Kathy Lawrence
Recognising signs of dementia
Written by Kathy Lawrence Dementia is much in the news now. But can we differentiate between failing memory that besets the elderly and the busy, and true dementia? Looking at the lists of early symptoms of dementia that are being publicised, it would be easy to have a three-step reaction. OMG that’s me. Panic! If […]
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When saving stuff becomes hoarding
This week’s storyteller has chosen to be anonymous. A lifetime’s tendency to keep stuff just in case can reach epic proportions in old age. Is it a problem? When we visit H’s aunt these days, we’re not invited across the threshold to her flat. We were when she first moved in, although even then it […]
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Urinary incontinence: causes, treatments, symptoms
Urinary incontinence is often seen as an inevitable sign of ageing but that’s not necessarily the case. There could be other causes that can be addressed. And for those who do have to live with incontinence in the long term, there are ways to help manage the condition. Urinary incontinence is defined as the unintentional […]
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A focus on vitamin D – how the “sunshine” vitamin can improve health
Update July 2021: Evidence suggests that lack of vitamin D can lead to more hospitalisations due to Covid-19, but isn’t linked to greater mortality rates. Read more indepth analysis of studies on vitamin D and health here. Dr David Mantle, nutritional adviser at Pharma Nord, discusses the importance of vitamin D to health in an […]
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5 tips for preventing falls in the home
Statistics show that falls in the home that mean a trip to A&E are often the first step to losing independence and a move into care. Nursing professional Vince Baiera shares his experiences in helping older people to avoid having those falls. With more than six years’ experience as an ICU Nurse at some of […]
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Product review: adjustable multi-user spectacles
We’ve been trying out adjustables glasses. Named adjustable not because you can change the fit but instead you can change the actual lens to suit a wide range of prescriptions. That means they could be shared as a “spare pair”. Here’s what we thought. As we get older most of us become more dependent on […]
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Why treating varicose veins effectively is vital to leg health
There’s a strong belief that treating varicose veins is more a vanity project than a health issue. Consultant Vascular Surgeon Prof Mark S Whiteley explains how varicose veins can lead to more painful conditions such as leg ulcers and should be taken seriously. And why stripping is rarely the right way forward. A history of […]
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Benefits for the hearing disabled
The World Health Organisation has predicted that by 2030 adult-onset hearing loss will be one of the top ten problems in Britain, outstripping both cataracts and diabetes. So how do you get help and are there any benefits available to support the hearing disabled? It’s easy to take your hearing for granted if you don’t […]
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Avoiding the age-related muscle loss of Sarcopenia
Age-related muscle loss affects all of us as we age. Typically from the age of 45, people lose 1-2% of muscle every year. This eventually causes fatigue, frailty and increased risk of falls. Dr Max Gowland, founder of Prime Fifty, shares top tips on how to fight it. Some of our older friends and family […]
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Am I too old for braces?
Derek Lotts, a reader from Australia, first started researching dental health because of challenges his father was experiencing. Derek continued the research in order to reach out to people and share experiences and tips. Here are his helpful findings. This is a question a lot of us senior citizens ask. When we think of braces […]
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