by Shira Peleg  and Howard Litwin

Received: 23 March 2019;  Published: 12 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903067

Background: We studied the differential effects of social network characteristics on limitations with activities (LWA) and quality of life (QOL) among older adults, and the moderating role of depression. Methods: Data from two consecutive waves of the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) were examined. Results: Emotional closeness, satisfaction with the social network, and contact intensity predicted QOL, but not LWA. Moreover, depression moderated the effects of network characteristics on these [...]

by Garuth Chalfont  , Jane Simpson  , Sarah Davies  , David Morris  , Ruth Wilde  , Leigh Willoughby  and Christine Milligan

Received: 08 April 2019;  Published: 07 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903066

The dominant narrative around dementia argues that progression cannot be halted or reversed. However, evidence on multimodal non-pharmacological treatments formulated around a ‘personalised medicine’ approach challenges this view. This paper reviews the current evidence for dementia prevention utilising such treatments and explains the logic of applying personalised medicine. The functional medicine treatment approach to ‘root cause’ analysis is presented as currently practiced with patients experiencing cognitive [...]

by Hsueh-Fen S. Kao  and Maria A. Amaya

Received: 19 May 2019;  Published: 07 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903065

Background: In 2016, Hispanic/Latino (H/L) Americans made up 8% of the older population (≥65) and 22.9% of the oldest population (≥85) in the United States. It is projected that the older H/L population will grow to 21% by 2060. Currently the older H/L population depends primarily on their families for care. Methods: Review published caregiving models for older adults in H/L populations. Results: Gradual and inevitable acculturation of H/L caregivers to U.S. social customs, and the mutual relationship within the [...]

by Ian Macreadie  and Sudip Dhakal

Received: 05 May 2019;  Published: 17 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903064

The yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the model eukaryote, has provided many insights into molecular and cellular biology, as well as insights into many human diseases. In this paper we present some insights on how yeast studies are contributing to knowledge about the role of oxidative damage to cell health, and how one of the key players in Alzheimer’s disease, amyloid beta (Aβ) is linked to the reactive oxygen species (ROS) response involving AHP1, which encodes alkyl hydroperoxidase, a protein involves in protec [...]

by Mario D. Garrett

Received: 12 June 2019;  Published: 16 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903063

Simplifying the cause of Alzheimer’s disease has lulled the public into believing that the search for a cure is within reach. The disease has captured the attention of researchers worldwide, catapulting the disease as the third most funded research interest (after cancer and HIV). But after a century of pharmacological failures in stopping or slowing the disease, there is a need to examine how the simplified cause evolved and to explore alternate approaches to understanding Alzheimer’s disease. Going beyond the nar [...]

by Tracy Harwood  , John J. Maltby  and Elizabeta B. Mukaetova-Ladinska

Received: 28 March 2019;  Published: 15 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903062

Background: Art enhances both physical and mental health wellbeing. The health benefits include reduction in blood pressure, heart rate, pain perception and briefer inpatient stays, as well as improvement of communication skills and self-esteem. In addition to these, people living with dementia benefit from reduction of their non-cognitive, behavioural changes, enhancement of their cognitive capacities and being socially active. Methods The current study represents a narrative general literature review on availabl [...]

by Yoko Moriyama  , Timothy Bolt  , Marilyn Luptak  and Nanako Tamiya

Received: 19 February 2019;  Published: 09 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903061

Background: Many informal caregivers providing at-home care to older family members want to continue serving as the primary caregiver if they get sufficient support. A key service enabling continued at-home care is access to unplanned respite care facilities for temporary institutional care on short notice and in emergencies. Methods: This study used city government survey results on service user satisfaction with the Japanese Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI) system for a mid-sized, typical Japanese city. From t [...]

by Pavel Kalvach  and Martin Vogner

Received: 30 March 2019;  Published: 08 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903060

Our understanding of the mental deterioration associated with old-age have undergone a number of changes over the past two centuries and have spurred major scientific debates. In the 19th century, this disorder was still considered to be an inevitable feature of aging. The dawn of the 20th century offered a histological explanation for presenile dementia, and Alois Alzheimer was credited as the discoverer of a new disease that bears his name. During the last quarter of the twentieth century, the findings of Alois A [...]

by Omid Ranjbar Pouya  , Ahmad Byagowi  , Debbie M. Kelly  and Zahra Moussavi

Received: 20 August 2018;  Published: 27 June 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1902059

Background: Previous studies have reported that coordinate information (i.e. distance between any two objects in a specific direction) is encoded differently from Virtual Reality (VR) and physical scenes. However, the accuracy of encoding categorical information (i.e. relative positions of objects) from VR scenes has not been adequately investigated. In this study, we used a novel rotating visual scene to study the effects of aging, prior experience with VR, and dementia on the accuracy of encoding categorical info [...]

by Niklas Gudowsky  , Ulrike Bechtold  , Leo Capari  and Mahshid Sotoudeh

Received: 31 January 2019;  Published: 27 June 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1902058

(1) Background: In the light of recent changes in the discourse on positive ageing approaches, we take a closer look at the way “quality ageing” is understood, expressed and dealt with in technology assessment (TA) that investigates desirable frameworks and futures for an ageing society from a citizen, stakeholder and expert perspective. (2) Methods: A bottom up qualitative text analysis identifies quality ageing concepts in final reports of a sample of recent national and international (predominantly participatory [...]