Geriatric palliative care https://medicalxpress.com/gerontology-geriatrics-news/ en-us Latest medical news and research in Geriatric Palliative Care Dementia after age 90: Study clarifies who may be at higher risk It may seem natural to assume that people experience cognitive decline after age 90, but until recently, researchers had limited evidence about how advanced age affects the brain. This major knowledge gap will need to be addressed as people live longer. By 2100, there could be around 230 million people 90 or older on Earth. As a result, scientists, clinicians and policymakers are seeking more information to help them support this expanding demographic. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-08-dementia-age-higher.html Wed, 05 Aug 2026 16:20:04 EDT news705160802 Blocking a mitochondrial transporter may curb inflammation from 'zombie' cells without killing them Researchers have uncovered a previously unknown mechanism that helps aging cells drive the chronic inflammation linked to many age-related diseases. The findings reveal how dysfunctional mitochondria—the cell's energy-producing structures—work with the cell's epigenetic machinery to switch on inflammatory genes, opening the door to a new therapeutic approach for promoting healthier aging. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-blocking-mitochondrial-curb-inflammation-zombie.html Wed, 29 Jul 2026 16:20:01 EDT news704555882 Portable air filters don't cut infection rates in care homes, study finds Portable air filters made no difference to rates of respiratory and other infections in older people's long-term care facilities, a University of Bristol–led trial published in JAMA Internal Medicine has found. The study's authors advise long-term care facilities to continue with standard infection-control measures, including vaccines. A related paper is published in PLOS One. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-portable-air-filters-dont-infection.html Tue, 28 Jul 2026 11:20:01 EDT news704451531 Trunk stability emerges as stronger balance marker than hip strength in older adults Maintaining balance is essential for preserving functional independence during aging. A study led by researchers from Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH) and ISABIAL suggests that trunk stability may play a particularly relevant role in this process. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-trunk-stability-emerges-stronger-marker.html Tue, 28 Jul 2026 04:00:01 EDT news703934341 People are living longer, but spending more years in poor health People around the world are living longer than ever before but spending more of those additional years in poor health, according to a new Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study published in The Lancet Public Health. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-people-longer-years-poor-health.html Tue, 21 Jul 2026 18:30:03 EDT news703841701 Motherhood may reduce late-life frailty rather than raise it, companion dog model suggests Frailty threatens older individuals because it increases their vulnerability to detrimental health outcomes, such as falls, longer hospitalizations or even shortened life expectancy. Biogerontologists are actively exploring a potential health trade-off important to mothers: Whether the production of offspring comes at a maternal cost as a consequence of a diversion of physiological resources that could lead to accelerated aging and increased late-life frailty. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-motherhood-late-life-frailty-companion.html Tue, 21 Jul 2026 06:00:03 EDT news703780626 Cannabis-derived treatment eases agitation in hospice-eligible dementia patients, trial finds In a first-of-its-kind clinical trial, U.S. researchers found that people with agitation and dementia in late life who took a special medical formulation of two active ingredients found in marijuana—THC and CBD—had significantly less agitation than people who received a placebo. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-cannabis-derived-treatment-eases-agitation.html Tue, 14 Jul 2026 00:00:02 EDT news703143805