News of the Week
Observations About Some Things That Caught My Eye
These 90-Year-Old Runners Have Some Advice for You
NYTimes - Runners at the National Senior Games in Miramar, Fla., competed in events ranging from the 50 meters to 1,500 meters. Their secret? “You’ve got to keep moving.”
Older people using TikTok to defy ageist stereotypes, research finds
The Guardian - Older TikTok users are using the online platform, regarded as the virtual playground of teenagers, to defy ageist stereotypes of elderly people as technophobic and frail.
Research has found increasing numbers of accounts belonging to users aged 60 and older with millions of followers. Using the platform to showcase their energy and vibrancy, these TikTok elders are rewriting expectations around how older people should behave both on and off social media.
The paper looked at 1,382 videos posted by TikTok users who were aged 60 or older and had between 100,000 and 5.3 million followers. In total, their videos, all of which explicitly discussed their age, had been viewed more than 3.5bn times.
Observation - I’m sensing a pattern in our first two stories!
Study: Social determinants of health factor into home care transitions
McKnight’s - New research suggests that patients transitioning from hospitals and skilled care to home care settings often have different experiences, with social determinants and racial disparities potentially playing roles.
The study entitled “Patients Perspectives on Care Transitions from Hospital to Home,” was published in the May 6 issue of the JAMA Network.
Observation - most of the social determinants referenced were transportation. That said, the health care system does a great job talking about social determinants, population health, pay for quality but the fact is we are still a fee for service health care system that shows NO signs of changing.
Cranberries help improve memory and brain function in older adults
Earth.com - Flavonoids are compounds produced by plants and thought to confer significant health benefits on humans. In plants they act as essential pigments and are responsible for the colors found in buds, petals, fruits and autumn leaves. They are found in many brightly colored fruits and vegetables, including blueberries, parsley, red grapes, cranberries, cherries and citrus fruits.
Research conducted by scientists from the University of East Anglia set out to test whether supplementing people’s diets every day with cranberries could help improve memory and brain function in older individuals.
After 12 weeks, it was found that participants who had consumed the cranberry powder showed significantly improved memory of everyday events (visual episodic memory), neural functioning and delivery of blood to the brain (brain perfusion). These results have been published by the researchers in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition.
Observation - I love common sense studies that show cause and effect. I myself eat a ton of blueberries and have trained myself (just recently) to eat five servings of fruit and veggies a day. I can feel the difference.
My latest segment on Charlotte Today.
Everything You Know About Aging Is Wrong
Forbes - What comes to mind when you think about aging?
If you’re like most people, you have negative feelings about aging, especially your own aging process. Your first thoughts are of physical decline and decay. These negative thoughts add to your fear and often denial. It is this narrative that author Tracey Gendron, PhD, addresses head on in her new book, Ageism Unmasked: Exploring Age Bias and How to End It. In fact, Gendron wants us to know that everything we have been taught about aging is wrong.
Observation - one of our Caregiver Summit guests, Anna Corwin, PhD –Assistant Professor Anthropology – St. Mary’s College of California, followed nuns who were caregivers during their duties. They found that they age more successfully. One reason is that they view aging not as decay and decline but as a natural progression.
Social media helps improve mood among older adults by enriching their in-person encounters, study suggests
PsyPost - New findings from the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships suggest that social media may be a positive social resource for socially isolated older adults. A study among adults over 65 found that greater use of social media was associated with more positive mood among those with a smaller (but not larger) social network.
Observation - while platforms like Sage Stream are not strictly social media, we are a platform for interaction and we are particularly targeting isolated older adults. This study found they benefitted most from social media. Makes sense. Feel connected. Feel better.
A Quick Comment on U.S. News & World Report 2022-23 Best Senior Living Ratings
I attended a webinar on the newly-released data from US News on senior living communities - independent, assisted, memory care, CCRC. Frankly, it is all subjective data provided by family members and staff. High-performing organizations have incentive to buy the Best Senior Living badge. So let’s be honest. It’s partly a marketing program. I think it can provide a top-line reference for narrowing choices but is not the way to zero in on one community for mom and dad. Patient experience is not just about satisfaction. It is about safe care, high-quality care and high-value care.
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