OHIO ELDER LAW BLAWG

Tsunami has Especially Severe Consequences for the Elderly and Ill

 

I spent a little time this morning wondering how the elderly and disabled were doing after the Tsunami.  It appears as though hospitals were in its path, one hospital's first floor was ruined, and unfortunately the first floor kept all of the food and many supplies.

One article I read noted that "Much of the concern is focusing on of the elderly. At Shintona, about 90% of the victims were described as old, suggesting this might become a defining characteristic of the disaster."  The article noted that some elderly in nursing homes were dead or missing.  The care manager, Kiyoko Kawanami, of one of Miyagi Japan's first old people's homes she was able to confirm only 20 of the 90 residents were safe. "We don't know what happened to them. The tsunami hit while we were trying to organize an evacuation," she said.

There are already a number of articles engaging in hand-wringing over what could have been learned and was not in the aftermath of the the 2004 Tsunami, which hit Thailand with incredible devistation.  I guess there is always room for improvement, but it is hard to see how much of this devastation could have been fully avoided after such an incredible natural disaster.

Among a few interesting ways people can donate, Apple is accepting Red Cross donations through iTunes.  

A few links to articles:

http://www.newser.com/article/d9lutaro0/sick-elderly-face-double-misery-after-japanese-tsunami-destroys-hospitals-along-the-coast.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/13/japan-earthquake-tsunami-survivors-grief

 

Health Benefits of Walking May Include Protection of Brain Size and Memory

The benefits of walking are probably more than just helping to remain fit and healthy. We know walking results in a reduced risk of disability in the elderly population, as well as it lowers chances of developing cancer in men. According to a recent study, walking at least six miles per week protects brain size and preserves memory in old age.

The study was initiated on 299 individuals who showed no signs of dementia. During the study, participants had to record the number of blocks walked each week. Nine years later brain scans were taken in order to measure brain size of the subjects. Having completed four more years, authors conducted a test for ascertaining the presence of cognitive impairment or dementia. People walking at least 72 blocks a week, (six to nine miles) may have greater gray matter volume than people who didn’t walk that much. The results were measured at the nine-year time point after recording activity.

Kirk I. Erickson, PhD, with the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh and the study author explained, “Brain size shrinks in late adulthood, which can cause memory problems. Our results should encourage well-designed trials of physical exercise in older adults as a promising approach for preventing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.”

       Gray matter volume did not seem to boost any further in those walking more than 72 blocks. After four years, 116 volunteers comprising 40 percent were apparently diagnosed with either cognitive impairment or dementia. Walking possibly lowers chances of developing memory problems. Experts presume that while regular exercose enhances brain health in midlife, thinking and memory is improved in later life.

The study was published in the October 13, 2010, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.  Excerpts of this article were taken from healthjockey.com.

Those Extra Pounds: Bad for the Aging Brain?

According to research in the latest issue of The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological and Medical Sciences (Volume 65A, Number 1), the affects of being overweight are not only physical, but also affect neurological function.

The publication presents a collection of ten articles highlighting new findings related to obesity in older persons.

Anna Dahl, MS, of Sweden's Jönköping University, led a study which found that individuals with a midlife body mass index (BMI) score which was higher than thinner people's had lower general cognitive ability. These statistics were drawn from a 39 year study of twins in Sweeden, from 1963 to 2002. There was no difference in the results based on the participant's sex. 

Of course, more study is necessary. "One of the unanticipated consequences of improved medical management of cardiovascular disease is that many obese individuals reach old age," said Editor Luigi Ferrucci, MD, PhD, of the National Institute on Aging. "We need a better understanding of the causes and consequences of obesity in older individuals - especially when obesity is associated with sarcopenia."  (Sarcopenia is the loss of muscle mass and sometimes the replacement of muscle with fat). 

Love as Pain Management

Ever hear the term "you only hurt the ones you love?"   While not saying that isn't true, it appears that the opposite may be true also, that the ones you love take pain away.

A new study indicates that simply thinking of a person we love may reduce the effects of pain.  "Typically, we think that in order for social support to make us feel good, it has to be the kind of support that is very responsive to our emotional needs. Here, however, we are seeing that just a photo of one's significant other can have the same effect," said study co-author Naomi Eisenberger.

Article Here.

Telomeres and Omega-3's: What are they and why should we care?

Omega 3's have been in the news lately, because a new study shows that having sufficient Omega 3's has anti-aging properties. These anti aging properties are on a cellular level. 

You may remember this blog's reference to an article that discussed Telomeres.  Telomeres are structures at the end of chromosomes. They are involved in the stability and replication of the chromosomes and are being recognized as markers of biological aging.  Various things will shorten Telomeres.  Genetics, exposure to certain chemicals and environmental stressors can shorten the length of telomeres. 

While the article I referenced discussed exercise's effect on Telomeres, more recently the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published an article that indicates omega-3s slow down the shortening of telomeres -- also indicating that omega-3 fatty acids may protect against aging on a cellular level.

The sources of Omega-3 fatty acids are varied.  Most people look to fish to supply Omega-3's, but over-consumption of fish may have other negative health effects, including exposure to mercury. 

Many of you who know me know I am a vegetarian, so I began to look for non-animal sources of Omega-3 and there are plenty.  Non-animal sources of Omega-3's include:

Walnuts; flaxseeds; flaxseed oil; hemp seeds (hulled); rapeseed oil; macadamia nuts; brazil nuts; hickory nuts; almonds; spinach; spirulina; wheat germ; peanuts; pumpkin seeds,soybeans, and olive oil.  Generally oils should not be heated if you desire the benefits of Omega-3, because heating can break it down. 

So, whether through fish or other sources, and in addition to exercise, having a good source of Omega-3 essential fatty acids in your diet may lead to a healthier life.

~Todd W. Bartimole

Two Studies: Exercise's Positive Effect on Cognition

Glad I joined a gym recently.

In the e-magazine Endocrine Today, there is a story about the positive effects of exercise on cognition.  One study by the Mayo Clinic showed that "midlife moderate exercise was associated with a 39% reduction in the odds of developing the condition (P=.008), and moderate exercise in late life was associated with a 32% reduction (P=.02). The findings were consistent among men and women"  This was not true of light exercise such as bowling and slow dancing.

In a second study, participants were divided into two groups, one that engaged in stretching, the other in aerobic exercise. After six months, the aerobic exercise group were observed to have improved executive control processes of multitasking, cognitive flexibility, information processing efficiency and selective attention when  compared with the group that did only stretching exercises. 

The full article is here.

Exercise: Living longer on a molecular level

Read an interesting article about how exercise can help us all live longer. I'll be thinking about my chromosomal health during my run tonight :)

http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/science/2009/dec/Chromosome-Research-Suggests-Exercise-Fights-Aging.html

Amazin' Brain: That Energy Drink May Work, But Not How You'd Expect

So yesterday I went for a run, and felt bone tired and all of my muscles failed to cooperate in any reasonable way, whereas 2 days prior, I had a long run and felt like I could have gone on for another hour.   I wondered what the difference was.

This morning I read in Time magazine that energy drinks most likely have no physiological effect on tired muscles.  However, it seems that they do have an effect on one's brain. 

Researchers had volunteers rince their mouth with one of two things:  A sugary energy drink, or an artificially flavored drink.  The volunteers did not drink it, just rinsed their mouth with it.

The participants who swished the sugary drink in their mouths, that is, the ones who actually tasted sugar, had activity in the reward and pleasure center of the brain, and the artificial sweetened drinkers did not. (Sorry aspertame & splenda). 

Another researcher found that distance runners select a higher level on their treadmills after they have tasted sugar. 

The brain surge apparently creates an expectation of more sugary fuel to come, prodding the body to kick it up a notch.

So, to heck with my muscles, next time I will just bypass them with a sugary mouthwash boost for my brain.