June 23, 2008 - This week marks the 50th anniversary of the original Hula Hoop, a toy near and dear to the hearts - and hips - of both children and adults, according to this report from Consumers Report. Read more...
x
June 23, 2008 – More and more Americans are concerned about their retirement prospects, according to new poll results from Bankrate, Inc., which found last year that many older Americans plan to work until they die. Read more... Senior Citizen Health & Medicine
Benefits from tPA increased by leukemia drug, imatinib (Gleevec) in tests June 23, 2008 - For over a decade, the drug called tPA has proven its worth as the most effective emergency treatment for the most common kind of stroke. But its promise is blemished by two facts: tPA can cause dangerous bleeding in the brain, and its brain-saving power fades fast after the third hour of a stroke. Read more... Medicare News Older Nursing Homes Must Add Sprinkler Systems for Medicare, Medicaid Patients ‘We now will hold all 16,000 nursing homes in the nation to this standard.” CMS says June 20, 2008 – Older nursing homes that have escaped modern regulations that require wall-to-wall life-saving sprinkler systems to protect residents from fire, will now have get the systems installed, if they want to continue to serve Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. Read more... Medicare News CMS to Add New Five-Star Quality Rating of Nursing Homes to Compare Website Nursing Home Compare continuing to add info to help consumers make choices June 19, 2008 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today announced it will soon launch a ground-breaking ranking system of America’s nursing homes, giving each a “star” rating – one star up to five stars. The ratings will be posted on the agency’s Nursing Home Compare Website by the end of this year. Read more... Senior Citizen Politics Bill to Stop Nursing Homes from Forcing Mandatory Arbitration Gets Senate Hearing Sen. Kohl brings aging committee and judiciary subcommittee together on his bill June 19, 2008 - Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) yesterday chaired a joint hearing on S. 2838, the Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act of 2008, which is aimed at preventing nursing homes from forcing new patients to sign contracts agreeing to mandatory arbitration in the event of any disputes. He is chairman of both senate panels. Read more... Senior Citizen Health & Medicine Bariatric Surgery to Attack Obesity Shown to Prevent Cancer in New Study
Other recent success with stomach-shrinking surgery has been against type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol June 19, 2008 – Many over-weight senior citizens have closely watched the news unfold over the last few years extolling the ability of bariatric stomach surgery to prevent such dreaded conditions as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. They can now add and even worse condition to that list - cancer. Read more... Senior Citizen Health & Medicine You Are Never Too Old for a Hip Replacement to Improve Function
June 18, 2008 – Senior citizens with osteoarthritis who undergo total hip replacement are twice as likely as those who do not to show improvements in physical functioning and increased ability to care for themselves, according to researchers at Duke University Medical Center. The study, which is the largest of its kind, found that there is no age limit on the benefits of hip replacement for patients. Read more... Fitness & Exercise for Senior Citizens New Study May Have the Answer to Help Seniors Walk to a Healthier Lifestyle Joins others finding interventions are effective in increasing walking behaviors June 18, 2008 - Need a boost to get off the couch? It is well established that many – if not most – senior citizens are in dire need of such a boost. But, maybe there is motivation for many in a new study showing that a variety of interventions designed to promote walking can effectively motivate individuals to initiate walking behaviors. Read more... Senior Citizen Alerts FDA Tells 23 U.S. Firms to Stop Selling Fake Cancer Cures Internet has provided a mechanism for bogus cancer 'cures' to flourish June 18, 2008 - Warning Letters were sent yesterday to 23 U.S. companies and two foreign individuals marketing a wide range of products fraudulently claiming to prevent and cure cancer, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA also warns North American consumers against using or purchasing the products, which include tablets, teas, tonics, black salves, and creams, and are sold under various names on the Internet. Read more... Senior Citizen Health & Medicine New Studies Impacting Deadly Atherosclerosis Have Potential to Save Millions of Lives Blocking ROCK1 could slow the disease; cooling the inflammation; repair with artificial veins and arteries June 18, 2008 - Even if you eat right and exercise regularly, chances are high that you'll still die of a heart attack or stroke. But thanks to new findings by researchers from Harvard and Baylor, the odds may finally shift in your favor. Two studies published online in The FASEB Journal describe findings on atherosclerosis that have the potential to save millions of lives. A third reports on the potential of repairing the damage using artificial. Read more... Senior Citizen Health & Medicine Radiation for Cancer Recurrence after Radical Prostatectomy Shows Increased Survival Provocative evidence that even men with adverse prognostic features may benefit from salvage radiotherapy June 17, 2008 - Preliminary findings indicate that for men who underwent radical prostatectomy, radiation treatment after prostate cancer recurrence was associated with an increase in prostate cancer-related survival, according to a study in the June 18 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Read more... Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health Those Treating Diabetes More Likely Get Depressed Than Those Who Ignore It
Research also suggests possibility of depression increasing risk of type 2 diabetes June 17 – Researchers have found a link, or maybe two, between type 2 diabetes and depression. It is not too surprising that they found people with treated type 2 diabetes are at increased risk for developing depression. It is surprising, however, that those not treating their diabetes are less likely to get depressed. More surprising is a modest association between persons with depression and the risk of developing diabetes. Read more... Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors Women Drinking Large Amounts of Coffee May Lower Their Risk of Death
Study finds coffee drinkers – caffeinated and decaf - with slightly lower death rates; men about even June 17, 2008 – A new study published today in Annals of Internal Medicine has good news for coffee drinkers: Regular coffee drinking (up to 6 cups per day) is not associated with increased deaths in either men or women. In fact, both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee consumption is associated with a somewhat smaller rate of death from heart disease. Read more... Senior Citizen Health & Medicine Better Understanding How Tim Russert Died, How to Avoid It Causing Senior Citizen Buzz Many older Americans puzzled how newsman passed stress test and then died shortly after of heart attack By Tucker Sutherland, editor & publisher, SeniorJournal.com
Senior Citizen Health & Medicine Senior Citizen Disease that Inflames Arteries in Head Found to Increase Risk of Blindness
June 17, 2008 – A disease that usually strikes people at about age 70 – temporal arteritis – has been found to increase by three the chance these senior citizens will go blind. And, those with “Giant cells” are three times more likely to develop Polymyalgia rheumatica. Read more... Senior Citizen Health & Medicine Elderly Patients with Ruptured Aortic Aneurysm Improve Survival with Least Invasive Repair Study finds having surgery and mesh stent procedures available helps all ages survive June 16, 2008 – Older people, in particular those over age 75, that suffer a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, have a much better chance of survival if the repair is performed by a less invasive procedure than open surgery. But for people of all ages, having two options for the repair is shown to improve survival, according to a new study. Read more... Senior Citizen Health & Medicine Heart Disease Deaths Not Dropping for Diabetic Women as for Men; Less Treatment May Be Cause Women have worse control of blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol but given cholesterol-lowering medications less often
June 16, 2008 - Women with type 2 diabetes and heart disease have poorer control of both diseases and receive less intensive medical treatment than do men, which may help explain why death due to heart disease has decreased among men but not women with type 2 diabetes, according to a study presented yesterday. Read more... Senior Citizens & Sex Older Women Needed to Test First Drug for Sexual Dysfunction in Postmenopausal Women LibiGel first for women with absence of sexual fantasies, thoughts and desires, which causes distress and lower sexual activity June 16, 2008 – Older women – age 50 to 80 – suffering with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) are needed to participate in a new multicenter study of the safety of testosterone gel for postmenopausal women with low sexual desire. The study design and goals will be presented today at The Endocrine Society’s 90th Annual Meeting in San Francisco. Read more... Aging News & Information Image of Senior Citizens as Grumpy Old Men and Women is Probably Wrong Wisdom of aging may be the ability to experience everyday life as uplifting June 16, 2008 – The accepted image of senior citizens being grumpy old men and women was challenged today by the release of new research showing these older people are just as happy with their social lives as are the youngest adults. Read more... Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors Low Sodium Makes it Difficult for Older Adults to Think, Focus, Maintain Balance Clinical trial seeks older patients to test medicine's impact on cognitive abilities - more news on low sodium June 13, 2008 - Low sodium in the blood can make it harder to think and focus, and it is common in older adults. Simple things such as forgetting your golf score, struggling with crossword puzzles, or having a loss of balance, could be a sign of low sodium. A new clinical trial is seeking some older Americans to test a drug that may help seniors whose brain function is impaired by low sodium. Read more... Money, Insurance & Investments for Seniors Long-Term Care Insurance Cost Nears $2,000 a Year for a Senior Citizen Insurance association releases 2008 national price index June 13, 2008 - A 65-year-old considering long-term care insurance protection can expect to pay $1,342 a year, if married, or $1,999, if single, according to the 2008 Long-Term Care Insurance Price Index, an annual report from the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. Costs for coverage increased about 4 percent over 2007. Read more... Senior Citizen Politics Senate Republicans Block Bill That Would Delay Medicare Physician Payment Cut Sends it back for further negotiations between Republicans and Democrats
June 13, 2008 - Senate Democrats on Thursday failed to obtain the 60 votes required to invoke cloture and begin debate on a bill (S 3101) that would delay for 18 months a 10.6% reduction in Medicare physician fees scheduled to take effect on July 1 and increase payments by 1.1%, among other provisions, CQ Today reports. Read more... Senior Citizen Travel & Vacation Taking These Ten Items Can Help You Have a Healthy Vacation
June 13, 2008 - Whether your summer vacation plans involve staying close to home or crossing the globe, most senior citizens will want to put as much thought into protecting their health while traveling as they do choosing your destination. Read more... Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors Vitamin D Called the ‘Heart Tranquilizer’ in New Treatment for Heart Failure Treatments with activated vitamin D prevented heart muscle cells from growing bigger By Anne Rueter, University Michigan June 12, 2008 – Strong bones, a healthy immune system, protection against some types of cancer: Recent studies suggest there’s yet another item for the expanding list of Vitamin D benefits. Vitamin D, “the sunshine vitamin,” keeps the heart, the body’s long-distance runner, fit for life’s demands. University of Michigan pharmacologist Robert U. Simpson, Ph.D., thinks it’s apt to call vitamin D “the heart tranquilizer.” Read more...
Aging News & Information Older Women Who Nap Less, Go Back to Sleep Easily Achieve Healthy Aging Study of 2,226 senior women, sixty and older, finds 20.8% are “successful agers”. June 11, 2008 – A study of over 2,000 women in their sixties and older has found that those who achieve “normal” sleep are also the women who achieve healthy aging. The best predictors of this successful aging were less daytime napping and fewer complaints of sleep maintenance insomnia. Read more... Aging News & Information Graphic Brain Scans Shows Memory Loss from Sleep Apnea Scans reveal dwindling of brain structures that store memory June 11, 2008 - UCLA researchers say they are the first to discover that people with sleep apnea show tissue loss in brain regions that help store memory. Reported in the June 27 edition of the journal Neuroscience Letters, the findings emphasize the importance of early detection of the disorder, which afflicts an estimated 20 million Americans, with older men the most likely victims. Read more... Aging News & Information Older Men Living at Home Survive Longer with Undisturbed Sleep and 'Robust Rhythms' Regular sleep routine – to bed and up at regular times – means good health for senior men June 11, 2008 – Lack of sleep can lead to a number of problems in senior citizens including depression, memory problems, and decreased attentiveness. It also can lead to serious health problems such as an increased risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. No wonder new research has also found it also leads to an earlier death for older men living at home. Read more... Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health Adding Bright Light in Long-Term Care Setting Seems to Improve Dementia in Elderly Adding melatonin also helps these senior citizens sleep better June 10, 2008 - The use of daytime bright lighting to improve the circadian rhythm of elderly persons resulted in modest improvement in symptoms of dementia, and the addition of melatonin resulted in improved sleep, according to a study in the June 11 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Read more... Senior Citizen Health & Medicine Colorectal Cancer Can Be Drastically Reduced by Screening Patients in Their 40s, Study Says Colon cancers found in 50s were visible pre-cancerous growth in their 40s
Senior Citizen Health & Medicine
Girk4 Gene May Hold the Key to Why Obesity Increases with Age Mice missing this gene develop obesity finds University of Minnesota study June 10, 2008 – The likelihood of developing obesity more than doubles between the ages of 20 and 60, as most senior citizens know. But, why? That is the unanswered question that researchers hope to answer with the discovery of a gene that may hold the secret. Read more... Senior Citizen Politics Senior Citizens Slightly Favor McCain in May Polling Despite Obama Bounce from April Older Boomers most likely to support McCain after favoring Obama in April; Pew Research finds McCain's Negatives Mostly Political, Obama's More Personal By Tucker Sutherland, editor, SenorJournal.com June 10, 2008 – In the closing days of the Democratic primary, the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press released poll numbers showing voter preferences in an election between Barack Obama and John McCain as measured in April and May. Senior citizens – age 65 and older – were more likely to favor McCain. In May, however, they were not the age group most committed to the Republican – it was the 50-64 age group of older boomers, which had favored Obama just one month earlier. Read more... Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health Middle-Age Smokers Have Worse Memory Than Non-Smokers but Many Die Before Final Test Those that stopped smoking also experienced more improvement in health habits, such as drinking less alcohol, being more physically active, eating more fruits and vegetables June 9, 2008 – The researchers found it difficult to gather research on middle-age smokers as they age because, for one thing, so many died. They also appeared to be reluctant to return to have their memory and cognitive ability tested. Nevertheless, the research has concluded that smoking does appear to cause an increased risk of poor memory among those in their middle years – younger boomers, basically. Read more... Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors Increased Risk of Heart Attack Now Added to Dangers for Men with Low Vitamin D Level Vitamin D deficiency related to an increasing number of conditions and to total mortality June 9, 2008 – Older men with low levels of vitamin D in their systems appear to be at an increased risk of a heart attack. This is just the latest in a series of studies that have found vitamin D playing a key role in preventing serious health problems, including depression, cancer, high blood pressure, falls by elderly, and the list goes on. One study last September said it lowers the risk of death from any cause. Read more... Senior Citizen Politics Medicare Will See Big Changes if Bill Offered in Senate by Finance Chair Baucus Gets Passed Gives docs pay increase but makes major changes in way program operates June 9, 2008 – The office of Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) on Friday issued a news release saying the Chairman had “unveiled long-awaited legislation making reforms to Medicare.” That is starting with an understatement. If passed, this bill will change the face of Medicare. The headlines it garnered focused on the move to give back to doctors the pay being cut by Medicare but the meat is in the dozens of other provisions that make significant changes to the program. Read more... Fitness & Exercise for Senior Citizens Fitness Center Finds About 20 Percent of Members Are Age 70 or Older MFit programs at U. Michigan promote physical activity for seniors
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors More Evidence that Chinese Red Yeast Rice Has Stunning Ability to Prevent Heart Attacks Latest study in American Journal of Cardiology says cancer mortality also reduced by two-thirds, all mortality one-third June 9, 2008 – A study released today joins a steady flow in the last ten years that indicate Chinese red yeast rice has a stunning ability to protect against heart attacks. The latest report found a partially purified extract of the rice, known as Xuezhikang (XZK), reduced the risk of a repeat heart attack by 45% in patients who had already suffered one attack. It also claims cancer mortality risk was reduced by two-thirds and total mortality by one-third. Read more... Aging News & Information Study of Former World’s Oldest Woman Proves Dementia Not Inevitable with Aging Woman, 115, had normal brain and remained mentally alert throughout life June 9, 2008 – The theory that proposes dementia is an inevitable result of a long life was refuted by a reality test reported in the August issue of Neurobiology of Aging. Researchers that interviewed the world’s oldest living person and examined her brain after death have found she had a normal brain with little or no evidence of Alzheimer’s disease, and say she remained mentally alert throughout her life. Read more.... Senior Citizen Homes & Communities Seniors Buying Upscale Park Trailers to Spend Retirement in Vacation Spots These luxury “Park Models” look more like a cottage than a trailer; seniors have bought 80,000
Remember Amusing Your Kids with Those Coin-Operated Kiddie Rides - Now Available Again You can do it for you grandkids by buying one from restoration company June 6, 2008 - Whatever happened to those coin-operated rides you use to use to put a dime or quarter in decades ago to keep your kids happy? Well, some grandparents are now starting to purchase these icons for their homes and their grandchildren, according to Kiddie Rides USA. Read more... Guarding Your Wealth for Senior Citizens Reader Wants Investment Advisor That Talks Straight with No Fluff Beware of financial sales people pushing pre-packaged solutions By Jeffrey D. Voudrie, CFP June 6, 2008 - I recently received a question from a reader in Florida who is taking an early retirement. Like many investors, he was confused after meeting with a couple advisors. My advice to him might save you from making a wrong decision, too. Read more... Medicare News Medicare Sending Another $15 Million to Help Counsel Seniors on Health Care Options Money to state programs is part of $50 million commitment for 2008 June 6, 2008 – Senior citizens should find it easier to get help in learning more about their Medicare health care and health insurance choices after the State Health Insurance Assistance Programs receive the additional $15 million promised today from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Read more... Senior Citizen Health & Medicine Senior Heart Patients Need Help from Cardiac Rehab Expert to Adhere to Healthy Habits Mayo Clinic research shows that cardiac rehab can extend life but is vastly underutilized June 6, 2008 – It's a familiar pattern – the senior citizen suffers a serious heart problem and comes out of the initial life-saving treatment determined to do whatever it takes to live a healthier life. The diet, the exercise – it all goes well for awhile and then, too often, the will power and determination drastically diminishes. The answer could be a cardiac "disease manager," according to researchers at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Read more... Medicare News Medicare Changing Reference Book for Approving Anti-Cancer Chemotherapy Drugs National Comprehensive Cancer Network Drugs & Biologics Compendium is new source June 5, 2008 – Senior citizen Medicare patients and their cancer care providers will no longer use the American Medical Association Drug Evaluations (AMA-DE) book to determine which drugs are covered under Medicare Part B to treat patients undergoing chemotherapy. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services says it is no longer being updated and the agency is switching to a new source to ensure the most up-to-date information. Read more... Medicare News End-of-Life Options for Medicare Patients Detailed in New Regulation Seniors choosing hospice or palliative care have right to participate in treatment plan and more June 5, 2008 - Medicare beneficiaries with terminal illnesses have their right to determine how they receive end-of-life care outlined for the first time in a new regulation to be published today by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Read more... Medicare Drug Program News Seniors Being Hit Hard by Unexpected 16 Percent Increase for Top Medicare Drug Plans AARP MedicareRx Saver raised its average premiums from $14.43 in 2007 to $26.56 in 2008, an 84% increase, according to Avalere Health June 5, 2008 – Gasoline prices, food prices – everything is going up. Senior citizens, however, are being quietly hit by a gigantic surprise in the form of a premium increase in their Medicare prescription drug plan, despite claims by the administration in January that prices were lower for 2008. Instead, average monthly premiums for enrollees in the 10 most popular Medicare prescription drug plans (PDPs) increased by 16% in 2008, according to new enrollment weighted analysis of Part D data released today by Avalere Health. Read more... Guarding Your Wealth for Senior Citizens Financial Advisors’ Commissions Revealed and You May Find Them Shocking There is a conflict of interest when these details aren’t disclosed By Jeffrey D. Voudrie, CFP June 5, 2008 - Most investors have absolutely no idea how much money advisors earn from their investments. There’s certainly nothing wrong with advisors being compensated for their work. The problem arises when there is a lack of transparency in the advisor/client relationship. You should know exactly how much you are paying for the investments and services you receive. Only then can you make an informed decision on whether or not you are receiving a good value for your money. Read more... Senior Citizen Politics Senate Passes 2009 Budget Ignoring Bush Medicare, Medicaid Cuts; Moves to Restore Docs’ Pay Cut Paints bleak picture for next president, who will face tough decisions, such as on cutting benefit programs to prepare for the retirement of the baby-boomers June 5, 2008 – The Senate yesterday approved a new budget for the 2009 fiscal year that ignores the cuts to Medicare and Medicaid that were proposed in the budget proposed by President George Bush. Senators on Finance Committee also moved closer yesterday to agreement on legislation that will stop the 10.6 percent cut in Medicare play for physicians now set to become effective on July 1. The final details focus on funding and the possible increased pay in future years. Read more... Senior Citizens & Sex When It Comes to Sex Some Men are from Mars but Older Ones May be from Venus Older men become more careful and particular in choosing sexual partners June 5, 2008 - When it comes to sex, some men are from Mars, others from Venus, say researchers at the Kinsey Institute, who found in a recent study that older men have distinctly different views about sex than their younger brethren. Read more... Medicare News Visits by Primary Care Physicians Reduce Medicare Costs at End of Life ‘Decreasing just one hospital day for each Medicare beneficiary at the end of life could have saved millions of dollars’ June 5, 2008 – About six percent of the people in Medicare die every year. Surprisingly, they use up about 30 percent of the money Medicare spends each year. A new study has found that more visits by the primary care physician in these final months will significantly lower this cost and result in fewer deaths in hospitals. Read more... Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health New Evidence that Active Social Life Delays Memory Loss for Elderly Seniors with highest social activity had the slowest rate of memory decline June 4, 2008 – The evidence from respected researchers continues to mount showing that senior citizens can preserve their memory and cognitive abilities longer if they keep their minds and bodies active. The latest is a new study by Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers providing evidence that elderly people in the U.S. who have an active social life have a slower rate of memory decline. Read more...
Senior Citizen Health & Medicine Younger Heart Failure Patients More Likely than Seniors to Overestimate Life Expectancy But majority of patients in study think they will live longer than clinical prediction June 3, 2006 – Senior citizens, especially those without the most severe heart failures, are more realistic about their condition and remaining life span than are younger heart failure patients, who are most likely to overestimate their chances of survival. Read more... Elder Care News Center for Medicare Advocacy Report Says HHS Weak on Enforcing Nursing Home Errors Analysis of 2007 decisions by appeals board calls for stricter oversight June 3, 2008 – A recently released review of nursing home decisions made in 2007 by the Department of Health and Human Services' Departmental Appeals Board (DAB) highlights serious failures in care that cause residents to suffer unnecessary pain, injury, trauma, and death, according to the Center for Medicare Advocacy, publisher of the report. Read more... Odds & Ends for Senior Citizens Obesity and Depression May be Chicken-or-Egg Conundrum The treatment of depression and obesity should be integrated June 3, 2008 – Millions of older Americans battle obesity and depression but new research suggest it is one of those chicken-or-egg type of things - or, maybe more like a Catch 22. People who are obese appear to be more likely to become depressed, and people who are depressed are more likely to become obese. Read more...
Senior Journal Spotlights • Four Years of Stories on Social Security Reform • What you need to know about Medicare Drug Card options
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Published by New Tech Media - NewTechMedia.com 6338 N. New Braunfels #149, San Antonio TX 78209 Ph. 210-599-1199 Click to E-mails - Advertising or Editor | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||