Old age

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Old age consists of ages nearing or surpassing the average life span of human beings, and thus the end of the human life cycle. Euphemisms and terms for old people include seniors (American usage), Senior Citizens (British and American usage), or the elderly. As occurs with almost any definable group of humanity, some people will hold a prejudice against others — in this case, against old people. This is one form of ageism.

Old people have limited regenerative abilities and are more prone to disease, syndromes, and sickness than other adults. For the biology of ageing, see senescence. The medical study of the aging process is gerontology, and the study of diseases that afflict the elderly is geriatrics.

For more information about Old age, read the full article at Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.


News tagged with older adults

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Pollution linked to hospitalizations for pneumonia in older adults

Medicine & Health / Health

created 2 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Older adults with long-term exposure to higher levels of pollution are at higher risk for hospitalization for pneumonia, according to researchers in Canada.


Link Between Poor Sleep and Poor Learning in Older Adults Investigated

Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry

created 16 hours ago | popularity 4.5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst are trying to decode why aging prevents sleep from enhancing memory. Rebecca Spencer, assistant professor of psychology, says she is trying to isolate ...


Older adults may have a higher risk of complications and death after abdominal surgery

Medicine & Health / Other

created Dec 21, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

The risk of complications and early death after commonly performed abdominal surgical procedures appears to be higher among older adults, according to a report in the December issue of Archives of Surgery.


New study explores role of sexual, social behaviors in seniors' well-being

Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry

created Dec 18, 2009 | popularity 3 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Researchers and the general public have a new resource for information on the health and intimate relationships of older people, thanks to a new supplemental issue of The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological an ...


Defects in T cells make West Nile virus more deadly in older adults

Medicine & Health / Research

created Dec 04, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- West Nile virus is more deadly in older adults due to defects in T cells, according to a study conducted by researchers from the UA College of Medicine.


New research suggests key to happiness is gratitude -- and men may be locked out

Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry

created Mar 13, 2009 | popularity 3.5 / 5 (11) | comments 4

With Mother's Day, Father's Day and high school and college graduations upcoming, there will be plenty of gift-giving and well wishes. When those start pouring in, let yourself be grateful—it's the best way to achieve happiness ...


Chronic pain found to increase risk of falls in older adults

Medicine & Health / Health

created Nov 24, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Chronic pain is experienced by as many as two out of three older adults. Now, a new study finds that pain may be more hazardous than previously thought, contributing to an increased risk of falls in adults over age 70. The ...


First-time Internet users find boost in brain function after just 1 week

First-time Internet users find boost in brain function after just one week

Medicine & Health / Neuroscience

created Oct 19, 2009 | popularity 3.3 / 5 (4) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- You can teach an old dog new tricks, say UCLA scientists who found that middle-aged and older adults with little Internet experience were able to trigger key centers in the brain that control ...


Glass of wine

Regular moderate alcohol intake has cognitive benefits in older adults

Medicine & Health / Health

created Jul 13, 2009 | popularity 3.1 / 5 (7) | comments 1

A glass of wine here, a nightcap there - new research out of Wake Forest University School of Medicine suggests that moderate alcohol intake offers long-term cognitive protection and reduces the risk of dementia ...


Is my robot happy to see me?

Is my robot happy to see me?

Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry

created Oct 19, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- People are social creatures. Robots... not so much. When we think of robots, we think of cold, metallic computers without emotion. If science fiction has taught us anything, though, it's that ...


Commonly used medications may produce cognitive impairment in older adults

Commonly used medications may produce cognitive impairment in older adults

Medicine & Health / Research

created Jun 01, 2009 | popularity 4.3 / 5 (8) | comments 2

Many drugs commonly prescribed to older adults for a variety of common medical conditions including allergies, hypertension, asthma, and cardiovascular disease appear to negatively affect the aging brain causing ...


Psychologists say longer lives can still lead to happier golden years

Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry

created Aug 07, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 3

As more people live well into their 80s and 90s, it's reassuring to know that most people get happier as they age and exert more emotional control than younger adults, according to researchers who spoke at the 117th Annual ...


Strategic video game improves critical cognitive skills in older adults

Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry

created Dec 11, 2008 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (30) | comments 1

A desire to rule the world may be a good thing if you're over 60 and worried about losing your mental faculties. A new study found that adults in their 60s and 70s can improve a number of cognitive functions by playing a ...


Silver surfers: New social networking Web site Genkvetch geared to seniors

Technology / Internet

created Mar 23, 2009 | popularity 4 / 5 (2) | comments 1

Facebook, shmacebook. Senior citizens want their own social networking sites.


Memory grows less efficient very early in Alzheimer's disease

Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry

created May 04, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0

Even very early in Alzheimer's disease, people become less efficient at separating important from less important information, a new study has found.