MATURE MARKET HEADLINES updated 1/20/2000
Postmenopausal Alzheimer’s Prevention Study
Scientists from Columbia University, Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins University have launched one of the largest, federally funded studies to determine if estrogen protects against memory decline and delays Alzheimer’s Disease among high risk postmenopausal women.
Currently 4 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, and this number is expected to reach 14 million by the year 2050 if no cure or prevention is found. For reasons not yet completely understood, Alzheimer’s disease is more prevalent in women than in men while those who have had a family member with the disease are three times more likely to get Alzheimer’s disease than those who did not. Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, preliminary studies indicate estrogen may delay the onset of the disease.
The 3-year study will measure whether high-risk women being treated with estrogen compared to placebo group have lower rates of dementia and memory decline. Patients will be examined every six months. Doctors will conduct annual complete medical, gynecological, neuropsychological and functional assessments at which time they will determine if there is sufficient cognitive change to trigger a “dementia evaluation.” In addition, the study will examine four groups of secondary outcomes including other cognitive measures, a measure of mood, measure of activities of daily living, and biological markers.
Columbia University in conjunction with Johns Hopkins and the Mayo Clinical are recruiting 900 postmenopausal women who have a family history of Alzheimer’s disease. The effort, called PREPARE (PREvent Post-menopausal memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease with Replacement Estrogens), is backed by a five-year grant from the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health at the Department of Health and Human Services.
Interested, or know someone who is? Here's the critieria for participating in this landmark study.
Women must be:
- 65 years and older with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease or memory problems
- Healthy and not experiencing memory problems
- Not currently taking estrogen.
Those who meet the criteria are invited to call: 1-877-DELAY-AD.
Boomers and Nursing Homes? Asks a Reader
Dear Dr. Demko:
Do you know about any new statistics that state how many baby boomers will live in nursing homes in the future?
Thanks
Amy B.
Dear Amy:
Yes, I can help you.
There are several things to consider.
First, at present 5% of the older population resides in nursing homes
(skilled care facilities) with an average life-expectancy of
approximately six months upon entrance into the nursing home.
Second, you can assume that all things being equal, we can expect an
equal proportion of baby boomers to reside in nursing homes at any given
time. At present estimates, there are 78 million baby boomers. So,
approximately 5%, or 3.9 million.
Today, a senior citizen (65+) has about a one-in-four chance of spending
time in a nursing home (skilled care facility).
Third ... and this is where the predictions about baby boomers and
nursing homes gets a little fuzzy.
The types of facilities available to the elderly are increasing.
For example, 10 years ago, the elder lived in a home (residence) or in a
nursing home (skilled care facility).
Nowdays, housing options for elders are increasing with the introduction
of custodial care facilities like adult congregate living facilities
(ACLF)...there are level one and level two ACLFs. The ACLF "levels"
refer to levels of care. Some seniors only need housekeeping and a hot
meal. Others need assistance with dressing and bathing. Here's the
point. Many of today's seniors who are now in nursing homes (because
they have no where else to go) will continue to be diverted to ACLFs in
the future, reducing the nursing home population.
Finally, you'll need to factor in new policies such as reverse mortgages
which allow dependent elders to stay in their own homes, using the
equity to pay for "in-home care"... further reducing nursing home stays.
What do we know for sure? Well, 14% of all people over the age of 65
have 2-3 chronic conditions that erode their ability to live
independently. Here's the point. While we may not know exactly how many
baby boomers will reside in a "nursing home", we do know that about 14%
of the boomer population will become vulnerable enough to require extra
care. Based on that statistic, we can expect nearly 11 million
vulnerable boomers requiring assistance. I can say this with relative
certainty because while the housing trends (more options) have changed,
the aging process has not. Yes, science has advanced both our
understanding of aging and the medicines for intervention ... but
Americans continue to ignore that knowledge ... over-eating ...
over-weight ... too little exercise ... continued isolation brought on
by the computer age. Remember, 75% of the factors that determine how someone will fare in later life are the result of lifestyle, not the aging process.
Well, I didn't expect to run so long in answering your e-mail. But there
you have it.
Dr. David Demko, Editor
AGEVENTURE NEWS SERVICE
editor@demko.com
Cleveland New Mecca for Geriatric Medicine
No doubt about it. The explosive growth of the nation's older population has made geriatrics one of the top social issues in America. Turn the paper of any newspaper on any given day and you're bound to read about another advancement in aging research, social policy, or human service. At times, all the progress seems overwhelming. How do we make sense of it all? Good question. Here's the answer. Consolidate the efforts of the many institutions that provide aging research, planning, and practice. That's exactly what Cleveland has done.
Three formidable Cleveland institutions have joined forces in order to to increase the scientific knowledge of the aging process, share that knowledge with healthcare providers and trainees, and improve the overall quality of care for the elderly patient population. It's all made possible under the auspices of a grant from the Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC) program.
A $2.3 million grant from the Secretary of the Veterans Administration (VA) to the Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in association with Case Western Reserve University's (CWRU) School of Medicine and University Hospitals (UH) of Cleveland will allow it to expand research, education, and clinical programs in geriatrics and gerontology.
Jerome Kowal, a professor of medicine and associate dean for geriatric medicine at CWRU, will direct the Cleveland GRECC. He said the Cleveland center will develop and implement innovative programs for older veterans to maintain independence, prevent disability, and improve quality of life. The Cleveland GRECC will build on the expertise in geriatrics that has developed at the Cleveland VA, CWRU, and UHC during the past 15 years.
Two major programs at the Cleveland GRECC will focus on cardiovascular disease and neuromuscular disorders of aging. In the first, researchers will address mechanisms of oxidative damage in the aging heart, with an emphasis on post-ischemic reperfusion
injury. The second will use functional electrical stimulation (FES) technology to address rehabilitation of upper and lower limb function following stroke. Two other research projects will examine antibiotic resistance, and cancer and aging.
The major goal of the education component will be to advance the quantity and quality of education in geriatrics and gerontology for VA staff and trainees. Here's just one example of how research will get translated into practice that has an immediate benefit for the older adult. Professor Grover C. Gilmore, CWRU professor of psychology, offers these tips for helping Alzheimer's patients improve their vision. "Think high contrast when establishing a living environment for persons with Alzheimer's disease or dementia", says Gilmore.
- EATING UTENSILS
Use tableware which contrasts with the background of the table or place mat.
- PLACE SETTINGS
Use dishes which help the food to stand out in high contrast.
- ELECTRICAL OUTLETS
Contrast the colors of the electrical switch plate and switch.
- HARDWARE
Install door knobs which contrast with the doors.
- FOOD LABELS
Label refrigeratored food containers with large, high-contrast letters.
- HEALTH UTENSILS
Use a toothbrush that contrasts with countertop.
- ELECTRONICS
Use a remote control device that has large white buttons and large dark lettering.
- ENTRYWAYS
Edge indoor and outdoor steps with bold paint that constrasts one step from another.
- LIGHTING
Install a motion detector to activate lighting to avoid having to enter a dark room to find a light switch.
As the nation continues to confront the formible challenges posed by a rapidly expanding older population, it's good to know that we can look to Cleveland as a new Mecca for geriatric innovation. Not just innovation for innovation sake, but innovation that produces immediate benefits for the day-to-day lives of the nation's elderly.
See related articles in the AgeVenture archives.
Too Few Doctors Specialize in Geriatric Care
Solving the Mystery of Human Aging ... the Butler Did It
Biologist Says No Firm Limit on Aging
HKUST: East Meets West to Fight Alzheimer's
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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Japan, Europe, & US Tackle Global Aging Crisis
The simultaneous aging of the major industrial nations has been called the transcendent issue of the 21st century. It is a trend that promises to fundamentally reshape our social, economic, political, military, and cultural institutions. It also has the potential to sow crisis throughout the global system, say the conveners a policy conference on global aging. The conference of international leaders meets January 25-26, 2000 in Washington, D.C. The conference is titled "The Graying of the Industrial World".
Aging in the industrialized nations is the product of two forces. First, after decades of below-replacement-level birthrates, the European Union (EU) and Japan face the unprecedented prospect of shrinking populations. At current birthrates, each could see their populations decline by 20 percent or more by the year 2050. Second, longer life spans are producing an explosion of retirees, a population shift that could accelerate with the ongoing revolution in biotechnology.
Historically, population growth has been the most important stimulus to economic expansion. Yet, absent increased immigration, by year 2010, EU and the Japanese populations in the 20-62 age bracket will shrink by 1 percent each year, while in America workforce growth will be flat. If productivity continues to grow at the average rate it has since 1980, and retirement ages do not rise, output in most of the developed world will stagnate, perhaps for decades. In several countries, social security tax rates may have to rise more than 60 percent of payroll.
"The Graying of the Industrial World" conference brings together leaders from public, civic, and business sectors to examine the implications of these developments for the maintenance of social guarantees in the 21st century. On the agenda will be policy changes designed to promote economic growth, reduce fiscal imbalances, and assure global financial and political stability in the coming era of rapid demographic and technological change.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Ryutaro Hashimoto, Diet Member and former Prime Minister of Japan
- Lamberto Dini, Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Prime Minister of Italy
- David Walker, Comptroller General of the United States
- Norbert Walter, Chief Economist, Deutsche Bank Group
- Yuji Tsushima, Japanese Diet Member, former Minister of Health and Welfare
- Peter Peterson, Chairman, The Blackstone Group
- John Haley, President and CEO, Watson Wyatt Worldwide
- Representative Robert Matsui, Democrat, California
- Senator Judd Gregg, Republican, New Hampshire
- Senator John Breaux, Democrat, Louisiana
- Walter Mondale, Former Vice President of the United States
- Walter Riester, German Minister of Labor and Social Affairs
Conference sponsors include Barclays Global Investors, The Commonwealth Fund, Frank Russell Company, Italcemente, JETRO, Rudolfo De Benedetti Foundation. Sony Corporation, TIAA-CREFF, and Watson Wyatt Worldwide.
For additional information regarding accommodations, fees, and registration, contact:
Michael Crowley, Conference on Global Aging
Center for Strategic and International Studies
1800 K Street, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20006
Voice-mail: (202) 775-3172, Fax: (202) 775-3199, E-mail: GAIRregistration@csis.org
See related articles in the AgeVenture archives.
Global Aging Presents Diverse Case Scenario
Eldercare Trend Grey, Global and Growing
ODS Goes Grey and Global with Active Aging
Global Impotence Pegged at 47 Million
Worldwide Gains in Life-Expectancy
World Assoc of Alzheimer's Disease Scientists
HKUST: East Meets West to Fight Alzheimer's
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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Ocean Spray Cocktail Targets 40-plus Women
Women are not meeting daily nutrient requirements because they are just too darn busy with active lifestyles. In response to this trend, Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Cocktail PLUS has been introduced hit to supermarkets nationwide. The new, supercharged juice contains 130 percent of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vitamin C and 10 percent of the RDA of viatmins A and E, and calcium. Canberry Juice Cocktail PLUS also contains more condensed tannins, the cranberry compounds shown to help maintain a healthy urinary tract.
"New fortified products offer essential vitamins and minerals that Americans, and women in particular, are not getting enough of on a daily basis," says Dr. Audrey Cross, associate professor of public health at Columbia University. "Ideally, women should get essential nutrients by enjoying a variety of foods, but given today's hectic lifestyles, many women don't. They need to choose beverages and foods wisely to help reach their nutrient needs."
The ingredients of the new PLUS juice come as no surprise to the health-conscious.
Vitamins A and E help promote healthy skin and may help prevent a wide range of age-related conditions, including heart disease and some types of cancer. Vitamin C is essential to heart health and the immune system. The addition of calcium is another plus because, although the bone-strengthening benefits of calcium are quite apparent, 90 percent of all women still fall short on meeting their calcium needs.
To help women learn about nutrition and wellness, Ocean Spray has also developed a brochure that focuses on the unique needs of mature women. The brochure, titled "Fit & Fabulous", is available be calling the Consumer Helpline at 1-800-662-3263. Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc is an agricultural cooperative with annual sales of $1.5 billion owned by 920 cranberry and citrus growers throughout the United States and Canada.
See related articles in the AgeVenture archives.
1997 Nutrition Trends Survey Results
No Break from Stress for Working Women
Older Women's Market Is Sleeping Giant
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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More Men Use Cosmetic Surgery to Battle Aging
If Shakespeare were alive today, he would be obliged to edit one of his famous quotes. "Vanity, thy name is ... man." Yes, it's a whole new world. “Women are no longer alone in their desire to look and feel younger,” says Dr. Paul Schnur, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). “ More and more men are having cosmetic surgery, not only to look and feel younger, but also to sometimes give themselves a competitive edge in the workplace.”
The most popular procedure among men these days is liposuction. A total of 19,789 liposuction procedures were performed in 1998, more than tripling the 1992 figure of 6,138 procedures. Liposuction is a technique to remove unwanted fat deposits from specific areas of the body. It is not a substitute for weight reduction, but a method of removing localized fat that doesn’t respond to dieting and exercise.
The second most popular procedure among men is blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), with 15,564 procedures performed in 1998. This number is nearly 75 percent higher than in 1992 with 8,919 procedures.
Rhinoplasty, or nose reshaping, continues to remain the third most common cosmetic procedure among men, with 13,143 procedures performed. This figure represents more than 3,000 additional rhinoplasty procedures on men since 1997 with 11,624 procedures.
The fourth most common procedure among men is gynecomastia, or breast reduction. With 9,023 procedures performed in 1998 it bumps facelifts out of fourth and into fifth place with 5,960 procedures performed.
The ASPS represents 97% of all physicians certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). ASPS members also include physicians certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. ASPS members are plastic surgeons who have graduated from an accredited medical school and completed at least five years of additional residency, usually three years in general surgery and two years of plastic surgery. To be certified by the ABPS, a physician must also practice plastic surgery for two years and pass comprehensive written and oral examinations.
See related articles in the AgeVenture archives.
Here Comes the Pride to Groom Just for Men
America's Gray Liberation Breaks All Age Limits
Is Gray Pride going down the drain?
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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Dr. David Demko, Editor
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