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Geriatric palliative care news
Survey participants less likely to recommend life-sustaining care for patients with dementia, despite documented wishes
People were about 19 percentage points less likely to recommend life-sustaining treatment for a seriously ill patient with dementia than for a patient without dementia, even when an advance directive requested life-sustaining ...
7 hours ago
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New analysis underscores the rising threat of extreme heat to older adults
As extreme heat events become more frequent and severe across the United States, older adults face growing health risks that extend far beyond discomfort, according to a new policy analysis published in Public Policy & Aging ...
Oct 6, 2026
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Slow down, reminisce if it feels right: Practical tips for talking to people with dementia
No one likes to feel left out of the conversation—including people living with dementia. Sometimes, all it takes is a little extra thought to make sure everyone feels included.
Oct 6, 2026
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Why hearing loss deserves earlier attention in dementia prevention
Dr. Brent Tipping, a geriatrician at Wits Donald Gordon Medical Center (WDGMC), says that hearing loss more than doubles the odds of dementia, with visual impairment (both near and far) also elevating the risk.
Oct 6, 2026
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Sardinian village may be a new longevity hotspot
A terracotta-tiled village in the mountains of Sardinia may offer researchers a rare opportunity to uncover the secrets of exceptional longevity.
Oct 5, 2026
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Pressure on aged care systems puts spotlight on transition programs for older Australians
As hospital discharge pressures increase and wait times for elder care services continue to grow, a transition care program is becoming increasingly instrumental in helping older Australians recover, regain confidence and ...
Oct 5, 2026
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For older adults, disaster risk starts long before disaster strikes
For older adults, no disaster is simple. Repeated hurricanes, floods, wildfires and heat waves can combine with chronic illness, limited mobility, weak social support and strained care systems to create risks greater than ...
Oct 2, 2026
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Functional decline precedes cardiovascular disease events by many years
Functional decline begins many years before clinically apparent cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, according to a study published online Sept. 23 in JAMA Cardiology.
Oct 1, 2026
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Heat wave effects can linger overnight in older adults, study finds
Cooling a home overnight may not be enough to protect older adults from the physiological effects of repeated daytime indoor overheating during a multiday heat wave, according to new research from the University of Ottawa.
Sep 30, 2026
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Multimorbidity identified in most Japanese home care patients
As Japan's population ages, more older adults are receiving home-based medical care, in which physicians regularly visit patients who have difficulty going to clinics or hospitals. Although multimorbidity has long been common ...
Sep 29, 2026
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Death is certain but few of us are really prepared
Death may well come for us all, but new research has found that few Australians are prepared for it or know how to help family members at the end of their lives.
Sep 28, 2026
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Four things you need to know about deprescribing
When was the last time your doctor or pharmacist suggested that you consider stopping a medication?
Sep 25, 2026
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Nursing home beds are becoming more scarce
The San Vicente de Paúl Nursing Home in the South Bronx hasn't admitted a patient since December 2024. ArchCare, which operates the facility, has reduced its capacity from 120 available beds to 53 and plans to shrink it further.
Sep 24, 2026
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Overprescribing can take a toll on older people's health and independence—here's what can be done
Around 8 million people in the U.K. take five or more medications each day (known as polypharmacy), with a further 2 million people taking 10 or more prescription drugs daily. Most people who take multiple medications each ...
Sep 24, 2026
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Community gathering places linked to lower long-term care costs
Community gathering places are intended to support exercise and social participation for all residents, regardless of functional decline. They provide a foundation for mutual support and serve as a preventive care strategy ...
Sep 24, 2026
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In a culture obsessed with staying young, we ignore the many benefits of aging
Every morning, millions of people wake up hoping to look, think and feel younger than they did yesterday.
Sep 23, 2026
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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.
Sep 23, 2026
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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.
Sep 23, 2026
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Pharmacist-led medication review can improve medication use in older adults with cancer
There is a pressing need to optimize medication strategies in older adults with cancer, many of whom take ≥5 medications. A randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Internal Medicine demonstrated that an advisory ...
Sep 23, 2026
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Government-owned aged care homes linked to fewer hospital visits in Australia
Experts have raised concerns about a gradual shift in ownership and management models in Australia's aged care facilities—and the subsequent impact this has on the quality of care and resident health outcomes.
Sep 21, 2026
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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 ...
Sep 21, 2026
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Dementia survey finds caregivers overwhelmed as one-third provide 70 hours of care
New national survey findings show that while many Australians living with dementia report positive well-being and support from family and friends, the pathway to diagnosis can be complex and support services can be difficult ...
Sep 21, 2026
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One-third of older adults with cognitive disorders are taking prescription drugs that could harm them
Adults 65 and older with cognitive disorders such as dementia are more likely to suffer negative effects from drugs that treat central nervous system conditions, including anxiety, sleep problems and psychosis. This means ...
Sep 20, 2026
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Personalized programs to prevent falls may make no difference
Personalized programs designed to reduce falls in older people may make no difference to how often people fall, according to the most comprehensive research review to date.
Sep 20, 2026
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