International Region Stories - Aging News Alert

Fit Teens Less Likely to Have Heart Attacks in Later Life

In a study of nearly 750,000 men, researchers in Sweden found that the more aerobically fit men were in late adolescence, the less likely they were to have a heart attack 30 or 40 years later.

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Smart Investing Seen Key to Avoiding Dog Food Diet in Retirement

In the wake of the 2008 meltdown, many investors have evacuated the stock market, with no plans to return. That's potentially a losing strategy, especially with interest rates on savings accounts and CDs at practically zero.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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(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.

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(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.

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(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.

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