A study of more than 200 people published in Ophthalmology Retina found significantly decreased blood vessel density in the retina could be a biomarker for Alzheimer's, reports CBS New York . "These changes happening in the retina of the eye may actually mirror the blood vessel changes happening in the brain of individual's with Alzheimer's disease," suggests Duke Eye Center's Sharon Fekrat. Thanks to these findings, scientists can know when the eye changes begin and whether they might be an early warning sign of Alzheimer's. This would enable doctors to test drugs much earlier in the progression of the disease, when the medications have a better chance of slowing or stopping the cognitive deterioration.

A study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia found persons who adhere to the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet have less risk of developing cognitive impairment and disorders including Alzheimer's and dementia, reports Medical Xpress . The MIND diet combines some aspects of the Mediterranean diet with foods specifically relevant to brain health. It includes 15 elements with a concentration on green leafy vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, and small portions of red meat. The researchers tracked 1,220 adults 60 and older over 12 years, during which a dietary pattern that followed the MIND model was associated with 19 percent reduced odds of developing clinically diagnosed mild cognitive impairment or dementia. No similar benefit was seen for following the Mediterranean dietary pattern. "This study has shown for the first time, outside of the United States, that the MIND diet reduces the risk of dementia," declared University of New South Wales Professor Kaarin Anstey.

An analysis of U.S. Census data by national apartment-search website RentCafe found renters over 60 who live in cities of at least 100,000 increased 43 percent during the 10 years ending in 2017, reports CBS News . Meanwhile, renters among people between 35 and 59 climbed 17 percent, while renters younger than 34 rose only 7 percent. As more baby boomers reach retirement, it is likely the older renter population will continue to grow. RentCafe predicts renters older than 60 will comprise 31 percent of the rental market by 2035 versus 18 percent in 2007. Renters 35 to 59 are likely to remain stable through 2035, at about 43 percent of the rental market. Five of the 10 U.S. cities with the largest growth in rental demand from seniors are in Texas, led by Austin at 113 percent. The trend is rooted in empty-nesters suddenly finding themselves in big homes they no longer need or are able to keep up and are drawn to renting because of its flexibility and affordability. ATTOM Solutions found it is currently more affordable to rent than buy in nine of 10 U.S. counties with more than 1 million residents.

Several studies suggest a varied dietary plan in middle age can reduce the risk of developing dementia later on, reports News-Medical . One report published in Neurology examined participants following a Mediterranean-style diet, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet, and A Priori Diet Quality Scores; adherents to the first two diets exhibited the best cognitive health at 50 to 55 years, versus the third. Those diets have heavy components of monounsaturated fats, legumes, protein, fiber, and micronutrients such as thiamine, folate, magnesium, zinc, iron, and potassium. The Western diet is heavy in trans and saturated fats, highly processed vegetables and other foods, along with refined sugar and salt. The Mediterranean-style diet is rich in whole grains, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and olive oil, with little processed meat, red meat, trans or saturated fats, and refined sugars. A second study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found participants exhibited improved endurance-related performance when following a Mediterranean-style diet compared to a conventional Western diet. The suggestion is the former diet is more alkaline, has anti-inflammatory properties, contains nitrates, and is high in antioxidants. A third study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia focusing on Australians' eating habits found a brain-healthy diet was connected to the same reduction of risk for cognitive decline in later life.

A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found it is unlikely that many middle-aged and older adults with torn cartilage and pain in their knee will benefit from arthroscopic surgery, reports Newsmax Health . Analysis of 10 previous clinical trials that randomly offered some subjects knee surgery and others nonsurgical options determined knee surgery to be no better than exercise and medication for improving physical function, and led to only a small reduction in pain. In a subgroup of participants lacking knee pain from arthritis in their knee, surgery seemed moderately better than physical therapy for reducing pain from the tear. "Surgery does not work for everyone but in selected cases we show that surgery should be available to subjects," said the University of Oxford's Simon Abram. "In most circumstances, subjects should try physiotherapy first. If this does not improve symptoms, knee surgery may be beneficial, especially in persons without osteoarthritis and with specific symptoms."

The pace of hiring last year was the strongest in three years, because many more people have decided to seek jobs than anticipated, reports the Concord Monitor . The percentage of employed Americans 25 to 54 has neared 80 percent, the same rate as before the Great Recession. Research also implies the high cost of child care and a lack of paid leave have restrained the participation rate of prime-age American women. Many companies are easing their education or experience rules, as well as considering more applicants with handicaps. Businesses are expanding their training programs, while analysts say some firms also are looking with a more open mind at persons with criminal pasts. "We have learned this year that there's more slack in the labor market because people are coming back in," said Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. Women have returned to the workforce in greater numbers than men, with the percentage of prime-age females in the labor force now topping pre-recession numbers. Employment has reached an 18-year peak for ladies 25 to 34, while the participation rate for prime-age African-American women also has surpassed its pre-recession level.

A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found men and women with arthritic knees can add hip-strengthening exercises involving weights or elastic bands to their workout to improve their ability to walk and reduce pain, reports Reuters Health . The team examined eight clinical trials with a total of 340 subjects to analyze the effect of adding hip-strengthening exercises to a regimen often prescribed to strengthen the quadriceps at the front of the thigh for people with knee arthritis. Generally, hip-strengthening significantly enhanced walking function, although without a statistically meaningful effect on pain, stair function, or the ability to stand from a sitting position. When studying individual types of hip exercise, resistance exercises were found to be more effective than functional neuromuscular exercises for improving pain and functioning. "Strengthening the hip muscles, particularly the hip abductors, might improve pelvic drop and trunk control, lightening the load on the knee," suggested the University of Queensland's Andrew Hislop.

National Baseball Hall of Famer Tom Seaver's family announced late last week that the former pitcher has been diagnosed with dementia and will retire from public life, reports NBC News . According to their statement, the 74-year-old Seaver plans to keep working on his vineyard in California for as long as he can. He won 311 games and lost only 205 during in a 20-year career spent with the New York Mets, the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox, and Boston Red Sox. Seaver was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992. "The family is deeply appreciative of those who have supported Tom throughout his career, on and off the field, and who do so now by honoring his request for privacy," the statement read.

According to an Administration for Community Living alert, the Federal Trade Commission has been receiving reports about people pretending to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) who are attempting to steal people's Social Security numbers and extort money. One version of the scam entails an unscrupulous caller telling the person on the other end of the line that his or her Social Security number has been linked to a crime involving drugs or sending money out of the United States illegally. The caller then says the victim's Social Security number has been blocked before asking for a fee to reactivate it or get a new number. The red flag goes up when the caller asks the target to confirm his or her Social Security number. In another version of the scam, the caller says that somebody has used the victim's Social Security number to apply for credit cards. People, especially seniors, should know that the SSA will never call and ask for one's Social Security number. The agency will also not request any payment for anything over the phone. And an SSA representative will never threaten someone's benefits.

Metro.co.uk reports that a dozen women aged 82 and 93 and living in senior care communities across the United Kingdom shared what they think young women today should know in a touching video to mark International Women's Day. Most of the ladies said their younger counterparts should trust themselves and strive to reach their goals. Among them was 91-year-old Margaret Crowther, who said: "Make sure you know what you want to do, and be determined to do it." The senior women also advised compassion and humanity, with 87-year-old Rita Atkinson saying she would like to see the women of today "be truthful, and most of all, always to be kind and understanding." The video was made by Care UK, one of the U.K.'s biggest providers of residential care for older men and women. International Women's Day has been marked since 1911.