Some scientists see robots as a potential solution to a shortage of human caregivers for increasing numbers of socially isolated seniors. But doubts persist, reports The Independent . A recent poll estimated that although 68 percent of respondents saw robots as beneficial because they can help people, only 26 percent felt comfortable with a robot providing aid and companionship for them if they were in the hospital or care. Nevertheless, early studies show that social robots could meet the challenges of care and social interaction for this population. Most robotics researchers generally support introducing robotic technology on a wider scale, and think it could mitigate loneliness and improve independence for seniors. Still, many are adamant that robots' care benefits must be balanced against the ethical costs. Mobile robotic telepresence systems — basically smartphone app-controlled video screens on wheels — have demonstrated an ability to facilitate positive social interactions with seniors. To make robot caregivers less dependent on human operators, developers are creating robot companions equipped with artificial intelligence.

A study published in the Journal of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine suggests a connection between vitamin D deficiency and the elevated risk of depression in older adults, reports Psych Central . A group of older Irish adults were studied for this association and reassessed four years later. The researchers determined vitamin D deficiency to be associated with a 75 percent increase in the risk of developing depression within four years, which remained strong after accounting for factors including depressive symptoms, chronic disease burden, physical activity, and cardiovascular disease. In addition, the exclusion of participants taking antidepressant medication and vitamin D supplementation did not affect the outcomes. The investigators suspect the results could stem from vitamin D's potential direct protection of the brain from structural and functional changes observed in late-life depression. "What is surprising is the large effect on depression even after accounting for other control variables," noted Trinity College Dublin's Eamon Laird. "This is highly relevant for Ireland as our previous research has shown that one in eight older adults are deficient in the summer and one in four during the winter. Moreover, only around 8 percent of older Irish adults report taking a vitamin D supplement."

A study published in Experimental Aging and Research found drawing can help older adults retain new information, reports Medical Xpress . The researchers also determined drawing was better at enabling memory retention than re-writing notes, visualization exercises, or passively looking at images. Both young people and older adults performed various memory-encoding techniques and then tested their memory. Participants would either encode each word by writing, by drawing, or by listing physical characteristics related to each item, with memory evaluated later. Both groups, especially the older adults, exhibited better retention with drawing instead of writing. It is the team's belief that drawing encouraged improved memory because it included multiple ways — visual, spatial, verbal, semantic, and motoric — of representing information. "The simplicity of the strategy means that it can be used in many settings," says University of Waterloo Professor Myra Fernandes. Waterloo's Melissa Meade suggests the research has "exciting implications for therapeutic interventions to help people with dementia ... hold on to valuable episodic memories throughout the progression of their disease."

Researchers at Kiplinger highlight the most promising healthcare and other professions for the future, with a concentration on fields earning generous salaries that are forecast to grow significantly over the next 10 years. Nurse practitioner and registered nurse jobs are projected to expand as the need for medical care is driven by new technology, more focus on preventive care, and an aging populace. Health service management also will become an increasingly lucrative career. Certain managers may have to be licensed to run certain types of centers like nursing or assisted living communities. Physicians should continue prospering. Growth in the senior population as well as life expectancy will inevitably create more opportunities for physical therapists, according to the research, particularly as older adults strive to stay physically active. In addition, speech therapists are increasingly needed to treat the growing number of people whose language has been impacted by aging-related health conditions. Similarly, physical therapist assistants will become increasingly desirable, given the likely growth in clients.

Mental health problems among adults 60 and older are "largely underdiagnosed and undertreated," with the World Health Organization estimating that one in five adults in this age range have a mental or neurological disorder, reports KERA News . One explanation is that mental disorders frequently attend physical health difficulties. Dr. Charles Herlihy with Medical City North Hills in Texas notes older people living at home who suddenly find themselves alone because a spouse has died can experience "a cascade of illnesses: chest pain, stomach pain, stress-related symptoms, and then clinical depression." Moreover, untreated depression can exacerbate heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and other health problems. The stigma of mental illness also can compound the situation for older adults. University of Texas at Arlington Professor Philip Baiden suggests this stigma could be dispelled if people would discuss mental health and support their older adult friends and relatives.

Finding the right assisted living or nursing community for a loved one demands careful consideration of quality of life goals, according to U.S. News & World Report . Appropriate activities for seniors are essential to residents' quality of life, with Ohio State University Professor Tanya Gure noting that staying active and engaging socially "makes residents feel happier and obviously, that has lots of benefit in terms of reducing depression." Furthermore, socializing invariably entails communication, which can help improve cognition. "It helps to allow residents to utilize their communication skills and those interactions can be very helpful for keeping a high level of mental stimulation," Gure states. Sue Johansen with the A Place for Mom senior referral service in Seattle says determining the best socialization activities for a loved one depends on the senior's emotional and cognitive status. She stresses that seniors should be asked what they would prefer rather than taking that choice out of their hands. Also valuable is asking what the loved one would do if they had unlimited activity options. Gure also says maintaining community engagement is vital for seniors so they feel less isolated and more connected to the world at large.

A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine warned the potential harms of cholesterol-lowering statins far offset the benefits until a person's risk is much higher than the 10 percent threshold cited in current U.S. guidelines, reports MedShadow . The researchers examined data from more than 40 studies on four commonly prescribed statins: Lipitor, Zocor, Pravachol, and Crestor. Possible side effects included muscle weakness, kidney or liver dysfunction, diabetes, cataracts, and headaches. The investigators did not observe a net benefit in men between 70 and 75 years old unless their 10-year cardiovascular disease risk was at least 21 percent. Meanwhile, men 40 to 44 did not get a net benefit until their risk was at least 14 percent. The University of Zurich's Milo Puhan said as people get older, the advantages of statins diminish compared to harm, and only 15 percent to 20 percent of older adults should be taking statins versus 40 percent recommended by current guidelines.

In California's East County, the Alzheimer's Response Team has managed 50 referrals and opened 22 assistance cases in its first six months of its pilot operation, with eight cases involving severe symptoms such as wandering or lashing out at caregivers, reports the San Diego Union Tribune . County Supervisor Dianne Jacob called these results encouraging, because each represents a situation where a family caring for a loved one with dementia got help without them winding up in either a local emergency room or lock-up. The team is composed of deputy sheriffs, firefighters, and other first responders in Santee and Lakeside, who collaborate with social workers and other dementia specialists with the county's department of Aging & Independence Services and the Alzheimer's San Diego nonprofit. Aging & Independence Services Director Kimberly Gallo said training first responders on dementia, and instructing them on the types of actions most likely to worsen a situation, constituted the bulk of the pilot's initial effort. "We trained more than 350 responders, social workers, mental health clinicians, and others," Gallo noted. Some officials are already thinking about how to expand the program to other communities throughout the region.

Seniors are often confused by the myriad Medicare options available, which makes it important that they and their families are aware of several free and less-promoted public services for mulling their choices while paying close attention to the details, reports NBC News . The official government website at medicare.gov/find-a-plan is one such resource, says Kiplinger's Personal Finance contributing editor Kim Lankford. She notes users can type in their zip code, drug prescriptions, and dosages, and the system will perform analysis to list all plans they can choose from and out-of-pocket costs. Meanwhile, the State Health Insurance Assistance Program is optional for people who are not as well-versed in computers. Every state received federal funding to offer free health coverage consulting for Medicare beneficiaries. Seniors can visit local offices to get free one-on-one counseling for navigating their plan options, with nearest outlet locations available at shiptacenter.org . With the choice of Medicare Advantage plans expanding this year, Lankford recommends beneficiaries consider total costs in addition to premiums. Average premiums are decreasing for Advantage and Part D, yet some plans might charge higher co-payments or have smaller provider networks.

With baby boomers about to enter retirement, billions of dollars are being invested in the construction of high-end care communities, reports the New York Times . According to some estimates, 20 percent of boomers, or about 15 million people, have saved enough to afford private continuing care, with many expecting a very high standard of living. Industry experts say there are almost 2,000 continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) nationwide with roughly 700,000 residents, and many require entrance fees and monthly tolls that cover services, care, and food. Entrance fees average about $300,000, which can be much higher for high-end CCRCs. In return for such high prices, residents get VIP treatment. One example is Fountaingrove Lodge in California's Sonoma County. This senior community is part of a new breed of luxury supportive senior housing, offering a continuum of care from independent living to failing health but with amenities common in hotels and cruise ships.