A study in JAMA Network Open suggests that hormone modifying therapy (HMT) used with tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor lowers the risk of developing particular age-related neurodegenerative diseases like dementia and Alzheimer's disease, reports Oncology Nurse Advisor . The study covered 57,843 women 45 years or older who received a diagnosis of breast cancer over a period from Jan. 1, 2007, to March 31, 2017. A total of 18,126 subjects with a mean age of 76.2 years had undergone HMT, whereas the remaining 39,717 not treated with HMT were 76.8 years old on average. At a mean follow-up of 5.5 years, propensity-score matched analyses revealed the percentages of women with Alzheimer disease were 4.9 percent and 6.0 percent in those receiving HMT and those not, respectively. A similar reduction in the risk of dementia with HMT was seen when the HMT group was compared with the non-HMT cohort. Moreover, those with HMT receiving tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor had significant reductions in risk of Alzheimer's versus those not receiving HMT, whereas those receiving raloxifene did not. The reduced risk for both Alzheimer's and dementia also was greater for those receiving steroidal compared with nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor therapy.

Mouse studies in Molecular Pharmaceutics suggest that the practice of prescribing drugs for other ailments in people with Alzheimer's disease (AD) at the same doses as those without dementia may require a rethink, reports ScienceDaily . The researchers quantified the absorption of compounds that move from the small intestine to the bloodstream through different mechanisms. For example, blood plasma levels of diazepam were similar in AD mice versus controls, but AD mice had less valsartan and digoxin in their plasma. Prior research implied that these drugs' transmission through intestinal cells is governed by transporters that could be disrupted by AD. The medications also may pass through gaps between intestinal cells, and tissue samples indicated that these gaps might be more limiting in AD mice. If these findings are applicable to people with AD, the researchers recommend reexamining dosing regimens for certain drugs to ensure their plasma concentrations remain in the appropriate range.

West Virginia University (WVU) Extension Services has launched the new Calling Community volunteer program so students can connect with senior-age men and women, reports WDTV-5 . "We're pairing WVU students with senior citizens across the state for two phone calls per week," said WVU's Lauren Prinzo. The program aims to both provide students with a volunteer opportunity and connect groups who are prone to loneliness. "Seniors and young adults ages 18 to 22 are high-risk groups for feelings of loneliness and isolation in a normal world," noted Prinzo. "And right now we're all experiencing more social isolation than normal." The program also seeks to hone students' phone communication skills. The program accepts students from any study discipline, with some departments counting the hours toward internships. After the conclusion of the spring semester group's Calling Community session, WVU Extension Services hopes to offer another session for the summer semester.

The Alzheimer's Foundation of America is still offering resources for guidance and help for those with Alzheimer's disease and dementia during the coronavirus pandemic, reports Action News Jax . People with Alzheimer's and dementia have difficulty understanding and following the pandemic, while many assisted living communities and persons with Alzheimer's depend on caregivers, who cannot travel to their homes because of the virus. The Alzheimer's Foundation has launched virtual programs for those living with mild cognitive impairment or in the early stages of Alzheimer's or another form of dementia and their care partners — including online support groups, exercise programs, and therapy.

There are signals that the COVID-19 pandemic is driving further digitalization of the grocery shopping experience, and grocers can take measures to help seniors leverage this trend, reports Progressive Grocer . One piece of advice is for grocers to offer guides for using online ordering systems on paper to seniors shopping in stores, and through email/mailings to older customers at home. Also suggested is providing personalized grocery shelves with likely options in categories that appeal to seniors — like heart-healthy meals — and making product information easily accessible online. Supermarket operators also can eliminate financial obstacles like fees and added product costs, accept coupons in online platforms, permit shoppers to spot bargains and compare items easily, and suggest group deliveries to assisted-living communities. Grocers are additionally advised in their search design process to prioritize a conversational user interface with voice input, while minimizing keyboard input. They also should clearly and specifically explain the advantages of checking out as a guest, creating a new account, or signing in as a customer. Another way of helping is to leverage trust in the store and its staff by having personnel recommend the online service during senior hours. Finally, grocers could add bundled meals as an option for shoppers to choose items on their lists, and pilot technologies like digital shelves that connect online list planning to guided in-store experiences.

As of March 17, all local Social Security Administration (SSA) offices were closed to the public for in-person service because of the COVID-19 pandemic. To assist beneficiaries who have stopped working and are seeking immediate enrollment into Medicare Part B, SSA has developed a method for them to fax their enrollment forms. Medicare beneficiaries can now fax Medicare Part B form, CMS-40B and CMS L564- Request for Employment Information — along with proof of employment, Group Health Plan (GHP), or Large Group Health Plan (LGHP) — to 1-833-914-2016. The public is further advised to visit SSA's Social Security & Coronavirus information page to get updates on the latest related news.

A Transaction Networks Services (TNS) survey found that 53 percent of U.S. senior citizens think robocallers tried to swindle them out of personal information last year, and 47 percent said they were targeted by financial scams in 2019, reports Business Wire . Eighty-nine percent of polled seniors receive at least one robocall weekly, while 56 percent receive at least seven. Moreover, although only 7 percent of seniors said they have lost money or provided personal information to a scammer, 40 percent said they knew someone who lost money from, or provided personal information to, such scams. Meanwhile, 56 percent of male seniors thought a robocaller attempted to scam them out of money in 2019, compared to 40 percent of female seniors. Further, 59 percent of male seniors believed a robocaller tried to scam them out of personal information last year, versus 48 percent of women. According to 83 percent of senior respondents, they would alert law enforcement and other relevant parties if they fell victim to a robocall scam, while just 4 percent said they would be too embarrassed to disclose this to anyone. Other trends include seniors receiving little assistance or notification from healthcare providers on robocall scams; most seniors not aware if their carrier offers a robocall protection app; opportunity and winner/qualification scams the popular robocall scams targeting seniors; and the frequent use of neighbor spoofing by scammers.

The Administration for Community Living and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have teamed up to host a monthly Webinar series to assist states and stakeholders in putting together quality programs that address social determinants of health (SDOH) and provider capacity building in home- and community-based services (HCBS). The series will focus on best practices in numerous key areas, ranging from person-centered planning to guardianship reform to aligning HCBS policy with SDOH. An April 23 webinar titled "Ensuring Continuity of HCBS During the COVID-19 Pandemic" will focus on best practices in continuing access to HCBS during the COVID-19 pandemic. Set for 3 p.m. Eastern time, CMS will discuss state options for flexibilities available in Medicaid HCBS programs. In addition, attendees will hear from states, providers, and advocates regarding innovative community actions for HCBS waivers in the COVID-19 pandemic. Register here .

High school students in Canada have set up a free hotline to offer solace for seniors stuck in isolation during the coronavirus pandemic, reports Fox News . The phone line, 1-877-JOY-4ALL, offers a friendly voice on the other line, in addition to recordings of stories, jokes, kind messages, letters, poetry, and music. The organizers' goal is to keep everyone engaged and happy during the outbreak. "During these challenging times and ongoing public health measures, we know that it is especially difficult for seniors and folks experiencing isolation," states the program's website. One of the hotline's founders, student Jared Quinn, thinks the program can eliminate generational gaps and allow students and seniors to learn more about each other. "I think we can learn a lot of respect for each other and a lot of wisdom from our elders in the community," he said. Students plan to add more content as the project expands, and are currently requesting submissions on their website.

Many baby boomers who are losing their jobs due to the coronavirus' economic fallout are coming to the realization that this constitutes the end of their working career, reports Forbes . For those suddenly retired, columnist Robin Ryan writes that there are a number of coping strategies. Boomers are recommended to grieve over the loss until they accept it, asking friends or spouses to support them. Boomers also should consult with their financial planner, who may advise that they establish a budget and reduce expenses as they weather the economic storm. Financial counseling will give boomers the knowledge they need to manage their lives once the pandemic is over. Boomers also should formulate two plans — a short-term plan and a long-term one — on how to live during and after the crisis.