One Social Hour a Week Can Help Someone With Dementia

SUNDAY, July 16, 2017 -- Just a slight increase in social interaction benefits older adults with dementia and lowers health care costs, a new British study suggests.

"People with dementia who are living in [nursing] homes are among the most vulnerable in our society," said study leader Clive Ballard. He's a professor at the University of Exeter Medical School in England.

Older Americans Struggling With Drug Costs Don't Ask for Help

FRIDAY, June 30, 2017 -- Many older Americans who have difficulty paying for their medications don't seek help in finding cheaper options, a new poll indicates.

"We already know that cost can keep patients from taking the drugs they need to maintain health or prevent complications, but these new data suggest that many older adults aren't talking to their doctors or pharmacists about cost and less-expensive alternatives as often as they could," said poll director Dr. Preeti Malani. She is a professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School.

Depression May Worsen Health for Cancer Caregivers

THURSDAY, June 29, 2017 -- Depression is known to be linked to worsening physical health, and a new study finds this may be especially true for cancer caregivers.

The researchers recommended assessing caregivers' mental health soon after their loved one's cancer diagnosis.

Advocating for a Loved One

THURSDAY, June 1, 2017 -- There are times in life, like a health crisis, when a loved one needs you to be their eyes, ears and voice. Though you may be feeling anguish over his or her illness, a patient's pain, fear or even the effects of medication can keep them from being their own advocate.

But, you can play a role not only in supporting them through a stressful time, but also in making sure they're getting the best care.

'Making the Best of It': Families Face the Heavy Burden of Alzheimer's

THURSDAY, June 1, 2017 -- For Marilyn and Tom Oestreicher, their golden years were within reach.

After more than four decades of marriage, the Illinois couple had fashioned a comfortable daily routine. The parents of two grown children, she was a bank teller, while he was a school teacher and a published Civil War scholar.

1 in 4 Nursing Home Residents Has Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

TUESDAY, May 30, 2017 -- Multidrug-resistant bacteria, such as E. coli, can be found in more than one-quarter of people living in nursing homes, a research review finds.

Reviewing eight prior studies, researchers reported rates ranged from 11 percent of residents to an alarming 59 percent, with 27 percent the average.