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Articles related to focusing on healthy aging, prevention, mobility, cognition, nutrition, independence, and caregiving support.

4 min

What is the median clinical frailty score? Understanding the CFS

According to a 2023 study on geriatric rehabilitation patients, the median Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) score was 6, indicating a moderately frail population. However, the median clinical frailty score is not a single, universal number, as it varies significantly depending on the specific patient population being studied. A median score is a statistical measure representing the middle value of a data set, and its value for the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) depends on the cohort's health status and setting.

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4 min

How to Interpret the Frailty Index and Its Clinical Significance

According to research on the cumulative deficit model, over 99% of individuals have a frailty index (FI) score of less than 0.7, a value that appears to be the maximum that humans can tolerate. Understanding how to interpret frailty index scores can provide clinicians with a powerful tool for predicting adverse health outcomes in older adults, including hospitalization, disability, and mortality. This guide explains how the index is calculated and what the scores mean for patient care and prognosis.

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5 min

What is the single most important contributing factor of the quality of nursing home care in the United States?

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, many nursing homes fail to meet necessary staffing levels, a critical issue that directly affects patient well-being. This reveals a direct link, indicating that the single most important contributing factor of the quality of nursing home care in the United States is adequate and high-quality staffing.

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4 min

Is frailty classed as a disability? A nuanced look at geriatric health

Frailty affects a significant portion of the older adult population, estimated to be between 5% and 17%. However, while often coexisting, frailty and disability are distinct clinical concepts with different implications for senior care. This article addresses the question: is frailty classed as a disability?

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4 min

What is the changing impact of obesity on the active life expectancy of older Americans?

According to a study published in *The Journals of Gerontology*, while obesity rates among older Americans have increased markedly over time, active life expectancy has still expanded for this population. This reveals a complex and changing impact of obesity on the active life expectancy of older Americans, where the relationship between weight, disability, and longevity is evolving due to medical and lifestyle changes.

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5 min

What is the best predictor of frailty aside from grip strength?

Frailty affects up to 25% of individuals aged 85 and over, making accurate assessment crucial for healthy aging. While grip strength is a well-known metric, understanding what is the best predictor of frailty aside from grip strength offers a more complete picture of an individual's vulnerability and future health trajectory.

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3 min

Do firstborns live longer? Unpacking the Link Between Birth Order and Longevity

In a study of centenarians, firstborn children were found to be 1.7 times more likely to reach 100 years of age than later-born siblings. This surprising finding sparked interest in understanding the complex relationship between birth order and lifespan, and the key driver behind the longevity advantage discovered in some research: maternal age.

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5 min

Does education affect how long you live? Exploring the Link Between Schooling and Longevity

According to a 2024 study published in *The Lancet Public Health*, every additional year of education can reduce an individual's risk of dying by approximately 2%. This finding reinforces the widely accepted idea that education is a critical social determinant of health, but how exactly does education affect how long you live? The connection is complex, influenced by a cascade of factors from economic stability to healthy behaviors.

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5 min

What is the average life expectancy of someone in a care home?

According to extensive research, the average life expectancy for a person entering a nursing home can be significantly shorter than that of the general population due to pre-existing health conditions and advanced age. Understanding the specific context is crucial to answering the question of what is the average life expectancy of someone in a care home.

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