore feet. Raymond Rapier, 70-year-old retiree, wasn't like a
lot of people accustomed to sore feet. He knew his foot was broken.
"Darn right it hurt," he said, ranking the pain an 11 on a scale of one
to 10, comparing it to smacking your thumb with a hammer. But not all
foot fractures are as painful as Raymond’s.
Read more...
Changes in Personality in Senior Citizens Can Signal
a Problem
Mayo Clinic has suggestions on what seniors or
caregivers can do
May 11, 2007 - For better or worse, people have
certain personality traits — they can be outgoing, shy, demanding,
boisterous, guarded and the list goes on. Past adolescence, personality
traits usually don’t change much throughout adulthood. But in older
adults, personality problems can suddenly emerge.
Read more...
Older People Who Go to Bed Lonely Get Stress Hormone
Boost Next Morning
Cortisol says it’s time to rev up to deal with
loneliness, other negative experiences
May 3, 2007 - A rare look at the physiological,
social and emotional dynamics of day-to-day experiences in real-life
settings shows that when older adults go to bed lonely, sad or
overwhelmed, they have elevated levels of cortisol - a stress hormone
linked to depression, obesity and other health problems - shortly after
waking the next morning.
Read more...
Senior Citizens May Make Best Decisions Relying on
Emotions, Experiences
Medicare, driving, retirement and medical
treatments can be a pain on the brain
April 26, 2007 - In some decisions, thinking harder
about unfamiliar information will produce the best decisions, but older
adults are likely to fare less well, says Ellen Peters, courtesy
professor of psychology at the University of Oregon and senior research
scientist with Decision Research. But in other situations, she said,
people make better choices when they rely on emotions and past
experiences, and older adults may excel in this condition.
Read more...
Senior Citizens Experience Rapid Muscle
Deterioration with Extended Bed Rest
Cause attributed to decrease in muscle cells’
ability to make protein
April 25, 2007 - Extended bed rest – often
necessary during hospitalization – leads to a substantial amount of
muscle deterioration in older adults, according to a new study. The
muscle loss for these senior citizens in the test was greater in 10 days
than for younger adults over a 28-day period in an earlier test.
Read more...
Aging Committee Leaders Release Older Driver Report
Calling for States to Share Information
Older drivers more likely than other age groups to
suffer injuries or die in car crashes
April
19, 2007 – Many states are taking actions aimed at making roadways
easier for older drivers to navigate but there has been limited sharing
of information on what is working or not. A new recommendation written
at the request of both party leaders on the U.S. Senate Special
Committee on Aging calls for federal agencies to implement a mechanism
for states to share this information.
Read more...
Women Face Much Different Challenges than Men in
Aging Process
New trends analysis aims to enable more effective
health care
April 17, 2007 – “Older women live longer, develop
different chronic conditions, and experience a higher prevalence of
functional limitations than older men,” says Kristen Robinson, Ph.D., in
the introduction to her new report published by the National Center for
Health Statistics – “Trends in Health Status and Health Care Use Among
Older Women.” Read
more...
Pain Free Feet is Wish of Most Senior Citizens for
Foot Health Month
Ways to avoid the pain from aging feet; right shoes
may be key
April 12, 2007 – When it comes to physical problems
for senior citizens, there are probably none more common than those
involving their feet. A study found that 87% of older adults have at
least one foot problem. April is Foot Health Awareness Month and a good
time for senior citizens to learn more about how aging can create foot
problems and some of the things seniors can do to avoid them.
Read more...including
tips on buying the right shoes, keeping feet healthy
Sleep Disruption Linked to Increased Cardiovascular
Risk
Certain sleep disruptions
such as obstructive sleep apnea known to convey extensive cardiovascular
risk
March 30, 2007 – Senior citizens – the most likely
to have sleep problems – should be aware that sleep disruption in
seemingly healthy younger adults in a new study has been associated with
increased clotting of the blood, which has been shown to predict heart
disease. Read
more...
Senior Citizens Lead Hospitalizations for Serious
Head Injury
Type 1 brain injuries increase 38% from 2001 to2004
March 23, 2007 - Senior citizens led hospital
admissions for the most serious category of head injury – Type 1
traumatic brain injury, which increased for all ages nearly 38 percent
between 2001 and 2004 after a decade of decline, according to the latest
News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Read more....
Senior Citizen Smokers Have More Skin Wrinkling
Where the Sun Don’t Shine
Cigarettes smoked, years of smoking
correlated with degree of skin aging
March 19, 2007 – Senior citizens with a history of
smoking were found to have “significantly more” skin wrinkling than
non-smokers in areas of the body not regularly exposed to light, such as
the upper inner arm. The study in the March issue of Archives of
Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals, suggests this indicates
an association between smoking and a higher degree of aging skin.
Read more...
Study Explores Why Older Drivers Have So Many Wrecks
at Intersections?
Protected left turn arrows and roundabouts may help
the oldest drivers
March 19, 2007 - Studies going back decades reveal
that older drivers are over-represented in collisions at intersections.
Forty percent of the fatal collisions of people 70 and older - compared
with 23 percent of the crashes of 35-54 year-olds - occur at
intersections and involve other vehicles. What mistakes are leading
older motorists to get into intersection crashes?
Read more...
U.S. Summit on Global Aging Highlights the Trends and
Challenges
Sec. of State Rice says the impact is ‘enormous and
complex’
March 16, 2007 – The challenges of an aging
population in the world were the focus of a half-day Summit on Global
Aging yesterday at the U.S. State Department, where Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice said in the keynote speech, “The impact of global aging
is enormous and complex.” The discussions focused on a new report on
global aging prepared by three government agencies.
Read more...
Website Explaining Facial Aging Launched by
Pharmaceutical Company
AgingWithBeauty.com targets older women in U.S. with
anti-aging options
March 12, 2007 – In an effort to help America’s
older women better understand the facial aging process and the multitude
of anti-aging treatments available today, a new Website –
AgingWithBeauty.com – has been launched by Dermik Laboratories, a
business owned by the pharmaceutical company sanofi-aventis.
Read more...
A Senior Citizen’s Brain Has to Sometimes Yell for
the Muscles to Hear
Improving movement quality in older adults is
research goal
March 9, 2007--Have your neurons been shouting at
your muscles again? It happens, you know, when you get older. As we grow
older, neurons--the nerve cells that deliver commands from our
brains--have to “speak” more loudly to get the attention of our muscles
to move, according to University of Delaware researcher Christopher
Knight, an assistant professor in UD's College of Health Sciences.
Read more...
Senior Citizen Health & Medicine
Older Men as Likely to Suffer Second Bone Break from
Osteoporosis as Women
Both sexes have 50% chance of second low-trauma
break with 10 years
January 26, 2007 – A new study, finding that older
men and women are very likely to follow a bone fracture with a second,
puts increased emphasis on the need for older men to be more aware of
osteoporosis and its potential to weaken bones to the breaking point.
Most studies of bone fractures in senior citizens have focused on older
women – the most likely to develop this disease.
Read more...
Nine Ways for Senior Citizens to Relieve Joint
Stress and Pain
Less
stress on joints means less pain for aging bodies
January 8, 2007 - It happens to almost all senior
citizens - joint pain from a lifetime of lifting, bending and normal
wear and tear. Beyond medication, there are steps you can take to
relieve stress while going about your daily activities, according to the
Cleveland Clinic. Read
more...
Elderly Drivers Increasingly More Likely to Die in
Auto Accidents
Study looks at age, gender as major factors in
severity of accident injuries
January 5, 2007 - National statistics show that
fatalities rose by 7 percent for drivers 75 and older from 1981 to 2000,
remained steady for drivers from 65-74, but dropped for younger drivers.
This does not mean older drivers are necessarily worse behind the wheel,
but that they are just more likely to suffer injury and death.
Understanding the differences among drivers in different gender and age
categories is crucial to preventing serious injuries, said researchers
in a new study showing stark statistical differences in traffic-accident
injuries depending on the gender and age of drivers.
Read more...
Mistake for Doctors to Neglect Insomnia Treatment in
Older Patients
Excessive daytime sleepiness is best predictor of
poor health
January 3, 2007 - The sleep problems of older
people are often not addressed by their primary care physicians, even
though treatment of those sleep disorders could improve their physical
and mental health and enhance their quality of life, according to a
study appearing in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.
Read more...
Senior Citizens Driving with Dementia Are Targets of
Training for Physicians
Academy of Neurology says seniors with mild dementia should stop driving
December 28, 2006 – Physicians and other health
care providers are being provided training to help identify unsafe
senior citizen drivers who are impaired by dementia or other cognitive
impairments linked to aging. The three-hour workshop also offers help in
how to encourage appropriate retirement from driving, which is one of
the most difficult decisions many older people must face.
Read more...
Longevity Gene Also Protects Memory, Cognitive
Function
Those with gene variant twice as likely to
have good brain function
December 26, 2006 - A gene variation that helps
people live into their 90s and beyond also protects their memories and
ability to think and learn new information, according to a study
published in the December 26, 2006, issue of Neurology, the scientific
journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Read more...
Failure of our System to Repair Damaged DNA in
Cells Results in Aging
Reducing damage by sources such as sunlight,
cigarette smoke, and our own metabolism delays aging
December 20, 2006 - The accumulation of genetic
damage in our cells, which occurs as a result of cell metabolism or
environmental influences, such as from smoking, is a major contributor
to how we age, according to a study being published today in the journal
Nature by an international group of researchers. A connection between
aging and DNA damage has long been suspected.
Read more...
Seniors Citizens Find TV, Cable, Air Conditioned Car
the Necessities of Life
Young adults must
have car, computer, hi-speed internet, cell phone
December 18, 2006 - While the young folks can't
live without their cars, computer, hi-speed internet and cell phone,
senior citizens think the necessities of life are a TV hooked up
to cable or satellite, car air conditioning and a dishwasher. At least
these are the items where there is a pretty big age gap when it comes to
rating the necessities of life in a new Pew Research Center survey.
Read more...
Senior Citizen Statistics
How Long Can You Expect to Live, How You May Die
Projected by Census Bureau
By Tucker Sutherland, editor
December 16, 2006 – "Adults and teens will spend
nearly five months (3,518 hours) next year watching television, surfing
the Internet, reading daily newspapers and listening to personal music
devices," so says the lead paragraph in the news release from the U.S.
Census Bureau announcing the Statistical Abstract of the United
States: 2007. But, let's dig down to the important information, like
how long are we expected to live now days and how might we meet our end.
That information is there, too.
Read more...
Shrinking Older Men at Increased Risk of Death with
Loss of Inch in Height
Underlying mechanism may contribute to both bone
loss, which leads to height loss, and coronary heart and other diseases
December 12, 2006 - Men who lose 3 centimeters
(slightly over an inch) or
more of height as they age have an increased risk of death and of
coronary heart diseases events, according to a report in the December
11/25 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives
journals. Read
more...
Senior Citizens Improve Mobility Better With Balance
Training than Tai Chi
Both reduce falls, more improvement from balance,
stepping and mobility
December 11, 2006 - Physicians and physical
therapists in recent years have explored whether tai chi, balance
programs and fitness routines can help decrease the likelihood that
older adults will fall and injure themselves. Many of these programs
have shown promise, but their relative value is still open to debate.
Read more...
Tips for Senior Citizens to Get a Good Nights Sleep
Offered by Longevity Center
New report issued: The Role of Sleep In Healthy
Aging
December 7, 2006 - Sleep is essential to
well-being, quality of life and overall health, especially among the
older population according to the new report The Role of Sleep In
Healthy Aging, published by the International Longevity Center-USA.
The organization also offers some things senior citizens can do, and
should not do, to get a good nights sleep.
Read more...
Senior Citizens Improve Memory with Rote Learning
Followed by Long Rest
Brain is like a
muscle that should be exercised in retirement years
November 27, 2006 - A new study offers senior
citizens a simple way to combat memory loss: memorization. Researchers
found that older people who engaged in an intensive period of rote
learning followed by an equally long rest period exhibited improved
memory and verbal recall. The study was presented today at the annual
meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
Read more...
Falls Have Become the Leading Cause of Injury Deaths
for Senior Citizens
CDC says that men more likely to
experience fatality than women
November 16, 2006 - Fall-related death rates for
men and women 65 years and older increased significantly from 1993 to
2003, according to a report released today in the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention's (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
Read more...
Researchers Learn What It Takes for Men to Reach Age
85 - One Major Surprise
No smoking, excessive drinking, hypertension or
obesity but need spouse
November 14, 2006 – Men who want to live to at
least age 85 now have a specific strategy that will help them get there
– but they need to start at age 54 to exactly fit this model. But give
or take a few years probably does not change the formula proposed by
this research, which says avoiding smoking, excessive drinking,
hypertension and being overweight should just about achieve the goal.
One problem, if you are not married you just probably are not going to
make it to 85. Read
more...
More Bad News for Senior Citizens - Veins Stiffen as We Age
Factor
in high blood pressure, which affects about 65 million Americans, most
of them older adults
By
Tracey Bryant
October
31, 2006 - As if creaking joints and hardening of the arteries weren't
bad enough, a research team from the University of Delaware and the
Christiana Care Health System in Newark has now confirmed that even our
veins stiffen as we age.
Read more...
Senior Citizens Have Lower Testosterone Levels than
Peers of 15 Years Ago, Blamed for More Falls
Levels declining in
all Americans and not just due to age
October 24, 2006 – A study released yesterday found
that falls by male senior citizens may be due to low testosterone
levels. A study released today, however, makes matters even worse. It
says testosterone levels in older Americans have been declining steadily
over the last twenty years, and does not appear to be just the result to
getting older.
Read more...
Naked Mole-Rat in News Again as Scientists find
Longevity Champs have Slower Metabolism
These old rats studied for years still not
giving up secret of long life
October 10, 2006 - The world’s longest living rodent – the naked
mole-rat – is in the research news again today as scientists continue to
probe for the secret to its longevity. The latest study of the hairless
tunnel-dweller suggests that the thyroid may hold the answer to why they
live 10 times longer than most regular mice. They found that the naked
mole-rat has significantly lower levels of thyroid hormone, which speeds
metabolism, and hope this leads to the secret of aging.
Read more...
Naked Mole-Rat May Hold Answer to Longer Life but
Not Giving It Up, Yet
Researchers say they may change oxidative stress
theory of aging
October 9, 2006 - Those of us most like the naked mole-rat may
outlive our contemporaries as does this friendly furless guy that lives
in the total darkness of underground burrows, yet holds the world
longevity record in the rodent kingdom. Why do they live so long?
Scientist have long studied that question without success, but a new
study says they show much higher levels of oxidative stress and damage
and less robust repair mechanisms than the short-lived mouse, findings
that could change the oxidative stress theory of aging, say the
scientists. Read more...
Women's Skin Ages Faster than Men's, Says New Test
to Measure Skin Aging
October 3, 2006 - Physicists and medical
researchers for the first time have demonstrated a new technique that
non-invasively measures in real time the level of damage to the skin
from sun exposure and aging, and initial results suggest that women’s
skin ages faster than men’s.
Read more...
Sleep Studies of Older People Find Behavioral
Treatment Helps Insomnia; Women Endangered by Restless Legs
October
2, 2006 - Brief behavioral treatment for insomnia (BBTI) is
probably something most senior citizens have never heard about, but a
small study indicates it appears to be a promising intervention for
older adults who suffer from insomnia, which is about half of all
Americans over age 60. And, for older women, periodic leg movements
during sleep (PLMS), a common condition in older women, has been found
to lead to long-term health problems. Both studies are reported in the
current edition of the official journal of the American Academy of Sleep
Medicine. Read more...
Senior Citizen Health & Medicine
Sleep Evaluation Should be Routine Medical Care Says Editorial
Good sleep should be considered an essential
component of a healthy lifestyle, as much as exercise and nutrition
September
18, 2006 - Sleep is an integral part of health, and assessment of sleep
habits should be a standard part of medical care, according to an editorial
in the September 18 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, which is devoted
to studies of sleep and health. The magazine is one of the Journal of the
American Medical Association/Archives journals.
Read more...
Aging News for Senior Citizens
Advice for Senior Citizens on Finding a Good Night's Sleep
So
many senior citizens complain of sleep problems that it has become
associated with natural aging. Research finds, however, that sleep problems
grow with the accumulation of illnesses, not years.
By
National Institute on Aging
September 18, 2006 - Since he retired, Edward dreads
going to bed at night. He’s afraid that when he turns off his light he will
just lie there with his eyes open and his mind racing. “How can I break this
cycle?” he asks. “I’m so tired – I need to get some sleep.”
Read more...
Almost Half of Adults Seeking Sleep with Alternative
Therapy Say It Works
Studies say a majority of senior citizens have
sleep problems
September 18, 2006 - More than 1.6 million U.S.
adults are estimated to use complementary and alternative therapies to
treat insomnia or trouble sleeping, and almost half say it helps them
sleep but a clear majority says it is beneficial to their health and
well-being. Read
more...
Wear and Tear of Stress and Disease Really
Determines Age
Healthy 100 year olds cope by acceptance, not
worrying and taking one day at a time
August 11, 2006 - Age may be more related to
reactions to stress and the absence of disease rather than to a person's
chronological age, say researchers. And healthy aging is a good bet, if
stress can be moderated along with adopting an active, healthy
lifestyle, according to researchers who looked at centenarians. This
finding will be presented at the 114th Annual Convention of the American
Psychological Association (APA).
Read more...
Higher Blood Pressure is Latest Clue to Walking
Problems in Senior Citizens
Harvard Health Letter identifies other
causes of balance loss in elderly
Aug. 1, 2006 – Difficulty in walking has been
associated with increased risk of dementia and death. A new study,
however, finds higher blood pressure may be a factor in the decline of
walking ability in older people. And, the Harvard Health Letter says
there are several other disorders than can rob senior citizens of their
balance. Read
more...
Women Fighting Aging Skin are Most Frequent Users of
Cosmetic Treatments
Dermatologists hear what women want and what
they are getting
July
27, 2006 – Women are the most likely to seek cosmetic treatments from dermatologists and their most common request is
treatment for wrinkles – aging skin on the face and body. Speaking today
at ACADEMY ’06, the American Academy of Dermatology’s (Academy) summer
scientific meeting, dermatologist Marian E. Northington, M.D., F.A.A.D.,
of Birmingham, Ala., discussed the most frequent requests women make in
the dermatologist’s office and the procedures dermatologists regularly
recommend. Read more...
New Face Lift Method Restores Aging Skin with
Minimally Invasive Procedure
Dermatologist says it
restores sagging facial skin without heavy lifting
July 27, 2006 - As the aging process begins, the
skin starts to thin and it loses its ability to maintain its firmness.
Changes in underlying support structures appear as sagging, deep
creases, folds and wrinkles. Until recently, the only way to reduce
those problems and tighten the skin was a facelift, which must be done
in a hospital or surgical center under general anesthesia and can have a
long recovery period. But now there is a technique that can provide many
of the same advantages of a facelift without the downtime and risks.
Read more...
Sleep Problems are Not a Normal Part of Aging and
May Not Require Medicine
Doctors should try changing patient's routines
before medications
July 24, 2006 - Help may be available for the more
than 50 percent of older adults who have difficulty sleeping and have
come to accept their problem as part of growing older, according to
Saint Louis University geriatricians.
Read more...
Senior Citizens Who Give Up Driving may take Express
Lane to Nursing Home
'Taking the keys has
serious consequences for older drivers'
July 19, 2006 - Although the slower driving habits
of some seniors often steam impatient younger motorists, researchers at
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine have found that elders who stay behind
the wheel are less likely to enter nursing homes or assisted living
centers than those who have never driven or who have given up driving
altogether. Read
more...
People Sleep Even Less Than They Think
Study finds people seem to be sleeping less and
less
July 4, 2006 - A study of the sleep characteristics
of 669 middle-aged adults found that people sleep much less than they
should, and even less than they think. Published in the July issue in
the American Journal of Epidemiology, the study also found that blacks
sleep less than whites, men sleep less than women, and the poor sleep
less than the wealthy.
Read more...
Arthritis Treatment May Prevent, Erase Aging Spots
on Skin
July 3, 2006 - For many older women, accumulated
sun exposure has already permanently damaged their skin cells, causing
them to overproduce pigment that shows up as unsightly dark splotches
and uneven skin tone over time. But new research indicates that
glucosamine - a compound best known for treating arthritis – can
actually help stop the formation of new age spots, and help fade
existing ones. Read
more...
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder May Lead to Dementia,
Parkinson's
Acting out vivid
dreams may forewarn of more serious illness
June 19, 2006 –Mayo Clinic sleep medicine
specialists have found that almost two-thirds of patients with REM sleep
behavior disorder (RBD) develop degenerative brain diseases, like
Parkinson's and dementia, by approximately 11 years after diagnosis of
RBD. It is another disturbing finding for many seniors who are the most
in fear of dementia and frequently worry about their sleep. (Senior citizens often complain of sleep
problems and it has become associated with natural aging. Research , however, finds sleep problems grow with the accumulation of
illnesses, not years. Read more about REM sleep and senior citizens
below this news report.)
Read more...
Senior Citizens to Die in Car Crashes at Higher Rate
Older people, women in particular, are more
susceptible to injury than younger people
June 14, 2006 – Senior citizens will die in car
accidents at a higher rate in the years ahead as America’s 75 million
baby boomers age, grow more frail and continue to drive, according to a
new study. Already, seniors age 65 and over are second-most likely to
die in car accidents, after young people aged 15-24, according to a
National Institute on Aging report on America’s elderly, "65+ in the
United States: 2005," released March 9.
Read more...
Hope I die before I get old? Wrong Idea!
Attitudes about aging contradict reality - people become happier over
time
June 13, 2006 - Back when he was 20 years old in
1965, rock star Pete Townshend wrote the line "I hope I die before I get
old" into a song, "My Generation" that launched his band, the Who, onto
the rock 'n' roll scene. But a unique new study suggests that Townshend
may have fallen victim to a common, and mistaken, belief: That the
happiest days of people's lives occur when they're young.
Read more...
Women Age Faster but Live Longer - Is Testosterone
the Cause?
Males allocate resources to intrasexual and intersexual competition
June 5, 2006 - It has been widely assumed that men
age earlier than women, as evidenced by their higher mortality rates and
shorter average life spans. But three Northern Michigan University
biology professors contend that the opposite is true. They say theory
and data suggest that females begin to exhibit signs of physiological
decline earlier than males, and that higher mortality figures are not
necessarily correlated with the rate at which we age.
Read more...
Low Calorie Diet Wins over Exercise in Extending
Life Up to 50 Percent
Diet and exercise prevent of age-related disease,
but reducing calories needed to slow aging
May 31, 2006 – If you prefer dieting to exercise,
you may be in luck, assuming you, like most senior citizens, are seeking
ways to live longer. A new study found that only calorie restriction –
not exercise – increases the maximum lifespan up to 50 percent.
Read more...
Older Women Who Sleep Least Gain Most Weight
Appetite and diet not accounting for weight gain in
women who sleep less
May 23, 2006 - Women who sleep 5 hours or less per
night weigh more on average than those who sleep 7 hours, according to a
study of middle-aged women to be presented at the American Thoracic
Society International Conference today.
Read more...
Cutting a Few Calories, Taking Short Walks May
Reverse Aging Damage
Study shows it can
even reverse aging cell and organ damage
May 8, 2006 - A lifelong habit of trimming just a
few calories from the daily diet can do more than slim the waistline - a
new study shows it may help lessen the effects of aging. Scientists from
the University of Florida's Institute on Aging have found that eating a
little less food and exercising a little more over a lifespan can reduce
or even reverse aging-related cell and organ damage in rats.
Read more...
Sore Feet a Sure Sign of Aging
FDA Consumer
Magazine explores the problems and solutions
April
21, 2006 – There is probably nothing more common for aging Americans
than sore feet. Although some foot problems are inherited or come with
injuries, many more are caused by the years of wear and tear senior
citizens have given them. "Taking Care of Your Feet," is the cover story
in the current issue (March-April 2006) of the FDA Consumer Magazine,
which discusses common problems many seniors experience with their feet
and some things that may help.
Read more..
Sleeping Pills May Be Dangerous for Senior Citizens
Medical school doctor
suggests alternatives
April 6, 2006 – Getting a good night sleep is a
common problem for older Americans but they should not, however, reach
for the sleep medication, says a specialist – these drugs are twice as
likely to cause harm to a senior patient as they are to help them sleep
better. Read more...
Evidence Mounts of Dire Consequence of Loneliness
for Older Americans
Latest study says
it leads to high blood pressure, heart risk for those over 50
March 28, 2006 – A growing list of studies are
pointing to the deadly impact of loneliness, particularly on senior
citizens. The latest says loneliness is a major risk factor in
increasing blood pressure in older Americans and could increase the risk
of death and stroke or heart disease. Although this study was of people
between the ages of 50 and 68, the problem increases with added years,
which indicates it is more severe for senior citizens age 70 and older. A
study last year found nearly 60 percent of the elderly in this group are
experiencing some form of loneliness.
Read more...
Walking Safely After Age 70 Requires More Attention,
Thinking - So They Say
| |
Editor's Note: I'm not really buying a lot of this
research that says senior citizens have difficulty walking safely after
reaching age 70. I'm sure it's true for a few, but I see more seniors
everyday playing tennis, running, jogging and doing other activities
that require a fast gait. Many of these are well into their 90s. - TS |
|
Researchers see
slow gait (senior shuffle) as significant risk for falls
March 27, 2006 - Psychologists wanting to help old
people safely cross the street and otherwise ambulate around this busy
world have found that from age 70 and up, safe walking may require solid
"executive control" (which includes attention) and memory skills. For
the old, slow gait is a significant risk factor for falls, many of which
result in disabling fractures, loss of independence or even death.
Read more...
Less Than Half Say They Are Healthier Than Parents
at Same Age
Parade Magazine poll explores American attitudes on
health and aging
By Tucker Sutherland,
editor
March
17, 2006 – The lead sentence in this news release says, "Nearly half (48
percent) of Americans say they are in better health now than when their
parents were their age." At quick glance a reader may think – "That's
not news - everybody knows health and longevity continue to improve."
But, wait. Let's turn that sentence around to say the same thing from a
different view – "Less than half (only 48 percent) say they are in
better health…" Now that's news. Most Americans are not sure they are
healthier than their parents at the same age.
Read more...
Prisons Not Safe for Vulnerable Senior Citizens
One third of U.S. prison population to be senior
citizens by 2030
March 13, 2006 - Indicating that today's prisons discriminate
against senior citizens confined there, a new study shows the inmate
population, just like the outside world, is aging rapidly but prisons
have not adapted to the physical and mental challenges faced by
geriatric prisoners. Older women prisoners, the subjects of this
research, are having a difficult time coping with the demands of daily
living. Read more...
Ten Simple Steps to Revolutionize Old Age Proposed
by European Meeting
'Citizen Contract' will help Europeans stay healthy,
vibrant longer
March 8, 2006 – Citing a growing body of research
that suggests chronic illness is not an inevitable consequence of aging,
as has long been believed, but more often the result of poor lifestyle
choices that we're perfectly free to reject, an international meeting
announced the launch of a Citizens Contract, which they say will help
Europeans to stay healthy and vibrant for longer. The contract for aging
proposes 10 "simple steps."
Read more...
Seniors Not the Most Lonely in Australia
Loneliness peaks in
40s in Australia with those over 50 the least lonely
March 8, 2006 - People didn't necessarily get
lonelier as they get older. At least that is the opinion of researchers
looking at Australians has concluded – an opinion in conflict with
results of U.S. studies. In Central Queensland, they found that among
those adults 20 and older, loneliness begins to increase to a peak
between 40 and 49. The least lonely were people age 50 and older.
Read more...
Elderly White Americans More Likely Than Blacks to
Die Soon After Spouse
Study finds no 'widowhood effect' among blacks
March 1, 2006 – The "widowhood effect" -- the
increased probability of death among new widows and widowers -- is large
and enduring among elderly white couples but undetectable among black
couples, suggesting that blacks may somehow manage to extend marriage's
well-documented health benefits into widowhood. The new research from
Harvard University studied 410,272 elderly American couples.
Read more...
Experts Find Keys to Healthy Brains for Aging
Americans
National Institutes of Health moves forward on
"healthy brain" project
Feb.
21, 2006 – A panel of experts seeking ways aging Americans can keep
their brains healthy, has zeroed in on education, cardiovascular health,
physical activity, psychosocial factors and genetics as key factors
associated with brain health as people age. In their report to the
National Institutes of Health, they said research aimed at directly
testing the effectiveness of interventions in several of these areas
deserves further attention.
Read more...
Longer Life Will Add Host of Social, Economic
Challenges
Between 2010 and 2030 age of death may increase
by 20 years with anti-aging therapies
Feb. 20, 2006 - In the 21st century,
state-of-the-art anti-aging technologies may extend human lifespans at
an unprecedented rate, bringing with them a host of social and economic
challenges, says biologist Shripad Tuljapurkar of Stanford University.
Read more...
Never Dying? Scientist Envisions Therapies Creating
Longevity Escape
Experts at AAAS
briefing don't all agree on the outer limits of the human lifespan
Feb. 20, 2006 - Imagine living to age 1,000 in a
middle-aged body. Fantasy? Yes, for now. But recent genetic and
molecular biological discoveries have dramatically extended the lifespan
of several experimental animals, including mice and worms, and could
have potential applications for increasing longevity in humans. One
scientist sees the possibility of adding 25 years with 25 years of new
therapies. Read more...
Simple Test for Seniors, Boomers to Rate Risk of
Dying in Four Years
Researches say all 50
or over can do it by answering just 12 questions
Feb. 16, 2006 - Researchers at the San Francisco VA
Medical Center have created an index that is 81 percent accurate in
predicting the likelihood of death within four years for Baby Boomers
and senior citizens age 50 and older. See charts below for taking test,
life expectancy tables, determining body mass index).
Read more...
Senior Citizens Slow Cognitive Decline by Learning
New Things
Feb. 16, 2006 – If you think you are too old to
learn new skills - by golly, think again. New research at the University
of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign shows that training re-ignites key areas
of the brain, offsetting some age-related declines and boosting
performance. Read
more...
Hearing Ability as We Age is Determined by Hormone
Gene therapy may be way to correct the problem
of potassium imbalance
Feb. 10, 2006 – Why do senior citizens lose their
hearing? It is their hormones, well, actually one hormone – aldosterone
– says a new study. Researchers have linked this hormone, known to
adjust levels of key brain chemicals, to the quality of our hearing as
we age. The more of the hormone that older people have in their
bloodstream, the better is their hearing. And, the less of the hormone
they have, the worse is their hearing.
Read more...
New Hair Replacement System Works for Elderly, Too
Research says new system gives all patients a shot at
"good hair"
Feb. 6, 2006 - More than half of all men and one
third of all women in the United States are going bald. But in the past,
hair transplantation procedures were not designed for everyone. The
elderly, for example, were often excluded due to poor hair quality. Now,
new technology has arrived to give all patients a shot at "good hair,"
according to a study published by James Harris, M.D.
Read more...
Senior Citizens Can't Walk and Chew Gum: Study
Implies It's No Joke
Brain scan researchers say they found what causes
seniors to be distracted
By Tucker Sutherland, editor
Feb. 6, 2006 – Okay, fellow senior citizens, if you
can read this without getting distracted, you will learn the reason some
scientist say we have "reduced ability to ignore distracting or
irrelevant information." Well, let me tell you what they say right up
front – "Activity in the medial frontal and parietal regions stays
turned on while activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
decreases." There you have it, if I haven't lost you to some
distraction.
Read More...
Slower Reaction Times Linked to Higher Death Risk
for Old People and Young
By Lise Millay Stevens,
Contributing Writer
Health Behavior News Service
Jan. 23, 2006 - Slower reaction times and poorer memory are
associated with a greater risk of dying in young and old people, a new
study shows. Read
more...
How Do Seniors Define Successful Aging?
Older adults perspectives on healthy aging surprises
many
Jan. 18, 2006 - Understanding how older adults
define successful aging is a critical component to the well-being and
quality of life for this burgeoning population. A study published in the
January edition of The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
concluded that despite having chronic illnesses and some disability most
community-dwelling senior citizens saw themselves as aging successfully.
Read more...
Senior Citizens Enjoying Health, Life Much Longer
than Expected
Most common health problems reported were poor
vision, hearing loss and mood
Dec. 28, 2005 - Older Americans enjoy good health
for a longer period than previously realized, and many factors th | 
