Some medications related to falls in elderly people.

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 [...]

Social Vulnerability in Elderly People

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 [...]

Free Public Lecture – What Should We Expect of Long Term Care for People with Dementia?

This November 25th, Dr. Kenneth Rockwood, a world leader in dementia and frailty research, will give a free public lecture: “What Should We Expect of Long Term Care for People with Dementia?” Dr. Rockwood is a professor of medicine (geriatric medicine and neurology) and the Kathryn Allen Weldon Chair in Alzheimer Research at Dalhousie University [...]

Tai Chi – an exercise option for elderly adults with many benefits.

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 [...]

50 active years after 50

As noted in a recent post here, half of babies living now in the US, UK and other wealthy nations, will live to be 100. While this sounds like great news, consideration must be given to the fact that right now most elderly people die unhealthy – likely after a period of months or years [...]