Senior Falls a Key Factor for Hospital Readmission

FRIDAY, May 24, 2019 -- Fall-related injuries are a major reason why seniors are readmitted to the hospital within a month after being discharged, a new study finds.

"Falls are a trifecta in terms of reasons why they need an increased focus," said principal investigator Geoffrey Hoffman, an assistant professor in the University of Michigan's School of Nursing. "They are highly prevalent, cause a lot of damage, including death, and they are preventable."

Meals on Wheels Delivers an Extra Health Bonus for Seniors

MONDAY, July 8, 2019 -- Meals on Wheels might do more than deliver hot food to isolated seniors: New research suggests it can serve as an early warning system for declining health.

The study included Meals on Wheels drivers in Guernsey County in Ohio and San Diego County, who were trained to use a mobile app to alert care coordinators if the drivers had a concern or noticed a change in a senior's condition.

Too Often, Caring for Aging Parent Means Trouble at Work

MONDAY, July 8, 2019 -- Many adults with full-time jobs who care for an aging parent face significant work disruptions and lack employer support, a new study finds.

Work disruptions range from mild, such as adjusting work hours, to severe. Severe disruptions include moving from full- to part-time jobs, taking a leave of absence or even early retirement.

Could You Afford Home Health Care? New Study Says Maybe Not

THURSDAY, June 6, 2019 -- The seniors most likely to need paid home care to maintain independent living are the least likely to be able to afford it long-term, a new study reports.

Only two out of five older adults with significant disabilities have the assets on hand to pay for at least a couple of years of extensive in-home care, researchers found.

Falls Are Increasingly Lethal for Older Americans

TUESDAY, June 4, 2019 -- Deaths from falls are increasing sharply among elderly Americans, a new study finds.

Nearly 25,000 people 75 and older died as a result of falls in 2016 -- almost three times as many as in 2000. And experts warn that the toll is likely to rise along with population shifts.

For People With Heart Failure, Loneliness Can Mean Worse Care

TUESDAY, May 28, 2019 -- Fewer than 1 in 10 heart failure patients follow lifestyle treatment recommendations, and a new study suggests that loneliness is a major reason why.

Polish researchers assessed 475 heart failure patients' compliance with a regimen of restricting salt and fluid intake, being physically active, and weighing themselves each day.