Many people wonder if Alzheimer’s disease runs in their family. Is it in your genes? This question isn’t easy to answer. Researchers have identified several genetic variants that are associated with Alzheimer’s and may increase or decrease a person’s risk of developing the disease. What does that mean? Let’s first learn about the role of…
An NIA-funded study found that regular online conversations show potential for helping prevent cognitive decline in socially isolated older adults. The Internet-Based Conversational Engagement Clinical Trial (I-CONECT) connected socially isolated older adults with trained conversationalists for regular 30-minute video chats. During these chats, team members guided participants through conversations designed to stimulate brain regions associated…
Disruption of a specific molecular pathway may lead to the degeneration seen in late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, the non-familial and most common form of the disorder. A team headed by NIA scientists found when a signaling pathway called ApoER2-Dab1 malfunctions in human brain neurons, the neurons accumulate phosphorylated tau — the form that leads to tau…
Older adults may be even more vulnerable to fraud and scams than previously thought, according to an NIA-funded study that mimicked a real-world government imposter scam. The results suggest that a sizable minority of older adults, including those without cognitive impairment, are vulnerable to fraud and scams. The study results were published in JAMA Network Open.…
On this page: Understanding the Mediterranean and MIND diets What do we know about individual foods? What about vitamins and supplements? Researchers continue to seek answers Can eating a specific food or following a particular diet help prevent or delay dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease? Many studies suggest that what we eat affects the aging…
Dementia is a term used to describe a wide range of neurological conditions affecting the brain that worsen over time. As the disease progresses, a person with dementia may lose the ability to think, remember, and reason to levels that affect their daily life and activities. Watch this video to learn more about dementia, common…
Older adults are often the target of scams. Scammers are savvy and convincing, and their scams are designed to catch people off guard. Don’t be ashamed if you think you or someone you know has been a victim of a scam — it can happen to anyone. Common scams aimed at older adults include: Government…
If you’re considering moving your loved one into a Reno nursing home, our senior living advisors Specialized Care Management can help. The term “nursing home” is often used interchangeably with assisted living or other senior housing options; but a nursing home is a skilled nursing facility for individuals with serious, debilitating short- or long-term health…
Unlike childcare, where one generally has the maternity months to look into various options, elder care responsibilities can arise out of the blue. Having a senior family member who requires your assistance will take time and planning. Below are websites that can assist you in finding services that may be helpful. You may be looking…
Geriatrics is a team approach to caring for older people and supporting family caregivers, including close friends. The geriatrics care team may include: Geriatricians, who are doctors with special training in evaluating and managing older adults’ healthcare needs and treatment. These doctors are board-certified internists or family physicians who have additional training and certification in geriatrics.…