Supporting People with a Learning Disability and Dementia A one day seminar suitable for all professionals and families caring for a person with an intellectual disability and dementia On Thursday 19th November, a one-day seminar on Supporting People with a Learning Disability and Dementia will take place in the Killiney Castle Hotel, organised by Down Syndrome Centre and featuring, the University of Edinburgh’s, Diana Kerr – a practitioner, educator, trainer and researcher in the field of dementia, and learning disability. The seminar will run from 9.30am until 4.45 pm and will cover topics such as: • Meeting the needs of people with intellectual disability and dementia • Developing a suitable environment for people with intellectual disability and dementia, and • Responding to the pain needs of people with intellectual disability and dementia. The seminar cost is €95 and includes light lunch, tea/coffee breaks and hand-outs. Places can be booked online at www.downsyndromecentre.ie or by credit/debit card to 01 – 661 8000. For further information contact: Sheila Campbell, Tel: 01 – 661 8000 / 086 818 59 67 Downs Syndrome Most people born with Down syndrome have three copies of chromosome 21 replicated in every cell of their body, while people without Down syndrome only have two copies. A specific brain protein called Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) is the protein that is thought to be associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The gene that codes for APP is located on chromosome 21. Having three copies of the APP gene in every cell results in excessive production and depositing of the amyloid protein in the brain and the loss of brain cells. The progressive loss of brain cells results in the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. This is why more people with Down syndrome are affected by Alzheimer’s disease than those without the syndrome. Over 35% of people with Down syndrome aged 50-59 years have Alzheimer’s disease. This statitisic rises to nearly 55% in those aged between 60-69 years old. A huge increase in life expectancy for people with Down syndrome in recent decades has meant that the specific care and management of later life becomes an issue for families, carers, professionals and people working in sheltered/residential care settings. Diana Kerr, is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Research on Families and Relationships at the University of Edinburg. She is also an advisor to service providers and planners who support people with dementia and people with a learning disability and dementia. She also directs care staff, managers, health and social work professionals and carers. She is the author of a number of publications, including “Understanding Learning Disability and Dementia: Developing Effective Interventions”.

Eating a curry once or twice a week could help prevent the onset of Alzheimer's disease and dementia, a US researcher suggests. The key ingredient is curcumin, a component of the spice turmeric. Curcumin appears to prevent the spread of amyloid protein plaques - thought to cause dementia - in the brain. But the theory, presented at the Royal College of Psychiatrists' annual meeting, has been given a lukewarm reception by UK experts. Amyloid plaques, along with tangles of nerve fibres, are thought to contribute to the degradation of the wiring in brain cells, eventually leading to symptoms of dementia. Professor Murali Doraiswamy, of Duke University in North Carolina, said there was evidence that people who eat a curry meal two or three times a week have a lower risk of dementia. He said researchers were testing the impact of higher doses - the equivalent of going on a curry spree for a week - to see if they could maximise the effect. Animal studies Professor Doraiswamy told the meeting: "There is very solid evidence that curcumin binds to plaques, and basic research on animals engineered to produce human amyloid plaques has shown benefits." "You can modify a mouse so that at about 12 months its brain is riddled with plaques. "If you feed this rat a curcumin-rich diet it dissolves these plaques. The same diet prevented younger mice from forming new plaques. "The next step is to test curcumin on human amyloid plaque formation using newer brain scans and there are plans for that." Professor Doraiswamy said a clinical trial was now underway at the University of California, Los Angeles, to test curcumin's effects in Alzheimer's patients. He said research had also examined turmeric's therapeutic potential for treating conditions such as cancer and arthritis. Good diet He stressed that eating a curry could not counter-balance the increased risk of dementia associated with a poor diet. However, he said: "If you have a good diet and take plenty of exercise, eating curry regularly could help prevent dementia." Professor Doraiswamy predicted it might be possible to develop a curry pill which had the same therapeutic effect. However, Rebecca Wood, of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, stressed that people would need to eat a lot of curry - over 100g of turmeric curry powder - to get a clinical dose of curcumin. She said: "Professor Doraiswamy's unpublished research applies only to animal models; his hypothesis has not been confirmed in human clinical trials. "We look forward to the results of the human curcumin trial at UCLA." Dr Susanne Sorensen, of the Alzheimer's Society, said: "Indian communities that regularly eat curcumin have a surprisingly low incidence of Alzheimer's disease but we don't yet know why. "Alzheimer's Society is keen to explore the potential benefits of curcumin in protecting the brain and we are conducting our own research into this area. "A cheap, accessible and safe treatment could transform the quality of life of thousands of people with the condition." http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8080630.stm

Older and Bolder is an alliance of eight non-governmental organisations in the ageing sector in Ireland. The member organisations are: Active Retirement Ireland, Age Action Ireland, Age and Opportunity, Alzheimer Society of Ireland, the Carers Association, the Irish Hospice Foundation, the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament and the Senior Helpline. Members of Older and Bolder are committed to a joint campaign for the implementation of the Government’s promise to develop a National Positive Ageing Strategy (NPAS) for Ireland. This promise is set out in the 2007 Programme for Government. Older and Bolder wants a coherent and planned approach to policy-making and implementation for older people – not policy-making "on the hoof" such as we have seen recently in relation to older people’s entitlement to a Medical Card. Run-Up to the 2009 Local and European Elections "Older & Bolder on the Doorstep" In the run-up to the 2009 local and European elections on June 5th, we are asking people to participate in our "Older & Bolder on the Doorstep" campaign. When canvassers or political candidates call to your house, take the opportunity to ask them about the National Positive Ageing Strategy. Yes, these are local and European elections but you can still use your moment on the doorstep to highlight an important national issue. See our question card and our explanatory leaflet. You can also contact our office directly if you would like hard copies of the question card to give to neighbours, friends and colleagues. We are also organising regional meetings as part of our "Older & Bolder on the Doorstep" Campaign. Visit the 'Events' section of our website for further details. See Older and Bolder’s Baseline Statement on a National Positive Ageing Strategy for Ireland. (Oct 2008) http://www.olderandbolder.ie/

Scientists have pinpointed compounds in the spinal fluid which may give an early warning of how fast patients with mild dementia will decline. The level of these chemicals seems to correlate with the rate at which thinking, learning and memory skills fade as dementia takes its toll. The finding raises hope of being able to target treatment at those in most need from an early stage. The US study appears in the journal Archives of Neurology. Research is currently focused on trying to find effective treatments for dementia in its early stages. However, to test the effectiveness of new approaches researchers need to enrol people into clinical trials when they are still at the earliest stages of the disease. But this can prove problematic, as it is difficult to anticipate how symptoms of dementia will progress in a patient still in the earliest stages. This latest finding, from the Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, may provide researchers with a way of selecting patients whose condition is most likely to deteriorate, and thus from who they have most to learn when testing the impact of new therapies. Ultimately, it might also assist doctors in deciding who to target as more invasive and potentially harmful disease-modifying treatments for dementia become available. The latest study was based on 49 people who had been diagnosed with very mild Alzheimer's disease. Fluid sample A sample of spinal fluid was taken from each, and analysed for levels of several chemicals - or biomarkers - associated with Alzheimer's. The patients were then followed up an average of three-and-a-half years later. The researchers linked accelerated progress of Alzheimer's to several low levels of a protein called amyloid, and high levels of two other proteins, called tau and phosphorylated tau 181. The disease also progressed more rapidly in people whose tau level was relatively high in comparison to their amyloid level. Dr Susanne Sorensen, head of research at the Alzheimer's Society, said: "This interesting research could lead to a new way of detecting people with dementia early, before they develop devastating symptoms. "This is absolutely vital if we are to find drugs that help people at an early stage. "Everybody experiences dementia differently. This study could also help identify people at particular risk of a steep decline in thinking, learning and memory skills, making it easier to see how effective potential new treatments are." Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, agreed the technique could potentially lead to earlier and more accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's, and help scientists develop new treatments. She said: "Although examining spinal fluids can be uncomfortable for patients - and new developments could alleviate such discomfort - this research will help scientists assess the effectiveness of treatments being tested and developed." http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8039586.stm

Heightened activity in an area of the brain that deals with memory may give a subtle early warning of dementia decades later, UK research suggests. It was known that carrying a rogue version of a gene called ApoE4 raised the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Now researchers have linked the same mutation with raised activity in an area of the brain called the hippocampus in people as young as 20. The study appears in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. The researchers, from Oxford University and Imperial College London, believe over-activity in the hippocampus may effectively wear it out, raising the risk of dementia in later life. They hope their work could be a first step towards developing a simple method to identify people at increased risk of developing dementia. They could then potentially be offered early treatment and lifestyle advice. Carrying one copy of the rogue ApoE4 gene raises the risk of Alzheimer's by up to four times the normal, two copies by up to 10 times. But not everyone with the rogue gene will develop the condition. The latest study used scans to compare brain activity in 36 volunteers aged 20 to 35. In those who carried the rogue gene activity in the hippocampus was consistently raised, even at rest. Researcher Dr Clare Mackay said: "These are exciting first steps towards a tantalising prospect: a simple test that will be able to distinguish who will go on to develop Alzheimer's." Caution urged Dr Peter Nestor, a neuroscientist at the University of Cambridge, said: "The findings of this study are of considerable interest but should not be over-interpreted to mean that Alzheimer's disease is already starting to develop in this young, healthy group of volunteers. "Whether or not the differences seen in those with ApoE4 can offer a clue to what makes some brains more likely to develop Alzheimer's is a challenge for future studies." Rebecca Wood, of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, said the research was a "significant development". "It takes us a step closer to accurately predicting who will develop Alzheimer's before any symptoms become apparent. "However, we are not yet at that stage; those with the ApoE4 genetic variant - while at a statistically higher risk of developing the disease than others - will still not develop Alzheimer's in most cases. "The causes of Alzheimer's are complex - both genetic and environmental - and if we can understand these better, we can enhance efforts to help people lower their risks." Professor Clive Ballard, director of research at the Alzheimer's Society, said: "This study paves the way for further research that could help us understand how brain function in younger adults may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease later in life." http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7986289.stm

The Minister for Health and Children Mary Harney, TD, and Dr Tracey Cooper, Chief Executive of the Health Information and Quality Authority, published the National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland on 9 March 2009. Speaking at the launch, Dr Tracey Cooper, said: “These standards are an important and significant milestone for the protection of the rights of our older people in residential care settings across the country. They will also guide and assist service providers in the provision of the highest quality of care to their residents. They have been developed following extensive consultation, and with ongoing advice from an expert advisory group - for which we are extremely grateful.” Dr Marion Witton, Chief Inspector of Social Services at the Health Information and Quality Authority, said: “These standards put great emphasis on what it should be like for older people living in residential care settings. They are about promoting not only the best possible care for older people in these settings, but also ensuring that they can enjoy the best possible quality of life. “Under these standards, each resident must now receive a contract setting out what they can expect regarding accommodation, food, care and services. As we have stressed previously, the emphasis will be on evidence that residents are being looked after properly and that individual needs are being met.” “From the 1st July, our Social Services Inspectorate in the Authority will begin the independent inspection of all such services, whether in the public, private or voluntary sector. We will continue to work with residents and their families, providers of the services and our other stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of these new standards,” Dr Cooper said. Nursing homes will have to pay an annual fee, set at €190 per bed in each home, to cover the cost of the new inspection regime. In addition to this fee, each nursing home will also have to pay a €500 registration charge every three years. The chief executive of Nursing Homes Ireland, Tadhg Daly, said the fee would have to be passed on to residents. He said his organisation wanted to meet Minister Harney regarding this issue.

Photographers, from professionals and keen amateurs, to weekend snappers - are being offered the chance to try and bag a luxury shopping break in Dublin, and help promote Irelands largest celebration of positive ageing. Age Action and ESB Customer Supply today announced details of its Positive Ageing Week photographic competition 2009. Age Action and ESB Customer Supply today announced details of its Positive Ageing Week photographic competition 2009. The top prize is a E2,500 shopping voucher at Arnotts and a three-night break for two at the Morrison Hotel. The runner-up will win a E1,500 voucher at Arnotts and a two-night break for two at the Morrison Hotel. The third prize is a E700 Arnotts voucher and a one-night stay at the Morrison Hotel for two people. The theme of the competition is Capture the Energy of Life and its aim is to capture positive images of ageing and older people in your community. The winning entry will be used to publicise Positive Ageing Week 2009 which takes place from September 25 to October 3. The best entries will also form part of an exhibition which will tour Ireland. The closing date for entries is March 27, 2009.Older people often suffer from the negative stereo-type that they are ill, frail and are a drain on society. But the reality is very different, said Age Action chief executive Robin Webster. Older people are often at the heart of communities, as volunteers in sports and social organisations, as grandparents looking after children, and as pillars of society who have contributed so much in the past and continue to contribute. We are hoping that this competition will encourage the public to view older people in a new light and recognise the important role they play in our communities. ESB Customer Supply also announced that it will again sponsor this year Positive Ageing Week. Bríd Horan, Executive Director, ESB Customer Supply and Group Services, said: We are delighted to be associated with the national celebration of positive ageing. This is the fourth successive year ESB Customer Supply has sponsored the Age Action event. Last year, there were over 600 events organised nation-wide as part of Positive Ageing Week as well as 10 Positive Ageing Week towns where a week-long series of events was held. The week-long event seeks to highlight that ageing is something to be celebrated, rather than feared. In addition to events organised by older people’s groups, it is an opportunity for communities to celebrate the contribution which older people have made and continue to make. Further details are available by phoning Age Action at 01-4756989, by writing to Age Action at 30/31 Lower Camden Street, Dublin 2 or by logging on at www.ageaction.ie. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR COPY OF PHOTOGRAPH CONTACT EAMON TIMMINS, HEAD OF ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATIONS, AGE ACTION. 01-4756989 OR 087-9682449. http://www.ageaction.ie/news85.htm

What activity promises better health, eternal youth, and a vibrant social life? These are just some of the reasons why older people are going back to learn, according to a new research report by AONTAS, the National Adult Learning Organisation, launched today at the Burlington Hotel. The report, called 'Don't Stop Me Now', was funded by Age and Opportunity. Speaking at the launch, Minister for Older People Minister Máire Hoctor said " "Don't Stop Me Now" highlights the wealth of skills and experience that we have in this country. Older people can and want to contribute, the challenge is to provide them with the opportunity to participate in meaningful and purposeful education" The Minister was addressing an audience of 250 older learners at a special event as part of the AONTAS Adult Learners' Festival, which takes place nationwide all this week. The Forever Young Choir from Finglas performed at the event, drawing from their repertoire of popular songs by U2 and Sinead O'Connor. A number of enthusiastic older learners took part in the day - including Al O'Connor, who writes and manages his own blog at the age of 84. We live longer lives now - by 2025 it is predicted that 36% of the population will be aged 50 plus. In fact by 2036 it is estimated that older people (65 years and older) will account for one fifth of the population. The health benefits of education have already been documented by the Institute of Public Health, which has identified a link between lower levels of education and poor health. 'The research identified that one of the main issues faced by older people returning to learn is that many of the courses on offer are geared around employment', explained Berni Brady, AONTAS Director. 'For example older people expressed a huge interest in learning how to use technology more proficiently. Social networking, and mobile phones provide fantastic opportunities for older people, particularly those who are housebound - but the training needs to be delivered according to the needs of older people themselves. The social aspect of education is really important for older people, it's not just about learning a new skill; getting out of the house and meeting new people is also hugely important.' There are a number of initiatives around the country which use innovative approaches to developing training for older people. For example the Active Senior IT Society LTD in Terenure has set up IT training for older people delivered by transition year students. Meanwhile the Embrace IT over 55s project In Drogheda delivers a number of taster programmes in technology designed particularly for older people, forming a productive partnership with Meteor phone company in the process. This afternoon the group will put together a manifesto for older learners, to be used in the lead up to the local and European elections. In addition, a number of events are taking place around the country all aimed at older learners - from 'Computer for the Terrified' in Kilkenny, to 'Surfin' Time' in Cork. More information is available on the Festival website www.adultlearnersfestival.com. 'Learning is not just about gaining new skills', concluded Ms Brady. 'It's also about improving our capacity to cope with change.' For more information/media queries, contact Niamh Farren, Communications Officer 01 406 8220/087 911 0569 Note to Editor 1. 'Don't Stop Me Now' - Research on the Lifelong Learning Needs of Older Learners, was supported by Age and Opportunity and produced by AONTAS in 2007. The research is available from www.aontas.com. 2. This year's Adult Learners' Festival is kindly sponsored by the FETAC, ICTU, the TUI, the ESB, and the Department of Education and Science. More information on events that are happening is available from www.adultlearnersfestival.com http://www.aontas.com/newsandevents/latestnews/2009/02/04/older-people-make-the-best-use-out-of-their-grey-matter/

Could a natural rhythm - which some experts believe we all possess - be a cure for a variety of health problems? Some certainly think so. Musician Simon Lee, from Kent, is called on to teach drumming to patients with problems ranging from addiction to autism, and learning difficulties to mental health issues. He has even offered help to terminally ill patients needing palliative care. And he says the results are amazing. Experts believe that rhythmic drumming can aid health by inducing a deep sense of relaxation, reducing stress, and lowering blood pressure. Drumming health benefits "Drumming has a number of benefits," said Simon. "It can energise or relax. It can foster a sense of playfulness or release anger and tension. It can also help in the conquering of social isolation and the building of positive relationships." One patient, an alcoholic, told Simon her drumming sessions had helped her so much it had given her the inspiration to continue with a gruelling detox course. "She said when she came into the clinic she was extremely negative and the first two or three days the treatment was purely about detox and heavy stuff," said Simon. "The drumming was the first time she engaged and smiled. "She said 'I came out of myself and saw that I could survive'." Simon, who also carries out drumming sessions for the general public, said there was a growing interest in the therapeutic effect it could have, both on the individual and the community. "There is strong evidence to suggest that drumming may actually be a healing activity," he said. "Some have gone so far as to prove that time spent drumming can positively affect our immune systems, levels of stress and psychological well being." Natural sense of rhythm Stephen Clift, professor of health education at Canterbury University and director of research at the Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health, Folkestone, said his centre had recently hosted a workshop into the benefits of drumming. "It gives a general sense of well being," he said. "As a research centre we are interested in arts and health generally but particularly in regards to music. "Most of the work we have been doing is in regards to singing, particularly in groups and community sessions - but these benefits apply to drumming. "It is fun and challenging, but can produce very positive results very quickly." Dr Barry Bittman, a neurologist, and CEO of the Yamaha and Wellness Institute in Pensylvania, believes one of the great potential benefits of employing drums in therapy is that they are so easy use. And although some might disagree, he believes that everybody has a sense of rhythm. "I believe we are hard wired for music there is evidence that even in the womb the foetus has rhythm," he said. "We are all naturally musical, although in the US less than 7% of adults over the age of 18 even pick up a musical instrument once a year. "Drums are accessible and don't present the challenge of a learning curve - anyone regardless of handicap can sit and beat out a rhythm on a drum. "Drumming is affordable, accessible and sustainable. "I think we all begin as drummers if you think about childhood the children are under the table banging on pots and pans." Nick "Topper" Headon, former drummer of the legendary 1970s punk group The Clash, is one who subscribes to the theory that drumming is good for the psyche. Unfortunately a drug problem developed while he was playing with The Clash meant that he went 26 years without playing the drums, but now that he has finally kicked his drug habit he once again enjoys the buzz of hammering away on his kit. He said: "Its a physical activity, it stimulates parts of the brain keeping the four limbs doing something different, and it is primeval as well - drums were the first instrument: before music, people were banging things together." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7872043.stm

Just one brain cell is capable of holding fleeting memories vital for our everyday life, according to US scientists. A study of mouse brain cells revealed how they could keep information stored for as long as a minute. A UK specialist said that understanding these short-term memories might help unlock the secrets of Alzheimer's Disease. The finding was reported in the journal Nature Neuroscience. The difference between the brain's long-term and short-term memory has been likened to the RAM of a computer and the hard-drive. To perform normal functions, we need the ability to store, quickly and reliably, large amounts of data, but only a small amount of this needs to be retained in the longer term. Scientists have spent decades working out which parts of the brain are responsible for these functions, and how cells manage this feat. Original theories suggested the memories were retained by multiple cells forming "circuits" around which electrical impulses were fired for the necessary period. More recent ideas have centred around the concept that even an individual cell could somehow hold on to information. Researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern looked at brain cells taken from mice using tiny electrodes to measure their function. They found that a particular component of the cells in question, a chemical receptor, which, when switched on, tells the cell to start an internal signal system that holds the "memory" in place. Drug boost The next step, they say, is to find out more about this internal system so that it could be targeted by drugs with the aim of improving memory. Dr Don Cooper, the lead researcher, said: "If we can identify and manipulate the molecular components of memory, we can develop drugs that boost the ability to maintain this memory trace to hopefully allow a person to complete tasks without being distracted." He said that this could potentially help people addicted to drugs, by improving the ability of their brain to ignore impulses. Professor Ian Forsythe, from the University of Leicester, said that the information shed on the brain's ability to retain short-term information was important in understanding the laying down of longer-term memories - and perhaps to understand how to help people for whom that was a problem. He said: "Probably the most interesting thing will be to get to grips with the memory problems involved in Alzheimer's Disease. "If you've got no short term memory, you've got no chance of longer-term memories." Alison Cranage, from the Alzheimer's Research Trust, said, "By understanding memory formation, scientists may be able to discover ways to enhance it. "Memory loss can be an early sign of dementia, and we desperately need to fund more research in order to find a cure for this devastating disease." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7846531.stm

People who are more laid back are less likely to develop dementia in old age, a study has suggested. Research published in the journal Neurology asked 500 healthy elderly people to fill out questionnaires about their personalities. Those who were calm and relaxed had a 50% lower risk of developing dementia during the six years of the study. UK experts said it offered "compelling evidence" of the need to be "socially active throughout life". There are 700,000 people with dementia in the UK. That number is expected to rise to over one million by 2025 and 1.7 million by 2051. The personality questionnaires measured neuroticism - a term meaning easily distressed, and extraversion - or openness to talking to people. Those who were not easily distressed were calm and self-satisfied, whereas people who were easily distressed were emotionally unstable, negative and nervous. The study of people aged 78 and over found that people who were socially inactive but calm and relaxed had a 50% lower risk of developing dementia compared with people who were socially isolated and prone to distress. The dementia risk was also 50% lower for people who were outgoing and calm compared to those who were outgoing and prone to distress. The lifestyle questionnaire determined how often each person regularly participated in leisure activities and the richness of their social network. During that period they were studied, 144 people developed dementia. Good news Dr Hui-Xin Wang of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, who led the research, said: "In the past, studies have shown that chronic distress can affect parts of the brain, such as the hippocampus, possibly leading to dementia. "But our findings suggest that having a calm and outgoing personality in combination with a socially active lifestyle may decrease the risk of developing dementia even further. "The good news is, lifestyle factors can be modified as opposed to genetic factors which cannot be controlled. "But these are early results, so how exactly mental attitude influences risk for dementia is not clear." One theory is that stress and anxiety trigger the release of chemicals which can damage the tissues of the brain. Dr Susanne Sorensen, head of research at the Alzheimer's Society, said: "Doctors have always believed that personality traits are linked to risk of dementia. "This compelling new evidence suggests people who are easily stressed or not very outgoing should make every effort to be socially active." But she said: "It's a chicken and egg scenario - do these personality traits increase risk of dementia in older people or are they an early sign of the disease? "One in three people over 65 will die with dementia. It is vital to keep mentally and physically active throughout your life to reduce risk of this devastating condition." http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7833707.stm

Women may suffer more from rheumatoid arthritis than men, findings suggest. Female patients say they experience more symptoms like aches, pains and tiredness even when they appear to have the same level of disease as men. The Finnish researchers believe their findings may be down to physical strength - women are naturally weaker than men and thus feel the strain more. Details of their study of over 6,000 patients from 25 countries is published in Arthritis Research and Therapy. It is already known that the disease is more common in women than in men - more than 70% of those with rheumatoid arthritis are female. In the latest study, the men and women were asked to complete questionnaires about their disease and underwent x-rays and blood tests to gauge how advanced their arthritis was. 'Weaker' sex Lead researcher Dr Tuulikki Sokka, a consultant in rheumatology at the Jyvaskyla Central Hospital, said: "The level of rheumatoid arthritis appears to be pretty much the same in both sexes but the symptoms of joint tenderness and things like that appear to be worse in women. "The problem is that the only real measure we have for rheumatoid arthritis is the X-ray, which only measures damage. "This is not a very valuable tool in the everyday clinic and so we need to rely on what patients tell us. We found that women tell us they have more severe symptoms." Dr Sokka believes this relates to women being physically weaker than men. "Our findings were particularly obvious in older women, who are losing their muscle mass little by little every year. "Given that woman is the 'weaker vessel' concerning musculoskeletal size and strength and her baseline values are lower than men's, the same burden of a musculoskeletal disease may appear to be more harmful to a woman than to a man." Macho façade Alternatively, it may be that women feel less inhibited about admitting they are having difficulties, or that men tolerate more pain, she said. Hormones may also play a role. Professor Alan Silman, a spokesman for the Arthritis Research Campaign, said: "One of the most fascinating and unexplained aspects of rheumatoid arthritis is the strong female excess in incidence, although this narrows substantially after the menopause. "This provides powerful evidence that hormonal factors are involved in the disease. "Furthermore men who develop the disease need to have a stronger genetic background than women. "Thus it is not surprising that the disease behaves differently between the genders and the differences in severity are not likely to be totally explained by external factors such as body build and physical activities." Dr Chris Deighton, a consultant rheumatologist at Derbyshire Royal Infirmary, said it was possible that women had more severe joint disease than men. But the study also showed that the way disease activity is measured in patients could differ between men and women. Dr Deighton said: "My impression is that there's still a possibility that women have more severe joint disease than men do. "When they looked at the data, they noted that women tended to have more erosions (of bone) than men did." http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7826151.stm

Scientists have found a genetic risk factor for late onset Alzheimer's disease which is carried only by women. The discovery is the first evidence to suggest that genetics may partly explain why more women than men tend to develop the disease. The key variant was found in a gene on the X chromosome, of which females have two copies, but males only one. The study, by the US-based Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, features in the journal Nature Genetics. The Mayo team carried out a detailed genetic analysis of patients with Alzheimer's diease. They identified a particular variant of a gene called PCDH11X which appeared to be closely linked to a higher risk of the disease. However, further analysis showed that the association was almost entirely restricted to women. The raised risk of Alzheimer's was not statistically significant in men who carried one copy of the rogue gene variant, and only marginally so in women with just one copy. But the raised risk was much more significant in women who carried two copies - one inherited from each parent. Cell communication PCDH11X controls production of a protein called a protocadherin, part of a family of molecules that help cells in the central nervous system to communicate with each other. Some evidence has suggested that protocadherins may be broken down by an enzyme which has been linked to some forms of Alzheimer's disease. Lead researcher Dr Steven Younkin said it was likely that many genes contributed to the overall risk of Alzheimer's, and that age was probably a more significant factor. He said: "It is exciting to find a new gene for Alzheimer's, particularly the first that has a gender-specific effect, but we have a lot more work to do to resolve the complex genetics of the disease." Rebecca Wood, of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, described the research as "important". She said: "Finding genes associated with Alzheimer's will tell researchers about the biology of the disease, which could lead to new treatments being developed. "At present, the cause of Alzheimer's is unknown, but it is likely that a mixture of environmental and genetic factors is involved. "Two thirds of people with dementia are women, but this is partly because women live longer and risk of developing dementia increases with age." Neil Hunt, of the Alzheimer's Society, said research by his organisation showed that twice as many women than men over 65 have dementia. "It is likely that a combination of factors cause Alzheimer's disease. Genetics play a part, but whilst dementia isn't a natural part of ageing, age is the biggest risk factor." It is estimated that 700,000 people in the UK have dementia. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7820650.stm

An Irish boy band wants a new drummer - but he must be a senior citizen. The Bolton Street Band are releasing a new single in honour of the recent protests by pensioners against the Government's plans on the over seventies medical card. The group are the resident musicians in the Friends of the Elderly community centre in Dublin and have a combined age of 305.

More people need to donate their brains to medical research if cures for diseases like dementia are to be found, UK scientists say. They say research is being hampered by a gross shortage of brains and are urging healthy people as well as those with brain disorders to become donors. Brain research has proved essential for finding new treatments - such as dopamine for Parkinson's disease. Brain investigator Dr Payam Rezaie called the current situation "dire". He said thousands more brains were needed to look for the cause and treatments for conditions like autism and Alzheimer's disease. Dr Rezaie, from the Neuropathology Research Laboratory at the Open University, said: "For autism, we only have maybe 15 or 20 brains that have been donated that we can do our research on. That is drastically awful. "We would need at least 100 cases to get meaningful data. But that is just one example. A lot of research is being hindered by this restriction." Short supply Professor James Ironside, of the Human Tissue Authority, which regulates the donation process, said as well as a shortage of diseased brains to study, there was a bigger problem of getting hold of healthy donor brains for comparison. He said this was down to poor awareness rather than people being squeamish. He helped set up a brain bank in Scotland to collect normal "control" brains from people who had died unexpectedly and needed an autopsy by law to establish the cause of death. "We were surprised and pleased that over 90% of the relatives approached in this way gave consent." He said more needed to be done to raise public awareness. Dr Kieran Breen, of the Parkinson's Disease Society, said over 90% of the brains in their bank at Imperial College London were from patients, with the remaining 10% of "healthy" brains donated by friends or relatives of patients. "It is a question of awareness rather than anything else." But he said scandals like Alder Hey - where organs were kept without consent - have put some off donating their organs to medical research. "There is also confusion. Some people are under the impression that if they sign up for a donor card that will include donating their brain for research. But it won't. "Donor cards are about donating organs for transplant, not for medical science." He said anyone interested in becoming a donor should contact one of the 15-20 brain banks dotted around the UK. The Medical Research Council is setting up a network to coordinate the existing brain banks from one central location. It is hoped this will make it simpler for those wanting to donate and for researchers to pool information and resources. Dr Marie Janson, of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, said: "Donated brains can be an immense help in the fight against dementia and are likely to become more important in the future. "Most drugs already developed for brain-related diseases have relied on research using human brains. "Unfortunately dementia research is still severely underfunded, and - if new treatments are not found - the number of people with dementia in the UK could increase from 700,000 to 1.5 million within a generation." http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7813114.stm

Age Action has today urged the public to donate their unwanted Christmas gifts to help some of the country’s most needy older people. The charity called on people to pass on the presents for them to be sold in its charity shops. Funding from the stores provide money to help older people who wish to remain at home, providing them with basic DIY and a home visitation service. Daragh Matthews, Age Action’s Head of Business Development, said donating the presents would provide the organisation with much needed funding to continue its work. “Finding the funding to continue and expand these services is one of the biggest challenges for us in 2009 faced with the economic downturn, and our charity shops are a vital source of revenue,” Mr Matthews said. “For every euro we receive in state support we have to bring in eight euro from our fundraising activities.” Unwanted gifts can be dropped in at the shops in Camden Street, Dublin, Dun Laoghaire, Monaghan, Castlebar or Upper Abbeygate Street, Galway. However, there are some types of gift which the shops cannot accept. Due to safety regulations, Age Action can only take electrical goods if they are new and the packaging has not been opened. “The shops cannot accept food, perishable items, alcohol or large items of furniture,” Mr Matthews added. “We are deeply grateful to everyone who has donated goods or purchased items in our shops during 2008.” http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mhsncwsnidey/

Help needed for the Friends of the Elderly Christmas Collection in O'Connell Street, Saturday 20th December. Friends of the Elderly is a voluntary, non-denominational organisation that brings friendship and social opportunies to the elderly, specially those who live alone. We have over 175 volunteers in the Greater Dublin area who have made a commitment to visit elderly people in their homes and become their friend. Our core activity is the Friends of the Elderly Home Visitation Service which we constantly seek to expand. We also have a busy programme of evenings out, day trips and short holidays, plus community club activities and a series of campaigns to improve the quality of life of the elderly. There are over 121,826 elderly people living alone in Ireland, 31,690 of them live in the Dublin area. During the year we receive many reports and referrals from social workers, physiotherapists, GPs' and neighbours regarding elderly people living alone who have become isolated and lonely due to ill health, lack of mobility, the death of a spouse, changing neighbourhoods or depression. We do everything we can to find a volunteer to visit that person and become their friend; someone who values them and cares for them. The Friends of the Elderly Home Visitor is often the only person an elderly person may see for several days - apart from State services. Over the years thousands of wonderful, rich and rewarding friendships have been formed. Our motto is ..above all, we need love. We need your help to reach out to more lonely and isolated elderly people. You can support us by volunteering or making a donation. Your support will make a real difference. Friends of the Elderly have permission to hold a Christmas Collection in O'Connell Street on Saturday 20th December. If you can spare an hour to raise money to support the elderly who live alone, please contact Dermot Kirwan at Friends of the Elderly at 01 8731855 or 087 7771448. http://www.friendsoftheelderly.ie/

By Caroline O’Doherty PENSION fund bosses are to be called in for talks with the Government amid fears that some private pension schemes are on the verge of collapse. A confidential memo prepared by Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin for her cabinet colleagues reveals her concern that the value of numerous schemes, already decimated by the stock market crash, will be further depleted in the coming months to the point where they cannot pay their existing pensioners or newly retired members. Both Ms Hanafin and Taoiseach Brian Cowen said the situation was being monitored and Mr Cowen said Ms Hanafin would be examining the funding arrangements for schemes under pressure. “The Minister for Social and Family Affairs will be engaging with the pensions industry,” he said. The contents of the memo were disclosed by the Sunday Tribune newspaper yesterday, fuelling fears that tens of thousands of workers could be left struggling on the state’s old age pension despite a lifetime of contributions to company pension schemes. Among the bleak warnings the memo delivers are that the total private pension deficit is €20-30 billion and that 90% of defined benefit schemes will not meet the legal solvency requirements when they file their next financial statement with the Pensions Board. It also cites industry sources that suggest as many as 50% of schemes could wind up in the next 12 months and, in a clear signal that there would be no State bail-out if problems arise, the memo continues: “In the event of a major scheme winding up in the short term, the Government potential to respond is extremely limited.” The Irish Association of Pension Funds (IAPF) warned in October that a number of private pension schemes were in danger but Jerry Moriarty, its director of policy, said last night that predictions of a 50% collapse rate were “over the top”. “There is obviously a big issue for fund revenues. They are not immune to what’s going on in the wider financial environment but it’s important for people to remember that we are talking about long-term funding issues. The vast majority of schemes are not going to wind up today or in the next year,” he said. “It’s not, for example, as big an issue as the capitalisation of the banks. One is about immediate availability of finance while pensions are a longer-term concern.” Mr Moriarty said the IAPF was happy to discuss the issues with the Government. “There is a lot of talk about how secure pensions are but we have to talk about both security and sustainability because you can have the most secure scheme in the world but it’s no good if no-one can afford it.” Both the employers body, IBEC, and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, called on the Government to review the way pension schemes were funded. Under current law, they have to meet strict solvency or “funding standard” requirements that show they can pay all their liabilities to existing and future members if they wind up today. If they fall short, companies are required to step in to boost them but in the current financial context there are concerns this could cause firms’ collapse. A Government policy paper on pensions, expected to address this and other matters, is due for publication next month. http://www.irishexaminer.com/irishexaminer/pages/story.aspx-qqqg=ireland-qqqm=ireland-qqqa=ireland-qqqid=78906-qqqx=1.asp

Physician assisted suicide has been legal for a decade in the US state of Oregon. But palliative care specialist David Jeffrey says there are grave questions about whether people are being helped to die, when treatment for depression could be a highly successful alternative. In this week's Scrubbing Up column Dr Jeffrey, who is based at the University of Edinburgh, says a patient should be free to end their life - but doctors should not be involved. Oregon's 1997 Death with Dignity Act legalised physician-assisted suicide (PAS) for patients in the last six months of a terminal illness. A decade on, only one in 10 people requesting PAS proceed as far as picking up the medication. And only half of those take the lethal drug. In 2007, official records show 85 prescriptions were written - the most since the law was introduce - but only 46 people took the medication. There were also three deaths in patients prescribed their drugs the previous year. In all, three people suffered complications. One patient took three days to die. Exaggerated need Worryingly, none of the patients had been referred for a psychiatric assessment, even though this might have led to successful treatment, rather than suicide. It is well established that depression is a common cause of suicidal wishes and that around 25% of patients with terminal cancer have treatable depression. Furthermore, recent research from Oregon published in the British Medical Journal shows the Act failed to protect some depressed patients who died from lethal ingestion. It is also commonly assumed that patients who carry out PAS must be suffering terrible pain. However, the patients who use PAS in Oregon are generally not in pain, but wish to use PAS simply so that they can control the timing of their death. The report found the major concerns of those undertaking PAS were loss of autonomy, being less able to take part in activities they enjoyed and loss of dignity (86%). Other reasons include fear of being a burden and that they might experience pain at the end of their lives. Oregon physicians describe patients requesting PAS as having strong personalities, characterised by determination and inflexibility. These patients have always had a marked need for control throughout their lives and cannot bear having to depend on others, so palliative care has no appeal for them. The question here is not one of the patient's right to commit suicide, but whether this small group of people who have an exaggerated need for control have any right to demand the involvement of doctors, nurses and pharmacists in their suicide. 'Middle-class law' In Oregon, care described as "hospice" or "palliative" is not comparable to UK services. There are no specialist inpatient palliative care beds in Oregon; their hospice home care is a nursing and social care service which is limited by the financial constraints of the US health care system and is limited to end-of-life care. Some patients are excluded - 17% of Oregonians are not covered for health care - and even those who do qualify must forgo other treatments such as radiotherapy which are employed in the UK for the relief of difficult symptoms. The law is discriminatory as it excludes people who are not physically capable of taking the medication. The people who use PAS in Oregon are white middle-class well educated people. There is a lack of trust in the medical establishment amongst many African-Americans which may account for their avoidance of PAS. The provision of end-of-life care in Oregon is so different to that in the UK that it cannot be claimed to be a valid basis for any change in existing UK law. In the UK patients are suffering unrelieved pain and psychosocial distress because they do not have access to the best standards of palliative care. There is an urgent need to make palliative care available to all patients, to those with end stage cardiac failure, respiratory failure, dementia and the chronic neurological diseases such as motor neurone disease as well as to those with cancer. This is the starting point of an ethical response to suffering at the end of life. David Jeffrey is the author of 'Against Physician Assisted Suicide. A palliative care perspective'. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7697237.stm

It may bring a congratulatory telegram from the Queen but reaching 100 is no guarantee of a happy, contented, old age, US research suggests. A study by researchers at Temple University in Philadelphia of 244 people aged 100 or over found one in four showed clear signs of depression. However, fewer than a third of these had been officially diagnosed by a GP. Age Concern painted a similar picture, with its figures showing two million UK pensioners affected by depression. The US has about 60,000 people over 100 and this is expected to quadruple as general life expectancy rises and the "baby boomer" generation arrives at extreme old age. In the UK there are thought to be more than 9,000, the majority of them women, and that figure is currently rising at 5% a year, with some population predictions suggesting a total of more than 58,000 by 2032. Despite this, studies focusing entirely on centenarians are still relatively uncommon. The Temple study, presented at the Gerontological Society of America's annual meeting, found 25% of their subjects had "clinically relevant" levels of symptoms, yet only 8% reported having a current diagnosis of depression. Dr Adam Davey, who led the study, said: "Centenarians are still rare, and depression hasn't been studied thoroughly in this group. "We've found that it's a very under-diagnosed condition among people over 100 years old, yet it's one of the most easily treated forms of mental illness. "People who suffer from depression tend to have a high risk of mortality, so it's puzzling to see higher numbers among the oldest old." Fastest growing age-group In the UK, mental health charities and those catering for older people both complain that depression is not taken seriously in the elderly. Marjorie Wallace, from Sane, said: "It should come as no surprise that people of all ages can suffer from depression, and we welcome this contribution to our understanding of this condition amongst those aged 100 or more. "With an increasingly ageing population it is vital that governments in the UK and elsewhere provide appropriate treatment for this illness regardless of how old someone is. "Untreated depression can have profound consequences, yet with the right support it is possible to prevent much unnecessary suffering." Gordon Lishman, from Age Concern, said: "Despite people aged 85 and over being the fastest growing age group in Britain, many NHS services are not tailored to meet the needs of our ageing society. "The neglect of older people's mental health ruins lives and must no longer be ignored." The charity is running a campaign, "Down but Not Out", which aims to draw attention to the mental health of older people. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7741906.stm

It may bring a congratulatory telegram from the Queen but reaching 100 is no guarantee of a happy, contented, old age, US research suggests. A study by researchers at Temple University in Philadelphia of 244 people aged 100 or over found one in four showed clear signs of depression. However, fewer than a third of these had been officially diagnosed by a GP. Age Concern painted a similar picture, with its figures showing two million UK pensioners affected by depression. The US has about 60,000 people over 100 and this is expected to quadruple as general life expectancy rises and the "baby boomer" generation arrives at extreme old age. In the UK there are thought to be more than 9,000, the majority of them women, and that figure is currently rising at 5% a year, with some population predictions suggesting a total of more than 58,000 by 2032. Despite this, studies focusing entirely on centenarians are still relatively uncommon. The Temple study, presented at the Gerontological Society of America's annual meeting, found 25% of their subjects had "clinically relevant" levels of symptoms, yet only 8% reported having a current diagnosis of depression. Dr Adam Davey, who led the study, said: "Centenarians are still rare, and depression hasn't been studied thoroughly in this group. "We've found that it's a very under-diagnosed condition among people over 100 years old, yet it's one of the most easily treated forms of mental illness. "People who suffer from depression tend to have a high risk of mortality, so it's puzzling to see higher numbers among the oldest old." Fastest growing age-group In the UK, mental health charities and those catering for older people both complain that depression is not taken seriously in the elderly. Marjorie Wallace, from Sane, said: "It should come as no surprise that people of all ages can suffer from depression, and we welcome this contribution to our understanding of this condition amongst those aged 100 or more. "With an increasingly ageing population it is vital that governments in the UK and elsewhere provide appropriate treatment for this illness regardless of how old someone is. "Untreated depression can have profound consequences, yet with the right support it is possible to prevent much unnecessary suffering." Gordon Lishman, from Age Concern, said: "Despite people aged 85 and over being the fastest growing age group in Britain, many NHS services are not tailored to meet the needs of our ageing society. "The neglect of older people's mental health ruins lives and must no longer be ignored." The charity is running a campaign, "Down but Not Out", which aims to draw attention to the mental health of older people. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7741906.stm

Scientists have identified a molecule which could be key to understanding the cause of motor neurone disease (MND) and other neurodegenerative disorders. The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences study raises the hope of new treatments being developed. The London-based team showed the molecule, Wnt3, plays a key role in establishing connections between nerve cells and the muscles they control. These connections become progressively weaker in MND patients. Without properly-formed connections - or synapses - the muscle cannot receive the nerve signal that tells it to contract. This results in the muscle weakness that is typical of MND. However, scientists have not been clear how synapses are formed in normal circumstances and this has made it very difficult to pin down what goes wrong in MND. The researchers, from University College London and King's College London, identified Wnt3 as key to the process. It assists a second molecule, called Agrin, which co-ordinates construction of the connection - or synapse. Lead researcher Professor Patricia Salinas said: "The work we are publishing today puts an important piece of the puzzle in place and offers up a new possibility for developing drugs to treat MND and other neurodegenerative diseases. "If we can build up a thorough picture to show how synapses are normally formed between nerves and muscles we can start to look for any elements that aren't working properly in people with MND. "This might also lead to strategies for nerve repair after an injury." Animal studies The team of researchers looked at the function of Wnt signals in chickens, mice and in cells. In all three cases, it was shown to enhance the effectiveness of Agrin. Professor Salinas added: "Chickens that don't have the Wnt signal in their developing wings have all of the muscle tissue that we would expect to see, but they don't make strong connections between nerves and muscles. "So we know that Wnt is definitely affecting synapse formation rather than anything else to do with muscles. "Now that we understand the role Wnt plays we can begin to explore any role it plays in MND and whether it could be a good target for treating this type of neurodegenerative disease." Dr Belinda Cupid, of the MND Association, said: "We know from recent research that signs of motor neurone damage, on a cellular level, in models of MND occur very much earlier than the symptoms appear, so any new knowledge of how healthy motor neurones and muscles interact will give us new clues about what might be going wrong in those people affected by this cruel disease."

The health of older Europeans varies widely between countries, even in those with longer life expectancies, a report has claimed. The study found people in Estonia, Latvia and Finland had fewer years of good health after the age of 50. People in the UK fare relatively well, enjoying nearly 20 years on average. The lead authors of the Lancet study, from Leicester University, said the figures could help governments plan for future health needs. The researchers collected data on life-expectancy, then surveyed older people from each country to find out whether they felt that illness had limited their ability to carry out normal activities. This was used to calculate how many "healthy life years" a man and woman from each EU country could expect after their 50th birthday. In some cases, this revealed problems not immediately apparent by just looking at life expectancy charts. For example, Austrian men and women can expect to live on average to 79 and almost 84 respectively. However, only half of their years after 50 will be free of ill-health, according to the figures. In Germany and Finland, the gap between life expectancy and healthy years is even worse. The newest entrants to the EU, already recording lower life expectancies than established members, appear to have populations blighted by chronic illness in old age. In Estonia, men live on average to just under 73 years old, and women to over 80 - but men can expect only nine years' good health after 50, and women only a year more than this. UK 'average' While the UK has a generally lower life expectancy than some other EU states, its "healthy life year" score suggests that the health gap is not as wide as suggested by life expectancy alone. Men here can expect to live until almost 80, and women to more than 82. However, for men, almost 20 years of this will be in good health, and just over 20 for women. This compares to Spanish women, who live to 85, but can expect fewer of those extra years to be healthy ones. Lead researcher Professor Carol Jagger, from Leicester University, said: "What we have here, for the very first time, is data we can really compare. "And it really questions whether the countries with the longest life expectancies are the healthiest. "In the case of the UK, we are looking pretty average, but slightly better than our life expectancy figures suggest." She said that the figures might be useful to governments who are trying to work out the number of older people able to remain working, or who will need health care. The results might mean that an EU target of increasing the number of older people working might be a difficult one to meet. "Without an improvement in the state of health of older people, it will be difficult to raise the retirement age or bring more older workers into the workforce for certain EU countries." John Appleby, from the health policy think tank The King's Fund, said that the figures threw up some "interesting differences" between countries. He said: "I'm not entirely surprised by the results for the UK. It possibly partly reflects a better health and welfare system which supports older people in this country. "This is an area which is often missed out in comparisons between countries. Life expectancy on its own is quite a crude measure, and just doesn't tell you about the quality of that life." http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7728837.stm

A man in his 70s has forced a car-hire company to scrap a ban on over-75s renting and a 33% age surcharge. More than two years ago, Australia-based Christian Brother Anthony White was charged an extra €25 a day on a car he rented in Ireland because he was over 70. He also learned he would be barred from renting on reaching 75. The Brother had held an Australian Heavy Vehicle Licence for over 50 years and was driving 40 to 50,000km a year at the time. After failing to get satisfaction from Irish Car Rentals, he contacted the Equality Authority which negotiated a dropping of the surcharge and the ban. Instead, a safety assessment form has been introduced for all renters. The company and the Authority say it takes due and proper account of each driver's health, driving experience and existing motor insurance policy. Welcoming the settlement, the Senior Citizens' Parliament criticised the requirement to have an existing insurance policy. It said many older people may no longer hold one, yet may want to hire as the need arose. And Age Action Ireland warned that work on many similar cases will be seriously undermined by a significant cut in the Authority's funding. The Equality Authority - which advised Brother White on the case - has welcomed his settlement with Irish Car Rentals Limited. It has also urged all other car hire companies to remove any remaining age limits to ensure that they comply with the Equal Status Acts. http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/1107/equality.html

A vitamin found in meat, fish and potatoes may help protect the brain from Alzheimer's disease - and even boost memory in healthy people. US researchers found vitamin B3 lowered levels of a protein linked to Alzheimer's damage in mice. The Journal of Neuroscience study also showed the animals performed better at memory tests. UK Alzheimer's charities said people should not start taking the vitamin before results from human studies. The vitamin, also called nicotinamide by scientists, is sold in UK pharmacies and health food shops. It has already been shown to help people suffering from diabetes complications and has some anti-inflammatory qualities. The researchers, from the University of California at Irvine, added the vitamin to drinking water given to mice bred to develop a version of Alzheimer's disease, then tested the levels of certain chemicals associated with the condition. They found that levels of one, called phosphorylated tau, were significantly lower in the animals. This protein is involved in abnormal 'deposits' in brain cells, called 'tangles', which contribute to the brain damage which progressively affects people with Alzheimer's. Using 'water mazes', the team also found some evidence that memory was enhanced in both 'Alzheimer's' mice and unaffected mice. Normal memory Dr Kim Green, who led the study, said that human tests were progressing: "Nicotinamide has a very robust effect on neurons. It prevents loss of cognition in mice with Alzheimer's disease, and the beauty of it is we already are moving forward with a clinical trial." His colleague Professor Frank LaFerla, said: "This suggests that not only is it good for Alzheimer's disease, but if normal people take it, some aspects of their memory might improve." Susanne Sorensen, the head of research at the Alzheimer's Society, said the research was "interesting" and pointed to new ways to treat the condition. "From the research, it appears that Nicotinamide has more than one beneficial effect on nerve cells including the facilitation of the recycling of the 'bad' phosphorylated tau. "Nicotinamide occurs naturally in meat, fish, beans, cereals and potatoes and is cheap and easy to take. "However, more research is now needed to explore the possible mechanisms involved so we can better understand if Nicotinamide could have the same effect in people and, if it does, what level of vitamin intake would be required." Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, said until the human research was completed, people should not start taking the supplement. "These are exciting findings, but until the results from the human clinical trial are announced, people should be wary about changing their diet or taking supplements. In high doses vitamin B3 can be toxic."

The Cabinet is due to discuss a report from an independent expert today on the fee to be paid to GPs for treating people over 70 who retain their medical card after the recently announced Budget cuts. When the over-70s medical card scheme was introduced seven years ago, the Irish Medical Organisation succeeded in negotiating a fee of €640 per patient treated under the initiative. This compares to the fee of just €160 for treating ordinary medical card patients. Last week, the Government appointed the former Department of Finance secretary general Eddie O'Sullivan to recommend a new rate for GPs in relation to the over-70s. He was asked to take submissions from the IMO, the HSE and other interested parties before coming up with a proposed new fee. There is speculation that the new capitation rate could be in the region of €320. http://www.seniorcare.ie/articles_more.aspx

British scientists are embarking on a major new trial to assess the impact of the anti-depressant drug lithium as a treatment for motor neurone disease. They say the research is necessary because positive findings from a small-scale Italian study were "too dramatic to ignore". But they are urging patients with the disease not to take the drug in advance of their results. They warn that some side-effects of lithium are potentially dangerous. There are about 5,000 people in the UK living with motor neurone disease (MND). At the moment there is no effective cure or treatment. It is often rapidly progressive and always fatal, usually within two to five years. The disease can affect any adult at any age, although it is more commonly found in men, and is most likely to strike between the ages of 50 and 70. Caution urged Lithium has long been used as a treatment for depression. But recent laboratory tests and animal trials have suggested that it may also have a protective effect with MND. The recent trial of 16 people in Italy reported encouraging results. But the MND Association said the study was small and poorly designed, and that its findings should be treated with caution. The association's president, Professor Sir Colin Blakemore, said: "If you read the publication optimistically it might be taken to mean that lithium literally cures this disease. "But it's very important, against the background of patient hopes and expectations, to stand back and ask whether the trial was large enough to make the claims that it did." Side-effects The director of the MND Care and Research Centre at King's College London, Professor Nigel Leigh, says patients are asking him every day whether they should be trying lithium, but that only a "tiny minority" are taking it. "I'm a bit surprised. I thought more would do it. "I think it's because everybody's discussing this openly on online sites and there's a very balanced discussion, and people are aware that there are side-effects." These include tremors, stiffness, confusion, kidney damage and harm to the thyroid. Professor Leigh says the only ethical approach is to do a full clinical trial, where people are randomised "blind", so neither they nor the researchers know if they are taking lithium or a dummy pill. The 18-month study involving 220 patients who have had MND for between six months and three years will start at 10 centres across the UK. Patients will be monitored closely for side-effects. 'Bear with us' Professor Leigh stressed that GPs and patients with MND should wait for the results before taking Lithium. "We've been here many times before, with drugs that have been promoted as being a fantastic answer. You don't always get the answer you expected. Safety is paramount. Yes, it's tempting, but please bear with us. "If you can take part in a trial that's great. We realise otherwise it's patience, and patience can be short in this condition. But it's much safer to wait." The president of the Royal College of GPs, Professor Steven Field, backed the advice. He said "While the information is encouraging, it's important to await results of clinical trials because the medicine has serious side-effects which could potentially make some of the symptoms worse." http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7702022.stm

TV remote controls, bathroom taps and refrigerator doors are hotspots for the common cold virus, experts have warned. Researchers at the University of Virginia swabbed these common household surfaces in 30 homes and found traces of rhinovirus 42% of the time. While coughs and sneezes do spread the disease, everyday objects in the home are another important source and should be cleaned regularly, they say. Each week in winter, a fifth of the UK population suffers from a cold. As the virus can survive on household surfaces for up to two days, a single family member or visitor can spread the virus to other members through touching such things as door handles and taps, the researchers told a US infectious diseases conference. Infectious rhinovirus was detected on almost a quarter of subjects' fingertips one hour after touching household surfaces contaminated with the virus. And genetic material from the virus was still transferred to the finger tips of more than half of the 30 people studied 48 hours after the surfaces were contaminated. Lead researcher Dr Birgit Winther said the public needed to be aware of this route of transmission. "Some people still spray the air with disinfectants, but rhinovirus doesn't fly through the air. I think that the message from this research is that we need to focus more wisely on cleaning commonly touched surfaces in the home." Professor John Oxford, virologist at St Bartholemew's and the Royal London Hospital and chair of the UK Hygiene Council, said: "The cold virus is a hardy one because it survives on surfaces for so long and can then be passed on, putting the whole family at risk of infection. Home hygiene is key in the fight against colds. "Recent government recommendations mean that doctors can no longer prescribe antibiotics to alleviate colds - so it's vital that families target these key surfaces in the home to protect themselves from colds this winter." http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7695077.stm

Health Minister Mary Harney has published legislation paving the way for the so-called "fair deal" scheme on nursing home funding. Under the long-delayed initiative, people will be asked to contribute towards their long-term nursing home care according to their means. This will allow some older people to use their home to pay for their care after they die. The Department of Health says contributions based on the value of a home will not exceed 15% of its value. Ms Harney says the scheme will be implemented next year. http://www.seniorcare.ie/articles_more.aspx

A monthly injection could halt rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in half of all patients, trial data suggests. The antibody drug tocilizumab works in conjunction with an existing treatment, methotrexate, to stop the condition in which the body attacks its own joints. The drug, which will be sold under the brand name RoActemra by Roche, is awaiting approval by drugs regulators in Europe and the US. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7692701.stm

Going to university, then choosing a mentally demanding job may help protect the brain from the devastating impact of Alzheimer's disease on memory. Scientists found tissue damage was much quicker to lead to memory loss in the less intellectually stimulated. They suggest mentally tough work, or genes which help people achieve such careers, may help the brain compensate for disease. The Italian research was published in the journal Neurology. While there are a number of studies which, based on age and symptoms, suggest that mental stimulation can ward off Alzheimer's, there are fewer which look directly at the damage wreaked by the illness on the brain. The team from the San Raffaele University in Milan used brain scanners to look for the distinctive "tangles" and protein deposits characteristic of Alzheimer's in 242 older people, 72 who had mild cognitive impairment, and 144 with no memory problems. Over a 14-month period, 21 of the people with mild impairment went on to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's. However, when the MRI scans of people with the same level of memory problems were compared, the damage was significantly more extensive in those who had been university educated, then progressed to mentally-tough careers. According to the researchers, this meant that, somehow, the brain was managing to cope better with the disease, perhaps by creating a "cognitive reserve" which buffered against its effects. Brain training Dr Valentina Garibotta, who led the research, said: "The brains are able to compensate for the damage and allow them to maintain functioning in spite of damage. "There are two possible explanations - the brain could be made stronger through education and occupational challenges, or, genetic factors that enabled people to achieve higher education and occupational achievement might determine the amount of brain reserve." A spokesman for the Alzheimer's Society said that more research was "urgently needed" to build on the findings, and perhaps find ways to help people manage their symptoms. "This research is exciting as it is the first study to use MRI scanning extensively to show that in early Alzheimer's, people with higher education have fewer symptoms of dementia than others with the same level of damage to the brain. "Previously, research has suggested that people with "cognitive reserve" do better at managing the symptoms of dementia, but until now there has been little physical evidence." http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7681451.stm

Controlling the level of a fatty acid in the brain could help treat Alzheimer's disease, an American study has suggested. Tests on mice showed that reducing excess levels of the acid lessened animals' memory problems and behavioural changes. Writing in Nature Neuroscience, the team said fatty acid levels could be controlled through diet or drugs. A UK Alzheimer's expert called the work "robust and exciting". There are currently 700,000 people living with dementia in the UK, but that number is forecast to double within a generation. Over-stimulation Scientists from Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease and the University of California looked at fatty acids in the brains of normal mice and compared them with those in mice genetically engineered to have an Alzheimer's-like condition. They identified raised levels of a fatty acid called arachidonic acid in the brains of the Alzheimer's mice. Its release is controlled by the PLA2 enzyme. The scientists again used genetic engineering to lower PLA2 levels in the animals, and found that even a partial reduction halted memory deterioration and other impairments. Dr Rene Sanchez-Mejia, who worked on the study, said: "The most striking change we discovered in the Alzheimer's mice was an increase in arachidonic acid and related metabolites [products] in the hippocampus, a memory centre that is affected early and severely by Alzheimer's disease." He suggested too much arachidonic acid might over-stimulate brain cells, and that lowering levels allowed them to function normally. Dr Lennart Mucke, who led the research, added: "In general, fatty acid levels can be regulated by diet or drugs. "Our results have important therapeutic implications because they suggest that inhibition of PLA2 activity might help prevent neurological impairments in Alzheimer's disease. "But a lot more work needs to be done before this novel therapeutic strategy can be tested on humans." 'Cautious optimism' Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the UK's Alzheimer's Research Trust, said: "This research on mice suggests a connection between fatty acids and the abnormal brain activity that exists in Alzheimer's disease. "This is cause for cautious optimism, as fatty acid levels can be controlled to some extent by diet and drugs. "However, it is not yet clear if these findings are applicable to humans, and a lot more research is needed before any human trials can be conducted." Professor Clive Ballard, director of Research at the Alzheimer's Society, said the work was "robust and exciting". He added: "This is a novel and potentially exciting area of research, but it is still at a very early stage. "Much more research is needed to see if fatty acids could lead to a treatment for those living with the devastating effects of Alzheimer's disease." http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7676606.stm

The Minister for Health, Mary Harney, T.D., has announced the publication of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008. The Bill provides the legislative basis for the new Nursing Homes Support Scheme - A Fair Deal. The Fair Deal, which was approved by the Government in December 2006, aims to make residential nursing home care accessible, affordable and anxiety-free. The Minister said, “I am very pleased to publish this draft legislation. For the first time, it will make the arrangements for financial support for people who need long term care comprehensive, clear and coherent. “It is totally fair. It is clear, sustainable and affordable. It covers all persons in need of long term care, not alone older persons. It covers both public and private nursing homes.” The Department of Health and Children states that under the new scheme, people will be asked to contribute towards their long-term nursing home care according to their means. A person’s contribution will be measurably less than their income. People will be sure they won’t have to sell or mortgage their home, and families should not find themselves under big financial pressure to find large amounts of cash to pay for a relative’s care. Contributions based on the value of a home will not exceed 15% of its value, and 7½% if one person in a couple needs care, and will be deferred until the settlement of their estate. Overall, the State will continue to meet over two-thirds of the cost of long term care for the country. The Minister will now bring the legislation through the Houses of the Oireachtas with a view to implementing the scheme in 2009.

The AP/Philadelphia Inquirer on Tuesday examined how the number of hip and knee replacements is "skyrocketing because they can successfully relieve pain and help people to walk normally again" and how the number of more complex and more expensive "revisions," or subsequent replacements, also has increased. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons estimates that U.S. residents undergo more than 478,000 knee replacements annually, with the number expected to reach 3.4 million by 2030. In addition, the academy estimates that residents undergo 234,000 total hip replacements annually, with the number expected to more than double by 2030. Residents underwent 40,000 knee revisions and 46,000 hip revisions in 2004, with the number of knee revisions expected to increase by seven times and the number of hip revisions expected to more than double by 2030, according to the academy. The academy estimates that a hip replacement on average costs $35,000, compared with $45,000 for a revision. According to the AP/Inquirer, revisions are not "always avoidable even with high-quality care," but "new research suggests that the type of joint replacement you choose and even your sex can play a role in whether you need a revision." A study published last month in the journal PLoS Medicine found that one in 75 patients who undergo knee or hip replacements must undergo revisions and that the rate of revisions varies by procedure. In addition, "as people seeking new joints increasingly are younger, a second new study warns about what athletic activity patients should try after recovery," the Inquirer reports (Neergaard, AP/Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/7). Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.kaisernetwork.org. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. © 2008 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved. http://www.arthritisireland.ie/

Pensioners at one care home in the UK follow in the footsteps of their grandchildren by taking up computer games in a bid to keep fit. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/7651430.stm

In September, medical teams at 25 hospitals across the world revealed they were undertaking the largest study of its kind into near death experiences (NDE). Researchers want to know if there is any truth in so called "out-of-body" incidents reported by gravely ill people. One of the hospitals taking part in the research is Morriston Hospital in Swansea, where Dr Penny Sartori has become a leading expert on the phenomenon. She gives her own personal insight into why the research is so important - and the impact it has had on her own life. I was caring for the man on the night shift prior to his death. He communicated to me how he was feeling and that he wanted to die. He looked into my eyes and the connection we made was something that profoundly affected me. I was very upset by the way the patient had died and became so depressed that I almost gave up nursing. I looked for support by doing a nursing course that may give me a greater understanding of death but found that there were no suitable courses available. The only courses concerning death were palliative care courses which have a very different approach to caring for dying patients in intensive care units. So I read all that I could about death and came across NDEs. I was instantly intrigued because people who had undergone a NDE were saying that death is nothing to be afraid of and that it is a wonderful thing. This didn't mean that these people wanted to die but they knew that when it was their time to die they would not be afraid. They described leaving their body and looking down from above then moving through darkness towards a bright light, some report watching the whole of their life flash before their eyes in a matter of seconds, they feel very peaceful and comfortable where they are. Many meet deceased relatives who tell them that it is not their time and they have to go back, some may see a religious figure or a 'Being of Light'. Following the experience the person is usually profoundly transformed. My scientific training as a nurse told me that these experiences couldn't possibly be more than an overactive imagination or some kind of wishful thinking or hallucination as the brain was shutting down as death approached. How could it be possible for people to report clear, lucid experiences with great clarity of thought during a time when their hearts had stopped beating and blood is not being effectively pumped to the brain? My curiosity got the better of me and as I was working in the ideal place in which to study these experiences I decided to undertake my own research project. I wanted to investigate if these experiences could be attributed to the drugs that we gave the patients, to abnormal levels of oxygen or carbon dioxide in the blood and was there a way of verifying the out of body component? So I hid symbols on top of the cardiac monitors at each patient's bedside which could only be viewed from an out of body perspective. I began the research, which is the UK's largest clinical study to date, in 1997 and completed the data collection in 2003. The project was written up and the results analysed and in 2005 I was awarded a PhD by the University of Wales, Lampeter. In June 2008 my book, an academic monograph, The Near-Death Experiences of Hospitalized Intensive care Patients: A Five Year Clinical Study was published by The Edwin Mellen Press. The reason that I chose to publish an academic book is because I believe these experiences need to be taken seriously. Previous research into NDEs has been retrospective so there was no way of verifying if what the person was saying was correct or if indeed the person was near death at the time of their experience. Important information was extracted from the medical and nursing notes such as oxygen / carbon dioxide levels in the blood during the time of the experience, the drugs administered during the emergency situation as well as people present in case an out of body experience was also reported. The aim of the study was to have a greater understanding of death and therefore benefit future patients. Aspects learned from the study can make the last few weeks/days of a dying patient more comfortable and ensure heightened awareness of the patient's needs. It also proved to be very helpful when counselling the relatives of patients who were critically ill. In appropriate situations it was useful to mention the experiences that some people reported as it had a very positive effect on the relatives and gave them great comfort. To see the rest of this article go to http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/7639798.stm

Scientists have found further evidence that taking commonly used cholesterol- lowering statins may protect against dementia and memory loss. The study, published in Neurology, found that statins - normally taken to reduce heart disease risk - may cut the risk of dementia by half. The five-year project examined 1,674 Mexican Americans aged 60 and over at heightened risk of dementia. The Alzheimer's Research Trust said the research is "encouraging". A quarter of the patients took a statin, and in total 130 went on to develop dementia. Once the researchers had taken account of other risk factors, including education, smoking, and diabetes, they calculated that those who took statins had an approximately 50% lower risk of developing dementia. The study comes hot on the heels of separate research which suggests that drugs to reduce blood pressure can also cut the risk of dementia. It is estimated that 4 million people in England and Wales alone currently take statins. Lead researcher Professor Mary Haan, of the University of Michigan, said: "The bottom line is that if a person takes statins over a course of about five to seven years, it reduces the risk of dementia by half, and that's a really big change." Statins help to reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering levels of cholesterol which clog up the blood vessels. It is thought that a poor supply of blood to the brain may be one factor which promotes the development of dementia. Therefore, if statins help keep the blood vessels healthy, and blood flowing freely to the brain, they may help protect against the disease. However, it is still not clear exactly how statins work on the biochemical pathways involved in dementia. Professor Haan said one possibility is that statins may help to reduce levels of the hormone insulin, which have also been implicated in the development of dementia. 'Encouraging' results Rebecca Wood, of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, described the research as "encouraging". However, she said: "People should not take statins unless medically advised to do as, as side-effects can be unpleasant. "We need much more research into this possible prevention for dementia." Dr Clive Ballard, of the Alzheimer's Society, said statins were increasingly being touted as a potential cure for dementia. He said: "The jury is still out on how effective they are, but this study adds to growing evidence that they may have some benefits. "All drugs have some side-effects so it is important to seek professional advice about medication." It is estimated that 700,000 people in the UK live with Alzheimers'. The number is expected to double within a generation as the average age of the population rises. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7524816.stm

Elderly people who take a cholesterol drug after a stroke or mini-stroke lower their risk of having another stroke just as much as younger people in the same situation, according to research published in the September 3, 2008, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. "Even though the majority of strokes and heart attacks occur in people who are 65 and older, studies have found that cholesterol-lowering drugs are not prescribed as often for older people as they are for younger people," said study author Seemant Chaturvedi, MD, of Wayne State University in Detroit, MI, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology. "These results show that using these drugs is just as beneficial for people who are over 65 as they are for younger people." The study involved 4,731 people age 18 and older who had a recent stroke or transient ischemic attack, or mini-stroke. The 2,249 people age 65 and older were in one group, with an average age of 72, and the 2,482 people under age 65 made up the other group, with an average age of 54. Within each group, about half of the people received the cholesterol-lowering drug atorvastatin and about half received a placebo. The participants were then followed for an average of four and a half years. LDL, or low-density lipoprotein "bad" cholesterol, was lowered by an average of 61 points during the study for the elderly group, and by 59 points for the younger group. Those in the younger group reduced their risk for another stroke by 26 percent; the risk was reduced by 10 percent in the elderly group. "We tested to see whether age had any effect on how well the treatment worked, and we did not find any differences between young people and older people," Chaturvedi said. "It's estimated that 20 percent of the U.S. population will be 65 or older by 2010, so it's important that we identify ways to reduce the burden of strokes and other cerebrovascular diseases in this group. This is a step in that direction." Source: American Academy of Neurology http://esciencenews.com/articles/2008/09/03/cholesterol.drugs.lower.risk.stroke.elderly.too

US scientists have claimed success using gene therapy to try to reverse a severe inherited sight disorder. They injected material containing a corrective gene into the eyes of three patients with Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). The journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reports all three showed signs of "significant" improvement in their vision. UK researchers carried out a similar procedure on three patients last year. They believe the method could be ready for use within two years to treat people suffering from some inherited diseases of the retina, which affect 20,000 people in Britain. Within three years, they believe it could be ready for testing on people who suffer age related macular degeneration, a condition that affects 500,000 Britons. Gene therapy works on a simple principle - to replace a malfunctioning gene, and restore function to a part of the body affected by a genetic disorder. In practice, however, it has proved very difficult to find ways to introduce the new gene copies in the correct tissues, and experiments in animals have had mixed results. In the eye, however, gene therapy has shown more promise. LCA affects approximately one in 80,000 people, causing progressively worsening vision, often starting in the first few years of life. It is responsible for one in 10 severe sight disorders in children. A fault in the RPE65 gene is to blame, and the gene therapy injects working copies of the gene into the back of the eye. Just 30 days after the treatment was delivered into one eye of each of the three young adults involved in the US study, the improvements could be measured. The researchers, from Pennsylvania University, the University of Florida and Cornell University, suggested that the function of "cones" in the retina, which are used in daytime and colour vision, could be boosted up to 50-fold - a "dramatic" improvement in function. However, vision in the treated eyes was not perfect - with the patients showing an abnormally slow adaptation to low light levels. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7625867.stm

The Vodafone España Foundation (FVE), the Spanish Red Cross (CRE) and Qualcomm Inc. through its Wireless Reach initiative, are joining forces to launch a pilot project named "3G Connecting Generations." The project aims to take advantage of 3G mobile broadband technology to connect the elderly to their caregivers and families by unifying voice and videoconferencing through a familiar device like TV. Using a video conference system that works as a TV monitor, a webcam and a phone with mobile broadband Internet connectivity (HSPA), the elderly can stay connected and interact with their friends, family and caregivers, allowing them to remain independent for a longer time in their own homes. "The elderly are a rapidly growing community in our country," said Juan Manuel Suarez del Toro Rivero, president of the Spanish Red Cross. "Many of these people need assistance for daily activities, and the new technology provides innovative ways to enable them to easily keep in touch with those who care for them and the people they trust." Through the video conference system, participants in this project can establish personalized video communications with the Contact Center at the Spanish Red Cross, which answers their questions and motivates them with consistent social interaction. Additionally, the Red Cross is able to conduct periodic and personalized follow-up video calls to check the health and well being of participants and ensure they feel included. The 3G Connecting Generations project also provides participants' families with 3G phones to communicate with their elderly family members via video calls, which is particularly helpful since participants in the program do not live near their family. In addition to communicating with the Red Cross and family members, the project enables participants to use their 3G video communication platform to meet and communicate with other people in order to expand their social circle. They also can learn to download multimedia content, including physical exercise videos and interactive games, which help them stay active. The devices will be available at selected elderly community day centers, enabling participants to connect with friends when they are unable to access the devices. "The 3G Connecting Generations project not only provides the elderly with tools to lead independent lives, but it also grants access to the latest communications technologies, giving them the opportunity to actively participate in the 21st century," said Jose Luis Ripoll, president of the Vodafone España Foundation. One hundred elderly people will participate in the pilot, of which the majority live alone and far from their families. The initiative also involves family members or day centers from more than 10 provinces in nine independent communities, including, Barcelona, Huesca, Leon, La Palma, Madrid, Salamanca, Toledo, and Valladolid. 3G Connecting Generations was based on the experience gathered by the Spanish Red Cross and the Vodafone España Foundation through the PLATAS project, which was financed by the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce as part of the 2006-2007 Advance Plan. Qualcomm is supporting 3G Connecting Generations through its Wireless Reach initiative, designed to bring 3G technologies to underserved communities around the world. http://www.eetasia.com/ART_8800544927_499488_NT_5228b1b8.HTM

Age Action warmly welcomes the Equality Tribunal’s finding of age discrimination against the Ulster Bank for refusing to give a car loan to a customer because she was aged over 65. The Equality Officer of the Equality Tribunal ordered the Ulster Bank to pay Ms Phyllis Fahey €2,000 for refusing her loan application in 2005. Aged 70 at the time, she was informed by a bank official that it was bank policy not to provide loans to persons over the age of 65. She was supported in her case by the Equality Authority. The ruling is highly significant for older people, according to Age Action. “Older people with good credit records and evidence of their ability to repay a loan, are frequently refused by financial institutions,” according to Age Action spokesman Eamon Timmins. “The inability to access credit can have a major impact on a person’s ability to live a fulfilling life.” “Today’s ruling means another obstacle have been removed for older people. We hope that all financial institutions will review their policies towards older people as a result.” Age Action said the fact that Ms Fahey was supported in bringing her case by the Equality Authority was further evidence of the valuable work being done by the Equality Authority. http://www.ageaction.ie/news/article-28-08-08.asp

Sticking to a full Mediterranean diet provides substantial protection against major chronic diseases including heart disease, cancer and Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, according to a study published on the British Medical Journal website. A 'score' based on adherence to the Mediterranean diet could be used as an effective preventive tool for reducing the risk of premature death in the general population, say the authors. The Mediterranean diet from populations bordering the Mediterranean Sea has a reputation for being a model of healthy eating and contributing to better health and quality of life. It is rich in olive oil, grains, fruits, nuts, vegetables, and fish, but low in meat, dairy products and alcohol. Previous research on the Mediterranean diet suggests that it has a protective role in cardiovascular disease and cancer, but no study has reviewed all the available data for a possible association between sticking to the Mediterranean diet, premature death, and the occurrence of chronic diseases in the general population. A team of researchers from the University of Florence assessed 12 international studies, which collectively included more than 1.5 million participants whose dietary habits and health were tracked for follow-up periods ranging from three to 18 years. All the studies examined the concept of using a numerical score to estimate how much people stuck to the diet, called an 'adherence score'. The researchers found that people who stuck strictly to a Mediterranean diet had significant improvements in their health, including a 9% drop in overall mortality, a 9% drop in mortality from cardiovascular disease, a 13% reduction in incidence of Parkinson and Alzheimer's disease, and a 6% reduction in cancer. Adapted from materials provided by BMJ-British Medical Journal, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080912075204.htm

Catching a cold sore puts you at risk of Alzheimer's disease, mounting evidence suggests. The herpes virus behind cold sores is a major cause of the protein plaques that accumulate in the brains of people with Alzheimer's, scientists have shown. On the plus side, the latest discovery by the University of Manchester team may mean antiviral drugs used to treat cold sores could also prevent dementia. The findings are published in the Journal of Pathology. Professor Ruth Itzhaki and colleagues found DNA evidence of the herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 in 90% of plaques in Alzheimer's disease patients' brains. They had previously shown that HSV1 infection of nerve-type cells in mice leads to deposition of the main component of the plaques - beta amyloid. And that the virus is present in the brains of many elderly people and that in those people with a specific genetic factor, there is a high risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Taken together, the researchers say the findings strongly implicate the cold sore-causing virus as a root cause of Alzheimer's dementia. Professor Itzhaki said: "We suggest that HSV1 enters the brain in the elderly as their immune systems decline and then establishes a dormant infection from which it is repeatedly activated by events such as stress, immunosuppression, and various infections." Cell damage In turn, this causes damages the brain cells, which die and then disintegrate, releasing the proteins which develop into amyloid plaques, she said. The researchers now plan to test whether antiviral drugs used to treat cold sores, which block the action of HSV1, might stop the cell damage that leads to Alzheimer's. Another possibility is vaccination against the virus to prevent the development of the disease in the first place. Rebecca Wood of the Alzheimer's Research Trust said: "This could lead to new treatments for Alzheimer's, based on existing antiviral agents. However, the underlying causes of Alzheimer's disease are still unknown. Much more research is needed if we are to offer hope to the 700,000 people in the UK who live with Alzheimer's and related dementias." Professor Clive Ballard of the Alzheimer's Society said: "Although the new research provides some additional evidence supporting a link between the herpes virus and Alzheimer's disease there is still uncertainty around whether this is a promising avenue of research." Most people become infected with HSV1, which then remains dormant in the facial nerve emerging periodically in 20-40% of those infected to cause cold sores. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7770680.stm

An operation offered to ease the symptoms of osteoarthritis makes no difference, say Canadian doctors. Patients given knee arthroscopy showed no improvement beyond that provided by physiotherapy and painkillers. Arthritis experts in the UK said some surgeons were still carrying out the operation, against national guidance. They said New England Journal of Medicine study showed doctors still relying on the technique to treat osteoarthritis were misguided. Thousands of people in the UK suffer from osteoarthritis in the knee, which can be painful and limit movement. The operation involves inserting instruments through small incisions to try to flush out loose fragments of cartilage, and to smooth the surfaces of the joints, in the hope that this will relieve symptoms. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7607891.stm

"The rate of shrinkage of the brain as we age may be partly influenced by what we eat" - Professor David Smith Oxford University. A vitamin found in meat, fish and milk may help stave off memory loss in old age, a study has suggested. Older people with lower than average vitamin B12 levels were more than six times more likely to experience brain shrinkage, researchers concluded. The University of Oxford study, published in the journal Neurology, tested the 107 apparently healthy volunteers over a five-year period. Some studies suggest two out of five people are deficient in the vitamin. The problem is even more common among the elderly, and recent moves to supplement bread with folic acid caused concern that this could mask B12 deficiency symptoms in older people. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7595423.stm

A new public health survey shows that Roscommon has Ireland's highest life expectancy for men and women. Figures from the Institute of Public Health in Ireland show that in Roscommon life expectancy at birth for men is nearly 77 years and just over 82 years for women. Leitrim has the lowest life expectancy for men, while Limerick has the lowest life expectancy for women. AdvertisementThe institute says this is the first time that male and female life expectancy has been made available at county level in the Republic and it will assist local planning and help reduce inequalities. The study shows that the all-Ireland life expectancy is over 75 years for men and over 80 years for women. Ballymoney in Northern Ireland has the highest life expectancy for both men and women across the whole island. The highest premature death rate in the Republic is in Louth, while in Northern Ireland the highest premature death rate is in Belfast. http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0812/health.html

In the spirit of friendly competition the Friends of the Elderly Group in Ireland is on the hunt for the country’s greatest grandparent. Last year, Ireland started celebrating Grandparent’s Day as a way to honor the elderly. So on September 28th the Greatest Grandparent will also join Paddy Craddock, a 73-year-old marathon runner and Maureen Armstrong, a 83-year-old mini-marathon participant, who are the country’s fittest grandparents. The Group’s spokesperson Dermot Kirwan has called on all community leaders to encourage their local councils to sponsor a Grandparents’ Day event. “There should be a Grandparents’ Day activity in every town and village in Ireland,” he says. http://iahsa.wordpress.com/

Our ageing population and projected shortfalls in pension provision are prompting a rethink on the issue of older workers, writes John Cradden IF YOU are an older worker in your 50s or 60s, yours is probably the last generation that will be permitted to retire at 65. Figures issued last week by EU statistics agency Eurostat predict that, by 2060, there will be 6.7 million people living in the Republic, a 52 per cent increase on the current 4.4 million. By then, Ireland's population is also expected to be significantly older, with the ratio of pensioners to working-age Irish people rising to 43 per cent from 16 per cent. The reality of our growing but rapidly aging population, combined with longer and healthier lifespans, shortfalls in pension provision and the likelihood of labour shortages in the long term, is prompting a serious rethink on the issue of older workers. For many workers, the idea of having to work beyond retirement age will undoubtedly be horrible; others may understand and be more accepting of this new reality. But so far, employers here are showing few signs of acknowledging the issue, never mind planning ahead. According to recruitment firm Manpower Ireland, employers are facing a potentially serious talent shortage in the near future. Ireland has one of the highest employment rates for the 60-64 age group, at 43 per cent. That means a significant percentage of the workforce is set to retire in the next five to 10 years. © 2008 The Irish Times http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2008/0905/1220544889475.html

Friday 26 September to Saturday 4 October 2008 Positive Ageing Week is a festival which highlights the positive aspects of ageing and celebrates the contribution older people have made and continue to make to their communities. The central aim of Positive Ageing Week is to dispel the many negative perceptions that surround ageing and to transform attitudes towards ageing and older people. We need to celebrate the fact that we are living longer, that ageing is not a burden but an opportunity. Age Action coordinates Positive Ageing Week. Events and activities are organised by active retirement groups, local voluntary groups, nursing homes, libraries, commercial organisations and individual older people themselves. This is the 6th year Age Action has marked UN International Day of Older Persons (1 Oct) and each year Positive Ageing Week has become bigger and better. Last year over 450-recorded events took place in 25 counties throughout the country and this year we are hoping for at least 600, including many from across the border., Positive Ageing Week is sponsored by ESB Customer Supply. For more information please go to www.ageaction.ie http://www.ageaction.ie/news/paw-index-08.asp

National elderly research centre to be operational in September The Health Services Executive of the Republic of Ireland has announced that the National Research Centre for the Protection of Older People is expected to be operational by September. The Centre, which is part of the Elder Abuse Programme, will be located within the Department of Nursing Studies in University College Dublin. Its establishment was one of the main recommendations of the 2002 Government policy document, Protecting Our Future: The Report of the Working Group on Elder Abuse. The Elder Abuse National Implementation Group was established by the Department of Health and Children in 2003 to guide the implementation of the report’s recommendations. The Centre will collate information in the area of elder abuse from the areas of health, social welfare, justice, finance and legal authorities. The HSE said that funding of €4.75 million has been allocated to implement the Elder Abuse Programme in full. © Reed Business Information 2007 DUBLIN (Irish Medical Times), August 28, 2008: By Mary Anne Kenny http://www.seniorsworldchronicle.com/2008/08/ireland-national-elderly-research.html

Discrimination ruling against bank is good news for older people Age Action warmly welcomes the Equality Tribunal’s finding of age discrimination against the Ulster Bank for refusing to give a car loan to a customer because she was aged over 65. The Equality Officer of the Equality Tribunal ordered the Ulster Bank to pay Ms Phyllis Fahey €2,000 for refusing her loan application in 2005. Aged 70 at the time, she was informed by a bank official that it was bank policy not to provide loans to persons over the age of 65. She was supported in her case by the Equality Authority. The ruling is highly significant for older people, according to Age Action. “Older people with good credit records and evidence of their ability to repay a loan, are frequently refused by financial institutions,” according to Age Action spokesman Eamon Timmins. “The inability to access credit can have a major impact on a person’s ability to live a fulfilling life.” “Today’s ruling means another obstacle have been removed for older people. We hope that all financial institutions will review their policies towards older people as a result.” Age Action said the fact that Ms Fahey was supported in bringing her case by the Equality Authority was further evidence of the valuable work being done by the Equality Authority. http://www.ageaction.ie/news/article-28-08-08.asp

Ireland will continue to experience one of the strongest population growths in Europe over the next 50 years. Figures released by the EU Statistics Office today estimate that Ireland's population will have reached 6.7m by 2060. The 'Baby Boomers' of the 1960s will be responsible for the swell in the number of elderly living in the EU over the next five decades. Currently around 3% of the Irish population is aged over 80 - by 2060 that figure will have more than trebled to 10%. To read more on this go to www.rte.ie

According to a survey carried out by Nursing Homes Ireland, there has been an overall increase of 974 private nursing home beds since last year. The survey also showed that staff costs in nursing homes increased by 21% in the past year and over half of the residents of nursing homes are in the high dependency category.

The CEO of Nursing Homes Ireland, Tadhg Daly, said private and voluntary nursing homes are increasingly taking the pressure off acute hospitals by providing care for residents with complex medical needs, with many providing specialist care in areas such as rehabilitation and brain injury care.

Most complementary therapies used by people with rheumatoid arthritis are not effective, a study has suggested. The Arthritis Research Campaign looked at the scientific evidence available for 40 treatments. Two thirds of treatments for rheumatoid arthritis and a fifth of treatments for osteoarthritis were found to be ineffective by the researchers. The Arthritis Research Campaign said it wanted people who used the therapies to know what evidence was available. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by inflammation of the lining (synovium) of the joints. Osteoarthritis is caused by the breakdown of protective tissue called cartilage in the joints. Inflammation results when the unprotected bones of the joint begin to rub together. It most commonly affects the joints of the fingers, knees, hips, and spine. In total, 60% of people with arthritis are thought to use some form of complementary medicine. Antler velvet The researchers looked at compounds taken by the mouth or applied to the skin. Effectiveness is measured by improvements in pain, movement or general well-being. When the researchers examined treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, they found 13 out of 21 complementary medicines were shown to have no or little effect based on the available evidence. The 13 were: antler velvet powder, blackcurrant seed oil, collagen, eazmov (a herbal mixture), feverfew (herb), flaxseed oil, green-lipped mussels, homeopathy, reumalex herbal mixture, selenium, the Chinese herb tong luo kai bi, vitamins A, C and E, and willow bark. However, fish body oil was given five out of five in the report, for being effective in reducing joint pain and stiffness. In addition, six out of 27 treatments for osteoarthritis were shown to have little or no effect based on the available evidence Capsaicin gel, made from chilli peppers, proved most effective in relieving pain and joint tenderness. But the effectiveness of glucosamine, a popular supplement used by people with OA which costs around £10 a month, which researchers have previously said was ineffective, again called into question. For fibromyalgia, which causes widespread pain in muscles and joints, only four products were assessed, none were found to be highly effective with three medicines scoring two out of five, and the fourth just one. Side effects The researchers also examined how safe compounds were. One - thunder god vine, a traditional Chinese medicine - was given a "red" classification, meaning there were serious safety concerns. A quarter of the compounds were given an "amber" safety classification, because there were some reported side-effects. The team said they were unable to evaluate the effectiveness of 36 therapies, including basil, green tea, sarsaparilla and St John's Wort because there was insufficient data. Professor Gary Macfarlane, from the University of Aberdeen, said while different things worked for different people, "it is useful to also have the scientific evidence available and just as important to know how safe we think they are to use." Professor Alan Silman, the Arthritis Research Campaign's medical director, added: "We didn't start this saying this was our opportunity to knock complementary medicines. "The message is not 'don't take them'. The message is 'if you are going to take them, be aware of what the level of evidence is'." Dr Peter Fisher, clinical director of the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital, said the report focused on tablets and preparations applied to the skin, missing out therapies such as acupuncture and osteopathy. "I think what really comes across in this report is how sorely under-researched this area is," he said. Jane Gray, president, of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists added: "This report is a commendable attempt to provide information on self help products for osteo and rheumatoid arthritis." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7875192.stm

The Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney, T.D. has announced a public consultation on proposed new legislation for the regulation of nurses and midwives. The Minister wishes to obtain the views of the public and key stakeholders on the draft new legislation. The views expressed in this consultation process will be taken on board when finalising the legislation. “The main objectives of this new legislation are to protect the public in its dealings with the professions of nursing and midwifery, and to ensure the integrity of these professions through the promotion of high standards of professional education, training and practice and professional conduct” the Minister said. Information on the public consultation will be available on the Department’s website at www.dohc.ie/issues .

As this year draws to a close, the nursing homes industry looks forward to the advent of A Fair Deal – The Nursing Home Care Support Scheme 2008. The new scheme is intended to make residential nursing home care accessible, affordable and anxiety-free. As stated in the Minister’s speech last year: Everybody will be asked to contribute towards their long-term nursing home care according to their means. Everybody’s contribution will be measurably less than their income. Everybody will be sure they won’t have to sell or mortgage their home. Everybody will be sure their family won’t have to come up with cash to pay for their care. Everybody will be guaranteed that payments levied against their home will: never exceed 15% of its value (7½% if one person in a couple needs care} and be deferred until the settlement of their estate. Everybody’s need will be assessed the same way by the HSE. Everybody’s financial situation will be assessed the same way by the HSE. Everybody will receive financial support from the state towards that care - except where they clearly don’t need such help.

From Monday 3 December 2007 look for our outdoor adverts at Connolly Station, Pearse Station, Tara St. Station and Liffey Valley and listen for the radio adverts on Q102. Nursinghomesireland.ie and the Nursing Home Directory are published by AG Education Services, 22 Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

A new centre for research on chronic pain has been established at NUI Galway. The researchers will examine all aspects of pain treatment and management and policies around these issues. Over 500,000 people in Ireland suffer from chronic pain on a daily basis. Lower back pain is common, causing more disability than the combined effect of cancer, heart problems and AIDS.

A new study by doctors from University College Hospital, Galway, reported in the Irish Medical Journal, indicates that nearly half of the patients interviewed on this issue said that they had not given verbal consent to the presence of students. Some said they felt pressure to allow the students to be there while nearly10% described the experience as negative. However, over 75% felt that the experience of allowing trainee doctors to be present was positive.

Two out of every five men and one out of every three women in the world are now overweight. The resarch underlying these facts was carried out during the International Day for Evaluation of Abdominal Obesity. Lead resaarcher Dr. Beverly Balkau claims that waist circumference (WC)is a more accurate marker of heart disease and diabetes risk than Body Mass Index (BMI). Even for lean people, an increase in waist measurement indicates increasing risk.

The Association of Occupational Therapists recommend that residential care providers should focus more on rehabilitation than on nursing. A presentation at the annual conference of the Association underlined the need to 'encourage more purposeful activities within nursing homes that would allow people to continue to engage in hobbies or work experiences they had for their entire life.' It seems that the new recommendations are a response to Mary Harney's publication of the draft National Standards for Residential Care Services and Older People

A new study shows that elderly patients respond as well as younger ones to surgery for colorectal cancer, the most common form of cancer in this country with 2000 new cases per annum. Researchers at St. Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin found that early surgical intervention in very elderly patients has proven to be highly effective. The study, which was conducted over a period of 25 years, has generated a lot of interest in the US.

The Health Research Board and the HSE have allocated €20m towards a new clinical research centre in Galway. The centre will be developed in partnership with NUI Galway and University College Hospital Glaway. Mary Harney decribed the move as 'a major boost for clinical research and patient care in the west.' The centre will be built on the grounds of the Hospital and should be completed by 2009. A staff of 20 will be employed there.

The Health Information and Quality Authority has today published the National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People. The standards will safeguard and protect the rights of older people living in residential care settings and will support service providers in providing the highest quality of care.

For the first time, all residential care settings for older people run by private and voluntary providers and the Health Service Executive will be inspected by an independent Authority. Once the necessary regulations, set by the Minister for Health and Children, are in place, the Social Services Inspectorate of the Authority will register and inspect all these residential care settings to ensure that they are delivering care in accordance with the new quality standards.

Speaking at the launch of The National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People, Tracey Cooper, Chief Executive of the Health Information and Quality Authority said; "This is a significant and important day for older people in Ireland. For the first time, we have quality standards that clearly set down what is expected of a provider of services and what a resident, their family, carer or the public can expect to receive in residential care settings. As has been demonstrated in the past, the most vulnerable of older people must be protected and supported to live a quality life in a safe, caring and respectful environment and I believe that these are at the heart of these standards".

For more information please visit: www.hiqa.ie

This new web site, nursinghomesireland.ie, complements the Nursing Care Directory which is distributed to Nursing Homes, GPs, Bed Managers, Local Authorities and Libraries annually. Listen during October for our evening adverts broadcast by Lyric FM . The Directory and web site are brought to you by AG Education Services, the educational and health sector publishing company