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AMD causes a darkening and/or blurring of central vision, and prevents you from being able to read, drive and recognize people you know. It is a progressive degeneration of the macula, the centre of the retina, the part of the membrane inside the back of the eye that allows us to see fine details.
Advanced AMD with loss of vision affects about 1.75 million Americans: this figure is expected to rise to just under 3 million by 2020 according to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. “Smoking is the second most common risk factor for AMD; age is the first,” explains Jesse Slome, executive director of the trade group. “The medical experts show it is never too late to find a reason to quit.”
Researchers at the Jules Stein Eye Institute at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and colleagues wanted to find out whether age was linked to the effect of smoking on AMD risk. The research provides the first accurate snapshot of how smoking affects AMD risk later in life.
For the study, researchers compared the retinal photographs of nearly 2,000 women taken at age 78 and 83, looked for signs of AMD and then did logistical regression statistical tests to find out whether smoking affected the women’s risk of developing the disease.
They found that smokers had 11 per cent higher rates of AMD than the non-smokers of the same age. But among those over age 80, the smokers were 5.5 times more likely to develop AMD than the non-smokers.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
People Who Look Young For Their Age Tend To Live Longer
According to researchers, doctors frequently use perceived age as a general indication of a patient’s health. They note however, that there is little research upon which to base validity of the belief.
Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark, examined whether perceived age is linked with survival. They investigated important age related traits, such as physical and mental (cognitive) functioning and a molecular biomarker of aging (leukocyte telomere length).
Telomere length indicates the ability of the body’s cells to reproduce. Shorter length is associated with a host of diseases related to aging, lifestyle factors and death.
A total of 1,826 Danish twins aged 70 years and over underwent physical and cognitive tests in the spring of 2001. Their faces were also photographed. Assessors rated the perceived age of the twins from their facial photographs. The assessors did not know the age range of the twins. In addition, each twin of a pair had their age assessed on different days.
Following the assessments, death records were used to track the survival of the twins over a seven year period. Perceived age was significantly associated with longer life survival. This was true even after adjusting for chronological age, sex, and the environment in which each pair of twins grew up. Perceived age, adjusted for chronological age and sex, also correlated with physical and cognitive functioning as well as leukocyte telomere length.
Also, the bigger the difference in perceived age within a twin pair, the more likely it was that the older looking twin died first. The age, sex and professional background of the assessors had no relevance to any of the results.
The researchers concluded that perceived age based on facial photographs is a strong biomarker of ageing. It predicts survival among people aged 70 years and over and correlates with important functional and molecular age related characteristics.
Report gathered by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance.
Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark, examined whether perceived age is linked with survival. They investigated important age related traits, such as physical and mental (cognitive) functioning and a molecular biomarker of aging (leukocyte telomere length).
Telomere length indicates the ability of the body’s cells to reproduce. Shorter length is associated with a host of diseases related to aging, lifestyle factors and death.
A total of 1,826 Danish twins aged 70 years and over underwent physical and cognitive tests in the spring of 2001. Their faces were also photographed. Assessors rated the perceived age of the twins from their facial photographs. The assessors did not know the age range of the twins. In addition, each twin of a pair had their age assessed on different days.
Following the assessments, death records were used to track the survival of the twins over a seven year period. Perceived age was significantly associated with longer life survival. This was true even after adjusting for chronological age, sex, and the environment in which each pair of twins grew up. Perceived age, adjusted for chronological age and sex, also correlated with physical and cognitive functioning as well as leukocyte telomere length.
Also, the bigger the difference in perceived age within a twin pair, the more likely it was that the older looking twin died first. The age, sex and professional background of the assessors had no relevance to any of the results.
The researchers concluded that perceived age based on facial photographs is a strong biomarker of ageing. It predicts survival among people aged 70 years and over and correlates with important functional and molecular age related characteristics.
Report gathered by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Taking Blood Pressure Medication Cuts Dying Risk
A study of U.S. Medicaid patients found that the more closely a person adhered to his or her doctor’s recommendations for filling their blood pressure medication prescription, the lower his or her risk of stroke and death.
Stroke is one of the primary reasons older individuals require long-term care acciording to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance which tracks medical research that impacts individuals.
Taking just one more pill as recommended each week (from a one-a-day regimen) cut stroke risk by 9 percent and death risk by 7 percent, researchers with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis reported in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
The medical experts studied the medical records of about 49,000 Tennessee Medicaid patients for 1994 to 2000 to determine if blood pressure medication refill adherence or frequency of physician visits influenced risk of stroke or death. The researchers also investigated whether the type of blood pressure-lowering drugs a patient took was associated with stroke or risk of dying.
Patients were taking two different types of blood pressure drug on average, although some were taking as many as six. Sixty percent of the patients filled their prescriptions less than 80 percent of the time, and were classified as non-adherent to their medication.
During follow-up, which ranged from 3 to 7 years, 619 study participants had a stroke and 2,051 died.
Patients who were non-adherent were a half-percent more likely to die over a five-year period compared to adherent patients. Blood pressure drugs known as thiazide diuretics, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers and beta blockers all cut death risk by 3 to 4 percent, while thiazide diuretics also cut stroke risk.
Patients in the study averaged about five doctor office visits a year, although there was a wide range, with some not seeing a doctor at all and others logging nearly 90 visits a year. Patients who visited the doctor more often were 1 percent less likely to die.
Stroke is one of the primary reasons older individuals require long-term care acciording to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance which tracks medical research that impacts individuals.
Taking just one more pill as recommended each week (from a one-a-day regimen) cut stroke risk by 9 percent and death risk by 7 percent, researchers with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis reported in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
The medical experts studied the medical records of about 49,000 Tennessee Medicaid patients for 1994 to 2000 to determine if blood pressure medication refill adherence or frequency of physician visits influenced risk of stroke or death. The researchers also investigated whether the type of blood pressure-lowering drugs a patient took was associated with stroke or risk of dying.
Patients were taking two different types of blood pressure drug on average, although some were taking as many as six. Sixty percent of the patients filled their prescriptions less than 80 percent of the time, and were classified as non-adherent to their medication.
During follow-up, which ranged from 3 to 7 years, 619 study participants had a stroke and 2,051 died.
Patients who were non-adherent were a half-percent more likely to die over a five-year period compared to adherent patients. Blood pressure drugs known as thiazide diuretics, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers and beta blockers all cut death risk by 3 to 4 percent, while thiazide diuretics also cut stroke risk.
Patients in the study averaged about five doctor office visits a year, although there was a wide range, with some not seeing a doctor at all and others logging nearly 90 visits a year. Patients who visited the doctor more often were 1 percent less likely to die.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Five States With Most Under Age 65 Nursing Home Residents
According to a report, the following five states have the largest percentage of nursing home residents under the standard Medicare eligibility age. In Arizona, 16.57 percent of new nursing home residents admitted were under age 65.
Other states reporting the highest percentages were Louisiana (15.71%), California (15.19%), Illinois (14.74%), Ohio (14.56) and Maryland (14.44%). Data comes from the Brown University Shaping Long Term Care In America Project.
While most people associate long-term care with nursing home stay, according to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance the majority of long-term care takes place at home or increasingly in assisted living communities.
The average age for nursing home residents upon admission for the five states was Arizona (78.24), Louisiana (77.84), California (77.76), Illinois (80.37), Ohio (78.81) and Maryland (79.23).
Other states reporting the highest percentages were Louisiana (15.71%), California (15.19%), Illinois (14.74%), Ohio (14.56) and Maryland (14.44%). Data comes from the Brown University Shaping Long Term Care In America Project.
While most people associate long-term care with nursing home stay, according to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance the majority of long-term care takes place at home or increasingly in assisted living communities.
The average age for nursing home residents upon admission for the five states was Arizona (78.24), Louisiana (77.84), California (77.76), Illinois (80.37), Ohio (78.81) and Maryland (79.23).
Monday, March 21, 2011
Pattern Predicts Dementia Onset And Long Term Care Need
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is “a condition in which a person has problems with memory, language, or another mental function severe enough to be noticeable to other people and to show up on tests, but not serious enough to interfere with daily life.” This type of mental state is considered a risk factor for dementia, the longest and most costly of all long-term care needs according to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance.
Some scientists studies have found that about 10 percent to 15 percent of those with MCI will progress to dementia each year. The new study which appears in the September issue of the Archives of Neurology, sought to deterine if telltale signs within MCI could determine those individuals who would progress more rapidly to full-blown dementia.
Researchers collected data on people with mild cognitive impairment and evaluated these individuals using brain scans and cognition tests. Over the next two years of follow-up, some 25 percent of the individuals did go on to develop dementia.
The researchers noted that if an older adult is starting to display problems in daily life, such as problems shopping independently, problems managing their own finances, problems performing household chores, and problems maintaining their hobbies, they are more likely to develop a dementia within several years.
Dr. Ronald C. Petersen, director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., agreed that, despite the lack of effective treatments, spotting Alzheimer’s disease early remains important. “If people in the family start to recognize a change in memory/learning patterns, that might be sufficient to identify someone who could develop Alzheimer’s disease,” Peterson said. “Don’t wait until the person is having trouble driving, is having trouble paying their bills or having trouble functioning in the community — that’s dementia,” he said. “This study tells us that we can identify important symptoms earlier and it may be worthwhile doing so.”
Some scientists studies have found that about 10 percent to 15 percent of those with MCI will progress to dementia each year. The new study which appears in the September issue of the Archives of Neurology, sought to deterine if telltale signs within MCI could determine those individuals who would progress more rapidly to full-blown dementia.
Researchers collected data on people with mild cognitive impairment and evaluated these individuals using brain scans and cognition tests. Over the next two years of follow-up, some 25 percent of the individuals did go on to develop dementia.
The researchers noted that if an older adult is starting to display problems in daily life, such as problems shopping independently, problems managing their own finances, problems performing household chores, and problems maintaining their hobbies, they are more likely to develop a dementia within several years.
Dr. Ronald C. Petersen, director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., agreed that, despite the lack of effective treatments, spotting Alzheimer’s disease early remains important. “If people in the family start to recognize a change in memory/learning patterns, that might be sufficient to identify someone who could develop Alzheimer’s disease,” Peterson said. “Don’t wait until the person is having trouble driving, is having trouble paying their bills or having trouble functioning in the community — that’s dementia,” he said. “This study tells us that we can identify important symptoms earlier and it may be worthwhile doing so.”
Monday, March 14, 2011
Nursing Home Closures Hit
A five percent drop in available nursing home beds across the United States have affected many but worst hit are poor, urban neighborhoods.
According to new research, the country’s minority population is aging at a steeper rate compared with the white population. The study conducted by the Center for Gerontology and Health Care Research at Brown University in Providence, R.I. found that the potential need for long-term care is rising fastest in minority communities, even as nursing home closings are happening more often in their areas.
“The impact of nursing home closings on minority and low-income communities will have all sorts of implications in terms of access and quality of care issues for all,” states Jesse Slome, executuive director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. “We are heading to a twp-class society, those who can pay and those dependent on whatever government programs exist.”
The study findings, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, explored nursing home trends and analyzed information drawn from the National Online Survey Certification and Reporting database on closings of Medicare- and Medicaid-certified facilities between 1999 and 2008.
During that time, the research team found that 11 percent of stand-alone nursing homes (1,776) and almost half (1,126) of all hospital-based nursing homes in the country shut their doors. Together, they represented a loss of 16 percent of all Medicare/Medicaid-certified nursing homes and nearly 97,000 — or more than 5 percent — of nursing home beds.
Using U.S. Census data from 2000, the authors further noted that overall closure rates were about twice as high in zip codes that are home to low-income and minority (black/Hispanic) communities than in the richest zip codes.
Nursing homes in zip codes comprised primarily of Hispanic or black residents were 37 and 38 percent more likely, respectively, to close than those in areas with the fewest Hispanics or blacks.
The team concluded that nursing homes in minority and low-income communities are bearing the lion’s share of financial pressures and closures, which raises concerns about rapidly diminishing senior care options and the quality of the remaining facilities in those places.
Experts explain that people in low-income neighborhoods who use nursing homes are generally Medicaid recipients, whose reimbursement rates are lower than the fees of private-pay patients. The result is that those places that care for these patients are more likely to close.
More than 27 million Americans will need long-term care by 2050, nearly twice as many as in 2000. Either the federal government will have to increase the reimbursement rate for nursing home services, or state and federal policies will have to fund less expensive — and perhaps more preferable lifestyle — options, such as assisted living, the study researchers concluded. Otherwise, only the wealthy will have access to nursing homes, the authors said.
According to new research, the country’s minority population is aging at a steeper rate compared with the white population. The study conducted by the Center for Gerontology and Health Care Research at Brown University in Providence, R.I. found that the potential need for long-term care is rising fastest in minority communities, even as nursing home closings are happening more often in their areas.
“The impact of nursing home closings on minority and low-income communities will have all sorts of implications in terms of access and quality of care issues for all,” states Jesse Slome, executuive director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. “We are heading to a twp-class society, those who can pay and those dependent on whatever government programs exist.”
The study findings, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, explored nursing home trends and analyzed information drawn from the National Online Survey Certification and Reporting database on closings of Medicare- and Medicaid-certified facilities between 1999 and 2008.
During that time, the research team found that 11 percent of stand-alone nursing homes (1,776) and almost half (1,126) of all hospital-based nursing homes in the country shut their doors. Together, they represented a loss of 16 percent of all Medicare/Medicaid-certified nursing homes and nearly 97,000 — or more than 5 percent — of nursing home beds.
Using U.S. Census data from 2000, the authors further noted that overall closure rates were about twice as high in zip codes that are home to low-income and minority (black/Hispanic) communities than in the richest zip codes.
Nursing homes in zip codes comprised primarily of Hispanic or black residents were 37 and 38 percent more likely, respectively, to close than those in areas with the fewest Hispanics or blacks.
The team concluded that nursing homes in minority and low-income communities are bearing the lion’s share of financial pressures and closures, which raises concerns about rapidly diminishing senior care options and the quality of the remaining facilities in those places.
Experts explain that people in low-income neighborhoods who use nursing homes are generally Medicaid recipients, whose reimbursement rates are lower than the fees of private-pay patients. The result is that those places that care for these patients are more likely to close.
More than 27 million Americans will need long-term care by 2050, nearly twice as many as in 2000. Either the federal government will have to increase the reimbursement rate for nursing home services, or state and federal policies will have to fund less expensive — and perhaps more preferable lifestyle — options, such as assisted living, the study researchers concluded. Otherwise, only the wealthy will have access to nursing homes, the authors said.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Walk To Prevent Diabetes, Study Reports
Walking more lowers your risk of diabetes.
This comes from a just released study by Australian rearchers who studied nearly 600 middle-aged adults. The adults participated in a study to map diabetes levels across Australia between 2000 and 2005.
Diabetes is a major health condition increasingly affecting aging adults according to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI). “Diabetes is one of the conditions that can cause many to need long-term care,” states Jesse Slome, AALTCI executive director. “It is also one of the conditions that can make it harder to get this insurance coverage.”
Participants underwent a health examination at the start of the study and provided details about their eating and lifestyle habits. The volunteers were also given a pedometer and instructed how to use it.
Follow-up with the participants five years later showed that a higher daily step count was associated with a lower body-mass index (BMI), lower waist-to-hip ratio and better insulin sensitivity, even after adjusting for factors such as diet, smoking and alcohol intake.
They calculated that a sedentary person who changed his or her behavior and started walking 10,000 steps every day would achieve a threefold improvement in insulin sensitivity, compared with a similar person who walked 3,000 steps a day, five days a week.
The 10,000 steps per day is a popular guideline, but a more recent recommendation is 3,000 steps per day, five days a week.
The findings confirm an independent beneficial role of higher daily step count on body-mass index, waist-to-hip ratio and insulin sensitivity, provide further support to promote higher physical activity levels among middle-aged adults. The study appears in the online edition of the British Medical Journal.
This comes from a just released study by Australian rearchers who studied nearly 600 middle-aged adults. The adults participated in a study to map diabetes levels across Australia between 2000 and 2005.
Diabetes is a major health condition increasingly affecting aging adults according to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI). “Diabetes is one of the conditions that can cause many to need long-term care,” states Jesse Slome, AALTCI executive director. “It is also one of the conditions that can make it harder to get this insurance coverage.”
Participants underwent a health examination at the start of the study and provided details about their eating and lifestyle habits. The volunteers were also given a pedometer and instructed how to use it.
Follow-up with the participants five years later showed that a higher daily step count was associated with a lower body-mass index (BMI), lower waist-to-hip ratio and better insulin sensitivity, even after adjusting for factors such as diet, smoking and alcohol intake.
They calculated that a sedentary person who changed his or her behavior and started walking 10,000 steps every day would achieve a threefold improvement in insulin sensitivity, compared with a similar person who walked 3,000 steps a day, five days a week.
The 10,000 steps per day is a popular guideline, but a more recent recommendation is 3,000 steps per day, five days a week.
The findings confirm an independent beneficial role of higher daily step count on body-mass index, waist-to-hip ratio and insulin sensitivity, provide further support to promote higher physical activity levels among middle-aged adults. The study appears in the online edition of the British Medical Journal.
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