News

A recent article published on the New York Times’ “The New Old Age” blog addressed a recent report in which researchers have identified decreased dementia rates among older adults in Europe. The author found that “the new generation of very old people [are] functioning at a much higher level, ” and concludes that “it’s possible to increase the number of people who live to very old ages and at the same time have them function better.” Full Story

A recent study published in Pain examined age-related changes in offset analgesia (a form of temporal pain inhibition) among older adults. The study consisted of “twenty-five younger adults and twenty older adults who completed six offset trials in which an experimental heat stimulus was presented to their forearms.” Participants rated pain intensity continuously through each trial, and older adult participants, “demonstrated reduced offset compared to younger adults.” The authors conclude that,  “the reduced offset found in older adults may reflect an age-related decline in endogenous inhibitory systems.” Full Story

Dr. Cary Reid, Director of the Translational Research Institute on Pain in Later Life, recently attended and presented at the 8th Annual NIH Pain Consortium. His presentation focused on pain self-management programs that have been implemented in community settings. He also addressed knowledge gaps in pain treatment and summarized current research and policy issues related to pain self-management. Click here to view Dr. Reid’s presentation, which begins at the 33:20 mark.

A recent study published in the Journal of Health Nutrition and Aging measured the prevalence and clinical correlates of unrecognized comorbid mood disorders and chronic pain of uncertain origin in older primary care patients. The study consisted of 2720 patients with “persistent pain of uncertain origin.” The authors conclude that, “depression is highly associated with pain of uncertain origin in older patients.” Full Story

A recent article featured in the New York Times’  “Health and Wellness” blog addressed persistent disability rates among older adults.  The author found that, “a vast majority of people who live to older ages live with disability or a mobility problem in the last years of life, and for women it’s even more likely.” The author also mentioned that, “we shouldn’t deny demographic reality. If you live to be 90, the majority of people will have a period of disability.” Full Story

Dr. Mark Lachs, Co-Chief of the Division of Geriatric & Palliative Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College, recently posted a blog on Huffington Post that overviewed Dr. Jason Karlawish’s recent keynote presentation at the NYC Elder Abuse Conference. Dr. Karlawish’s presentation focused on the importance of capacity assessment in work with older adults. Click here to read Dr. Lachs’ blog on Huffington Post.  A summary of this blog was also featured on the NYC Elder Abuse Center’s Elder Justice Dispatch blog and can be viewed by clicking here.

A recent article published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing a recent study evaluated “pain prevalence among community-dwelling older adults and explored the relationships between pain and physical and psychological parameters.” The study consisted of 173 older adults (average age= 73) who completed a 25 minute interview that assessed pain intensity, happiness, and physical quality of life. The authors found that “nonpharmacological methods were commonly used by older persons as pain relief and that older persons with pain were less happy, less mobile and had a poorer quality of life as compared to their counterparts without pain.” Full Story

A recent study published in Gerodontology examined the epidemiology of headache and orofacial pain in Brazilian adults and elders in a district of São Paulo (Brazil).” The study consisted of older adults (age 60 and up) who completed a questionnaire that evaluated “socio-demographic characteristics, prevalence and location of pain and associated factors.” Full Story

A recent study published in the Journal of Gerontological Social Work identified “perceived barriers to, and facilitators for, utilizing nonpharmacological pain management through face-to-face interviews with 44 ethnically diverse community-dwelling older adults.” The authors identified the following barriers among participants, “embarrassment/self-consciousness, unavailability of certain treatments, and lack of faith in effectiveness of nonpharmacological treatments.” Full Story

A recent article in The Washington Post described a study that developed  new and innovative methods to help older adults self manage their pain and depression.  The following is an excerpt from the article: “the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that up to 5 percent of Americans age 65 and older living in community settings have major depression, which can result in acute psychological anguish, disability, suicide and early death.” Full Story