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Study: Many Adults Ages 65 to 80 Continue to Be Sexually Active FORTY PERCENT OF ADULTS aged 65 to 80 are sexually active, and more than half, 54 percent, say sex is important to their quality of life. RELATED CONTENT According to the National Poll On Healthy Aging by the University of Michigan, romantic relationships and sex are important even later in life. Sixty-five percent of people in this age group describe themselves as still being interested in sex. "While sex is an integral part of the lives of many older adults, this topic remains understudied and infrequently discussed," the
study states. The study, published Thursday, asked 1,002 adults aged 65 to 80 a variety of questions regarding relationship status, interest in sex and level of sexual activity. Sixty-six percent of respondents were married or partnered, 15 percent were divorced or separated, 12 percent were widowed and 7 percent had never married. Fifty-four percent of those in a romantic relationship reported they were currently sexually active. Seven percent of single respondents reported the same. Overall, 74 percent of respondents said sex is an important aspect of a romantic relationship at any age, according to the study.
An increase in age led to a decrease in sexual activity. Forty-six percent of 65- to 70year-olds reported being sexually active, compared to 39 percent of 71- to 75-year-olds and 25 percent of 76- to 80-yearolds. Men were more likely to be sexually active than women: 51 percent versus 31 percent. Almost three-quarters, 73 percent, reported being satisfied with their sex life. Men were also more likely to report they were interested in sex. Fifty percent of men reported being extremely or very interested in sex, compared to 12 percent of women. A divide existed among people with different health statuses. Those who reported their
health was excellent, very good or good were more likely to be sexually active than those who reported their health was fair or poor – 45 percent versus 22 percent. If a problem concerning sexual health arose, 62 percent of respondents said they would speak with their health care provider about it. Thirty-six percent said they would discuss the issue with their spouse or partner, 17 percent said they wouldn't discuss the problem with anyone, and 10 percent said they would talk about it to a family member or friend. ….Read More
Depression May Dampen Memory Depression may do more than darken your mood, with new research suggesting it might also sap your memory. "Since symptoms of depression can be treated, it may be possible that treatment may also reduce thinking and memory problems," said study author Adina Zeki Al Hazzouri, from the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine. The scientists also found that the brain structure of seniors with more severe symptoms of depression differed from those without depression.
The study included more than 1,100 people, average age 71, with no history of stroke. They underwent brain scans, a mental health assessment, and took memory and thinking skills tests at the start of the study. Their memory and thinking skills were tested again roughly five years later. At the start of the study, 22 percent of the participants had greater symptoms of depression, and they scored lower on tests of episodic memory, which is the ability to remember specific experiences and events. But the
study did not prove that depression actually caused memory problems. Those with greater symptoms of depression also had smaller brain volume and were 55 percent more likely to have small vascular lesions in the brain. There was no evidence of a link seen between greater symptoms of depression and changes in thinking skills over five years. The study was published online May 9 in the journal Neurology. "With as many as 25 percent
of older adults experiencing symptoms of depression, it's important to better understand the relationship between depression and memory problems," Zeki Al Hazzouri noted in a journal news release. More information Mental Health America has more on depression and older adults..
New dementia risk factors uncovered Using a large and comprehensive database, researchers unearth new combinations of factors that increase the risk of dementia later in life. The findings could help clinicians to spot at-risk people. Advanced statistical methods
give new insight into dementia risk factors. Dementia is a growing concern. Because the population is aging and living longer lives is starting to become the norm, the race to understand why dementia occurs is on. Worldwide, dementia is the leading cause of disability and dependence in older adults.
In the United States, 5.7 million people are living with Alzheimer's, which is the most common form of dementia. By 2050, this figure is predicted to rise to 14 million. Using a large and comprehensive database, researchers unearth new combinations of factors that increase the risk of dementia
later in life. The findings could help clinicians to spot at-risk people. Dementia is a growing concern. Because the population is aging and living longer lives is starting to become the norm, the race to understand why dementia occurs is on….Read More
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