Posts Tagged ‘health’
‘What’s That Word?’ Fitness Helps Seniors Find It
Can’t recall that word that’s on the tip of your tongue? Exercise might help. Physical activity is tied to a host of benefits. Now, a small study finds that healthy older people who exercise regularly have fewer problems with word retrieval. “Tip-of-the-tongue moments are very noticeable. They are irritating and embarrassing,” said lead researcher Katrien…
Read MoreAging Brains Gain More From Exercise With Good Hydration
Older adults, drink up. You need plenty of water during exercise so your brain gets the full benefits of working out, researchers say. “Middle-age and older adults often display a blunted thirst perception, which places them at risk for dehydration, and subsequently may reduce the cognitive [mental] health-related benefits of exercise,” said Brandon Yates, of…
Read MoreHearing Aids May Help Keep Seniors Out of the Hospital
Hearing aids may mean fewer visits to the hospital for seniors, a new study suggests. Researchers examined data from more than 1,300 adults aged 65 to 85 with severe hearing loss, and found that only 45 percent of them used a hearing aid. Those who did use a hearing aid were less likely to have…
Read MoreExercise In, Vitamin D Out for Preventing Falls
With aging often comes worry about falls and the bone fractures they cause. Now, a panel of U.S. experts has new advice on what helps and what doesn’t when it comes to staying upright. For starters, get off the sofa. And don’t rely on vitamin D to keep you from falling. In a change from…
Read MoreVeggies a Healthy Recipe for Older Women’s Heart
Eating lots of vegetables may help older women keep their blood vessels healthy, Australian researchers report. The biggest benefit seems to come from cruciferous vegetables, including cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and broccoli. Eating these strong-smelling veggies was linked to less thickening of the carotid arteries, located in the neck. Thickening of this major blood vessels…
Read MoreThe High Costs of Alzheimer’s
Sharp increases in Alzheimer’s disease cases, deaths and costs are stressing the U.S. health care system and caregivers, a new report reveals. About 5.7 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease — 5.5 million of them aged 65 and older. By 2025, the number of seniors with Alzheimer’s could reach 7.1 million, up nearly 29 percent. And,…
Read MorePoor Sleep May Heighten Alzheimer’s Risk
Older adults who are sleepy during the day might have harmful plaque building in their brain that is a sign of impending Alzheimer’s disease, researchers report. A hallmark of Alzheimer’s is the accumulation of a protein in the brain called beta-amyloid. It’s believed that one benefit of sleep is to clear beta-amyloid, and poor sleep…
Read MoreHigh Cholesterol Tied to Better Brain Health in Those Over 85 elderly woman
In a seemingly counterintuitive finding, new research suggests that high cholesterol is associated with a reduced risk of mental decline in the elderly. People aged 85 to 94 with good brain function whose cholesterol was above normal had a 32 percent lower risk for mental decline over the next 10 years compared with people aged…
Read MoreWarming Climate, More Sleepless Nights?
The rising nighttime temperatures that come with climate change could mean poorer sleep for millions, a new study suggests. Americans’ reported nights of insufficient sleep more than double as nighttime temperatures rise during summer months, an analysis of federal health data and weather records concludes. And people will have even more trouble getting rest in…
Read MoreHealth Tip: Balance Moves for Older Adults
Balance exercises can help prevent falls, especially among older adults. But before you begin any exercise program, always consult your doctor. The American Council on Exercise mentions these common balance exercises for active older adults: Side X Balance Reach — Stand on the right leg and lean the body toward the right. Point the right…
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