Baby Boomers' Long-Term Care Needs: Are They Met?

A recent study, which projects the use of long-term care services by people ages 65 and older up to the year 2040, suggested that the long-term care burdens on families and institutions will increase substantially. The development of long-term care arrangements will depend heavily on future policy choices that can make services more affordable, including the expansion of Medicaid and Medicare. The study also warns that problems recruiting and retaining long-term care workers could limit the availability of paid services and sharply raise costs. For more information, visit http://www.urban.org.

Improved Satisfaction with Long-Term Care

According to a 2006 national survey, resident and family satisfaction has become a critical part of nursing home care. In 2005, long- term care providers across the country began surveying their customers. The following year, there was a 30% increase in the number of participating organizations, and the data indicate an increase in overall satisfaction with the quality of care and service. For more information, visit http://www.myinnerview.com.

Early Detection of Alzheimer's

A team of U.S. researchers reported that electroencephalogram (EEG), a technology that measures brain activity, offers a highly accurate means of diagnosing early Alzheimer's. Tests were conducted on 71 patients, and researchers found EEG to be 82% to 85% accurate in its diagnoses. This is greater than the 75% accuracy achieved at community hospitals and clinics using different diagnostic tools. For more information, visit http://www.rowan.edu.

Dementia Treatment Possibilities

A research team in Australia demonstrated that dementia can be stalled successfully and possibly reversed. The study explained that growth processes in the brain are dependent on blood supply. Therefore, the generation of new brain cells may be impaired by vascular risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, heart attack, and stroke. The researchers have shown that a variety of proactive measures can be adopted to combat these vascular risk factors or reverse acquired cognitive impairment (e.g., diet, physical fitness, and cognitive activity). For more information, visit http://bjp.rcpsych.org.

Go Ahead and Snack!

A study conducted with 2,002 participants found that snacking is an important dietary behavior among adults ages 65 and older. As the years go by, calorie consumption tends to decrease to as little as 1,200 calories per day for men and 800 calories per day for women by age 70. The results of this study suggested that snacking ensures that older adults consume adequate amounts of energy. For more information, visit http://www.adajournal.org.

Walking and Depression

A randomly selected sample of 740 men and women, ages 65 and older and living in King County, Washington, was surveyed in order to explore the link between depressive symptoms and the probability of walking at least 150 minutes per week. The study found a significant association between the “walkability” of the participant’s neighborhood and the depressive symptoms of men; however, the results did not indicate a significant association for women. For more information, visit http://www.blackwell-synergy.com.

Aspirin Benefits in Women 65+ Challenged

British Medical Journal (April 2007)

A recent study in Boston was conducted to determine whether low-dose aspirin protects women, ages 65 and older, against cognitive decline. The study included 6,377 women, ages 65 and older, who received a low dose of aspirin over nine years. Cognitive tests were run periodically, and the results indicated that long-term use of low-dose aspirin does not provide overall benefits for cognition among women 65+. For more information, visit http://www.bmj.com.

Improvements in Heart Care Successful

An international study from the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) found that people who recently suffered a heart attack or severe chest pain are much less likely to die or experience long-lasting effects than people who suffered a similar event just a few years ago. The study suggested that this change occurred at the same time that hospitals increased their use of certain drugs, tests, and procedures that are known to reduce the immediate and long-term impact of acute heart problems. These results suggested that concerted efforts to standardize heart care are improving patient outcomes. For more information, visit http://jama.ama-assn.org.

Treating Arthritis with Activity

Researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia found that women who exercise are less likely to suffer from stiff or painful joints. The study found that women in their 70s can do as little as 75 minutes of moderate physical activity a week to lessen their chances of developing frequent arthritis symptoms. The study also suggested that engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week could be even more protective. For more information, visit http://www.uq.edu.au.

Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is one of more than 100 varieties of arthritis that in all affects 70 million people in the U.S. It causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of motion in the joints and occurs most commonly in the fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, jaw, hips, knees, and toes. University of Michigan researchers believe that rheumatoid arthritis cannot be cured, but the symptoms can be managed. Treatment options include prescription and non-prescription medication, physical therapy, and surgery. For more information, visit http://www.med.umich.edu.

Caregiving for People Living with Alzheimer's

A recent report stated that six out of 10 people with Alzheimer's will wander, putting them at risk for danger and increasing the need for awareness among caregivers. The Alzheimer's Association of Eastern Virginia says that even when found, a person with dementia may not be able to say who s/he is or where s/he is from. It is recommended that anyone with memory loss be entered in the Alzheimer's Association Safe Return Registry. For more information, visit http://www.wvec.com.

The Cost of Dementia Care

According to worldwide data in 2005, the cost of dementia care is estimated to be $315.4 billion annually, based on an estimated world dementia population of 29.3 million people. The expected annual cost to treat dementia is higher than the total budget of all but eight of the world's countries. The data suggest that dementia research is important and has the potential to affect large numbers of people. For more information, visit http://www.alzheimersanddementia.org.

Strategic Action Plan on Aging

The Administration on Aging has developed a strategic action plan for 2007 through 2012 to guide the agency's resources toward providing national leadership on aging programs and policies. The plan establishes goals to empower older adults to make informed decisions about health and long-term care options and intends to enable older adults to remain in their homes with quality care through the provision of home and community-based services, including support for family caregivers. For more information, visit http://www.aoa.gov/about/strategic/strategic.asp.

Baby Boomers Less Healthy Than Previous Generations

A growing number of studies suggest that Baby Boomers are less healthy than their parents, as recent data suggest that they're more likely to report difficulty conducting routine activities like climbing stairs, and have more chronic problems, such as high cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes. Researchers suggested that these reports coincide with current trends, including obesity and daily routines dominated by desk jobs and less physical activity. For more information, visit http://www.utexas.edu.

Annual Shot for Osteoporosis Treatment

A study conducted to measure the effectiveness of an annual shot of zoledronic acid found that it decreased bone turnover and improved bone density at 12 months in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The study was conducted during a three-year period providing 3,889 people with a single annual shot, which significantly reduced their risk of vertebral, hip, and other fractures in the patients. For more information, visit http://content.nejm.org.

Improving Home Safety, Gaining Independence

The American Geriatrics Society is working on a study to train families of older adults on how to videotape their relatives' home for safety improvements. Based on the person's health challenges, the relatives learns which parts of the home to videotape. An occupational therapist reviews the tapes and makes recommendations to improve the ability of each adult to stay independent and safe. Recommendations include the installation of grab bars, handrails, bathtub benches, and ramps. For more information, visit http://www.americangeriatrics.org.