Vision Loss Linked to Depression

Xinzhi Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., and colleagues suggest that self-reported visual function loss was associated with depression in a study that used a national survey of U.S. adults.The study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2005-2008) and included...

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Unleash the Power of Age in Your Community Challenge

People across our nation are achieving remarkable things in later life. Many older adults are experts in their fields, have years of valuable experience, and are using that knowledge to improve the lives of others. The ‰ÛÏUnleash the Power of Age in Your Community Challenge‰Û is an opportunity to recognize...

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Aging Policy Briefing and Capitol Hill Day April 22-23, 2013

The National Association of Area Agencies on AgingåÊ (n4a) is hosting an ‰ÛÏAging Policy Briefing and Capitol Hill Day‰Û on April 22-23, 2013. This is a great opportunity for family caregiving coalitions to learn what’s happening with aging policy at the federal level and to bring your coalition’s voice to...

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Montessori-based Activities Help Dementia Patients with Proper Eating Habits

A combination of methods that help patients with dementia remember proper eating habits can improve their physical health and lessen symptoms of depression.åÊ A study, published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing, indicates that clinicians should consider using this intervention in individuals with dementia who also have poor nutrition and...

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Medical Tests that May Be Unnecessary

The “Choosing Wisely” campaign routine releases information on tests that they find potentially unnecessary and sometimes harmful. An additional 18 lists of tests or procedures to question have been added. To date, more than 130 tests and procedures to question have been released as part of the ABIM Foundation‰Ûªs campaign,...

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Nursing Home Care in Maine Something to Emulate

Recently U.S. News & World Report released its fifth annual list of best nursing homes. Its five-star rating system is based on Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services data related to care quality, health inspection findings and staffing levels.åÊ More than 15,000 nursing homes are included in the ratings, which...

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Creating a Meaningful Life

This is partially reprinted from my Caring.com blog. Click to the whole post at the end. There is a Taco Bell Super Bowl commercial in which a bunch of elderly folks get rowdy while the song “We Are Young” by a band called Fun plays in Spanish. It’s irreverent, but...

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