The first video from this spring’s series of Lunch and Learns isnow available for online viewing.  this video features Dr. Paige Moorhouse’s lecture on the new Palliative and Therapeutic Harmonization Clinic, which offers resources and skills for chronically ill older adult to assist them in dealing with their current and future medical issues/wishes. The video [...]

Medical News Today reports that researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have unveiled results from a study that they say has pinpointed the identifying factors in who, among those 65+, will be at greatest risk for major depression. The researchers studied data from over 600 people aged 65+, who had no active diagnosis [...]

Three American scientists Elizabeth Blackburn (University of California, San Fransisco) , Carol Greider (Johns Hopkins University) and Jack Szostak (Harvard Medical School), have been awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine for their discovery of how chromosomes are protected by telomeres and the enzyme telomerase. In short: “Telomeres are the tails of chromosomes; they are an [...]

The Globe and Mail reports on soaring use of proton-pump inhibiting drugs among seniors -  the percentage of seniors using these drugs to ease gastrointestinal problems has rocketed up by 60% over the past five years. Proton-pump inhibitors are the most potent inhibitors of gastric acid available today. The article notes: “Laura Targownik, an assistant [...]

Science Daily reports on recent work by researchers at the University of British Columbia which has highlighted the relationship between certain types of medications and falls in elderly people. As falls or complications arising from these are one of the leading causes of death of elderly people  in western nations, understanding how many commonly  prescribed [...]

An article in today’s Washington Post describes some innovative  programs designed to help seniors or those with chronic conditions monitor themselves at home – reducing travel and time in hospital as well as costs. “Every morning at 10 a.m. sharp, Juanita Wood, 87, taps “okay” on a screen to start up a device that takes [...]

Recent work at the Geriatric Medicine Research Unit has shed light on the link between social vulnerability and mortality.  Dr. Melissa Andrew, a geriatrician working at the research unit, describes social vulnerability as a variety of factors that make people susceptible to illness, disease, decline in their ability to do things for themselves, or even [...]

Recent studies from Tufts University have shown that the traditional Chinese martial art Tai Chi, known in western countries for its soft, flowing movements,  is not only a good exercise option for older adults and the frail, but can benefit heart health and osteoarthritis.  A report from the Tufts University Program in Evidence-Based Complimentary and [...]

From the Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion and Protection: PLEASE NOTE: Due to national vaccine supply issues, on October 30, 2009, a change was made to Nova Scotia’s H1N1 vaccine program. Starting Monday, November 2, 2009, the H1N1 vaccine will be limited to those most at risk from H1N1: Pregnant women and women who [...]

With much information (and misinformation) swirling about seasonal flu and H1N1 flu, the Public Health Agency of Canada has some very useful guidelines.  On their site, the offer two easy charts – the first shows common and less common symptoms of both seasonal and H1N1 flu: Both H1N1 and seasonal flu can show the following [...]