A study from University of British Columbia Okanagan Professor Jenn Jakobi in the Journal of Frailty & Aging demonstrates that strength training with free-weights that gradually builds intensity can combat declining health associated with aging, reports Medical Xpress . Jakobi's lab assessed 21 women over the age of 65 before they became frail, split into two groups. One cohort participated in a progressively intense free-weight exercise program three times weekly for 12 weeks, with a regimen that mimicked movements of normal life, and which may become difficult for some as they get older. The second cohort maintained their normal routines, with measurements of muscle strength and performance compared after the 12-week course. The exercise group improved their muscle performance and reduced their frailty, without injury. "Traditionally, older adults opt for low-intensity, and low-resistance exercise because they believe that heavy free-weight exercise isn't right for them," Jakobi noted. "Our findings show the opposite."

A local grocery owner in New Jersey's Bergen County recently donated paper towels and toilet paper for the residents of the Westwood Senior Housing community, reports NJ.com . The donation came from Inserra Supermarkets, which operates 25 ShopRites and PriceRite outlets in the area. Owner Larry Inserra Jr. was inspired to make the donation, including free delivery, when his friend Glenn Bartlett asked if he could purchase paper products for his grandmother, a resident at Westwood. "Sometimes the most generous acts are now when we're so much in need of kindness," said Westwood nurse administrator Julie McGaffin. She said the community is designed to keep seniors out of nursing homes by allowing them to live in their own apartments with enhanced services to ensure well-being.

A study led by Tufts University researchers in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition considered the relationship between eating foods containing flavonoids and the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), reports Science Daily . They associated low intake of three flavonoid types with higher risk of dementia when compared to highest intake. Low intake of flavonols — apples, pears, and tea — was linked to twice the risk of developing ADRD, while low intake of anthocyanins — blueberries, strawberries, and red wine — correlated with four times the risk of developing ADRD. Moreover, low intake of flavonoid polymers — apples, pears, and tea — was tied to twice the risk of developing ADRD. These findings were similar for AD. "Our study gives us a picture of how diet over time might be related to a person's cognitive decline, as we were able to look at flavonoid intake over many years prior to participants' dementia diagnoses," said Tufts' Paul Jacques. "With no effective drugs currently available for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, preventing disease through a healthy diet is an important consideration."

A study in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry found that a high polygenic risk score for depression, being single, and having a small social network are associated with a high risk of depression in older adults, reports Psychiatry Advisor . The researchers looked at 2,279 people 55 or older in a Dutch study. Participants with higher polygenic risk scores for depression exhibited higher depressive symptoms. Factors associated with less depressive symptoms included having a partner and a larger social network size, and no linkage was observed between depressive symptoms, received emotional support, and given emotional support. Moreover, the researchers saw no gene-environment interaction between polygenic risk scores for depression and partner status, received emotional support, or given emotional support. They suggested that "such interventions should be encouraged in the general population of older adults regardless of the genetic liability for depression."

A new European study emphasizes the effectiveness of telehealth for dementia care, reports Health Europa . The researchers considered 63 people living with mild to moderate dementia, and their care partners. They learned that telehealth services using videoconferences can save travel time — especially in rural and remote areas — and offer families strategies to improve independence in the person with dementia. "Giving care partners strategies to cope with, and delay, functional decline in people living with dementia is a priority, given that about 70 percent of people with dementia live in their own home with support from family members and friends for assistance," said Flinders University Professor Kate Laver. "Giving families evidence-based information and skills can promote independence and improve quality of life and well-being for people with dementia." It was the researchers' conclusion that using telehealth solutions to supply non-pharmacologic interventions could lower the costs of intervention delivery, boost accessibility, and enable research translation.

In Maryland, Baltimore County's Department of Aging is establishing a "virtual senior center" to give connections and resources for the county's older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, reports WJZ-TV . This follows the county's public closure of physical senior communities on March 16 to halt the spread of the virus. "During this unprecedented time, we're doing more than ever before to expand our reach, innovate, and provide seniors with access to the critical supports they need," said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski. "We know that many older adults experience feelings of social isolation, and I want to applaud our Department of Aging for all their work to provide personal contact, online programming, and other essential resources in this uncertain period." All Baltimore County senior communities now have individual Facebook pages that will allow members to chat and stay connected with staff and each other. The centers also are offering Zoom-facilitated online classes for older adults in such subjects as tai chi, foreign language, strength training, and cooking.

The Tech Pals technology education nonprofit has transitioned to virtual workshops to support older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, reports the Denver Post . Tech Pals is matching volunteers with seniors who want to learn more about technology, giving them someone to talk to at no charge. Seniors who know little about specific areas of technology — like using Zoom or an iPhone — are paired with a well-versed millennial. The organization is seeking tech-savvy volunteers to instruct seniors by phone and video chat services. "People that don't know how to get access to video chat may feel isolated or bored," said Tech Pals co-founder Leah Baum. "Showing them how to get groceries delivered is something we can do to help them stay safe." Tech Pals also is selling Chromebooks to low-income seniors as upgrades to outdated devices. The nonprofit also partnered with Blaine Matlock, a local three-dimensional-printing hobbyist, to fabricate face shields for at-risk individuals and healthcare workers. Baum said for every three face shields sold, the company will donate one to a local hospital.

Local Alzheimer's and dementia studies in New York have been suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic, reports CNY Central . Clarity Clinical Research has paused projects in East Syracuse, with scientists resorting to telehealth to continue the research. "What we're trying to do is continue to have patients, continue to gather data," said Clarity Clinical Research Site Director Lisa Sonneborn. She is worried about losing traction for research, afraid that some clinical trials may never resume after the pandemic. Sonneborn hopes that through telehealth, to keep their research going. She believes the COVID-19 crisis will most certainly change clinical trials of the future. "The flexibility that we're getting in gathering data is going to change," Sonneborn hopes that the telehealth efforts will gather sufficient information to sustain the research once the crisis has passed. "The flexibility that we're getting in gathering data is going to change," she predicted. "And it's going to allow people to engage in research in very different ways and hopefully what that's going to do is it will encourage more people to help in research so that we can find cures faster for diseases."

The COVID-19 pandemic may make resuming employment far more difficult for older workers, who are more likely to be terminated and will face tougher challenges finding a new job at the same level and compensation as the one they lost, reports Wecruiter.io CEO Jack Kelly in Forbes . The United States currently counts 30 million workers who have lost their jobs since mid-March, with downsizing fueled by companies that are slashing budgets while at the same time prioritizing cost reductions. Kelly writes that older employees tend to earn more than younger workers because they have more corporate experience and time, while it is economically convenient for enterprises to terminate well-paid workers as it saves more money. Encouraging this is the trend of "juniorization," in which senior employees are laid off and replaced with younger workers who get paid less. With job seekers now in the millions, Kelly says it will be easy for employers to replace high-priced older workers with younger people desperate for work and willing to accept less pay. "If attention isn't paid to this large group of people, we may have millions of chronically unemployed older people who can't afford their homes and real estate taxes," Kelly warns. "Nor will they be able to support their kids and young-adult children that still need financial help, as they've also been hit by the economic downturn."

The Pittsburgh-based Jewish Healthcare Foundation (JHF) has expanded its Virtual Senior Academy (VSA) to seniors isolated by the coronavirus pandemic, reports the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review . The online platform offers interactive classes for older adults, and enrollment has nearly tripled and attendance doubled in the past two months. The VSA's offerings include sessions on topics like health and wellness, history and the arts, book clubs, and music. Users must have access to a computer, a webcam, and an Internet connection, while additional options have been implemented in response to the pandemic. Persons 50 and older are invited to participate, with community members of all ages serving as facilitators. Young volunteers with computer proficiency act as "tech buddies" to help get seniors connected. Classes are held live to maintain the emphasis on interaction. JHF is starting to transition management of the VSA to the Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Greater Pittsburgh, and JCC's Fara Marcus says the academy's "network of professionals make all the difference with their expertise and way of making participants feel welcome."