MATURE MARKET HEADLINES POSTED 7/31/98
He Who Retires With The Most Friends, Wins
As Baby Boomers age, they should pay as much attention to their social lives as their financial portfolios.
A University of Michigan study suggests when it comes to retirement happiness, friends count more than money. The study, conducted by U-M graduate student Alicia Tarnowski and psychologist Toni Antonucci, a senior researcher at the U-M Institute for Social Research (ISR), found that the size of a recently retired person's social support network, not the size of that person's wallet or state of physical health, is the strongest influence on whether life satisfaction changes for better or worse.
"Retirement is a major life transition," says Tarnowski, noting that while some studies have found psychological well-being increases after retirement, others have found that it drops. In addition to investigating the effect of retirement on life satisfaction, the researchers wanted to learn why some people feel better about their lives after they retire while others feel worse. The researchers analyzed how physical health, income, the number of negative life events, including divorce and death of a spouse, experienced in the last four years, and demographic variables, including age and gender, influenced the changes in life satisfaction reported by recent retirees.
The most powerful predictor of life satisfaction right after retirement, they found, was the size of a person's social support network. Those who were more satisfied with life had networks of about 16 people, on average, while those less satisfied with life had networks of fewer than 10 people. "Our findings suggest that new retirees may need more emotional support than they did when they were working," says Tarnowski. "Just having a number of people who provide emotional support, listen to your concerns, and let you know that you're still valued right after you retire seems to make a big difference. It fits with other research showing that social support buffers stress, and even positive life changes like retirement can be sources of considerable stress."
In support of the University of Michigan study, a search of AgeVenture archives found that in the early 80's, the National Institute on Mental Health predicted the life-expectancy of a white-collar male at age 65 to be 36-40 months. Of course, that life-expectancy increased after the worker adjusted to the dramatic changes brought on by the new retirement lifestyle. Nevertheless, the American Medical Association, as early as the 1980's, was suggesting that retirement was a health hazard for many adults who were ill-equipped for the social and psychological challenges of retirement.
Finally, it's worth noting that friendships, especially the availability of a confidant, can contribute nearly two extra years to one's life-expectancy because of the friendships ability to buffer stress. At any rate, studies such as these should help rewrite the book on retirement planning. Friendship must be cultivated as meticulously as finances, at least so you'll live long enough to enjoy the fruits of your financial planning. Funding for the University of Michigan study was provided by the National Institute on Aging, and the National Cancer Institute.
See related articles in the AgeVenture archives.
"Is Longevity An Equal Opportunity Event?"
"Volunteerism Boosts Energy and Esteem"
"Is Retirement A Dead End?"
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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Menopause More Kind To Japanese Women
Japanese women experience far fewer difficulties with menopause than their North American counterparts, reports the Center for the Advancement of Health. Most notably, reports of symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats are significantly lower among a study group of Japanese women than among comparative samples of American and Canadian women. In the July-August issue of Psychosomatic Medicine, medical anthropologist Margaret Lock, PhD, of McGill University, Montreal, Canada, presents findings based on a decade of research on menopause and aging in Japan.
Dr. Lock contends that biological and cultural variables act in concert to produce these marked differences in the way Japanese women and their North American counterparts experience menopause. She further states: "Together with other cross-cultural research, these data indicate that postmenopausal life is a complex biosocial process, one in which declining estrogen levels are but one factor among numerous others. Menopause should not be conceptualized as simply an invariant biological transformation with individual differences due solely to psychological and cultural variation."
The cross-cultural survey was conducted with a sample of more than 1,200 Japanese women aged 45-55. These data were statistically comparable with samples of over 8,000 Massachusetts women and 1,300 Manitoban women. Open-ended interviews were conducted in Japanese with more than 100 of the sampled women, and interviews were also conducted with gynecologists, counselors, and others.
Dr. Lock concludes, "The complementary quantitative and qualitative findings, when considered together with the greater longevity and the lower incidence of heart disease, osteoporosis, and breast cancer characteristic of female aging in Japan, suggest that further research is needed to discover what it is that protects women from distress at menopause and promotes healthy aging."
See related articles in the AgeVenture archives.
"Scientists Search for Meaning of Menopause"
"Is Menopause ... All In Your Head?"
"Menopause Maven Founds Red Hot Mamas Club"
"Successful Aging: Nature vs Nurture"
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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Patients Want Docs to Share Any Bad News
When it comes to the doctor-patient relationship, candor equals kindness. In other words, seriously ill patients say they want to know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. They don't want to be kept in the dark. I guess it has a lot to do with our culture. No one likes to deliver bad news. However, patients seem to fair better when doctors are willing to break bad news. In a recent study, reported by the Center for Advancement of Health, patients with cancer and other serious illnesses were found to want more information than their physicians offer. When they didn't get the whole truth, the patients eventually felt distressed and hopeless.
The Australian research team that investigated this issue found that 75 percent of elder cancer patients said their doctors created undue worry by not providing them with sufficient information; 40 percent of cancer patients in another study felt they were not fully informed about their diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. "Health professionals believe that breaking bad news is an important task, but they feel inadequately trained to do it effectively," according to Dr. Rob W. Sanson-Fisher and colleagues at the New South Wales Cancer Council Education Research Program, writing in a series of articles for the summer issue of Behavioral Medicine.
Although some physicians believe that hearing bad news can be sufficiently upsetting to harm a patient's health, the evidence points in the opposite direction, Dr. Sanson-Fisher and his colleagues say. Patients may be seriously upset after learning a diagnosis of cancer, but most adjust well in the long term. "In fact, uncertainty is a major cause of emotional distress for patients; relief from this uncertainty can, in itself, be therapeutic," the investigators say.
Studies do show that the way patients are told bad news can exacerbate the distress they feel. Breaking bad news abruptly, over the telephone, or in the recovery room can prove especially distressing, Dr. Sanson-Fisher and colleagues say. Many patients also react negatively when they feel physicians have withheld information or have not told them about other sources of help. Findings such as these have lead to medical school courses in how to break bad news and development of guidelines. Among the essential steps outlined by the Australian team:
- Give the patient the diagnosis honestly but not bluntly.
- Encourage patients to express their feelings.
- Offer a broad but realistic time frame for the prognosis.
- Discuss treatment options rather than say "nothing more can be done."
- Arrange another time to review the situation.
- Provide information about support services.
While guidelines help establish the minimum level of care that patients can expect to receive, the challenge remains to design effective programs to convey bad news, the researchers say. Another challenge is to persuade physicians to abandon old habits and adopt new techniques. "Given the difficulty in altering clinical behavior, it is not reasonable to expect that widespread adoption will be achieved by simply producing best-practice guidelines," say Dr. Sanson-Fisher and colleagues.
See related articles in the AgeVenture archives.
"Strengthening Doctor-Patient Relationships"
"Dysfunctional Syndrome Hinders Healthcare"
"Embarrassment Is Major Medical Problem"
"Too Few Doctors Specialize in Geriatric Care"
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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HCFA Champions Quality Elder Care in Nursing Homes
Since 1995, the Federal Government has been enforcing the toughest nursing home regulations in the history of Medicare and Medicaid. Significant gains have been made in areas such as more appropriate use of physical restraints, anti-psychotic drugs, anti-depressants, urinary catheters and hearing aids. That's good news for consumers. The regulations are paying off with improved care.
The challenging news for the nursing home industry is, despite gains in improved care, the Administration believes the nursing home industry is capable of doing even better. As a result, Administration has announced a new nursing home care initiative to protect nursing home residents and improve care.
The new initiative includes tougher enforcement of Medicare and Medicaid rules with strengthened oversight of nursing home quality and safety. Particular efforts will be aimed at preventing instances of bed sores, dehydration and nutrition problems. The Administration's initiative includes the following strategies.
- Nursing homes found guilty of a second offense for violations that harm residents will face sanctions without a grace period to allow them to correct problems and avoid penalties.
- Nursing home inspections will be conducted more frequently for repeat offenders with serious violations without decreasing inspections at other facilities.
- HCFA will instruct states to impose civil monetary penalties for each instance of serious or chronic violation.
- Federal and state officials will focus their enforcement efforts on nursing homes within chains that have a record of non-compliance with federal rules.
- HCFA will provide additional training to inspectors in states that are not adequately protecting residents.
- HCFA will enhance its review of nursing homes with standard evaluation surveys. States that fail to adequately perform surveys would lose federal funding for nursing home surveys. HCFA would then contract with other groups to conduct the surveys.
- HCFA will step up its review of nursing homes' ability to prevent bed sores, dehydration, and malnutrition. HCFA also will work with other agencies to share best practices for risk reduction.
- State inspectors will review each nursing home's system to prevent, identify, and stop physical or verbal abuse, neglect, and misappropriation of resident property.
- HCFA will work with the HHS Inspector General and the Department of Justice to ensure that state survey agencies and others refer appropriate cases for prosecution.
- Individual nursing home survey results and violation records will be posted on the Internet to increase accountability and make information more accessible.
It will be interesting to watch the nursing home industry's response to the Administration's initiative. Despite the inevitable resistance that any type of change brings, there are great opportunities here. Quality nursing homes have an opportunity to play a leadership role in strengthening industry standards and practice.
Management companies that can help fledging facilities clean up there act, have their work cut out for them. Colleges and universities have new opportunities to enhance the knowledge and skills of the personnel in this labor-intensive industry. Whether or not the Administration gets everything it's asking for, there are interesting times ahead for long term care in American.
See related articles in the AgeVenture archives.
"Nursing Homes Ignore Many Elders in Pain"
"Nursing Home Therapy Declared Excessive"
"Nursing Home Growth Swept Under RUG"
"Market Watch: Nursing Home Trends"
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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World Association of Alzheimer's Disease Scientists
A new company, called the World Association of Alzheimer's Disease Scientists, has been formed by the Chicago-based Alzheimer's Association, a national organization dedicated to conquering Alzheimer's Disease (AD) through research. The first order of business for the new company is to assume sponsorship of the International Conference on AD and related disorders, the largest and most significant forum on AD research, beginning with the 7th International Conference to be held in the year 2000 in Washington, D.C.
"By leading the International Conference and working in partnership with the scientific community, the Alzheimer's Association will act as a catalyst to elevate global awareness and funding of Alzheimer's research," says Edward Truschke, association president and CEO. "Important Alzheimer research is taking place around the world. This meeting encourages information sharing and interaction among the world's scientists.
Ultimately, the conference will help to accelerate the pace of research and conquer this devastating illness." The 2000 International Conference will be one of three major Alzheimer related events occurring simultaneously in Washington, D.C. The other events are the annual meeting of Alzheimer's Disease International, of which the Alzheimer's Association is a founding member, and the association's Ninth National Alzheimer's Disease Education Conference. These events are expected to attract 5,000 Alzheimer's disease scientists, professional providers, and family caregivers. For more information about the association or AD research, contact the association via voice-mail at: 1-800-272-3900, or via e-mail at: info@alz.org
See related articles in the AgeVenture archives.
"Treatments for Epileptic Fit Alzheimer's Too"
"Alzheimer's Research: Trials and Tribulations"
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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HMO Regs Treat Symptoms, Not Disease
Congressional proposals to regulate managed-care companies won't solve the real problem with the healthcare system, according to a new report from The Heritage Foundation. The real problem is the tax code that forces Americans to get their health coverage from employers whose primary concern is cost control, not quality health care.
Under the current tax code, workers pay no taxes on the value of their health coverage as long as their employer pays for it. If they purchase coverage themselves, they must do so with after-tax dollars. For example, a family of four earning $30,000 saves $680 in taxes on a $3,000 health plan, but only if the employer buys the plan. If that same family purchased coverage on its own, it would get no tax break. "Unfortunately for frustrated Americans, the patient-protection proposals put forward by lawmakers miss the point," says healthcare expert, Carrie Gavora commenting on The Heritage Foundation report.
"The central problem today is that working Americans and their families do not own their plans and thus do not have the final say in healthcare decisions. Their employers do." As a result, families feel powerless to force managed-care plans to respond to their needs. And that's why slapping HMO's with more mandates and regulation will do nothing to enable families to leave health plans they don't like.
The real solution, says Gavora, is to fix the tax code so workers who want to buy their health insurance on their own can do so without a tax penalty. Such a solution would be easy to achieve, says Gavora. Lawmakers could simply end the current "tax exclusion" on employer-provided health benefits and replace it with a tax credit available to individuals who purchase health coverage.
Under such an approach, Americans would enjoy the same range of health care options currently available to the nearly 9 million federal employees enrolled in the Federal Health Benefits Program (FEHBP). The FEHBP allows federal employees, including members of Congress, to choose from among 350 health plans nationwide. Competition among health plans keeps costs low and customer satisfaction high, says the Heritage report, even in the case of HMOs.
See related articles in the AgeVenture archives.
"New Healthcare Mandates Devastating"
"Health Regulations Give Seniors Mental Hernia"
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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Home Fitness Trend Spawns Consumer Tips
A 1997 national study of more than 1,600 households discovered that exercise equipment is regularly used in 32 million American homes. Why did Americans spend an estimated $5 billion on home exercise equipment in 1997? Convenience was mentioned by 65% of home fitness equipment users, improved health by 43%, weight loss by 26%, and privacy by 22%. The over-riding benefit of home exercise equipment, according to the Fitness Products Council (FPC), is that it provides efficient, effective, and satisfying ways to achieve goals. For example, it can be used rain or shine, day or night, at a moment's notice.
Mechanical features encourage proper form and help maintain consistent levels of exertion. Feedback systems measure progress and provide motivation. However, while these features explain why 32 million Americans use their home fitness equipment regularly, it doesn't explain why another 17 million owners tend to neglect their fitness equipment. That's why the FPC created the following guidelines for buying home fitness equipment. So you'll buy what you need, and use what you buy. Here's FPC's ten consumer tips.
- 01. Commit to Your Goals
Set realistic goals. The more long-term and specific, the better.
- 02. Know What You Like
Experiment with various types of equipment at a health club to explore your options.
- 03. Analyze Your Space
Before you buy, measure out what might fit comfortably within your available space.
- 04. Consider Other Users
Versatility as well as quality is important if you plan to share the equipment with others.
- 05. Try Before You Buy
Shop for equipment in your sweat suit and athletic shoes so you can really try it out.
- 06. Expect to Pay for Quality
Make sure the equipment is sturdy enough to hold-up under long-term use.
- 07. Don't Expect One Machine to Do it All
A complete home gym provides cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, and flexibility.
- 08. Listen to the Machine
Is it too noisy to listen to music or engage in conversation? Will the noise disturb others?
- 09. Buy From a Reputable Manufacturer and Retailer
Get a written warranty and a customer service phone number. Try the number before you buy.
- 10. Product Care
Checkout retailer policies regarding installation, maintenance, service, and product returns.
See related articles in the AgeVenture archives.
"Science Continues to Drive Wellness Boom"
"Home Exercise Market Gaining Muscle"
"What's Your Fitness Personality?"
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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