80% of Older Adults Have a Chronic Disease

Nearly 80% of Americans 65 or older have at least one chronic condition, such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, or depression; and half have at least two chronic conditions. The findings stem from The State of Aging and Health in America 2007 report, which covers 15 topics, including disability, mental distress, obesity, smoking, oral health, hip fractures, vaccinations, exercise, and diet. To view the report, visit http://www.cdc.gov/aging/saha.htm.

Singing Improves Health

A group of more than 165 people 65 or older participated in a chorale (a group of singers) or usual activity. Those in the chorale reported better physical health, fewer doctor visits, less use of medication, and fewer falls than those who didn’t participate. For more information, visit http://gerontologist.gerontologyjournals.org.

Weight Gain Common Among Older Adults

A new study found that older adults not only gain fat as they age, but because of the obesity epidemic, they begin their older years fatter. Study authors cautioned that weight gain and obesity increase older adults’ risk of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, and disability. For more information, visit http://www.ajcn.org.

Hearing Loss Crisis Looms

"By 2050, 50 million Americans could have impaired hearing."Researchers estimate that by 2050 there could be as many as 50 million Americans with impaired hearing. Hearing loss is particularly challenging for older adults who tend to experience social and psychological isolation as a result. Audiologists hope the restoration of damaged hearing cells will serve as a breakthrough achievement for those at risk. For more information, visit http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/02/19/hearing.health.ap.

New Resource for Caregivers

A newly updated resource offers caregivers much-needed information and tips to make their lives a little easier. Resources for Caregivers 2007 is now available to answer questions and offer assistance to those caring for sick or disabled friends or relatives. For a copy, visit http://www.maturemarketinstitute.com or call (203) 221-6580.

Cultural Beliefs Ward Off Caregiver Depression

"Caregivers with positive cultural and religious beliefs experience less depression." According to a new study, female caregivers of spouses and parents with dementia who have positive cultural and religious beliefs about caring for older adults experience lower levels of depression. This caregiver group, however, sustained levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which put them at risk for physical health problems. For more information, visit http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-02/cwru-cwr022007.php.

Device Aids Stroke Victims’ Eyesight

Research results presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference in San Francisco showed promise for a new device that uses light stimulation to enlarge the visual field of stroke patients with vision impairments. The device uses a custom-designed pattern of bright and dim light stimulation delivered to the edges of the visual field of the affected eye. It has been associated with improvements in visual field acuity of nearly 15%. For more information, visit http://www.docguide.com/news.

1 in 12 Can’t Afford Eye Care

"An estimated 60 million American adults are at high risk of vision loss." According to a new study, an estimated 60 million American adults are at high risk for vision loss, and of those adults, one in 12 cannot afford eyeglasses when needed, and about one-half do not get dilated eye examinations on a yearly basis. Yearly exams are recommended for those with diabetes or who are 65 or older. About one-third of the estimated 144 million U.S. individuals not at high risk for serious vision loss visited an eye doctor, and one-third had a dilated eye examination in the past 12 months. For more information, visit http://www.eurekalert.org.

Sleep Disturbances and Falls

A team of Australian researchers found a link between falls during the day and poor quality of nighttime sleep. Fewer falls were reported by participants who hadn’t experienced sleep disturbances, said researchers who used a sample group of 300 people over the age of 65. For more information, visit http://biomed.gerontologyjournals.org.

Vitamin D Reduces Falls

"Older adults taking a high daily dose of vitamin D experienced 72% fewer falls." New research suggested that reducing the number of falls in nursing homes might be helped by taking a vitamin, along with other measures known to decrease falls. Older adults taking a high daily dose of vitamin D experienced 72% fewer falls compared with those taking a placebo. For more information, visit http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref=0002-8614.

1 Billion Suffer from Neurological Disorders

The World Health Organization estimated that one billion people worldwide suffer from neurological disorders, ranging from Alzheimer’s disease to head injury consequences. For more information, visit http://news.yahoo.com.

Cognitive Function and Health

"Maintaining cognitive function may thwart diabetes and hypertension." More than 9,000 female study participants completed periodic assessments of mental function over the course of 15 years, and 9% had maintained optimal cognitive function, 58% experienced minor decline, and 33% experienced major decline. The women who maintained their cognitive function were less likely to have diabetes, hypertension, or difficulty with instrumental activities of daily living. They were more likely to have social networks and engage in healthy behaviors, such as not smoking and moderate alcohol consumption. For more information, visit http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref=0002-8614.

Alzheimer’s Missing Link Identified

Researchers found a deadly connection between the two kinds of abnormal structures that accumulate in the brain: amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. They’ve also identified what appears to be a major missing link in the process that destroys nerve cells in Alzheimer’s disease; the findings could eventually lead to new drugs that target and disrupt specific proteins that conspire in the brain to cause Alzheimer’s. For more information, visit http://www.virginia.edu.

U.S. Health Care Spending to Double by 2016

In 2006, 16% of the U.S. gross domestic product was spent on health care ($2.1 trillion U.S. dollars). Although growth in spending has slowed during the last two years, by 2016, spending will account for 19.6% of the gross domestic product, or $4.1 trillion. Increases are predicted in spending for prescription drugs, hospital care, health insurance premiums, and home health care. For more information, visit http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/abstract/hlthaff.26.2.w242.

Medicare Negotiating Lower Drug Prices

"87% of Americans support Medicare negotiating lower Rx prices." According to a new AARP poll, 87% of Americans support Medicare having the power to negotiate lower prescription drug prices. More than 1,000 adults ages 18 and older participated in the telephone poll. For more information visit, http://www.aarp.org/research/medicare/drugs/

rx_negotiation.html.

“Walkability” Decreases Obesity

A new study suggested that increased physical activity might work to beat back obesity in older people who live in neighborhoods with high “walkability,” or proximity to grocery stores and restaurants, and the length of its blocks. Walkability has long been a selling point for real estate agents. For more information, visit http://www.ajph.org.