A new health care center providing skilled nursing, assisted living and rehabilitation services to seniors has opened in Austin.

The Arbour Health Care Center was opened by 40-year-old nonprofit organization Westminster Manor and includes common gathering areas, balconies, courtyards and larger rooms – the designs focussed on resident needs and requirements.

The group uses the Centered Around Resident Empowered Services (CARES) approach to senior care, which “allows residents to work with family, doctors and medical professionals to build a lifestyle that minimizes limitations and maximizes opportunities for independence.”

Westminster Manor is set to undergo and expansion project over the next year and is expected to double in size. The $100 million plan includes the creation of 75 apartments, an indoor pool, a spa, putting greens and walking trail.

The construction is due to be completed in 2013.

Eating fish could reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study.

Oily fish like mackerel and fresh tuna contain compounds called omega-3 fatty acids, which can lower the blood levels of a protein called beta-amyloid that has been linked to Alzheimer’s. People who suffer with the disease have clumps of this protein in their brains.

Over 1,000 people participated in the study over the age of 65. They were questioned about their diet and had their blood tested for beta-amyloid. Researchers found that eating one gram over the average amount of omega-3 consumed by the participants resulted in up to a 30% reduction of the tell tale protein.

Dr Nikolaos Scarmeas, lead researcher, from Columbia University Medical Centre in New York, said: “While it’s not easy to measure the level of beta-amyloid deposits in the brain in this type of study, it is relatively easy to measure the levels of beta-amyloid in the blood, which, to a certain degree, relates to the level in the brain.”

He added: “Determining through further research whether omega-3 fatty acids or other nutrients relate to spinal fluid or brain beta-amyloid levels, or levels of other Alzheimer’s disease-related proteins, can strengthen our confidence on beneficial effects of parts of our diet in preventing dementia.”

Other foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids include spinach, sprouts, vegetable oils and some nuts. Health professionals have recommended that people eat oily fish at least three times a week for years because of the natural health benefits of the compound.

The school held a bowl-a-thon at Holly Lanes to generate the extra cash required to rebuild the center’s main building after a fire last September.

A total of $3,042 was raised and 200 people took part in the event.

A further two fifths of seniors suffer at least one fall every year and a quarter of those who sustain a hip fracture die. Half of seniors who fall never return to their old mobility level.

With one in eight Americans now over the age of 65 this issue is becoming increasingly worrying.

Jonathan Scheff, M.D., chief medical officer for Health Net, Inc said: “This means that a sizeable segment of the population is at risk for falling.”

He added: “For the elderly alls often lead to a downward health spiral, so the key is taking steps to prevent falls in the first place. Older Americans are living longer than ever, and our goal at Health Net is to help them avoid debilitating injuries and enjoy their golden years.”

A Rheumatoid Arthritis Health Center has been launched for women who are suffering with arthritis and need advice and guidance by a women’s health and wellness website called Lifescript.com.

Women are three times more likely to get this form of arthritis than men and there is no known cure. Elderly women are especially susceptible.

Edward Geehr, M.D., Lifescript Chief Medical Officer said: “RA is different from other types of wear-and-tear arthritis that occurs as people age. With RA, the immune system causes pain, swelling, and ultimately destruction of the joint tissues. The Rheumatoid Arthritis Health Center gives women the tools to cope with the pain, reduce symptoms and find the best treatments.”

The online health center details exercises that arthritis sufferers can do to reduce joint pain. There are also a selection of articles written by medical experts on topics like food, alternative therapies and medications.

Laurie Berger, Lifescript Editor-in-Chief, said: “Women are seeking the newest information on treatment options, pros and cons of different medications, and resources to make living with RA a little bit easier. They’ll find all that and more in Lifescript’s Rheumatoid Arthritis Health Center.”

The Senior Center Without Walls initiative was launched by the Berks County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and the Secretary of Aging Brian Duke on Monday.

The scheme is essentially an outreach project that takes senior programs directly to neighborhoods where there are a significant number of elderly people in need.

At the ribbon cutting ceremony at Jamestown Village Community Room Mr Duke said: “Senior Center Without Walls is designed to go to the people and will help provide socialization and nutritious meals. We will be able to reach more older adults in more communities with this new program by using sites established through community partnerships.”

He added: “This program is a wonderful example of how partnerships within communities can open doors to help maximize the efforts of existing programs. This new initiative will help support Berks County AAA in assisting older adults to live and age well in their communities.”

The programs will be administered through a senior center in Reading called the Family First Resource Center. The facility will partner up with other local organizations and churches to source sites that can be accessed by seniors in need of nutritional advice and educational guidance. New Hope Baptist Church and St. John’s United Christ Church will also provide programs throughout the month.

Residents are set to move into the Via Christi Village home for the elderly at the start of May.

The Kansas care home was created following the merge of two nursing homes in Hays and Victoria. Both St. John’s of Hays and St. John’s of Victoria have been combined to provide seniors with a 96 bed facility, which is separated into six distinct areas to mirror the names of Ellis County communities.

An open house is planned for tomorrow to allow local residents to get a glimpse of the new home, which features a beauty shop, ice crea, store and gathering rooms for family members who want to visit their relatives.

Seniors who keep active are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, according to the findings of a new study.

The research from Rush University Medical Centre in Chicago showed that simple activities like cleaning can help to reduce the risk.

Just over 700 volunteers took part in the study with an average age of 82. All of the seniors wore a device to monitor their daily activity levels and 71 of the participants developed Alzheimer’s within three years. It was also found that the seniors who were the least active had double the risk of developing the disease.

Dr Aron Buchman, from Rush University Medical Centre, said: “The results of our study indicate that all physical activities including exercise as well as other activities such as cooking, washing the dishes, and cleaning are associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.”

He added: “These results provide support for efforts to encourage all types of physical activity even in very old adults who might not be able to participate in formal exercise, but can still benefit from a more active lifestyle.”

Dr Anne Corbett, research manager at the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “It is important to maintain a healthy weight and stop smoking. Eating a Mediterranean diet high in antioxidants and oily fish and even the odd glass of red wine can also help.”

The Pierce Senior Center in Flint is set to reduce its opening hours following the decision to privatise the golf course where it is located.

The Pierce Park Golf Course has been leased out to Flint City Golf and the center will now be used as a banqueting facility. However, it will stay open for at least 15 hours a week to provide seniors with a place to socialise and take part in specialists activities. None of the activities will be funded by the senior millage because the center has been downgraded to a Level 1 facility.

Lynn Radzilowski, the county’s senior services administrator, said: “For each center, there is a set of monthly requirements they must meet. Pierce has historically for years been out of compliance… They got through their probationary period, but if they were to fall out of compliance they could have lost their money.”

Flint’s parks and recreation director Pat Gerace said: “We just really hope that it works out for all parties involved. It’s unfortunate the times we’re in right now, but there’s a lot of changes that are coming.”

A new inpatient mental health program has been opened for seniors at North Baldwin Infirmary in Alabama.

Adults over the age of 55 will receive 24 hour care throughout the week at the facility under the Senior Behavioral Health Program. It is hoped the center will provide treatment for seniors who suffer with mental health problems and require full time care.