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13 April 2022
Walk your way to better health
Walking is one of the easiest ways to stay active and has many positive benefits for our health including helping to improve heart health, helping with stroke recovery, reducing pain, and improving physical function.Full story -
6 April 2022
Childhood wounds can leave marks forever
Childhood trauma, such as abuse, violence or family dysfunction, has an effect on children's cognitive abilities and these effects can last into adulthood.Full story -
6 April 2022
3 ways a healthy diet can help meet your health goals
Nourishing our bodies with healthy, whole foods can help with everything from weight loss, to improved mood, and can help manage conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes and contribute to better heart health. We’ve broken down some of the ways diets can be beneficial and which ones can help for specific purposes.Full story -
30 March 2022
Getting your ‘feet’ in the game! Can exercising your feet help you stay on them?
From injury to death, falls are a major concern for older adults. Recent research looks at how strengthening the muscles in our feet and ankles can help to reduce the risk of falls.Full story -
29 March 2022
Is it time to brush up on your oral health?
Older adults are at particularly high risk for oral health problems, and poor oral health has been linked to many health risks, such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, poor nutrition, glycemic control in people with diabetes and respiratory infection. Despite this growing body of evidence, the mouth seems to be forgotten and neglected.Full story -
29 March 2022
Deep vein thrombosis: Symptoms, causes and treatments
Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, occurs when a blood clot forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body, typically in one of your legs. In this video, Dr. Rick Ikesaka talks about the signs and symptoms of DVT, how to reduce your risk, the role that compression stockings can play and treatment options, such as the use of blood thinners.Full story -
23 March 2022
Is it time to rethink your alcohol consumption?
It is estimated that 80% of Canadians consume alcohol, and of those who drink, nearly six million are considered heavy drinkers. This puts people at risk of developing chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and liver disease. To learn more about alcohol consumption and how reducing it can be beneficial to your health, click through for more.Full story -
23 March 2022
Volunteers: Artisans of health and well-being
Many retirees are wondering how they will spend their free time and, more importantly, how to age while remaining active and healthy for as long as possible. Could volunteering your time, enthusiasm and knowledge improve your health and well-being?Full story -
16 March 2022
Preventing lung cancer: Do supplements have a role to play?
Research highlights the lack of effectiveness and safety concerns associated with the use of supplements for lung cancer prevention.Full story -
16 March 2022
Spring is around the corner! Make the most of a new season.
Whether you plan to work in the garden, go walking in your neighbourhood, local park or trails, people of all ages report experiencing relaxing or invigorating effects after enjoying the great outdoors. We have compiled a few ways to make the most of the Spring weather and reap the health benefits too.Full story -
16 March 2022
Frozen shoulder: Do steroid injections help?
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a painful condition that can be triggered by an injury or surgery and can be associated with certain conditions such as diabetes, thyroid problems, and Parkinson disease. In this video, Dr. Raj Carmona discusses what causes frozen shoulder, the three distinct phases, and the range of treatment options, including the evidence for the use of steroid injections. Meet Glenda and find out what advice Dr. Carmona has for her.Full story -
9 March 2022
The power of music: 4 ways it can benefit your health
Given the deep connection that most of us have with music, it should come as no surprise that researchers around the world continue to investigate music's therapeutic benefits. Music is a safe, simple, and inexpensive strategy to support health and wellbeing; however, it continues to be an underused tool.Full story -
9 March 2022
Can past traumas hinder the ability to age in place?
"Aging in place" is the preference of most people. However, the idea of aging in place can take on a whole new meaning for people who have experienced trauma such as neglect, oppression, sexual abuse, violence, complicated grief, or any other extremely difficult life event.Full story -
2 March 2022
‘Behind the Music’: Music-making for cognitive health
Do you or a loved one live with cognitive impairment or dementia? You may want to try or consider music-making therapy. Preliminary research shows benefits for cognitive function.Full story -
2 March 2022
Eat well to age well
Eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet is an important part of healthy aging. By bringing greater awareness to key elements such as culture and personal circumstances, and by understanding that nutritional needs vary by person, we can develop a more well-rounded view of nutrition.Full story -
1 March 2022
Alcohol and surgery: A dangerous combination
People who drink alcoholic beverages are at higher risk of complications during and after surgery. Alcohol consumption can reduce heart and immune system function, prolong bleeding time, and increase the body’s stress response. The less alcohol you drink before surgery, the better. In this video, Dr. Leslie Martin discusses the potential surgical and post-operative risks for people who consume alcohol in the days or weeks leading up to surgery.Full story -
23 February 2022
Social prescribing: Bridging the gap between clinical and social care
Being prescribed a forest bath, a yoga class, or a cooking class? Social prescribing recognizes that people's health and well-being are primarily determined by a range of social, economic and environmental factors.Full story -
22 February 2022
Sleep and aging: How sleep changes as you age and strategies to improve it
You find yourself wide awake after 5 hours of sleep and feel ready to get up and meet the challenges of the day. However, the rest of the neighbourhood is still sleeping. You wonder why it is that others need to sleep longer than you. The duration of our sleep may be of concern to some of us and begs the question: “how much sleep is 'normal' and how much do I need to be healthy. Although an apparently simple question, there is no simple answer!Full story -
16 February 2022
Collaboration is key: Patient engagement for healthcare improvement
Working together! Research highlights some of the potential organizational/health care provider and patient-related benefits of co-producing hospital tools and resources with patients.Full story -
16 February 2022
The positive effects of music for the mind, body, and soul
Music is generally a safe, simple, and inexpensive strategy that can hold a variety of benefits. Besides being enjoyable to listen to, it may help to improve sleep quality, contribute to better walking speeds, and can be used as a therapeutic approach for individuals living with dementia. Read more about the potential benefits of music.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.
