Last update:

Geriatric palliative care news

In memory care deserts, senior centers can help close the gap in brain‑related health care

About 90 miles (145 kilometers) north of Phoenix, the town of Yarnell nestles atop a winding mountain road. Phoenix, a sprawling city of more than 1.6 million people, has one physician for every 2,407 people. But in Yarnell ...

Pain and the struggle for relief: How fear influences patient access to medical opioids

If you are in severe pain and struggling to get opioid medication in Indonesia, you are not alone. Despite the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) recognizing several therapeutic opioids as essential medicines, Indonesia ...

Frailty could be key to early dementia diagnosis

Being frail appears to accelerate the onset of dementia, particularly in people who show little or no signs of the disease, a University of Queensland-led study has found. Dr. David Ward from UQ's Frazer Institute said the ...

Elderly people living at home have less control, not more

Today, most older people with disabilities receive help at home, and there are limited places in nursing homes. At the same time, politicians claim that living at home provides independence and control over everyday life.

Palliative care and hospice poll reveals major gaps

A new poll reveals large gaps in older adults' knowledge about two types of care that could help them or their loved ones cope with a major illness or the end of life: palliative care and hospice.

How nursing home residents got caught in the opioid backlash

Since the height of the opioid epidemic, doctors have been prescribing fewer of these medications. A new study from UC San Francisco shows that this trend extends to nursing home residents who may need opioids to manage chronic ...

Oldest-living dogs reveal potential key to fighting frailty

Frailty threatens older individuals because it increases their vulnerability to detrimental health outcomes, such as falling, longer hospitalization, or even shortened life expectancy. New research exploring the linkage between ...

When a hearing aid isn't enough

Hearing loss among older adults remains vastly undertreated. Federal epidemiologists have estimated that it affects about one in five people ages 65 to 74 and more than half of those over 75.

Bucket list wishes can make final days meaningful

Whether it's taking a trip to Disneyland or sharing a meal with a loved one, fulfilling a "bucket list" wish near the end of life offers more than fleeting joy. A new study from The University of Texas at Arlington finds ...

Teaching end-of-life care: Q&A with professor of medicine

Every year, thousands of families sit in hospital rooms hearing words no one wants to hear: "We have done everything we can." What happens next, whether doctors stay engaged or step away, can transform one of life's most ...