All articles tagged with #older adults
A BMJ study of older adults in Ontario found that side effects from one drug are often mistaken for a new condition, triggering a second prescription in a chain called a prescribing cascade; researchers identified 24 common drug combinations that illustrate how potentially inappropriate prescribing can lead to harmful polypharmacy.
The FDA approved Moderna’s mFLUSIVA (mRNA-1010) for adults 50+, marking the first influenza vaccine using mRNA technology. In trials it was about 26.6% more effective than traditional flu vaccines and produced a stronger immune response in adults 65+, with safety data from roughly 70,000 participants. Real-world data from the 2026–27 season will show performance in broader populations. The mRNA platform enables faster updates to match circulating strains, potentially changing regulatory and rollout dynamics, but questions remain about cost, availability, and uptake. Traditional egg-based and recombinant vaccines will remain available for now, and long-term adoption will depend on real-world effectiveness and public acceptance.
Ontario researchers analyzing more than 2.2 million adults aged 66+ found that 24 of 65 potentially inappropriate prescribing cascades (PIPCs) have high prevalence, incidence, and temporal linkage. Common patterns include NSAIDs raising blood pressure and prompting antihypertensives, iron-with-laxatives, statins-with-pain relievers, and cholinesterase inhibitors-with-sleep meds, with strongest timing links for corticosteroids→antipsychotics, laxatives→antidiarrheals, and cholinesterase inhibitors→antiemetics. The study suggests clinician/pharmacist alerts and better documentation to prevent cascades, while noting that temporal associations do not prove causation and patient context matters through shared decision‑making.
A Sleep study of over 500 participants found that older adults who experience frequent brief awakenings during the night have a higher genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease, while younger adults did not show the same link. The researchers note the older group was small (about 87 participants) and stress that micro-awakenings do not guarantee dementia. The work adds to evidence that sleep quality, especially deep sleep, is connected to brain health, and reinforces the value of lifestyle factors like exercise, managing blood pressure and diabetes, and treating sleep disorders, though more research is needed to confirm causation or predictive value.
The piece highlights six subtle signs of age-related hearing loss—such as trouble following conversations in noisy settings and persistent tinnitus—and offers practical steps: get a professional hearing test, protect your ears from loud noise, consider hearing aids, and use strategies to stay engaged in social activities.
A Taiwan study of 13,423 adults aged 65+ followed for a median of seven years found that higher fitness across balance, agility, strength, and cardio is linked to lower all-cause mortality; two simple tests—the 8-foot up-and-go and the 1-leg stance—were especially predictive, and a composite score showed the highest performers had up to a 61% lower death risk. The message: maintaining balance, strength, and cardiovascular fitness together supports healthy aging, and it's never too late to start.
A Lancet Public Health study finds people aged 60 and over are at risk of uncompensable heat stress at lower temperatures than younger groups, meaning heatwaves will affect older adults more severely as global warming continues; with the global 60+ population projected to reach about 2.1 billion by 2050, many more older people—especially in lower-income countries—will face dangerous heat exposure, with risk rising from as little as 1.5C of warming and increasing with each additional degree.
FDA approves Moderna’s mRNA-based flu vaccine, mFlusiva, for adults 50 and older (standard approval for ages 50–64 and accelerated approval for 65+), leveraging faster manufacturing to allow strain updates closer to the season. In a large trial, it was about 27% more effective than standard flu shots in people over 50 but had more mild to moderate side effects; serious events were similar to other vaccines. A post-marketing study is required, and availability may be limited this fall while a CDC recommendation is pending due to a delay in the ACIP meeting. Insurance coverage remains uncertain until guidelines are issued. The vaccine could be a valuable option for an older population at higher risk of severe flu outcomes.
FDA approves Moderna’s mFlusiva, the first mRNA-based flu vaccine, for adults 50+, with standard approval for 50–64 and accelerated approval for 65+, enabling faster production and closer strain matching; in a 40,000+ participant trial it was about 27% more effective than standard vaccines for ages 50+, though with more transient side effects; a post-marketing study is required, rollout may be limited this fall, and insurance coverage remains unclear until ACIP weighs in (scheduled for October).
FDA-approved Moderna’s mFlusiva, an mRNA flu vaccine, for adults 50–64 (full approval) and 65+ (accelerated approval) after trials showed about 27% higher effectiveness than the standard flu shot; the vaccine could be updated quickly to address circulating strains. It’s expected to be available this fall, though insurance coverage remains unclear. Side effects may be stronger than with traditional vaccines but are generally mild. Health experts say to get whichever flu vaccine is available to protect yourself early in the season.
A large Taiwanese study of 13,423 adults around age 73 found that stronger performance across seven simple fitness tests—especially balance and agility (one-leg stand and an 8-foot up-and-go)—was linked to markedly lower all-cause mortality over seven years; the strongest association came when combining all tests into a single fitness index, with the top fifth showing about 61% lower death risk than the bottom fifth, even after adjusting for health conditions, income, body weight, and self-reported activity.
A study of 3,989 adults aged 80+ found those who walked the fastest—about 2.9 mph and dubbed 'super movers'—were roughly 50% less likely to develop cognitive impairment and 60% less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's over five years, though brain scans showed similar levels of brain changes, suggesting greater resilience rather than less disease. The findings reinforce the link between mobility and brain health and, alongside general exercise guidance (about 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly), suggest social walking and pacing strategies to boost walking speed.
A 12-week, 30-minute daily routine combining reading aloud, handwriting, and simple math improved scores on the Mini-Montreal Cognitive Assessment from 12.73 to 13.26 out of 15 in 102 older adults with memory concerns; gains were mainly in memory recall and were larger for those living independently. The study notes limitations (no control group, small effect size) and calls for active-control future research. The routine is accessible, low-cost, and customizable via personal reading/writing topics to build cognitive resilience.
A Washington Post Well+Being piece reports that scientists label “super movers” as older adults who walk much faster than peers; new research shows they are about half as likely to experience cognitive decline, reinforcing that maintaining a brisk walking pace into aging may protect brain health.
A study of 7,828 adults aged 65+ followed for about 8.5 years found that taking five or more prescription medications (polypharmacy) is associated with a 38% higher overall mortality risk, with each additional medication linked to roughly a 7% increase. The findings suggest considering deprescribing, but limitations include a single 30-day medication snapshot and the observational nature of the study; patients should review all meds with their clinician.