Wives, Daughters Shoulder Most of Alzheimer's Care Burden

TUESDAY, May 9, 2017 -- When it comes to the daily care of Americans with dementia, most of the responsibility is still falling on family members, according to a new report.

And women handle the lion's share of that responsibility, said Nicholas Bott, a postdoctoral research fellow at Stanford University, in California.

Seniors Often Have Trouble Managing Money, Medicines

FRIDAY, April 28, 2017 -- Have you ever wondered when it might be time to step in and help your aging parents manage their finances? Or, their ever-growing list of prescription medications?

Researchers from the Netherlands did, and found that the vast majority of seniors over age 85 needed help with finances. And many also said they needed help managing their drugs.

Sleeping Pills Boost Danger of Falls, Fractures in Older Users

TUESDAY, May 2, 2017 -- Falls and resulting hip fractures can prove disabling and even fatal for seniors. And new research suggests the risk of hip fractures rises soon after an older person is prescribed a sleeping pill.

Specifically, older people are at greater risk for hip fractures for two weeks after they start taking prescription sleeping pills. Those pills include benzodiazepines such as Valium or Ativan, and newer "Z-drug" alternatives such as Ambien, Sonata or Lunesta.

Seniors' Brain Changes Could Make Them Vulnerable to Scams

THURSDAY, April 13, 2017 -- A pair of key differences in the brain may help distinguish which seniors are at risk of falling prey to financial scams, a small new study suggests.

The first-of-its-kind study found a biological basis -- rather than poor decision-making skills -- underlying financial exploitation in the elderly. These findings might lead to a way to predict which seniors are susceptible to scams, the researchers said.

Nursing Home Program Offers Alternatives to Antipsychotic Drugs

THURSDAY, April 20, 2017 -- Hoping to cut the use of antipsychotic drugs in nursing home residents, researchers tried training staff on new ways to meet the needs of residents with dementia.

Although antipsychotics are often given to people with dementia, the drugs are only minimally effective at controlling behavioral problems and have been shown to increase the chances for stroke and death, the researchers said.

Helping Cancer Caregivers Help Themselves

WEDNESDAY, March 22, 2017 -- When people are diagnosed with cancer, it's easy to overlook the toll the disease also takes on their caregivers, say social workers who specialize in cancer care.

Cancer can dramatically alter relationships, forcing parents to depend on their children, or independent people to rely on loved ones. Meanwhile, those who support cancer patients -- such as spouses, partners, siblings, children or friends -- tend to put their own needs on the back burner.