Recently, the American Medical Association released the Physician’s Guide to Assessing and Counseling Older Drivers. It includes screening tests, information about medical conditions and medications that may impact driving, and ways of talking to seniors about what can be an emotional issue. Learn how you can talk with your aging parent about signs and symptoms that indicate that their driving may not be good for their health.

By placing a replaceable pad equipped with moisture sensors in a patient’s or resident’s undergarments, caretakers can be notified via text message when a patient needs to be cleaned and changed. Learn more about this exciting invention.

The first study looked at 155 women, 65 to 75 years old. The women were assigned to weight training (resistance exercise) programs one or two times per week, or to twice-weekly balance-and-tone exercises, such as stretching, core strength, and balance exercises for one year. Women in both resistance training groups significantly improved their selective attention and conflict resolution skills compared with women in the balance and tone group. Learn more about the advantages of weight training and its effect on cognitive skills.

Kompai is a new robot that can perform a host of tasks. She can even ask questions about your medical condition and send emails to your doctor. Learn more about how robots are becoming so much more useful and sophisticated.

Mayo Clinic, GE Healthcare and Intel Corp. plan to test a system that monitors elderly patients in their homes as a way to cut down on hospitalizations and emergency room visits. Study patients will measure their vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse and weight, and respond to questions specific to their diseases on a daily basis. A clinical care team will review the data and if they notice a deterioration in the patient’s health, early medical intervention may prevent hospitalization.  Read more about how in-home monitoring might reduce costs.