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Geriatric palliative care news

Dementia caregiving can expose hidden family tensions—but early planning can ease the strain

"Families are messy, aren't they?" a daughter commented during a series of focus groups I ran with caregivers of older adults with memory issues.

We asked people with dementia about voluntary assisted dying. Here's what they said

What do Australians with dementia think about voluntary assisted dying? Until recently, no researchers had thought to ask.

Common drugs older adults might be overusing

The scenario often unfolds like this: Medical researchers investigate a frequently used drug and report that it's less effective for older patients than previously thought, or that its risks outweigh its benefits in older ...

Blocking a protein may reduce buildup of harmful aging cells

A team led by Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University investigators has identified a protein that may hide aging cells from the body's immune system, allowing them to build up and contribute to age-related health problems.

Gut bacterium and its metabolite found to delay aging

A new study published in Nature Aging on Aug. 25 reports that a single gut bacterium—Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum (BP)—together with a small molecule it produces, 5-aminovaleric acid betaine (5-AVAB), can alleviate multiple ...

A new option for long-term care costs

An estimated 70% of Americans will need long-term care at some point in their lives, but "they haven't planned for it or saved for it," said Cathleen MacCaul, advocacy director for AARP Washington State, which supported the ...

Research confirms safety in voluntary assisted dying

New research demonstrates that the Victorian model for oral self-administration of voluntary assisted dying (VAD) medication is safe and effective, providing the largest global experience of patient outcomes.