Public Health Nutrition Programs for the Elderly: Epidemiological Basis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe aim of this review is to check the epidemiological foundations for the design and conceptualization of global healthy aging public policies with an emphasis in Latin America and the Caribbean.Recent FindingsThe differences in ages and abilities within the elderly group and the inequalities in the economic, behavioral, personal, social, health care, and environmental determinants influence their life expectancy and especially the expectation of healthy life. Overall, the poorest die and get sick earlier and the majority of deaths in low-income countries occurred before the age of 70. Accessing p...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - July 16, 2018 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Malignant Pleural Effusions —Personalised Management
ConclusionMPE management should be personalised, considering factors such as predicted survival, performance status, social support, local expertise and, most importantly, patient preference. IPCs are now more widely available as a treatment option and should be explored as a first-line treatment in selected patients. (Source: Current Geriatrics Reports)
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - July 16, 2018 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Muscle Wasting in the Hospitalised COPD Patients —How Can it Be Prevented and Treated?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewCOPD exacerbations are widely recognised as a significant cause of mortality and morbidity through their impact on respiratory function but their effect on skeletal muscle function and mass receives less attention. In this article, we review the association of this entity with COPD, the potential contributing factors, and the evidence behind the interventions available to manage this condition with a focus on the elderly population.Recent FindingsIn patients with COPD, there has been a paradigm shift from the focus on body weight and mass index to a more detailed assessment of the loss of muscle ma...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - July 13, 2018 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Diseases in the Elderly
AbstractPurpose of ReviewDiffuse parenchymal lung diseases comprise a heterogeneous group of disorders with varying clinical, physiologic, radiographic and pathologic presentations. Age of onset varies considerably. Interstitial lung abnormalities, and in particular, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), occur much more commonly in older persons. In recent years, advances have been made in understanding IPF pathogenesis and changes have occurred in relation to how IPF is managed.Recent FindingsThe cause of IPF remains unclear. It is thought that a non-specific injury in susceptible individuals triggers a progressive fibroti...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - July 13, 2018 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Mediterranean Diet to Promote Healthy Aging
AbstractPurposeThe Mediterranean diet is known to be one of the healthiest diet patterns to prevent chronic diseases but there is a need to know its role in increasing the quality of life or the physical function at older ages.Recent FindingsA systematic search was performed to answer the question “Does the adherence to a Mediterranean diet pattern help individuals older than 65 years having a long and healthy live without physical function limitations?”SummaryThe search strategy obtained six articles (three were cross-sectional and three longitudinal studies). Two of the studies contained data from non-Mediterranean ...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - July 6, 2018 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Implementing Medical Nutritional Therapy Through Dietary Patterns in Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes
AbstractPurpose of the ReviewTo review the studies assessing dietary patterns for type 2 diabetes (T2D) treatment and prevention recently published.Recent FindingsDifferent nutrients, foods, and dietary patterns have shown benefits in treatment and prevention of T2D. However, the implementation of nutritional strategies and making the information easily available to interested populations are a challenge.SummaryThe medical nutritional therapy recommendations included in the diabetes clinical practice guidelines were summarized, updated the studies reporting the effectiveness of dietary patterns on T2D, and proposed strateg...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - July 5, 2018 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
The Microbiome in Neurodegenerative Disease
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo review recent updates in our understanding of the microbiome and its relationship to neurodegenerative disease.Recent FindingsRecognition of the microbiome ’s role in health and disease continues to expand. Recent techniques have focused on delineating the function and metabolism of resident organisms, which may correlate more directly with human physiology than identification of species. The role of the microbiome may be of particular importance in certain neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, among others.SummaryThe microbiome influences brain...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - June 1, 2018 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Consequences of Inadequate Intakes of Vitamin A, Vitamin B 12 , Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, and Folate in Older Persons
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review broadly discusses the consequences of inadequate consumption, by deficit or excess, of selected micronutrients on the quality of life and morbidity during aging, specifically considering increases in life expectancy and the costs of care in the older persons.Recent FindingsA literature review of the periods 2012 to 2018, focusing on vitamins A, B12, and D, calcium, iron and folate, was completed as these micronutrients are found to significantly affect the aging process. Causation and application of these micronutrients to disorders related to aging are controversial and mixed. This rev...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - June 1, 2018 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
The Microbiome in Neurodegenerative Disease
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo review recent updates in our understanding of the microbiome and its relationship to neurodegenerative disease.Recent FindingsRecognition of the microbiome ’s role in health and disease continues to expand. Recent techniques have focused on delineating the function and metabolism of resident organisms, which may correlate more directly with human physiology than identification of species. The role of the microbiome may be of particular importance in certain neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, among others.SummaryThe microbiome influences brain...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - April 3, 2018 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
An Overview of Risk Stratification in the Elderly Orthopaedic Population
AbstractPurpose of ReviewOrthopaedic surgeries are occurring at an increasing frequency in the elderly patient. The goal of this review was to provide exposure to risk stratification scores to help identify high-risk elderly orthopaedic patients.Recent FindingsNew guidelines have been developed to assess the risk of cardiopulmonary and other perioperative complications. Older scoring systems, such as the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score and revised cardiac index, are still of importance as they have strong correlation with risks of cardiac and other complications. Other scoring systems, such as the Estimat...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - March 2, 2018 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Epilepsy in the Elderly: Risk Factors and Management Approaches
AbstractPurpose of ReviewEpilepsy, particularly new onset, disproportionately affects the elderly at high rates. We summarize the literature on etiologic risk factors and the evidence behind medical and surgical treatments for geriatric epilepsy.Recent FindingsIncident epilepsy in the elderly is most commonly focal onset resulting from structural brain disease. Levetiracetam was well tolerated and as effective as older medications for new onset seizures. Small studies on epilepsy surgery show favorable outcomes in older patients; however, surgery may be associated with an increased risk of cognitive deficits and complicati...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - February 6, 2018 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Rehabilitation for Individuals with Dementia: Facilitating Success
AbstractPurpose of ReviewIndividuals with dementia (IwD) have unique characteristics related to movement quality, motor learning strategies, and interpersonal needs. Without an understanding of these issues, physical therapists (PTs) treat these patients as they would cognitively intact older adults and become frustrated or disheartened when patients do not respond to therapy as expected. The purpose of this article is to facilitate the success of therapeutic interventions with IwD by suggesting therapeutic strategies that play to the strengths of this population.Recent FindingsClassic and recent literature related to moto...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - February 5, 2018 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Tai Chi Beyond Balance and Fall Prevention: Health Benefits and Its Potential Role in Combatting Social Isolation in the Aging Population
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTai Chi (TC) is expanding as a holistic intervention. The purpose of this paper is to provide a historical perspective on TC and how its original preventative tenants can be applied today. TC can go far beyond its accepted use for balance and falls prevention and has benefits for a wide variety of physical, mental, and social health conditions common with aging.Recent FindingsUsing current (last 5 years) evidence from PubMed (meta-analyses and systematic reviews), the merits of TC as an integrative intervention and preventative tool are analyzed by key causes of mortality and morbidity found in o...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - February 3, 2018 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Special Concerns for the LGBT Aging Patient: What Rehab Professionals Should Know
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review was to identify health disparities and culturally competent strategies for improving function and independence in a historically disadvantaged group.Recent FindingsThere are significant health disparities among LGBT older adults including increased disability rates, chronic conditions, and mental distress. There is a shift in the theoretical framework for addressing health disparities in LGBT older adults from an emphasis on minority stress theory, towards factors that facilitate resilience such as identity affirmation and social support networks.SummaryAdvocacy for cultu...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - January 30, 2018 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
