Research Highlights

Research Highlights

Topics

Nursing Homes/Managed Care

Nutrition

Policy

Retirement

Age-Related Diseases

Article Explores New Blood Pressure Guidelines
A Washington Times article by Jessie C. Gruman looks at the new "pre-hypertensive" category of blood pressure status.
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Leisure Activity May Reduce Risk of Alzheimer's, says USC Research Team
Participation in leisure activities related to lower risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease. Learn more.

New Alzheimer Projections Add Urgency to Search for Prevention, Cure
The study, "Alzheimer's Disease in the U.S. Population," predicts the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease will increase 27% by 2020, an astonishing 70% by 2030, and nearly 300% by 2050, unless science finds a way to slow the progression of the disease or prevent it. Learn more.

Nicotine Patch May Alleviate 'Senior Moments'
"The nicotine patches that help smokers quit might also boost the recall of seniors with the mildest form of memory loss, according to results of a preliminary clinical trial on 11 people conducted at Duke University Medical Center." Learn more.

Studies Suggest Age-Related Declines May be Overestimated
The results of a several studies undertaken by Dr. Thomas Hess examines age related declines in memory. Learn more

Study Suggests Hope for Better Treatment of Alzheimer's and Stroke
Researchers at the San Francisco VA Medical Center have used a combination of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a related technique knows as MR spectroscopy to differentiate between two kinds of dementia. Their work offers hope of improving the treatment of dementia in patients with poor blood flow, such as stroke victims, and the testing of drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD). Learn more.

Toxic Protein Could Explain Alzheimer's and Lead to Breakthroughs
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered for the first time in humans the presence of a toxic protein that they believe to be responsible for the devastating memory loss found in individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Learn more.

Treatment Causes Short-Term, Modest Delay in Alzheimer's Onset in Patients with Mild Cog Impairment
"For the first time, a drug appears to have a slowing effect -- though limited -- on the progression from mild cognitive impairment, a memory disorder considered a strong early predictor of Alzheimer's disease, to Alzheimer's." Learn more.

Underusing Medications Because of Cost May Lead to Adverse Health Outcomes
Middle-aged and older Americans with heart disease who cut back on their prescribed medications because of cost were 50% more likely to suffer heart attacks, strokes, or angina than those who did not report cost-related medication underuse, according to a new study funded in part by the National Institute on Aging. Learn more.

Vision Loss from Eye Diseases will Increase as Americans Age
The National Eye Institute releases results of a recent study that indicates that, with the aging of the population, vision loss is quickly becoming a major public health problem. Learn more.

End of Life Care

Family Members Say Dying Patients Need Better End-of-Life Emotional and Medical Support
"Many people dying in hospitals or nursing homes have unmet needs for pain relief, physician communication, emotional support, and being treated with respect, according to a study in the January 7 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)." Learn more.

Functional Decline in the Last Years of Life Show Need for Different Approach for Care
A study by Dr. June Lunney identifies four different categories of dying and looks at how different approaches to palliative care should be used for each category. Learn more

New Studies Demonstrate Importance of Offering Range of Treatment Options to Elderly Cancer Patients
Two new studies show that elderly patients can benefit from, and are willing to consider, aggressive treatment for certain types of cancer. Learn more.

Nursing Homes Not Burden to System
New research disputes the belief that residents of long-term care facilities--usually the oldest and sickest people--are the biggest burden to the health-care system. Learn more.

Planning ahead to gain control over final years of life
Senior Citizens may receive significant psychological benefits by planning ahead for their final years of life. Learn more.

Technology Creates New Concerns for Dying Older Patients and their Families
New technologies available in the management of dying now put older patients and their families in a shared dilemma with doctors, often without any proper understanding of the issues, according to new research funded by the ESRC as part of its Innovative Health Technologies Programme. Learn more.

Field of Gerontology

US Department of Health and Human Services Explores the Shortage of Long-Term Care Workers
A new report examines the shortage of long-term care workers and the impact it will have as the Baby Boom generation ages. Learn more

Who will be the New Leaders in the Field of Aging?
The American Society on Aging explores the changing demographics of gerontologists. Learn more

Insurance/Medicare

Health Affairs Article Seeks to Provide Framework in Making Insurance Automatic and Affordable for All Americans
A media release from The Commonwealth Fund outlines a Health Affairs article that seeks to bridge policy differences and achieve widespread, cost-effective health insurance. Learn more

Medicare+Choice Enrollees Continue to Face Rising Premiums, Benefit Cuts, and Increased Costs in 2003
A media release provided by The Commonwealth Fund outlines an article by Lori Achman and Marsha Gold, which examines trends in Medicare+Choice insurance plans. Learn more

Medicare+Choice Example of Increased Program Costs Associated with Private Plans
While a major goal of private plans is to control growth in costs, the Medicare+Choice experience shows that they can actually increase program costs, according to a policy brief from The Commonwealth Fund. Learn more.

Medicare Drug Benefit Could Save States Up to $6.8 Billion
A new study from The Commonwealth Fund reveals that enactment of a Medicare drug benefit could save states up to $6.8 billion annually , which could help states avoid cuts in Medicaid services. Learn more.

Reports Highlight Trends in Medicare Costs and Coverage
A series of new reports from the Commonwealth Fund illustrate trends in costs and benefits associated with the Medicare programs and also examine aspects of the current Senate and House drug bills. Learn more.

Mental Health

Heart Disease Patients Treated for Depression Find No Survival Benefit; Have Improvement in Social Functioning
The first major study to evaluate the effects of treating depression and low social support in recent heart attack patients found no reduction in deaths or second heart attacks; however, study participants showed significant improvement in depression and social functioning. Learn more.

Spirituality, Religion and Healthy Aging
Successful aging advice usually includes things like exercise regularly, eat sensibly, and maintain your relationships and community engagement. Research suggests that social workers may want, some day soon, to prescribe some unusual advice: go to your house of worship, meditate, and pray. Learn more

Minority Issues

Asian American Elders in New York City
A Study of Health, Social Needs, Quality of Life and Quality of Care, done by the Asian American Federation of NYC and the Brookdale Center on Aging. Learn more.

Data and Information on the Mexican Health and Aging Study Now Available
A panel study researching measures of health (including childhood circumstances and cognition), family structure and transfers, migration history of respondents and kin, sources of income and wealth, and work history of Mexican adults. Learn more

Racism and Quality of Life in Older People
A study led by Jabeer Butt of REU examines older population minorities in Britain. Learn more

Miscellaneous

Appreciation of Humor Doesn't Change with Age
A Canadian study of humor in older adults has found that appreciation and emotional reactiveness to humor doesn't change with age. However, the ability to comprehend more complex forms of humor diminishes in later years. Learn more.

Gay, Lesbian Elders' Health Threatened By Discrimination
Discrimination in many social and institutional environments poses an important threat to the health and well-being of gay and lesbian seniors and their families. This problem exists despite changes in attitude in recent years towards gays and lesbians, according to a recent study. Learn more

Improving the Lives of Older People
How can the lives of older persons be improved? What services and resources work well? What strategies are best for promoting independence, reducing physical vulnerability, and easing psychological distress? Learn more

Physical Fitness May Protect Aging Brain
A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences explores the role that exercise has in maintaining a healthy brain. Learn more.

Scientist Proposes New Theory on Aging
A media release provided by Eurekalert! highlights a new theory from Ronald D. Lee, Ph.D., of the University of California, Berkeley that suggests "natural selection favors animals capable of devoting energy and resources to insuring survival of the next generation". Learn more.

Study Finds Few Substance Abuse Treatment Programs for Elders
A University of Iowa study finds that there are fewer than one in five substance abuse programs designed to help the elderly. Learn more.

Nursing Homes/Managed Care

GAO Study Eplores the Need for Enhanced Oversight of Nursing Homes
With the high prevalence of poor quality nursing homes, GAO examines the need for enhanced oversight of the facilities. Learn more.

Low Activity Levels Among Nursing Home Residents
A new study published in The Gerontologist finds that nursing home residents have low activity levels regardless of restraint. Learn more.

Report by NASUA Explores Approaches to Program Development Taken by States to Implement Family Caregiver Support Programs (FCSP)
Examples of the approaches some states have taken to ensure that their FCSPs are integrated, accessible, flexible, culturally competant, and consumer-oriented. Learn more.

Survey Finds High Rate of Medical Errors and Lack of Communication Between Doctor and Patient
An article by the Commonwealth Fund outlines results of a study that found high frequencies of medical errors, barriers to the patient in finding adequete medical care, and lack of doctor/patient coordination and care. Learn more

UF Professor: Living Choices Need New Terms for Aging Baby Boomers
University of Florida researcher Stephen Golant explores the various terms used to describe senior living facilitates and their impact on whether or not they appeal to aging baby boomers. Learn more.

Nutrition

Childhood Overweight Linked to Obesity as an Adult
According to a recent study, obesity in childhood poses a significantly higher threat to experiencing severe obesity in adulthood. Learn more.

Policy

A Look at How Variation in State Laws Affect Elder Abuse Documentation
The findings of a study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Public Health finds "that states that require mandatory reporting and tracking of domestic elder abuse reports have much higher investigation rates than states without mandatory requirements." Learn more.

Retirement

"The Evolution of Social Security Disabled Widow(er)s' Benefits"
by Eric Kingson, Margaret Morse, and Gary Calhoun analyzes legislation aimed at abolishing the "seven-year deadline for a surviving spouse to qualify for benefits on the basis of disability". To view the entire paper, please go to: http://www.bc.edu/centers/crr/papers/wp_2003-09.pdf

Pension Accounting and the Calculation of the Personal Savings Rate
In an article released by The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, the decline of the personal savings rate is examined. Learn more

"The Politics of Public Pension Reform"
by R. Kent Weaver examines "cross-national patterns of pension policymaking as well as distinctive U.S. patterns". To view the Executive Summary of this paper, please go to: http://www.bc.edu/centers/crr/papers/summary/wp_2003-06.pdf. To view the entire paper, please go to: http://www.bc.edu/centers/crr/papers/wp_2003-06.pdf.

"Whose Money is it Anyhow?: Governance and Social Investment in Collective Investment Funds"
by R. Kent Weaver analyzes the "public/private divide in governance" of pension funds. To view the Executive Summary of this paper please go to: http://www.bc.edu/centers/crr/papers/summary/wp_2003-07.pdf. To view the entire paper please go to: http://www.bc.edu/centers/crr/papers/wp_2003-07.pdf.