Bill would review exempting modest rental income from seniors’ benefit calculations A sponsor representative said HB 989 would examine exempting modest rental income from income calculations for age‑specific state housing and medical assistance programs to avoid benefits cliffs and keep older Marylanders in their homes.

A new bill aims to keep older Marylanders in their homes by preventing modest rental income from jeopardizing essential benefits—could this be the solution to the looming benefits cliff?

Click to read more!

#MD #CitizenPortal #HousingAssistance #AgingPopulation #MarylandOlderAdults

Longer lifespans are reshaping health care and the workforce. This GSA Momentum Discussion explores challenges and strategies for supporting an aging population. #AgingPopulation #Healthcare #Longevity
https://youtu.be/X4mzXoM8isc?si=2eATmjQaky781EZ4

Attitudes Toward Digital Meal Assistance Services Among Older Adults in China: Cross-Sectional Survey Background: Digital eldercare services are promoted to address gaps in traditional care provision, yet actual uptake among older adults remains limited. Prior research has largely focused on technological attributes, with less attention to older adults’ context-specific behavioral attitudes toward digital services. Objective: This study aimed to identify the multidimensional structure of older adults’ behavioral attitudes toward digital meal assistance services and to examine their associations with usage intention and actual use. Methods: A mixed-mode survey was conducted in 2020 among adults aged 60 years or older in a large metropolitan city in China. A total of 1019 valid questionnaires were collected (n=405 online and n=614 offline). Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify attitudinal dimensions, followed by binary logistic regression analyses conducted separately for online and offline samples, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Five attitudinal dimensions were identified, explaining 60.38% of the variance. Regression analyses showed that associations between attitudinal dimensions and service use differed by usage stage and sample type. Digital trust was the most consistent predictor, significantly associated with intention to use in both samples—particularly online (odds ratio [OR] 1.351, 95% CI 1.054‐1.732; =.02)—and with actual use in the offline sample (OR 1.068, 95% CI 1.011‐1.128; =.02), with a marginal association online (OR 1.347, 95% CI 0.986‐1.840; =.06). Conclusions: Older adults’ adoption of digital meal assistance services is shaped by multidimensional and context-dependent attitudes that extend beyond technological considerations. Policy efforts should therefore emphasize trust-building, affordability, and differentiated strategies tailored to diverse groups of older adults.

New in JMIR Aging: Attitudes Toward Digital Meal Assistance Services Among Older Adults in China: Cross-Sectional Survey #DigitalEldercare #SeniorServices #AgingPopulation #MealAssistance #ElderlyCare

Private Equity Profits from UK Care Homes Private equity now owns an estimated 10–20% of UK care home beds; sector turnover ~£17.5bn (LaingBuisson 2024), raising regulatory and operational risk (Guardian, Mar 28, 2026).

Private Equity Profits from UK Care Homes: Private equity now owns an estimated 10–20% of UK care home beds; sector turnover ~£17.5bn (LaingBuisson 2024), raising regulatory and operational risk… 👈 Read full analysis #PrivateEquity #CareHomes #UKCareSector #HealthcareInvestment #AgingPopulation

Long-Term Care Costs Rise 50% Since 2019 In-home and assisted-living costs have risen ~50% since 2019 (MarketWatch, Mar 26, 2026); U.S. 65+ population to reach ~73M by 2030, pressuring payers and providers.

Long-Term Care Costs Rise 50% Since 2019: In-home and assisted-living costs have risen ~50% since 2019 (MarketWatch, Mar 26, 2026); U.S. 65+ population to reach ~73M by 2030, pressuring payers and… 👈 Read full analysis #LongTermCare #HealthcareCosts #AssistedLiving #AgingPopulation #InHomeCare

Broadband Access, Internet Use, and General Cognition in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Longitudinal Study Background: Internet use may support cognitive health in aging populations, but the digital divide in access and use might worsen inequalities. Objective: This study aimed to examine whether internet use mediates the long-term relationship between broadband access and cognitive function among middle-aged and older adults in China. Methods: Using 3-wave data (2015‐2020) from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (N=6063), we applied parallel-process latent growth curve models to analyze trajectories of broadband access, internet use, and general cognition, adjusting for sociodemographic and time-varying covariates. Results: Baseline broadband access predicted initial internet use (β=0.453;

New in JMIR Aging: Broadband Access, Internet Use, and General Cognition in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Longitudinal Study #DigitalDivide #CognitiveHealth #BroadbandAccess #InternetUse #AgingPopulation

China’s wealth story is aging fast
The 60+ group is now dominating the share of high-net-worth individuals, while younger cohorts are shrinking relative to it. Wealth isn’t just growing; it’s getting older.

#ChinaEconomy #WealthTrends #AgingPopulation #HNI #GlobalEconomy #Demographics

Developing a Cross-Device Platform for Robotic Systems in Nursing Care: Mixed Methods Feasibility Study Background: Aging populations and rising chronic illness prevalences are increasing demands for #nursing care, while staff shortages threaten care quality. Robotics offer potential support, yet usability, workflow integration, and user acceptance remain major barriers. Objective: This study aims to develop and evaluate the feasibility, usability, and acceptance of a cross-device platform for controlling robotics in #nursing using a participatory, user-centered approach. Methods: A convergent mixed methods feasibility study was conducted across 4 iterative workshops with 13 #nurses from 2 German health care facilities. Quantitative measures included the System Usability Scale (SUS), Technology Usage Inventory (TUI), and Technology-based Experience of Need Satisfaction (TENS-Interface). Qualitative data were collected via think-aloud protocols and focus groups. Data integration supported iterative platform refinement and assessment of usability, acceptance, and satisfaction of psychological needs. Results: Participants exhibited high curiosity, perceived usefulness, and strong intention to use robotics, with low skepticism. SUS scores indicated acceptable usability. TENS-Interface scores showed increased autonomy and competence following workflow simplification and stepwise interaction logic. Qualitative findings emphasized intuitive control, personalized interventions, centralized management of multiple technologies, integration with documentation systems, and structured training. Triangulation of quantitative and qualitative data confirmed that iterative, user-centered refinements enhanced usability, acceptance, and platform effectiveness. Conclusions: Cross-device platforms integrating robotics can be successfully developed through participatory, user-centered methods. Technical usability, personalization, workflow integration, and structured training are key for adoption. The study demonstrates that technological barriers, rather than human resistance, are primary constraints to integrating robotics into #nursing practice and can be mitigated through iterative co-creation aligned with real-world care contexts. Trial Registration: Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien DRKS00034195; https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00034195QC International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/63089

New in JMIR Nursing: Developing a Cross-Device Platform for Robotic Systems in Nursing Care: Mixed Methods Feasibility Study #NursingCare #Robotics #HealthcareInnovation #AgingPopulation #UserExperience

Predicting Adherence to Computer-Based Cognitive Training Programs Among Older Adults Using Source-Free Domain Adaptation: Algorithm Development and Validation Background: Cognitive decline in the aging population presents an unprecedented challenge worldwide. Recent research has shown the potential of cognitive training programs to mitigate cognitive decline. However, these interventions require sustained adherence to be effective, which can be challenging. Objective: In this study, we aim to enhance the accuracy of predicting adherence patterns in cognitive training programs for older adults, with the goal of developing personalized support systems that promote adherence and improve cognitive outcomes. Methods: A major challenge in developing deep neural networks for predicting adherence patterns is the limited availability of individual participants’ training data. Although domain adaptation techniques can address this issue by leveraging training data from other clinical studies, our research considers a more practical scenario where the use of such data from other studies is restricted due to privacy and confidentiality concerns. Therefore, we used source-free domain adaptation (SFDA), which uses models trained on other cognitive studies without requiring access to the corresponding datasets. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first effort to use SFDA to predict older adults’ daily adherence to cognitive training programs. Results: Using data from 3 previously conducted cognitive training intervention studies, our results demonstrated the efficacy of deep learning models combined with SFDA to accurately predict adherence lapses while addressing data privacy concerns. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that deep learning and SFDA techniques can be useful in the development of adherence support systems for computerized cognitive training, aimed at improving the health and well-being of older adults.

New in JMIR Aging: Predicting Adherence to Computer-Based Cognitive Training Programs Among Older Adults Using Source-Free Domain Adaptation: Algorithm Development and Validation #CognitiveTraining #AgingPopulation #BrainHealth #ElderCare #Neuroscience

As the U.S. population ages rapidly, meet the people stepping up to offer care The burden of caring for America's aging population falls on family caregivers. It can take a toll on their lives and mental health.

Americans are aging fast — and caregivers are feeling the strain. NPR shares stories of the people stepping up to provide care for older adults and the toll it can take.

Listen: https://ow.ly/sr7C50YuLeL

#AgingPopulation #Caregiving #SeniorCare

Commentary: Long-term care challenges are quicksand for old age Hot off the press from the Long Term Care Community Coalition (LTCCC) is a report that should be a wake-up call for everyone, but definitely for all who know someone

Long‑term care challenges can feel like quicksand for aging Americans — with rising costs, workforce shortages, and strained systems creating hardship for seniors and families.

More: https://ow.ly/RaW150YuKOY

#LongTermCare #SeniorCare #AgingPopulation

Innovations in Long-Term Care: What Today’s Patients and Families Need to Know | Medical News Bulletin Long term care innovations are transforming the way patients undergo recovery, rehabilitation and daily assistance and families seeking senior care facilities may also require a clear direction of what contemporary providers currently provide and how to make effective choices of alternatives. With the changing of the healthcare systems, long term care is no longer restricted […]

Innovations in long-term care—from telehealth and remote monitoring to AI-powered care planning—are helping patients stay safer, more independent, and better supported.

🔗 https://ow.ly/uQ0N50YtMf6

#LongTermCare #HealthTech #AgingPopulation #Caregiving

A new report shows care costs increased ~50% from 2019–2024, while income for households 65+ rose only 22%, making care increasingly unaffordable.

🔗 https://ow.ly/eTo750YtJbh

#LongTermCare #HealthcareCosts #AgingPopulation #HealthcarePolicy

As migration and urban life reshape families, many elderly in Pakistan face isolation despite cultural ideals of strong family support.
By Mohammad A. Qadeer

Read more: thefridaytimes.com/12-Mar-2026/...

#ElderlyCare #PakistanSociety #AgingPopulation #FamilyDynamics #SocialChange

Growing Old Alone: How Migration And Modern Life Are Redefining Elderly Care In Pakistan Elderly in Pakistan face changing family dynamics; respect depends on wealth, while migration and urbanisation often leave them living alone

Changing family patterns in Pakistan are leaving many elderly people living alone, challenging long-held beliefs about care and respect for elders.
By Mohammad A. Qadeer

Read more: www.thefridaytimes.com/12-Mar-2026/...

#ElderlyCare #PakistanSociety #AgingPopulation #FamilyDynamics #SocialChange

The world is getting older and the economic impact is massive.

Labor shortages, pension pressures, and shifting demographics are reshaping economies across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

chikicha.com/silver-econo...

#SilverEconomy #AgingPopulation #EconomicTrends #FutureOfWork #Demographics

Humanoid Robot–Assisted Support for Health Care in Older Adults: Systematic Scoping Review Background: Humanoid robots offer a promising solution to the growing burden of care for older adults. However, existing evidence on their applications for general aging populations remains fragmented and lacks systematic synthesis. Objective: This scoping review aimed to examine the literature on humanoid robot–assisted support for health care in older adults and identify gaps in the literature to guide future research. Methods: The methodological framework by Arksey and O’Malley was used to conduct this scoping review. We conducted a comprehensive search in 8 databases, including IEEE Xplore Digital Library, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and OpenGrey Repository, covering literature published up to April 30, 2025. The reference lists of key texts were examined, and citation chaining was conducted. Two independent reviewers examined all full articles for fitness with the eligibility criteria and extracted data elements. The study findings were then summarized, coded, and analyzed using the PAGER (Patterns, Advances, Gaps, Evidence for practice, and Research recommendations) framework. Results: A total of 32,477 articles were retrieved, 59 of which were included in this review. The majority (49/59, 83%) were conducted in real-world settings. Methodologically, 34 studies (34/59, 58%) had small sample sizes (n≤25), with study designs comprising 26 quantitative (26/59, 44%), 22 mixed method (22/59, 37%), and 11 qualitative (11/59, 19%) approaches. Participant characteristics revealed female predominance (>50%) in 32 studies (32/59, 54%), while 27 studies (27/59, 46%) included participants with cognitive impairment. Through PAGER framework analysis, we identified 4 key patterns: (1) effects, perceptions, and experiences of humanoid robots; (2) preferences, expectations, and facilitators for humanoid robots; (3) implementation barriers and challenges; and (4) determinants of user experiences and outcomes. Conclusions: This scoping review demonstrates the promising yet methodologically constrained potential of humanoid robots in health care for older adults while highlighting key challenges in their practical implementation. Successful integration will require addressing technical limitations, user acceptance barriers, and systemic adoption challenges.

New in JMIR Aging: Humanoid Robot–Assisted Support for Health Care in Older Adults: Systematic Scoping Review #HumanoidRobots #HealthCare #AgingPopulation #ElderCare #RobotAssistance

Longer lives bring new questions—how societies care for the elderly, sustain dignity in old age, and respond to growing social isolation.
By Mohammad A. Qadeer

Read more: thefridaytimes.com/11-Mar-2026/...

#ElderlyCare #AgingPopulation #PakistanSociety #SocialPolicy #PublicHealth

The Joys And Challenges Of Growing Older In Today’s World Despite the pleasures and pains inherent in old age, there are attitudes and actions that help navigate it with considerable satisfaction

As life expectancy rises, Pakistan faces a quiet challenge: how to support an ageing population with dignity, care, and stronger social systems.
By Mohammad A. Qadeer

Read more: www.thefridaytimes.com/11-Mar-2026/...

#ElderlyCare #AgingPopulation #PakistanSociety #SocialPolicy #PublicHealth

India is ageing faster than many realise.

By 2036, the share of people above 60 will rise sharply across major states —
• Kerala: 18.7% → 22.8%
• Tamil Nadu: 15.8% → 20.8%
• Punjab: 14.3% → 18.3%
• Maharashtra: 13.1% → 17.1%

#India #Demographics #AgingPopulation #Economy #PopulationTrends

Not a refugee thing exactly but how about reducing the fees and making it easier for the people we need to come and to stay

#fallingbirthrate #agingpopulation #gdpup

From Jiangsu to Hangzhou, care robots aren’t replacing people—they’re freeing caregivers to focus on dignity and human connection.
By Chen Ziqi

Read more: thefridaytimes.com/03-Mar-2026/...

#China #ElderCare #Robotics #AgingPopulation #HealthTech #ServiceRobots #HealthcareInnovation #Technology

How China's Service Robots Are Reshaping The Future Of Aging By delegating repetitive chores to machines, caregivers now have more time for meaningful conversations and personalized care

In China’s care homes, service robots now assist with lifting, cleaning, and monitoring—easing strain as aging reshapes society.
By Chen Ziqi

Read more: www.thefridaytimes.com/03-Mar-2026/...

#China #ElderCare #Robotics #AgingPopulation #HealthTech

Life expectancy is recovering, but health isn’t – strengthening the case for prevention-led longevity policy.

vist.ly/4t5qa

#longevity #publichealth #healthspan #UKhealth #healthpolicy #populationhealth #agingpopulation #healthinequality

Providing Tech Support as Care Work Among Care Workers in Assisted Living Facilities: Qualitative Interview Study Background: Technology can enhance the quality of life and social engagement for older adults; yet, many require assistance to use it effectively. In assisted living facilities, care workers play a crucial role in supporting residents’ use of technology. However, little research has examined the experiences and challenges of care workers in this context. Objective: In this study, we examine the perspectives and experiences of care workers in supporting older residents with technology. Methods: We conducted semistructured interviews with 20 professional care workers in the United States, with an average of 4.9 years of experience working in assisted living facilities. Results: The findings indicate that participants regularly provided technology support to their residents, while their perspectives on and acceptance of this technology support role varied. For many, this responsibility placed additional demands on their existing workload, requiring both explicit and nuanced physical and emotional labor input. Conclusions: These findings underscore the need for greater recognition and systemic support for care workers as they increasingly take on the responsibility of facilitating technology use in residential care settings. Trial Registration:

New in JMIR Aging: Providing Tech Support as Care Work Among Care Workers in Assisted Living Facilities: Qualitative Interview Study #TechSupport #CareWorkers #AssistedLiving #ElderCare #AgingPopulation

Effects of a Virtual Reality–Based Natural Environment Intervention on Attention and Mood in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial Background: Aging is a phenomenon accompanied by declines in attention and emotional well-being. Exposure to natural environments has been shown to support cognitive and psychological restoration; however, many older adults face barriers to accessing authentic natural environments. Virtual natural environments may offer an accessible alternative, but evidence from community-dwelling older adults remains limited. Objective: This study examined the immediate effects of a single-session virtual or actual-nature exposure on attention, mood, and physiological indicators of stress among community-dwelling older adults compared with actual-nature and urban environments. Methods: A randomized controlled trial with a 3-group, pre-post design was conducted among 120 community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and older in northern Taiwan. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: a virtual-nature group, an actual-nature group, or an actual-urban environment group. Then, they completed a single 20-minute exposure session. Attentional performance, mood, and physiological indicators were assessed before and immediately after the intervention. Intervention effects were analyzed using generalized estimating equations, focusing on group-by-time interaction effects. Results: Compared with the urban environment group, the virtual-nature group demonstrated a significantly greater improvement in attentional capacity, as measured by the digit span test (B=1.00, 95% CI 0.19-1.80; P=.02), and significant improvements in both positive affect (B=2.82, 95% CI 0.02-5.62; P=.048) and negative affect (B=–2.22, 95% CI –4.05 to –0.39; P=.02). The actual-nature group showed a significant improvement in positive affect compared with the urban group (B=3.92, 95% CI 1.65-6.19; P=.001) but did not demonstrate a significant improvement in attention. No significant group-by-time interaction effects were observed for physiological indicators. No adverse events were reported. Conclusions: A single 20-minute virtual-nature exposure was associated with immediate improvements in attention and mood among community-dwelling older adults, whereas physiological effects were not detected. These findings suggest that virtual nature may serve as an accessible, short-term restorative strategy, particularly when access to real nature is limited. Larger, multisession trials with longer follow-ups are needed to evaluate the sustained effects of virtual-nature interventions for mental well-being in older populations. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05803460; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05803460

New in JMIR Aging: Effects of a Virtual Reality–Based Natural Environment Intervention on Attention and Mood in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial #VirtualReality #MentalHealth #AgingPopulation #CognitiveHealth #OlderAdults

United States Durable Medical Equipment Market Size and Forecast 2025–2033 Aging America, home healthcare, and smart medical devices are reshaping the future of long-term patient care

The U.S. DME market grows through 2033, driven by aging, chronic diseases, and expanding home healthcare. 🔗 Read more: https://ow.ly/6xSW50Yl1v1 #Healthcare #MedicalEquipment #HomeHealthcare #AgingPopulation #ChronicCare #HealthIndustry

Leveraging AI to Advance Age-Friendly Care in the Veterans Health Administration The aging population presents a pressing challenge for healthcare systems, compelling effective strategies to address the complex needs of older adults. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has embraced the Age-Friendly Health Systems (AFHS) initiative from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) to ensure safe and high-quality care for older Veterans through its Whole Health initiative. As an Age-Friendly Health System, healthcare providers consistently utilize the evidence-based "4Ms": What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility, to deliver comprehensive care for older adults in all care settings. This manuscript explores the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing the evidence-based implementation of the Age-Friendly Health Systems (AFHS) 4Ms framework to provide optimal care for older adults. By leveraging AI technologies, such as natural language processing, machine learning, and data analytics, this manuscript delves into the opportunities and challenges in utilizing AI to support the 4Ms domains – what matters, medication, mentation, and mobility. Furthermore, it discusses the potential benefits of integrating AI-driven decision support systems and predictive analytics to personalize care, reduce polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications, enhance cognitive and mood assessments, and better identify mobility issues and interventions. By examining the intersection of AI and age-friendly care, this manuscript contributes to the existing literature by highlighting the transformative potential of AI in improving outcomes and the experiences for older adults across diverse healthcare settings.

New in JMIR Aging: Leveraging AI to Advance Age-Friendly Care in the Veterans Health Administration #AgeFriendlyCare #VeteransHealth #HealthcareInnovation #ArtificialIntelligence #AgingPopulation

Senator files bill to form long-term care workforce interim committee Senator Weiner filed Senate File 2362 to create a bipartisan interim committee to develop solutions for long-term care workforce challenges; he said the bill would have no fiscal cost and asked that it be routed through subcommittee and committee.

Senator Weiner has introduced a groundbreaking bill to tackle long-term care workforce challenges in Iowa, promising solutions without costing the state a dime!

Learn more here

#IA #CitizenPortal #HealthcareSolutions #AgingPopulation #IowaLongTermCare #WorkforceDevelopment

Good episode
Also 400M of Chinese will be 60 years old or older in the next 10 years... Time to design apps and games for that generation...
youtu.be/Kx8OA3n149I?...
#china #agingpopulation