Mastication and chronic disease in older adults

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In this blog Carly Ross assess a review of the associations between objectively assessed masticatory performance, chronic systemic diseases and physical function in older adults.

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Caries prevention in older adults

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This review of the effectiveness of professionally applied fluoride therapy in preventing and arresting dental caries in older adults aged 60 years or above included 7 studies. The findings suggest that 5% NaF varnish, 38% SDF solution, and 1.23% APF gel were effective in preventing root caries but the studies were varied in treatment protocols, intervention method and follow-up period so more research in needed.

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Living well with dementia: what’s the impact of auditory hallucinations?

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Clarissa Giebel reviews a recent study exploring the impact of auditory hallucinations on ‘living well’ with dementia using findings from the IDEAL programme.

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Social isolation and oral health

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In this blog Carly Ross takes a look at a review assessing the association between social isolation and oral health in adults. The findings suggested no strong association however, only 4 studies were included and these were of limited quality.

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Chewing difficulty in older adults living in long-term care

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Carly Ross considers a review of the prevalence of chewing difficulty in older people in institutional long-term care. Only 10 cross-sectional studies were included in the review providing an estimated prevalence of chewing difficulties of 23% (95%CI; 1 to 53%) based on low certainty evidence.

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How do older Black Caribbean adults view seeking help for depression in the UK?

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Maisha Kroll reviews a recent qualitative study exploring the help-seeking views relating to depression among older Black Caribbean adults living in the UK.

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Caries prevalence and experience in older adults

The authors managed to develop and implement a strategy to reach older adults in rural areas, despite various barriers to access mental health treatment for this population.

This review of the caries prevalence and experience of older adults globally included 39 studies published between 2016 and 2020. The prevalence of caries in older adults was still high in most countries around the globe with a median of mean prevalence for caries of 49%.

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Inequalities in accessing dementia care and support during COVID-19

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Catherine Talbot reviews a recent qualitative study on accessing post-diagnostic dementia care before and since COVID-19, which highlights the need to reduce inequalities in dementia care.

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Volunteering in later life: good for our physical health, but more evidence needed on mental health

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Sophie Large summarises a recent Campbell Systematic Review, which explores the impact of volunteering on the physical and mental health of older volunteers.

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Are ethnic minorities under-represented in memory services?

Health visitor and a senior woman during home visit. A nurse or a doctor examining a woman. Senior Woman Sitting In Chair  With Nurse In Retirement Home

Harmony Jiang reviews a study exploring the representation of Black, Asian and minority ethnic people in memory services in Leicester and Leicestershire.

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