Tag Archives: aging

Predictions about the future of personalized medicine

Posted on January 15, 2012 | Leave a comment

A new article from the Wall Street Journal addresses questions about the future of personalized medicine. The article by Dr. David Agus, entitled “A doctor in your pocket: What does the future of medicine hold? Tiny health monitors, tailored therapies  – and the end of illness”, explores the possibilities that await us in the future with advances in portable technologies. Click here to read the full article.

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Dietary Choices Impact Alzheimer’s Disease-Associated Brain Shrinkage

Posted on January 1, 2012 | Leave a comment

The daily choices we make regarding food choice can have long term benefits for brain function.  Findings released by the American Academy of Neurology indicate that among study participants averaging age 87, those who had diets richer in omega 3 fatty acids and in vitamins B, C, D, E performed better on mental thinking tests than those whose nutritional biomarkers indicated lower consumption.  Additionally, those who reported consuming higher levels of trans fats (commonly found in fast foods and packaged products) showed more brain shrinkage than those eating less trans fats.

The results of this research, conducted by Gene Bowman, ND, MPH, of Oregon Health & Science University, can be accessed at http://www.neurology.org/content/early/2011/12/28/WNL.0b013e3182436598.abstract?sid=f3d59111-d4ce-4b42-827f-02cced9fbccd.  Additionally, a description of the findings and interviews with the lead author is available at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/29/brain-food-nutrients-sharp-vitamins_n_1173876.html.

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Aging in Place

Posted on August 23, 2011 | Leave a comment

As our average lifespans increase, so too does our need for extended care options beyond a nursing home or other similar institution.  More and more individuals are wanting to “age in place”, to stay within their own home to age gracefully and retain autonomy as long as possible.  To solve this problem, more than 60 “villages” are already in existence, and 100 more are in the planning stages.  These villages are organized community/neighborhood networks that provide essentially anything their members need.  For example, members can call for a ride to the doctor, get assistance filling out Medicare paperwork, and participate in recreational activities.  These villages provide a great deal of support for a reasonable cost; for example individuals who belong to the Lincoln Park Village in Chicago pay an annual fee of $540 and scholarships are available to those in need.

For the full coverage of this story, please visit: http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/15/growing-older-in-an-urban-village/.

For more information about aging in place, please visit: http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/AoA_Programs/HCLTC/CIAIP/index.aspx.

 

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