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7 June 2022
June is Canadian Men’s Health Month: Put your health and wellbeing first
What puts a man’s health at risk as he gets older? The top risk factors are common and often preventable. Simple lifestyle changes can reduce a man’s risk for many common health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, prostate cancer, etc. By taking a more active role in your health and wellbeing, you can enjoy the things you love well into your later years.Full story -
1 June 2022
What’s in your medicine cabinet?
Millions of people have nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin in their medicine cabinets at home and take them to tackle inflammation and all sorts of aches and pains. Conversations around using NSAIDs and aspirin as a prevention strategy for heart attacks, dementia and cancer have emerged. But is it safe? We investigate what the research says and what the possible side effects are.Full story -
1 June 2022
Parkinson's disease: opening the dialogue to avoid self-stigma
Parkinson’s is the world’s fastest growing neurological disease. People with Parkinson's disease not only have to live with complex symptoms, but also must face stigma that can become internalized.Full story -
25 May 2022
3 evidence-based strategies for foot health
Research shows there are many benefits to promoting the health of our feet.Full story -
25 May 2022
Prediabetes? How to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes
Prediabetes refers to blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. In this video, Dr. Diana Sherifali discusses how lifestyle changes, regular monitoring of blood glucose levels, education, and medications can help someone with prediabetes prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.Full story -
25 May 2022
Do you know how to recognize the signs of elder abuse?
It can be challenging to spot abuse as victims may be reluctant to disclose that they are being abused out of fear that they may worsen the situation or face backlash. As a result, they may try to hide signs of it from others. Knowing the signs of elder abuse is critical to identifying it and acting.Full story -
18 May 2022
Staying safe in and around water
Swimming and water fitness are often encouraged to promote health for people with chronic conditions. But being in and around water requires some precautions.Full story -
18 May 2022
The importance of speech and hearing as we age
May is Speech and Hearing Awareness Month which provides an opportunity to generate awareness about the importance of communication.Being able to hear and speak allows us to communicate with others and is an important part of our emotional and social well-being. When we develop issues with our hearing or speech, it can prohibit us from communicating with ease and can lead to challenges such as social isolation.Full story -
11 May 2022
Preventing type 2 diabetes with the “sunshine” vitamin?
Prevention, prevention, prevention. Can vitamin D supplementation help keep type 2 diabetes at bay? Research findings appear to be positive for certain populations.Full story -
11 May 2022
Diabetes: Types, tests and what to do if you are at risk
Diabetes is a chronic disease that disrupts the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar. In this video post, Dr. Diana Sherifali discusses the different types of diabetes and how it is diagnosed. Learn what prediabetes is and how lifestyle changes can delay or even prevent the onset of diabetes.Full story -
11 May 2022
4 tips to protect your skin from the sun
May is Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month in Canada, a time to remind Canadians about sun safety and the importance of protecting their skin. In the past 25 years, there has been a significant increase in melanoma diagnoses. The good news is you can minimize your chances of developing skin cancer by taking precautions.Full story -
4 May 2022
What's on your bucket list?
A "bucket list" is a list of things you want to do or accomplish before you die. It can be a very good framework for thinking about your life goals, your health and your mortality, and discussing about it could help advance care planning.Full story -
4 May 2022
Six strategies to support your mental health and well-being
May 2-8 is Mental Health Week in Canada, a week intended to raise awareness about mental health and well-being. We’ve compiled a six evidence-based strategies to help you strengthen your mental well-being.Full story -
27 April 2022
Concerned about your cholesterol? Let’s talk walking in women
Walking strikes again! Research shows it can hold benefits for women living with overweight and obesity when it comes to their cholesterol.Full story -
27 April 2022
Acupuncture for joint pain: Does it work?
Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles through your skin at strategic points on your body and is most commonly used to treat pain. In this video, Enoch Ho discusses how acupuncture is thought to work, the potential risks of treatment, and the research evidence to support the use of acupuncture to complement traditional approaches to pain relief treatment.Full story -
27 April 2022
Strategies to keep you steady on your feet
Globally, falls are the second leading cause of death from unintentional injury. The good news is, there are things you can do to actively reduce your risk of falling and prevent injuries from happening. Incorporating exercises into your daily routine that involve some form of resistance training can help build flexibility. Maintaining foot health is also important, as older adults experience changes in muscle strength that can increase their risk of falling.Full story -
20 April 2022
Financial capability: So important, but still a lot of evidence gaps
There is still limited evidence on the effectiveness of financial capability interventions, but don't let that stop you from taking control of your nest egg!Full story -
20 April 2022
Technology fatigue: What it means and how to reduce it
Technology can keep us connected, reducing feelings of loneliness and social isolation, but its overuse can also pose a challenge. The good news is, there are things you can do to reduce overall fatigue. Read more about how you can reduce your technology fatigue.Full story -
13 April 2022
Life post-stroke: Using virtual reality to achieve real world improvements
Get gaming! Virtual reality therapy may help stroke survivors regain arm function and ease back into their daily activities.Full story -
13 April 2022
Aphasia after stroke: Regaining communication skills with speech-language therapy
After a stroke, depending on the area of the brain affected, various communication problems may occur, including creating sentences, using incorrect words, repeating words or sentences, misunderstanding others, inability to read and write, or slurred speech. Aphasia is the term given to problems with language expression or comprehension. In this video, Dr. Wes Oczkowski discusses the importance of speech-language therapy to help regain language after a stroke.Full story
DISCLAIMER: These summaries are provided for informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for advice from your own health care professional. The summaries may be reproduced for not-for-profit educational purposes only. Any other uses must be approved by the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal (info@mcmasteroptimalaging.org).
Many of our Blog Posts were written before the COVID-19 pandemic and thus do not necessarily reflect the latest public health recommendations. While the content of new and old blogs identify activities that support optimal aging, it is important to defer to the most current public health recommendations. Some of the activities suggested within these blogs may need to be modified or avoided altogether to comply with changing public health recommendations. To view the latest updates from the Public Health Agency of Canada, please visit their website.
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Support for the Portal is largely provided by the Labarge Optimal Aging Initiative. AGE-WELL is a contributing partner. Help us to continue to provide direct and easy access to evidence-based information on health and social conditions to help you stay healthy, active and engaged as you grow older. Donate Today.
