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21 Feb

Once You Hit 40, Exercising More May Keep You Out of the Hospital

Health News Results - 436

Injury-Proof Homes: Creating Safe Spaces for Older Adults

There’s nothing like the comfort and security of home. For many, a home is a place filled with fond memories of happy times.

It’s no wonder older adults choose to extend their independence by trying to stay in their homes as they get older, an experience called aging in place.

But as a person ages, what used to be ordinary in the home can be challenging or even a hazard. Almost ...

Yoga Can Help Seniors Regain Their Strength

Practicing yoga might help older adults become a little surer on their feet, a new research review suggests.

The review, of 33 small clinical trials, found that older adults who participated in yoga programs typically gained some lower-body strength and boosted their walking speed.

Experts said the findings suggest that yoga might help older adults manage some of the strength and m...

After 3 Years of the Pandemic, Loneliness May Be Ebbing for America's Older Adults

On the third anniversary of the pandemic, a new poll shows fewer older adults are experiencing loneliness and isolation though the numbers are still high.

About one-third of adults aged 50 to 80 still sometimes or often experience isolation and loneliness, according to the University of Michigan researchers. They may go a week or longer without social contact from someone outside the hom...

Reducing Home Hazards Cuts Seniors' Risk of Falling

Nearly one-third of older people fall each year, most of them in their own homes. But it's possible to reduce those numbers by a quarter, according to a new study.

Five steps can cut the risk of falls by 26%, the researchers reported in the March 10 issue of the Cochrane Database of ...

For Seniors on Antidepressants, Adding a Drug May Work Better Than Switching

Many older adults with depression don’t respond to their first antidepressant, so doctors will switch them to another one to see if that does the trick.

Now, new research suggests that the best strategy for these folks may instead be to add the antipsychotic drug Abilify (aripiprazole) to the original antidepressant.

“This is good news for older adults with difficult-to-tr...

70 or Older? An Extra 500 Steps a Day Could Do Wonders for Your Heart

While the idea of getting 10,000 steps a day is bandied about as a good walking goal, that can be intimidating to some people, depending on how fit they are.

Now, new research in adults between the ages of 70 and 90 finds that a much smaller number of steps can make a difference in heart health.

It’s possible, according to researchers, that just 3,000 steps a day has benef...

FDA Panel Backs Second RSV Vaccine for Older Americans

Following hours of discussion over safety concerns, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel on Wednesday recommended approval of a second RSV vaccine, this one made by GlaxoSmithKline, for use in Americans ages 60 and older.

The panel's recommendation was based largely on the results of a trial that tested the GlaxoSmithKline vaccine in the same age group. Those findings, publi...

Bed Rails Can Help and Harm: FDA Gives Guidance

While adult bed rails are marketed with safety in mind, they need to be used with caution, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises.

"Many death and injury reports related to entrapment and falls for adult portable bed rail products and hospital bed rails have been reported to the FDA and the CPSC [U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission]," the FDA said in a new

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • March 1, 2023
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    • FDA Panel Backs Pfizer's RSV Vaccine for Older Americans

    In a tight vote, U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisors on Tuesday recommended the approval of an RSV vaccine that could be used in Americans ages 60 and up.

    The vaccine, known as RENOIR, was developed by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. The same panel of advisors will weigh the potential approval of another respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, this one from GlaxoSmithKline, on...

    Two Vaccines May Soon Shield Seniors Against RSV

    Older people have vaccines available to prevent severe influenza and COVID-19, but there’s been nothing to protect against the third respiratory virus that contributed to this season’s wretched “triple-demic.”

    Until now.

    Two major pharmaceutical companies published clinical trial results this week that pave the way for an RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) vaccine to be avail...

    There's Been a Big Decline in the Rate of Americans Hit by Disability

    A new study delivers some great news to older Americans, something many likely already realize in their daily lives.

    The prevalence of disabilities among seniors is down sharply from what it was just a decade before, researchers say.

    Fewer older adults have limitations in the activities that are an important part of daily life, from climbing stairs or walking without difficulty to...

    Golf Is Healthy Exercise for Seniors, Study Confirms

    Want to stay healthy well into your golden years? Grab a bag of clubs and hit the green, new research suggests.

    Golfing beat walking or even Nordic walking (a full-body workout that consists of walking using specialized poles) when it came to improving several key measures of heart health in the small study.

    “The results of this study are meant to encourage older adults to spend m...

    Sports-Linked Cardiac Arrest Rare in Seniors, Study Finds

    The saga of Damar Hamlin's recent collapse during a football game has thrown the dangers of sports-related cardiac arrest into the spotlight.

    What about this happening to someone much older?

    A new study brings reassuring news: It’s rare for an older adult to have a sudden cardiac arrest during exercise, and those who do tend to have fewer health issues than those who experienc...

    Many Seniors Shunned In-Home Care During Pandemic, Worsening Health

    TUESDAY, Jan. 31, 2023 (HealthDay News) – The COVID-19 pandemic continues to take its toll on older Americans.

    A new study finds that many older adults declined medically necessary in-home care during the height of the pandemic in 2020 for fear of contracting the coronavirus, but doing so may have...

    'Spare Tire' in Middle Age Could Mean a Frail Old Age

    Any 'middle-age spread' of excess weight around your tummy could raise your risk of becoming frail decades later, a new study suggests.

    Obese folks who've packed on pounds around their waist are more likely to develop symptoms of frailty, including exhaustion, weak grip strength, slow walking speed and reduced physical activity levels, researchers say.

    Those symptoms can make a per...

    Feds to Investigate Overuse of Antipsychotic Drugs by Nursing Homes

    U.S. health officials say they plan to investigate whether some nursing homes are falsely labeling patients as schizophrenic so they can administer sedating antipsychotic drugs to them.

    The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) noted that evidence of this abuse has grown over decades. It plans to launch an investigation of select nursing homes this month, the Associated Pre...

    Seniors, Make This Winter an Active & Healthy One

    Winter may feel like a time for hibernation, but it’s important for seniors to safely keep up their hobbies and physical activity in the cold weather.

    “It’s important to get outside as much as possible, whether it’s temperate or even if it’s colder, as long as it’s safe to do so,” said Dr. Angela...

    For Seniors, Declining Sense of Smell Could Signal Frailty

    Doctors already test seniors’ hearing and vision. Sense of smell could be added to screenings one day, according to researchers who found links between its loss and risk of frailty in older adults.

    “We use our sense of smell to identify the threat of a fire or to enjoy the fragrance of flowers on a spring day. But just like vision and hearing, this sense weakens as we age,” said stu...

    Could Soaking in a Hot Spring (or Tub) Ease High Blood Pressure?

    Could taking hot baths at night help seniors keep high blood pressure at bay? A new Japanese study suggests it just might work.

    The finding follows a fresh analysis of a decade-old survey that looked at high blood pressure risk among older residents of Beppu.

    Beppu is a city widely known for having the most natural hot springs in all of Japan. And the new analysis revealed that tho...

    Biden Administration Calls for Crackdown on Misleading Medicare Ads

    Medicare Advantage ads that are confusing or misleading could be banned under a new rule that was proposed Wednesday by the Biden administration to protect seniors.

    Nearly half of all seniors or people with disabilities who are enrolled in the Medicare program through the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have Medicare Advantage plans.

    “CMS released a proposed...

    Seniors Urged to Get Flu Shots as U.S. Cases Rise

    Experts are asking seniors to get their flu shots ASAP as an exceptionally nasty flu season unfolds across the United States.

    Already, 8.7 million flu cases have been reported, with 78,000 hospitalizations and 4,500 deaths, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the last week alone, the nu...

    Fatal Drug Overdoses Among U.S. Seniors Have Tripled Since 2000

    Growing numbers of older Americans are dying from drug overdoses and alcohol abuse.

    That's the tragic takeaway from two new reports by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    More than 5,000 people aged 65 and older in the United States died of a drug overdose in 2020, and this number has tripled since 2000, according to

  • Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter
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  • November 30, 2022
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    • Many U.S. Seniors Get Needless, Pricey Cervical Cancer Screenings

    Researchers warn that high rates of cervical cancer screening in women over 65 suggest that some older Americans are being unnecessarily screened.

    More health data on these screenings in older women is needed to prevent potential harm and unnecessary costs, said the team from University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and the U.S. Centers for Dise...

    Heading South for the Winter? Check This Medical Checklist

    Escaping from a cold, wintery place to a warm climate can be fun for so-called "snowbirds" who migrate south for the winter.

    Still, experts say it's a good idea for older adults to prepare by having a "medical checklist" to ensure both regular care and help in case of an emerging issue while away from home.

    "Snowbirds should have their medical checklists completed a month before th...

    Many Urban Seniors Rely on 'Broken' City Transit to Get to Medical Appointments

    More than 700,000 older Americans rely on public transportation to get to and from their medical appointments.

    That's roughly 1 in 10 seniors who live in cities.

    But when individuals were frail, or used a wheelchair, or sidewalks along their route were damaged, they were less likely to take the subway or bus, pointing to a need for improvement, according to a

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • October 27, 2022
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    • Keeping Blood Pressure in Check Could Cut Your Odds for Dementia

    Controlling high blood pressure in older adults may be one of the "best bets" for reducing the risk of developing dementia, Australian researchers report.

    "Given population aging and the substantial costs of caring for people with dementia, even a small reduction could have considerable global impact,...

    Age Matters for Use of At-Home Tests

    These days, you can test yourself for COVID-19, HIV, potential problems in your DNA or even a urinary tract infection while never leaving your home.

    Researchers set out to find what older folks thought of the tests, whether they use them and how often they reported their results to a physician who could provide care if there was a problem.

    "As more companies bring these direct-to-co...

    Surgery Holds Danger for Seniors. Who's Most at Risk?

    Surgery can be a daunting prospect at any age. Now, researchers say they've spotted two key factors upping the odds of a poor surgical outcome in seniors.

    Older adults who are either frail or suffering from dementia have high rates of death in the year following a major procedure, a new U.S. study finds.

    Researchers found that among Americans aged 65 and older who underwent maj...

    1 in 10 U.S. Seniors Has Dementia; Minorities Hit Hardest

    One in 10 older Americans has dementia, and twice as many have mild mental impairment, a new study finds.

    As the nation's population grows older, the burden on families and society is likely to grow, and minorities will be affected most, experts say.

    "As the population in the U.S. ages, it is projected that there will be more cases of cognitive impairment, unless and until effective...

    Brain Secrets of the Super-Sharp 'Super-Agers'

    Researchers have discovered another clue as to how some older people stay sharp as a tack into their 80s and beyond: Their brain cells are really big.

    The study focused on what scientists have dubbed "super-agers" — a select group of elderly adults who have the memory skills of people decades younger.

    The researchers found that in a memory-related area of the brain, super-agers ha...

    More Evidence COVID Boosters Improve Seniors' Immunity

    For older adults, getting vaccinated provides protection against COVID-19, but getting a booster is a key part of maintaining that immunity, a new study confirms.

    "The data support the CDC guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination and affirm that the vaccine is initially able to mount a good a...

    Medicare Monthly Premiums to Drop for Seniors

    Millions of seniors who had to pay high increases in Medicare premiums this year will get a break in 2023 when they see a rare drop in monthly premiums for Medicare Part B.

    The

  • By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • September 28, 2022
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    • Talking to a Loved One About a Move to Assisted Living

    It can be hard to talk to your loved ones about moving into assisted living, so don't push them too hard and make sure they feel safe and comfortable with the idea, one expert advises.

    "Start the conversation as early as possible, and focus on what matters,” said Dr. Angela Catic....

    Mental Skills Slow With Age, But Seniors Gain in Other Ways: Study

    Seniors, there's good news and bad from a new study of mental health. The brain-centered research confirms that mental skills do decline with age -- but it also finds many people over 60 having better psychological health than folks in their 20s.

    "We wanted to better understand the interplay between cognition and mental health across aging, and whether they rely on activation of similar o...

    Multivitamins Linked to Healthier Brains in Old Age

    A daily multivitamin might help keep your brain free from any decline in thinking skills, a new study suggests.

    In a trial of more than 21,000 men and women, the study authors reported that

  • Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
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  • September 14, 2022
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    • Steps to Long Life: Short Walk Each Day Helps Folks Over 85

    It's never too late to benefit from regular walks.

    A new study suggests that a 10-minute daily stroll can prolong life in folks well into their 80s and beyond.

    “Adults are less likely to meet activity recommendations as they get older,” said study author Dr. Moo-Nyun Jin of Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital in Seoul, South Korea. “Our study suggests that walking at least o...

    In Trial, Brain Zaps Gave Seniors a Month-Long Memory Boost

    If you're a senior who struggles to remember where you put your car keys, could noninvasive brain stimulation boost your memory?

    Yes, clai...

    Cheaper Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Should Be in Stores by October, FDA Says

    Affordable over-the-counter hearing aids will bring relief to millions of Americans suffering from hearing loss by mid-October, under a landmark proposal just announced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

    The final rul...

    'Virtual' Museum Visits Are Good Medicine for Seniors

    By combining technology with interactive art activities, older people at home can have museums come to them -- and this can support their physical, mental and social well-being, a new study reports.

    "This participatory art-based activity could become a model that could be offered in museums and arts institutions worldwide to promote active and healthy aging," said lead author Dr. Olivier...

    Alternative Medicine Popular Among Seniors, But Most Don't Tell Their Doctors About It

    Lots of older folks are turning to alternative medicine to help them with the pains of aging -- but they don't necessarily think that's any of their doctor's business.

    About 40% of older adults use at least one alternative medicine practice to help w...

    Helping Older Loved Ones in a Heat Wave

    With much of the United States baking in extreme heat this summer, older adults and the people caring for them need to take extra precautions.

    Seniors can decline rapidly, sometimes within minutes, when exposed to soaring temperatures, said Dr. Angela Catic, an assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

    "As we get older, our bodies don't self-regulate temperature ...

    Black Nursing Home Residents More Likely to Need Hospital Care

    Black residents in U.S. nursing homes are much more likely than white residents to be repeatedly transferred to hospital care, a new study reports.

    Black nursing home residents are likely to be transferred to the hospital and back at least four times in a given year, according to data gathered under a U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid quality improvement initiative.

    So are nurs...

    Heatwave Alert: Stay Safe in Searing Temps

    As blistering temperatures blanket much of the country, more people are at risk heat exhaustion and potentially fatal

  • By Sydney Murphy HealthDay Reporter
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  • July 22, 2022
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    • 3 Key Changes Could Make Roads Safer for Older Pedestrians

    Better lighting and other changes to street crossings could improve pedestrian safety for seniors -- the age group most likely to be killed by oncoming vehicles.

    Researchers pored over four years of Oregon crash data for locations considered dangerous for walkers age 65 and older. They called for changes to improve visibility and illumination, to increase the use of left-turn traffic sign...

    Staffing Shortages Have U.S. Nursing Homes in Crisis

    There's a shortage of nursing home beds for the elderly in America due to a severe staffing crisis that has caused long-term care facilities to cut back on new admissions, new research shows.

    Three out of five nursing homes (61%) have limited new admissions due to staffing shortages, according to a

  • Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
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  • June 29, 2022
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    • Vision Issues Could Raise Odds for Dementia

    Untreated vision loss may put an older adult at an increased risk for dementia, though it's not clear why, according to a new study.

    Researchers found that the likelihood of having some form of cognitive impairment was 137% higher in seniors who had trouble seeing than in those without vision issues. Cognitive impairment is a general term for problems with thinking and memory.

    "Alt...

    COVID Boosters Raise Antibody Levels by 85% in Nursing Home Residents

    Getting a COVID-19 booster shot can significantly increase an at-risk person's immunity and protect against the contagious Omicron variant.

    New research focusing on nursing home residents and their caregivers found a third dose of vaccine boosted antibodies by more than 85%...

    Tough Choices: When It's Time to Move From Home to Assisted Living

    While 8 in 10 Americans ages 65 and older say they want to age in their homes, it's not always possible when health declines.

    Knowing when a loved one needs a more supportive environment, such as assisted living, continuing care retirement community or a nursing home, can be challenging. Though "aging in pla...

    CDC Panel Urges Seniors to Get New, More Potent Flu Shot This Fall

    A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccine advisory panel on Wednesday voted to recommend that Americans 65 and older get the new, more potent flu shots because the regular shot doesn't offer enough protection.

    The more powerful vaccines might also ...

    Researchers Spot Sign of Alzheimer's Risk That Scammers Love

    Could the way a senior handles his or her money offer clues about their risk for Alzheimer's disease?

    Yes, according to a new study involving dozens of elderly men and women that found a higher likelihood to give away money to anonymous individuals correlated with a poorer ...

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