More articles about: Geriatrics

Remote patient monitoring at home was associated with a major reduction in hospitalization in high risk patients.

Extreme weather and weather-related disasters are becoming more and more common. Unfortunately, disaster related disruptions in healthcare tend to affect the most vulnerable of populations – including older adults living with cognitive impairment. In this episode, Matt & Donovan speak with University of Michigan faculty member, Sue Anne Bell, about how healthcare disruption due to a disaster can affect the population of older adults living with dementia.

Medicare and most private insurance plans don’t cover anti-obesity medications like Wegovy (also sold as Ozempic), but a new poll of older adults shows widespread support and interest in using them.

A new poll shows many older adults are concerned about the health effects of climate change and that those who have lived through a weather-related emergency are much more likely to be concerned.

Concerns about telehealth’s potential to lead to more in-person care and higher costs are not panning out, which has implications for extending COVID-era flexibility.

People over 50 who work say having a job aids their mental and physical health, but disabilities, caregiving and other issues act as barriers to working for many, including those who aren’t working but aren’t yet retired.

Hospice, palliative care, end-of-life decisions, long-term care insurance and durable power of attorney are all things people with serious health issues should think about.

This holiday season, follow these five expert-approved steps to celebrate safely and avoid getting sick.

Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions of aging, affecting nearly two-thirds of older adults over the age of 70, but it’s not just a matter of diminished hearing. Hearing loss can contribute to poor psychosocial outcomes for patients including loneliness, depression, and social isolation. New research also shows that hearing loss is linked to a higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia. In fact, the 2024 Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care identified hearing loss as one of 14 modifiable risk factors for dementia. According to the commission, treating hearing loss could prevent up to 7% of dementia cases globally, making it one of the most impactful areas for potential prevention. This raises the question of whether use of hearing aids in people with hearing loss can reduce or mitigate this increased dementia risk. To help us understand these connections and the latest research in this area, we are joined today by Dr. Alison Huang, an epidemiologist and Senior Research Associate from the Johns Hopkins Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health. Her research studies the impact of sensory loss on cognitive and mental health in older adults. Dr. Huang was an author of the Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders (ACHIEVE) study, a large, multicenter randomized controlled trial that tested whether treating hearing loss in older adults could help slow cognitive decline published in the Lancet. Alison Huang, PhD, MPH Link to article: Lin FR, Pike JR, Albert MS, Arnold M, Burgard S, Chisolm T, Couper D, Deal JA, Goman AM, Glynn NW, Gmelin T, Gravens-Mueller L, Hayden KM, Huang AR, Knopman D, Mitchell CM, Mosley T, Pankow JS, Reed NS, Sanchez V, Schrack JA, Windham BG, Coresh J; ACHIEVE Collaborative Research Group. Hearing intervention versus health education control to reduce cognitive decline in older adults with hearing loss in the USA (ACHIEVE): a multicentre, randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2023 Sep 2;402(10404):786-797. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01406-X. Epub 2023 Jul 18. PMID: 37478886; PMCID: PMC10529382.

Close friendships include help with health-related advice or support for people over 50, but those with major mental or physical health issues have fewer close friends.

Rates of loneliness and social isolation in older people have declined from pandemic highs, but are still a problem especially for those with mental or physical health issues or disabilities.

A poll shows the many ways (childcare, nutrition, major expenses) that grandparents help their grandchildren, but also suggests a link to older adults’ sense of isolation and their mental health.

The rise of telehealth has come with concerns that it could encourage use of low-value care that’s not needed. But a study suggests this hasn't happened.

Medicare Advantage vs traditional Medicare is an annual Open Enrollment decision, and a new study looks at how many older adults revolve between the two.

An in-depth analysis of the percentage of adults, especially older adults, who have glaucoma and experience vision limits due to it shows higher prevalence and disparities.