Lewy Body Spectrum Disorders: from Dementia with Lewy Bodies to Parkinson ’s Disease Dementia
AbstractLewy body disorders are common neurodegenerative dementias and their complex features often makes it difficult to provide an accurate diagnosis. They share neuropathological and clinical features with each other as well as with Alzheimer ’s disease. There have been some recent advances in biomarkers and neuroimaging, but as of yet, nothing has been conclusive when trying to identify each dementing process. Treatment options have been limited and based on small studies; however, new options are on the horizon. In this article, we w ill discuss recent advances in the study of Lewy body disorders and how to apply th...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - October 17, 2016 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Pruritus and Dermatitis in the Elderly
AbstractPruritus is common in all age groups but is especially prevalent in the elderly due to senescence of the integumentary, immune, and nervous systems. In developing a treatment regimen, clinicians must consider the many potential therapeutic options for pruritus and how these interplay with common comorbidities and functional limitations of elderly patients. While the causes of pruritus are numerous, effective topical and systemic treatments are limited, especially in the elderly, due to the unique pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of aging bodies. The major etiologies and treatment options for dermatitis and pru...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - October 14, 2016 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Dermatology Medications in Older Adults: Common Medications and Considerations
AbstractPurpose of reviewMedication management in the elderly population is a common challenge for dermatologists. This review aims to discuss clinical considerations when using common dermatologic classes of drugs in the elderly population.Recent findingsA review of the relevant dermatologic and geriatric literature was conducted.SummaryDrug classes discussed include H1-antihistamines, antimicrobials, and immunosuppressive medications with focus on systemic corticosteroids and methotrexate. The review examines the possible side-effects and drug interactions of these medications in the context of physiologic changes and co...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - October 12, 2016 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Care of the Elderly Patient on Oral Oncolytics for Advanced Disease
This article describes some of the important areas to be considered when oral oncolytics are prescribed for elderly patients. A general overview of important intervention areas of focus is included. < /p > (Source: Current Geriatrics Reports)
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - July 24, 2016 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Applying the Evidence for Exercise Prescription in Older Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis
Abstract
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is prevalent and disabling condition in older adults. Pain, weakness, instability, stiffness, and loss of mobility result in a reduction of physical, recreational, and social activities that impact an individual’s health, lifestyle, and societal role. Exercise is highly beneficial for the many body systems that are impacted indirectly by this disease as well as for improving quality of life. The purpose of this narrative review is to identify exercise options and dosage parameters to aid the clinician in assisting individuals with knee OA. These exercise options include...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - July 11, 2016 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Exercise in Type 2 Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Abstract
Approximately half of all patients with type 2 diabetes develop peripheral neuropathy, which contributes to functional decline and significantly reduces quality of life. Type 2 diabetes and consequent diabetic peripheral neuropathy share several pathogenic mechanisms and are both positively influenced by increased physical activity and exercise even prior to disease diagnosis. Successful exercise interventions in individuals with diabetic peripheral neuropathy have employed continuous endurance, resistance, balance and agility, and high-intensity interval training protocols and have been associat...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - July 7, 2016 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Fall Risk Among Older Adult High-Risk Populations: a Review of Current Screening and Assessment Tools
Abstract
Falls are a leading cause of injury and accidental death among older adults. This is especially true for high-risk populations such as those who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, cerebrovascular accidents, Alzheimer’s disease, and related dementias. We outline general concerns related to falls for those who belong to these populations. This is followed with a description of general fall risk screening instruments and an introduction to fall risk tests and measures. We provide a brief overview of their applicability to high-risk po...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - July 6, 2016 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Psychosocial Health of Older Adults with Cancer: Clinical Interventions Promoting Meaning and Value-Driven Behavior
Abstract
The last decade has evidenced a strong push by the interdisciplinary medical community to improve mental health service delivery with older adults. As this momentum grows, additional questions are raised regarding the utility of psychosocial interventions specifically aimed for chronically and terminally ill geriatric populations. Cancer diagnosis among those aged 65 and older is pervasive. Further understanding about the psychological, spiritual and existential issues older adults face when living with cancer is needed. Interventions that promote psychological growth and quality of life are also...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - July 6, 2016 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
The Loss of Power and Need for Power Training in Older Adults
Abstract
Purpose of Review
This review elucidated the mechanisms of age-related functional impairments, as well as the benefits of power training, with particular emphasis on balance recovery and fall prevention.
Recent Findings
The aging process leads to several changes that occur in the nervous system and in the skeletal muscle that lead to impaired neuromuscular performance, especially muscle power, i.e., the ability to produce rapid force. Consequently, older individuals experience de...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - July 4, 2016 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Upper Extremity Exercise in Older Breast Cancer Survivors: Benefits of Dragon Boat Paddling
Abstract
This review presents research on exercise, particularly upper extremity exercise, by breast cancer survivors, including participants in survivor dragon boat paddling and racing. While previous dogma held that women who had undergone breast cancer treatment needed to minimize upper extremity use, several studies have demonstrated that upper body exercise does not cause or exacerbate lymphedema, maintains muscle strength, and prevents bone loss. Two papers encourage survivors to reduce sedentary behavior and engage in 150 min or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week. Other studie...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - July 4, 2016 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Age-related Changes in Bilateral Upper Extremity Coordination
Abstract
Although evidence exists that changes in sensorimotor function occur with aging, changes in the bilateral coordination of the upper extremities are less understood. Here, we review the behavioral and neural evidence of declines in bilateral coordination as well as the implications these deficits have on function and physical rehabilitation. We begin with an introduction to the two major forms of bilateral coordination, symmetric and non-symmetric, and their sub-groupings. After discussing the motor performance changes with age in symmetric tasks, we address age-related changes in motor lateraliza...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - July 1, 2016 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
The Effects of Performance Fatigability on Postural Control and Rehabilitation in the Older Patient
Abstract
Fatigue is common in older adults and has a significant effect on quality of life. Despite the high prevalence of fatigue in older individuals, several aspects are poorly understood. It is important to differentiate subjective fatigue complaints from fatigability of motor performance because the two are independent constructs with potentially distinct consequences on mobility. Performance fatigability is the magnitude of change in a performance criterion over a given time of task performance. Performance fatigability is a compulsory element of any strength training program, yet strength training ...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - June 28, 2016 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Cognition and Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults with Cancer
Abstract
Aging is a risk factor for cognitive impairment as well as cancer. However, the interplay between these three entities—aging, cognition, and cancer—is not well understood. Mounting evidence indicates that both cancer and cancer therapies, such as chemotherapy, can negatively affect cognition and that older adults with pre-existing cognitive impairment may be more susceptible to cognitive decline with therapy than younger patients. For an older adult, decline in cognition may significantly compromise their ability to remain independent in the community. Pre-existing cognitive impairment, at th...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - June 28, 2016 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Sleep Disorders in the Elderly
Abstract
Sleep disorders are not a part of a normal aging process. Sleep is a vital physiological process with important restorative functions that are essential for health, wellbeing, optimal daytime functioning, and longevity. Quite often, sleep-related complaints are neither reported by the patients nor investigated by the primary care provider. Sleep disorders are common in the elderly population due to coexisting medical conditions including cardiopulmonary, neuropsychiatric, and psychosocial issues. This situation is further accentuated by a wide variety of medications and habitual use of alcohol, n...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - April 11, 2016 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Update on the Diagnosis and Management of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Abstract
Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is an adult-onset neurodegenerative disease clinically characterized by a variable combination of symmetrical parkinsonism, early postural instability and falls, vertical supranuclear ophthalmoparesis, and cognitive decline. PSP is a disorder of 4-repeat tau protein aggregation, belonging to the family of tauopathies. A broad phenotypic variability has been recognized, and specific clinical diagnostic criteria are available. Several ancillary tests are helpful for diagnosis; however, there are no diagnostic biomarkers, and definite diagnosis still requires his...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - April 5, 2016 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
