Gourt > Health > Aging (6)
Ageing or aging is the process of becoming older. This traditional definition was recently challenged in the new "Handbook of the Biology of Aging" (Academic Press, 2006), where ageing was specifically defined as the process of system's deterioration with time, thus allowing for existence of non-ageing systems (when "old is as good as new"), and anti-ageing interventions (when accumulated damage is repaired). This article focuses on the social, cognitive, cultural, and economic effects of ageing. The biology of ageing is treated in detail in senescence. Ageing is an important part of all human societies reflecting the biological changes that occur, but also reflecting cultural and societal conventions.
Age is usually measured in full years (except for young children, where this downward rounding would be too crude) and a person's birthday is often an important event.
There is often considerable social pressure in many societies to sustain denial of the ageing process. Considerable energy, money and time is expended to hide signs of ageing, especially among women. This may involve dyeing hair, elaborate make-up, or even cosmetic surgery. Among the young, however, there is often a desire to seem older to gain more responsibility and respect.
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Mental Health
Senior Health
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Religiousness and Longitudinal Trajectories in Elders' Functional Status
Nan Sook Park, , Klemmack, D. L., Roff, L. L., Parker, M. W., Koenig, H. G., Sawyer, P., Allman, R. M. Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0000
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of religiousness on the trajectories of difficulties with activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental ADLs (IADLs) in community-dwelling older adults over a three-year period. Seven waves of data from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Study of Aging were analyzed using a hierarchical linear modeling method. The study was based on the 784 participants who completed interviews every six months between December 1999 and February 2004. Frequent religious service attendance was associated with fewer ADL difficulties and IADL difficulties at baseline. Furthermore, religious service attendance predicted slower increases for frequent churchgoers and steeper increases for less frequent churchgoers in IADL difficulties, controlling for variables related to demographics and resources. Religious service attendance was independently associated with ADL and IADL difficulties cross-sectionally. However, significant protective effects of religious service attendance were identified longitudinally only for the IADL trajectory.
Dynamics of Frailty and ADL Dependence in a Five-Year Longitudinal Study of Octogenarians
Guilley, E., Ghisletta, P., Armi, F., Berchtold, A., d'Epinay, C. L., Michel, J.-P., de Ribaupierre, A. Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0000
Using a sample of octogenarians from the Swiss Interdisciplinary Longitudinal Study on the Oldest Old, the authors investigated the predictive validity of an expanded working definition of frailty based on deficiencies in mobility, memory, energy, and physical or sensory capacities and analyzed the resulting health transitions. The five domains were considered as predictors of the onset of dependence in activities of daily living (ADLs) and death using logistic multilevel and Cox survival regression models. Health transitions were studied with Markov chains. Deficiencies in memory, energy, and sensory capacities contributed to the prediction of the onset of ADL dependence and death in participants free of physical pains and mobility impairments. With two domains affected, frailty in very old persons indicated an increased risk of adverse outcomes. The study of transitions showed that ADL-independent frailty was a highly probable and relatively long transitional stage between robustness and ADL dependence.
Factors That Contribute to Levels of Independent Activity Functioning Among a Group of Navajo Elders
Fitzpatrick, T. R., Aleman, S., Van Tran, T. Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0000
The purpose of this study was to examine factors that contribute to levels of independent activity functioning among a group of elder Navajos. Data were collected from a sample of Navajo elders from Tuba City, Arizona, and a health assessment survey was administered. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the effects of social support and demographic factors on levels of independent activity functioning, such as bathing, toileting, dressing, eating, walking, and getting in and out of bed. The results indicated that assistive devices, marital status, the frequency of visits to Tuba City, and visits to the elders significantly affected independent activity functioning. Although other factors of social support were not significant, it appeared that visiting Tuba City and visits to the elders in their homes were important factors in maintaining higher levels of independent activity functioning among elder Navajos. Implications for practice, policy, and future research are discussed.
Harvard Medical Research: Aging
Modifiable Factors Associated With Long Life
Fri, 22 Feb 2008 16:00:01 -0500
A healthy lifestyle during the early elderly years—including weight management, exercising regularly and not smoking—may be associated with a greater probability of living to age 90 in men, as well as good health and physical function. Additional topics at Aging More consumer-oriented research news at Consumer information
Coverage Improves Health and Reduces Heart Complications
Fri, 11 Jan 2008 11:41:02 -0500
A 12-year study of over 7,000 Americans shows that individuals without health insurance experience a dramatic improvement in their subsequent health trends when they become eligible for Medicare at age 65. Additional topics at Aging More consumer-oriented research news at Consumer information
National Institute of Aging - Government site with information on research and practical resources for the aging population.
Administration on Aging - Comprehensive information and resources on aging.
Meta Description: [ The U.S. Administration on Aging is an agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is one of the nation's largest providers of home- and community-based care for older persons and their caregivers ]
Age Concern Waltham Forest - Non-profit organisation which provides a range of services and activities for older people. England.
Meta Description: [ Information on healthy ageing, welfare benefits, health, social care and other issues affecting older people in the london borough of waltham forest and how age concern waltham forest meets these needs and is organised ]
Aging Research Centre - Recent aging related articles on the biological implications of aging.
Meta Description: [ Provides a service for researchers and laymen to learn more about advances in the study of the aging process. ]
America's Senior Choice - America's Senior Choice is a non-profit association offering information, services, and benefits to the senior market.
Meta Description: [ America's Senior Choice is a non-profit association offering information, services, and benefits to the senior market. ]
Death, Aging and Rejuvenation - Discussion of possible causes of aging, methods of rejuvenation, and animation tools by Aleksandr Kavokin, MD, PhD.
ElderCare Online - Comprehensive library of articles, educational modules, and online support services for people caring for aging loved ones, and the professionals who serve them.
Meta Description: [ information and support for caregivers to the elderly with alzheimer's disease ]
Huffington Center on Aging: Geriatric Education and Research - Research center offers stories of seniors making the most of their senior years and information on aging. Includes newsletter in pdf format.
Meta Description: [ The Huffington Center on Aging, recently named a 'Center of Excellence'. Has programs in cell and molecular biology of aging, cardiovascular diseases, ethics and outcomes research. ]
Infoaging.org - Sponsored by the nonprofit (AFAR), this provides the latest research-based information on healthy aging.
Meta Description: [ Infoaging, developed by the American Federation of Aging Research (AFAR), delivers the latest research-based information about the biology of aging, healthy aging and the diseases of aging. Infoaging is designed to help consumers understand a wide variety of age-related topics, including caloric ... ]
International Association of Homes and Services for the Ageing - An international membership association that represents providers of care for the ageing in over 30 countries. Information on their mission and conferences.
International Longevity Center - A non-profit, non-partisan research and education organization in the US helping societies address longevity population aging in postitive productive ways. Press releases, reports, and essays.
Meta Description: [ Nonprofit, nonpartisan organization helping society navigate the age boom through research on ageism, healthy aging, caregiving, politics and health care, financing longevity, and sleep. ]
Long Term Care Link - A comprehensive, noncommercial source of long-term care information. Offers information and services in a broad range of categories. Its purpose is to educate the public on long-term care, give support and find services for caregivers and provide a public source of continuing education to long-term care advisors and providers.
Native Elder Health Care Resource Center - National resource center for older American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians
Pfizer Women's Health Resources - Resources for menopause, depression, GYN, allergies, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, sexual and reproductive health and other women's health issues, by the pharmaceutical company.
Meta Description: [ Pfizer Inc: The world's largest research-based pharmaceutical company. Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets leading prescription medicines for humans and animals and many of the world's best-known consumer brands. ]
Rejuvenex - Skin care line and multi-vitamin antioxidant formula are Professor Carmen Fusco's formulations. It enables skin cells to regenerate underlying collagen.
Meta Description: [ Rejuvenex Skin Care System enhances the skin's own ability to repair, renew and revitalize itself using Vitamin C and Grape seed extract, Pomegranate, Matrixyl and Ceramide ]
SAGE KE - Science of Aging Knowledge Environment. Science's online resource for researchers in the field of aging.
Senior Services of Island County - Provides services to seniors residing in Island County. Services include a senior center in Langley, Meals on Wheels, and senior activities.
Meta Description: [ Senior Services of Island County is the largest non profit agency serving seniors in the county. We are committed to promoting the personal independence and participation in the life and affairs of the community for seniors and people with disabilities throughout Whidbey and Camano Islands. ]
The Gerontological Society of America - A multidisciplinary national organization of professionals in the field of aging.
The Goodman Group - The Goodman Group is a national company comprised of four operating entities: Sage Company, which focuses primarily on developing and managing commercial properties, residential and senior living communities and health care facilities; John B. Goodman Limited Partnership, a development and
Meta Description: [ The Goodman Group is a national company comprised of four operating entities: Sage Company, which focuses primarily on developing and managing commercial properties, residential and senior living communities and health care facilities; John B. Goodman Limited Partnership, a development and design... ]
University of Wisconsin - Madison Institute on Aging (IOA) - Provides information about the Institute and its history, about research being conducted by IOA affiliates in aging, geriatrics and lifespan development, and about educational programs offered to UW-Madison students.
Meta Description: [ The UW Madison Institute on Aging, UW-Madison's Center for Aging Education, Research and Outreach ]
Harvard Medical Research: Aging - Agiing: health and research information from Harvard medical faculty
Research on Aging current issue - Research on Aging RSS feed -- current issue
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