Bridging the gap between research and real life
Dementia is a serious health concern among older adults. Approximately 22% of Americans ages 85 to 89 have dementia, and that number increases to 33% for people older than 90. As baby boomers reach their senior years, that number is expected to grow substantially.
Health researchers are looking for ways to prevent or slow the development of dementia among older adults. One potential solution has been around for decades: hearing aids. [Read more…]
The human body is roughly 60 percent water. This vital nutrient is a building block of every cell in the body. It helps to regulate our body temperature, transport nutrients and energy through the bloodstream, flush out waste products, act as a shock absorber for our brain and spinal cord, and lubricate our joints. [Read more…]
While this time of year is full of social engagements and holiday cheer for many, it is also the darkest and coldest time of the year, especially for those living in northern latitudes. While most people undergo physical changes in the winter, such as lower energy levels, sleepiness, and increased appetite, approximately 1 in 10 individuals experience something more serious–seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. [Read more…]
In much of North America, it officially feels like fall. Temperatures and leaves are dropping, and the fall rituals of football games, Halloween, and pumpkin spice-flavored everything are in full swing.
All this fall goodness is accompanied by a scheduling shift. On Sunday, Nov. 6, most of North America will “fall back” to standard time, setting clocks back one hour for the end of daylight saving time. [Read more…]
It’s well-documented that exercise is good for you. Study after study shows physical activity is the key to health and wellness. But if exercise isn’t part of your normal routine, it can be hard to stick with it. In fact, less than one-quarter of American adults get the recommended amount of exercise each week, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [Read more…]
A significant portion of people in the U.S. rely on prescription medications. More than 131 million Americans take, on average, four prescriptions daily. Among adults ages 40 to 79, nearly a quarter use five or more medications a day.
The term for taking multiple prescriptions is “polypharmacy,” and it can lead to all sorts of problems including drug interactions and amplified side effects.
Vitamin D is one of the most commonly taken supplements in the U.S., consumed by an estimated one-third of people age 60 and older. For decades, doctors have touted the vitamin’s ability to help the body absorb and retain calcium and phosphorus, which help bone growth, reduce cancer cell growth, and control infections. [Read more…]
technology, bedtime and rest concept – teenage girl in pajamas with smartphone lying in bed at night
It’s the dog days of summer. With schools on summer break, you’ll find some teens awake late at night and sleeping until noon. [Read more…]
As people age, some of their cognitive abilities naturally decline. In fact, some skills, such as working memory, peak at age 30 and then begin a gradual waning that is considered a normal part aging. In addition, about 10 percent of people 65 and older develop specific medical conditions that lead to cognitive impairment. [Read more…]
While the COVID-19 pandemic is still simmering this summer, more than 200 million Americans have made travel plans. For many, this summer will mark their first trip in a long time.
Most people think of vacations as a time to relax and unwind. But there’s an inherent amount of stress that comes with traveling, especially during a pandemic. What does science say about how much vacations actually help to reduce stress? And what can you do to get the most out of yours? [Read more…]
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates nearly 40 percent of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their life. Currently, there are more than 20 million cancer survivors in the United States, and that number is growing.
While surviving cancer is the best-case scenario, it comes with its own issues: potential dental problems, infertility, heart and lung problems, osteoporosis, and more. Doctors have also documented another long-term psychological consequence: fear of the cancer coming back.
A systematic review published earlier this year found that the most common unmet need among cancer survivors is calming that fear. The constant worry often leads to depression, impaired daily functioning, and reduced quality of life. Many cancer survivors worry for years and report that they feel as worried as when they were first diagnosed with cancer.
The review combined data from 46 studies with more than 9,000 participants from 13 countries. The studies all used data from the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory, a widely-accepted survey to identify clinically-significant fear. Nearly 60 percent of study participants had fears that were clinically significant, and nearly 20 percent scored at the highest level, meaning their fear of cancer recurrence was debilitating.
These fears were prevalent regardless of the participant’s type of cancer and where they lived. Women were more likely to experience clinically-significant fear compared to men, and young people were more likely to experience clinically-significant fear compared to older people.
The first step is to recognize when fears become a significant problem. If you are a cancer survivor, you should report worries that interfere with relationships and daily activities to your health care provider. If you are afraid to go to your follow-up cancer appointment or if you feel hopeless about the future, those are also signs you may need some extra help. In addition, be on the lookout for difficulty sleeping or eating well and trouble concentrating or making decisions.
Researchers have tested a wide range of interventions to address the fear of cancer recurrence. One systematic review found therapy is an effective treatment for this problem and that improvements, although small, lasted on average more than seven months after therapy ended. Another found that mind-body interventions, such as meditation, relaxation skills, and cognitive-behavioral training are effective at addressing fear of cancer recurrence.
There is evidence that participating in a support group of cancer survivors often creates a sense of belonging that helps survivors feel less alone and more understood.
It’s also important to adhere to your follow-up care plan, even though those appointments might temporarily raise your anxiety levels.
The take-home message: Fear of recurrence is a significant problem for cancer survivors, but one that health care providers can address with follow-up care and therapy.
When you imagine an older person, what sort of picture pops into your head? Do you see someone walking stooped over a cane? Do you imagine them in a long-term care facility sitting in a wheelchair? Or do you imagine someone competing in a track meet, like the athletes who participated in last month’s National Senior Games track and field competition? [Read more…]
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