Seniors are particularly vulnerable to the effects of too many prescriptions
Working aggressively to reduce their daily medication burden may be the single best thing we can do to improve the quality of life of our aging parents and grandparents. The issue of too much medication in Canadian seniors is finally starting to be recognized as the serious problem it has become. Seniors are particularly vulnerable to…
People who have conversations about their end-of-life preferences are much more likely to be satisfied with the care received
The new year is a good time to put making end-of-life wishes at the top of your to-do list. It's a perfect time to tell family and friends your health-care preferences in case one day you're unable to speak for yourself. This advance care planning is good for your peace of mind and for your loved ones,…By thinking twice before prescribing and talking with patients about the risks of medications, clinicians are tackling overuse
By Karen Born and Wendy Levinson University of Toronto Canadians are living longer than ever and we are also taking more medications than ever. And this can make us sicker, not healthier. A report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information found that one in four seniors in Canada take 10 or more medications. That’s…
The Elizabeth Wettlaufer case should serve as a warning to all of us about the issue of patient safety
By Fiona MacDonald University of the Fraser Valley and Karine Levasseur University of Manitoba We’ve all been there: it’s 3 a.m. and your partner, child, sibling or parent becomes ill suddenly and needs medical care. Will they be safe? The public inquiry into the safety and security of residents in the long-term care homes system…
The majority of deaths and injuries resulting from natural disasters involve seniors
By John Hirdes and Sandy van Solm University of Waterloo The combination of an aging population with increases in natural disasters has had deadly consequences for seniors. Quebec health authorities estimated that as many 70 people died as a result of the 2018 heat wave with a humidex of over 40C. Most heat-related deaths in Montreal involved…
It's clear the status quo isn’t meeting the needs of our aging population. So what can be done?
By Ruta Valaitis and Maureen Markle-Reid McMaster University Despite having diabetes and arthritis, Verne was a thriving independent 72-year-old who lived at home with his wife when he had a stroke. He had excellent emergency care in the hospital and began his recovery there. But he didn’t adjust well after arriving home. He started to…
Astronauts and seniors with frailty have much in common and innovative research may help solve problems for both
For decades, researchers have studied the effects of reduced physical activity on astronauts during prolonged journeys to space. But what's surprising is one of the uses of that research. It turns out that understanding the effects of space travel on the body may be important to understanding what happens to us on Earth as we…
About 578,000 Canadians reported trying cannabis for the first time in the past three months: StatsCan
By Troy Media A report released on Wednesday by Statistics Canada says cannabis use is less common among seniors than it is in other age groups but consumption has been accelerating at a much faster pace than it has among other age groups. The report said seniors use is seven per cent compared with 10…
Research supports the ‘use it or lose it’ theory of mental ability
Just as we need to exercise our bodies to keep them healthy as we age, we must also exercise our minds to keep them from deteriorating. Research shows that people who engage in more activities that stimulate the mind have sharper cognitive functioning as they age than people who do not challenge their brains. In…
Acute Care for Elders (ACE) is designed to treat elderly patients in a way that respects their abilities and limitations, speeds healing and promotes safe discharges home
Dr. Samir Sinha is Canada’s guru on aging. We should listen carefully to his ideas because 42 per cent of all hospital patients in our country are over 65 and they account for 60 per cent of all hospital days. Senior patients consume 60 per cent of acute-care budgets and almost half of all health-care…