Hitting The Headlines

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.

It is estimated that approximately 1 in 7 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. While death rates have dropped significantly, continued education about risk factors, signs, symptoms, and treatment options are important to continue to make progress and improve survival rates.

Early diagnosis of dementia is important for life planning as well as for learning about and accessing the best available treatments. Supporting caregivers of loved ones with dementia is important as the emotional and physical demands can be enormous.

Civic engagement, including volunteering, can address social isolation amongst older adults and provide a sense of accomplishment and belonging to the community. Civic participation is a pillar of our communities, and can help people keep a healthy, active and engaged life. Read more about the benefits of both for older adults.

Worldwide, the number of people who drink alcohol is decreasing, but of the people who choose to drink, the amount consumed per person is on the rise. We have compiled the latest research on alcohol consumption, including risks and benefits, to help make your ‘happy hours’ healthier ones.

While many people gamble safely for entertainment, there is an emerging concern about gambling-related harms among some individuals and communities. There are a number of steps that can be taken to address problem gambling among seniors

Aside from minor scrapes and bruises, a fall can make you fearful of falling again, and can also lead to serious injury, or even death. As you age, taking care of your feet could improve your chances of staying on your feet. Read more about foot health and its role in preventing falls in older adults in our resources below.

Strokes can cause a variety of temporary or permanent disabilities, including paralysis, pain or difficulty completing daily activities such as walking, eating, or getting dressed. We have compiled some of the latest research on strokes including rehabilitating movement and language after experiencing a stroke.

Each year, there are more than 235,000 individuals who will experience homelessness in the country. Older adults are at increasing risk of homelessness due to a lack of support, precarious health, economic and housing situations, and a lack of age-appropriate programs and services.

If you’re thinking of transitioning to retirement, or are already retired, you may want to think about what meaningful roles you could play in your new life as a retiree. Many older adults go back to school or enrol in online courses to learn something new.

Vitamin D is important to the development of dense, healthy bones, as it makes it possible for our bodies to absorb much-needed calcium. Research has also suggested that it may lower average blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes and ward off respiratory infections in some people.

Driving is a complex task, regardless of age, but can become more difficult as you get older as your psychomotor, visual and cognitive skills slowly decrease. The good news is there are many new automotive technologies that have emerged to help improve safety and comfort for older drivers. To learn more about driving as you age, read on.

Whether you are actively using technology in your everyday life, or just starting to introduce new technologies into your life, read more about the ways in which different technologies can help you lead a healthier life.