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The aim of this population-based cross-sectional study was to describe and compare the prevalence and features of perceived loneliness among home-dwelling older adults with (n = 129) and without (n = 244) memory disorder. The latter group was randomly resampled from 789 respondents stratified by age to obtain a standardized control group. Loneliness was assessed using the six-item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, and perceived stress using Cohen, Kamarck and Mermelstein's 10-item Perceived Stress Scale. Results show that severe loneliness was common among the home-dwelling older adults, especially those with memory disorder, who also perceived stress more frequently than those without memory disorder. Both groups, but again more frequently those with memory disorder, were more likely to be emotionally than socially lonely. Thus, when planning social and healthcare services and interventions to mitigate loneliness among older adults living at home, memory problems and emotional loneliness require particular consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the association between use of antidepressants, mainly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), and bone quality, as measured by heel quantitative ultrasound (QUS). Topics include data from the Geelong Osteoporosis Study in south-eastern Australia, the lower mean broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) found in antidepressant users, and how the risk of osteoporosis is only higher in antidepressant users with low body weights.