Seniors

Canada could face ‘worst kind’ of flu season as experts warn evolving strain may be mismatch for vaccine

Alarm bells abroad, spread of a new form of H3N2 provide warnings as influenza cases start ticking up. A colourized transmission electron microscope image of the influenza A H3N2 virus from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and … READ MORE

Alberta parents still struggling to book COVID shots for kids as doctors raise alarm about access

Alberta Medical Association estimates each COVID hospitalization costs the health system more than $34,000. Parents have to call Health Link to book COVID-19 vaccines for children under 12. But the health information line has been … READ MORE

COVID cases starting to climb across parts of Canada

Consistent end-of-summer trend has doctors recommending precautions like vaccination, staying home sick A bottle containing wastewater sits in a lab at the University of Guelph as part of surveillance for respiratory pathogens. … READ MORE

‘Not enough’: Experts say maximum AISH benefit still puts recipients below poverty line

Alberta’s income support program for people with a disability is below the poverty line and not providing Albertans with a living wage, experts said. Community, Seniors and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon. Photo by Greg … READ MORE

AISH caseloads have ballooned over the past decade. What’s driving that?

Albertans receiving Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped up 57% The steady rise in people receiving benefits through the province’s Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program hit 75,554 in October. CBC Elise … READ MORE

AISH recipients form grassroots group to raise awareness, dispel myths around the program

“We’re fighting to be recognized as autonomous human beings that deserve dignity,” advocate says. Janet Nass and Thomas Cheesman are two members of the newly formed group, AISH Recipients In Search of Equity (ARISE). … READ MORE

Why are these scientists teaching seniors how to fall?

Rather than focus on avoiding tumbles, researchers at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute are using high-tech, hands-on trials to teach how to fall. Cathrin Bradbury walks on sensor plates in the reactive balance training room at the … READ MORE

96-year-old runner breaks W95+ world record at Ottawa 5K

Rejeanne Fairhead, 96, is getting faster with age. She finished in 51:09, smashing her previous 5K best by seven minutes. Photo Courtesy Perley Health/Julie Ireton Marley Dickinson, Canadian Running Magazine May 27, 2023 Canada’s … READ MORE

Algorithm measures quality of gait through smart watches

The Watch Walk algorithm could help reduce falls and fall-related injuries in elderly people, study shows. Participants aged 46 to 77 were instructed to wear a device on their dominant wrists for seven days. Photo by SHVETS … READ MORE

Winnipeg sprinter Lightning Lou dies at 99

Lou Billinkoff started running at 89, and became fastest 95-year-old in country. Lou Billinkoff started running at 89 years old after suffering a mild heart attack. Courtesy Errol Billinkoff. CBC News Manitoba March 15, 2023 Lou … READ MORE

Tips on how to prevent dementia as we grow older

Aging is inevitable, but there are ways to improve our ‘health span’ and prevent dementia. Aging Well: Avoiding Dementia. Dr. Howard Chertkow offers 15 pieces of advice that we can all follow to reduce our risk of dementia. The … READ MORE

Walking 10K steps a day is a health sweet spot, study finds — and walking faster is even better

Walking can reduce risks of dementia, cancer and heart disease — and any number of steps is better than none. By studying people wearing fitness trackers, researchers have determined that walking 10,000 steps each day is indeed a … READ MORE

Alberta government to re-index AISH, seniors benefits to inflation

People like Mary Salvani, who rely on AISH benefits to cover their basic expenses, have had their benefits frozen for the past three years while the cost of living rose substantially. Monty Kruger CBC

Critics say the move won’t help people living in poverty catch up with rising costs. People like Mary Salvani, who rely on AISH benefits to cover their basic expenses, have had their benefits frozen for the past three years … READ MORE

Alzheimer’s might not be primarily a brain disease. A new theory suggests it’s an autoimmune condition

The pursuit of a cure for Alzheimer’s disease is becoming an increasingly competitive and contentious quest with recent years witnessing several important controversies. A new theory of Alzheimer’s disease reassesses the role of … READ MORE

Long-term positive impacts and cost effectiveness of REACT for over 65s

The ‘REtirement in ACTion’ programme helps prevent physical decline, reduces the need for health care and is highly cost-effective for those in later life. REACT participants from the Easton group in Bristol. Alex Rotas photo Andy … READ MORE

Passive exercise offers same brain health benefits as active movements

Western-led research shows potential for rehab, long-term care application. Cycle pedals pushed mechanically were used to determine effects of passive exercise on cognition. University of Western Ontario By Kim McCready, Special to … READ MORE

Older people in good shape have fitter brains

Seventy- to eighty-year-olds who train for better fitness are better at solving cognitive tasks and are less likely to suffer cognitive impairment. How should older people train to get in better shape? What’s most important, … READ MORE

New approach provides potential vaccine and treatment for Alzheimer’s

A promising new approach to potentially treat Alzheimer’s disease – and also vaccinate against it – has been developed by a team of UK and German scientists. The work is a collaboration between researchers at the University of … READ MORE

Walking towards healthier knees

A new study published today in Arthritis & Rheumatology led by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine reveals that walking for exercise can reduce new frequent knee pain among people age 50 and older diagnosed with knee … READ MORE

How to design personalized and meaningful technology for older adults

Marjolein den Haan-Wintermans defends her PhD on ideas to help seniors relax and make sense of their day. More and more research suggests framing ageing positively rather than focusing on problems. In her PhD research on the … READ MORE

Understanding frailty will lead to better care for older adults

Research found most frail ICU survivors had only a one in five chance of living to one year after discharge. Ryan Jones, Univeristy of Waterloo July 7, 2021 Frailty is a better predictor than factors such as age when determining how … READ MORE

Discover Sole to Soul Footwear

We saw a need for specialty footwear and grew from there Sole to Soul Footwear began as part of the former Colonel Belcher Hospital’s Geriatric Foot and Wound Clinic. Abdullah Chybil developed the concept of our shoe store while … READ MORE

How a worker shortage is affecting Albertans with disabilities and their families

Disability workers say a chronic problem has become a crisis in some parts of the province. MIchael Marchuk, 47, is currently living with his brother Stan in Vancouver because of a lack of disability support workers in his Alberta … READ MORE

Student designs smart mobility aid for people with dementia

According to Alzheimer’s Research UK, one million people in the UK will have dementia by 2025 and this will increase to two million by 2050. This increase is a real concern, especially as the care system is already under strain. … READ MORE

New report raises critical issues around disability rights in Alberta

13 advocates, known as Radical Inclusion, compiled report for U.N. committee. Roxanne Ulanicki is the lead facilitator of the Radical Inclusion report that was submitted to the United Nations on Tuesday. Submitted by Roxanne Ulanicki … READ MORE

The impact of ankle-foot orthoses on balance in older adults: A scoping review

Jürgen with WalkOn on stairs. Moving naturally. You can move naturally with the WalkOn during the day. When you crouch down or walk up a set of stairs for example, you can put a natural load on the forefoot. The WalkOn is ideally … READ MORE

Older adults with Cerebral palsy need more, receive less physical therapy for painful medical conditions

The findings reveal a significant burden on a clinically underserved population. Surrey, B.C., resident Jenny Taylor, 55, says one of her caregivers (not pictured) recently abandoned her and left her in a vulnerable position for … READ MORE

Back to basics: Simple exercises are a practical, efficient way to boost fitness

Kinesiologist Marty Gibala is the lead author on research that shows that simple, old-school bodyweight exercises —no special equipment needed — can boost cardiorespiratory fitness. Georgia Kirkosn McMaster University By Michelle … READ MORE

Bursts of exercise can lead to significant improvements in indicators of metabolic health

Short bursts of physical exercise induce changes in the body’s levels of metabolites that correlate to, and may help gauge, an individual’s cardiometabolic, cardiovascular and long-term health, a study by Massachusetts General … READ MORE

Beyond long-term care: The benefits of seniors’ communities that evolve on their own

The global COVID-19 pandemic has shown Canadians that we need to think differently about how we support older adults. The media and all levels of government have focused heavily on long-term care, and rightly so. However, the vast … READ MORE

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