Senior's Health: How fast you move can predict how healthy you'll be ♦ New app helps seniors live better ♦Team approach may reduce readmissions due to falls in seniors

Team approach may reduce readmissions due to falls in seniors

A comprehensive care program that involves a team of specialists from multiple medical disciplines for treating injuries sustained from falls in older adults could help reduce hospital readmissions, according to researchers. Under the program, the 30-day readmission rate for falls declined 10 percent from 2012-13 and remained unchanged in 2014. The 30-90 day readmission rate from 2012-13 also declined, before rising slightly in 2014.

Technology meets society: New app helps seniors live better

A new technological solution developed by researchers is aimed at enhancing the physical health, vitality and brain fitness of seniors residing in independent living communities.

How fast you move can predict how healthy you'll be

Instead of focusing on drawing out the length of life, researchers have created a tool that can be used for accurately predicting lifespan as well as assessing the current health state, and discovered the regulatory mechanism that extends “healthspan”, the time in which an organism is at its optimal health.

Walking faster or longer linked to significant cardiovascular benefits in older adults

Even among Americans in their mid-70's and older, being more active, including walking at a reasonable pace or distance, is linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular events,

Health Research ♦ Falls and brawls top list of causes for eye injuries ♦ Exploring vulnerabilities of the Cryptosporidium parasite ♦ Small steps may help when dealing with a growing diabetes problem

Falls and brawls top list of causes for eye injuries in United States Fighting and assault caused nearly 8,000 eye injuries treated in hospitals from 2002-2011, while falling led causes of ocular trauma with more than 8,500 incidents reported.

Exploring vulnerabilities of the Cryptosporidium parasite Cryptosporidium parvum is a gastrointestinal parasite that can cause moderate to severe diarrhea in children and adults, and deadly opportunistic infection in AIDS patients. Because C. parvum is resistant to chlorine disinfectant treatment, it frequently causes water-borne outbreaks around the world. A new study provides a detailed analysis of a C. parvum protein that is central to glycolysis -- the only pathway by which the parasite can generate energy -- and identifies it as a potential drug target.

Small steps may help when dealing with a growing diabetes problem

Small steps can equal big changes when it comes to diabetes. A doctor explains how to lower your risk for diabetes and prediabetes.

Kids and workload are worse than illness for couples, but things get better at retirement

The relationship quality of 721 couples in Switzerland over a period of thirteen years is at the core of new research. A researcher demonstrated that while the various styles of conjugal interactions generally remain stable along the life course, some critical life events and transitions weigh much more on relationship quality than others, sometimes in unexpected ways

Seniors Health: Older beats younger when it comes to correcting mistakes ♦ Signs of faster aging process identified ♦ Muscle loss linked to falls, fractures in elderly

Signs of faster aging process identified through gene research New research has shed light on the molecular changes that occur in our bodies as we age. In the largest study of its kind, an international group of researchers examined expression of genes in blood samples from 15,000 people across the world. They found 1,450 genes that are linked to aging, and also uncovered a link between these genes and factors such as diet, smoking and exercise.

Older beats younger when it comes to correcting mistakes Findings from a new study challenge the notion that older adults always lag behind their younger counterparts when it comes to learning new things. The study shows that older adults were actually better than young adults at correcting their mistakes on a general information quiz.

Virtual Week' brain game has potential to help older adults remain independent longer Just one month of training on a 'Virtual Week' computer brain game helps older adults significantly strengthen prospective memory -- a type of memory that is crucial for planning, everyday functioning and independent living, an international team of scientists has demonstrated.

Muscle loss linked to falls, fractures in elderly Older people with an age-related loss of muscle mass and strength may be at greater risk of falling and bone fractures, according to new research. A study into sarcopenia -- where muscles lose form and function with age -- found that those with the condition reported higher numbers of falls in the last year and a higher prevalence of fractures.

Senior's Health:Exoskeleton to ensure an active old age ♦ Tripped up by a bug: Infection may cause falls ♦ Older patients recover more slowly from concussion

High opioid use in older people with COPD raises safety concerns Researchers are raising safety concerns about high rates of new opioid use among older adults with COPD, according to a study. Opioids, such as codeine, oxycodone and morphine might be prescribed more frequently among older adults with COPD to treat chronic muscle pain, breathlessness and insomnia. Common side effects of opioids include falls and fractures, confusion, memory impairment, fatigue, constipation, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Older patients recover more slowly from concussion Mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), or concussion, accounts for 75 percent of all TBI and represents an important public health problem. Difficulty in working memory is frequently reported in patients after concussion. Now new research suggests that older individuals may have a more difficult time recovering from concussion.

Tripped up by a bug: Infection may cause falls, especially in older people People who end up in the emergency room because of a fall often are tripped up by an infection, rather than a loose throw rug or poor eyesight, suggests a new study

Exoskeleton to ensure an active old age Researchers are creating portable robot skeletons for the elderly so they can continue to be active longer. Think of it as a tool, not as a robot, says researcher

New Rules Make Chicken Safer ♦ Idiosyncratic' brain patterns in autism ♦ Increase in falls among the elderly ♦ Citrus scent inhibits liver cancer

FSIS RELEASES NEW SALMONELLA, CAMPYLOBACTER PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR POULTRY

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that its new pathogen performance standards for Salmonella and Campylobacter in ground poultry and chicken parts will prevent about 50,000 illnesses each year. USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service’s (FSIS) proposed changes to the Salmonella and Campylobacter Verification Testing Program create brand-new standards for Salmonella and Campylobacter in chicken breasts, legs and wings, and.. Continue Reading

Researchers discover 'idiosyncratic' brain patterns in autism

New research suggests that the various reports -- of both over- and under-connectivity -- may, in fact, reflect a deeper principle of brain function. The study shows that the brains of individuals with autism display unique synchronization patterns, something that could impact earlier diagnosis of the disorder and future treatments Continue Reading

Study suggests increase in falls among the elderly

Over a 12-year period, the prevalence of falls among older adults appeared to be on the rise, a new American nationally representative study says Continue Reading

Citrus scent inhibits liver cancer

As main component of essential oils, terpenes can inhibit the growth of different cancer cells. Researchers have analyzed this process in liver cancer cells in detail. Their shed light upon the molecular mechanisms that resulted in cancer cells stop growing, following the application of (-)-citronellal, and they proved that the olfactory receptor OR1A2 is the crucial molecule for that purpose. In future, the olfactory receptor could serve as target for liver cancer diagnosis and therapy Continue Reading

3/3/14 Health News: LARGEST OUTBREAK IN GERMAN HISTORY- Blood Pressure Drugs Tied to Risk of Falls - Cooking Meat 'May Be Dementia Risk'

REPORT: LARGEST OUTBREAK IN GERMAN HISTORY CAUSED BY IMPORTED STRAWBERRIES

The largest recorded foodborne illness outbreak in German history was caused by frozen strawberries imported from China, according to a study published in the February issue of Eurosurveillance. At least 11,000 cases of norovirus were reported by 390 institutions – mostly schools and childcare facilities – between Sept. 19 and Oct. 7, 2012. Epidemiologists were... Continue Reading

Blood Pressure Drugs Tied to Risk of Falls

Older adults who take blood pressure drugs have a greater risk of serious falls, a new study reports. Researchers looked at nearly 5,000 Americans over age 70 during a three-year period. They found that those who were taking antihypertensive medications had a 30 to 40 percent greater likelihood of experiencing severe fall-related injuries like hip fractures and head trauma. A majority of older adults have high blood pressure, and antihypertensive medications are among the most commonly used drugs nationwide. Though the drugs help lower the risk of strokes and heart attacks, the size of the reduction in risk is comparable to the increase in risk of serious injuries from falls, said Dr. Mary E. Tinetti, chief of geriatrics at Yale-New Haven Hospital “The question is, are we trading off the benefit in terms of stroke prevention for the increased risk in serious fall injuries?” she said.Continue Reading

Cooking Meat 'May Be Dementia Risk'

Browning meat in the oven, grill or frying pan produces chemicals which may increase the risk of developing dementia, U,S. researchers suggest. Advanced glycation end (AGE) products have been linked to diseases such as type-2 diabetes. Mice fed a high-AGEs diet had a build-up of dangerous proteins in the brain and impaired cognitive function. Experts said the results were "compelling" but did not provide "definitive answers". AGEs are formed when proteins or fats react with sugar. This can happen naturally and during the cooking process. Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in New York, tested the effect of AGEs on mice and people. The animal experiments showed that a diet rich in AGEs affects the chemistry of the brain. It leads to a build-up of defective beta amyloid protein - a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The mice eating a low-AGEs diet were able to prevent the production of damaged amyloid. The mice performed less well in physical and thinking tasks after their AGEs-rich diet. A short-term analysis of people over 60 suggested a link between high levels of AGEs in the blood and cognitive decline. .Continue Reading