Early Detection Vital To Stop Gastro Spread In Aged Care
( MJA 10-Nov-08 )
Elderly residents with gastroenteritis must be tested as soon as possible to minimise the effects of outbreaks in aged care facilities (ACFs), say senior government medical advisors in the latest issue of the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA).
Helping Older People Recover and Return to Their Homes
( DoHA 10-Nov-08 )
As at November 1, the Australian Government allocated 228 new transition care places under its $293.2 million plan – to help older Australians recover from a hospital stay and return to their own homes.
Support For GPs In Delivering Palliative Care In Aged Care Homes
( RACGP 31-Oct-08 )
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has launched a new online learning module to support general practitioners, practice nurses and general practice managers in the delivery of palliative care in aged care homes.
Microsoft slugs aged Care Centres
( The Australian 30-Oct-08 )
MICROSOFT will rip an estimated $70 million out of the aged care sector's IT budget over the next 18 months as it forces users to pay full commercial rates for previously discounted software.
Aged Care Nursing Scholarships
( DoHA 24-Oct-08 )
The Australian Government today announced improvements to its $36 million Aged Care Nursing Scholarship Scheme – including $5,000 a semester to cover course costs, travel, lodging, textbooks and other equipment for postgraduate study.
Aged Care Police Checks - In Place As Early As January 1
( DoHA 23-Oct-08 )
The Australian Government plans to introduce police checks for all nursing home staff – as early as January 1, 2009.
Lump Sum Payments Protected Straight To Nursing Home Residents
( DoHA 16-Oct-08 )
Pensioners who live in the nation's 3,000 nursing homes will keep their entire lump sum payment, the Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot said.
National Site Risk Visits To All 30 Indigenous Aged Care Services
( DoHA 15-Oct-08 )
This week, the Australian Government will begin to conduct national quality site visits to all 30 flexible Indigenous-specific aged care services so it can identify safety risks and the need for emergency works.
Treating Dementia - Drug Therapy Not The Answer
( NPS 14-Oct-08 )
Almost 190,000 Australians have dementia and as Australia's population ages, dementia becomes a bigger challenge for doctors, their patients and carers.
Guidelines For The Diagnosis And Treatment Of Dementia
( CMAJ 14-Oct-08 )
People with mild to moderate dementia are cared for largely by family physicians as well as the patient's own family, and management of care can be complex and challenging.
Nursing Home Under Sanction In Glen Innes NSW
( DoHA 8-Oct-08 )
On October 3rd, the Department of Health and Ageing placed Glenwood Gardens - a nursing home in the NSW New England Highlands - under sanction.
Appointment Of Receivers And Managers For Three Victorian Nursing Homes
( DoHA 30-Sep-08 )
This morning (September 29), the secured creditors appointed John Georgakis and Kathryn Warwick of Ernst and Young as receivers and managers of TCL Nominees, JKL Nominees and associated entities - which are engaged in the provision of aged care at three Victorian facilities.
Independent Assessment Of Department's Handling Of Docker River Begins
( DoHA 24-Sep-08 )
The Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot today formally began the independent assessment of the Department of Health and Ageing's handling of the Docker River Flexible Aboriginal Aged Care Service.
UK Political Parties Have No Clear Plans For Older People
( Alzheimer's Society 24-Sep-08 )
72 per cent of people cannot name a political party that has clear policies for older people, research by Alzheimer's Society UK found.
Australian Government Takes Action On Two Aboriginal Nursing Homes
( DoHA 23-Sep-08 )
The Australian Government has taken action to improve resident care in two far North Queensland Aboriginal nursing homes.
Aged Care Commissioner Asked To Examine Docker River Service
( DoHA 23-Sep-08 )
The Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot has asked the Aged Care Commissioner, Ms Rhonda Parker to conduct an independent assessment of the Department of Health and Ageing's handling of the Docker River Flexible Aboriginal Aged Care Service.
Quality Standards For Aboriginal Aged Care
( DoHA 22-Sep-08 )
The Australian Government today detailed a plan to improve the long-term quality of aged care for Indigenous communities.
Inflammatory Response To Infection And Injury May Worsen Dementia
( Wellcome Trust 22-Sep-08 )
Inflammation in the brain resulting from infection or injury may accelerate the progress of dementia, research funded by the Wellcome Trust suggests.
Dementia Awareness Week - 3 New Resources Including One For Younger Onset Dementia
( DoHA 19-Sep-08 )
The Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot today launched three new $600,000 dementia training resources - as part of Dementia Awareness Week - including one to assist in supporting the care of those with younger onset dementia.
Gay Seniors Feel Impact Of Poor Aged Care Options
( Sydney Star Observer 18-Sep-08 )
The level of discrimination faced by GLBTI seniors in aged care facilities has been highlighted in a damning report entitled My People, put out by LaTrobe University researchers.
Statement On Extra Services In Nursing Homes
( DoHA 16-Sep-08 )
Nursing homes failing to provide or comply with their claimed level of Extra Services will face tough penalties including possible loss of approved provider status and Commonwealth Government subsidies from the Department of Health and Ageing.
Economic Report Card On Aged Care Sector: Building Approvals At Record Levels
( DoHA 4-Sep-08 )
The Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot today in Federal Parliament presented an economic report card on the aged care sector in Australia showing a positive outlook.
Australian Government Acts To Protect Residents At Melbourne Nursing Home
( DoHA 4-Sep-08 )
The Australian Government has required a Melbourne nursing home to appoint a nurse adviser - for the next six months - to improve clinical care and train staff at the 60-resident facility - as part of a range of tough measures.
Cultural Differences In Attitudes Towards Caring For People With Dementia Revealed
( RCP 4-Sep-08 )
People of south Asian or Black Caribbean origin are far more likely to hold a 'traditional' view of caregiving than White British people, new research shows.
Setting The Standard In Dementia Care
( BSI Group 4-Sep-08 )
Bradford Dementia Group at the University of Bradford leads the way in developing a standard in Dementia Care.
Record Funding And Support For ACT Aged And Community Care
( DoHA 2-Sep-08 )
Over the next four years, the Australian Government will provide record funding and support of almost $300 million to the ACT's 16 approved nursing homes and their 1,600 residents.
Government In Denial Over Royal
( News.com.au 1-Sep-08 )
A former doctor at the Royal Hobart Hospital says the State Government is in denial over issues that have plagued the facility for years.
James Freeman trained and worked at the hospital before moving to the private system in search of better pay and conditions.
Antipsychotic Drug Stroke Risk
( BBCNews 1-Sep-08 )
More people than previously thought could be at higher risk of having a stroke caused by their antipsychotic drugs, say UK scientists.
Gastro Outbreak Locks Down Nursing Home
( The Advocate Tasmania 29-Aug-08 )
THE cause of a gastro outbreak, which left almost 100 residents of an Ulverstone aged care home in lockdown, is yet to be determined.
Statement On Brighton Aged Care
( DoHA 27-Aug-08 )
The Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency reduced the accreditation period of Brighton Aged Care in Adelaide as an outcome of a review audit conducted in early August.
Antipsychotic Medications Linked To Deaths In Elderly Patients
( AHRQ 26-Aug-08 )
Elderly patients who are prescribed a conventional, or first-generation, antipsychotic medication are at an increased risk of death from cardiovascular or respiratory diseases as compared to those who take an atypical, or second-generation, antipsychotic medication, according to a study funded by the AHRQ.
More Than 10 % Of Older Americans Suffer Mistreatment
( University of Chicago 22-Aug-08 )
About 13 percent of elderly Americans are mistreated, most commonly by someone who verbally mistreats or financially takes advantage of them, according to a University of Chicago study that is the first comprehensive look at elder mistreatment in the country.
Major Survey Shows Deficiency In Geriatric Care
( MNT 21-Aug-08 )
In England, a large portion of the population is not receiving adequate basic care from the National Health Service and private healthcare systems, especially older and weaker people, according to a study released on August 15, 2008 in BMJ.
3 0f 9 Nursing Homes Under Sanction Identified Through Government's Unannounced Visits Program
( DoHA 21-Aug-08 )
In the last seven months, the Australian Government has imposed sanctions on nine nursing homes in Australia - with three identified as a result of unannounced visits.
Missing Residents And Infectious Outbreaks - Topics For Discussion At ACC Meeting
( DoHA 21-Aug-08 )
New reporting procedures on residents who inexplicably go missing from nursing homes and new measures on infectious disease outbreaks in facilities are among the topics for discussion at the Ageing Consultative Committee taking place in Canberra on August 21.
New Action Over Brighton Aged Care Centre
( AdelaideNow 20-Aug-08 )
AN Adelaide aged-care home under federal investigation has been subject to further action, with health officials concerned on a rise in the number of residents suffering falls at the facility.
Call For Better Protection Of Older People From Climate Change Impact
( York University 19-Aug-08 )
A new report published by the Stockholm Environment Institute, University of York, in collaboration with Help the Aged, calls on Government and public authorities to take action to better protect older people from the future effects of climate change.
Long-Term Care Workers Struggle With Elderly Population Boom
( GSA 19-Aug-08 )
As America's aging population increases, so does its need for long-term care. And the workers who provide these services often lack the support they need - particularly in the area of pay and work relationships, according to research.
Filipinos Underpaid $15k In Aged Homes
( Aged Care Crisis 18-Aug-08 )
A company has been fined $48,000 over the exploitation of three Filipinos recruited as nursing assistants in Sydney aged care facilities.
Brighton Aged Care in Adelaide
( DoHA 14-Aug-08 )
A senior Commonwealth nursing officer was sent to Brighton Aged Care in Adelaide last night (August 11) to examine and observe the care of residents after a review audit by the independent Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency.
New Depression Report Shows Importance Of Diagnosis And Support
( Help the Aged 14-Aug-08 )
Responding to the publication of the report 'Undiagnosed, untreated, at risk', into older people and depression, Elizabeth McLennan, Senior Policy Officer at Help the Aged comments:-
"This report is a welcome means of raising awareness of older people and mental health - an issue which is all too often mis-diagnosed and left untreated.
Community Aged Care Reaching Those In Need
( DoHA 14-Aug-08 )
The Australian Government has welcomed an Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report showing that nearly 56,000 people received help at home through community care packages.
Belvedere Park Nursing Home Revocation - AAT decision
( DoHA 12-Aug-08 )
The Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot welcomed the decision by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) to affirm the Department of Health and Ageing's revocation of official approved provider status for a Melbourne nursing home operator which failed a record 42 out of 44 care categories.
Funding For Aged Care At Exmouth Multi-Purpose Service.
( DoHA 5-Aug-08 )
Exmouth residents - on the northwest cape in Western Australia - will receive improved aged and community care through the Exmouth Multi-Purpose Service (MPS) with the Australian Government allocating annual funding of $278,000 to the service.
Nutrition Is The Bedrock Of Good Aged Care
( Help the Aged 4-Aug-08 )
Nutrition is the bedrock of good care and recovery from illness - older people are at particular risk of malnutrition and will struggle to respond to treatment or recover well if they are malnourished.
Australia's Elderly At Risk Without Qualified Nurses In Aged Care
( ANF 4-Aug-08 )
The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) is again calling on the federal government to urgently make a commitment to solving the care crisis for Australia's elderly by ensuring minimum staffing levels, closing the wages gap for nurses, and ensuring the licensing of all aged care workers.
Update Kirralee Aged Care
( DoHA 30-Jul-08 )
The Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot today provided an update on the Kirralee Aged Care facility in East Ballarat.
Access To Medical Care Should Be Assessed in Accrediting Aged Care Facilities
( AMA 30-Jul-08 )
AMA President Dr Rosanna Capolingua today said the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency should introduce a new accreditation requirement to ensure that residents of aged care facilities have appropriate access to medical care by doctors.
Communication Key To Dementia Care
( Alzheimer's Society 30-Jul-08 )
Alzheimer's Society comment: Adults with Alzheimer's disease who are talked to like children are more resistant to care.
Nursing Teams In Care Homes Could Reduce Hospital Admissions
( UWE 29-Jul-08 )
Bringing a community nursing and physiotherapy team into residential care homes for older people improves quality of life and reduces hospital admissions, according to a new evaluation study's reports published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
By 2060 - Average Aussie Woman Will Reach 90 Years
( DoHA 25-Jul-08 )
New research shows that by 2060, Australian women could expect to reach 90 and by mid-century most Australians can expect –on average – to live to their mid-to-late-80s.
Study Reveals Benefit of Community Care Programs
( DoHA 25-Jul-08 )
A new independent study has found that home-based community care packages for older Australians improved their quality of life, kept them healthier and reduced the need to go into a nursing home.
Improving Aged and Community Care for Indigenous Australians
( DoHA 24-Jul-08 )
The Federal Government is calling for tenders to develop new workforce training resources to help improve home and community care for frail and older indigenous Australians.
Nursing Homes A Popular Option In Taiwan
( UQ 23-Jul-08 )
University of Queensland research has found that the decision to place elderly parents in a nursing home is becoming increasingly acceptable.
Older Australians Urged To Take Up Free Flu Vaccinations
( DoHA 21-Jul-08 )
The Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot today urged any of the 2.7 million Australians over 65 who have not already been vaccinated to protect themselves from potentially life-threatening winter illness with their annual free influenza shots.
Company Prevented From Operating Commonwealth Nursing Homes
( DoHA 18-Jul-08 )
The Australian Government has taken action to prevent Bresant Pty Ltd operating aged care homes. The company is owned by a South Australian husband and wife doctor team. Bresant's directors and shareholders are Dr Jagdish Saraf and Dr (Mrs) Madhu Saraf and their company operated Brighton Aged Care nursing home until March this year.
Integrating Palliative Care For Dementia Into Primary Care
( Indiana University 18-Jul-08 )
Greg A. Sachs, M.D., has received an award from the National Palliative Care Research Center to conduct a study aimed at improving quality of life and decreasing suffering for older adults and their family caregivers. The award is one of only two pilot project support grants funded by NPCRC in 2008.
National Guidelines For Nursing Homes
( DoHA 15-Jul-08 )
In response to recent gastro-outbreaks in nursing homes, the Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot today announced a response plan.
Public Health Investigation At Blue Mountains Nursing Home
( NSWHealth 14-Jul-08 )
Sydney West Area Health Service is investigating a recent outbreak of gastroenteritis in residents of Endeavour Nursing Home in Springwood.
Govt Statement on Endeavour Aged Care Facility
( DoHA 14-Jul-08 )
The Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing is working closely with the NSW Public Health Unit and the NSW Food Authority on the recent gastroenteritis outbreak at the Endeavour Aged Care Facility in the Blue Mountains.
Government to Increase Scrutiny of Aged Care Funding Claims
( DoHA 4-Jul-08 )
This week Commonwealth staff will begin a number of reviews of funding claims made by aged care providers to ensure Australian government financial payments are matching the level of care for the nation's 170,000 people living in nursing homes.
Drinking More Water Improves Health In Elderly Care Home Residents
( MNT 2-Jul-08 )
Residents and staff at a care home for the elderly in Suffolk, UK are convinced that the improvements in residents' health is because they are now drinking more water after a "water club" was introduced last summer.
Record Number Of Nursing Home Visits Begin On July 1
( DoHA 30-Jun-08 )
From July 1, the Australian Government's Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency - the independent watchdog - will undertake a record 7,000 visits to the nation's 2,870 nursing homes during 2008-2009.
Innovative Dutch Model Lets 95% Of Elderly Stay In Own Homes
( DoHA 27-Jun-08 )
Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot today met with Humanitas Foundation, an innovative Dutch housing model which allows 95 per cent of older people to live in their own homes until the end of their lives.
Time for Aged Care To Come Out of the Policy Inertia Zone
( AMA 23-Jun-08 )
The Australian Medical Association today urged the Government to address the policy inertia that continued to restrict medical services for the care of sick and frail residents of aged care homes.
Memory Loss Linked to Poor Diet
( MUSC 20-Jun-08 )
Loss of memory with advanced age is a significant problem in most societies, and appears particularly severe in advanced industrialized nations. Through a new study, researchers have been able to link memory loss to a poor diet.
Ageing muscle given new vigour
( BBC 20-Jun-08 )
Scientists have found a way to give old, tired muscles a new lease of life. They tweaked biochemical signals in mice to boost the ability of the animal's stem cells to repair damaged tissue, restoring its youthful vigour.
Elderly suicides surge in Japan
( BBC 20-Jun-08 )
The number of elderly people who killed themselves in Japan surged in 2007, government figures showed. Suicides involving people over the age of 60 rose by almost 9% to 12,107, making up nearly 40% of all cases in Japan, the National Police Agency said.
Minister for Ageing Statement on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
( DoHA 18-Jun-08 )
Australian Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot took the opportunity on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to remind older Australians that they are entitled to the full protection of the law whether in their homes or nursing homes.
UQ Showcases New Discoveries To Help Older Australians
( UQ 18-Jun-08 )
Businesses, investors and community organisations interested in innovations which aim to improve health outcomes for older Australians can learn more at a special UQ presentation next Monday.
UK Adult Social Care Law 'Confused And Chaotic'
( HTA 18-Jun-08 )
Help the Aged has welcomed the Law Commission's decision to undertake a thorough review of the law governing Adult Social Care.
AIHW Report on Residential Aged Care
( DoHA 12-Jun-08 )
Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot today welcomed the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s report, “Residential Aged Care in Australia 2006-2007”.
Historic Meeting Of Ministers For Ageing/Seniors
( DoHA 12-Jun-08 )
Practical plans to respond to social isolation among older Australians will be on the agenda when the inaugural Ministerial Conference of Ageing meets this Friday (June 13).
Aged care homes and community care, dementia, aged care assessments and ways to improve care for people with psycho-geriatric disorders will also be discussed.
Minister Commends 1.6m-calls-a-year Hi-tech Centre
( DoHA 11-Jun-08 )
Federal Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot today visited Silver Chain Nursing Association– a WA health and community services provider – congratulating them on their advanced health call service and aged care services.
Minister Praises WA Jewish Aged Care Service
( DoHA 11-Jun-08 )
Federal Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot today visited the Perth Jewish Aged Home Society at Dianella to praise the service and mark the festival of Shavuot.
Government Recognises Outstanding Senior Australians
( DoHA 11-Jun-08 )
The Australian Government today recognised two prominent local residents Mr John Minervini and Mrs Frances Minervini for their significant contribution to improving the lives of senior Australians.
UQ Researchers Improve Foods For Elderly
( UQ 5-Jun-08 )
Improved foods for elderly patients with swallowing difficulties are a potential outcome from a new industry linkage grant awarded to a team of University of Queensland researchers.
Minister Releases Accreditation Report By Previous Government
( DoHA 4-Jun-08 )
The Australian Government has reiterated its support for the accreditation of Australia's aged care homes as it is proven to improve the quality of life for 170,000 residents in the nation's 2,870 aged care homes, Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot said.
Measures For Residents Who Go Missing From Aged Care Facilities
( DoHA 2-Jun-08 )
The Australian Government will require nursing home services to report any case of missing residents - a measure to further protect and enhance safety for residents, particularly those with a diagnosis of dementia.
Alzheimer's Society Comment On The Government's Dignity Campaign
( AS 30-May-08 )
People with dementia are entitled to the same dignity and quality of care as any other patient, but the symptoms of this devastating condition can make this a real challenge.
Zero Real Interest Loans Applications Close On June 6
( DoHA 30-May-08 )
Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot today reminded aged care providers to apply for the Zero Real Interest Loans as the application round closes on June 6.
Melbourne to Host World Conference on Ageing
( DoHA 29-May-08 )
Melbourne has secured the right to host an international conference on ageing in 2010 – one of the largest international gatherings of world experts in the field, Australian Federal Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot announced today.
Govt Spends Record Levels On Aged And Community Care - $40 Billion Over 4 Years
( DoHA 28-May-08 )
Over the next four years, funding for aged and community care will reach record levels of more than $40 billion -- with $28.6 billion of that on residential aged care alone.
Elderly Patients Are Malnourished Or At Risk
( The Australian 22-May-08 )
NEARLY one-third of elderly hospital patients are malnourished, and a further 61 per cent are at risk of malnutrition.
A study of 100 Australian hospital patients aged 70 or more also suggests doctors and nurses do a poor job of spotting the problem. Even when they do, few of the patients affected are referred to a dietitian for help.
Fundamental Reform Of The UK Care And Support System Needed
( King's Fund 22-May-08 )
Commenting in response to the government's launch of a consultation on the future funding of adult social care in England, King's Fund Chief Executive Niall Dickson said:
'For frail and dependent older people in particular the current prospects are grim - criteria for care are becoming ever more stringent, eligibility thresholds are rising, while more people need help but often only those in the most desperate need receive it.
Regulate Anti Psychotic Drugs Now
( HTA 19-May-08 )
Help the Aged have backed an MPs bid to regulate the prescription of anti-psychotic drugs for people with dementia in care homes.
UK Autism Campaign Urges Debate On Social Care And The Elderly
( AACUK 16-May-08 )
The Autism Awareness Campaign UK is urging the Minister Ivan Lewis to launch a debate on Social Care and the Elderly with Autism in the wake of his recent announcement.
Drs Say Healthcare Services For Elderly People Are Not Good Enough
( BMA 13-May-08 )
Eight in ten doctors believe healthcare services for older people are not good enough, with only one in ten believing enough money is being spent on care of the elderly in the NHS, shows a BMA survey out today (Monday 12 May 2008).
Ageist UK Government Condemned Over Treatment Of Older People
( HTA 13-May-08 )
Two thirds of GB adults of all ages think the present Government is not taking older people seriously, according to new research launched today (9th May). Figures from leading older people's charity Help the Aged show that 74% of older people themselves believe the Government isn't responding to their needs.
Elderly in Long-term Care More Depressed than Those Cared for at Home
( Newswise 9-May-08 )
Elderly in a long-term care setting are more likely to be prescribed antidepressants and to self-report depression compared to those in a home-health care setting, according to a study by social work students at Indiana State University.
1/4 Disabled US Seniors Use Risky Or Ineffective Medicines
( AHRQ 6-May-08 )
Roughly a quarter of Americans with disabilities age 65 and older reported using at least one prescription drug deemed inappropriate for persons his or her age, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
MPs Highlight Abuse Of Human Rights Of People With Dementia
( AS 2-May-08 )
An influential group of MPs is calling on the Government to stop the dangerous over-prescribing of antipsychotic drugs to people with dementia.
Statement on Conditional Adjustment Payment
( DoHA 2-May-08 )
In response to inquiries from News Limited publications, the Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot said:
"Any change to the future funding of the Conditional Adjustment Payment (CAP) is a matter for consideration by the Government in the context of the Budget.
"It is a long standing principle to neither confirm nor deny what is, or is not, part of the budget process.
Antipsychotic Drugs Increase Risk Of Developing Pneumonia In Elderly
( W-B 1-May-08 )
Elderly patients who use antipsychotic drugs have a 60 percent increased risk of developing pneumonia compared to non-users. This risk is highest in the first week following prescription and decreases gradually thereafter. These findings are published in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Dignity In Care Of Paramount Importance
( HTA 30-Apr-08 )
Nurses are key to driving up standards, according to leading older people's charity Help the Aged responded to the results of a survey of more than two thousand nurses by the Royal College of Nursing which found that eight out of ten nurses admit they have left work feeling upset or distressed because they have not been able to ensure their patients have been treated with dignity.
Australia's First Ambassador For Ageing: Noeline Brown
( DoHA 28-Apr-08 )
Minister for Ageing Mrs Justine Elliot today announced the appointment of actor Ms Noeline Brown as the Ambassador for Ageing - to promote positive ageing.
Elderly Epilepsy Patients Have Higher Risk Of Cognitive Decline
( WB 24-Apr-08 )
For persons with chronic epilepsy, little is known about the impact of aging on the course of cognitive and brain health, the prevalence of clinical disorders of aging (mild cognitive impairment, dementia), or the disease burdens and risk factors associated with abnormal cognitive and brain aging.
Parkinson's Research Suggests That It Is Primarily An Inherited Genetic Disorder
( Mayo Clinic 21-Apr-08 )
Two new international studies by researchers at the Mayo Clinic are rounding out the notion that Parkinson's disease is largely caused by inherited genetic mutations that pass through scores of related generations over hundreds, if not thousands of years.
One Benefit Of Aging Is Happiness
( Uni of Chicago 21-Apr-08 )
Americans grow happier as they grow older, according to a University of Chicago study that is one of the most thorough examinations of happiness ever done in America.
Anticholinergic Drugs May Increase Cognitive Decline In Older People
( AAN 21-Apr-08 )
Anticholinergic drugs, such as medicines for stomach cramps, ulcers, motion sickness, and urinary incontinence, may cause older people to experience greater decline in their thinking skills than people not taking the drugs, according to new research.
Aerobic Exercise Boosts Older Bodies And Minds
( HBNS 21-Apr-08 )
Around age 50, healthy older adults begin to experience mild declines in cognition, such as occasional memory lapses and reduced ability to pay attention. Evidence shows that regular exercise contributes to healthy aging, but could the types of exercise a person does influence cognitive fitness?
Link Between Bone Loss And Diuretics In Older Men
( MNT 18-Apr-08 )
According to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers have found increased rates of hip bone loss in older men who take frequently prescribed heart failure and hypertension drugs called loop diuretics.
Elderly Epilepsy Patients Have Higher Risk Of Cognitive Decline
( WB 18-Apr-08 )
For persons with chronic epilepsy, little is known about the impact of aging on the course of cognitive and brain health, the prevalence of clinical disorders of aging (mild cognitive impairment, dementia), or the disease burdens and risk factors associated with abnormal cognitive and brain aging.
Memory Problems In Older People Affects Men More Than Women
( MNT 18-Apr-08 )
Scientists in the US have discovered that mild cognitive impairment, as characterised by problems with memory and thinking and known to be a transition stage before dementia, appears to affect older men more than it does older women.
How Aging Affects Cancer Risk And Outcomes
( AACR 18-Apr-08 )
As our populations age and senior citizens become a larger demographic, cancer researchers are focusing on the links between aging and cancer.
Cognition In Alzheimer's May Be Improved By Chinese Club Moss Extract
( WB 17-Apr-08 )
Existing evidence suggests that patients with Alzheimer's disease who have taken Huperzine A have improved general cognitive function, global clinical status, functional performance and reduced behavioural disturbance compared to patients taking placebos.
Risk Of First Depression Episode Late In Life Revealed By Personality Study
( UMRC 16-Apr-08 )
Even after the age of 70, people prone to feelings of anxiety, worry, distress and insecurity face a risk for a first lifetime episode of clinically significant depression, according to a unique study.
Sleep Problems Are More Likely As We Get Older
( MNT 16-Apr-08 )
Many older adults often get less sleep than they need. Poor sleep, as outlined in recent studies, is a precursor to serious health problems such as an increased risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Arthritis Drug Success With Alzheimer's Prompts Calls For More Investment
( MNT 14-Apr-08 )
A private clinic in California, USA, appears to be getting dramatic reductions in dementia symptoms by injecting an arthritis drug called etanercept into the neck of Alzheimer's patients.
Elderly Poor Significantly More Likely To Suffer Mobility And Cognitive Problems
( Peninsular Medical School 14-Apr-08 )
Research carried out at the Peninsula Medical School, South West England, has found strong links between neighbourhood deprivation and the physical and intellectual health of older people.
1 In 3 Adults At Risk Of Malnutrition On Admission To Hospital, Care Homes & Mental Health Units
( HTA 11-Apr-08 )
Older people won't respond to treatment if they are malnourished. Help the Aged responded to a report from the British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN) showing that of adults admitted to hospitals, care homes and mental health units, 28 per cent are at risk of suffering from overall malnutrition at the time of their admission.
More Aged Care Places For NSW
( DoHA 11-Apr-08 )
The Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, today announced that 2,091 additional aged care beds worth $74.8 million a year in recurrent funding had been allocated across New South Wales as part of the 2007 Aged Care Approval Round.
Geriatric Assessment Explored By Special Journal Section
( TGSA 10-Apr-08 )
The latest issue of The Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences (Vol. 63, No. 3) features a special section devoted to the phenomenon of multidimensional geriatric assessment - an interdisciplinary diagnostic process to determine the medical, psychological, and functional status of at-risk and frail elderly patients in order to develop a coordinated, integrated plan for treatment and long-term follow-up.
Medical Assessment Units Provide Specialist Treatment For Elderly Patients
( NSWHealth 10-Apr-08 )
NSW Minister for Health, Reba Meagher, today announced a major step forward in the way our public hospitals treat elderly patients and those with chronic diseases.
Access To Primary Healthcare Improves Quality Of Life In Care Homes
( HTA 8-Apr-08 )
Help the Aged responded to a new evaluation study published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation which found that bringing a community nursing and physiotherapy team into residential care homes for older people improved quality of life and reduced hospital admissions.
Government Pledges To Work With Community To Improve Quality Of Aged Care
( DoHA 8-Apr-08 )
Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot today pledged to continue to work in partnership with older Australians, aged care providers, unions and consumer groups to improve quality in residential aged care.
Antipsychotics And Alzheimer's
( NHSChoices 7-Apr-08 )
"Medication 'worsens Alzheimer's'" reads the headline on the BBC News website. The BBC reports that a study in 165 people with Alzheimer's has found that antipsychotics "offered no long-term benefit for most patients with mild symptoms of disturbed behaviour". It says that about 60% of people with Alzheimer's in nursing homes are given antipsychotics to control problem behaviours, such as aggression.
Government To Fund Wound Management Research
( DoHA 4-Apr-08 )
Improved wound management in aged care has been made a high priority by the Rudd Government, with plans announced for wound management research projects worth up to $500,000.
$345m For Care For Queensland Aged And Disabled
( DoHA 4-Apr-08 )
Older people in Queensland will receive more domestic assistance, centre-based day care, social support and respite care services, the Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, and the Queensland Minister for Communities, Disability Services, Seniors and Youth, Lindy Nelson-Carr, announced today.
Better Care For Dementia Patients Through New Funding
( UQ 3-Apr-08 )
With Australia's ageing population, diseases like dementia are on the rise. And, thanks to $1.7 million in recent grants, The University of Queensland will be at the forefront of research dealing with a range of dementia-related issues.
Federal Government Responds To Psycho-geriatric Patients
( DoHA 2-Apr-08 )
The Minister for Ageing, Minister Justine Elliot, said there had been a number of recent incidents that raised the appropriate care for people with significant psycho-geriatric illness.
Currently more than 75 per cent of people living in aged care homes have some form of dementia or some other form of cognitive impairment. A small minority can behave aggressively or inappropriately towards other residents or staff.
Alzheimer's Society Comment On Care Homes, The Human Rights Act And DOH Announcement On Elder Abuse Research
( AS 2-Apr-08 )
This hat-trick of announcements will play an important part in tackling the abuse and neglect of people with this devastating condition and help ensure failing homes are forced to improve standards.
Human rights are not privileges, but rights, which are now guaranteed for many more care home residents with dementia due to amendments to the Health and Social Care bill. The welcomed closure of this legal loophole will provide an important safety net for both them and their families.
'Inspiring' Person Centred Dementia Care
( AS 2-Apr-08 )
'Inspiring' a new Alzheimer's Society publication, aimed at shining a light on leadership in dementia care is released recently.
Home Guardian Releases Innovative Sensor System To Keep Seniors Safe
( HG 1-Apr-08 )
Home Guardian, LLC has announced the release of a suite of sensors that non-intrusively monitor the health status of seniors in their homes while enabling professional caregivers to focus on providing needed care. This includes the detection of falls, which constitute the largest cause of injuries for people over age 65 in the United States.
Advice For The Three Million UK People Aged 50 And Over Caring For A Parent In Later Life
( HTA 1-Apr-08 )
There are currently over three million carers aged 50 and above in the UK and many of these are looking after older relatives. According to charity Help the Aged, however, many facing this situation do not know where to turn for support and guidance on the subject or what services and benefits are available to help make their lives that little bit easier.
Abuse Of Older People - Nation's 'Secret Shame'
( HTA 1-Apr-08 )
Help the Aged today responded to the Government's pledge that the Human Rights Act will be extended to cover residents in private care homes, and the announcement of a a major study into abuse of elderly people in NHS hospitals and care homes.
Nearly Half Of Residents In Nova Scotia Nursing Homes Display Behavioural Problems
( CIHI 1-Apr-08 )
A new report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) reveals that 45% of residents living in a sample of Nova Scotia nursing homes displayed behavioural symptoms, including resistance to care, verbal abuse, socially inappropriate behaviour, wandering and physical abuse.
New Dementia Care Places For Launceston
( DoHA 1-Apr-08 )
Older people with dementia in Launceston will have more options for specialised care following today’s official opening of a new dementia extension at Glenara Lakes Aged Care Home.
The Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, attended the launch with local MP Jodie Campbell.
Adelaide Southern Suburbs To Benefit From Aged Care Hub
( DoHA 29-Mar-08 )
One of South Australia's largest aged care providers will manage its southern Adelaide services from one central location, following the official opening of its new office today.
Government Working On $158 Million Transition Beds Getting Elderly Into Appropriate Aged Care
( DoHA 27-Mar-08 )
The Australian Government is working on its election commitment to get 2000 older Australians who are occupying hospital beds into appropriate aged care - freeing up valuable hospital resources for those needing urgent treatment.
Better Protection For Frail Aged Australians
( DoHA 25-Mar-08 )
In response to figures on aged care facilities under the previous government, the Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot, today outlined a range of tough measures to improve quality to protect frail and aged Australians.
$300 Million Zero Real Interest Loans - Attracting Proven Providers To Australia's Areas Of High Need For Aged Care Beds
( DoHA 25-Mar-08 )
The Federal Government today announced it will deliver on its election commitment to provide $300 million in zero real interest loans for aged care providers to build or expand aged care beds in areas of "high need".
1 In 6 Women, 1 In 10 Men At Risk For Alzheimer's Disease In Their Lifetime
( BU 20-Mar-08 )
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have estimated that one in six women are at risk for developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) in their lifetime, while the risk for men is one in ten. These findings were released today by the Alzheimer's Association in their publication 2008 Alzheimer's Disease: Facts and Figures
Rapid Response Team To Assess Elderly People Waiting For Government Assistance
( DoHA 18-Mar-08 )
A new mobile Rapid Response Team will be set up to help older Australians who have been waiting to be assessed for vital government funded aged care, the Federal Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, today announced.
Growing Old Together: Yeast, Worms, And People May Age By Similar Mechanisms
( CSHLP 18-Mar-08 )
A study published online in Genome Research provides new insight into the evolutionary conservation of the genes and pathways associated with aging. This report describes the identification of conserved aging-related genes in simple model organisms that may lead to the characterization of similar genes playing a role in human aging and age-associated diseases.
Mayo Researchers Say ECG Standards Should Be Revised For Elderly
( Mayo 17-Mar-08 )
Researchers at Mayo Clinic suggest that the established "normal" ranges for evaluating electrocardiograms for persons over 80 years old should be "revisited." The recommendation comes in a study published today in the American Journal of Geriatric Cardiology.
Assistance To Aged Care Sector To Implement New Funding Model
( DoHA 10-Mar-08 )
The Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot, today announced more than $3 million in direct support for the nation’s aged care sector to help them adapt to the new funding model – which comes into effect later this month.
Medical Organizations Issue New Guideline On Drugs To Treat Dementia
( AAFP 10-Mar-08 )
The American College of Physicians (ACP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) have issued a new guideline on current pharmacologic treatment of dementia.
Signs Of Excessive Drinking Among The Elderly Often Missed By Health Care And Other Providers
( BU 10-Mar-08 )
One out of ten elderly adults on Medicare reports drinking more alcohol than is recommended, according to a new study from Brandeis University.
Minister Hoctor Speaks At Launch Of CARDI In Stormont Castle
( DoHC 5-Mar-08 )
Ms Maire Hoctor TD, Minister for Older People, was delighted to be invited to be part of the launch of CARDI, a not for profit organisation, developed by leaders in the field of research into ageing, in Stormont Castle. CARDI was established to ensure that research plays its role in planning for an ageing population in this country.
Rampant Ageism In The NHS
( HTA 5-Mar-08 )
Government must outlaw age discrimination in all goods and services
Responding to recent media reports suggesting medical treatment is being denied to older people on the basis of their age, Help the Aged has issued a statement saying the NHS suffers from 'rampant ageism.'
Complex Interventions For Elderly People Can Be Beneficial
( MNT 5-Mar-08 )
According to a meta-analysis published in The Lancet, elderly people can improve physical function and live more independently if provided with complex interventions such as preventive home visits and community-based care after hospital discharge. The study of over 90,000 elderly people also led authors to conclude that well-developed services for the elderly should not be withdrawn.
63 New Aged Care Places for Tasmania
( DoHA 4-Mar-08 )
Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot was in northern Tasmania today to announce an additional 63 new residential aged care places for Tasmania. It was Mrs Elliot’s first visit to Tasmania as Minister for Ageing.
$2.6 Million To Improve Aged Care Services For Tasmanians
( DoHA 4-Mar-08 )
Three projects, totalling $2.6 million in capital grants will be delivered to aged care facilities in Tasmania as part of the 2007 Aged Care Allocations round.
Research Grants To Tackle Dementia
( DoHA 4-Mar-08 )
The Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, today announced grants of more than $9 million to tackle dementia.
APA Task Force Urges Integrated Health Care Model As Population Ages
( APA 3-Mar-08 )
Developing a model of integrated health care is essential as the U.S. population ages, and mental health care providers can make unique and critical contributions to this paradigm, according to a task force report issued by the American Psychological Association.
Housing Strategy Is Enormously Important For Older People
( HTA 29-Feb-08 )
Responding to the launch of Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods: A National Strategy for Housing in an Ageing Society, Paul Cann, director of policy and external relations at Help the Aged, says:
'This strategy is enormously important. Housing is the backbone of older people's quality of life, affecting their health, well-being and independence.
More Aged Care Accommodation For South Australia
( DoHA 28-Feb-08 )
Older people requiring aged care in the southern suburbs of Adelaide will have more options following the official opening today of two new residential care homes.
Faux Fido Eases Loneliness In Nursing Homes
( SLUMC 27-Feb-08 )
A sophisticated robotic dog could be a good companion for your dog-loving grandmother who can't care for a living pet, a new Saint Louis University study suggests.
Antibiotics Frequently Given To Patients With Advanced Dementia
( MNT 27-Feb-08 )
A new study by researchers in the US found that people with advanced dementia are frequently given antibiotics toward the end of life, and has thrown into question whether this practice should be curtailed in view of the increased risk of developing drug resistant superbugs.
Health Care Workers As Well As At-risk Groups Must Be Immunised Against Influenza To Save Lives
( NHRMC 27-Feb-08 )
Professor Warwick Anderson, CEO of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is calling for employers of health care workers in general practice, hospitals and aged care to start planning influenza vaccination clinics now so that their staff are protected against this disease and avoid spreading it to at risk groups in their care.
Funding Boost For Home and Community Care In The ACT
( DoHA 25-Feb-08 )
Older and frail people, people with a disability and their carers living in the ACT will benefit from a further $1.9 million in funding for Home and Community Care services in the territory.
Alzheimer's Society Comment On The Use Of The Human Rights Act In Private Care Homes
( AS 25-Feb-08 )
More than two thirds of people in care homes are living with dementia and thousands of them and their carers are left exposed by this scandalous legal loophole.
There should never be any compromise when it comes to treating people with fairness, dignity, equality and respect and there needs to be an urgent rethink on extending the Human Rights Act to protect all residents.
Merging Discovery With Therapy: Second Generation Memory Care Debuts
( IUSM 25-Feb-08 )
Researchers and clinicians from the Indiana University School of Medicine and the Regenstrief Institute are blurring the distinction between lab and clinic as they debut the second generation of memory care.
Improved Police Checks For Aged Care Facilities
( DoHA 22-Feb-08 )
The Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot, today signalled her intention to strengthen the current protocols and protections for nursing home residents. Currently only staff with unsupervised access to residents are required to have police checks. Mrs Elliot wants the police checks to be extended to all employed staff from accredited aged care facilities - those who have both supervised and unsupervised access.
Aged At 'Serious Risk'
( NT News 15-Feb-08 )
A TERRITORY aged care home had its accreditation period cut after an inquiry found it put residents at "serious risk".
Little Evidence That Psychotherapy Helps Elderly With Depression
( HBNS 15-Feb-08 )
The jury is still out on whether psychotherapy can help older people with depression, according to a new review of recent research.
Depression In The Elderly Is Complicated But Treatable
( HHL 14-Feb-08 )
Depression is sometimes viewed as a normal part of aging. It shouldn't be. Left untreated, depression increases the likelihood of disability, placement in a nursing home, and death. Suicide risk also increases with age; white men over age 85 have the highest suicide rate in the United States.
Brighton Aged Care Approved Provider Must Show Cause to Department of Health and Ageing
( DoHA 11-Feb-08 )
In light of yesterday's South Australian Coroner's findings on the actions of the Approved Provider at Brighton Aged Care, the Department of Health and Ageing is immediately demanding the provider show cause why their provider status should not be revoked.
Doctors With Interest in Nursing Homes Should Not Sign Death and Cremation Certificates of Their Residents
( DoHA 11-Feb-08 )
Australian State and Territory laws should be changed to prohibit doctors – with financial interests in nursing homes – from signing both the death and cremation certificates of their own residents, Federal Minister for Ageing Mrs Justine Elliot said.
Medical Costs Decreased With Team Treatment For Depression
( UW 11-Feb-08 )
A team approach to treating depression in older adults, already shown to improve health, can also cut total health-care costs, according to a new study led by the University of Washington. The study appears in the February issue of the American Journal of Managed Care.
Help The Aged Welcomes Unified Complaints Procedure
( HA 11-Feb-08 )
Help the Aged responded to news that the Department of Health are to introduce a new unified complaints system for health and social care, to make it easier for people to complain when things go wrong.
Dementia Care Update 2008
( AS 8-Feb-08 )
The Dementia Care Update 2008 conference is an important and exciting date in the dementia calendar this year.
This two-day event, organised by The Journal of Dementia Care in association with Alzheimer Scotland, will provide an up-to-date review of best practice, with sessions covering such wide-ranging aspects of dementia care as connection to nature and assistive technology, palliative care and supporting communication.
New Bundanoon Service: Quality Care For Older People
( DoHA 7-Feb-08 )
High-quality residential aged care will be available to more people in the Bundanoon area with the completion of Warrigal Care’s new 90-bed home later this year, the Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, said today.
Poll Shows Overwhelming Support For Trained Staff In Care Homes
( AS 7-Feb-08 )
Ninety seven per cent of people agree well-trained staff are important when it comes to deciding on a good quality care home. Despite this care staff receive no compulsory training in dementia - a condition affecting two thirds of all care home residents.
Better Health Care Depends On A Greater Role For Nurse Practitioners And Improved Wages In Aged Care
( ANF 29-Jan-08 )
The Australian Nursing Federation budget submission emphasises the need for better primary care with more efficient use of nurse practitioners and better pay for nurses in aged care.
MPs Condemn State Of Dementia Services In England
( AS 28-Jan-08 )
Dementia is one of the biggest health and social challenges facing the country: in less than 20 years there will over a million people living with a form of dementia.
375 More Aged Care Places for South Australia
( DoHA 23-Jan-08 )
The Australian Government has formally announced an additional 375 new residential aged care places for South Australia, the Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, said today.
Minister for Ageings First Visit To Northern Territory: $6.33 Million Funding For Top End
( DoHA 14-Jan-08 )
Senior Territorians will receive a greater level and choice of quality care and support with the development of a new federally-funded 65-single room with ensuites residential aged care home in Darwin.
$25 Million For Accommodation For Aged And Disadvantaged
( DoHA 10-Jan-08 )
Perth's older, disadvantaged and homeless men will receive more help with the building of a new state-of-the-art hostel in East Perth, which is being jointly funded by the Australian Government and the Western Australian Government.
Nationwide Consultation Suggests That Individuals Will Help Pay For A Fairer, Clearer Long-term Care System
( KF 10-Jan-08 )
The UK needs a new system to pay for long-term care for older people, which combines a clear-cut entitlement to care and support with a sharing of costs between individuals and the state. This was the conclusion, published recently (The Future of Care Funding: Time for a change1), of a nine-month consultation initiative.
Greater Disability Follows Congestive Heart Failure, Increased Nursing Home Admissions
( UMHS 10-Jan-08 )
Medical breakthroughs in recent decades have allowed heart attack survivors and other heart-disease patients to live longer. But as their hearts decline into congestive heart failure, an increasing number will experience disability and the need for nursing-home care.
Radio Series Asks Tough Questions About Social Care
( AS 9-Jan-08 )
The reality of social care is exposed in a new radio series starting today as a report claims the long-term care system is complex and unfair.
Preventing Adverse Drug Events In Older Adults
( TUHS 4-Jan-08 )
Adverse drug events are more common in older adults because they are prescribed more drugs and are affected differently by these drugs than their younger counterparts.
Dehydration In Elderly Explained By Brain Malfunction
( RA 4-Jan-08 )
As Australia faces another hot, dry summer, scientists from Melbourne's Howard Florey Institute have warned that elderly people are at risk of becoming dehydrated because their brains underestimate how much water they need to drink to rehydrate.
Lack Of Evidence That Fall Prevention Programs Work
( MNT 4-Jan-08 )
According to a study published in bmj.com, there is scant evidence that fall prevention programs utilized by the NHS (National Health Service) are effective in reducing the total number of fallers or fall related injuries.
Elderly Adhere To Exercise Program, Improve Physical Function
( Tufts 4-Jan-08 )
Elderly adults at risk for physical disabilities are able to adhere to a regular program of moderate exercise for one year, a recent study of 213 men and women suggests.
Wall Street Journal Examines Debate Over Use Of Antipsychotics To Calm Symptoms Of Dementia Patients
( KN 26-Dec-07 )
The Wall Street Journal on Thursday examined how the "challenge of caring for rising numbers of seniors who suffer from dementia and the behavior problems that can stem from it has provoked a wrenching debate" over the use of atypical antipsychotics to calm symptoms in such patients.
More aged care places for older Australians
( DoHA 22-Dec-07 )
A total of 6,525 new residential aged care beds worth $233.3 million a year in recurrent funding would be allocated across Australia to provide much-needed care for frail older Australians.
Nursing Homes Often Medicate Residents Without Psychosis
( KN 18-Dec-07 )
"In recent years, Medicaid has spent more money on antipsychotic drugs for Americans than on any other class of pharmaceuticals," largely because nursing homes are "giving these drugs to elderly patients to quiet symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia" -- conditions for which the drugs are not approved by FDA, the Wall Street Journal reports.
A European Perspective On Living Arrangements, Health And Well-Being In Ageing Populations
( ESRC 18-Dec-07 )
Ageing populations are an increasing issue for the Western world. A new study, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), analysed the impact of living alone, with a spouse or with others on the health and happiness of older people and how it varies within Europe and in England and Wales.
Dementia Screening In Primary Care: Is It Time?
( IUSC 15-Dec-07 )
Primary care physicians should focus on "dementia red flags" rather than routinely screen individuals with no dementia symptoms just because they've reached a certain age, according to Malaz Boustani, M.D., MPH, of the Indiana University School of Medicine and the Regenstrief Institute, Inc. and colleagues from the University of Kent and the University of Cambridge.
Election Policies Ignore the Need for Improved Medical Care for Older Australians
( AMA 19-Nov-07 )
There have been no health policies in this election campaign offering improved medical care of older Australians living in residential aged care facilities, and that's a disgrace according to the AMA. AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, said today that older Australians should not have to lose easy access to quality health care when they move from their homes to an aged care home.
Vitamin D Injection Fails To Prevent Fractures In Elderly People
( SU 17-Nov-07 )
An annual injection of vitamin D does not reduce the rate of bone fractures suffered by elderly people. The finding is the result of a four-year long study by scientists from the MRC Epidemiology Resource Centre at the University of Southampton.
Nursing Home Residents Who Receive Eyeglasses For Correcting Poor Vision Experience Less Depression
( MNT 17-Nov-07 )
A nursing home resident who gets eyeglasses for uncorrected refractive error is less likely to suffer from depression than one with refractive error who did not receive eyeglasses, according to an article in Archives of Ophthalmology (JAMA/Archives), November edition.
Planning for Aged Care Boom Must Start Now
( AMA 14-Nov-07 )
AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, said today that the only aged care policies worth voting for at this election would be policies that contain a vision and a strategy to cater for the huge demand for aged care services that will hit Australia over the next few decades.
Nutrition Action Plan Published To Address Nutrition Of Older People In Care
( DoH 1-Nov-07 )
UK Health Minister, Ivan Lewis, published a groundbreaking Nutrition Action Plan in conjunction with over 25 leading stakeholders, outlining a range of actions to tackle malnutrition and ensure the nutritional needs of older people in hospitals and care homes are better met.
Bed Sores Can Be Stopped With Proper Care In Nursing Homes
( CMS 29-Oct-07 )
A diligent and sustained focus on preventing serious bed sores in nursing home residents was remarkably effective according to the results of a project sponsored by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
CSCI Report Exposes The 'Maze Of Confusion' In Care Home Selection And Funding
( Help the Aged 24-Oct-07 )
Reacting to the publication of the Commission for Social Care Inspection 'A fair contract with older people?' which finds older people get a poor deal when searching for a care home, Paul Cann, director of policy & external relations at Help the Aged comments on the report.
Vital Funding Guidance For Adult Children With Elderly Parents Needing Care
( NHFA 13-Oct-07 )
You've brought up children, put them through education and now you're approaching retirement. It's time to think about relaxing... But can you, if you have elderly parents?
Geriatric Social Work Shortage Addressed By Hartford Foundation Awards
( GSA 6-Oct-07 )
The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) has received a five year, $5 million renewal grant from the John A. Hartford Foundation of New York, NY to provide financial and career support for 39 doctoral fellows in geriatric social work and awards for 60 pre-dissertation doctoral students.
Call For NHS Hospitals To Step Up Efforts To Provide Dignity In Care To Older People
( HCC 4-Oct-07 )
The Healthcare Commission is calling for NHS trusts to do more to ensure they consistently provide dignity in care to older people, including offering adequate nutrition and privacy.
Aged Care Nurses Hurt By IR Laws: 2nd Round Of ANF Ads Launched
( ANF 4-Oct-07 )
The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) will launch phase two of a four week TV advertising campaign outlining the negative impact of the Howard government's industrial relations laws on nurses working in aged care.
Poll Welcomed And Major Mental Decline Is Far From Inevitable In Older Age
( HtA 2-Oct-07 )
In response to today's YouGov poll reporting a lack of public awareness about Alzheimer's disease and dementia, Dr Lorna Layward says: 'The findings from today's YouGov poll give cause for concern, highlighting that the public has little awareness of dementia, and that most people assume memory loss is a natural part of ageing.
Major Geriatric Bipolar Disorder Study Now Under Way
( NYP 30-Sep-07 )
A major NIMH-funded multi-site clinical research study is the first to compare the efficacy of two commonly used mood stabilizers for geriatric patients suffering from the episodes of symptoms that characterize bipolar disorder.
Improving Wireless Telemedicine For More Cost-Effective Care Of The Elderly
( RIT 25-Sep-07 )
A team of researchers led by Fei Hu, assistant professor of computer engineering at RIT is working to advance the integration of radio frequency identification technology into cardiac sensor networks, a new wireless technology for telemedicine delivery.
Improved Health Services For Aged Care Residents
( DoHA 25-Sep-07 )
The Australian Government is to invest $48 million over four years to expand the GP Panels Initiative to increase access to GP and allied health services for residents of aged care homes.
$450,000 for Home and Community Care in NSW
( DoHA 25-Sep-07 )
Frail aged people, younger people with a disability, and their carers will benefit from more than $450,000 in additional funding for community transport provided by the Home and Community Care (HACC) program in New South Wales.
Osteoporosis Screening Is Absolutely Essential
( HtA 25-Sep-07 )
Reacting to the British Geriatrics Society and the Royal College of Surgeons proposal to screen fracture patients over 50 for osteoporosis, Pamela Holmes, Help the Aged Healthy Ageing Programme Manager, says:
Joint Funding Deal Secures New Collie Aged Care Facility
( DoHA 18-Sep-07 )
The Australian Government and the Western Australian Government have committed a total of almost $10 million to ensure that a new residential aged care facility is built in Collie, in south-west Western Australia.
Joint Project Aims To Reduce Slips, Trips And Broken Hips For Older Patients, UK
( BPS 17-Sep-07 )
New data presented at the British Pharmaceutical Conference (BPC) in Manchester shows how a closer collaboration between pharmacy and physiotherapy may improve care for older people who fall.
AGS To Serve As Liaison Organization To Advisory Committee On Immunization Practices
( AGS 17-Sep-07 )
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) -- a nationwide association of geriatrics healthcare professionals dedicated to improving the health and quality of life of older adults -- has been selected to serve as a liaison organization to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
Agitation And Psychotic Symptoms Of Dementia Respond Well To Antidepressant Treatment
( BCGC 16-Sep-07 )
Researchers have found surprising evidence that an antidepressant (citalopram) may perform as well as a commonly-prescribed antipsychotic (risperidone) in the alleviation of severe agitation and psychotic symptoms of dementia.
Aged Care to come home with $100m Boost
( DoHA 14-Sep-07 )
Almost 4,000 new aged care places have been allocated by the Australian Government to help older people continue living in their own homes, the Minister for Ageing, Christopher Pyne, announced on 13 September.
Aged Care Target Exceeded: New Record Set
( DoHA 12-Sep-07 )
The Australian Government has exceeded its end-of-2007 target of providing 108 operational aged care places for every 1,000 people aged 70 and over, the Minister for Ageing, Christopher Pyne, said today.
Aged Care Excellence Recognised
( DoHA 12-Sep-07 )
The winners of the 2007 Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Aged Care were announced today by the Minister for Ageing, Christopher Pyne.
Program Could Prolong Seniors' Ability To Live Independently
( HBNS 10-Sep-07 )
As the baby boomer generation faces retirement, there is heightened interest in the best ways to care for older adults and prolong their abilities to live independently.
Nurses Admit They Can't Cope With Abused Older People In Their Care, UK
( Help The Aged 4-Sep-07 )
Well over half (58 per cent) of professional nurses have admitted they wouldn't report abuse of an older person in their care for fear of misinterpreting the situation.
Oral Health A Matter Of Life And Death For Seniors
( CDHA 4-Sep-07 )
Citing a California nursing home death linked to an untreated oral infection, the statewide organization representing dental hygienists today called for greater focus on the oral health of seniors residing in nursing and convalescent homes.
Human Rights For The Elderly In Care: Just Lip Service?
( Lancet 30-Aug-07 )
Seven years after the implementation of the UK Human Rights Act, little more than lip service is being paid to human rights of elderly people in the UK and worldwide.
Report on older people in hospital sheds light on an ageing Australia's future hospital needs
( AIHW 23-Aug-07 )
A report on older people in hospitals, released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) examines the reasons why older people go to hospital, the type of care they receive and how long they stay.
Belvedere Park Nursing Home Victoria - Update as at 23rd August 2007
( Dept of Health and Ageing 23-Aug-07 )
The AAT has made an order which has placed a stay on the Department's Decision to Impose Sanctions on the operators of Belvedere Park Nursing Home, pending a full hearing of the matter.
Government welcomes $300M Salvos aged care boost
( Department of health and Ageing 20-Aug-07 )
The Australian Government has welcomed the Salvation Army's decision to boost its aged care accommodation network.
Many People With Early Dementia Can Drive Safely, Say Experts
( BMJ 2-Jul-07 )
Many people with early dementia are capable of driving safely, say researchers in this week's BMJ.
Panelists To Discuss The Delivery Of Healthcare Services To An Aging US Population
( Stevens Institute of Technology 1-Jul-07 )
Despite medical and technological advances during the past two decades, the timely delivery of healthcare services to seniors remains a continuous challenge.
The Art Of Aging: New Journal Unites Humanities And Gerontology
( Gerontological Society of America 1-Jul-07 )
With the release of its inaugural double issue this June, the Journal of Aging, Humanities, and the Arts (JAHA) seeks to create a dialogue between the humanities, medical science, and the social sciences around issues of aging, according to journal editors.
Never Mind Dying Pain Free, They Should Be Living Pain Free
( Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University 1-Jul-07 )
Residents in long-term care facilities who require pain management represent an extremely vulnerable population, and their pain is often overlooked unintentionally because of the challenges and barriers to obtaining accurate pain assessments.
Mix Of Disease Processes At Work In Brains Of Most People With Dementia, Study Finds
( NIA 23-Jun-07 )
Few older people die with brains untouched by a pathological process, however, an individual's likelihood of having clinical signs of dementia increases with the number of different disease processes present in the brain.
Unexplained Late-life Weight Loss May Be Early Predictor Of Alzheimer's Disease
( University of South Florida Health 23-Jun-07 )
New findings show unexplained weight loss that precedes dementia by more than 10 years is associated with the severity of Alzheimer changes in the brain.
Augmenting Drug Treatment Increases Recovery Prospects For Elderly Patients With Depression
( American Journal of Psychiatry 15-Jun-07 )
The addition of a second medication to the treatment plan of elderly patients with depression who either failed to respond to initial treatment, or relapsed early, results in a significant increase in the likelihood of recovery after the second drug is added.
Falls Management Technology Can Be A Critical Factor In Reducing Hospital Admissions And Loss Of Living Independence
( Care Directions 13-Jun-07 )
With 'Falls Awareness Day' approaching on June 26th, we feel it appropriate to draw attention to these alarming statistics - and to inform you about the complete Falls Management Solution available from Tunstall.
Don't Let Gravity Be Your Downfall - New Guidelines Help Seniors Stay Solidly On Their Feet And Free Of Injury
( American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 13-Jun-07 )
To help America's seniors stay on their feet and free of injury, the AAOS and the NATA have developed a set of simple guidelines designed to help older Americans avoid falls and lower the incidence of serious injury when falls occur.
Seniors Who Wait Longer For Hip Fracture Surgery Tend To Have Worse Health Outcomes
( Canadian Institute for Health Information 13-Jun-07 )
Almost two-thirds (65%) of hip fracture patients aged 65 and older had surgery on the day they were admitted to hospital or the next day in 2005��"2006, but new indicators published today by the <strong>Canadian Institute for Health Information </strong>(CIHI) show that some patients have longer waits.