News4JAX reports that Pfizer has administered its first COVID-19 booster shots, and is currently testing how it works with other common vaccines. The study aims to determine whether another vaccine can be administered along with the COVID-19 booster dose, with participants receiving both the booster shot and a pneumonia vaccine. "To see if they're able to tolerate it, see if that in any way adversely affects their development of antibodies against COVID-19 and see how the immune reaction is . . . the side effect profile of the combination," said Duval County Medical Society Foundation President Sunil Joshi. "And if that looks good, maybe then consider combining it with seasonal flu vaccine as well."

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that senior living operator Pinnacle Living follows a "person-centered philosophy that places significant value on developing a highly engaged, committed team of professionals who strive to fulfill our mission of enriching life's journey for those we serve," according to Michael Shaw, executive director of Pinnacle's Cedarfield community in Henrico County. Each Pinnacle community offers workforce-tailored incentives, including recognition programs, subsidized meal programs, and subsidized wellness program memberships. The company runs five senior living communities in Virginia and was ranked first among large firms in the Top Workplaces program in the Richmond region.

URI Today reports that the University of Rhode Island (URI) College of Health Sciences, the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging, and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island have partnered for a program to boost digital literacy among older adults. The digiAGE Initiative supplies senior participants with smart devices like iPads, wireless Internet hotspots, and training to access online resources, work and meet remotely, and virtually communicate with friends and loved ones. URI students and faculty members offer tech support and training for free to participants. The overarching goal is to reduce isolationism among older adults compounded by COVID-19. "Our team at URI is thrilled to offer this intergenerational program to improve digital inclusion among the older population, especially for older adults from areas hardest hit by the pandemic," said URI Professor Skye Leedahl. "For students, this service-learning opportunity promotes leadership skills, builds confidence and empowers them to work with the diverse older population."

WLTX reports that about 43 percent of South Carolina's population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, with about 35 percent considered fully vaccinated. Yet South Carolina has witnessed a decline in cases and deaths overall, which the state department of health attributes to vaccine use. "The best example I can think of is in nursing community residents where we have seen the most dramatic decline in cases and deaths because we achieved such high coverage among those vulnerable individuals," said State Epidemiologist Linda Bell. At the Carolina Gardens Senior Living community at the Kathwood assisted living community, hallways are becoming re-energized as indoor visits are allowed, while trips outside the community have also resumed. "We're kind of slowly getting back to regular," said Kathwood lead medical technician Lasonia Kenley-Cunningham. "We try to just make sure that the residents are safe because they are our first priority."

WSKG-FM reports that U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) answered questions from AARP members Thursday concerning legislation addressing issues affecting seniors. A member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, she said making long-term care more accessible and affordable is a leading priority. Gillibrand also said she supported legislation that would reimburse family caregivers who tend to a loved one at home. She stated that full-time caregivers should receive social security payments commensurate to what is provided to support people with disabilities. Gillibrand also said Congress and the President should revise campaign finance law to relax pharmaceutical lobbyists' hold on drug policy, so that lawmakers are less inclined to oppose prescription drug price reductions. When queried as to what she will do about robocall scams that exploit seniors, the senator addressed what she described as a gap in national cybersecurity efforts, noting that "there's nobody doing domestic cyber protection against foreign adversaries right now. It's a big hole in our system." Gillibrand said many of these calls originate from abroad.

National Public Radio reports that new coronavirus cases across the United States have fallen to rates not seen in more than 11 months. As the seven-day average for new cases dropped below 30,000 per day last week, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky noted that cases have not been this low since June 18, 2020. The average number of deaths over the last week also declined to 552, a rate not seen since July 2020. Many states have largely lifted mask and social distancing mandates. Although this has spurred optimism that vaccination campaigns are working, health experts caution that not enough Americans have been vaccinated to completely curb the virus, leaving the potential for new mutations that could extend the pandemic. "My biggest concern is new strains of the virus and the need to remain vigilant in the months ahead," said Boston College public health expert Dr. Philip J. Landrigan. He calculates that it will take a nationwide vaccination rate of at least 85 percent to end the pandemic.

WCAX reports that residents at the Equinox Terrace assisted living community in Bennington County, Vt., are participating in a cardio drumming program that promotes physical fitness as well as togetherness. Equinox Terrace Executive Director Ann Bouza said the program took shape after pandemic restrictions were lifted in February. The residents use drumsticks to bang on Pilates balls while music plays in the background, designed to encourage residents to keep the beat. "You're leaning and raising up and going over your head," noted resident Teresa Cross. "It gives you workouts you don't get in our room just being by ourselves."

A study in Environmental Health Perspectives found an association between traffic-related air pollution and a higher risk for age-related dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, reports Futurity . The team built a rodent vivarium near a traffic tunnel in Northern California in order to mimic what humans might experience from traffic-related air contamination. Male and female rats were exposed for up to 14 months to filtered or polluted air from the tunnel. "We saw that traffic-related air pollution accelerated Alzheimer's disease characteristics not only in the animals who express the risk gene which we anticipated but also in the wild type rats," said the University of California, Davis' Pamela Lein. "We didn't anticipate that. The big, exciting discovery is that traffic-related air pollution is a risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease. This is important because this pollution is everywhere and could explain the increased number of people impacted by Alzheimer's disease across the world."

A study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that singing or playing a musical instrument can help the brain stave off the effects of dementia, reports StudyFinds . Scientists say music fortifies the brains of patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's or those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), as well as enhances their quality of life and mood. "Participating in music, like singing in a choir or playing in a drum circle, is a safe, engaging activity," said the University of Pittsburgh's Jennie Dorris. "Our research demonstrates it can support cognition at a critical time for older adults facing cognitive decline." Participants, who were in their 60s, 70s, and 80s, underwent music therapy sessions between 30 minutes and two hours long one to five times a week. "The results showed the cognitive functioning scores of older adults with probable MCI or dementia who participated in active music-making were statistically significantly different than those who did not," Dorris explained. "This analysis demonstrates active music-making is the key ingredient to elicit this effect."

Best Buy is set to begin selling a new smartphone for seniors called Lively Smart, reports CNet . The $150 product is promoted as a simple-to-use phone outfitted with health and safety features that comes with a long-lasting battery; large text; and video chat, camera, and global positioning system functions. David Inns, Best Buy Health's president of active aging, said Lively Smart helps "meet the needs of our customers." Health and safety add-ons also are available in three optional monthly package deals. The $20 monthly package includes an urgent response button so the Lively team can confirm the user's location and situation and dispatch help. The $25 monthly package offers urgent response; urgent care calls with doctors and nurses; and "Lively Link," which sends an alert to friends and family if the user calls urgent response. Finally, the $35 monthly option includes all of the previous services, plus a personal operator who can help schedule Lively Rides through a partnership with Lyft. Users also will pay $40 a month for mobile usage, while unlimited texts are zero-charge with the two top health and safety packages.