How Fast You Walk May Predict How Long You’ll Live

Doctors who are interested in measuring life expectancy may now have a simple way to do it — researchers have discovered that walking speed can be a useful predictor of how long older adults live.

Those who walked 1 meter per second (about 2.25 mph) or faster consistently lived longer than others of their age and sex who walked more slowly, the study showed.

"We're able to show that a person's capacity to move strongly reflects vitality and health," said study researcher Dr. Stephanie Studenski, a professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh.

However, the researchers also emphasized that the purpose of this study wasn't to get people to walk faster in hopes of living longer.

"Your body chooses the walking speed that is best for you, and that is your speed, your health indicator," Studenski said. "And that's what it really is: an indicator. Going out and walking faster does not necessarily mean you will suddenly live longer. You still need to address the underlying health issues."

The researchers showed they could reliably predict the 10-year survival rate of a group of people based on how fast they walked along a 4-meter track.

The walking speed for those with the average life expectancy was about 0.8 meters per second (about 1.8 mph) for most age groups of both sexes. Walking speed was a more accurate predictor of life expectancy than age or sex, the study showed.

The numbers were especially accurate for those older than 75. This suggests that for older people, walking speed could be a sort of "vital sign," like blood pressure and heart rate, the researchers said.

"When you think about it, a sick person would not have that certain spring in their steps. Therefore, it should not be surprising that walking speed can provide a simple glimpse into aging and health status," Studenski said.  Click here to read more.

Movie Review—Mr. Turner

by Peter J. O'Connell

Mr. Turner. Released: Dec. 19, 2014. Runtime: 150 mins. Rated: R for some sexual content.

Mr. Turner is a film about a painter. Unlike most movies about painters, this is not the story of a sensitive, suffering soul or an alienated artiste or a brilliant, brave battler against outmoded conventions and various prejudices or a rebel with or without a cause. Mr. Turner is a shambling bear of a man, obese, gruff, communicating mostly by grunts, mumbles and cackles. He is J.M.W. Turner (1775-1851), whose command of light and color, energetic brushstrokes and innovative use of materials forged a link between the Old Masters and the soon-to-arrive Impressionists and made him one of Britain's greatest painters. 

Mr. Turner is not even a “story” at all. It has no plot line. What it is is a portrait of the artist as, well, a shambling bear, etc., in the last third of his long life. Actually, it is a series of portraits. Watching the movie is like a very enjoyable slow walk through a gallery hung with superb paintings of many scenes, all featuring Turner. Often the scenes presented to us by director Mike Leigh are ones reminiscent of Turner's own paintings. In a sense, we see him in his paintings before he painted them. 

We see Turner (Timothy Spall) estranged from his family, except for a warm relationship with his doting father (Paul Jesson). We see him sexually exploiting his worshipful maid servant (Dorothy Atkinson). We see him visit brothels and beaches. We see him turn the proprietress (Marion Bailey) of a seaside boarding house into his mistress. We see him in the teeming streets of London and in the bucolic countryside, surprised by the sight of an early railway train. We see him at home devouring slices of sow's head purchased at an open-air market, and we see him slobbering at an elegant dinner party in a mansion. 

Above all, we see Turner at work—ignoring the comments of critics as he puts the finishing touches to a painting already hung for an exhibition; or actually spitting on his own paintings to get the effects that he wanted; or having himself tied to the mast of a ship during a snowstorm at sea so that he can paint the scene accurately. 

Director Mike Leigh is held in high repute by critics, though he is not usually thought of in connection with movies about artists of the past but rather with projects of a more contemporary and “proletarian” nature. But it is probably Leigh's sense of Turner as a passionate craftsman in a world of change that attracted the director to create this cinematic work of art—which is also a portrait of that changing world. And Leigh found just the right cast, particularly, of course, Timothy Spall, to bring his “portraits” of Mr. J.M.W. Turner to colorful life.

Among the many scenes that may remain with audiences long after this long movie is over is one in which Turner turns down an offer of 100,000 pounds, an enormous sum at the time, for a collection of his works, choosing instead to bequeath them for free to “the British nation” and the scene on Turner's deathbed in which his last words are “the sun is god,” followed by a cackle. The very last scene of the film, like the first, shows Turner outside, painting landscapes suffused with color by that god.

“Footnote” to the film: Some other biopics that recreate scenes in the film reminiscent of art connected with its subjects include Vincente Minelli's Lust for Life (1956) about Vincent Van Gogh, Julie Taymor's Frida (2002) about Frida Kahlo, and Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon (1975) about the 18^th century.      

21 Natural Ways to Prevent and Treat Headaches

The FDA approved a high-tech headband for migraines this week, but there are also plenty of low-tech ways to ease the pain

Anyone who’s ever had a headache (and that’s 90% of the entire population, according to some estimates) knows that they can range from nagging to debilitating. The most common type is a tension headache, a mild, constricting feeling around your head that’s often caused by holding your neck in a tight position. Migraines, on the other hand, tend to be both intense and recurring. Medication is one way to treat your discomfort. Or, you can don a high-tech headband device, approved this week by the FDA. But there are also plenty of natural ways—like the 21 tricks listed here—that can help you head off the ache.

Rest

Mark W. Green, MD, director of the Center for Headache and Pain Medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, agrees. He recommends lying down in a dark, well-ventilated room. If you can, he adds, try to sleep for an hour or so. “Rather than fighting sleep and making things worse, this can be a great treatment.”Headaches are often a sign that your body needs a break, says Elizabeth Loder, MD, chief of the headache and pain division at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and President of the American Headache Society. “Many people are very busy and are reluctant to take the time, but if you consider the tradeoff of spending 10 minutes to close the blinds, lie down, and relax when you feel a headache forming, that might be better use of your time than being incapacitated later on after it gets worse,” she says. loch here to read more.

The Theory of Everything—Movie Review

by Peter J. O'Connell

The Theory of Everything. Released: Nov. 26, 2014. Runtime: 123 mins. Rated: PG-13 for some thematic elements and suggestive material.

Stephen Hawking is the brilliant British physicist and mathematician who has made important contributions to the understanding of the nature of time and the cosmos. His best-selling books have done much to clarify advanced scientific concepts for millions of readers. Stephen Hawking is also a man with a severe neurological disorder that progressively deprived him of the ability to walk, speak and see clearly. For most of his life, he has been confined to a wheelchair, communicating by means of a high-tech device and requiring virtually constant attention from caregivers. Jane Wilde Hawking was his first wife. Their story is now told in the fine film The Theory of Everything, directed by James Marsh with skill and nuance.

While suggesting the broad outlines of Hawking's scientific work, the film's real subject is, we might say, the “mechanics of marriage” rather than celestial mechanics and the “physics of personality” rather than astrophysics. Stephen (Eddie Redmayne) is a dorky, yet charming, fellow, who attracts the attention of the quite attractive Jane (Felicity Jones) while both are students at Cambridge in the 1960s. Attraction leads to engagement, and engagement leads to marriage, even though Stephen contracts amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS; Lou Gehrig's disease) and is given only two years to live.  

Stephen's courage and determination and Jane's love and care turn that short period of time into decades, allowing Stephen to produce such classic works as A Brief History of Time. However, Stephen has not—at least to date—been able to achieve his ultimate goal of formulating the one comprehensive equation that can be the basis for “the theory of everything.” And, eventually, the pressures on the couple's relationship become too great; others enter the picture; and, poignantly, it becomes time to write new chapters in the history of the long love affair of Stephen and Jane.

Eddie Redmayne's performance as Stephen has to be one of the most grueling ever committed to film. The actor's head is tilted, his torso twisted, his limbs “every which way,” his voice halting and muffled. Equally impressive as Redmayne's physical portrayal is the way that he does not let the physical aspects distract from the psychological aspects, his depiction of Stephen's dorkiness, charm, brilliance, bravery and love. 

The lovely Felicity Jones as Jane gives a lovely performance of both strength and sensitivity. She is one of the most appealing of the gifted young British actresses, and there have been a number of them, to come along since the days of Rita Tushingham in the 1960s.  

How Old is Too Old For Dental Implants?

• Are people 85 and over good candidates for dental implants?

• Should dentists recommend dental implants over conventional dentures in older individuals?

• How old is too old for dental implants?

People are living longer and healthier lives and it is not uncommon for people to reach 85, 90, or even older ages. Many however, loose their teeth over time due to decay or gum disease and end up with partial or full dentures which cause further bone and tooth loss resulting in total debilitation. Thedentures become loose, gum tissue becomes sore, and eating becomes very difficult. The elderly love to stay social, eat good, and share great times with family and friends without the embarrassment and difficulties that come with denture use. The quality of life is especially important at this stage and we need to do everything we can to improve it.

Dental implants dramatically improve life quality for many older individuals by letting them eat better, get better nutrition, stay more social, and lead active and vital lifestyles.

Are elderly good candidates for dental implants?

Yes. Dental implants are equally effective in older people, whether 85, 90, or even 95 years old, and heal with the same predictability as in younger patients. Osteoporosis, common in older people, does not negatively effect the outcome. Even with bone loss, dental implants can be placed successfully without bone grafting. Click here to read more.

Just a spoonful of water: doctors find best method for swallowing pills

Researchers recommend tablespoon full of water and either ‘pop bottle method’ or ‘lean forward’ technique, depending on the pill

Doctors say they have identified the best techniques for swallowing pills which could help tablets and capsules slip down patients’ throats more easily.

Following tests with 143 patients taking 283 pills, they advise using at least 20ml of water – around a tablespoonful – with each pill and one of two approaches. For ordinary tablets they recommend using a technique they have called the “pop bottle method”. This involves filling a plastic bottle with water, placing the tablet on the tongue and clamping the lips tightly around the opening of the bottle before drinking. The researchers say this improved swallowing of tablets by up to 60% compared with standard techniques such as using a sip of water from a glass. In the case of capsules the scientists recommend a “lean-forward” technique where the capsule is again placed on the tongue before taking a sip of water.

The researchers asked volunteers to tilt their chins towards their chests and swallow with the head bent forward. This, they claim, was 88% more effective at helping patients swallow capsules than more common approaches.

Dr Walter Haefeli, a clinical pharmacologist who led the research at the University of Heidelberg, in Germany, said the work could help ensure patients who struggle to take medicines to complete the full course of prescriptions.

He said: “Almost 10% of patients with swallowing difficulties report that this is a reason for not taking the drugs at all. Both the techniques we describe were remarkably effective in participants with and without reported difficulties in swallowing pills and should be recommended regularly.”

It is believed that one in three people have difficulty swallowing oral medication. Click here to read more.

Advantages of Working With a Professional Home Care Agency

By Thomas Gerrity, Publisher

After deciding that home care is needed, you can weigh the options of hiring a professional home care agency or contracting directly with a home health aide.

There are many benefits of working with a professional home care agency in contrast with the risks of a direct hire. Professional home care agencies have experienced staff with expertise in assessing your needs and developing care plans. The professional staff at a home care agency can help you navigate through the web of health care resources and effectively communicate your needs and goals to the doctors who care for you. Home care professionals also can assist clients and their families with any emotional barriers and concerns about accepting home care services.

Training and Supervision: Professional home care agencies have the experience, knowledge, training, resources, and licensure to ensure that their caregivers are thoroughly trained in all services performed, including safe infection control, falls prevention, emergency preparation, and personal care tasks.

Safety: Professional home care agencies are required to maintain various insurances to protect their clients and are required by law to investigate promptly all complaints of abuse or theft.

Backup: If the caregiver from a professional home care agency gets sick or injured or changes jobs, the agency is responsible for providing a replacement without disruption of service.

Employer Obligations: Using a professional home care agency relieves you of having to deal with payroll taxes, worker’s compensation, unemployment insurance, and liability insurance.        `

Peace of Mind:  Professional home care agencies are required to conduct thorough criminal background checks that provide more comprehensive information than is available to the public prior to any caregiver being hired.

Using a professional home care agency gives you the confidence that your loved one is receiving the best of care and allows you to spend quality time with your loved one and family.

You can find a comprehensive listing of the top local professional home care agencies in this edition of the Senior GO TO Guide.

Paying for Care

If a doctor orders in-home health care, Medicare may cover part of the cost. A long-term care insurance policy can cover costs when Medicare runs out. Note that Medicare will pay for only part-time or “intermittent” care from a home health aide. This may mean only three 90-minute visits a week during a period when the individual is receiving home physical therapy. Visit the Medicare Web site for details.

Medicare will not cover homemaker services. Nor will it cover personal care services, such as bathing and dressing, provided by a home health aide if that is the only care required. Medicaid may pay for some of the services not covered by Medicare. Visit the Medicaid Web site for more information.