As we become older, almost every part of our lives will change. Our loved ones may move away, friends may pass on, and certain health issues may make it difficult to completely enjoy our pastimes. Many of life’s events can eventually begin to take their toll on us if we don’t have a strong support system of friends and family in place. This can lead to a downward spiral of loneliness and isolation.
Read more →
Aphasia is a condition that affects language. It occurs when parts of the brain involved with language and communication are damaged. People who have aphasia can have trouble with things like speaking, reading, or listening. It often comes on suddenly, due to something like a head injury or stroke and may also develop slowly over time from diseases like a tumour or a degenerative neurological condition.
Read more →
Ageism is a prejudice against the elderly. The term was first coined in 1969 and is specifically defined as stereotyping and/or discrimination against individuals or groups on the basis of their age. It also functions as marginalization and social exclusion of elder people when compared to the younger generation, and become less valued, and relegated to a second-class status; where their needs and their lives are treated as if they do not matter to the rest of society.
Read more →
Aphasia is a speech and language disorder that is common in people who have had a stroke, a traumatic brain injury, or other neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. A person’s capacity to comprehend language, communicate, and understand both the spoken and written word is impaired by the disorder.
Read more →
Taking your prescribed medicine is important for treating temporary illnesses or keeping more chronic health conditions in health, as well as contribute overall long-term health and well-being. It can be tough to remember to take the proper prescriptions at the right time, especially if you need to take a lot of it. But taking them on time, as well as complying with prescriptions is important especially when our physical and mental faculties in our elder years begin to wear and tear.
Read more →
There have been numerous advancements in the world of oral health over the last few decades, from increased education on the importance of dental care to the ever-evolving technology utilized for dental care. However, we cannot stop aging from altering our teeth and gums as we age. Teeth begin to darken because of changes to dentin – tissue below the enamel that makes up the tooth itself – while the mouth becomes dry due to reduced saliva flow. Years of chewing also take their toll, causing enamel to break down over time.
Read more →
We are almost halfway through 2021, and our collective struggles against the COVID-19 virus can be summed up between worrying and tedious, and we have just recently entered yet another Movement Control Order (MCO), due to sharp spikes in COVID cases again.
Read more →
Most of us would like to live walking and moving as normally possible, but some seniors may not have that due to their bodies losing its sense of balance and mobility, that is sometimes further exacerbated with back or leg injuries, prolonged illnesses, arthritis or diseases which affect our nervous systems. It is in this regard where mobility devices come into play to assist our older selves in such events.
Read more →
Swelling of the legs, feet and ankles is referred to as edema. Edema is the trapping of excess fluid in any part of the body’s tissues, from hands to feet, and is typically triggered by an excess build-up of fluid that’s trapped in the body’s tissues. Some recognizable signs of edema include:
Read more →
Bedsores, also known as pressure sores or pressure ulcers, are skin and underlying tissue injuries caused by excessive skin pressure. It is a painful condition often experienced by seniors with mobility issues, primarily affecting bony parts of the body, such as the feet, knees, hips, and tailbone.
Read more →
Time is a precious commodity in our fast-paced life today. However, the benefits of volunteering can make said time worth it. By offering vital help to people in need, important causes or even your own community, you are essentially giving back to others.
Read more →
Many of us live a majority of our lives growing up with our parents. These years, as unassuming as they are, will pass by in a flash and exposes us towards realities of the future, when our parents become aged and we begin to shift our priorities in adulthood. Naturally during this process aging parents will not want to burden their loved ones, but many adult children will be at a crossroads, especially if both parent and child have not discussed about plans regarding the parent’s future.
Read more →
The heart is a living muscle that is charged with pumping blood throughout the entire circulatory system, and when compared to other muscle in the human body it is very reflective of how the person takes care of themselves in terms of their diet, lifestyle and overall health.
Read more →
Common factors that promote healthy aging are exercising, eating and sleeping right, and having a right mental attitude towards aging itself. However, most seniors will not have the privilege of having a strong social support system. As you get older, things inevitably change for one’s social circles, and the people that you grew up with, be it childhood friends, family, co-workers, etc. are no longer as available as they were, either because they’ve moved to different parts of their life, or don’t have time to connect with you, or have passed on.
Read more →
Technology has driven a variety of trends which has become an integral part of people’s daily lives. Most technology that is designed for communication is focused enhancing one’s self-reliance, life enrichment and even health and safety. At a touch of a button or two, anyone can instantaneously make a video call with family and friends through Skype, wear a watch that tracks one’s heart rate, or use a tablet to read a book or make a purchase.
While all this may seem like an ordinary convenience for the younger generation, seniors on the other hand find themselves posited with various challenges with technology, especially when we are in an age where it rapidly develops and advances every day.
Read more →
Home care refers to a type of nursing care service that is provided in the living quarters of the patient. The recipients of this type of care ranges from aged people, chronically ill, recovering from surgery, or disabled. Unfortunately, there are many myths surrounding this type of care even though these care services are readily available.
Read more →
It’s no secret that 2020 was an unpleasant year, stemming mainly from the aforementioned COVID-19 pandemic causing lockdowns, borders closing, economic fallouts, bankrupting businesses, and bringing plagues of stagnancy derailing once active societies worldwide.
Read more →
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurological disorder that occurs when certain neurons in the brain wither or become impaired. These nerve cells are located in the brain region called the substantia nigra pars compacta, which produces dopamine neurons that are necessary for motor control and muscle function, and also behavioural, emotional and cognitive functions.
Read more →
Urinary incontinence is defined as unintentional leakage of urine in an adult. In the case for seniors, it is a serious implication and requires comprehensive and holistic approach to tackle it. Managing incontinence is critical for seniors to maintain their independence and overall emotional, psychological and social life. While many statistics worldwide have proven that seniors have the highest rates of incontinence, it is still a treatable condition.
Read more →
As it does for the rest of your body, ageing takes its toll on your feet. It’s easy to see why these issues arise, considering the amount of stress we bring on our feet over a lifetime. In addition to the overall wear and tear, there are physiological changes that will affect how your joints, bones, and tendons will function. Although all these changes are undoubtedly normal, seniors should not presume that foot pain is to be accepted simply, and if not treated with caution, some of these natural changes can lead to serious problems.
Read more →
As we age, our lives tend to slow down and become sedentary, due to various factors such as health problems, weight or pain issues which afflict many a senior. While the challenges of old age may restrict our daily activities, that doesn’t mean you can’t make a change to improve yourself to overcome said challenges. It is in this aspect that an active lifestyle becomes more important than ever to your health.
Read more →
Sleep habits tend to change as an individual ages. Many will find their patterns shifting irregularly between night and day, where they are prone to sleep earlier in the night, and wake up very early in the morning, and gradually it may be harder to fall asleep and you may spend more total time in bed.
Read more →
Stress is a part of life at any age. When you’re younger, daily stressors include things like managing and establishing your career, juggling your children and spouse’s schedules, and making sure your household is running smoothly. This is why so many people look forward to their retirement years where they have days full of possibility and relaxation. However, older adults still face stressful situations as they age. For instance, coping with the loss of a loved one. Or, some seniors worry about a possible decline in their health, mobility, and independence.
Read more →
We prefer to think of someone over 60 as ‘old’. This mentality is prominent in popular culture, where older individuals are often sidelined at jobs, disrespected on a regular basis, or neglected by families and society in general, and we don’t really view the wisdom and cumulative knowledge of others who have lived before us as something to be treasured and looked for.
Read more →
Elder abuse is a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person.
Read more →