[SHATTER STEREOTYPES] Older adults no more likely to fall for COVID scams
"Despite a prevailing mentality that older people are more vulnerable to scams, a recent study suggests that cautiousness concerning scams does not vary between age groups."
[ZZZZs MATTER] Poor sleep linked to feeling older, negative views of aging
"Poor sleep in people over age 50 is linked to more negative perceptions of aging, which in turn can impact physical, mental and cognitive health, researchers have found. Those who rated their sleep the worst also felt older, and perceived their own physical and mental aging more negatively."
[HOW’S IT GOING?] Employee/HR disconnect on wellbeing at work
"Half of employees feel stressed, and few are getting the support they need despite HR beliefs about wellbeing at work, a new report shows. Of the HR leaders polled, half (47%) say their company supports employee wellbeing, while just a quarter (24%) of employees agree — a major disconnect. That's according to Empowering Employee Wellbeing in the New World of Work report from Toronto-based Achievers Workforce Institute, the research and insights arm of Achievers, an employee voice and recognition solutions company."
[START SCRUBBING] Housework tied to better memory, falls protection
"Housework was associated with sharper memory, attention span, and better leg strength, and by extension, greater protection against falls in older adults, in a recent study. The findings were independent of other regular recreational and workplace physical activities, and active commuting."
[SPEAKER UP] Smart homes site launches for older adults, people with disabilities, providers
"The Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) has launched a new website, Smart Homes Made Simple, positioned as a hub of information where members of the disability and aging communities, as well as service providers, housing professionals, and technology consultants, can learn how to integrate smart home technology into the homes of people with disabilities and older adults for greater independence, autonomy, safety, and accessibility."
[LOSING IT?] Online self-test detects shift to dementia sooner than MMSE
"A simple, self-administered test called SAGE (Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination), developed by researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, can identify the early, subtle signs of dementia sooner than standard testing with the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE)."
[CHANGE IT UP] Participating in a variety of activities could curb dementia risk
"Researchers at Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia found that engaging in a combination of hobbies, such as light exercise and connecting with loved ones, can reduce memory decline in adults between the ages of 65 and 89 more than any individual activity."
[HIP HOP HELP] Song tied to reduction in suicides in the US
"Wide-scale public attention to the song 1-800-273-8255 by US hip hop artist Logic was associated with an increase in calls to the US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and a reduction in suicides, according to a new study. The findings demonstrate the protective effect of positive media stories about suicidal thoughts and help seeking behavior, particularly for groups that are hard to reach with traditional messaging, say the study authors."
[PIED PIPERS] Influencer marketing trends that can boost your ROI
"Influencer marketing is generally associated with young people on Tok-tok and similar platforms. Yet it’s clear that influencer marketing also plays a role in other markets, including senior living (see link, below). Ogilvy has prepared a report demonstrating the growth of influencer marketing and the trends to watch for. The report states, “The question is no longer if you should partner with influencers. Rather, you should be asking how to get the most out of influencer marketing in 2022.”"
[DRUG DOWNER] Less is more when it comes to antidepressant prescribing, use
"Doctors should prescribe fewer antidepressants and for shorter periods of time, because of the ongoing uncertainties about their effectiveness and the potential severity and durability of both side effects and withdrawal symptoms, a new review article suggests."
[AN APP FOR THAT] Smartphone tech boosts prospective memory in MCI, dementia
"Decline in prospective memory — the ability to perform daily intentions — is a key driver of everyday functional impairment in dementia. A recent study tested the feasibility and efficacy of smartphone-based strategies for prospective memory in people with memory impairment."
[GROUNDED] Americans fear falling more than cancer
"Post-pandemic, most Americans (85%) want to age at home and be cared for there if/when the need arises. However, nearly half of those not retired (47%) say they are concerned their current home will not be safe for them to age in place."
[VIRTUAL RELIEF] Telehealth exercise/diet programs curb knee pain, boost function
"Video-based, telehealth-delivered exercise and weight loss programs with online educational support improved pain and function in 416 Australians (mean age, 65; about half, women) with knee osteoarthritis who were also overweight or obese. The intervention that included a dietary component conferred modest additional pain and function benefits but led to substantial weight loss."
[DOWN, BUT NOT OUT] UK puts therapy before drugs for depression in new update
"The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has updated its depression guidance for the first time in 12 years. The guidance is considered a draft, and individuals and organizations can comment on it through January 12, 2022. "
[CURIOUSER AND CURIOUSER] Curiosity increasingly important skill for employees
"Amid the “great resignation,” curiosity has emerged as an increasingly important skill for employees, according to a new study by analytics company SAS, based in Cary, North Carolina. SAS conducted a global survey of close to 2,000 managers from six countries – the US, the UK, Brazil, Germany, India and Singapore - and also partnered with LinkedIn to analyze conversations surrounding curiosity on its platform. The result: The SAS Curiosity@Work Report, which shows that curiosity is being sought by employers more and more to address some of the biggest challenges facing organizations right now, from improving employee retention and job satisfaction to creating more innovative, collaborative and productive workplaces. "
