Tips for Getting and Staying Active as You Age
Deciding to be physically active at any age is a positive choice for your well-being and has many important health benefits. As part of an active lifestyle, older adults should include a combination of exercise types. Even small amounts of activity throughout the day count toward the 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity and two days of…
Risk and future burden of dementia in the United States
From NIH Research Matters Dementia affects more than 6 million Americans and accounts for more than 100,000 deaths each year. Knowing people’s lifetime risk of dementia can lead to improved prevention efforts. It can also inform public health planning by generating projections of future cases. Older adults putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Previous estimates of…
Advance care planning intervention improved end-of-life documentation but increased potentially burdensome care
An advance care planning (ACP) intervention increased both documentation of end-of-life preferences and potentially burdensome care. These findings from an NIA-funded clinical trial, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, underscore the importance of comprehensive support for those with serious illness and prioritizing patient-relevant outcomes in ACP research. Only one in three people in the United States has…
AI speech analysis predicted progression of cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s with over 78% accuracy
An artificial intelligence (AI) model analyzing transcripts of speech from past cognitive tests predicted the progression of cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease within six years with more than 78% accuracy. The NIA-funded study results were published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Scientists applied an AI speech analysis system to evaluate samples from transcripts of cognitive tests given…
Tips for Caregivers and Families of People With Dementia
A caregiver, sometimes referred to as a caretaker, refers to anyone who provides care for another person. Millions of people living in the United States take care of a friend or family member with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Sometimes caregivers live with the person or nearby, other times they live far away. For…
Ask the Expert: What Can You Do to Live a Longer, Healthier life?
The science of aging is unlocking actionable insights into how more people can live longer, healthier lives. As NIA marks its 50th Anniversary, hear from NIA Director Dr. Richard J. Hodes as he shares some of the recent scientific evidence behind healthy aging and steps that may be able to help all of us extend…
Tips for Caregivers and Families of People With Dementia
A caregiver, sometimes referred to as a caretaker, refers to anyone who provides care for another person. Millions of people living in the United States take care of a friend or family member with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Sometimes caregivers live with the person or nearby, other times they live far away. For…
Finding Dementia Care and Local Services
A person with dementia will need more care as symptoms worsen over time. Problems with memory, thinking, and behavior often present challenges for those with dementia as well as for their family members. Whether the disease is in early or late stages, there are support systems, resources, and services that can help. While it can be difficult…
What Is Mild Cognitive Impairment?
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition in which people have more memory or thinking problems than other people their age. The symptoms of MCI are not as severe as those of Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. People with MCI can usually take care of themselves and carry out their normal daily activities. People…