Boomers Play It Safe

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (May 2007)

In 2005, more than 128,000 people between the ages of 45 and 64 were treated for exercise-related injuries.  In response, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) created a list of suggestions to prevent such injuries, including consulting a doctor before beginning an exercise program and participating in moderate exercise every day. To view the article , visit http://www6.aaos.org.

Exercising’s Impact on Aging Muscles

A study conducted by researchers from the Buck Institute for Age Research in Canada suggested that weight training may reverse the signs of aging in the skeletal muscles in people over the age of 65. Men and women 65+ underwent six months of strength training, and researchers found that the gene expression profile in the participants’ muscles showed a more youthful appearance and that they were stronger. To view the article, visit http://www.plosone.org. Strong Living is another evidence-based strength-training program developed at Tufts University and is currently being replicated in Mather LifeWays senior living residences and Mather’s—More Than a Café locations. A total of 45 participants have completed six months of strength training to date. To view the article, visit http://tuftsjournal.tufts.edu.

A Mediator Between Physical & Mental Health

Survey research on older residents in assisted living residences demonstrated that when older adults with chronic conditions and/or disabilities have a positive perception of their health, they are less likely to experience depression. These findings demonstrate the importance of producing positive images of wellness for older adult residents living in assisted living residences. To read the abstract, visit http://jah.sagepub.com.

Tai Chi’s Impact on Parkinson’s

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity (April 2007)"Tai chi improves participants’ physical health."

A program assessment was performed on the safety, effectiveness, and practicality of a new tai chi-based program for older adults with Parkinson’s disease. Exit interviews indicated that program participants enjoyed the exercise and planned to continue with it. Pre- and post-test physical-performance measures indicated statistically significant physical improvement over a five-day assessment period. To read the abstract, visit http://www.humankinetics.com.

A New Tool for Caregivers

It is estimated that 80% of all care received by older Americans is provided by family members. The Minnesota Board on Aging developed a tool for families to plan, organize, and reflect on the caregiving experience. The Family Caregiver Journal may be used to make caregiving decisions and to find help with personal care, meals, and household chore services available in the community. To view the article, visit http://www.walkermn.com.

Grandparents Caring for Grandchildren

"Grandparents caring for grandchildren may not be as unhealthy as previously believed."An analysis of data from the Health and Retirement Study, sponsored by the National Institute on Aging, demonstrated that caring for grandchildren may not have as negative an impact on health as previously believed. These data demonstrate that negative health effects are limited to a subset of grandparents; caregiving by lower-income grandparents with a co-residential grandchild and grandmothers who care for “skipped-generation” households are most likely to experience negative effects. To view the article, visit http://psychology.uchicago.edu.

Quality-of-Life for Nursing Home Residents & Caregivers

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh calculated a perception gap in 11 quality-of-life domains between caregivers and nursing home residents. Caregivers consistently rate the quality-of-life for residents lower than the residents themselves, especially those caregivers who were more dissatisfied with their work, pay, and promotion possibilities. The findings imply that the job satisfaction of the caregiver is directly related to this perception gap. To view the abstract, visit http://gerontologist.gerontologyjournals.org.

Helping Older Adults Remain Independent

"Living in a state with higher home- and community-based services expenditures may lower one’s risk of entering a nursing home."States vary greatly in their support for home- and community-based services (HCBS) that are intended to help disabled older adults live in the community. This study examined the impact of states providing HCBS on the risk of nursing home admission among older Americans without children by analyzing admissions that occurred between 1995 and 2002. The study indicated that living in a state with higher HCBS expenditures are at a lower risk of nursing home admission than those in states with lower HCBS expeditures. To view the abstract, visit http://psychsoc.gerontologyjournals.org.

Cognitive Decline from Nursing Home Placement

According to researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, people with Alzheimer’s disease experience acceleration in the rate of cognitive decline after being placed in a nursing home. Study participants who were using day care three to four days a week at the beginning of the study showed no increase in cognitive decline after nursing home placement. The results indicated that experience in day care may help individuals with Alzheimer's disease make the transition from independent living to a nursing home community. To view the article, visit http://www.rush.edu.

Are Vitamin Supplements Necessary?

Scientific American (May 2007)

Studies suggest that the best way to get vitamins is through food, not vitamin pills. The vitamins found in fruit, vegetables, and other foods come with thousands of other phytochemicals, or plant nutrients that may protect against cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, and other chronic ailments. Still, a multivitamin is recommended for healthy adults, and a B12 supplement is recommended for people over 50 years of age because absorption of this vitamin in the digestive tract becomes less efficient with age. To view the article, visit http://www.sciam.com.

Reducing Risk of Hip Fractures

"Getting nutrition from healthy foods is the best way to benefit from vitamins."New research suggested that vitamin D supplements alone are not enough to lower the risk of hip fractures for older adults living with osteoporosis. The study reported that the risk of hip fracture was cut by 18% in study participants receiving vitamin D plus calcium. Researchers concluded that vitamin D and calcium work together to restore calcium balance and reduce fracture risk. To view the abstract, visit http://jcem.endojournals.org.

Peptide Imbalance & Alzheimer’s

Research performed at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York found that an imbalance in the levels between two peptides, Aβ42 and Aβ40, is linked to the onset of dementia. Dementia may occur when the proportions of these peptides change in relation to each other. The researchers indicated that their findings have the potential to utilize Aβ40, known to be free from most side effects, as a preventative therapy for Alzheimer’s disease. To view the article, visit http://news.rpi.edu

and to view the abstract, visit http://www.sciencedirect.com.

Embryonic Stem Cells & Degenerative Disease

"An imbalance in Aβ42 and Aβ40 peptide levels is linked to the onset of dementia."Researchers at the University of Oxford in England and Burnham Institute for Medical Research in California demonstrated that both adult and embryonic stem cells may be used to treat neurogenetic diseases in mice, without side effects. This study was conducted specifically to test stem cell treatments on Sandhoff disease, which results in the deterioration of the brain and spinal cord, most often in infants; however, the researchers also believe that their findings hold promise for the safe and effective use of stem cell treatments for other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. To view the abstract, visit http://www.nature.com

To view the article, visit http://digital.virtualmarketingpartners.com (newsletter).

iPods & Pacemakers: In Harmony?

A recent study tested the use of Mac iPods on 83 patients with pacemakers at Michigan State University. The results found that iPods interfered with telemetry equipment monitoring the heart’s function in 29% of the participants. Interference was most common when the music-playing device was held two inches from the patients’ chests for 5 to 10 seconds; however, some interference was detected when iPods were held up to 18 inches from the patients’ chests. To view the report, visit http://www.hrsonline.org.

Talking About Their Generation

"Pacemaker interference was most common when an iPod was held 2” from patients’ chests for 5-10 seconds."Tim Samuels, an award-winning British documentary-maker and presenter, brought 40 older adult men and women together to form what has been described as perhaps the world’s oldest rock band. The group shot a video for their version of The Who’s My Generation and has been receiving growing worldwide media attention as part of a promotional campaign for the BBC documentary, The Great Granny Chart Invasion. To watch the video, visit http://www.youtube.com, and for more information, visit http://news.bbc.co.uk (article). Mather LifeWays is currently sponsoring the Aging Well Rocks! Song Competition for older adults 55+. For details, visit http://www.matherlifeways.com.

Enhancing Driving Performance with Exercise

Researchers at Yale School of Medicine conducted a study with 178 drivers ages 70 and older to measure the impact of physical conditioning on driving performance. Driving performance has been linked to coordination and speed of movement among older drivers. Participants took part in a 12-week exercise program that focused on physical abilities related to driving, including walking. Results indicated an improvement in road test scores after three months and 37% fewer critical errors. Researchers suggested that this study could lead to intervention rather than limiting or stopping older adults from driving. To view the report, visit http://www.yale.edu.

250,000 Medicare Patient Deaths Preventable

Preventable medical errors took place at a nearly 3% incident rate among Medicare hospitalizations during 2003 through 2005, as reported in the Fourth Annual Patient Safety in American Hospitals Study. Analysts believe that approximately 250,000 Medicare patient deaths involving medical errors could have been prevented. The study reviewed 16 patient safety measures over a three-year period. To download the report, visit http://www.healthgrades.com.