International

Ability To Sit, Rise From Floor Linked To Mortality Risk
   In this study, a composite score below 8 -- that is, requiring more than one hand or knee support to sit and rise from the floor in a stable way -- were associated with 2-5 fold higher death rates over the 6.3 year study period.
posted 12/12/12 11:32 AM  read complete story

Depression a Key Factor Influencing Health of Parkinson's Patients
   While no two people experience Parkinson's disease in quite the same way, this study enables researchers to see the interplay of factors which produce different results in different people.
posted 12/3/12 5:45 PM  read complete story

Examining 20th Century Aging Policies for a 21st Century World
   Modern society is beginning to move past the old notions of people retiring in their early to mid-60s. An increasing number of people are beginning to realize that such a policy is neither desirable nor feasible.
posted 11/19/12 10:51 AM  read complete story

Physical Exercise May Be Better Than Mental Exercise in Protecting Against Brain Shrinkage
   Regular exercise during old age may offer better protection against brain shrinkage than engaging in mental or social activities, find the authors of a new study. The research suggests that brain shrinkage may lead to problems with memory and thinking.
posted 10/22/12 4:54 PM  read complete story

Report Presses for Global Recognition of Dementia as Health Crisis
   A report released Wednesday (April 11) by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) urges governments, policymakers and other stakeholders to make dementia a global public health priority.
posted 4/11/12 12:33 PM  read complete story

(IBM) Software Aids Research Aimed at Extending Seniors' Independent Living
   As part of a unique pilot program aimed at providing health researchers with insights on how to care for Canada's aging population, IBM on Tuesday (Nov. 8) unveiled software for use in correlating data from sensors capturing patient activity and replicating it in a virtual world with avatars that represent the elderly subjects.
posted 11/8/11 4:52 PM  read complete story

(BRAIN HEALTH) Maintaining Overall Health May Keep Dementia Away
   Study participants were asked questions about 19 health problems not previously reported to predict dementia. Problems included arthritis, trouble hearing or seeing, denture fit, chest or skin problems, stomach or bladder troubles, sinus issues, broken bones and feet or ankle conditions, among others.
posted 7/13/11 5:45 PM  read complete story

(EMERGENCY PLAN) Japanese Tsunami Underscores Need for Elder Disaster Preparedness
   The oldest segment of Japan's population will likely be the hardest hit as a result of the recent earthquake and subsequent tsunami, based on data from previous catastrophic events. Approximately 23% of Japanese citizens currently are age 65 and above.
posted 3/18/11 3:10 PM  read complete story

(LIFESPAN) Scientists Ferret Out Key Pathway For Aging Process
   A team of scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and their colleagues has discovered a molecular pathway that is a key determinant of the aging process. The finding important because it not only helps explain the cascade of events that contributes to aging, it also provides a rational basis for devising interventions, drugs that may retard aging and contribute to better health in old age.
posted 11/19/10 1:12 PM  read complete story

(AGE ATTITUDES) Survey Reveals Disconnect Between Attitudes, Realities of Aging
   There is a sharp contrast between people's positive attitudes towards growing old and their preparedness, according to the results of a new international survey. The survey, Bupa Health Pulse 2010, published today (Sept. 16) by Bupa Health Dialog, reveals that almost three-quarters (72%) of people over the age of 65 do not feel old and 67% still feel healthy.
posted 9/16/10 3:45 PM  read complete story