Home Temps Over 90°F Risky for Older Adults

According to a national study by Living Independently Group, Inc., 20% of older adults may be at risk for heat-related illnesses spurred by their own home temperature.  The group monitored older adults’ home temperatures through wireless technology and found 20% of their sample had 90° F and higher temperatures.  As people age, they lose their sensation of thirst and are unable to regulate their body temperature, resulting in dehydration and disorientation.  For more information on this study and the “Top Ten Tips” for keeping safe during late summer heat, visit http://www.quietcaresystems.com/index_fl.htm.

Weather Disproportionately Affects Older Adults

"Older adults have been overlooked or forgotten during major weather events." According to a new report from the National Academy on an Aging Society, older adults have been disproportionately overlooked, abandoned, or forgotten during major weather events in the past several years.  The report Disasters and Aging emphasizes that with the potential of severe weather changes, the likely consequences of these events would be an increased incidence of death and serious illness among older adults.  A copy of the report is available at http://www.agingsociety.org. Mather LifeWays offers disaster preparedness training for long-term care communities with PREPARE. To learn more about this program, visit http://www.matherlifeways.com/re_prepare.asp.

Humidity Contributes to Heart Attacks

Researchers in Greece analyzed daily weather reports in comparison to more than 3,000 deaths from heart attacks in 2001.  Their findings indicated that for people over age 70, average monthly humidity was the single most important factor influencing death rates from heart attack.  To read the study abstract, visit http://heart.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/abstract/hrt.2006.091884v1.

Reducing Risk of Heart-Related Illnesses

"Heat claims more lives than all other weather-related disasters combined."Even when controlled for hurricanes and tornados, heat claims more lives than all other weather-related disasters combined.  The federal Administration on Aging has developed a fact sheet titled How to Lower the Risk of Heat-Related Illnesses, which offers information and helpful hints about where to obtain assistance during times of excessive heat, specifically for older adults.  To view the fact sheet, visit http://www.aoa.gov/press/spotlight_on/2006/july/SpotlightLowerRisk.

Technology Thought to Cut Med Errors

Medication errors in health care are a serious concern, and   approximately 1.5 million such errors result in harm to patients, sometimes even death.  A new report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found that the problem is so pervasive that a hospital patient will likely experience one medication error per day, on average.  To combat the problem, IOM recommends providers implement technological advances such as "e-prescribing."  For more information, visit http://www.iom.edu/CMS/3809/22526/35917.aspx.

Safer Use of Meds: Brown Bag 'Em

Health experts suggest that a "brown bag checkup” may prevent medication mistakes and reduce the number of unnecessary medications you take.  The checkup involves putting all your medications and over-the-counter products (including herbs, vitamins, supplements, and topical treatments) into a brown paper bag and bringing them to your doctor’s office.  This allows at least one medical professional to know everything you take, and second, this ensures that all the medications you have are really necessary.  To read more information about this checkup, visit http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2006/406_olderadults.html.

Admission to Long-Term Care Linked to Driving

A new study found that older adults who are able to continue driving safely are less likely to enter long-term care than those who have given up driving or who have never driven. The study included 1,593 older adults, ages 65 to 84, and was conducted over a 10-year period.  While driving itself did not produce this effect, the independence driving represents enables older adults to delay entry into a long-term care community.  Non-drivers were four times more likely to enter long-term care than drivers, and the risk doubled for non-drivers without any other drivers in the home.  To learn more, go to http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Press_releases/2006/07_19a_06.html.

Assisted Living Customers: Then & Now

Life Services Network Week's News (July 2006)

Data comparing the 2001 and 2006 Overview of Assisted Living found several important differences. For example, the average age of a resident increased within the last five years: in 2001, women’s average age was 85 and men's was 82; in 2006 women’s average age is 87 and men’s is 85.  The percentage of residents who moved within 10 miles of the residence [they were leaving] was 55% in 2001 and 61% in 2006, while the percentage of move-outs to competitors also increased, from 4% to 7%.

Long-Term Care More Likely for Women

"Women are 60% more likely to enter a nursing home than men." Genworth Financial released national polling data showing women are 60% more likely to enter a nursing home than men.  The polling also addressed caregiving and found that 67% of American women have provided long-term care to someone in need.  Nearly one in five unpaid caregivers provide constant care at least 40 hours per week.  To read more, visit http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=175970&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=883204&highlight.

Low Testosterone Levels Linked to Anemia

Male and female older adults with low testosterone levels are at increased risk of being or becoming anemic, a new study finds.  Although testosterone is considered a male hormone, women also have the hormone, albeit in lower levels.  Findings were derived from an Italian-population-based study of 905 older adults’ testosterone and hemoglobin levels.  Men were five times more likely to be anemic with lowered levels of testosterone as compared to men with high levels.  Among those without anemia at the start of the study, men and women with low as compared to normal testosterone had a significantly higher risk of developing anemia within three years.  For more information on this study, visit http://archinte.ama-assn.org.

Keeping Active Prolongs Life

Staying active throughout later life may prolong one’s life.  Researchers at the National Institute on Aging tracked three types of activity groups among 300 adults, ages 70 to 82, for a period of six years.  During the time of the study, the most active group’s mortality rate was 12%, the midrange group was 18%, and the least active group was 25%.   For tips on how to stay fit, visit http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/296/2/242.

Sleep Deprivation Not a 'Normal' Part of Aging

As commonly believed, having trouble sleeping is not a “normal” sign of aging.  More than half of older adults report experiencing trouble sleeping, and many are unaware of solutions to sleeping problems.  Sleep disturbance in older adults can lead to memory problems, impaired concentration, and functional disability.  The first step in sleep disturbance treatment is to keep a sleep diary that tracks wake-up and bedtimes; timing and size of meals; amount of exercise; medications; and descriptions of how much and how restful sleep was each night.  The diary is helpful for physicians to monitor whether one truly has insomnia or not.  For more information, visit http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/health/feeds/hscout/2006/07/31/hscout534010.html

High Blood Pressure? Exercise Still Beneficial

Johns Hopkins Gazette (August 2006)

A new study from researchers at Johns Hopkins University shows no strain or harm was incurred by a moderate exercise program for those with mild high blood pressure.  The study tracked 104 men and women, ages 55 to 75, and found after six months of aerobic exercise no overall ill effects in eleven measures of diastolic heart function (when the heart’s main chamber fills with blood between beats).   Additionally, the research shows that improved heart health and loss of abdominal fat were other benefits gained from physical activity.  To see the article visit, http://www.jhu.edu/gazette/2006/07aug06/07older.html.

Cost of Alzheimer's Reaches $248 Billion

The estimated total global cost of caring for those with Alzheimer's disease and dementia is now more than $248 billion annually.  Swedish researchers reported these findings at the annual International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders in Madrid, Spain.  The group based the estimate on costs of informal and indirect care for the estimated 28 million people with Alzheimer's and dementia worldwide.

Diets High in Copper Associated With Cognitive Decline

Archives of Neurology (August 2006)

Researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago analyzed the connection between dietary fat and dietary copper intake in more than 3,700 Chicago residents ages 65 and older.  The connection revealed that those with diets in high trans and saturated fats and high intake of copper were linked with an accelerated decline in thinking, learning, and memory abilities. Other dietary metals examined in their study, such as zinc and iron, did not show any effects on mental decline in interaction with a high-fat diet.  To read the abstract of this study, log on to http://archneur.ama-assn.org.

Progression of Brain Dysfunction

Researchers have identified that after memory begins to decline, other brain functions decline in progressive order.  Executive function, which includes concentration, decision-making, and higher-order problem-solving, deteriorate next in the progression from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease.  A decline in memory and executive brain function is a warning sign for caregivers and family members.  For more information on this study, go to www.medicalnewstoday.com. Another related study taking place, led by the National Institutes of Health, is seeking volunteers, ages 55 to 90, who have a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer's.  This landmark imaging study will attempt to determine whether brain imaging can help predict onset and monitor progression of Alzheimer's. For more information on this opportunity, call (800) 438-4380 or visit www.alzheimers.org/imagine.

8 in 10 Satisfied With New Medicare Drug Plan

According to a new survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, more than eight in 10 older adults enrolled in a Medicare drug plan are satisfied with their plan.   The survey also identified that almost two in 10 older adults say they encountered a major problem in using their Medicare drug plan.   The Foundation surveyed 1,585 older adults to assess their experiences with the new drug benefit, as well as their overall views of the benefit, their knowledge about key features, and the priority older adults give the drug law as a voting issue. To access the full survey report, log on to http://www.kff.org/kaiserpolls/pomr072706pkg.cfm.

Employers Offer Elder Care Benefits

McKnight’s Long-Term Care News (August 2006)

"1 in 4 companies offer basic elder care provisions for employees." A new report from the Society for Human Resource Management shows about one in four companies offer basic elder care provisions to employees.  Generally these basic provisions are referrals to caregivers or legal services.  About one in 11 companies offer more services, including in-home care and extended leaves for emergencies.

Centenarians Cite Sources of Longevity

Reuters Health (August 2006)

"Faith, hard work, and living a 'good, clean' life can lead to a long life." Factors cited in centenarians’ reasons for longevity include faith, hard work, a healthy diet, and living a “good and clean” life.  A new study queried 100- to 104-year-old men and women on why they believe they have lived so long.  Thirty percent of them indicated the most fulfilling achievement was raising a family.  To read more, log on to http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2006/08/10/eline/links/20060810elin006.html.

Older Adults Have Higher Risk of Home Fires

National Fire Protection Association (August 2006)

According to a new report from the National Fire Protection Association, older adults may not fully benefit from conventional smoke alarm systems, particularly during sleeping hours.  The study found older adults are more than twice as likely to die in a home fire as the average person.  The group studied how effective high-frequency alarms performed among older adults, and found that they were not as effective for this population.  For more information on the study and a summary of the technical report, visit http://www.nfpa.org.