MGH Guides: Aging and Older Adult Health: Aging

Data and Statistics

Healthy Aging Data
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has an interactive site on national and state data on Healthy Aging.
Healthy People 2020
Healthy People 2020 has a list of objectives and goals surrounding the older adult population.
State and Community Examples
Using data for action at the state and local level
Call to Action
Resources of preventative strategies and interventions
NIA Health Information
National Institute on Aging has data on several topics related to aging including healthy eating, dementia, and caregiving.
Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative
Includes data, programs, and resources
State Unit on Aging Survey of Evidence-Based Program Delivery and Review Process: Summary Report
Review findings for information on how ACL’s Title III-D Older Americans Act criteria have changed program offerings within states. Learn more about programs offered, programming gaps, needs, and challenges that states are experiencing with program delivery and funding.
Facts on Aging Quiz
A quiz and answer sheet challenging commonly held beliefs about aging
Prevalence of Disabilities for Ages 18+
From the United States Census Bureau

Cognitive Health + Aging

Data

National Institute on Aging: Cognitive Health and Older Adults
Guide to maintain cognitive health
2023 Facts and Figures on Alzheimer's Disease
Latest data from the Alzheimer's Association including prevalence, mortality, morbidity, costs, etc.
Brain Health Topics
Evidence-based resources about the aging brain

Evidence

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

Experiencing daily negative aging stereotypes and real-life cognitive functioning in older adults: A diary study.
(2023) The present studies examined the association between experiencing daily negative aging stereotypes and real-life cognitive functioning and the mediating role of daily negative affect. It also examined whether these associations differed in response to negative aging stereotype diversity, which refers to the breadth and evenness of negative aging stereotypes that older adults experience in 1 week
Cognition in Successful Aging: Systematic Review and Future Directions
(2022) To characterize the inclusion of cognition in definitions of successful aging (SA) according to empirical studies published in peer-reviewed journals.
Physical activity improves cognition and activities of daily living in adults with Alzheimer's Disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
(2022) The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine the effects of physical activity (PA) on cognition and activities of daily living in adults with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).
The application of technology to improve cognition in older adults: A review and suggestions for future directions
(2022) This paper summarizes previous studies, systematic reviews, and meta‐analyses on the various types of technology used in cognitive interventions (namely, computerized cognitive training, virtual‐reality interventions, and robot‐assisted interventions) and the empirical evidence on the effects of these technologies on global and specific cognitive functions in healthy and clinical populations of older adults (e.g., older adults with mild cognitive impairment or dementia).
Predictors of cognitive and physical decline: Results from the Health Aging and Body Composition Study.
(2023) Risk factors for cognitive decline and physical decline have been studied independently, however, older adults might experience decline in both areas i.e., dual decline. Risk factors associated with dual decline are largely unknown and have significant implications on health outcomes. The aim of this study is to explore risk factors associated with dual decline.

Activities

Brain Games
Online games that may help improve memory, mental speed, and reasoning skills
Activities for People with Alzheimer's Disease
Suggested list of activities from AARP
Tips To Boost Your Health As You Age
Tips to promote healthy aging

Borrow these activity kits and workbooks from the Library

The sunshine on my face: A read - aloud book for memory - challenged adults by Lydia Burdick
Call Number: ELD ALZ SUN
Publication Date: 2004
Expand Your Mind Cards: Boost Your Memory
Call Number: ELD MEM EXPAND
Strengthen your mind program: A course for memory enhancement by Kristin Einberger; Janelle Sellick
Call Number: ELD MEM STRENGTH
Publication Date: 2009
Memory tips: For making life easier by Shelley Peterman Schwarz
Call Number: ELD MEM TIPS
Publication Date: 2006

Handouts

Cognitive Aging (National Academy of Sciences)
Guide on cognitive aging for older adults and families.
Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: A Practical Guide to Daily Living for Family Caregivers
Practical information to family caregivers of people living at home with a cognitive impairment.
Perceptions of Cognitive Health Factsheet
New Research Explores Perceptions of Cognitive Health Among Diverse Older Adults

Nutrition for Older Adults

Evidence

High Protein Intake at Lunch Is Negatively Associated with Blood Pressure in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study
(2023) The present study was conducted to explore the association between protein intake across the main meals and hypertension (HTN)-related parameters in community-dwelling Brazilian older adults.
Nutrition and Healthy Ageing in Asia: A Systematic Review.
(2023) In the present study, we aimed to conduct a systematic review to assess the impact of nutrition on healthy ageing in Asia.
Adequacy of Nutrient Intake and Malnutrition Risk in Older Adults: Findings from the Diet and Healthy Aging Cohort Study.
(2023) The aim was to report on the nutrient intake and prevalence of malnutrition risk in a community sample of older adults in Singapore.

Teaching about Nutrition

Healthy Living Made Easy: Practical Discussion and Activity Guides for Older Adults
Learning in the Kitchen: Nutrition Games
Older Adult Nutrition Quiz
from the USDA
Protein Foods Word Scramble
from Oregon State University
MyPlate Quiz

Online Resources

MyPlate for Older Adults
Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging's adaptation of the USDA's My Plate guidelines.
What's on Your Plate? Smart Food Choices for Healthy Aging
Basic facts for making good food choices
Nutrition.gov's Elderly Individuals
Collection of links to mainly US government sites relevant to nutrition in older adults.
Healthy Eating for Older Adults
Healthy eating recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Borrow from the Library

Handbook of Nutrition in the Aged, 4th ed. by Ronald R. Watson (Editor); Alyssa Wittore (Editor)
Call Number: ELD NUT HAND
Publication Date: 2008
The New American Heart Association Cookbook, 9th ed. by American Heart Association Staff
Call Number: CHR CVD AHACOOK
Publication Date: 2017

Physical Activity for Older Adults

Evidence

Effects of Dance/Movement Training vs. Aerobic Exercise Training on cognition, physical fitness and quality of life in older adults: A randomized controlled trial.
Esmail, A., Vrinceanu, T., Lussier, M., Predovan, D., Berryman, N., Houle, J., Karelis, A., Grenier, S., Minh Vu, T. T., Villalpando, J. M., & Bherer, L. (2020). Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies, 24(1), 212–220.
A multi-centre, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of eurythmy therapy and tai chi in comparison with standard care in chronically ill elderly patients with increased risk of falling (ENTAiER): a trial protocol
G. S. Kienle, P. G. Werthmann, B. Grotejohann, K. Kaier, I. Steinbrenner, S. Voigt-Radloff, & R. Huber. (2020). BMC Geriatrics, 20(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-020-1503-6
How Are Wearable Activity Trackers Adopted in Older Adults? Comparison between Subjective Adoption Attitudes and Physical Activity Performance.
Lee, Byung Cheol, Junfei Xie, Toyin Ajisafe, and Sung-Hee Kim. 2020. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103461.
The Relationship between Chronotype, Physical Activity and the Estimated Risk of Dementia in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.
Thapa, Ngeemasara, Boram Kim, Ja-Gyeong Yang, Hye-Jin Park, Minwoo Jang, Ha-Eun Son, Gwon-Min Kim, and Hyuntae Park. 2020. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103701.
Total daily physical activity, brain pathologies, and parkinsonism in older adults.
Oveisgharan, Shahram, Robert J Dawe, Sue E Leurgans, Lei Yu, Julie A Schneider, David A Bennett, and Aron S Buchman. (2020). PloS One 15(4), Article e0232404. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0232404.
The Relationship between the Frequency and Duration of Physical Activity and Depression in Older Adults with Multiple Chronic Diseases.
Lee, J.-M., & Ryan, E. J. (2022). Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(21), 6355. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11216355.
Physical activity, balance, and bicycling in older adults.
Baughn, M., Arellano, V., Hawthorne-Crosby, B., Lightner, J. S., Grimes, A., & King, G. (2022). PLOS ONE, 17(12). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0273880.

Handouts

health.gov Materials for Older Adults
Fact sheets about physical activity for older adults from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Exercise: A Guide from the National Institute on Aging
Instructional booklet with information on how to create a exercise routine and examples of physical activity geared towards older adults
21 Chair Exercises for Seniors
Packet of different exercises that an older adult can do while seated.

Activities

Exercise Ideas for Older Adults
From the University of Rochester Medical Center
Exercise and Physical Activity
From the National Institute on Aging

Borrow from the Library

Chair Yoga by Edeltraud Rohnfeld & Anne Oppenheimer
Call Number: PHY FIT CHAIR
Publication Date: 2011
This fully illustrated guide contains ninety easy-to-master exercises that have been specifically developed for those with a limited range of movement.
Ejercicio y actividad fisica: Su guia diaria del instituto nacional sobre el envejecimiento parte de los institutos nacionales de la salud Go4life
Call Number: ELD WELL EJER
¡Póngase en movimiento! Esta guía describe los beneficios del ejercicio y la actividad física para los adultos mayores. Aprenda a establecer metas de ejercicio y descubra cómo mantenerlas. La guía incluye ejemplos de ejercicios de resistencia, fortalecimiento, equilibrio y flexibilidad.
Exercise & Physical Activity by National Institute on Aging
Call Number: ELD WELL EXER
The easy-to-read Guide, available in English and Spanish, is filled with useful information, sample exercises, and real-life success stories to help you:
Learn about the 4 types of exercise and how they can improve your health. Determine your current fitness level, set goals, make an exercise and physical activity plan, and talk with your doctor about increasing your physical activity level. Exercise safely, build up the benefits, and have fun!
El Ejercicio y Su Salud
Call Number: ELD WELL EJER
¡Póngase en movimiento! Esta guía describe los beneficios del ejercicio y la actividad física para los adultos mayores. Aprenda a establecer metas de ejercicio y descubra cómo mantenerlas. La guía incluye ejemplos de ejercicios de resistencia, fortalecimiento, equilibrio y flexibilidad.
Refresh! Life re-energized, a wellness program for older adults by Ellen Harrington-Kane & Lynn Steffes
Call Number: ELD WELL REFREISH
Publication Date: 2015
Includes: Refresh! Life Re-Energized Manual, Invigorate! The Refresh Exercise Routine, 10 sets of 16 Action Cards, a 18 x 24-inch poster, a training presentation, and PDFs for activities and resources
Begin a Regular Exercise Program
Call Number: Poster 57

Mental Health for Older Adults

Facts and Data

Evidence

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

Anxiety disorders in late life.
(2020) This article reviews late-life anxiety disorders. Pharmacologic and psychotherapy approaches to treat late-life anxiety are reviewed, including a summary of current innovations in clinical care across settings, treatment models, and treatment delivery.
Prevalence and factors associated with anxiety and depression in older adults: Gender differences in psychosocial indicators.
(2020) The objective of this study was to examine gender-specific symptom subtypes of later-life anxiety and depression, in relation to their socio-demographic, social, and health context.
The experience of intergenerational interactions and their influence on the mental health of older people living in residential care.
(2023) This is a cross-sectional, qualitative study with a quantitative component. It looks at common mental health conditions (CMHCs) in residential-living older adults in South Africa and describes their experiences of intergenerational interactions with playschool children.
The impact of neighborhood mental health on the mental health of older adults.
(2023) In this article, we use cross-sectional data obtained from the 2018 China Health and Aging Tracking Survey (CHARLS) to examine the impact of neighborhood mental health at the community level on the mental health of older adults aged 60 years and older.
The effect of peer group education on anxiety, stress, and depression in older adults living in nursing homes.
(2021) The present study investigated the effects of peer group education on anxiety, stress, and depression of the older adults living in nursing homes.
The impact of social isolation from COVID-19-related public health measures on cognitive function and mental health among older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis
(2023) This study aimed to estimate the impact of social isolation on cognitive function and mental health among older adults during the two-year-and-a-half COVID-19 period.

Library Collection

Borrow these items from the library.

Books

Art Therapy and Creative Coping Techniques for Older Adults by Susan I. Bachalter
Call Number: ELD MEH ART THER (Borrow from the Library)
Publication Date: 2011
Elder abuse: A public health perspective by Randal W. Summers; Allan M. Hoffman; American Public Health Association Staff (Contribution by)
Call Number: ELD WELL ELDER
ISBN: 9780875530505

DVDs

Gen Silent [DVD]
Call Number: DVD 6
A documentary about LGBT aging.
Young @ Heart [DVD]
Call Number: DVD 14
A feature film about a group of singing senior citizens.

Safety

More information regarding fall prevention can be found at the link to our LibGuide below.

Online Resources

Tracking Medications
Worksheet from the National Institute of Health to help identify and track medications
Medications' Effect on Older Adult Brain Function
Brochure discussing the cognitive side effects of medications
Safe Use of Medication for Older Adults
Information for older adults from the NIA
Reducing the risk of adverse drug events in older adults
Article discussing risks of poor medication management in older adults
Can screening tools for potentially inappropriate prescriptions in older adults prevent serious adverse drug events?
Article examining screening tools to prevent adverse drug events in older adults
Fall Prevention LibGuide
Our LibGuide on fall prevention for older adults, in hospitals, and more.

Borrow from the Library

Medication Management: Lock Box and Timer Pill Box/Bottles
Call Number: CHR MED PILL MGMT
Have Your Vision Checked
Call Number: Poster 59
Have Your Health Care Provider Review Your Medicines
Call Number: Poster 58A
Make Your Home Safer
Call Number: Poster 60B
Falls in Older People : Prevention and Management by Rein Tideiksaar
Call Number: ELD FALL FALLS
ISBN: 9781932529449
Publication Date: 2010-05-18

Healthy Communities and Aging in Place

AARP Livable Communities
Guide to what makes a community livable, especially for older adults.
How Communities can Prepare for the Growing Aging Population
Discussion of making communities more inclusion from Baylor University's Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences
Aging-Accessible Homes
Infographic from the U.S. Census Bureau

Communicating with Older Adults

Tips

All of the principles on this page apply to older adults as well, but here are some additional tips for communicating with this population.

Beware of the tendencies to stereotype older adults or use patronizing speech.
Sit face-to-face and speak clearly
Minimize background noise
Ask open ended questions and LISTEN
Address your older patient/client even if a companion is in the room
Engage in shared decision making
Ensure recommendations make sense to your patient/client's specific living situation
Verify comprehension - your own and theirs.

(adapted from The Gerontological Society of America's Communicating with Older Adults: An Evidence-Based Review of What Really Works)

General

Communication and Aging
This article discusses communication changes with typical aging, aging with a preexisting communication disorder, onset of new communication disorders in old age, communicating in health care settings, and more.
Older Adults: Challenges to Developing Material to Match Health Literacy Skills (CDC)
The website breaks down communication into visual, hearing, and cognitive parts that can pose challenges to communication as well as ways to deal with each of these challenges.

Methods and Recommendations

Tips for Better Communication with Older Patients
Evidence of nonverbal communication between nurses and older adults: a scoping review.
Wanko Keutchafo, E. L., Kerr, J., & Jarvis, M. A. (2020). Evidence of nonverbal communication between nurses and older adults: a scoping review. BMC Nursing, 19(1), 1–13. https://doi-org.treadwell.idm.oclc.org/10.1186/s12912-020-00443-9
Pragmatic aspects of verbal communication in elderly people: A study of Polish seniors.
Daniluk, B., & Borkowska, A. R. (2020). Pragmatic aspects of verbal communication in elderly people: A study of Polish seniors. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 55(4), 493–505. https://doi-org.treadwell.idm.oclc.org/10.1111/1460-6984.12532
About me but without me? Older adult's perspectives on interpersonal communication during care transitions from hospital to seniors' residence
Lagacé, M., Fraser, S., Ranger, M.-C., Moorjani-Houle, D., & Ali, N. (2021). About me but without me? Older adult’s perspectives on interpersonal communication during care transitions from hospital to seniors’ residence. Journal of Aging Studies, 57. https://doi-org.treadwell.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2021.100914
Communicating with Older Adults: Recognizing Hidden Traps in Health Care Decision Making

Borrow from the Library

Communicating with Older Adults: An Evidence-Based Review of What Really Works [e-Book]
Call Number: ELD CARE COMM
Publication Date: 2012
What to Do for Senior Health by Albert Barnett; Nancy P. Rushton
Call Number: ELD WELL WHAT
Publication Date: 2000
An easy to read guide to help you find plain language describing health topics relevant to older adults. Also available in Spanish.

Search Filters/Hedges

Search filters (aka search hedges) are pre-drafted lists of terms to help create a focused search strategy. They’re here to help you save time and energy. Simply copy and paste these terms into your search strategy.

Below is an example of a search filter for aging populations in different databases:

PubMed: (“aged”[mesh] OR “aged, 80 and over”[mesh] OR “aging”[mesh:noexp] OR “frail elderly”[mesh] OR “centenaarians”[mesh] OR “nonagenarians”[mesh] OR “octogenarians”[mesh])
CINAHL: (MH “aged” OR MH “aged, 80 and over” OR MH “centenarians” OR MH “frail elderly”)
General Keywords: (aged OR aging OR ageing OR advanced age OR advanced ages OR centenarian OR centenarians OR elderly OR elder OR elders OR geriatric OR nonagenarian OR nonagenarians OR octogenarian OR octogenarians OR old OR oldest OR older OR senior citizen OR senior citizens OR septagenarian OR septagenarians OR sexagenarian OR sexagenarians)

This Aged Search Filter was created by Carrie Price, MLIS.

Alternatively, you could try:

CINAHL: (MH "Geriatrics") or (MH "Aged, Hospitalized") or (MH "Aged+") or (MH "Senior Centers") or (MH "Gerontologic Care") or (MH "Geriatricians") OR (MH "Gerontologic Nursing+") OR (MH "Health Services for the Aged") or ("aging in place" or elders or elderly or geriatric* or gerontolog* or gerodontic* or "old age*" or (seniors not "high school") or "senior citizen*" or (older N3 (patient* or adult* or person* or people or man or men or woman or women)) or centenarian* or nonagenarian* or octogenarian* or septuagenarian* or sexagenarian* or dottering or decrepit or tottering or overaged or "oldest old")

Campbell, SM. Filter to Retrieve Studies Related to Geriatrics from the EBSCO CINAHL Database. Geoffrey & Robyn Sperber Health Sciences Library, University of Alberta. Rev. April 26, 2021. https://docs.google.com/document/d/19LUAjkcMp2dbP8kmgTlJoXUkv2lmAOAwQtxkNBhr544/edit#heading=h.3jtqozffmty8 .

Please note, occasionally outdated and potentially offensive terminology may be used in search hedges. These terms are included to ensure that the widest array of research can be found; older research may use terms that we no longer use today.