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I was frustrated to learn that the apparent lack of access to pertinent health information is a symptom of a greater problem 55+ population. The idea of being ‘older and wiser’ may be true in terms of life-experience but the speed and methods of information that is dispensed today, particularly in areas of health and wellness is at a quicker rate than ever. This information gap seems to be emanating from a generational digital divide and intimidation of the current computer and internet technology as was indicated in a recent study in France as well as a Pew report below.

65+ are the most under-served age group for important medical info online

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Everyday there are new health breakthroughs especially in the areas of longevity and aging. It’s at the point now where access to vital information is no longer a luxury, but an absolute necessity. For example, because of a terminal lung-disorder, my father-in-law was able to participate in an experimental drug trial for a new medication that my husband found out about only after  researching it on the web. It seemed to me that his pulmonologist would have known about this first, however even many doctors, especially older ones are at risk of being caught in this information gap.

The solution starts with helping older adults with computer literacy.  A trend towards “reverse mentoring” is being implemented in some workplaces such as GE, HP and Cisco. This method allows older adults, in this case, executives or older workers to team up with younger adults to be ‘tutored’ in recent technologies and social media among other things. This method can extend into the retirement population as community centers are now offering classes and workshops in everything from computer literacy to how to use smartphones.  There are now online resources for the rest of us in helping our older family members and friends in getting up to speed on these devices.

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Those of us with this valuable knowledge can help close the ‘digital divide’ that may exist for many older adults we care for. It can have life-saving consequences and result in a better quality of life.  Case in point:  my father-in-law was not only able to connect with and participate in that clinical trial, he helped advance the research necessary toward pending FDA approval for this much awaited medication.  Furthermore, he found his condition was nearly halted by the success of the drug and now he’s able to enjoy more time with his family and silly pics of the grandkid’s via email.

The other day I was holding my baby a.k. the youngest [see above], looking around the room in panic, saying, “WHERE’S THE BABY?!”  [really happened]

So you have forgotten where you put your car keys. You just can’t remember the name of a friend you have known for ages. You are looking for your sunglasses and finally find them — on your face. The most dramatic example I ever saw happened at Preservation Hall in New Orleans with a jazz group. The aging leader of his group tried to introduce the jazz players. He couldn’t remember the name of his own brother. All of us have these kinds of experiences as we age. – Judith Kleinfeld, Anchorage Daily News August 3, 2007

Over the last decade, several studies with animals have shown that exercise can help maintain the health of brain cells and can even lead to the generation of new cells in certain regions of the brain. So says John Fauber of  the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel this month, July 27, 2008.

University of Kansas researchers also looked at areas of the brain that are more often affected by Alzheimer’s, including the hippocampus and the temporal and parietal cortices. Again, they found that a higher level of fitness was associated with less atrophy.  Evidence suggests that exercise and improved fitness in cognitively normal individuals is associated with a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Little is known, however, about fitness in individuals with early Alzheimer’s disease and whether fitness influences Alzheimer’s disease progression.  Learn more about The Alzheimer’s Disease Exercise Program Trial (ADEPT) here.

Sure, we make decisions large and small day by day, even moment by moment. A coin toss? If it is, the best advice is to remember to call heads, according to Dr. Randy Pausch. For Dr. Pausch of The Alice Project/Carnegie Mellon fame, the decision was made for him when he was diagnosed more than a year ago with pancreatic cancer (adenocarcinoma).

Summary: Late in the summer of 2006, I started having some unusual symptoms, culminating with jaudice. Scans revealed it was pancreatic cancer. At this time, my wife Jai and I had a 4 year old, a 2 year old, and a three month old baby.

The University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) and the team there, together with Dr. Pausch himself, has put this devastating diagnosis on notice: the news according to the blog is that for now, palliative chemo is WORKING!!!! [Emphasis Dr. Pausch's] Obviously, guarded optimism is what the Pausch family is facing during the next weeks and months as he battles this terminal medical condition.

If you wish to learn more about the value of time — and the point is that we may be good at valuing money, but not as skilled at valuing our time — from a person who has something to say about the topic, please consider viewing Dr. Pausch’s Time Management lecture at Google video.

Be well.

This is the largest one-year research grant awarded to the university and will involve the largest number of test subjects—1,000 participants over the next year.

The American Cancer Society writes that there is no reliable clinical evidence that quercetin can prevent or treat cancer in humans. However, with the large study beginning now, valuable science may be forthcoming.

Earlier this month, quercetin was a component found in one of these three prostate-specific dietary supplements: Trinovin, Provelex and ProstateRx, which were under scrutiny by American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO). Researchers determined these products were problematic for patients being treated for prostate cancer with radiation. The warning was to avoid use of the supplements during radiation treatment. This information was reported by Doctor’s Guide. View the 2 hour lecture sets yourself!

Again from the ACS: Quercetin is a common chemical pigment in the rinds and barks of a wide variety of plants. It is one of the main flavonoids in the diet, and is found in large amounts in apple skins, onions, teas, and red wines. It is also found in leafy green vegetables, berries, and in herbs such as ginkgo and St. John’s wort.