Yesterday was Bell’s tenth annual Let’s Talk Day, an initiative that aims to raise awareness about mental health by encouraging people to share their personal stories. The campaign serves as an important reminder that mental health and wellbeing matter at every age.

Winter weather often brings slippery conditions due to snow, slush and ice, which can make falls more likely. While this may create minor hazards for some, for older adults falls can have devastating consequences.

Technology is a major part of our lives and is engrained in many of our daily activities. From wearable devices, to mobile apps, smartphones and tablets, there are more ways than ever before to stay connected and manage your health goals.

People are eager to start the new year off on the right foot by eating well in a bid to lose weight and improve their health. With an abundance of diets out there, there is no shortage of options available. But do popular diets really work?

Whether you are setting new goals or maintaining the ones you’ve already been achieving, we’ve compiled the latest evidence in areas such as diet, exercise, the arts and more to guide you.

For older adults, the fear of falling may prevent them from wanting to go outside. Whether at home, or at your local community centre, there are many activities you can do indoors. We have rounded up a few articles to inspire you.

In recent years, it seems as though there has been an increase in extreme weather events. Older adults are more likely to be vulnerable when these events take place because of health and social factors like chronic conditions and social isolation. ​

The ways in which criminals try to fraudulently get your money continue to expand as they create new tactics to trick people into providing confidential information. Older adults – who may have significant savings later in life – are frequently the target of these activities.

The holidays can be a time of indulgence. Celebrating the season is often an occasion to socialize and gather with friends and family. While it is important to enjoy yourself, there are a few things you can do to make sure you maintain your health throughout the month.

Did you know that it is your health, not age, that affects your sexuality? While certain health conditions can affect the libido and sexual capacity, many people still want and need intimacy, or have sexual desires as they grow older.

Chronic diseases like diabetes are often ‘self-managed’ – a model of care that empowers patients to be in control of their own treatments. But managing diabetes involves a lot of responsibility and work and can leave some patients feeling overwhelmed.

Whether it is helping older adults stay connected to combat issues such as social isolation or motivating us to set and achieve new goals, there’s no doubt that there are many positive ways technology can help us as we age.

Falls can be a life-changing event, with one in five resulting in a broken bone or a head injury. The good news is that not all falls are inevitable, and there are many things that can be done to prevent them.

While it is possible to get a cold or flu at any time throughout the year, these viruses are most common in the fall and winter months. Research suggests the flu shot remains the best way to protect yourself against the flu.

Doing some of the activities you love can help to improve social engagement and well-being among older adults, and can reduce certain health problems such as hypertension, anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian women, and 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with it in their lifetime. As you get older, your risk of developing breast cancer increases, and women between the ages of 50 and 69 years of age are more likely to develop it.

Mental health issues can 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.

The McMaster Optimal Aging Portal is committed to helping our community age well by providing trustworthy information about the health and social aspects of aging. By taking a proactive approach to your health and wellbeing, older adults can continue to participate in their communities and do the things they love.

Making small lifestyle changes can have a big impact and help to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Problems in and around our joints can range from relatively mild forms of tendinitis to severe body-wide rheumatoid arthritis. Joint pain is the most common symptom. While there is no cure for arthritis, research has shown that exercise can help with arthritis and other joint conditions and certain medications can help manage pain.