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 [...]

On April 01, 2010, the Personal Directives Act will come into force in Nova Scotia and bring changes to the way personal care decisions are made. These changes will expand protection for individuals creating the personal directive, families of that individual as well a health care professionals delivering services. To find out more about what [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

The Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia (ASNS) will host its annual corporate luncheon on December 3. 2009 at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront. This year’s guest speaker is Micheal Decter. “Mr. Decter is President and Chief Executive Officer of the investment management firm, LDIC Inc. where his primary focus is value investing in individual companies. He [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Dr. Kenneth Madden, speaking at the 2009 Canadian Cardiovascular Congress, has unveiled new research that demonstrates the benefits of aerobic exercise for older adults. Dr. Madden’s work studied a group of adults  between the ages of 65-83 with controlled Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol. Three months of exercise resulted in [...]