Eldercare, Aging and Long Term Care

Have You Tripped Over Your Dog? - Well Blog - NYTimes.com.

A new study shows that more than 86,000 people a year end up in the emergency room because they tripped over the family pet. The data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that while we sometimes trip over our cats, dogs are the primary cause of pet-related falling accidents. Dr. Judy Stevens, whose research focuses on preventing falls in senior citizens, said she’s often heard people explain that they were tripped up by the family pet, but until now there were no data to show how common a problem it really is.

Vital Signs - Vitamin D Pills May Prevent Fractures in Older Adults - NYTimes.com.

Vitamin D supplements may help prevent fractures in people over 65, provided they take enough of the right kind. A new review of clinical trials appears to show a strong dose-dependent effect for vitamin D in lowering the risk for nonvertebral fractures in the elderly.

Study Links Depression to Thinning of Brain’s Cortex - NYTimes.com.

Scientists who have been following families with a history of depression have found structural differences in family members’ brains — specifically, a significant thinning of the right cortex, the brain’s outermost surface. The thinning may be a trait or a marker of vulnerability to depression, the researchers suggested.

Planning for Death When You’re Healthy - Well Blog - NYTimes.com.

Death might seem like a surprising topic for a writer whose career has focused on healthy living. But New York Times health columnist Jane Brody is urging people to plan for terminal illness when they are at the peak of health. Recently I spoke with Ms. Brody about her latest book, “Jane Brody’s Guide to the Great Beyond: A Practical Primer to Help You and Your Loved Ones Prepare Medically, Legally, and Emotionally for the End of Life” (Random House, 2009).

Living | Why are seniors hooked on Cane-Fu fighting, grasshopper? | Seattle Times Newspaper.

Pay no mind to the groans that come with stretching, to hair that is gray or gone altogether. Ignore the cautiousness of their steps and the canes in their hands. These seniors are ready to fight. A rainbow of martial-arts belts dangles above the mirror along one wall of this small dojo; swords, nunchuks and sickles hang near the front. Punching bags and torso targets line the room, but they'll need none of these. Their weapons are their canes. At the helm of the class is one of the country's most recognized cane fighters, Mark Shuey, a slight man who, at 62, has hair and skin starting to show signs of age. He has traveled from Lake Tahoe, Nev., to teach 16 in this group how to protect themselves from attackers. He calls it Cane-Fu.

Alzheimer News 3/24/2009.

New report says Alzheimer’s disease and dementia triple healthcare costs for Americans age 65 and older Total healthcare costs are more than three times higher for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias than for other people age 65 and older, according to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2009 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, released today.

Personal Health - Extra Vitamin E - No Benefit, Maybe Harm - NYTimes.com.

Ever hopeful for a magic elixir, millions of health-conscious Americans began self-dosing with amounts of vitamin E dozens of times greater than the recommended daily intake for this fat-soluble nutrient. If only all those hopeful forecasts had turned out to be true. Just as a well-designed clinical trial disproved the notion that postmenopausal hormones could keep women heart-healthy, controlled clinical trials of vitamin E have found this supplement wanting, as well. The same is true of another antioxidant, vitamin C.

Study: Lots of red meat increases mortality risk.

The largest study of its kind finds that older Americans who eat large amounts of red meat and processed meats face a greater risk of death from heart disease and cancer. The federal study of more than half a million men and women bolsters prior evidence of the health risks of diets laden with red meat like hamburger and processed meats like hot dogs, bacon and cold cuts.

Mayo Clinic study suggests those who have chronic pain may need to assess vitamin D status.

Mayo Clinic research shows a correlation between inadequate vitamin D levels and the amount of narcotic medication taken by patients who have chronic pain. This correlation is an important finding as researchers discover new ways to treat chronic pain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chronic pain is the leading cause of disability in the United States. These patients often end up taking narcotic-type pain medication such as morphine, fentanyl or oxycodone.

News & Reviews - DrugDigest.

Chalk up another endorsement for the so-called Mediterranean diet: The eating regimen, which is rich in fruits, vegetables, fish and olive oil, may help the brain stay sharp into old age, a new study suggests.