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Mental wellbeing
Common mental illnesses that affect the health of older adults include Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and depression and anxiety. Mental health issues affect physical health, emotional and social well-being, and overall quality of life. Supporting mental health is a critical consideration to the healthy aging process.
Medication, psychological therapy… What does the latest research tell us about treatments for depression?
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12 steps towards recovery: Can engaging in support programs help with alcohol abuse disorder?
Are you or someone you care for looking for a program to support recovery from alcohol misuse and dependence? See what the research says about widely used recovery support services. -
Let’s get visual! The “art” of improving cognitive ability and mental wellbeing
Can leaning into your “artsy” side enhance your cognitive health? See what the evidence has to say about the use of visual art therapy for people with different levels of cognitive health. -
The untold story inside you
Do you suffer from depression, social isolation or chronic conditions? Wondering how to get through the winter, confined in your home because of COVID-19? Could writing help you get out of the winter gloom, or even improve your physical and mental health? -
Cognitive impairment and dementia: Using cognitive training to cope with the accompanying depression
Coping with the consequences of mild cognitive impairment or dementia is difficult enough without having to deal with depression as well. Can cognitive training provide any relief when it comes to depression? -
Grieving experiences in the context of a pandemic: how to support individual and collective grief
In recent months, voices have been raised calling for a national strategy to support mass grieving and bereavement during the current and future pandemics. But what programs and services could be put in place to support those who must cope with the loss of a loved one during pandemics? -
Mental well-being: What’s ‘food’ got to do with it?
Can diet impact mental well-being? Emerging evidence gives us some food for thought. -
“Laugh out loud!” Leaning on laughter and humour during difficult times
During difficult times laughter and humour can seem a ways away. Laughter and humor interventions are a way to incorporate these elements into our lives. Some recent evidence highlights the potential benefits of these strategies, as well as the need for more research on their use. -
Looking for exercises to do at home? Pilates and yoga can help you keep physically and mentally fit!
While at home, keep all facets of your health and well-being a priority! What benefits do Pilates and yoga have to offer? -
Are you a caregiver? Support may be just a “couple of clicks” away!
Amid a global pandemic that calls for physical distancing, do caregivers of older adults have to cope on their own? The research shows that online support services can be a beneficial alternative. -
Identity on the plate: food activities can help older adults maintain their identity
Food not only nourishes the body, it helps maintain or rebuild the individual and social identity of older adults. Deteriorating health or any other change due to aging threatens the social context of food activities, which can lead to social isolation and an identity crisis. -
Don’t go for broke : Addressing gambling-related harms
Though most people gamble safely for entertainment, there is an emerging concern about gambling-related harms among some individuals and communities. There is a need to consider what changes could be made to reduce gambling-related harms and better support those at risk of problem-gambling behaviours. -
Cognitive behavioural therapy: Prevent depression before it starts
Depression is a difficult road to travel. Research has shown that psychological and educational approaches may be effective in helping to prevent it. -
Immersive technologies to address social isolation: Is a technological solution feasible and desirable?
Immersive technologies are developing at great speed and have spread to many areas. While some envision that immersive technologies could alleviate social isolation and loneliness, the evidence remains limited and some experts have expressed concerns that they may actually exacerbate social isolation. -
Conquer your fear of falling with cognitive behavioural therapy
Many older adults have a fear of falling. Cognitive behavioural therapy may help people overcome this fear by reducing negative thoughts about falls and shifting their focus to what they can do to curb their falls risk. -
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. -
Get back to your artistic passions to boost your health and well-being
Arts have beneficial effects on patients, but also on community-dwelling older adults. It may be time to wake the artist inside you. -
Can exercise trim your risk for breast cancer recurrence?
Exercise can have benefits for women who have gone through breast cancer treatment. But can it prevent breast cancer’s return? Unfortunately, the jury is still out. -
The men’s sheds : A safe and inclusive space for older men
Developing activities to promote social activity among older men, especially those who are lonely or socially isolated, is complex. "Men's sheds" can have beneficial effects on mental health and social well-being by allowing men to work, break social isolation and give back to their community. -
Breaking down the walls of solitude
Many older adults suffer from loneliness, which is often exacerbated by illnesses or the loss of a loved one. Older adults have different strategies for dealing with loneliness, but those around them also need to help break down the walls of solitude. -
The sound of music: promoting the social well-being of older adults with dementia and their caregivers
Music can promote the social well-being of older adults with dementia and their caregivers. Let the sound of music brighten up our homes and communities for the well-being of older adults and their caregivers. -
Depression got you down? Try these 3 self-care strategies
Coping with depression can feel like an uphill battle. In addition to treatments prescribed by your doctor, taking an active role in your treatment through self-care strategies – such as exercise, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and reminiscence therapy – can make a big difference in how you feel. -
How do older adults perceive abuse?
Greater efforts must ensure the voices of older adults are heard and acted upon when it comes to addressing the problem of abuse. -
What factors lead to early retirement due to disability?
Psychological and organizational factors at work contribute to early retirements due to disability. These factors need to be recognized and addressed to lessen their influence on workers who leave the workforce earlier than necessary. -
Struggling to lose weight? Mindfulness may be the solution
Mindfulness may be one way to help control your eating habits and become more physically active. -
5 alternative options for pain relief
Alternative options for managing pain can bring relief without the risks associated with prescription drugs. -
5 tips to stay healthy at home
Research-based recommendations to stay in your home and community safely, independently and comfortably for as long as possible. -
Combat loneliness and depression by sharing memories: Relive those glory days!
One of the pleasures in life is spending time with family and friends. Another is getting together to relive those good times and memorable moments. Research shows that group activities involving reminiscing can help relieve loneliness and depression. -
Does caregiver stress affect the move to long term care?
Providing care for family members with challenging chronic diseases like dementia can be highly stressful and take a toll on caregivers’ physical and psychological health. When caregivers become “burnt out” are their loved ones more likely to be placed in long term care facilities? -
Exercise plays an active role in treating depression
Depression is a serious chronic disorder common among older adults. Exercise is recommended as part of a depression treatment plan. -
Preventing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a critical illness
People who survive a critical illness are at increased risk for post-traumatic stress disorder. Keeping an ICU ‘diary’ is a promising way to help prevent or reduce PTSD symptoms -
Music can help ease your hospital stay
If you’re undergoing surgery or other hospital treatments you’re probably not thinking of boogying to the beat. But research shows music therapy can reduce anxiety and pain and help ease depression and fatigue. -
Medication, psychological therapy… What does the latest research tell us about treatments for depression?
Depression is a common – but potentially serious – mood disorder that affects how you feel, think and behave. There are choices for treatment, including antidepressants and psychological therapy. Read the latest research about these options. -
Collaborative care benefits adults suffering from depression and diabetes
People struggling to cope with both diabetes and depression are often at increased health risk. A collaborative care approach can reduce symptoms of both diseases and promote improved overall health. -
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy helps prevent relapse in people with depression
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy can help prevent relapse among people with depression. -
Caring for the caregivers: Who is meeting the care needs of older adults?
Families of older adults continue to provide the vast majority of care for their members when necessary. Changes in modern society necessitate support for them from the formal healthcare system. -
Move it (slowly) or lose it: Tai chi improves the mind as well as the body
Tai chi is a form of exercise that offers low risk of injury. It promotes general health and well-being, and may help improve cognitive performance in older adults. -
Congratulations, you’ve finally reached retirement... now what?
Retirement can impact both physical and emotional health. Engaging in meaningful social relationships and roles contributes to optimal health and well being. -
Elder abuse just next door! Part 4: What are the benefits and harms of interventions to those experiencing elder abuse?
In this final blog from a 4-part series, we examine the benefits and harms of interventions to help those experiencing elder abuse. -
Join a walking group to improve your health!
Walking can contribute to improved health, and walking in groups offers additional benefits. -
Sleep and aging: How many zzz's are optimal to stay healthy?
Many are concerned about how much sleep is 'normal' and how much we need for successful aging. Although there is no simple answer, the scientific evidence shows that sleep duration has important links to health. -
Elder abuse just next door! Part 3: What do Canadians believe about abuse compared to the evidence of the size of the problem?
In part 3 of this 4 part series we examine public opinion about elder abuse. This is compared to known rates of abuse in Canada and internationally. -
Elder abuse just next door! Part 2: What are the risk factors and types of elder abuse?
In Part 2 of this 4-part series, we expand upon the different types of elder abuse. Important risk factors associated with vulnerable seniors, as well as the perpetrators of the abuse are discussed. -
Elder abuse just next door! Part 1: What is elder abuse?
We often fail to recognize the signs of elder abuse. In Part 1 of this 4 part series we focus on defining elder abuse. Our understanding of elder abuse has changed over time. Culture and geography are also important. -
Treating behavioural problems of dementia: When confusion leads to controversy
The majority of people with Alzheimer’s will develop behaviour problems over time and this causes much suffering and stress for patients and caregivers. There are solutions to manage this. -
Loneliness hurts. How to recognize loneliness as a health concern.
Many older adults are lonely and this could affect their overall health. Changing negative or wrong perceptions about oneself and others is a solution to loneliness. -
Multimorbidity: how to improve quality of life when managing several chronic health conditions
If you have 3 or more health conditions, ask your family doctor about better ways to coordinate your care with other health professionals, and how you might decrease important health risks or improve key functional activities.
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