Total Pageviews

Friday 26 June 2015

Seniors Can Find Confidence and Flow in Yoga Practice

Can your elderly loved one touch their toes?
If they're anything like 91-year-old Bernice Bates, they can. Of course, Bates has been practicing yoga for half a century and was recently named the "World's Oldest Yoga Teacher," by the World Academy of Records and the Guinness World Records.
According to the Associated Press, Bates admits that there must be older instructors out there. But, the fact remains, yoga has been a central part of Bates' life for decades—while prescriptions and trips to the doctor's office have not.
 
Flowing (and aging) with grace
There's no doubt that physical activity is good for people no matter what their age. But sometimes, certain limitations prevent a senior from engaging in more commonplace forms of exercise such as walking, spinning, or lifting weights.
Nathan Wei, MD, a rheumatologist with over 30 years of experience says there are three key components to a good workout for seniors: low impact cardio, resistance training, and stretching.
He says that yoga has the potential to cover all three of these bases, but, people who are getting older should give serious thought to which yoga program they choose to adopt. Certain forms of yoga may be too strenuous, or require so much flexibility that a senior could easily hurt themselves by pushing too far.
Lucy Lomax, a certified Ansuara Yoga instructor and founder of the Serenity Bay yoga studio in Annapolis, Maryland, says that Anusara yoga is a therapeutic practice, focused on proper body alignment—perfect for seniors with physical limitations.
Anusara yoga is a style of yoga that is focused on honoring and accepting the whole individual—aches, pains, and weaknesses included. Translated, the word "Anusara" means "following your heart" or "flowing with grace." Classes generally have unifying themes and are always conducted with a relaxed, non-competitive atmosphere.
This focus on flow is especially important for seniors as, according to Lomax, people's bodies become less fluid as they age. She says a good yoga practice can help, "oil the joints" of an elderly person by increasing the amount of fluid in between the bones. 
 
A senior's confidence builder
An improved sense of body awareness is also often seen in people who practice yoga regularly.
For a senior, this enhanced awareness can translate into an increased confidence in their ability to get around without falling. "Balance is one of the first things we start losing as we age," Lomax says. This is why she has some of the seniors who come to her classes use chairs or a wall to help steady them in certain poses.
Confidence is gradually built in Anusara classes as students, under the direction of their teachers, slowly work up to more complicated versions of poses.
For instance, a senior might start off doing a forward bend by only bending down halfway and holding onto a chair for balance. As they become more comfortable in that position, the instructor may encourage them to let go of the chair and put their hands on a piece of yoga equipment called a block. The block will be lower than the chair, but will still give the elderly person something to help stabilize them. Finally, the senior may be able to bend all the way over and touch their toes without any assistance.
Some people won't be able to progress to the advanced form of every pose, but that's perfectly acceptable. Anusara yoga is all about the honoring the individual and their unique journey.

Communication is key
After working with seniors for about ten years, Lomax encourages caregivers to tell an elderly person's yoga instructor about any physical or mental ailments that may affect their ability to do certain movements. It may also be a good idea to let the teacher know what kind of mood the senior is in.
An instructor will be able to use this information to help them, "feel the energy of the class," and adapt the practice accordingly.
Wei upholds the instructor as a senior's guard against injury. He says that a teacher who is aware of a person's physical capabilities will be able to modify poses so an elderly person doesn't get injured or become frustrated.

Scientifically-backed benefits
Research on yoga is still in its infancy, but some promising results regarding the benefits of practicing the discipline have been published.
Yoga has been shown to:
  • Improve sleep quality and improve depression
  • Reduce stress
  • Help control blood sugar in people with diabetes
  • Enhance respiratory function
  • Help alleviate arthritis pain
  • Increase bone density and prevent osteoporosis
  • Improve balance
  • Moderate chronic pain
Better together?
Yoga is also something that an older person and their caregiver may want to do together.
Lomax says that practicing partner yoga may help form or solidify the bond between a caregiver and their elderly loved one —it's just not something that's very common in the yoga community currently.
Differences in ability levels will have to be taken into account of course. Depending on their age and health, your elderly loved one may not be able to do the poses the way that you can. It's best to consult with a certified yoga instructor before embarking on a partner yoga practice with a senior.

Dementia disclaimer
For those seniors who have Alzheimer's, or another form of dementia, yoga may or may not be helpful.
Depending on how advanced the disease is in an elderly loved one, remembering the poses and alignments essential to a yoga practice might simply be too difficult.
Lomax's advice for those who wish to experiment with yoga for a senior who has dementia: begin with one-on-one sessions with a certified instructor.
An instructor will be better able to individualize a practice and keep an eye on the elder in case they forget what to do. The caregiver should also probably sit in on these sessions to help manage outbursts and provide a (somewhat) familiar presence for the senior.

Credit: Aging Care 

Saturday 20 June 2015

Urinary Incontinence is a Major Concern for Elderly

Old age brings much cherished wisdom, but it also entails weakening of a person’s ability to lead a normal daily life. Apart from such concerns as arthritis, weak bones, loss of cognition, major secondary health disorders that afflict a large number of elderly include bed sores and urinary incontinence.
The discomfort and embarrassment associated with old age health disorders forces people to restrict their daily activities, often restricting them to bed. Consequently, they end up suffering from additional problems like bed sores, which are open wounds on skin that causes immense pain. Severe bed sores penetrate deep into the skin affecting the multiples layers of tissue, including muscle and bone.  The sight is grotesque making it difficult for dear ones to help in coping with the issue.
Apart from bed sores urinary incontinence is another factor that becomes problematic for senior people. It is condition where the patient has a sudden and urgent to urinate with every cough or sneeze.
Keeping these two specific needs of elderly patients in mind, leading home health service provider Healthcare at Home today organized a large scale training session for its nursing staff to train and equip them in dealing with these concerns in the best and most sensitive manner.
Bed sores and urinary incontinence are two major factors that drive the need for home nursing staff for the bed ridden elderly patients. These concerns and how to deal with them effectively, however, are often not given due importance.
Healthcare at Home considers the treatment and care of patients a comprehensive process. Although, the nursing staffs are well trained to serve the patients with complete love, care and knowledge, less knowledge is imparted in terms of curing bed sores, skin rashes or handling UI patients.
Taking into account the increase in number of people opting for healthcare services at home, Healthcare at Home (HCAH) has taken the initiative to conduct an educational session for its physiotherapy staff and nurses on use of diapers for adults, as well as preventing and managing bed sores in bed ridden patients.
In a healthy individual, the brain sends messages to the bladder to turn urination on and off. However, in some instances this regulation goes awry, creating problems of loss of control over the bladder. Considering the humiliation that the condition accompanies with it, people shy away from talking about it or seeking medical guidance for its cure.
“UI is an embarrassing condition. However, it should not be neglected. UI is another major factor that has given boost to the home health care services. Most of the elderly people are bed ridden dependent on others for their works. While the dear ones gets used to managing the bed sores over the time, managing UI becomes problematic. Therefore, it has become important for us to train our home care nurses and staff about UI and it management. The session is an effort towards the same and a step to provide better services to patient dealing with the issue. We believe there is increasing need for nursing staff to be trained in UI management techniques that make life easier for the elderly,” said Vivek Srivastava, CEO, Health Care at Home (HCAH).
Conditions of UI is tough to tackle for the home nurses/ staff and equally embarrassing for the patient. Therefore, it is important for the nurse to have proper knowledge about the condition and guidance of tackling the condition. While many may believe that UI is a natural condition of old age, it may not be necessarily so. Ranging from causes like loss of higher control of micturition, which normally controls urination to set of neurological conditions such as SCI, MS, PD and Neurogenic Detrusor Overactivity (NDO), the reason for urinary incontinence may vary from person to person.
Medical conditions and some medications can cause involuntary loss of urine. Women generally suffer incontinence due to weakened pelvic muscles. Enlarged prostate glands are often the cause of incontinence for men. Factors such as alcohol and caffeine also contribute to cause UI in later years. Sometimes there occurs a need to insert temporary, disposable devices in the urethra to stop involuntary urine flow. Additionally, use of adult incontinence diapers or briefs can also help the patient resume to normal and uninterrupted lifestyles.

Credit: First Report

Sunday 14 June 2015

Problems of the elderly

One wonders whether the phrase "May you live to a ripe old age" is a blessing or a curse. Old age cannot be avoided. It is a phase of life, which will arrive and stay till death takes its toll. Problems of old age come in two forms: emotional and physical. Many studies have proved that the two are actually interconnected. No precautionary measures can avoid these problems; senior citizens just have to face them bravely.

Old age is feared in recent times; however. This was not the case in the olden times. In the good old days, life was not so complicated and family values were given more importance. Hence, the older generations held a very important position in the family tree and in society. They were the epitomes of wisdom. The younger ones benefitted from their profound knowledge and experiences.

The scenario is changing nowadays with senior citizens being considered as "non-productive" and. They are thought to be a social and economic burden. In urban areas, the entire responsibility is on the male child with whom the aging parent resides. Due to the nuclear family system, the aged people tend to feel neglected as all the others remain busy with their own schedule. The experiences of the old are considered primitive in this advanced ‘techno’ world and no one wants to pay heed to what they have to say.

Many are forced to sell off their property as a result of some dispute within the family or for their children’s career, making them solely dependent on their children later. After a certain age, their health starts deteriorating and their mental faculties begin to diminish. Sometimes, these people cannot recognize their own family members. In such situations, these people are considered to be a burden and are thrown out.

Those who can afford, try to reduce their guilt by sending their old parents to the home for the aged. But seldom do they realize that although their parents or grandparents may get physical care in these institutions, their emotional needs of affection and love by their own near and dear ones remain unfulfilled. What the youngsters of today fail to realize is that they will get old too some day and may have to meet a similar fate, because history is bound to repeat itself and a person reaps what he sows.

What is Diverticulitis?

Diverticulitis is a disorder that comes from diverticulosis, which is characterized by small, bulging pouches in the digestive tract.

These pouches are called diverticula, and they are common in the U.S. Over half of the population older than 60 years of age have them. The pouches don't always cause problems and people often don't even know they are there.

However, the pouches sometimes can become inflamed or infected. This can cause pain in the abdomen, fever, nausea, and changes in bowel habits. Diverticulitis is present when the diverticula become infected. Cases can range from mild to severe, and the milder cases can be treated with rest, diet alterations and antibiotic medications. The more serious cases can require surgery to remove the affected part of the colon.

The good news is that most people with diverticulosis do not develop diverticulitis. The condition can be prevented by eating a well-balanced diet, including foods that are high in fiber.

Symptoms that are common of diverticulitis include:

Pain in the abdomen and lower right side
Tenderness.
Fever.
Nausea.
Diarrhea and constipation.

Other signs considered less common are:

Vomiting.
Bloating.
Rectal bleeding.
Frequent urination.
Pain while urinating.
Tender abdomen.

But what causes the diverticula to appear in the first place?

Usually, diverticula are formed when there are weak places in the colon that give way under pressure. Then, the pouches, about the size of a marble, protrude through the colon wall. Pressure in the colon can lead to infection of the diverticula.

Nutrition Information for seniors

Nutrient deficiencies appear to increase with age. Some colleagues at the University of Iowa looked at over 400 Iowans 79 and older living independently in rural areas and found that 80 percent reported consuming inadequate amounts of four or more nutrients.

* * *

When declining energy requirements are not matched by decreased caloric intake then total body fat increases. The Atkins diet leaves your body shy on some important nutrients, such as vitamin B, and also is negative for vitamins A, C and D, anti-oxidants that slow the effects of aging and calcium. Once again the lack of exercise has to enter into the equation also.

Nutritional status may be further compromised by other problems in conjunction with the illness, such as trauma, surgery, infection drug therapy which alter nutrient requirements. This makes recovery even more difficult. Each one of the above nutrients is needed to keep an aged body in good health. Elderly individuals should try to strive for a well-balanced diet and stay active. Adequate dietary fiber, as opposed to increased use of laxatives, will maintain regular bowel function and not interfere with the digestion and absorption of nutrients, as occurs with laxative use or abuse.

Some of the factors described above, like changes in the digestive system, as well as health concerns like the increased risk of fragile bones, means that nutritional needs change as you age. Periodic review of your diet is always helpful, particularly if you have specific medical conditions.

Taste and smell changes, as well as feelings of loneliness and depression, contribute to decreased appetite, while many elderly people may eat less because of chewing difficulties, fatigue, and social reasons. Another statistic for the elderly being the need for more nutrition because of disease or injury.

Cutting back on sleep could harm blood vessel function and breathing control, a new study has found.

A bevy of research has shown a link between sleep deprivation and cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and obesity.

However, it''s been unclear why sleep loss might lead to these effects. Several studies have tested the effects of total sleep deprivation, but this model isn''t a good fit for the way most people lose sleep, with a few hours here and there.

In a new study by Keith Pugh, Shahrad Taheri, and George Balanos, all of the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, researchers test the effects of partial sleep deprivation on blood vessels and breathing control.
They find that reducing sleep length over two consecutive nights leads to less healthy vascular function and impaired breathing control.

Following the first two nights of restricted sleep, the researchers found a significant reduction in vascular function compared to following the nights of normal sleep. However, after the third night of sleep restriction, vascular function returned to baseline, possibly an adaptive response to acute sleep loss, study leader Pugh explained.
In other tests, the researchers exposed subjects to moderately high levels of carbon dioxide, which normally increases the depth and rate of breathing. However, breathing control was substantially reduced after the volunteers lost sleep.

The researchers later had these volunteers sleep 10 hours a night for five nights. After completing the same tests, results showed that vascular function and breathing control had improved.
Pugh noted that the results could suggest a mechanism behind the connection between sleep loss and cardiovascular disease.

"If acute sleep loss occurs repetitively over a long period of time, then vascular health could be compromised further and eventually mediate the development of cardiovascular disease," he said.

Similarly, the loss of breathing control that the researchers observed could play a role in the development of sleep apnea, which has also been linked with cardiovascular disease.

Pugh added that some populations who tend to report sleeping shorter periods, such as the elderly, could be at an even higher risk of these adverse health effects.

The team will discuss the abstract of their study at the Experimental Biology 2013 meeting, being held April 20-24, 2013 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Boston, Mass.

Asthma Drugs May Boost Cataract Risk for Elderly

Elderly patients taking anti-asthmatic medications to treat their asthma or lung disease may be more likely to develop cataracts, a new study finds.

A Canadian research team studied data compiled over 14 years from more than 100,000 patients with either asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The data came from a provincial health database and included diagnosis and prescription information for each patient.

"We found that people over the age of 65 who take a cortisone-like medication called inhaled corticosteroids to lower their risk of asthma or COPD attacks are actually raising their risk of developing cataracts," study author Dr. Samy Suissa, an epidemiologist at McGill University Health Centre in Montreal, said in a prepared statement. "This important information to physicians and patients will help in the management of patients using these drugs."

For patients who took an inhaled corticosteroid each day, researchers found that their risk of developing cataracts was 24 percent higher than patients who did not use the drugs. Researchers also noted an increase in patients who took half the typical daily dose of a prescribed inhaled corticosteroid. Of all the patients studied, over 10,000 of them developed severe cataracts.

"We recommend that elderly asthma sufferers keep using these very effective medications, but make efforts to reduce the dose of inhaled corticosteroids as much as possible," Suissa said.

If patients are prescribed an inhaled corticosteroid, Suissa recommends a long-acting bronchodilator or anti-leukotriene combination therapy to reduce the risk of cataracts.

Health Tips for the Elderly and Seniors

1. Don't begrudge spending money on your own comfort, health and quality of life. You deserve it!

FOR THE OVER-60'S - The government's annual fuel allowance of Pds200 is meant to be used for our warmth and comfort, and to ease the worry of the increased heating bill.

The Winter Fuel Payments Help line is 0845 9 151515 If you are receiving a disability or income-related benefit, you may be able to claim a grant of up to Pds2,500 for insulation and heating improvements. Call Home Energy Efficiency Scheme 0800 952 0600. If you receive disability and income-related benefits you can claim Cold Weather Payments if the temperature falls below 00 C for 7 consecutive days.

There is also the Staywarm scheme. For a fixed charge you can use as much gas or electricity as you need. 0800 1 694 694

Finally, if you are unable to pay your winter fuel bill, in the first instance contact your supplier explaining your problem and informing them that you are a pensioner. Good news worth remembering, is that electricity companies and British Gas have a policy of not disconnecting pensioners between 1 October and 31 March - so keep warm and don't panic.

2. Keep your mind active, crosswords, sudoka, hobbies, etc.

NEVER STOP LEARNING. If you have an interested mind, people are more likely to enjoy your company and be interested in you.

3. Keep your body active.

As the saying goes, if you don't use it, you'll lose it Walk in the fresh air if possible. If you enjoy company while you are walking then join a rambling group. (Often 'rambling clubs' for the retired are more socially inclined 'ambling clubs'). Gardening combines the benefits of fresh air, exercise and the results can give you immeasurable pleasure. Dancing; particularly formation or line dancing exercises the memory also. Swimming, is a particularly good exercise for all parts of the body with the added advantage that the water is supporting you and therefore there is no weight on the joints.

4. Feed your body with the correct foods.

You wouldn't expect your car to work efficiently if you fed it the incorrect fuel. So feed your body with nutritious foods that contain the necessary vitamins and minerals in order for it to return optimum performance. With winter approaching we need to build up our immune system, so in addition to a well balanced diet of fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and nourishing protein (laced with the benefits of virgin olive oil and garlic), we should add a few supplements to help us on our way. In addition to a good multi-vitamin tablet, you'll probably benefit from extra Vitamin C, Echinacea, EPA fish oils, selenium, ginko biloba to aid circulation, particularly to the extremities, and glucosomine to help with those aching joints.
Don't forget your flu jab and the jab against pneumonia for the over 70's. There is also really excellent news on the common cold front. At long last there appears to be something that stops a cold developing. Vicks First Defence is a spray that you use at the first sign of a cold and it stops the cold virus in its tracks. This miracle goes on sale during October 05.

5 Socialise.

Possibly I don't have to remind you about this as the majority of retired folk I meet complain that they are busier now than ever they were, that there are not enough hours in the day, and they wonder how they ever found time to go to work.

There are so many clubs and groups to join. To name a few popular ones, U3A (University of the Third Age) for both sexes and with interesting speakers, and offering numerous sub sections for specific group interests and hobbies, Women's Institute, (has gained a new image after the film Calendar Girls), Townswomen's Guild, Gardening Clubs, Art Clubs, etc., and many clubs aimed specifically at the retired.

If transport is a problem, remember most local authorities offer free or reduced bus fares for senior citizens and travel tokens for the disabled. There is a Senior Railcard for reduced train fares for the over 60's. National Express have a Routesixty Scheme which enables over 60's to travel nationwide very cheaply (Tel 08705 808080). Also, occasionally, National Express offer their 'go anywhere for Pds5 scheme'.

If you have difficulty in getting around the town, then there is Shopmobility where you can hire mobility scooters (various models and sizes available) and electric and manual wheelchairs. Shopmobility is usually manned by helpers who will be only too pleased to instruct and allow you to practice before you are let loose on the town. Also there is the added advantage that there is usually a free car park attached to Shopmobility for clients' convenience. If you have difficulty in using public transport, often local authorities provide a 'dial-a-ride' service from your home to the shopping centre.

Senior Nutrition & Diet Tips

For older adults, the benefits of healthy eating include increased mental acuteness, resistance to illness and disease, higher energy levels, faster recuperation times, and better management of chronic health problems. As we age, eating well can also be the key to a positive outlook and staying emotionally balanced. But healthy eating doesn’t have to be about dieting and sacrifice. Eating well as an older adult is all about fresh, colorful food, creativity in the kitchen, and eating with friends.

Senior nutrition: Feeding the body, mind and soul

Remember the old adage, you are what you eat? Make it your motto. When you choose a variety of colorful fruits and veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins you’ll feel vibrant and healthy, inside and out.

Live longer and stronger – Good nutrition keeps muscles, bones, organs, and other body parts strong for the long haul. Eating vitamin-rich food boosts immunity and fights illness-causing toxins. A proper diet reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes, bone loss, cancer, and anemia. Also, eating sensibly means consuming fewer calories and more nutrient-dense foods, keeping weight in check.

Sharpen the mind –Key nutrients are essential for the brain to do its job. People who eat a selection of brightly colored fruit, leafy veggies, and fish and nuts packed with omega-3 fatty acids can improve focus and decrease their risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Feel better –Wholesome meals give you more energy and help you look better, resulting in a self-esteem boost. It’s all connected—when your body feels good you feel happier inside and out.

How many calories do seniors need?
Use the following as a guideline:

A woman over 50 who is:
Not physically active needs about 1600 calories a day
Somewhat physically active needs about 1800 calories a day
Very active needs about 2000 calories a day

A man over 50 who is:
Not physically active needs about 2000 calories a day
Somewhat physically active needs about 2200-2400 calories a day
Very active needs about 2400-2800 calories a day

Smoking may lead to cataract in elderly

In a new study, researchers have found new evidence that smoking may also increase the risk of age-related cataract, which is the leading cause of blindness and vision loss in the world.

The new findings are the result of a meta-analysis conducted by a team of researchers from China.

“Although cataracts can be removed surgically to restore sight, many people remain blind from cataracts due to inadequate surgical services and high surgery expenses,” author Juan Ye, MD from Zhejiang University in China said.

“Identifying modifiable risk factors for cataracts may help establish preventive measures and reduce the financial as well as clinical burden caused by the disease,” Ye said.

The team performed the analysis using 12 cohorts and eight case-control studies from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and North America, to compare the prevalence of age-related cataract in individuals who ever smoked cigarettes to those who have never smoked.

Further subgroup analyses were performed based on the subjects’ status as a past or current smoker and the three subtypes of age-related cataract.

The results showed that every individual that ever smoked cigarettes was associated with an increased risk of age-related cataract, with a higher risk of incidence in current smokers.

In the subgroup analysis, former and current smokers showed a positive association with two of the subtypes - nuclear cataract, when the clouding is in the central nucleus of the eye, and subscapular cataract, when the clouding is in the rear of the lens capsule.

The analysis found no association between smoking and cortical cataract, in which the cloudiness affects the cortex of the lens.

While the overall analysis suggests that smoking cigarettes may increase the risk of age-related cataracts, the researchers point out that further effort should be made to clarify the underlying mechanisms.

“We think our analysis may inspire more high-quality epidemiological studies,” Ye said.

“Our analysis shows that association between smoking and the risk of age-related cataract differ by subtypes, suggesting that pathophysiologic processes may differ in the different cataract types,” Ye added.
The study has been published in Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science.

Aspirin `delays memory loss in elderly`

Daily low dose aspirin could slow the decline in brain power among elderly women at high risk of heart disease, a new study has suggested.

The researchers based their findings on 681 women between the ages of 70 and 92, 601 of whom were at high risk of heart disease and stroke, defined as a 10 percent or greater risk on a validated risk scale.
All the women were subjected to a battery of tests to measure their physical health and intellectual capacity, including verbal fluency and memory speed, and dementia in 2000-1.

Their health was tracked over a period of five years, at the end of which the intellectual capacity of 489 women was assessed again.

Some 129 women were taking low dose aspirin (75 to 160 mg) every day to ward off a heart attack or stroke when the monitoring period started. A further 94 were taking various other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

The researchers found that the MMSE score fell, on average, across the whole group at the end of the five years, but this decline was considerably less in the 66 women who had taken aspirin every day over the entire period.
This result held true, even after taking account of age, genetic factors, the use of other NSAIDs and the cardiovascular risk score.

The researchers then divided the group into those who had taken aspirin for the entire five years (66), those who had stopped taking it by 2005-6 (18), those who were taking it by 2005-6 (67), and those who hadn’t taken the drug at any point (338).

Compared with women who had not taken aspirin at all, those who had done so for all five years, increased their MMSE score, while those who had taken aspirin at some point, registered only insignificant falls in MMSE score.
The test results for verbal fluency and memory speed indicated similar patterns, although the findings weren’t statistically significant.

There were no differences, however, in the rate at which the women developed dementia.
The researchers then looked only at the women with a Framingham risk score of more than 10 percent.
Again, similar patterns were evident.

The fall in MMSE score was less among those taking aspirin than those who weren’t, and there was no difference between those taking other NSAIDs and those who weren’t.

The same was true of the verbal and memory tests, although the differences were not statistically significant.

Zinc deficiency in elderly people can lead to multiple diseases

Researchers have suggested that it's important for elderly people to get adequate dietary intake of zinc, since they may need more of it at this life stage when their ability to absorb it is declining. Zinc can be obtained in the diet from seafood and meats, but it's more difficult to absorb from grains and vegetables - a particular concern for vegetarians.

Scientists in the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University and the OSU College of Public Health and Human Sciences have outlined for the first time a biological mechanism by which zinc deficiency can develop with age, leading to a decline of the immune system and increased inflammation associated with many health problems, including cancer, heart disease, autoimmune disease and diabetes.

The study was based on findings with laboratory animals. It found that zinc transporters were significantly dysregulated in old animals. They showed signs of zinc deficiency and had an enhanced inflammatory response even though their diet supposedly contained adequate amounts of zinc.

When the animals were given about 10 times their dietary requirement for zinc, the biomarkers of inflammation were restored to those of young animals.

"We've previously shown in both animal and human studies that zinc deficiency can cause DNA damage, and this new work shows how it can help lead to systemic inflammation," said Emily Ho, an LPI principal investigator and associate professor in OSU School of Biological and Population Health Sciences.

"Some inflammation is normal, a part of immune defense, wound healing and other functions," she said. "But in excess, it's been associated with almost every degenerative disease you can think of, including cancer and heart disease. It appears to be a significant factor in the diseases that most people die from."

As a result of this and what is now know about zinc absorption in the elderly, Ho said that she would recommend all senior citizens take a dietary supplement that includes the full RDA for zinc, which is 11 milligrams a day for men and 8 milligrams for women.

"We found that the mechanisms to transport zinc are disrupted by age-related epigenetic changes," said Carmen Wong, an OSU research associate and co-author of this study.

"This can cause an increase in DNA methylation and histone modifications that are related to disease processes, especially cancer. Immune system cells are also particularly vulnerable to zinc deficiency," he stated.

Research at OSU and elsewhere has shown that zinc is essential to protect against oxidative stress and help repair DNA damage. In zinc deficiency, the risk of which has been shown to increase with age, the body's ability to repair genetic damage may be decreasing even as the amount of damage is going up.
Even though elderly people have less success in absorbing zinc, the official RDA for them is the same as in younger adults. That issue should be examined more closely, Ho said.

Levels of zinc intake above 40 milligrams per day should be avoided, researchers said, because at very high levels they can interfere with absorption of other necessary nutrients, including iron and copper. The study was published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry.

Vitamin K intake cuts risk of diabetes in the elderly by 50 percent

Vitamin K promotes the removal of calcium from the blood to prevent heart disease and diabetes
A team of Spanish scientists noted "The results of this study show that dietary phylloquinone intake is associated with reduced risk of type-2 diabetes, which extends the potential roles of vitamin K in human health." The researchers noted that vitamin K deficiencies are prevalent in western diets due to a lack of leafy green vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, and broccoli that provide vitamin K1, the most common isomer of the vitamin. Vitamin K2 (from fermented foods and natto) is much less common in the typical diet and can be synthesized in the gut by microflora.
Researchers reviewed data on 1,069 men and women with an average age of 67 that were part of the Prevention with the Mediterranean Diet trial in Spain. None of the participants had diabetes at the start of the study. 131 had developed the disease after five and a half years. The team determined that those with the highest levels of vitamin K1 at the study's outset experienced the lowest risk for developing Type II diabetes.
The team concluded "An increase in the amount of phylloquinone intake during the follow-up was associated with a 51 percent lower risk of diabetes in elderly subjects at high cardiovascular risk after a median follow-up of 5.5 years." Though still to be determined, the researchers postulated that the risk reduction was due in large part to the metabolism of osteocalcin, a protein involved in bone mineralization and moving calcium from the blood into the bone. Nutrition experts recommend supplementing with a full spectrum form of vitamin K (1000 to 2200 mcg per day) to prevent diabetes and heart disease as we age.

Why Older People Lose Their Memory

The stereotype of the old forgetful person whose memory often fails him is widely held, but the reason for its appearance was never really pinpointed. Much like gray hair and wrinkles, it was just thought to be part of growing old.

Now new research from Adam M. Brickman, PhD, of the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain at Columbia University Medical Center in New York, shows that silent strokes may be the cause. Essentially small dead spots in the brain are found in one out of four elderly people.
Brickman's study is published in the January 3rd issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology and he states :

"The new aspect of this study of memory loss in the elderly is that it examines silent strokes and hippocampal shrinkage simultaneously."

His study was conducted with over 650 people aged 65 and older. They were free from dementia and were given MRI brain scans. They also took tests to measure their memory, language, speed at processing information and visual perception. Of the 658 people, 174 were identified as having had silent strokes.

Those 174 scored worse on memory tests, regardless of how large their hippocampus was.
Brickman says that :

"Given that conditions like Alzheimer's disease are defined mainly by memory problems, our results may lead to further insight into what causes symptoms and the development of new interventions for prevention. Since silent strokes and the volume of the hippocampus appeared to be associated with memory loss separately in our study, our results also support stroke prevention as a means for staving off memory problems."
It's not known exactly why or how Alzheimer's destroys the brain's memory, but research has started to show accumulations of proteins called called amyloid plaques, among brain cells. Larger tangled protein strands then start to appear inside the cells. However, treatments to remove the proteins have not been particularly successful in improving memory loss.

Brickman's research points the investigation in a new direction, and focuses more on the vascular system. While circulation and loss of brain function from minute strokes may not be the whole solution its certainly an important part of it, as Brickman concludes :

"What our study suggests is, even when we account for the decline in memory attributed to hippocampal shrinkage or degeneration, that strokes ... play an additional role in the memory decline," Brickman says. He is the Herbert Irving assistant professor of neuropsychology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Midlife fitness key to healthier ageing

Being physically fit during your 30s, 40s, and 50s not only helps extend lifespan, but it also increases the chances of ageing healthily, free from chronic illness, say researchers.

For decades, research has shown that higher cardiorespiratory fitness levels lessen the risk of death, but it previously had been unknown just how much fitness might affect the burden of chronic disease in the most senior years - a concept known as morbidity compression.

"We've determined that being fit is not just delaying the inevitable, but it is actually lowering the onset of chronic disease in the final years of life," said Dr. Jarett Berry, assistant professor of internal medicine and senior author of the study.

Investigators at UT Southwestern Medical Center and The Cooper Institute examined the patient data of 18,670 participants in the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study, research that contains more than 250,000 medical records maintained over a 40-year span.

These data were linked with the patients' Medicare claims filed later in life from ages 70 to 85. Analyses during the latest study showed that when patients increased fitness levels by 20 percent in their midlife years, they decreased their chances of developing chronic diseases - congestive heart failure, Alzheimer's disease, and colon cancer - decades later by 20 per cent.

"What sets this study apart is that it focuses on the relationship between midlife fitness and quality of life in later years. Fitter individuals aged well with fewer chronic illnesses to impact their quality of life," said Dr. Benjamin Willis of The Cooper Institute, first author on the study.

This positive effect continued until the end of life, with more-fit individuals living their final five years of life with fewer chronic diseases. The effects were the same in both men and women.

These data suggest that aerobic activities such as walking, jogging, or running translates not only into more years of life but also into higher quality years, compressing the burden of chronic illness into a shorter amount of time at the end of life, Dr. Berry said.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), adults should get at least 2 and half hours of moderate to intense aerobic activity each week to ensure major heart and overall health benefits.
The study results have been made available online in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Flexibility adds years to our life

If you are over 50 years old and getting up from the floor requires both hands, you better watch out. You may not live as long as your flexible counterparts.

Those who can sit down and get up using only one hand — or no hands at all — are likely to live for longer, a study found. But those needing extra assistance, such as getting up on their knees or using two hands, are up to six times more likely to die prematurely.

Researchers said the ease with which someone could stand up from a sitting position on the floor — and vice versa — was ‘remarkably predictive’ of physical strength.

Drug side effects and the elderly

Researchers in Britain have found that commonly used drugs prescribed to half of those that are 65 or older lead to an increased incidence of death and mental health decline, especially when the drugs are prescribed in combination. The researchers' findings, which was published in the August 2011 Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, suggest that these types of drugs negatively affect the brain and increase the risk of decline and death. The study found that patients taking a combination of prescription drugs were at greater risk.
Elderly people take approximately three times the amount of medications that younger people do. Although the elderly are prescribed a wide array of drugs, the most common drugs are heart medications, statins, benzodiazepines, and antidepressants.

Drugs that treat the cardiovascular system can result in nausea, vomiting, weight loss, anorexia, and bleeding problems. Statins' side effects include muscle weakness and pain (the most serious that can be life threatening), headaches, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, skin rash, and general weakness.

Benzodiazepines can result in sedation, confusion, and falls. The side effects of antidepressants include sedation, confusion, falls, low blood pressure, and urinary retention. Antidepressants also thin the blood. They decrease blood clotting capacity, increasing the risk for stomach and uterine bleeding. Add over the counter NSAID's taken at the same time and the risk doubles.

Other common drugs' side effects

Other commonly prescribed drugs also have a host of potentially harmful side effects. Examples include:

* Antipsychotic medications that are used to treat "mental disorders" can result in confusion, sedation, low blood pressure, falls, urinary retention, Parkinsonism (involuntary shaking and twitching), and tardive dyskinesia (repetitive body movements)

* Antihistamines used to treat allergies can result in confusion, sedation, low blood pressure, falls, sleep disturbance, and urinary retention

* Drugs that relieve nausea can lead to confusion, sedation, low blood pressure, falls, urinary retention, Parkinsonism, and tardive dyskinesia

* Pain medication can result in constipation, confusion, & sedation. Even over the counter medications can result in serious liver and gastrointestinal side effects.

* Drugs to treat Parkinson's disease can result in confusion, dizziness, low blood pressure, and an increase in cardiovascular toxicity

* Drugs to relieve muscle spasms can result in dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, and delirium

* Urinary incontinence drugs can result in dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, delirium, and confusion

All of these side effects relate to individual drugs. Imagine how these side effects can be compounded by taking several prescription drugs at a time.

Prescription drugs' side effects are especially dangerous for the elderly

We live in a world full of drugs whose primary objective is to relieve symptoms instead of heal. Most of these drugs come with side effects, some of which may be quite dangerous. That is especially true when it comes to drugs prescribed for the elderly who are the largest consumers of prescription and over the counter drugs.

When waiting to see a doctor, it is common to share the waiting room with prescription drug salespeople with suitcases full of the latest "drugs of choice." Too many doctors get their drug education from these salespeople who often have no medical background. The end result is that when we go to the doctor, whether to address a specific condition or for a routine check-up, more often than not, we come out of the office with one or more prescriptions.

Prescribing medications to treat several health conditions can actually result in side effects that can make problems worse. A side effect doesn't necessarily have to make itself known when first taking a medication. There is a greater chance of experiencing side effects the longer a drug is taken.

Drug side effects and the elderly

Researchers in Britain have found that commonly used drugs prescribed to half of those that are 65 or older lead to an increased incidence of death and mental health decline, especially when the drugs are prescribed in combination. The researchers' findings, which was published in the August 2011 Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, suggest that these types of drugs negatively affect the brain and increase the risk of decline and death. The study found that patients taking a combination of prescription drugs were at greater risk.

Elderly people take approximately three times the amount of medications that younger people do. Although the elderly are prescribed a wide array of drugs, the most common drugs are heart medications, statins, benzodiazepines, and antidepressants.

Drugs that treat the cardiovascular system can result in nausea, vomiting, weight loss, anorexia, and bleeding problems. Statins' side effects include muscle weakness and pain (the most serious that can be life threatening), headaches, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, skin rash, and general weakness.

Benzodiazepines can result in sedation, confusion, and falls. The side effects of antidepressants include sedation, confusion, falls, low blood pressure, and urinary retention. Antidepressants also thin the blood. They decrease blood clotting capacity, increasing the risk for stomach and uterine bleeding. Add over the counter NSAID's taken at the same time and the risk doubles.

The Risks in Using Multiple Medications

Prescription medications can improve the symptoms of a disorder and improve the quality of life. However, they also have the potential to cause dangerous side effects. A good guideline followed by physicians who prescribe medications to the elderly is to "start low and go slow," meaning the elderly should take new medications at a slower rate and start at about half the adult dose. As our bodies change with age, so does the need for a different dosage, interval and duration of treatment. The longer an individual is on a drug, the greater the likelihood of an adverse reaction. The effects of a harmful drug reaction can appear as an isolated symptom (drowsiness) or as a group of symptoms (depression and confusion). In the elderly, toxic reactions can occur even at low drug dosages. Therefore, the elderly should approach the use of prescription medication with caution and report any unusual or new symptoms to their health care provider. It is important to consult a health care provider before changing any prescription medication dosage.

Medications that Pose a Risk and Why:

(Medications listed below are to be avoided or need close monitoring)

Medications of Risk
Problems
Benzodiazepines (antianxiety),
Long acting agents
Diazepam (Valium)
Flurazepam (Dalmane )
Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
Alprazolam (Xanax)
Barbiturates
Confusion, sedation and falls.
Antidepressants (used to treat depression),
Amitryptiline (Elavil)
Doxepin (Sinequan)
Imipramine (Tofranil)
Confusion, sedation, hypotension, falls, and urinary retention.
Antipsychotic Agents (used to treat mental disorders)
Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
Thioridazine (Mellaril)
Haloperidol (Haldol)
Confusion, sedation, hypotension, falls, urinary retention, Parkinsonism (involuntary shaking and twitching), tardive dyskinesia (TD).
Antihistamines (used to treat sinus problems and allergies)
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
Confusion, sedation, hypotension, falls, and urinary retention (inability to empty bladder), sleep disturbance.
Antiemetics (used to relieve nausea)
Promethazine (Phenergan)
Prochlorperazine (Compazine)
Thiethylperazine (Torecan)
Confusion, sedation, hypotension, falls, urinary retention, Parkinsonism (involuntary tremors and rigidity), involuntary movement (tardive dyskinesia)
Analgesics (used to relieve pain)
Propoxyphene (Darvon)
Meperidine (Demerol)
Constipation, confusion, & sedation.
Antiparkinsonian (used to treat Parkinsons disease)
Carbidopa-Levodopa (Sinemet)
Confusion, dizziness, hypotension, increase in cardiovascular toxicity.
Cardiovascular drugs (used to treat heart and blood vessels)
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, weight loss.Bleeding tendencies (requires close monitoring)
Antispasmodic drugs (used to prevent or relieve spasms)
Dicyclomine (Bentyl)
Hyoscyamine (Levsin, Levsinex)
Pro-Banthine (Propantheline)
Dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, delirium.
Urinary Incontinence drugs
Oxybutynin (Ditropan)
Tolterodine (Detrol)
Dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, delirium, confusion