A study reported in the British Medical Journal shows cognitive decline in groups beginning at the age of 45. The cognitive decline for those over sixty-five was more pronounced but the 45 to 49 age group, the youngest tested,  showed a 3.6 %  drop in reasoning scores over a ten year period. Researchers feel the findings are important because therapies for cognitive problems tend to be more effective when started as early as possible.

Improving cognitive function is a good goal for any age. The National Institute of Health has been encouraging seniors to get more exercise to increase blood flow to the brain to combat the onset of cognitive problems.  Many doctors already advise a stricter diet more exercise for patients

A recent article in the Huffington Post has looked at the last few years of research on the possible health benefits of drinking coffee. The drink has been avoided by many health conscious seniors due to a high caffeine content but it appears as though it may have some benefits when consumed in moderation.

Despite concerns about the consumption of caffeine recent research has suggested that many health risks are reduced with regular coffee consumption.  One study found coffee causes a release of mood altering hormones in the brain and may prevent depression.  Another benefit seniors may enjoy from coffee

Reuter’s news has reported on a survey that shows a large number of preventable hospitalizations are occurring at VA hospitals. The Journal of the American Geriatric Society published a study on drug reactions suffered by Veterans over the age of sixty-five between the years 2003 to 2006. The study reveals that many of these hospitalizations could have been avoided with better medicine management.

One finding showed that over half of the unfavorable reactions were caused by the wrong drugs being prescribed to veterans. These findings, along with patients

Alcohol use can be cause for some concern to seniors. The older adults that drink alcohol on a regular basis may not have a drinking problem but the use of alcohol can cause more problems for the senior population than for younger adults. An aging body can be more susceptible to alcohol’s effects. There are also a number of medications that a senior may be taking that might not react well with alcohol.

An older person takes longer to metabolize alcohol so it stays in their body longer. This, along with the fact that older people usually have less water in their body, can contribute to their blood alcohol content being higher than a younger person who drinks the same amount.

Aging also lowers the senior’s tolerance to alcohol.  This fact combined with the higher blood alcohol level may lead to symptoms like slurred speech and balance problems. A visitor may even miss these symptoms as related to alcohol and instead believe the senior is showing signs of a stroke or another malady.

A person offering in home assistance to a senior family member should be aware of the possible problems caused by alcohol intake.  A senior care specialist can highlight the potential dangers of mixing alcohol with certain medications and evaluate your loved one’s health to determine other possible risks of consuming alcohol.

As we age our cholesterol levels tend to increase but there are ways you can control the cholesterol that your body manufactures. You can reduce your LDL cholesterol by improving your diet and getting enough physical exercise.  Avoiding foods that contain saturated and Trans fats can also be a big help in controlling cholesterol.

Unfortunately, there are some factors that are impossible to control when it comes to cholesterol. Things like heredity, age and sex can all be contributing factors to high cholesterol.

Seniors may be more apt to reduce

The aging of the baby boomer generation has led to more people caring for family members. There have been many attempts to make the population more aware of the risk of “caregiver burnout” that can plague those who care for aging parents and other relatives.
Those who provide in home assistance do have some forms of relief available to them. The technology boom continues to offer devices that can be used to a caregiver’s advantage.

Medical alert devices have been available for years and can be easily arranged for the senior in your care.  With computer connected cameras a caregiver can keep a close eye on a senior even when they aren’t in close proximity. These cameras can be linked to cell phones, tablets and computers and may relieve some of the time pressures and anxiety that occurs when caregivers are not at the home of their loved one.

A study of internet use in Canada shows that seniors are using the internet in larger numbers than had been reported in the past. A survey in 2004 showed only 38% of seniors surveyed went online at least once a week. The new study that was reported in the Senior Journal found that 58% of those surveyed were online every day. These users were seen as believing more in themselves and their abilities.

The internet has been a great tool for all ages and increasing a senior’s confidence in using the computer can be a way to help promote a feeling of wellbeing and independence.

The holidays are a good time for all when the family gets together. When this happens we might notice things in senior family members that we hadn’t been aware of during their last visit. Forgetfulness may not be any warning of cognitive impairment but there are some symptoms that the observant family member should look for when dealing with their older family members.

The “senior moments” that many people of all ages experience are not to be thought of as alarming. Forgetting the date or where you left the car keys happens to seniors more frequently but it may not be indicative of an underlying problem. Someone not finding their wallet or keys because they have been placed in the refrigerator or some other inappropriate place should raise red flags though.

The American public’s awareness on a number of bladder health issues. . Bladder Health Awareness week started November 14 and used the internet to discuss different bladder health issues on a daily basis.

It is estimated that 25 million Americans suffer from bladder control issues. As with a number of other health issues that increase in frequency with age, awareness is a priority as many more Americans will have this problem as time goes on.

The Association scheduled informative pieces about overactive bladder, women’s pelvic floor issues and male stress incontinence.

A recent article published in Science Daily reported that some sporadic cases of Alzheimer’s originate in the same way that mad cow disease develops in the brain. The disease is caused by plaque that develops in the brain.  The development of this plaque looks similar to the development of the plaque that is created by the infection process found in humans when exposed to mad cow disease.

As with all new research it is far too soon to believe that the real cause has now been found but this does bring to light the fact that research seems to be progressing.  Alzheimer’s continues to be the sixth leading cause of death in the country.