Health & Wellbeing

Doesn’t it drive you crazy? A tune plays over and over in your head. You didn’t try to remember it. You don’t WANT to remember it, but it goes on….and on….It’s a ‘sticky tune’. Sticky tunes are real (sometimes called ‘earworms’ ugh!) and 90% of people report a sticky tune at least once a week. And …

The emotional connection that most people have with music is very strong.  Often you hear music and recall an event that is linked to that sound.  It can make you happy or sad.  And it can often make you remember things when you can’t remember much else.  It is very …

This week I got a slightly stressed phone call from a manager of one of our Radius Care facilities regarding how to handle a situation that could present a possible health and safety hazard. The “situation” was that some of our residents had the rare opportunity to go for a …

Who says you’re too old to be active! When it comes to thinking about ‘active fun’ we think of spritely youngsters, nimble and agile, frolicking and dashing without a care in the world. But active is a relative word. As indeed is fun. One thing that is both inspiring and …

I hear a lot of talk about older people being “given something to do” as if they don’t actually have a life to live and frankly it makes me really annoyed.  The reason that I get annoyed about this is because older New Zealanders are too often being put in …

No matter what age you are and whether you are living in a your own home, a village or a care home, active fun can bring you great benefits such as social connection, a sense of purpose and fulfilment and improved physical health and wellbeing. What is active fun and …

Love is right at any age              Last month Valentine’s Day caused the usual flurry among retailers and die-hard romantics alike, while the usual cynics argued the day is commercial nonsense, and refused to buy into the hype. Certainly a resthome is probably the last place one would expect there to …

What is fun? And what is active? Gosh, being given this month’s topic was almost one of those…”Oxford Dictionary defines…” moments! But I decided, no I was going to give you my take on things and see where that leads. One thing I’m certain of is that age is no …

Activity for Brain Health Dr. Allison Lamont, The Memory Foundation. Recent studies have shown clearly that exercise is vital for on-going brain, and memory, health. There is no longer any doubt that walking, swimming, weight training or whatever takes your fancy has an immensely positive effect on your ageing brain. …

Staying active and participating in social activities is not only fundamental to slowing down the development of dementia but also a fun way for families and friends to reconnect. Many studies have found activities that engage mental and physical stimulation are invaluable for those living with Alzheimer’s or other forms …