geriatrics

Heart surgery can save lives and help people live longer and healthier lives. Every year, thousands of older adults undergo major heart operations to improve blood flow to the heart or replace damaged heart valves. Many patients and families focus mainly on surviving the surgery itself and recovering during the first few weeks afterward. However, […] The post Many Older People Face Serious Infect…

BackgroundPostoperative delirium (POD) is a common complication following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and is associated with adverse outcomes in older patients. Frailty, a multidimensional geriatric syndrome, has been increasingly recognized as a potential risk factor for POD. However, existing evidence remains inconsistent. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association b…

New PharmD graduate Makenna Fox will become the first resident in USC Mann’s geriatrics pharmacy residency program — an early step toward addressing the growing need for specialized care for older adults. The post Trojan finds purpose in geriatrics pharmacy appeared first on USC .

Objectives To investigate the independent effect of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) on 30-day adverse post-discharge outcomes (unplanned readmissions or emergency department [ED] visits) among hospitalized older adults after strictly controlling for confounders, such as polypharmacy and psychological comorbidities, and to identify high-risk phenotype in patients with reduced physiolo…

Cannabis use among older adults is rising fast, but today’s marijuana is far more potent than many people realize — and experts warn the risks may be underestimated. Stanford Medicine specialists say modern cannabis can increase the chances of heart problems, falls, memory issues, dangerous drug interactions, and even addiction, especially for people over 65.

IntroductionIn Brazil, benzodiazepines rank among the twenty most prescribed medications in primary healthcare. Beyond the lack of robust evidence supporting chronic use, there has been a growing utilization of this drug class for managing conditions that were previously not formally diagnosable or treatable, such as secondary insomnia and bereavement experiences.ObjectiveIn the context of benzod…

Predicting whether a healthy 45-year-old will struggle to climb stairs or walk a decade later has long been a challenge for geriatric medicine.

Fish oil and omega-3 supplements are among the most commonly used health products in the world. Many older adults take these capsules every day in the hope of protecting their memory, keeping their brains healthy, and lowering the risk of dementia. For years, omega-3 fats have been linked to possible health benefits. They are found […] The post Fish oil supplements may increase cognitive decline …

Many older adults start cannabis with the intent to manage sleep disturbances, chronic pain, or mental health concerns, often basing decisions on word of mouth rather than discussions with health care providers.

BackgroundWith population aging in China, the number of older adults with disabilities is increasing, and mental health problems, especially depressive symptoms, have become increasingly prominent. Examining latent profiles of depressive symptoms and their associated factors in this population may improve understanding of symptom heterogeneity and inform future screening and supportive care resea…

A growing number of older adults are interested in taking fewer medications, according to a new national poll from the University of Michigan. The findings suggest that many people aged 50 to 80 are open to the idea of “deprescribing,” a medical process where doctors carefully reduce or stop medications that may no longer be […] The post Many older people want to stop taking some medications, can…

The New Jersey Poison Control Center is urging older adults and their caregivers to take extra precautions with opioid medicines. While opioids are commonly prescribed for pain management, older adults are especially vulnerable to accidental misuse, drug interactions and life-threatening side effects.

Kidney disease is a common health problem, especially in older adults, but many people do not notice it until it becomes serious. This is because the disease often develops slowly and quietly, without clear early symptoms. By the time signs become obvious, the kidneys may already be badly damaged. Understanding how kidney disease works and […] The post Hidden warning signs of kidney disease older…

Some 80% of Mississippi counties have no adult day service centers, and even counties that do have centers cannot meet the needs of people with dementia and their caregivers, a new University of Mississippi-led study indicates.

Many people know that staying active can help improve sleep. However, scientists have not always agreed on which type of exercise works best. Some studies suggest that light activities like walking or stretching are enough. Others say moderate exercise, such as jogging, is more effective. There are also studies that show vigorous exercise, like swimming, […] The post Best exercise for better slee…

Anemia is a common condition, especially in older adults. It happens when the body does not have enough hemoglobin, a substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Without enough oxygen, the body’s organs cannot work as well as they should. Many people think anemia only causes tiredness, weakness, or pale skin. However, new research […] The post Low blood levels may quietly raise dementia ris…

Urinary tract infections (UTIs)in the geriatric population present unique diagnostic and management challenges. Improper classification and treatment plans contribute to increased morbidity, hospitalization, and mortality. This Doctor of Nursing staff education aimed to address a gap in Advanced Practice Provider knowledge regarding the differentiation of complicated versus uncomplicated UTIs in …

Medications that affect the brain are commonly used in older adults, but they can sometimes do more harm than good. Drugs such as antipsychotics, sleeping pills, and anxiety medications can cause side effects like confusion, falls, and worsening memory. These risks are especially serious for people who already have cognitive problems, such as dementia. A […] The post Study shows why many older ad…

Breathing is something most people do without thinking, but it can become more difficult with age. As the body grows older, the lungs naturally lose some of their strength and flexibility. However, new research shows that obesity may make this problem worse in older adults. Scientists recently shared their findings at the 2026 American Physiology […] The post Why obesity may make breathing harder…

Older adults with type 2 diabetes face a difficult trade-off: they are among the most vulnerable to medication-related harms yet are often underrepresented in the clinical trials that guide treatment decisions.