Aging is associated with progressive fibrosis of the sinoatrial node and AV conduction system, resulting in bradycardia, which may be further exacerbated by disease and medications, resulting in symptoms requiring permanent pacemaker implantation. More than 80% of pacemaker recipients in the United States are older than 65 years, and the median age is 75 years. As the population ages, it is anticipated that the number of older persons requiring permanent cardiac pacemakers, as well as the associated costs, will continue to rise. (more…)

The overarching goal of physical therapy rehabilitation is to return the individual to as close to the premorbid level of function as possible or, alternatively, to maximize a person’s current potential for function and maintain it as long as possible. This goal is achieved by promoting changes in the individual, by altering his or her physical health elderly or social environments, or by implementing a combination of both strategies. (more…)

There are a number of issues that must be considered in geriatric pain assessment. The major issues that merit attention are presence of comorbidities, mental status, depression in late life, limitations in ADLs, medications, and the importance of family and other support systems (see Depression; Social Networks, Support, and Integration). (more…)

There are numerous basic Activities of Daily Living instruments that seek to quantify basic physical functions and obtain a numerical value. These systems are useful for prioritizing care needs, estimating resource demands, and tracking progress of individuals. Most basic Activities of Daily Living Elderly instruments can be traced back to the Katz Activities of Daily Living Index or the Barthel Index. (more…)

The majority of older adults who suffer from depression experience lower-level symptoms that do not meet diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder. The DSM recognizes several well-defined disorders that are considered minor depressive states. Dysthymia is defined as presence of one of the two defining symptoms plus at least two other symptoms of depression continuously for a period of at least 2 years. This chronic, low-level depression typically manifests relatively early in life and is in fact less prevalent in older than in younger persons. (more…)

The systemic benefits of exogenous Growth Hormone therapy in the healthy elderly remain unclear and controversial. Studies have not been able to demonstrate a clear anabolic effect of replacement of Growth Hormone in elderly subjects, possibly because Growth Hormone replacement cannot completely correct the alterations in binding recommended proteins. (more…)

The sleeping pills quadrupled the risk of suicide in the elderly, according to a study by the University of Gothenburg (Sweden), which is published in the journal ‘BioMed Central Geriatrics. The researchers show that even after taking into account the presence of psychiatric disorders, sedatives and hypnotics are associated with an increased risk of suicide (more…)

As aging people, our body could not endure all the time. But one thing for sure, you can make your body’s function and shape still in tip top condition as our years counting. If you want to make sure that you get the body of a lifetime, there’re many things you need to plan ahead. Whenever you want to ensure that your body will never give you trouble, pay attention to several things that you can do to prevent it from doing so. (more…)

Chronic diseases are not generally prevented by vaccines or cured by medication, nor do they just disappear. To a large degree, the major chronic disease killers—heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes—are an extension of what people do, or not do, as they go about their daily lives. (more…)

It is truly an astounding promised by products that claimed can help slowing aging. There were plenty of such products and you can find them on any commercial media anywhere. Among these are antioxidants and vitamins supplement, which solely give promises to make you look younger. You as consumer sometimes are in dilemmatic position. Yes, these products make you reach deep your pocket, but it offered a delight to those who want to look younger and healthier as promised. However, do you know how this longevity-elixir works? (more…)