Hip fractures are a common experience within the aging population and can become a primary cause of severe, often incessant functional debilitation in older adults. Moreover, hip fractures can significantly affect an older adult’s self-care abilities, causing increased dependency and significant loss of autonomy and wellbeing. Although some patients are…
It is well known that the older population is increasing worldwide and that Alzheimer’s disease is one of the leading forms of dementia experienced by older adults. It has also been well established that physical exercise enhances health and well-being in older adults by improving mobility, physical and cognitive function,…
Too many of our nations extremely vulnerable and fragile older adults are being taken complete advantage of by nursing homes. Nursing homes are increasingly being operated by huge corporations (e.g., Wall Street) that aim for profit more than a genuine commitment to providing quality care for residents. Currently, 60% of…
Frailty and dementia are extremely prevalent in the aging population, both of which are related to the high risks of disability. Frailty increases vulnerability in older adults and diminishes their ability to deal with stressors. Most studies have shown that cognitive disability is strongly associated with physical frailty. A recent…
Today, more than 5 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Not only will this number continue to rise to almost 14 million by 2050, almost 30 million Baby Boomers will develop Alzheimer’s disease in the next 35 years. It is crucial that cognitive decline is…
Immobility occurs as a result of a process of degeneration that influences nearly all organ systems due to altered gravitation forces and decrease of motor function. Immobility or disuse appears most pronounced on the musculoskeletal system. These changes occur during the early stages after immobilization and are directly associated with…
From a medical and rehabilitative standpoint, immobility is used to characterize a syndrome of physiologic decline that is a consequence of a decrease in activity and loss of conditioning. Many older adults experience physiological decline due to acute changes in mobility that occur as a result of acute medical illness…
Long-term services and supports (LTSS) in homes, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes are used by more than 6 million older adults in the United States. By 2030, this number has been predicted to double. LTSS provides assistance and support with basic and imperative activities of daily living (such as…
The aging population in Japan is the fastest growing in the world—by 2035, one out of every three people will be over the age of 65. With such a rapidly increasing aging population, combating age-related health issues, like physical and mental frailty or illness, is becoming critical. It is crucial…
According to a recent article from The New York Times, federal investigators have reported that Medicare payments received by nursing homes far exceed the amount it costs them to provide care, manipulating the billing system in some instances by providing patients more therapy services than is necessary. The inspector general…