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Geriatric palliative care news

Greater optimism tied to 15% lower dementia risk over 14 years

The more optimistic a person is, the lower their risk of developing dementia, according to a new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The research, published April 8 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics ...

Loneliness highest among older Australians without partners or children

As Australia's population ages and loneliness becomes a growing public health concern, new research from Monash University has found that older Australians without close family ties face significantly higher rates of loneliness. ...

Hospital delirium a 'red flag' for severe health decline

A single episode of delirium—a state of confusion and agitation—in hospitalized older adults is a significant risk factor for other serious health complications including fractures, stroke and sepsis, a University of Queensland ...

Should people over 75 continue colonoscopies?

The American Cancer Society recommends screening for colorectal cancer in adults beginning at age 45 and continuing through age 75. However, adults over the age of 75 with a history of precancerous polyps—also known as adenomas—are ...

The dark side of music as 'therapy'

A violinist plays in a cancer ward. A playlist loops in the waiting room. A surgeon hums along to the radio mid-operation. We assume, almost without thinking, that music helps. But what if it doesn't—or worse, what if it ...

Do genes dictate how lifestyle choices impact aging?

Lifestyle-behavioral factors and socioeconomic status play an important role in shaping healthy aging, but their effects may differ depending on the individual's DNA, according to a new international study led by Adelaide ...

How life stories shape the path to assisted death

The debate surrounding the provision of assistance to those wishing to die has long centered on abstract notions such as individual choice and personal autonomy. What is often missing from the discussion, says sociologist ...

Smart vest to prevent hypothermia deaths in elderly

Scientists have developed a smart textile vest which can monitor body temperature and detect risk of hypothermia in older people. The technology aims to mitigate the increased risk that elderly people face due to losing body ...

Study shows that key protein can slow aging

The United States is a rapidly aging country. By the year 2050, nearly 1 in 4 Americans will be 65 or older, and many will live into their 90s and beyond. This leads to health care and social support concerns and also begs ...

Q&A: Can AI understand the human brain better than humans?

More than 7 million people aged 65 and older suffer from Alzheimer's disease in the United States, according to a 2025 report from the Alzheimer's Association. More of the debilitating symptoms could be mitigated or better ...

Planning ahead in an age of longevity

Life expectancy in the United States has been rising over many decades, ushering in what experts describe as "an era of unprecedented longevity." This trend raises important questions about how people can best prepare for ...