- Older adults live in nursing facilities across the country.
- A study looked at many of these residents and records.
- Some residents got the shingles vaccine.
- Other residents did not get the vaccine.
- Fewer vaccinated people get dementia over four years.
- The vaccinated group has lower dementia diagnoses.
- Researchers are not sure the vaccine caused this.
- Vaccinated people also tended to be younger and healthier.
- The study team adjusted for these differences.
- More research will be needed to confirm the link.
Difficult words
- nursing facility — a place where older people live and get carenursing facilities
- resident — a person who lives in a placeresidents
- vaccine — a medicine that helps stop some diseases
- dementia — a brain illness that affects memory and thinking
- researcher — a person who studies data and peopleResearchers
- diagnosis — a name given for a medical problemdiagnoses
- adjust — change data or results to account for differencesadjusted
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Would you get the shingles vaccine?
- Do you know anyone who lives in a nursing facility?
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