Falls/ Fractures/ Mobility Loss – News

New Web Resource to Help Evaluate Medical Tests & Treatments - Their Benefits, Harms & Costs - Launched by American College of Physicians

By Editor, on January 17th, 2013

The American College of Physicians (ACP), the largest specialist physicians organization in the U.S., announced on January 16 that it has launched a new “High Value Care website” “to help physicians and other health care professionals, medical students, and . . . → Read More: New Web Resource to Help Evaluate Medical Tests & Treatments – Their Benefits, Harms & Costs – Launched by American College of Physicians

Vision Problems Commonly Lead Older Adults to Limit Activity for Fear of Falling, New Study Finds

By Editor, on January 10th, 2013

A new study by doctors at the University of Montreal and an associated Montreal hospital have found that about half of seniors with visually impairing eye diseases report limiting their social activities due to fear of falling. This also . . . → Read More: Vision Problems Commonly Lead Older Adults to Limit Activity for Fear of Falling, New Study Finds

Harvard Health Publishes Report on Strength and Power Training: A guide for adults of all ages

By Editor, on October 9th, 2012

According to a special health report issued by Harvard Health Publications of Harvard Medical School, “Sarcopenia—the gradual decrease in muscle tissue—starts at around age 30, [and] the average 30-year-old can expect to lose about 25% of muscle mass and . . . → Read More: Harvard Health Publishes Report on Strength and Power Training: A guide for adults of all ages

Exercise & Home Modification Most Effective to Prevent Falls in Seniors, New Study Finds

By Editor, on September 18th, 2012

New research published September 12 in The Cochrane Library has found that of several fall-prevention methods studied, exercise including strength and balance training was most effective in reducing the risk of falling for seniors. Modifications of the home to . . . → Read More: Exercise & Home Modification Most Effective to Prevent Falls in Seniors, New Study Finds

Dizziness & Balance Disorders Arise from Conditions Common with Aging, Experts Report

By Editor, on September 5th, 2012

“More than 4 in 10 Americans will experience an episode of dizziness sometime during their lives that’s significant enough to send them to a doctor,” according to the August, 2012 issue of NIH News in Health, a monthly newsletter . . . → Read More: Dizziness & Balance Disorders Arise from Conditions Common with Aging, Experts Report

Harvard Health Updates Report on Foot Care Basics - Preventing and Treating Common Foot Conditions

By Editor, on August 12th, 2012

Harvard Health Publications has issued a newly revised Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School on “Foot Care Basics: Preventing and treating common foot conditions.” “Three out of four Americans will suffer some kind of foot ailment in their . . . → Read More: Harvard Health Updates Report on Foot Care Basics – Preventing and Treating Common Foot Conditions

Experts Advocate Dancing for Health

By Editor, on July 23rd, 2012

UPDATED July 23, 2012: A new Health Tip published by MedlinePlus, a service of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health advocates that seniors “make exercise a social activity.” “Participate in a group dance class or a . . . → Read More: Experts Advocate Dancing for Health

Harvard Health Publishes New Joint Pain Relief Workout

By Editor, on July 9th, 2012

Harvard Health Publications has published a new Special Health Report entitled, “The Joint Pain Relief Workout: Healing exercises for your shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles.” The Report provides exercises designed by doctors at Harvard Medical School, along with Master . . . → Read More: Harvard Health Publishes New Joint Pain Relief Workout

National Safety Month Focuses on Preventing Slips, Trips & Falls among Older Adults

By Editor, on June 4th, 2012

June has been designated “National Safety Month,” an annual observance sponsored by the National Safety Council (NSC), a non-profit organization, “to increase awareness of the top causes of preventable injuries and deaths and to encourage safe behaviors.” Each week . . . → Read More: National Safety Month Focuses on Preventing Slips, Trips & Falls among Older Adults

New High Value Care Guides for Patients Are Jointly Announced by American College of Physicians & Consumer Reports

By Editor, on April 20th, 2012

The American College of Physicians (ACP) and Consumer Reports jointly announced yesterday that they will work together to produce a new series of “High Value Care” guides to help patients understand what are appropriate treatments for common health problems. . . . → Read More: New High Value Care Guides for Patients Are Jointly Announced by American College of Physicians & Consumer Reports

Free Fall Prevention Evaluation for Older Adults Offered by Nova Southeastern University

By Editor, on April 11th, 2012

Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Florida offers a free interdisciplinary Fall Prevention Evaluation for older adults who are at risk due to balance problems. “This service provides a one-time, comprehensive, multiple discipline evaluation for balance and fall risk factors. . . . → Read More: Free Fall Prevention Evaluation for Older Adults Offered by Nova Southeastern University

Benefits of Weight Training for People Over 50

By Senior Editor, on March 11th, 2012

Fitness guru Nash Jocic advocates weight training for people over 50 to stop or slow down the aging process, increase mobility, and lower the risk of injuries. Watch » Consult your doctor before beginning an exercise . . . → Read More: Benefits of Weight Training for People Over 50

Vitamin E Supplements May Weaken Bones, New Mouse Study Suggests

By Editor, on March 5th, 2012

A new study by researchers at Keio University in Tokyo, Japan, has found that mice fed Vitamin E supplement in a quantity similar to that consumed by many people taking Vitamin E supplements lost bone mass, while those bred . . . → Read More: Vitamin E Supplements May Weaken Bones, New Mouse Study Suggests

Harvard Issues Updated Report on Low Back Pain: Healing Your Aching Back

By Editor, on February 18th, 2012

Harvard Health Publications has issued a revised and updated version of its Special Health Report on “Low Back Pain: Healing Your Aching Back,” written by experts at Harvard Medical School. According to Harvard Health Publications, “Back pain is one . . . → Read More: Harvard Issues Updated Report on Low Back Pain: Healing Your Aching Back

New Study: Can Twice Weekly Ballroom Dancing Prevent Falls in Elderly?

By Editor, on January 11th, 2012

The University of Sidney, Australia has announced a new study to test whether twice weekly ballroom dancing can restore balance and strength and prevent falls in older adults. The one-year long study, entitled “The effectiveness of social dancing as . . . → Read More: New Study: Can Twice Weekly Ballroom Dancing Prevent Falls in Elderly?

Some Vertigo Associated with Migranes

By Editor, on January 6th, 2012

Some dizziness (vertigo) is associated with migrane headaches. If you are experiencing dizziness or headaches, you should see your doctor for a diagnosis and potential treatment. For an introduction, see this video on Migranes and Vertigo, from the Mayo . . . → Read More: Some Vertigo Associated with Migranes

Assistance Dogs Provide Wonderful Help for Those with Limited Mobility

By Editor, on November 23rd, 2011

Assistance Dogs (sometimes called “Service Dogs”) provide remarkable help for those with limited mobility. In addition to the salutary love, bond, and companionship that the dogs provide, Assistance Dogs are trained to help with many tasks that make life . . . → Read More: Assistance Dogs Provide Wonderful Help for Those with Limited Mobility

Joint Health and Preventing Fractures

By Senior Editor, on October 22nd, 2011

The number one cause of fractures in elderly people is falling. Low impact exercise like walking can improve balance and keep nerve receptors healthy. Watch Gary Calabrese Gary Calabrese, PT, director of Cleveland Clinic Sports Heath and Orthopaedic . . . → Read More: Joint Health and Preventing Fractures

October is National Physical Therapy Month

By Editor, on October 18th, 2011

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has declared October as “National Physical Therapy Month.” “Mobility is the key ingredient to aging successfully and remaining active and independent throughout our lives,” said R Scott Ward, PT, PhD, President of the . . . → Read More: October is National Physical Therapy Month

New Patient Guides & Treatment Decision Aids Provided by AHRQ

By Editor, on October 7th, 2011

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), part of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) is providing a new series of Guides for Patients and Consumers. These new Guides for Patients and Consumers include Consumer . . . → Read More: New Patient Guides & Treatment Decision Aids Provided by AHRQ

American Red Cross Offers Free Family Caregiver Classes

By Editor, on September 19th, 2011

The American Red Cross is sponsoring a series of Classes for Family caregivers, which include eight one-hour modules of instruction on topics intended “to help participants gain an understanding of what is involved in caring for a loved one.” . . . → Read More: American Red Cross Offers Free Family Caregiver Classes

Prevent Falls by Older Adults

By Editor, on May 15th, 2011

The HHS Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality reports that fall-related injuries are responsible for about two million visits to hospital emergency departments per year, according to a May 12, 2011 HealthBeat report issued by the U.S. Department of . . . → Read More: Prevent Falls by Older Adults

Bipartisan efforts to better treat and cure paralysis

By Senior Editor, on February 6th, 2011

Watch The Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act (legislation) to advance research into cures and treatments for paralysis, as well as aid those living with disability»

Making the Bathroom Safer for Your Elderly Parent

By Senior Editor, on January 5th, 2011

Watch this video for good tips on how to make the bathroom safer for your elderly parent or other elderly loved . . . → Read More: Making the Bathroom Safer for Your Elderly Parent