News

The blood of young people may hold compounds that benefit the brains of older people with Alzheimer's disease, so scientists are now looking at whether transfusions may help people with the condition.

Research in animals has shown that the blood of the young may counter some of the effects of aging in older brains. For instance, it might help to improve learning and memory, as well as generate new brain cells. Now, the scientists want to see if the benefits hold true in people. Read more here.

Wales’ Commissioner for Older People is “extremely disappointed” at the Welsh Government’s response to its call for action to protect residents in care homes.

The Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) has also come under fire for failing to provide evidence it will deliver the results that older people need.

Registration is now open for Dublin City University's inaugural International Age-Friendly Conference "Engaging Ageing - universities as engines of healthy and active ageing" which will take place November 2nd and 3rd at The Helix, DCU.

The keynote speaker is Dr. Jane Barratt, Secretary General of the International Federation on Ageing.  Other speakers include Ann Sophie Parent CEO, AGE Platform and Hugh O'Connor CEO, Age Friendly Ireland.

It is beneficial to stimulate older people to leave home to increase their level of physical activity, suggests the study of postdoctoral researcher Erja Portegijs. The study, conducted at the Gerontology Research Center of the University of Jyväskylä, showed that older people were more physically active on the days when they left home and went further away. Read more here.

Using data from TILDA researchers from Trinity College Dublin, St James’s Hospital, Dublin and three UK Universities have discovered a significant link between serious falls causing injury in older men and a particular group of commonly used medicines. Many medicines which are commonly prescribed for older people for bladder problems, depression, psychosis, insomnia, and respiratory problems, have anti-cholinergic effects. The medications affect the brain by blocking a key chemical called acetylcholine which is involved in passing messages between nerve cells.

A major Scotland-wide study of the health, economic and social circumstances of people aged 50-plus will enable future improvements to be made to their health and wellbeing. The University of Stirling-led Healthy Ageing In Scotland (HAGIS) study, launched July 2015, is the first in Scotland to follow individuals and households through time. There are currently two million people over 50 in Scotland, comprising 38 percent of the population. The £500,000 HAGIS study will capture a snapshot of the current circumstances of 1000 of them.

A project that brings hens to older people in care settings, has joined with Notting Hill Housing to introduce the hens into two of the housing association’s extra-care sites. The project is supporting some 700 residents, including those with dementia, in more than 20 care homes in north-east England. Henpower’s launch in London last week is its first project outside the region. Read more here.

The Irish part of the European Study Actifcare (Access to Timely Formal Care) would like to speak to people with dementia living at home and their families. If you would like to take part in this study please contact Dr Louise Hopper on 00 353 (0) 1 700 8540 or louise.hopper@dcu.ie for further details. Read more here.