A nationally representative sample of 2,767 US adults aged 71 and older found that up to 19% of dementia cases in this population could potentially be attributed to at least one vision impairment. This includes impairments in distance visual acuity, near visual acuity and contrast sensitivity.
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#agingpopulation #dementia #visionimpairment #healthcare #eldercare
McKnight's Long-Term Care News
Vision impairment linked to higher dementia risk in older adults
A recent study published in JAMA Ophthalmology suggests that vision impairment may play a significant role in dementia risk among older adults.
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Science News
One in four older Americans with dementia prescribed risky brain-altering drugs despite safety warnings ⚠️💊. Sedatives and antipsychotics linked to falls, confusion, and hospitalization remain widely used in patients most vulnerable to their harms 🚑🧠. Read…
• 🧠 One in four Medicare beneficiaries with dementia received brain-altering medications linked to falls, confusion, and hospitalization, despite clinical guidelines against the practice. Research published January 12 in JAMA indicates that even with an overall decline in such prescriptions, individuals with cognitive impairment remain susceptible.
• 📉 CNS-active medications prescribed to older adults with dementia fell from 20% to 16% between 2013 and 2021. However, over two-thirds of patients receiving these prescriptions lacked a documented clinical indication in 2021, suggesting potentially harmful prescribing.
• 💊 The study, covering January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2021, examined five drug classes: antidepressants, antipsychotics, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics. While prescriptions for benzodiazepines and sleep drugs declined, antipsychotic prescriptions rose.
• 🤝 Patients, especially older adults with cognitive impairment, or their caregivers should collaborate with physicians to ensure medication appropriateness and consider alternatives or tapering when necessary.
#MedicalResearch #Healthcare #ElderCare
• 📉 CNS-active medications prescribed to older adults with dementia fell from 20% to 16% between 2013 and 2021. However, over two-thirds of patients receiving these prescriptions lacked a documented clinical indication in 2021, suggesting potentially harmful prescribing.
• 💊 The study, covering January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2021, examined five drug classes: antidepressants, antipsychotics, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics. While prescriptions for benzodiazepines and sleep drugs declined, antipsychotic prescriptions rose.
• 🤝 Patients, especially older adults with cognitive impairment, or their caregivers should collaborate with physicians to ensure medication appropriateness and consider alternatives or tapering when necessary.
#MedicalResearch #Healthcare #ElderCare
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Science News
Free Prescription Drugs for Seniors Cut Catastrophic Spending by 62% in Poland. “Drugs 75+” policy was introduced in 2016, which eliminated out-of-pocket costs for list of prescription medications for those aged 75 and older. The policy substantially reduced…
💊 Poland's "Drugs 75+" policy, launched in Sept 2016, made prescription drugs free for seniors aged 75+, cutting average monthly out-of-pocket drug spending by $8.36 (a 23% reduction).
💸 Catastrophic medication spending (over 10% of disposable income) for those 75+ fell by 9.8 percentage points, representing a 62% decrease from pre-policy levels.
📉 While poverty rates weren't significantly affected, the policy primarily benefited higher-income households.
📈 There's evidence of a $7.50 monthly increase in spending on unhealthy goods (alcohol, tobacco, unhealthy foods) among eligible households.
#HealthPolicy #ElderCare #DrugCosts
💸 Catastrophic medication spending (over 10% of disposable income) for those 75+ fell by 9.8 percentage points, representing a 62% decrease from pre-policy levels.
📉 While poverty rates weren't significantly affected, the policy primarily benefited higher-income households.
📈 There's evidence of a $7.50 monthly increase in spending on unhealthy goods (alcohol, tobacco, unhealthy foods) among eligible households.
#HealthPolicy #ElderCare #DrugCosts
Science News
Compulsive smartphone habits in older adults can be linked to a higher risk of depression, the matter “comes down to purposeful interaction versus compulsive escapism” Read Full Article #MentalHealth #DigitalWellbeing #OlderAdults
📱 Compulsive smartphone use in older adults is linked to a higher risk of depression, according to a Rutgers-led study involving 2,585 adults aged 60+. The key difference lies in purposeful interaction versus compulsive escapism.
📱 Problematic phone reliance was a strong predictor of depression, especially when older adults rarely used interactive features. Long stretches of scrolling or passive entertainment were associated with withdrawal.
📱 Two vulnerable groups were identified: older men with less education and signs of smartphone addiction, and older adults of any sex with higher incomes and education who also showed smartphone addiction.
📱 The study highlights that while smartphones can be lifelines, their impact depends on usage. The goal is to encourage social and purposeful phone use, not solitary entertainment.
#TechNews #MentalHealth #ElderCare
📱 Problematic phone reliance was a strong predictor of depression, especially when older adults rarely used interactive features. Long stretches of scrolling or passive entertainment were associated with withdrawal.
📱 Two vulnerable groups were identified: older men with less education and signs of smartphone addiction, and older adults of any sex with higher incomes and education who also showed smartphone addiction.
📱 The study highlights that while smartphones can be lifelines, their impact depends on usage. The goal is to encourage social and purposeful phone use, not solitary entertainment.
#TechNews #MentalHealth #ElderCare