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Disease

Chronic diseases increase seniors' vulnerability during heat waves

August 25, 2009

Seniors with chronic diseases have a significantly higher risk of death--up to 92%--during a heat wave. A recent Canadian report examines why.

Study: Education protects against Alzheimer's

August 12, 2009

Researchers in Germany have discovered that formal education can help stave off Alzheimer's disease symptoms, even if the brain has developed physical characteristics of the disease, according to a new study.

Medicare waiting period hurts those with early-stage Alzheimer's, report finds

July 08, 2009

Early-onset Alzheimer's disease strikes before a person is old enough to qualify for Medicare, leaving many without health insurance. But advocates of those with the disease are lobbying to change that, according to recent news reports.

Researchers to present biological cause of aging at upcoming world gerontology summit

June 25, 2009

At the quadrennial meeting of the World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics in Paris this July, researchers will give a presentation describing for the first time the underlying causes and origins of aging.

Telemedicine found effective at treating nursing home residents with Parkinson's

June 18, 2009

Telemedicine improves both motor function and quality of life in nursing home residents with Parkinson's, according to a newly released report.

Study: Special stockings don't help stroke patients

May 28, 2009

It is common for doctors to provide special stockings to stroke patients to prevent blood cuts. But a new study finds that they not only fail to reduce the chances of a clot, but they cause problems such as skin ulcers and blisters.

Risk of stroke skyrockets among seniors after hospital stay, study finds

May 26, 2009

Seniors are at a high risk of suffering a stroke the week following a non-stroke-related hospitalization, according to the results of a new survey of stroke risk factors.

Stroke history often not reported by seniors

May 15, 2009

Seniors who have had a stroke sometimes do not report the event to their doctors, especially when they also suffer from other ailments, according to the results of a new study.

WHO issues guidelines on hand hygiene for healthcare workers

May 08, 2009

The World Health Organization has released a new report, "Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care," which target administrators, public health officials and healthcare workers.

Nighttime urination may increase risk of death among elderly, new study suggests

May 07, 2009

Frequent nighttime urination, or nocturia, is common among elderly people, but recent research has linked it to a heightened risk of death.

Study: Word recall a complex problem among those with early-stage Alzheimer's

May 05, 2009

A new study finds that people with early-stage Alzheimer's disease have difficulty discerning between important and unimportant information--a revelation that could help improve memory-training efforts.

Report: Healthcare reform includes chronic disease management, payment reform

April 16, 2009

Some of the key components of healthcare reform include chronic condition management and prevention, increased care-coordination efforts, and payment reforms, according to a report released Tuesday. All these improvements could help give providers more control over the care they deliver.

Forum focuses on chronic disease management

April 09, 2009

The important role of chronic disease management in healthcare reform was the topic of conversation Tuesday among former lawmakers and healthcare advocates at a forum in Wisconsin.

Study: Heart bypass surgery less dangerous for seniors with diabetes

March 24, 2009

Elderly patients with diabetes fare better with heart bypass surgery than with angioplasty, according to a recent study.

Think happy thoughts: views on aging tied to poor health later in life

March 04, 2009

Younger people who believe negative stereotypes about aging are more prone to suffer poor health when they themselves reach old age, new research suggests.

Commonwealth Fund plan highlights importance of heading off chronic conditions

February 20, 2009

The Commonwealth Fund Thursday unveiled its plan to make universal healthcare and significant healthcare savings a reality. The plan also targets the prevention of chronic conditions, which affect nearly all seniors, as a way to improve overall health quality nationwide.

Medicare coordinated-care pilot programs fail to live up to expectations, study finds

February 12, 2009

Most Medicare test programs designed to cut costs and keep elderly patients with one or more chronic conditions out of the hospital have failed, according to a recently published analysis of such programs.

Nurses at higher risk for asthma due to proximity to cleaning chemicals, study finds

January 22, 2009

Nurses who are frequently exposed to cleaning chemicals are at a significantly higher risk of developing asthma than other healthcare workers, according to a recent report.

Brain-aging gene identified, opening up treatment possibilities

January 20, 2009

Scientists at the Université de Montréal have discovered a gene that is responsible for the aging of neurons in the brain and central nervous system. This finding could lead to new therapies for Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's.

Study: Sustained use of antipsychotics increases Alzheimer's death risk

January 12, 2009

Prolonged use of antipsychotic medications on Alzheimer's patients is associated with a significantly increased risk of death, according to a new British study.

Study: High blood pressure may contribute to temporary cognitive impairment

December 16, 2008

Having a "senior moment?" That may have more to do with high blood pressure than an aging brain, according to new research.

Report: Diabetes now costing the nation $218 billion yearly

November 18, 2008

The total cost of diabetes to the nation was roughly $218 billion in 2007, according to a new report released on Tuesday. Diabetes prevalence is soaring in the general public, and among the nursing home population in particular.

McKnight's to host webinar on brain fitness today

November 10, 2008

McKnight's will offer a free Web seminar this afternoon on brain fitness. Registration for the event is still available at www.mcknights.com.

Seniors have higher rates of cancer, fewer treatment options

November 07, 2008

The elderly are routinely excluded from clinical trials for cancer treatments, even though 60% of all cancer cases occur among the senior population, according to new research.

Gingrich: Current healthcare system permanently under-funded

November 03, 2008

The current healthcare system will remain under-funded and must be reformed if America is to remain competitive around the world, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich told an audience in Utah last week.

Study: Good oral hygiene reduces risk of pneumonia in nursing home residents

October 30, 2008

Good oral hygiene can help prevent pneumonia, a leading cause of death among nursing home residents, according to a recent study.

Aspirin use could hurt rather than help diabetics, study finds

October 21, 2008

Diabetics who take aspirin to prevent heart attacks could be putting themselves at a heightened risk for internal bleeding, a new study suggests.

Leavitt sounds off on chronic disease prevention in editorial

October 16, 2008

Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt has released an opinion piece touting the benefits of exercise when it comes to reducing rates of chronic diseases.

Certain stroke prevention surgery may now be option for older seniors

October 16, 2008

Conventional wisdom holds that it is too risky for older seniors to undergo certain stroke prevention surgeries. That thinking may soon change, thanks to new research.

Barrett, Walker: Don't depend on Washington for long-term care leadership

October 15, 2008

Two high-profile private sector leaders entreated long-term care providers Tuesday to take responsibility for technological and care delivery innovations.