Blog
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15 January 2020
Isolation and remoteness: Supporting family caregivers in hard-to-reach communities
Family caregivers in hard-to-reach communities are at greater risk of unequal access to health and social services. How can we support them?Full story -
1 January 2020
There can’t be too many cooks: Kitchen collectives to feed your needs
Most Canadians eat out once a week or more, because it is more convenient, they don't have time, don't like to, or don't know how to cook. Some initiatives, such as collective kitchens, have been launched here and abroad to meet the nutritional, economical and social needs of people in the community.Full story -
4 December 2019
Managed alcohol programs: Helping chronic alcoholics with regular doses of alcohol
The harmful use of alcohol resulted in approximately three million deaths worldwide in 2016. Managed alcohol programs are a promising harm-reduction approach for people living with severe alcohol dependence who often experience homelessness or housing instability.Full story -
6 November 2019
Going home: Plan your transition before being discharged
Going home from the hospital can be both an exciting and stressful time for patients and their caregivers. Make sure that you play an active role in planning your transition back home.Full story -
23 October 2019
Barriers to respite: Why do caregivers of people with dementia not use respite services?
Many of people with dementia live in residential and long-term care facilities, but others are living at home with support from their caregivers. Despite the burden and distress of these caregivers, many do not use existing respite services.Full story -
28 August 2019
Day centers: Safe and stimulating environments for older adults living with a loss of autonomy
Many older adults and caregivers are benefiting from day centres, which offer programs of activities in professional care settings. Learn about the purposes of day centres, who benefits from them and how are they perceived.Full story -
14 August 2019
Empowering caregivers
Despite their critical roles, caregivers often feel unprepared to provide care and often receive little guidance from healthcare providers. What do they need to feel empowered?Full story -
18 June 2019
Planning for the future: The concerns among older parents of adult children with intellectual disabilities
Parents of children with intellectual disabilities must sometime provide ongoing care for their children, even during adulthood. These parents face significant challenges, including planning for their children's future care arrangements while anticipating their own aging and death.Full story -
22 May 2019
Unbefriended: The tragic fate of many older adults
Many older adults are unable to make decisions on their own, and do not have a family member or friend who can be their guardian, representative, or substitute decision-maker. These individuals are sometimes called ‘elder orphans’ or ‘unbefriended elders’. The limited body of research evidence paints a grim picture of these older adults, particularly in terms of their poor quality of life.Full story -
27 March 2019
Taking action together to address homelessness
Older adults are at increasing risk of homelessness due to lack of support, precarious health, economic and housing situations, and a lack of age-appropriate programs and services. We can collectively take action and leverage the assets of our health and social systems to address homelessness.Full story -
27 February 2019
Cultivating health and well-being
Gardening is more than a hobby. It is an amazing activity that can have positive effects on health and well-being. Before taking out your shovels and rakes, plan your gardening activities carefully: think about your health and safety, adapt your activities, and socialize.Full story -
13 February 2019
Aging behind bars
Aging behind bars poses challenges. Since the vast majority of inmates end up being released into the community, it is important to look into how prison conditions affect older inmates and the support provided to them in order to ensure the success of their rehabilitation and social reintegration.Full story -
6 February 2019
Tackling a silent beast: Strategies for reducing loneliness and social isolation
Older adults are especially at risk of experiencing social isolation and loneliness. The characteristics of strategies tackling these issues are important factors in determining whether or not they work.Full story -
14 December 2018
Be prepared: Tips for facing disasters
Climate change and rapid urbanization can increase the intensity and frequency of disasters. Many factors influence people’s ability to cope with disasters, such as age, health status, income, social support, and the communication channels used to inform them.Full story -
24 October 2018
Companion animals: can they alleviate loneliness among older adults?
Companion animals and animal-assisted therapies can improve the physical and mental health of older adults, and animal-assisted therapies appear promising to alleviate loneliness among older adults.Full story -
28 August 2018
A socially acceptable gentrification: is it possible?
Gentrification can exacerbate health problems among vulnerable groups, such as older adults, by limiting their access to needed services, affecting their social networks, and increasing their level of stress. Is it possible to control the negative impacts of gentrification and make it socially acceptable?Full story -
11 April 2018
Are we equal in the face of aging? Challenges faced by LGBTQ2 older adults
Although attitudes are changing and there is a growing recognition of the need to adapt the care provided to them, LGBTQ2 older adults (lesbians, gays, bisexuals, trans, queers and two-spirited) still face negative experiences, including problems related to access to health and social services.Full story -
2 April 2018
Living with diabetes? Your peers can help!
Do you struggle with managing your diabetes? If so, research shows that turning to your peers can improve your health.Full story -
15 January 2018
Delivering home-care services: empathy and respect needed
The aging population is expected to generate growing demands for high-quality home-care services. There is a need for flexible policies, procedures and guidelines on the delivery of home-care services to allow older adults to have a say about their needs and how to meet themFull story -
10 October 2017
Treated and discharged: How to avoid repeat hospital visits
Research evidence shows there are things we can do to avoid repeat hospital visits.Full story


