by Joseph V. Pergolizzi, Jr.  and Jo Ann LeQuang

Received: 13 November 2018;  Published: 17 April 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1902047

As the 80 million “baby boomers” reach retirement, they bring their relaxed attitudes toward drug use to create a clinically significant population of geriatric drug abusers. Opioid use disorder (OUD) brings with it special considerations in the elderly population: age-related changes to drug disposition, brain changes in the elderly, polypharmacy, and the likelihood of comorbid conditions (such as cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases) and pain syndromes. Thirteen percent of patients in a New York city methadone cl [...]

by Kristy Lui  , Darlene Yee-Melichar  and Emiko Takagi

Received: 31 October 2018;  Published: 08 April 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1902046

This research review intended to examine the patterns of engagement in advance care planning (ACP) and utilization of end-of-life (EoL) care treatment services including, but not limited to hospice care, in distinct older Asian American ethnic groups. The research analysis suggested evidence that studies about different older subpopulations of Asian Americans remains scarce. This research systematically collected and analysed 28 small-scale studies on older Asian Americans’ attitudes and engagement in EoL care plan [...]

by Steve Liebich

Received: 02 February 2019;  Published: 04 April 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1902045

Telomere shortening in the somatic cells is one of the most well-documented factors of cellular ageing. Telomeres are composed of tandem hexanucleotide repeats that protect cells from unwanted recombination mechanisms, secure the ends of chromosomes and their stability, and are responsible for limited division capacity. Telomerase is an enzymatic ribonucleoprotein complex, present in embryonic cells, adult stem cells, and germinal progenitors, whose function is to extend the telomeres length by adding the lost tand [...]

by Olga Zichnali  , Despina Moraitou  , Christos Pezirkianidis  and Anastasios Stalikas

Received: 30 October 2018;  Published: 03 April 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1902044

Background: The present study examined the efficacy of two self-guided interventions, which aimed at enhancing adults’ wellbeing through the cultivation of forgiveness skills. Methods: A total of 11 men and 31 women aged 34-80 years were involved (M = 56.57, S.D. = 13.44). The participants were asked to complete questionnaires measuring the sense of wellbeing, the trait of forgiveness, and avoidance, revenge, and benevolence motivations. Subsequently, they were randomly divided into two groups which were matched in [...]

by Ana Jessica Alfaro  , Soledad Arguelles-Borge  , Ashley M. Stripling  and Paula M. Brochu

Received: 17 September 2018;  Published: 29 March 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1901043

The main objective of this empirical study was to investigate subjective aging in late life among ethnic minorities in the United States. Specifically, this study examined age identity, or how old one feels, in relation to psychological well-being (PWB) and functional health. The aims were trifold: (1) To examine whether this population feels younger or older than their age identity; (2) to explore the associations between age, age identity, PWB, and functional health; and (3) to investigate whether the associatio [...]

by Ray Marks

Received: 25 March 2019;  Published: 28 March 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1901042

Depression and Aging: Role of Social Support

by Lei Zhang  , Xian-Zhang Hu  , Xiaoxia Li  , Jacob Dohl  , Tianzheng Yu  and Robert J. Ursano

Received: 28 December 2018;  Published: 21 March 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1901041

Depression, PTSD, and hostility are common mental conditions that are associated with aging. A growing body of research has highlighted the possible effects of depression, PTSD, and hostility on aging and telomere length (TL), a cellular aging marker. Individuals who exhibit excessive responses to stressors show notable circulating inflammatory responses with high cortisol reactivity, which increases cell turnover and oxidative stress and may subsequently contribute to shortened TL. This review focuses on the most [...]

by Robert J Emanuel

Received: 09 January 2019;  Published: 21 March 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1901040

The amount of patients who suffer with dementia is set to rise with an ageing population living longer. As well as living longer, patients will be retaining their natural teeth longer and will be less reliant on dentures. From both the current evidence available in the literature, and anecdotally from clinicians experienced in treating patients with dementia, it can be concluded that on balance, patients with dementia appear to be at a greater risk from dental caries (dental decay). However, more research in thi [...]

by Robert L. Conder  , Christopher Friesen  and Alanna A. Conder

Received: 30 November 2018;  Published: 20 March 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1901039

Background: While the percent of persons 65 and older is expected to increase to 17% of the world’s population by 2050, this increase in longevity does not necessarily suggest a parallel increase in health status. While aging is an inevitable aspect of living, there are factors which can accelerate morbidity and mortality, as well as factors likely to promote a healthy transition into longevity. This paper addresses behavioural and complementary interventions for healthy neurocognitive aging. Specific evidence-base [...]

by Ali Al-Ragawi  , Sergey Zyryanov  , Elena Ushkalova  , Olga Butranova  and Anton Pereverzev

Received: 10 October 2018;  Published: 05 March 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1901038

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are common in the elderly and often have serious clinical and economic consequences. There have been limited studies in detecting adverse effects in patients admitting hospitals. Objective: Prediction of ADR in patients ≥ 65 years old, based on GerontoNet risk score with emphasis on polypharmacy. Methods: we studied records of 201 inpatients obtained from Medical Records Section, admitted to the Russian Gerontology Clinical Research Center (RGCRC). The GerontoNet ADR risk s [...]