Celebrating holidays together presents a perfect opportunity for family members to discuss living wills and end-of-life preferences in a comfortable, loving setting, says Associate Professor Susan Enguidanos.
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Next Avenue spoke to USC Leonard Davis School Professor Elizabeth Zelinski about the pros and cons of robotic pets for older adults, especially individuals with memory problems.
From the article:
Zelinski believes that for the older adult to have a therapeutic benefit, stimulation from the pet who provides some novelty is helpful. But just having pets may not always be enough. The ability to have the pet spur conversation and interaction with others is a component of what some studies believe is most valuable to the individual.
“Supplementing pet interactions — whether real or robotic — with human interaction is also important,” Zelinski said.
The findings in fruit flies, described in an article authored by USC Davis PhD student Laura Corrales-Diaz Pomatto, may explain how Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s affect men and women differently.
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The New York Times referenced a study by Valter Longo showing negative effects from eating too much protein, including an increased risk of death from cancer.
NBC News featured research by Cleopatra Abdou of the USC Leonard Davis School finding negative stereotypes of black Americans and other minorities are directly linked to negative health outcomes among marginalized groups. “My goal is to transform the way that healthcare is delivered and the way that patients and providers interact with each other in healthcare settings. This is cultural competency redefined,” Abdou said. Louisiana Weekly also highlighted the research.
The Wall Street Journal published a column by USC Leonard Davis Distinguished Scholar in Residence Paul Irving on how driverless cars could be beneficial for older adults’ independence.
Combined with neighborhood and socioeconomic risk factors, air pollution could mean more cognitive impairment for vulnerable older adults, says USC Davis School researcher Jennifer Ailshire.
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KPCC’s Off-Ramp quoted research from the Los Angeles Caregiver Resource Center, a part of the USC Leonard Davis School’s Family Caregiver Support Center, and interviewed one of the center’s clients for a story on caregiving during the holidays.
The Chicago Tribune spoke with Professor Jon Pynoos about preventing falls with changes in the home and exercise to improve balance.
The Associated Press, USA Today, the New York Times, and others reported on a JAMA study highlighting a decline in American dementia rates. University Professor and AARP Professor of Gerontology Eileen Crimmins collaborated with University of Michigan colleagues on the study.
