Health & Wellbeing

This year’s theme for Mental Health Awareness Week theme is “Nature is Key” It is estimated that over 20% of adults aged 60 and over suffer from a mental or neurological disorder. 6.6% of all disability among over 60s are attributed to neurological and mental disorders. The most common neuropsychiatric …

Have you ever wondered why some of us are are annually seized by a sudden urge to air out the house, banish dust, organize wardrobes, clean out cabinets, scrub floors, wash windows and organize our garages etc as soon as spring comes? Is it because suddenly there is an overload …

We really should reconsider some of the words we use to describe older people. While it seems like huge sensitivity is taken with terminology relating to race and gender, it seems to remain “open season” for attitudes and descriptions related to ageing. Don’t believe me? Just look at the synonyms given …

Keeping your home warm and dry is essential to remain as healthy as possible this winter. Low temperatures increase the risk of flu and other respiratory problems and can raise blood pressure. Blood pressure takes longer to return to normal in older people after being out in the cold and …

Winter weather can take a toll on everyone, especially older adults. Because it can be difficult and dangerous to get around, many older adults may have less contact with others during cold months. This can add to feelings of loneliness and isolation. To help avoid these issues, there is a …

Icy, snowy roads and paths make it easy to slip and fall. Unfortunately, falls are more of a common occurrence during the winter months. A fall can be life-changing for an older person, impacting on their independence and wellbeing, with implications for their family or whānau and significant others. We …

A recent New Zealand palliative care needs assessment concluded that approximately three quarters of people die an expected death from an existing chronic condition and would benefit from palliative care. It also highlighted that, because of health disparities, Māori are more likely to die with palliative care needs than the …

Brrr… Winter has arrived and has brought with it cold temperatures, rain and in some places snow. While no one likes being cold, it is pretty important older people to stay warm. Older adults are typically more vulnerable to cold weather as the skin’s protective abilities, bone strength, and the body’s …

It is safe to say our eyes are pretty essential. As humans we rely heavily on our vision. That could be the reason why people who have poor vision also have higher rates of depression, more falls and fractures, increased need for support and will most likely need to go …

Estimates of hearing loss do vary, although research shows that some 40–50% of adults over the age of 65 years have a hearing impairment, with this rising to 83% for those over the age of 70 years [1]. This makes hearing loss the third most prevalent chronic medical condition among …