Pneumonia is the 8th leading cause of death in Canada. While cases of pneumonia can range from mild to severe, seniors are much more susceptible to this disease than normal, healthy adults. If you are a caregiver for a Canada senior, it is essential to understand how to reduce the risk pneumonia in seniors, and spot the symptoms should they occur.
Loneliness and Isolation Can Affect Senior Health in Canada
Canadian Census data showed that about one-quarter (24.6%) of the population aged 65 and over now live alone. Loneliness in seniors can cause early death as often as alcoholism, obesity, and heavy smoking. This article outlines tips for caregivers to identify and assist with senior depression in their elder loved ones.
Senior Dental Care: Maintaining a Healthy Mouth
Dental care is a critical element of healthcare for seniors and elder adults. Research shows that mouth infections may be related to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, pneumonia, and other health problems. With some simple and healthy habits, seniors can improve and maintain oral health and enjoy a smile that lasts a lifetime.
Diabetes Prevention and Care for Seniors
Today, there are more than 10 million Canadians living with diabetes or prediabetes. With more than 20 Canadians being newly diagnosed with the disease every hour of every day, chances are that diabetes affects you or someone you know. However, it is known how to prevent and/or delay type 2 diabetes so these trends do not have to continue.
Seniors: Your Bones Will Thank You
At least 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men will suffer from an osteoporotic fracture during their lifetime. Our goal for bone health should be to keep as much bone as possible for the rest of our lives. We can take action now to prevent bone loss and watch for warning signs of a more serious condition.
Sweet Dreams: Managing Sleep Changes in Seniors
Insomnia and the inability to stay asleep are common complaints of older adults. While it is not uncommon for older adults to sleep more lightly than they did when they were younger, they still need a good night’s sleep. Having insomnia or feeling sleepy throughout the day could be indicative of underlying problems.
Senior Self-Engagement in Wellbeing Enhances Quality of Life
Ensuring senior adults are actively involved in their own health and wellbeing is a priority for health professionals and policy makers. Many of the difficulties associated today with growing older are preventable or at least manageable. Adults can grow older and remain active by making choices that benefit their overall health.
Preparing Seniors for Natural Disasters
If you are the caregiver for an older family member, you may need to help your loved one get ready for unexpected events. Since most people over the age of 50 report that they are not prepared for natural disasters, it may fall to families and healthcare providers to help older adults become proactive in their emergency plans. Our older population is most vulnerable at a time of crisis, so getting prepared today means a faster response time and less stress in the future.
COPD in Seniors: Improving Quality of Life through Self-management
There are over 1.5 million Canadians who have been diagnosed with Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and as many as 1.6 million more Canadians may have COPD but remain undiagnosed. It is the fourth leading cause of death in Canada and the leading cause of hospitals admisision for chronic medical conditions. COPD is a result of damage to the lungs, most commonly caused by smoking, and is usually a mix of two diseases, bronchitis and emphesyma, that affect the person’s ability to breathe.
Senior Falls: High Costs and Steeper Risks
Each year, one third of seniors aged 65 or older suffers a fall. While falling may seem a rather benign occurrence for most young and not-so-young people, the effects on older seniors can often be devastating financially and physically.