Senior Citizen Alerts

Latest Statistics on Fires are Devastating for Older Americans: Seniors Most Likely to Die

Fire safety tips for senior citizens offered by ADT; US Fire Administrations releases data

Jan. 13, 2010 – The statistics concerning senior citizens and fire are staggering. The U.S. Fire Administration says people over the age of 65 have a home fire death rate nearly twice the national average. For those over 75, that risk nearly triples. Read more...

Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens

New Hope for Improved Treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer Found in Study of Senior Citizens

TGen-Scottsdale Healthcare researchers make breakthrough: MicroRNAs are key to identifying resistant to 'first-line' chemotherapy

Jan. 13, 2010 - A new study of senior citizens with small cell lung cancer – the rapidly spreading type of lung cancer – has discovered a way to predict which patients with SCLC may be resistant to first-line chemotherapy. This breakthrough is critical since patients with SCLC often do not get a second chance at therapies to combat this aggressive type of cancer. Read more, more about types of lung cancer...

Senior Citizen Alerts

Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health

Seniors with Subjective Memory Loss (where did I put keys?) at Increased Risk of Dementia

Significant percentage of people with early subjective symptoms may experience further cognitive decline; few without these symptoms decline

Jan. 12, 2010 - Forgot where you put your car keys? Having trouble recalling your colleague's name? If so, this may be a symptom of subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), the earliest sign of cognitive decline. Studies have shown that SCI is experienced by between one-quarter and one-half of the senior citizen population (over age 65). A new study finds that healthy seniors reporting SCI are 4.5 times more likely to progress to the more advanced memory-loss stages of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia than those free of SCI. Read more...

Exercise & Fitness for Senior Citizens

Senior Citizen Exercise Appears to Prevent, Improve Mild Cognitive Impairment

Moderate exercise in late life for men and woman was associated with a 32% reduction in the odds of developing cognitive impairment.

Jan. 11, 2010 - Moderate physical activity performed in midlife or even as a senior citizen appears to be associated with a reduced risk of mild cognitive impairment, whereas a six-month high-intensity aerobic exercise program may improve cognitive function in individuals who already have the condition, according to two reports in the January issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Read more...

Flu News for Senior Citizens

Heart Disease Patients Should Get H1N1 Flu Shot Says American Heart Association

National Influenza Vaccination Week started Sunday; pushed by HHS and CCD

Jan. 11, 2010 — The American Heart Association has joined the national effort to get more Americans vaccinated against H1N1 flu during National Influenza Vaccination Week, Jan. 10-16. Read more...

Senior Citizen Longevity & Statistics

Senior Citizens May Be Significantly Shortening Lives by Too Much Time Watching TV

New study focused on television watching but suggests any prolonged sedentary behavior, such as sitting at a desk or in front of a computer, may pose a health risk, too

Jan. 11, 2010 - Self destruction, if not against the law in most states, is certainly frowned upon everywhere. But, it does not stop senior citizens from watching television over 200 hours a month, which, according to a new study, increases their risk of death from cardiovascular disease about 36 percent – and about 22 percent from all causes. Read more...

Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health

Less Educated at Greater Risk of Dementia But Study Finds Ways to Compensate

Researchers say evidence suggests mental exercises help some more than others

Jan. 11, 2010 - If you don't have a college degree, you're at greater risk of developing memory problems or even Alzheimer's. Education plays a key role in lifelong memory performance and risk for dementia, and it's well documented that those with a college degree possess a cognitive advantage over their less educated counterparts in middle and old age. But, a new study shows there is hope for those less educated. Read more...

Retirement News

Author Reveals Why Investment Market Crisis Has Changed Retirement Planning Forever

Krakower believes Americans need to adjust their attitudes about retirement, and what it takes to have a successful retirement plan

Jan. 11, 2010 - According to statistics, record numbers of Americans think retirement is way out of their reach, but at least one expert thinks people can still make it happen if they approach their retirement planning in a different way. Read more, see video...

Medicare Drug Program News

Chubby Checker Making Senior Citizens Aware It’s Easier to Get Help Paying for Medicare Drugs

The old twister joins Social Security in announcing new “twist” in law making it easier to qualify for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug plan costs

Jan. 11, 2010 - The Social Security Administration says there is a “new twist” that makes it easier for senior citizens to qualify for extra help with Medicare prescription drug costs, and they have the old twister – Chubby Checker – helping to spread the word. Read more, see video...

Senior Citizen Volunteers

Volunteer Work May Help the Elderly Avoid Becoming Frail, Other Signs of Aging

Productive activities - specifically volunteering, paid work and child care - prevent the onset of frailty in seniors

Jan. 8, 2010 – Another study is out that finds, like many before it, that keeping the mind and body active appears to slow many of the signs and consequences of aging for senior citizens. And, like others, this one finds that volunteer work seems to produce the best results. Read more...

Senior Citizen Opinions & Analysis

It’s Time To Coordinate Care for the Disabled and Frail Elderly

An obscure provision of the Senate health bill attempts to at least crack that barrier

By Howard Gleckman, Senior Research Associate at the Urban Institute

Jan. 8, 2010 - Since the creation of Medicare and Medicaid nearly 45 years ago, the government has operated on the bizarre illusion that it can separate acute medical care from personal assistance and long-term care. For real patients and their families, this makes no sense. Someone who is sick often needs both medical treatment and personal care. They should not have to worry about which is which. Read more...

Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health

Cell Phone Use May Protect You Against and Even Reverse Alzheimer's Disease

Florida Alzheimer's Disease Research Center study in mice indicates long-term exposure to cell phone signals may even boost normal memory

Jan. 7, 2010 - The millions of people who spend hours every day on a cell phone may have a new excuse for yakking. A surprising new study in mice provides the first evidence that long-term exposure to electromagnetic waves associated with cell phone use may actually protect against, and even reverse, Alzheimer's disease. Read more...

Senior Citizen Politics

Comparison Online of House, Senate Health Reform Bills on Key Issues for Senior Citizens

SCAN Foundation provides user-friendly side-by-side summary of provisions that support the continuum of care for Seniors

Jan. 7, 2010 - The SCAN Foundation has released a policy brief summarizing the key provisions of the House and Senate health care reform bills that support the continuum of health and long-term care for seniors. The two houses are Congress are working now to reach agreement on a final bill. Read more...

Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health

Diffusion Tensor Imaging Better at Detecting Earliest Signs of Alzheimer’s in Healthy People

Could help doctors when trying to differentiate between normal aging and diseases like Alzheimer's

Jan. 6, 2010 - A type of brain scan that has come into use in recent years, called diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), appears to be better at detecting whether a person with memory loss might have brain changes of Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study published in the January 6, 2010, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Read more, watch video...

Flu News for Senior Citizens

Senior Citizens Need to Get In Line for Widely Available H1N1, Seasonal Flu Vaccinations

Many seniors confused about antiviral drugs being used to treat flu; they are high priority if sick

Jan. 6, 2010 – This has been a confusing flu season for senior citizens. Almost all older Americans know they should get the seasonal flu shot each winter and that Medicare pays for it. This year, however, the H1N1 flu struck and seniors were not on the high priority list for vaccinations, because they seemed to have some immunity not enjoyed by younger people. Now, however, there is plenty of H1N1 vaccine out there and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the elderly should get the shot. Read more...

Opining of a Cranky Old Man

No Rear View Mirrors!

A sign of the times that makes a columnist rethink his attitude on retirement

By Bill Kalmar, Retiree

Jan. 6, 2010 - Besides penning a column periodically for SeniorJournal.com, I also write for a number of other newspapers and publications. One of those columns for a paper distributed in Michigan and neighboring states is entitled, “Retired…(and lovin’ it).” But here’s the dilemma: the more I talk to people still in the workforce and hear their stories of incompetent managers, ambiguous directions from supervisors, secret meetings, December dismissals, and other mind numbing workplace activities, I’m thinking that column title should be updated to read, “Retired…(and really, truly lovin’ it).” Read more...

Medicare News

Health Care Spending at Historical Low Rate but Still Grows Faster that U.S. Economy

‘Health care spending as a percentage of GDP is rising at an unsustainable rate’

Jan. 5, 2010 – Health spending in the U.S. grew 4.4 percent in 2008 – the slowest growth rate since the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services started officially tracking expenditures in 1960 – but a rate still much higher that the economic growth rate for the national economy as measured by the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which was just 2.6 percent. Health spending grew to $2.3 trillion or $7,681 per person. Read more...

Exercise & Fitness for Senior Citizens

Survey Finds Americans Resolved to Improve Health, Senior Citizens Most Likely to Do It

American Heart Association introduces free social media application to help keep exercise, diet commitment

Jan. 5, 2010 – The American Heart Association has introduced a new online program to help the 58 percent of Americans who have resolved to improve their health in 2010. The association survey also shows senior citizens strongly prefer diet over exercise as the way to improve their health, and that these seniors are much more likely to keep their resolve than are younger people. Read more, watch video...

News for Baby Boomers

Overweight Boomer Men at Higher Risk of Heart Attack, Stroke, Premature Death

Previous studies suggested that obese people without metabolic syndrome were not at risk - this contradicts that

Jan. 4, 2010 – Any way you look at it, overweight or obese middle-aged men are at a higher risk of heart attack, stroke and premature death, according to research reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. This dreadful prognosis holds true, too, even if they don’t have the metabolic syndrome. Read more...

Exercise & Fitness for Senior Citizens

Running Shoes More Damaging to Knees, Hips, Ankles Than Running Barefoot

Greater stresses on joints than running barefoot or walking in high-heeled shoes

Jan. 4, 2010 – Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is the cause of more disability in senior citizens than any other disease, but much of it may be the result of running shoes, says a new study. Although running is good for the cardiovascular system, and has many other health benefits, it also increases stresses on the joints of the leg and there may be even more stress if the runner is wearing running shoes. Read more, link to anatomy of running shoe...

Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens

Harvard Scientists Move Closer to Correcting Cellular Defects That Lead to Diabetes

Report says the G6PD protein, which produces essential antioxidant NAPDH, could prevent the death of pancreatic beta cells, the root cause of diabetes

Jan. 4, 2010 - In a new research report, scientists say they are coming closer to correcting the root cause of diabetes through the identification of a protein (G6PD) and its antioxidant product (NAPDH) that both prevent the death and promote the growth of cells which produce and release insulin in the pancreas (beta cells). Read more...

Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors

Vitamin C Cures Fast Aging Mice from Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Failure, High Cholesterol

Clearly indicates that healthy individuals do not require a large amount of vitamin C in order to increase their lifespan, scientist says

Jan. 4, 2010 – Vitamin C has been found to cure mice from abnormalities caused by Werner syndrome (accelerated aging) gene, including cancer, obesity, diabetes, heart failure and high cholesterol in new research published in the FASEB Journal. Read more...

Caregivers & Elder Care News

Journal of American Medical Association to Publish Series on Caring for the Aging Patient

Goal of this series will be to help improve clinical practice and inform policy in care of older individuals

Jan. 2, 2010 - The prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association has announced the launch of a series – “"Care of the Aging Patient: From Evidence to Action" - to assist physicians in caring for a patient demographic that is rapidly growing in size. The first 12 articles will explore the course of aging, from the first hints of frailty through events such as difficulty driving a car to the progressive restriction of activities that results from a steady decline. Read more...

Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors

Ginkgo Biloba Fails to Slow Cognitive Decline in Study of Senior Citizens

Study previously found it was not effective in reducing the incidence of Alzheimer dementia or dementia - see video

Jan. 2, 2010 – The idea that a simple herbal supplement – Ginkgo biloba - could slow the rate of cognitive decline has long attracted the attention of senior citizens. The final blow to that possibility seems to have been struck by a study reported in the December 23/30 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Read more...see Video

Money, Insurance & Investments for Seniors

Free Legal Guide for the Seriously Ill Written by American Bar’s Commission on Law and Aging

Guide for caretakers and those who are ill was commissioned by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization

Dec. 29, 2009 – Knowing how to get personal financial and legal affairs in order is a consideration every senior citizens should consider – before the onset of a serious illness or injury, which can affect much more than a person’s health. This information is often vitally important not only to the affected individual, but to his or her loved ones as well. Read more...

Medicare Drug News

Senior Citizens Struggle Under Worry, Danger, Cost of Taking Multiple Medications

New survey finds 25% of seniors take 10 to 19 pills daily, 60% on Medicare have taken some steps to avoid the donut hole - Medco offers free help

Dec. 29, 2009 - America's seniors are being overwhelmed by the number of prescription drugs they take on a daily basis. According to a new national survey of more than 1,000 people ages 65 and older who use medications, more than half (51 percent) take at least five different prescription drugs regularly and one in four take between 10 and 19 pills each day. Read more...

Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health

Alzheimer’s Disease May Protect Seniors From Cancer, Cancer From AD

Researchers studied over 3,000 senior citizens: 478 developed dementia, 376 developed cancer

Dec. 24, 2009 - People who have Alzheimer’s disease may be less likely to develop cancer, and people who have cancer may be less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study published in the December 23, 2009, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Read more...

Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health

Delaying Aging Process Best Guard Against Alzheimer’s Disease

Looking at the way we age may have more impact on treatment, prevention of AD than studying basic biology of the disease

Dec. 24, 2009 – Aging, something most senior citizens try to resist, is the single greatest risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. In a study released this month, researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies found that simply slowing the aging process in mice prone to develop Alzheimer's disease prevented their brains from turning into a neuronal wasteland. Read more...

Aging News & Information

Long-Running Study of Twins Helps Discover Factors Causing Skin to Age

Up to 40 percent of aging-related changes are due to non-genetic factors

Dec. 21, 2009 - Smoking, being heavier, not using sunscreen and having had skin cancer appear to be associated with sun damage and aging of skin on the face, according to report based on a study of twins in the December issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Read more...

Social Security News

Senior Citizens Notified Social Security Check Will Come Week Earlier in 2010 by Mistake

Your check will come on same payment day in 2010 as it has in 2009

Dec. 19, 2009 – Millions of senior citizens and others on Social Security should be receiving a corrected notice from SSA concerning when your payments will be made in 2010. It corrects an earlier notice that told many recipients their check would arrive one week earlier than it will. Read more...

Medicare Drug News

Medicare Patients Find Fight for Life Against Cancer Unaffordable Due to Drugs Required

Extensive study finds cancer patients can fall in drug program’s ‘donut hole’ almost immediately

By Tucker Sutherland, editor & publisher, SeniorJournal.com

Dec. 18, 2009 – Battling cancer in the U.S. is a costly proposition, especially for the extremely expensive drugs required to fight the disease, which causes many – even those on Medicare - just to skip the treatment, according to an analysis of the cost of obtaining these drugs in the U.S. and the U.K. Read more...

Medicare Drug News

Costly Cancer Medications: Not Easy to Access or Afford in U.K. or U.S. - Even with Medicare

For 7 of 11 expensive cancer drugs, British patients pay no out-of-pocket costs; U.S. patients, even with Medicare, pay out $1,200 to $24,000 – uninsured pay even more

By Amy Sutton, Contributing Writer, Health Behavior News Service

Dec. 18, 2009 - Cancer patients in both the United States and the United Kingdom face challenges in gaining access to expensive cancer treatments, according to research published in the December issue of The Milbank Quarterly. Read more...

Caregivers & Elder Care News

Older Americans to Get Help with Fight Against Chronic Disease from Recovery Act Funds

$27 million will give at-risk elderly and their caregivers the tools they need to make their own decisions

Dec. 17, 2009 - HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced the availability of $27 million to help senior citizens with chronic conditions to improve their health and reduce their use of costly medical care. Read more...