Preventative Services Under-Used By Older Adults

A new survey from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) found that many older adults do not take advantage of preventative health care services, including Pap smears, flu shots, and eye exams.  Researchers analyzed data of more than 11,000 Medicare recipients and found that one-third to two-thirds of respondents did not receive covered preventative services within the one-year scope of the study.  CMS’ presentation of the study’s findings coincide with its campaign to raise awareness of under-used preventative services.  For more information, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov.

61% Of Older Women Getting Mammograms

Researchers analyzed Medicare data of more than 145,000 women ages 65 and older and found that their mammogram-screening rate was 61%.  For racial minorities, the screening rate was much lower.  The authors posit one of the reasons the rate may be so low is the lack of any definitive evidence that mammography has any value for women ages 69+.  For more information, visit http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_

home/600644/description#description.

Aggression In Nursing Homes Linked To Constipation

In one of the first studies to investigate how non-psychological conditions contribute to physical aggression in nursing home residents, researchers identified constipation as one of many associated factors.  Study authors remarked, “We chose to study constipation because it is common, modifiable, and recognized by clinicians to be a cause of many non-specific symptoms.”  Depressive symptoms, delusions, and hallucinations also lead to physical aggression. To access the study abstract, visit http://archinte.ama-assn.org.

Americans Unprepared For Future Care Costs

"60% of respondents haven't calculated their estimated retirement costs." According to a new survey by John Hancock Life Insurance, Americans are unprepared for retirement costs. Fifty-seven percent of 1,000 respondents said they were concerned about long-term care costs, but 70% have taken little or no action to address the problem. Further, the study found that 60% of respondents have not tried to calculate their estimated retirement costs. For more information, visit http://www.seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Money/6-07-05-AmericansLess.htm.

Potential Shortage Of Personal Assistance Workers

According to a new study from researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, a future shortage of personal assistance workers may put older adults at risk.  Although the number of skilled personal assistance and care positions has steadily increased over the last 15 years, researchers say there may be a shortage of these workers as the older adult population continues to grow and drive greater demand for such services.  For more information, visit http://www.healthaffairs.org.

Arthritis Treatment Prevents, Erases Skin Spots

For many older adult women sun exposure has permanently damaged their skin, causing dark splotches and uneven skin tone.  Researchers at Harvard Medical School discovered that glucosamine, a compound best known for treating arthritis, helps stop the formation of new age spots and fades existing ones.  This finding, study authors claim, could dramatically affect the way dermatologists treat UV-related skin damage.  For more information, visit http://www.seniorjournal.com.

Nutrition Info Varies By Older Adults' Educational Levels

According to a new study, education levels can predict disease risk, health behavior patterns, and diet quality among older adults. Researchers surveyed 176 adults, ages 50 and older, to identify specific sources of nutrition information.  Among less-educated older adults, doctors, television, and neighbors provided their main sources of health information.  To read an abstract of this article, visit http://www.adajournal.org/article/PIIS0002822306008698/abstract.

1/3 Of Older Adults Dehydrated

"31% of long-term care residents are dehydrated." Sufficient fluid consumption among older adults is associated with fewer falls, less constipation, less laxative use, improved rehabilitation in orthopedic patients, and a reduction in bladder cancer (among men).  Despite these benefits, a new study found that 31% of long-term care residents are dehydrated.  Study authors say dehydration is partly due to natural aging, as thirst response slows with age.  To access this article and for a free dehydration risk appraisal checklist, visit http://www.nursingcenter.com/AJNolderadults.

Asthma Treatment Increases Risk Of Cataracts

Researchers in Canada tracked more than 100,000 older adults with either asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for more than 14 years and found that they were at increased risk for cataracts.  Study participants who took inhaled corticosteroids raised their risk of developing cataracts by 24%.  The authors of the study suggest asthmatic older adults should consult their pulmonologist or primary care doctor to reduce the dose of inhaled corticosteroids as much as possible.  For more information, visit http://erj.ersjournals.com.

Caregivers Unprepared When Home Services End

A group of researchers in New York City found that family caregivers are unprepared when formal home care services end.  Ninety-nine caregivers of stroke and brain-injury patients were interviewed throughout their initial experiences with home care services and for an average of nine months thereafter.  The study found that family caregivers provide substantial amounts of care but receive inadequate support from health care providers.  Between one-third and one-half of family caregivers reported experiencing significant isolation, anxiety, and depression once formal home care services were discontinued. To access the full-text of this study, visit http://www.uhfnyc.org/usr_doc/Milbank.pdf.

Daughters 4x More Likely To Care For Mom

The Gerontologist (August 2006)

"Researchers found that older mothers expect their daughters to care for them."

A study published this month by Cornell University researchers found that mothers ages 65 to 75 are almost four times more likely to expect a daughter, as opposed to a son, to be their caregiver if they become sick or disabled.  Study author Dr. Karl Pillemer said, “[Mothers] expected care from the child they felt closest to and who had more similar values, even if he or she had serious life problems of his or her own or had other competing responsibilities.”  The study involved at-home interviews with more than 500 Boston-area older adult mothers and is among the first studies to provide detailed information about the living children of older adults.  For more information, visit http://gerontologist.gerontologyjournals.org.

Coping After Nursing Home Placement

In a small qualitative study, researchers have produced one of the first reports on how family members cope after placing a loved one in a nursing home.  The study authors interviewed 18 family caregivers to assess factors that helped or hindered their coping ability.  Family caregivers’ interactions with their loved ones, other nursing home residents, family and friends, nursing staff, and a nursing home-sponsored support group helped caregivers acclimate to their loved ones’ new surroundings.  The factors that decreased their coping abilities were role disruption, guilt over placement, and uncertainty about the future.  To read the abstract, visit http://www.jognonline.com/view.asp?rID=17090.

Calorie Restriction May Help Alzheimer's Patients

A new study from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York suggested that experimental dietary regimens could calm or reverse Alzheimer’s symptoms.  The research team restricted caloric intake to reduce the presence of beta-amyloid peptides, the proteins that cause plaque buildup in the brain, a main characteristic of Alzheimer’s.  To read more about the study, visit http://www.eurekalert.org.

Alzheimer's 5th Most Common Cause Of Death

Surpassing the flu and diabetes, Alzheimer’s now kills more older Americans and is the fifth most common cause of death, ranking behind (in order) heart disease, malignant neoplasms, cerebrovascular disease, and chronic lower respiratory diseases.  This increase in the number of Alzheimer’s-reported deaths, analysts argue, could be attributed to more thorough reporting of the disease on death certificates.

'Senior Moments' May Signal Alzheimer's

Neurology (June 2006) "Researchers found waxy protein clumps in the brains of patients who experienced occasional 'senior moments.'"

In an attempt to identify the earliest point of the Alzheimer’s disease process, researchers now say subtle forgetfulness may really be a sign the disease.  Scientists autopsied the brains of 134 older adults who had appeared mentally normal, apart from experiencing fleeting forgetfulness or what is sometimes referred to as a “senior moment.” In most cases, these moments are a normal part of aging, but the team of researchers identified waxy protein clumps and other signs of degeneration in more than one-third of the autopsies they performed. For more information on this study, visit http://www.aan.com/publications/journal/index.cfm.

Dolls, Teddy Bears Help Alzheimer's Patients

BBC Health News (July 2006)

New research from psychologists in Britain suggested that dolls and teddy bears could help those with Alzheimer’s communicate and interact with others.  Akin to caring for a child, Alzheimer’s patients bond with and care for the dolls, and having responsibility for the doll supplies them with topics to discuss with caretakers.  According to the researchers, the doll experiments have improved the patients’ quality of life.  To read more about this study, visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/.

Southerners Most Hospitable To Older Adults

When compared with other U.S. regions, a new study found that people living in the South are more hospitable to older adults.  Based on results from a national telephone survey of close to 180,000 people, nearly 17% of Southerners said they provide regular care to a friend or family member aged 60 or older who has a long-term illness or disability.  Other hospitable regions were the Midwest, Northeast, and Rocky Mountain states (15%); New England and Southwest (14%); and Pacific states (13%).

Mom's Age Affects Ability To Reach 100th Birthday

Researchers at the University of Chicago’s Center on Aging found that people were more likely to see their 100th birthday if they were born to young mothers.  The team relied on U.S. Census, Social Security Administration and genealogical data to track centenarians born in the late 1890s.  Using this sample, the team found that one’s chances of living to the age of 100 (and older) nearly double for a child born to a woman before her 25th birthday.  The research also indicated that the father’s age is less important to longevity.

Medicare Info Often Inaccurate, Incomplete

A new report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) states that Medicare customer service representatives oftentimes provide inaccurate and incomplete information to recipients.  The report derives findings from a study of more than 900 calls placed to 10 companies offering drug coverage under Medicare.  Study staff received accurate responses to 34% of the calls, inaccurate responses 22% of the time, incomplete answers 29% of the time, and received no answers at all to 15% of the inquiries. To read more, visit http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=47057&nfid=rssfeeds.

Changing Names, Changing Times For Senior Living

zNews (June 2006)

According to a Ziegler Capital Markets Group study, senior living communities that change their names often do so to reflect a change in the breadth of their mission, market area, or constituencies served.  For example, the study found that communities that grow from one to two campuses might change the name of their community to signal a reorganization of corporate culture.  The study notes the name-changing trend will most likely continue in the future as the senior living industry grows. To read this report, visit http://www.zieglerseniorlivingfinance.com.