Hip Fracture Risk Factors Released

Hip fractures can lead to serious complications, including prolonged recovery and higher risk of death, especially among older adults. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the following risk factors can make a person more likely to suffer a hip fracture: age 65 and older; female; a family history of fractures or small, slim bone structure; low calcium intake or absorption; smoking and/or alcohol abuse; arthritis; poor balance or eyesight; and impairment caused by dementia or medication. For more information, visit http://www.aaos.org.

Fracture Risk Associated with Kidney Function

A new study revealed that older adult women with mild kidney dysfunction have an increased risk of hip fracture by more than 50%, while those with moderately impaired kidney function have an increased risk of 100%. Researchers identified these increased risks after studying nearly 700 women ages 65 and older. For more information, visit http://archinte.ama-assn.org.

Re-Fracture Risk Similar for Both Genders

An examination of close to 4,000 adults ages 60 and older revealed that after sustaining an initial low-trauma fracture, there was a substantial and similar risk of subsequent re-fracture for both men and women. The study authors suggested speedy fracture preventive therapy for all older adults who experience low-trauma fractures. For more information, visit http://jama.ama-assn.org.

Telephone Support Groups Lower Caregiver Depression

American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias

Researchers evaluating the impact of professionally led telephone support groups on female caregivers’ burden, depression, and personal gains found that after six months of participation, women reported lower rates of depression than caregivers who did not participate in the groups. For more information, visit http://aja.sagepub.com.

End-of-Life Caregiving Difficult but Rewarding

Archives of Internal Medicine (January 2007)

"More than two-thirds of caregivers reported that they felt good about themselves and appreciated life more."

Although providing end-of-life care can be very taxing for caregivers, a new study’s results indicated that more than two-thirds of caregivers reported that they felt good about themselves, useful, and appreciated life more. The study authors noted that, “Compared with primary informal caregivers of persons who survived 12 months [of the study], end-of-life caregivers provided significantly higher levels of assistance and reported more challenges and strains, but they were no less likely to endorse rewards related to their helping role.” For more information, visit http://archinte.ama-assn.org.

Long-Term Care No Barrier to Strong Marriage

A new study from the University of Alberta in Canada found that older adults work hard to keep their marriages alive and well, even after one spouse falls ill and needs long-term care. Partners remaining at home were heavily involved in the lives of the spouse living in long-term care. For more information, visit http://www.ualberta.ca.

Long-Term Care Information Online

The National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information is now available online and provides comprehensive details about long-term care planning, services, and financing options. The Department of Health and Human Services launched the site to raise awareness of long-term care options and the need to plan ahead. To access the website, visit http:// www.longtermcare.gov.

Upgrades Necessary to Remain Competitive

An ongoing survey of investment-quality housing for older adults in 30 metropolitan markets indicated that 45% of Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) and 42% of freestanding nursing homes need upgrading to stay competitive. The majority of CCRC managers said that the upgrades would not be extensive. The median age of the CCRCs was 24 years, compared with a median age of 32 years for the nursing homes. For more information, visit http:// www.nic.org.

Anti-Aging Hormone Therapy Harmful

In the first review of human growth hormones as anti-aging therapy, researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine, California, found that there is no evidence to suggest any anti-aging properties and cited substantial potential side effects from such supplements. For more information, visit http://archinte.ama-assn.org.

Alternative Meds Rarely Discussed With Doctors

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) (January 2007)

"69% of those 50+ don’t talk to their doctors about the alternative meds they’re taking."

Many people ages 50 and older use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), but 69% do not talk to their doctors about it, according to a new survey conducted by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) in conjunction with the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The survey results suggested that open communication is important, as a medical professional can ensure the best use of all conventional and CAM therapies. For more information, visit http://www.aarp.org/cam_2007.html.

Gender Differences in Wound Healing

University of Illinois at Chicago researchers found that oral wounds heal faster in older adult men than in women, according to their review of more than 210 participants ranging from 50 to 88 years of age. The healing process is faster for women, however, with regard to skin wounds. Investigators believe the findings could have significant implications for promoting post-surgical healing, especially with more older adults undergoing various kinds of procedures. For more information, visit http://tigger.uic.edu/htbin/cgiwrap/bin/newsbureau/.

Decline in Cholesterol May Signal Dementia

Researchers report that a decline in cholesterol levels may precede the diagnosis of dementia by at least 15 years. Although the causation of dementia may not be linked to this finding, the researchers suggested it is possible that a decline in cholesterol levels is a clinical marker. For more information, visit http:// www.reuters.co.uk.

Lonely Adults Likely to Develop Alzheimer’s

New research showed that social and emotional isolation in older adults increases their risk of developing dementia by about 51%. A research team from Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, found that among 823 participants in a study, the risk of Alzheimer’s was about twice as great in those reporting a high degree of loneliness. For more information, visit http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org.

Trouble Identifying Odors Linked to Dementia

An inability to identify familiar odors correctly may be an early indication of the onset of Alzheimer’s. Researchers believe this difficulty is linked to the build up of plaques in the brain and that olfactory testing can help detect Alzheimer’s. For more information, visit http:// www.reutershealth.com.

Folic Acid Boosts Cognitive Function

A Dutch researcher studying more than 800 adults ages 50 and older found that taking folic acid supplements improved cognitive function significantly. Folic acid is a water-soluble B vitamin and is found in yeast extract, green leafy vegetables, dried beans and peas, some organ meats like liver, fortified cereals, certain fruits and vegetables, and certain seeds, such as sunflower seeds. For more information, visit http:// www.thelancet.com.

Boomers Unprepared for Retirement?

The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College surveyed employers about their expectations for the Baby Boomer workforce and found that employers believe that half of their Boomer employees will be unprepared for retirement, and that one-quarter of all workers will want to work longer. For more information, visit www.bc.edu/centers/crr/wob_6.shtml.

Entertainment Expenditures for Older Adults

The average annual expenditures for entertainment and reading for people ages 55 to 64 was $3,000; for ages 65 to 74 years, it was $2,037; and for those 75 years and older, it was $1,125. The most frequent purchases for people ages 45 to 64 years were walking shoes (40.4%), golf club sets (33.7%), rod/reel combination (31.8%), aerobic shoes (29%), and multipurpose home gyms (20.5%). Some of the most popular activities were gardening (56.6%), exercising (48.4%), watching movies (46.6%), sewing (18.6%), and photography (12.1%). For more information, visit http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab.

Older Adults' Necessities and Luxuries

From a list of 14 products, a poll of 2,000 adults identified which items they considered luxuries and necessities. For respondents 65 and older, necessities were a clothes washer (92%) and dryer (87%), car (84%), home air-conditioning (77%), microwave (75%), television set (73%), and car air-conditioning (71%). For all ages, the more income a person had, the more likely he or she viewed goods as necessities rather than luxuries. For more information, visit http://pewresearch.org/topics/socialtrends.