ProAging Information Network

SAN FRANCISCO, May 18 (UPI)—A possible strategy for preventing or treating Alzheimer’s disease and other brain and spinal cord damage has been uncovered by researchers.

The study team, from the San Francisco Veteran Administration Medical Center and the University of North Carolina, identified several compounds that reportedly could play a role in treating degenerative conditions of the nervous system.

The compounds bind with a receptor found in the brain and spinal cord, providing a binding site in the body for molecules known as neurotrophins. But, other studies show the molecules that usually promote brain cell growth can also kill them.

Now that the compounds have been identified, scientists believe they could provide a new binding site, a new means of preventing damage that neurotrophins otherwise would cause.

The study appears in the current issue of the Journal of Neuroscience.

WASHINGTON, May 18 (Reuters) – Eight in 10 U.S. baby boomers own a home and one-quarter have more than one property, an industry group said on Thursday, warning the huge generation is still ill-equipped for retirement.

Nearly two-thirds of baby boomers surveyed by the National Association of Realtors said the cost of living was too high to fully retire. One-third believe they will alternate between leisure and labor—working full or part-time or starting a business.

According to NAR’s survey of nearly 2,000 Americans born between 1946 and 1964, the economically influential group can be a tough target for marketers.

“As a group, boomers are in their peak earning years and continue to wield great influence in the U.S. economy, but … there are significant variances in needs, behavior, attitudes and resources,” said NAR chief economist David Lereah.

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By Elizabeth Bernstein, The Wall Street Journal
 

Seniors who need a little extra help but aren’t ready to move into a retirement home have a new option: They can let the home come to them.

Looking to increase their business without having to build new facilities and to attract residents, a growing number of companies that run assisted-living or nursing homes are offering an array of nonmedical services to elderly people who want to remain in their houses. Among the offerings: trained caregivers who help with daily tasks and plan activities to keep a senior’s mind active—as well as access to services and events at the retirement facilities themselves, such as meals, gyms, classes and field trips. Some companies even promise that their home-care clients will get preferential treatment in securing a live-in spot at facilities that have long waiting lists.

The services can be pricey. Most of the companies jumping into the home-care field specialize in high-end assisted-living facilities, which typically cater to relatively able-bodied seniors and offer luxurious surroundings and an array of social opportunities. Now, they are trying to target a similar clientele with their home-care services: well-off individuals who need companionship and help with daily activities - but not skilled nursing - and who have private long-term-care insurance or can afford to pay for the services out-of-pocket. Because these services are nonmedical, Medicare doesn’t cover them.

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That’s right, Mom has moved in with the kids. And she’s loving it. “I can’t say I don’t miss my old life in Tennessee, my pastor, my friends, my 92-year-old brother,” says the 81-year-old matriarch, who is dwarfed by the 12-foot ceilings of her antique-appointed bedroom. “But on the other hand, it is so great to be with my family, and they seem to enjoy having me.”

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WASHINGTON, May 15 – The aging population will significantly influence the remodeling industry over the next five years, according to a recent survey of remodelers by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). However, most older Americans have not prepared their homes for life’s inevitable changes. As part of National Home Remodeling Month, NAHB Remodelors™ Council offers a basic checklist for homeowners to plan ahead to help make their house a home for a lifetime.

ProAging Network Meeting – Baltimore

• Date: 5/19/2006


• Time: 8:30 a.m – 10:30ish


• Location: Lighthouse Senior Living at Hopkins Creek


• 1813 Old Eastern Avenue


• Middle River, MD 21221