Bridging the gap between research and real life
Falls are a serious problem among older adults. Approximately one in every four people over age 65 fall each year, and 20 percent of those lead to a serious injury such as a broken bone or head injury. Falls are the most common reason that older adults are admitted to the hospital. [Read more…]
More than 6 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, and that number is expected to grow significantly as the U.S. population ages. For decades, doctors across the globe have been looking for ways to strengthen aging brains and prevent dementia later in life. Researchers have tested a wide variety of treatments including exercise, “brain games” and medicine. [Read more…]
An estimated 5.5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, and by 2020 that number could reach 16 million. More people die from Alzheimer’s disease than from breast and prostate cancer combined. [Read more…]
Do you think that growing older involves experiencing more pain? You’re right.
Research shows that older adults experience more frequent pain compared to their younger counterparts, and they are less likely to receive treatment for that pain. A study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control shows that approximately 50 million older adults experience significant or chronic pain every year – a result of stiff, aging joints, diseases such as cancer, injuries and surgeries. And a significant number – up to 40 percent – don’t receive adequate treatment for their pain. [Read more…]
For centuries, doctors and patients have believed that cold, damp weather contributes to joint pain. In fact, there is evidence this theory dates back to Hippocrates in about 400 B.C. [Read more…]
Older adults are more likely to suffer from medical problems and face more frequent decisions about their health care. This could mean anything from deciding whether to receive a flu vaccine to choosing among cancer treatments. [Read more…]
More than 6 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, and that number is expected to grow significantly as the U.S. population ages. As a result, researchers across the globe are trying to find ways to strengthen aging brains and prevent dementia later in life. Over the past decade, scientists have zeroed in on “brain training” – puzzles and games designed to improve cognitive skills – as one possible solution. [Read more…]
It is no secret that the U.S. population is steadily growing older. More than 77 million American children were born between 1946 and 1964, and that generation is now beginning to reach its senior years.
As the U.S. population grows older, it’s important to monitor elders’ health and well-being. There’s a federal agency — The Federal Interagency Forum on Aging Related Statistics — set up to do just that. [Read more…]
The other day, a friend who is nearing retirement age stopped me in the gym locker room. “I want to know what the evidence says,” she told me. “Is retirement going to be good for me?” [Read more…]
The founders of our nation set out to create a place where people could build a life for themselves. Their original idea was that U.S. citizens would be free to pursue happiness and prosperity. But more than 200 years later, a body of evidence shows the gap between the rich and the poor is widening. [Read more…]
For centuries, humans have been searching for a fountain of youth to reverse the effects of aging. While no one has ever found one, scientists are getting closer to understanding why some people age with fewer ailments than others, and what that means for anti-aging therapies. [Read more…]
In recent years, public health researchers have developed a novel framework for identifying the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. It’s called “heart age.” [Read more…]
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