Smart Aging

05/16/2023

Major clue that could help protect people at risk for Alzheimer's Disease.
Aging

Researchers working to unlock the secrets of Alzheimer’s disease say they’ve been given a major clue that could help protect people at risk for this type of dementia.

09/29/2022

Let us hope that this new Alzheimer's Disease drug trial is the step forward that it appears, and also soon leads to others which are even much more effective.

A monoclonal antibody treatment for Alzheimer's disease called lecanemab slows the progression of cognitive decline by 27% compared with a placebo, drugmakers Biogen and Eisai said Tuesday.

06/01/2022

Children are (unsung hero) Caregivers too!
As many as 10 million children in the USA are reported to provide some form of care at home. Some kids are the only caregivers patients/families have, while others fill in when visiting nurses or when other help is not available.
https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-plano-texas-cc07b7c90bc0a7c3af957d03c4718e92

PLANO, Texas (AP) — Ronan Kotiya leans over his father, fingers wrapped around a plastic tube he’s about to slide from a tracheostomy hole in dad’s neck. “3, 2, 1, go,” the 11-year-old says as he removes the tube.

05/30/2022

In this next phase of the Covid pandemic, need to make sure older persons have access to much needed services and resources. This article addresses issue importantly from NYC perspective, but key takeaways, including fighting ageism, are applicable everywhere.
https://citylimits.org/2022/05/26/opinion-what-older-new-yorkers-deserve-in-the-next-phase-of-the-covid-19-pandemic/

"We must ensure that New York City’s growing population of 1.25 million adults ages 65 and older can access high-quality services, resources, and opportunities that accommodate their needs and preferences, celebrate their strengths and resilience, and empower them to live in the communities they h...

05/14/2022

Major causes of snoring, and what one can do to stop it.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/12/well/live/snoring-causes-solutions.html

This sleep-disrupting problem can be caused by a variety of things, but experts say there are ways to find relief.

05/11/2022

Mattel's Barbie dolls have become increasingly diverse in recent years. They've just introduced a doll with hearing aids. This follows a doll in a wheelchair.
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/barbie-hearing-aid-ken-vitiligo/index.html

In a drive for further diversity, the American doll manufacturer is releasing its first ever Barbie with hearing aids alongside a Ken doll with the skin condition vitiligo.

05/03/2022

Doctors use several methods and tools to help determine if a person with thinking or memory problems has Alzheimer’s disease.
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/how-alzheimers-disease-diagnosed

Doctors can diagnose "possible Alzheimer's dementia," "probable Alzheimer's dementia," or some other problem causing memory complaints. Learn about the benefits of early diagnosis.

04/27/2022

Aging In Place outlook among those 65 or older is upbeat, with nearly 8 in 10 saying they’re extremely or very prepared to stay in their current home as long as possible. But doubts creep in for those ages 50-64. See new AP-NORC Poll for details.
https://apnews.com/article/business-health-lifestyle-aging-9642cae27c626142d5b333af451e3513

WASHINGTON (AP) — The older you are, the less you fret about aging in your own home or community. That's a key insight from a new Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll, which found that U.S.

03/07/2022

Dementia is a loss of thinking, remembering, and reasoning skills. Dementia is more common as people grow older, but it is not a normal part of aging. Read about different types of dementia, including of course Alzheimer's, and how they are diagnosed:

Dementia is a loss of thinking, remembering, and reasoning skills. It is not a normal part of aging. Read about the different types of dementia and how it is diagnosed.

01/24/2022

Caregivers of all types remain unsung heroes -
In addition to the many millions of sometimes seemingly invisible family caregivers are the approximately 4 million paid essential caregiver workers who also do the hard and frequently under-appreciated labor of tending to the daily, even hourly, personal, physical, emotional and social needs of a segment of the older population.

Who are the essential workers paid to care for America’s aged in their homes and in residential and nursing care facilities?

01/09/2022

Elder Fraud is a serious problem, with 1 major study estimating Seniors Lost Nearly $1 Billion to Scams in 2020.
Among Top 6 Methods to Deceive and Defraud:
1. Sweepstakes or Lottery
2. Tech Support
3. “Grandchild” in Need
4. Romance
5. Social Security (& IRS and taxes)
6. Natural Disasters and Fix-It Contractors

From shady contractors to phony sweepstakes, these scams target older Americans.

01/01/2022