The Board adopted a new senior services strategic plan intended to coordinate providers, modernize funding, and address rising demand from an aging population; county staff and the senior citizens advisory panel recommended the plan after nearly a year of research.

PORTLAND, USA, September 28 (IPS) - Dozens of government-funded pension programs providing benefits to hundreds of millions of men and women face growing fiscal strain and long-term sustainability challenges. These pressures are largely driven by rapid demographic transitions, including ageing populations, declining fertility, rising life expectancy, and shrinking workforces.

Sir Andrew Dilnot, who proposed reforms 15 years ago, says the cost of such a scheme would be "very substantial".

Background: Falls and fractures are a major clinical concern for older adults. International clinical guidelines recommend annual fall risk screening for all adults aged 60 years and older. However, existing falls risk–screening algorithms have shown limited sensitivity and specificity in detecting future falls. Emerging health technologies, including wearable sensors, in-silico finite element models (FEMs), and virtual reality (VR) technology, show promise in enhancing fall and fracture risk assessments by providing more personalized objective data to support targeted primary prevention. However, large-scale longitudinal studies are required to evaluate their predictive accuracy and cost-effectiveness for systematic community–based screening. Objective: The TARGET (Targeted Assessment and Recruitment of Geriatrics for Effective Fall Prevention Treatments) study is an ongoing national prospective cohort study in Singapore designed to develop cost-effective and scalable frameworks for the early detection and prevention of falls and fractures using novel health technologies. This paper describes the rationale, design, and baseline characteristics of TARGET, and provides preliminary insights into how these novel technologies perform in discriminating between older adults with and with no history of falls at study baseline. Methods: A total of 2291 community-dwelling Singapore residents aged ≥60 years were enrolled between 2022 and 2024. Participants underwent a comprehensive baseline fall risk assessment comprising (1) home-based interview to assess sociodemographic, anthropometric, cognitive, physical, functional, and psychosocial status; (2) gait assessment using wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs) motion sensors; (3) dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and whole-body 3D scans to construct subject-specific FEMs; and (4) VR-based cognitive assessment to probe spatial navigation deficits. Prospective follow-up for 2 years is ongoing, with linkage to national electronic medical records (EMRs) to obtain detailed clinical, medication, and pathological data. Results: Of the total cohort, 58% (1327/2291) were female, with a mean age of 74.6 years at baseline. TARGET represents a relatively healthy older adult population, with 83% (1898/2291) remaining fully independent, 44% (1016/2290) with mild cognitive impairment, 50% (440/879) with osteopenia, and 15% (358/2291) reporting falls in the past year. Significant baseline functional, psychosocial, cognitive, and biomechanical differences were identified between fallers and nonfallers. Fallers had poorer physical and psychosocial health, greater gait variability, and a higher risk of osteoporotic fractures. Novel risk prediction models integrating epidemiological, IMUs, FEM, VR, and EMR data are in development and being validated against gold standard clinical assessments, with cost-effectiveness evaluations of the economic feasibility of adopting these screening measures at scale. Conclusions: Leveraging comprehensive epidemiological, EMR, and health technology data, TARGET is well positioned to identify novel biomarkers and systemic interactions that may predict falls and fracture risk, with potential application to other age-related diseases with shared pathophysiology. In particular, TARGET’s focus on community-based screening using technologies that can be administered by nonclinical personnel has the potential to reduce substantial burden and costs within the health care sector.

In 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services certified 15,648 nursing facilities. A decade later, that number had fallen by more than 900.

An animated population pyramid shows how Japan's age structure changes from 1950 through 2100, highlighting narrower younger cohorts and the growth of older age groups.

TOKYO, Japan - Japan’s population of people aged 100 and older has surpassed 100,000 for the first time, reaching 107,677

Perdurgle identified an isolated, aging population and widespread housing and financial insecurity on Cape Cod as leading causes of stress, anxiety and depression that the coresponse team encounters.

Japan has officially surpassed the milestone of having over 100,000 people aged 100 or more, according to newly released government statistics. The Health and Welfare Ministry reported that Japan now has 107,677 centenarians, an increase of 7,914 from the previous year. Of these, 13,379 are male and 94,298 are female, with women making up approximately 88% of the total. The figures were released on September 15, Japan's Respect the Aged Day, when centenarians receive a letter from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and a silver sake cup. The number of centenarians has grown steadily since the early 1960s, starting from 153 in 1963 when the Elderly Welfare Act was ratified, surpassing 1,000 in 1981, 10,000 in 1998, and 50,000 in 2012. Health Minister Kenichiro Ueno attributed this growth to advancements in medical technology, access to quality healthcare, healthy lifestyles, and diets. However, Japan's aging population combined with a declining fertility rate is leading to a population decline, with the fertility rate dropping to a record low of 1.14 in 2025. The country's total population was 126 million in the 2020 census, with nearly 30% aged 65 or older. Experts predict a decline to 87 million by 2070, with nearly 40% aged 65 or older. Additionally, recent surveys indicate that over 20% of single Japanese people aged 18-34 do not intend to marry, with nearly half seeing no benefit in marriage. Ueno acknowledged that high costs of raising children and the mental and physical toll on working parents contribute to this trend. Kyoto resident Fuyo Kishimoto, aged 114, is Japan's oldest woman, while Hikaru Kato, 112, is the oldest man. The article highlights Japan's demographic challenges, including an aging population, low fertility rates, and changing social attitudes towards marriage.

Baby Boomers are the demographic cohort born 1946 to 1964, aged 62 to 80 in 2026. Why 16 of their 19 birth years land inside one open-ended targeting bracket.

Baby Boomers are the demographic cohort born 1946 to 1964, aged 62 to 80 in 2026. Why 16 of their 19 birth years land inside one open-ended targeting bracket.

Millions are working into their 80s. Why can’t Americans retire anymore? This Is America

Uncover the major immunization gaps in Canada and how addressing them can improve health and productivity for older adults.

LeadingAge Minnesota told the county board that nearly 1 in 5 Beltrami residents is age 65 or older and urged partnerships to address workforce, affordability and gaps in long‑term care capacity.

Deborah Morse of Alzheimer's Orange County urged awareness and described the organization's services, citing county and national prevalence figures and the importance of local programs for seniors and caregivers.

It's a trend that's shifting the historic balance between working-age people and older adults.

Background: China’s rapidly aging population and high burden of frailty make proactive preparation for future care increasingly urgent, yet few older adults engage in such preparation. Existing interventions often overlook the heterogeneity between prefrail and frail populations and lack precision-oriented digital strategies. Objective: Building on a series of prior empirical studies, this study aimed to develop and pilot-test a digital intervention to support preparation for future care among community-dwelling older adults with prefrailty and frailty. Methods: The “Yi Yang Plan,” a WeChat mini-program, was developed through a rigorous multiphase process, including a scoping review, a convergent mixed methods study, and a structural equation model. These findings informed the design of a tailored, stage-specific intervention targeting the distinct needs of prefrail and frail older adults. An interdisciplinary team subsequently refined the intervention using an iterative design approach. The intervention modules comprised 4 processes: Awareness Enhancement, Care Resources, Care Decision-Making, and Care Planning. Pilot testing involved expert panel consultations and think-aloud tests. Expert characteristics, engagement, and authority coefficients were assessed, and feedback was synthesized using content analysis. Feasibility and acceptability among older adults and their family members were evaluated through task completion metrics, satisfaction surveys, think-aloud protocols, and semistructured interviews. Results: Seven experts participated in the consultation, with an engagement coefficient of 100% and an authority coefficient of 0.88. Recommendations were synthesized into four key themes: (1) establishing mechanisms for care plan updating and review, (2) strengthening user-centered design, (3) implementing dynamic resource management and robust data security measures, and (4) enhancing integration with community care systems and policy frameworks. A total of 20 older adults and 20 family members were recruited. All participants successfully completed the assigned tasks, with a mean completion time of 20.7 (SD 5.2) minutes. Satisfaction ratings were generally favorable. The qualitative findings indicated that the intervention was perceived as useful and professionally designed, while also identifying several challenges, including variability in preparation for future care readiness and educational levels, limited interactivity, insufficient practical content, and reliance on support from adult children. Suggested improvements included enhanced personalization, additional supportive tools, improved usability, greater involvement of adult children, and stronger integration with offline services. Conclusions: The “Yi Yang Plan” demonstrated preliminary scientific validity, feasibility, and acceptability as a multidisciplinary, collaboratively developed digital intervention to support preparation for future care among older adults with prefrailty and frailty. By translating prior empirical and theoretical findings into a differentiated, precision-oriented digital strategy, this study advances interventions beyond conventional one-size-fits-all approaches. Future iterations should focus on optimizing system architecture, user interface design, platform functionality, and implementation strategies. Further research should conduct higher-quality randomized controlled trials to evaluate the platform’s effectiveness.

Background: Intergenerational communication has been recognized as a key factor in enhancing social connections among older adults by improving the quality of interactions, which is a crucial component of healthy aging. However, effective interventions to foster intergenerational communication and engagement remain scarce at this stage. Objective: This study examined the effects of a gamification intervention for intergenerational dialogue on intergenerational communication and health-related capacity across 3 age cohorts and further analyzed the differential impacts of intervention characteristics on the game experience, in terms of satisfaction and engagement. Methods: A 2-stage exploratory method was adopted with a cocreation approach to develop a theoretical framework of intergenerational dialogue for the gamification-based intervention, the Healthy Aging in Dialogue Tabletop Game, followed by a mixed methods study involving pre- and postintervention surveys and qualitative interviews to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention in the young (aged 18‐39 years), middle-aged (aged 40‐64 years), and older adult (aged ≥65 years) groups. Intergenerational communication was assessed using tools measuring satisfaction and competence, whereas health-related capacity was evaluated using health literacy and patient enablement tools. Results: A total of 68 respondents completed the intervention and evaluation, with 23, 14, and 31 respondents in the young, middle-aged, and older adult groups, respectively. This intergenerational intervention yielded notable benefits in intergenerational communication satisfaction (Cohen =0.745), communication competence (Cohen =0.377), and health literacy (Cohen =0.409), especially among older adults. Patient enablement was significantly higher in older adults (mean score 6.10, SD 2.18) than in young adults (mean score 4.22) (=.04). In addition, this study highlighted the importance of leveraging gamification to enhance intergenerational communication and engagement, ultimately combating social isolation among older adults. Conclusions: The intergenerational dialogue tabletop game provided an enjoyable platform for cross-generational dialogue and enhanced each age group’s communication competence, allowing participants to contribute and learn from one another. The findings provide additional evidence for aging research and shed light on approaches to foster social interaction and connection, thereby promoting health and active aging.

Thailand's fertility rate fell from six children per woman to two in twenty years - as fast as China's - and it did it while the country was still poor.

A consulting assessment found Fulton County's senior transportation program faces an aging fleet, rising costs and higher cancellation rates. Commissioners approved a 90-day directive to explore an IGA with MARTA to share funding and potentially operations.

SEOUL, Aug 20 (Bernama-Yonhap) — The number of South Koreans aged 100 years or older has nearly tripled in a decade on the back of improvements in medical treatment and living conditions, data showed Thursday, Yonhap News Agency reported. According to the data by the Ministry of Data and Statistics, the number of centenarians came to 8,604 as of Nov 1, 2025, a sharp rise from 3,159 in 2015. The portion of centenarians to every 100,000 stood at 17.3 in 2025, up from 10.9 in 2015. The number of male centenarians accounted for 16.6 per cent of the total with […]