Tag Archives: Health

Vitamin D is important for strong bones and muscle function. Your body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium into its bones. Older adults who don’t get enough vitamin D can develop bone and muscle weakness and have an increased risk of falls. There are three sources of vitamin D- sunlight, …

The interaction between physical and mental health has been attracting increasing attention.  People with long-term conditions are two to three times more likely to experience mental health problems than the general population. The interdependency of mental and physical health has significant implications for individual patients. Mental health problems can complicate …

As we are all aware, staying fit and healthy in old age is very important. The healthier you are, the more chance you have of avoiding certain medical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. We also know that technology has come in leaps and bounds over the past two …

Winter brings not only colder temperatures, but also an increase in coughs, colds, sore throats and influenza. Here are some tips to keep yourself well during the cooler months. Get the flu vaccination through your general practice team. This is free for anyone 65 or older.  Wash your hands thoroughly …

Eating a balanced diet is important, especially as we age. In particular, there are a couple vitamins and minerals that you should make sure you get enough of every day. Take a look why: Vitamin D Vitamin D has a role in bone health, nerves and muscle function.  Vitamin D …

We all know how important physical activity is, but giving your brain a ‘workout’ is just as important. Although the brain accounts for only 2% of the whole body mass it uses approximately 20% of the blood flowing from the heart. Also, it uses approximately 20% of all the oxygen …

Staying active is important when you’re getting older (including if you have health conditions). Regular physical activity has a raft of positive benefits to your health and well-being, and it can also make it easier to perform daily tasks. “We know that in a broad sense, the more fit you …

Cannabis is a hot topic. The government has introduced the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill, which allows for terminally ill people to possess and use cannabis but not grow it. National is proposing its own bill a “much more comprehensive and thought out” piece of legislation, which is …

This issue is very close to my heart as one of my closest friends lost her Dad to bowel cancer a few years ago. It was a fast moving cancer that caused a lot of pain, confusion and grief, which I think if it could be avoided it definitely should! …

Health, income and education levels all contribute to the growing gap between the “top 10%” and the “bottom 10%” globally. Older people are not immune to the effects of this division. A study conducted by the Centre for Ageing Better found “shameful and stark” contrasts in people’s experiences of later life. This …