elderly Archives - Page 2 of 3

Brain Activity May Predict Risk of Falls in Elderly

December 10, 2016 SrijitaActivity, Brain, elderly, Falls, In, May, of, Predict, Risk

Measuring the level of brain activity in healthy older adults while they are walking can predict their risk of falling, suggests a study led by an Indian-origin scientist. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among older adults and all too often lead to physical decline and loss of independence. “Previous studies have shown that when older people perform cognitively demanding tasks, their brains are required to become more active to handle the challenge,” said lead author Joe Verghese, Director at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in…

Alzheimer’s Proteins Behind Vision Loss in Elderly: Study

November 27, 2016 SrijitaAlzheimer's, behind, elderly, In, Loss, Proteins, Study, vision

Researchers have found a group of proteins — known to be the likely cause ofAlzheimer’s disease — that get accumulated in the ageing retina causing damage to it and are also the key reason behind a vision loss condition among individuals aged 50 and older. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) — a leading cause of vision loss among people aged 50 and older — is a progressive disease that causes the death of the retinal photo receptors, the light-sensitive cells at the back of the eye. The most severe damage occurs…

Plant Compounds May Boost Brain Power in Elderly

November 27, 2016 Srijitaboost, Brain, Compounds, elderly, In, May, Plant, Power

The same compounds that give plants and vegetables their vibrant colours might be able to boost brain functioning in older adults, new research suggests. People get these compounds, known as carotenoids, from their diets, and two of them – lutein and zeaxanthin – have been shown in previous research to bolster eye and cognitive health in older adults. What is not known is the neural mechanisms underlying the relationship between these compounds and cognition, said first author of the study Cutter Lindbergh from Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University…

Mild Exercise May Help Elderly to Decrease Arthritis Pain

November 3, 2016 Srijita'Mild, Arthritis, decrease, elderly, exercise:, Help, May, Pain, to

Low-impact exercise programme helps to decrease pain, improve mobility and enhance quality of life in older adults with arthritis and other muscle and joint conditions, finds a study. “Joints will often stiffen if not used and muscles will weaken if not exercised. Our bodies are meant to move, and inactivity leads to weakness and stiffness, and joints with arthritis often worsen with inactivity,” said Theodore Fields, Managing Director of Rheumatology Faculty Practice Plan at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), US. Participants performed chair and floor mat exercises using stretch bands…

Aerobic Exercises May Help Slow Down Memory Loss in Elderly

October 28, 2016 SrijitaAerobic, Down, elderly, exercises, Help, In, Loss, May, Memory:, slow

Regular aerobic exercise may be beneficial for older adults,who have been suffering from memory and thinking problems, says new research. Aerobic exercise (also known as cardio) is a physical exercise of low to high intensity that depends primarily on the aerobic energy-generating process. The study done by researchers at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, showed that people who exercised had a small improvement on the test of overall thinking skills compared to those who did not exercise. In addition to that, those who exercised also showed improvement…

Laughter-based exercise may boost health in the elderly

September 17, 2016 Srijitaboost, elderly, exercise:, Health, In, Laughter-based, May, The

Incorporating laughter into a physical activity program could improve older adults’ mental health, aerobic endurance and confidence in their ability to exercise, a study has found. In the study, older adults participated in a moderate-intensity group exercise program called ‘LaughActive’ that incorporates playful simulated laughter — self-initiated as bodily exercise — into a strength, balance and flexibility workout. The findings showed that simulated laughter can be an ideal way for older adults with functional or cognitive impairment. Significant improvements were also found among participants in mental health, aerobic endurance and…