Publications

The health-care needs of older people with multimorbidity, and the extent to which these needs are met, are sharp exemplars of the challenges faced by health-care systems across the world in the 21st century. The increase in longevity in developed and developing countries alike is a testament to the success of 20th-century medicine and economic and social development. Research, policy, and action have transformed our ability to prevent infant mortality, to prevent and treat infectious diseases, and to prevent and treat the great killers in midlife such as heart disease and cancer.

Calls have been made for closer integration of research evidence in the decision-making process of the European Union (EU). However, scientists and policymakers are often left disappointed by each other; the scientists because they feel that they are not listened to by policymakers, and policymakers because the advice from scientists is not what they expected or because they find it unintelligible.

Discover the latest issue of the Journal of Frailty and Aging Volume 3, Issue 4, published on December 1, 2014. Topics discussed in thisedition include clinical trials for Sarcopenia in older patients with hip fracture, use of the Clinical Frailty Scale for frailty identification, the perioperative care of older and frail patients, and the impact of frailty on post-acute rehabilitation outcomes. Website: http://www.jfrailtyaging.com/current-issue.html

Recently, the American NCHS published national estimates of muscle strength in older adults in the United States in 2011-2012, based on maximum hand grip strength. Weak muscle strength is clinically relevant, because of its associations with mobility impairment. The report shows that 5% of adults aged 60 and over had weak muscle strength, 13% had intermediate muscle strength, while 82% had normal muscle strength. The prevalence of reduced (weak and intermediate) muscle strength increased with age, while the prevalence of normal strength decreased with age.

Physical inactivity is the 4th leading cause of death worldwide. Inactivity—that is, an activity level insufficient to meet present recommendations—increases the risk of many adverse health conditions, including diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and breast and colon cancers, and shortens life expectancy.

A new study from University College London of people older than 50 largely examines the impact of alcohol across age groups. It finds that unless you're a woman over 65, alcohol consumption is unlikely to forestall your death. For these older women, they add, the health benefits of alcohol are not enormous, but drinkers were less likely to die during a follow-up period of between six and 10 years.

It is the common perception that brain becomes older with age and our memory remains not so much sharp as in the early days of our life. But a new study suggests that taking the aid of meditation could be very helpful in preventing brain ageing.

With demand for NHS services already under pressure, new analysis by the International Longevity Centre – UK (ILC-UK) and commissioned by Engage Mutual, the over-50s life cover specialists, predicts the NHS may have to support up to one million more older people with serious illnesses within the next ten years.

The oldest old (85+) pose complex medical challenges. Both underdiagnosis and overdiagnosis are claimed in this group. This study by a team at Exeter University led by David Melzer aimed to examine hospital admissions, prescribing rates and diagnosis trends relating to people over 85 from 2003/4 to 2011/12 to monitor trends in medicalisation. Read the full article here.

The ‘Personalised Care and Support Planning Handbook’ looks at the best ways to locally implement personalised care and support planning. It provides practical support for local health systems hoping to introduce and sustain care and support planning at a local level, and give people with long term conditions more control over their lives.

To download a copy click here.