A new vaccine reduces the incidence and severity of zoster and its complications in older persons. A cost-effectiveness analysis highlights the implication of CDC's recent recommendation to vaccinate all persons aged 60 years and over. A meta-analysis confirms that the chronic use of sedatives in older persons provides modest benefits and important risks. Unfortunately, melatonin does not seem to be a useful alternative. A systematic review of interventions to prevent pressure ulcers provides scientific support to measures empirically used in most institutions. Finally, a randomized controlled trial questions the clinical benefit of atypical neuroleptics in Alzheimer's disease and a comprehensive review of pharmacological trials in mild cognitive impairment reports no benefit of any of the tested drugs on conversion rate to Alzheimer's disease.