Blog and Commentary

Johns Hopkins Frailty Science Researchers Contribute to a Global Frailty Seminar Series

December 02, 2021
Anthony L. Teano, MLA
Anthony L. Teano, MLA

Communications Specialist
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Dr. Jeremy Walston and Dr. Karen Bandeen-Roche, Frailty Science’s co-PIs, are participating in a novel Frailty Seminar Series along with other influential aging and frailty researchers from around the world over the coming several months. The highly-informative Frailty Seminar Series is an 11-month program aimed at promoting scientific exchanging and sharing evidence-based practices and research advances about all aspects of frailty around the globe. Continue Reading
 

For World AIDS Day, December 1st: How does one face aging when they never planned to survive? 

November 23, 2021
Jason Farley PhD, MPH, ANP-BC, FAAN, FAANP, AACRN
Jason Farley PhD, MPH, ANP-BC, FAAN, FAANP, AACRN

Endowed Professor of Nursing Leadership and Innovation

Director | Center for Infectious Disease and Nursing Innovation

Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing

Adult Nurse Practitioner | Infectious Diseases Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinical Core Co-Director | JHU Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) 

The average age of people living with HIV in most care settings in the United States is 50 years of age or older. For many in this group, a diagnosis of HIV may have occurred decades ago and was accompanied, at the time, with the almost certain fate of disability and eventual death. Continue Reading
 

Family Caregiving: An Essential Resource for Older Adults

November 17, 2021
David L. Roth, PhD
David L. Roth, PhD

Director, Center on Aging and Health
Professor of Medicine

It is estimated that somewhere between 18 million and 53 million Americans provide care to an older adult with a disability who needs some type of help with basic living needs. This care can include help with grooming, bathing, or dressing; assistance with mobility or preparing meals, or help with managing finances or medical appointments. Most older adults with dementia, limited physical capabilities, or major sensory problems depend on family members or close friends for this kind help on a regular basis. Continue Reading
 

November 14th is World Diabetes Day

November 08, 2021
Rita Rastogi Kalyani, MD, MHS
Rita Rastogi Kalyani, MD, MHS

Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, & Metabolism
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Faculty Profile

As people with diabetes live longer, there are many geriatric conditions that occur more frequently in people with diabetes compared to those without diabetes, including cognitive impairment, incontinence, falls, and polypharmacy. Continue Reading
 

Advancing the visibility of frailty research: Upcoming spotlight on novel and exciting research questions 

August 03, 2021
Brian Buta 2020
Brian Buta, MHS

Project Administrator, Geriatric Medicine
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Faculty Profile

BMC Geriatrics has announced a call for a collection of papers focused on frailty research: https://bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com/frailty. Categories include: Epidemiology and Measurement; Frailty Biology; Frailty and Clinical Care; and Interdisciplinary Topics. Continue Reading
 

The Geriatric Surgery Program at Johns Hopkins

June 29, 2021
Susan Gearhart, MD
Susan Gearhart, MD

Associate Professor of Surgery
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Faculty Profile

Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center (JHBMC) annually performs surgical procedures on more than 600 patients over the age of 65, with nearly one-third of these patients identified as frail and at high-risk for adverse outcomes.  It is currently the goal of JHBMC to be the national leader in discovering how to bring our older patients through surgery safely, preserve quality of life, and return them to their loved ones as soon as possible. The first step in mitigating the impact of frailty on surgical outcomes is being able to recognize who is vulnerable. JHBMC has been a leader in the affirmation and implementation of best practice guidelines put forth by the American College of Surgeons and the American Geriatric Society for the care of the older surgical patient. JHBMC participated in a national survey to examine what resources were most needed for the care of the older frail surgical patient.... Continue Reading
 

Understanding the etiology underlying frailty: Making frail older adults less frail 

May 14, 2021
Karen Bandeen-Roche, PhD
Karen Bandeen-Roche, PhD

Frank Hurley and Catharine Dorrier Chair of Biostatistics
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Co-Director, Johns Hopkins Older Americans Independence Center
Faculty Profile

Why do older adults grow frail?  Because they grow old--but not only this. We all know, or we recognize as researchers, that some octogenarians thrive, while others ten years younger are highly vulnerable.  Our field of gerontology often asks a different question: How should an older adult's frailty influence the care we provide them? That's important. So also, though, is to treat the frailty itself: truly treat, and not just ameliorate symptoms. This is what any one of us would wish if we were frail—to not be as frail anymore.  Continue Reading
 

Frailty and Cognitive Impairment: Time to Acknowledge and Embrace Heterogeneity

January 19, 2021
Qian-Li Xue, PhD
Qian-Li Xue, PhD

Associate Professor of Geriatric Medicine
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Faculty Profile

Frailty and cognitive impairment, two common geriatric conditions, are known to be associated with late-life vulnerability in older adults. An estimated 15% of non-nursing home older adults in the United States aged 65 and over are frail, and about 22% and 9% have mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Physical frailty and cognitive impairment often co-exist in older adults. However, there are sizeable subgroups who have one but not the other. Continue Reading
 

World AIDS Day 2020 Reflection--Frailty, Resilience, and Impact.

December 01, 2020
Todd T. Brown, MD, PhD
Todd T. Brown, MD, PhD

Professor of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, & Metabolism
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Faculty Profile

On December 1st 1988, the first World AIDS Day was observed to support people living with HIV (PLWH) and remember those who died during the initial phase of the AIDS epidemic.  Now, 32 years later, HIV has been transformed into a chronic disease with the widespread use of effective combination antiretroviral therapy. The goal of ending the HIV epidemic, while aspirational, is increasingly achievable with the widespread test and treat efforts and very effective prevention strategies. Continue Reading