mental health
Keeping track of your relative’s mental health after lockdown
The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way that the world has been functioning over the past few months. As we try to head out of lockdown and get our lives back to some semblance of ‘normal’, it is just as important that we look out for our older family and friends as much as when […]
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Life changes during lockdown for eldercare
Our latest roundup of news affecting our older friends and family is here. This week we feature: Accessing cash and managing money in an increasingly online world Worrying times for the care sector Doctors urge suspected stroke victims to get to hospital fast Can robotics help relieve loneliness? Living with dementia during coronavirus – some […]
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The first signs of loneliness in friends and family
There is no doubt that people in the UK are now living longer than ever before. While increased life expectancy is a good thing overall, it can lead to issues such as loneliness. This often happens as people become less agile and able to socialise. Of course, loneliness is not restricted to the elderly but […]
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Can being more optimistic help us live longer?
There have been certain elements in public life recently who have exhorted the nation to be more optimistic. Possibly easier said than done, especially if you’re trying to juggle the demands of work, family and care giving. Yet recent research has suggested that people with higher levels of optimism can increase their life span. The […]
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Why exercise now and in later years?
At any stage in our lives, we are encouraged to exercise. It’s good for the heart, the lungs, our bones – just about every part of us. And it’s argued that exercise can improve our mood and general sense of well-being. What does tend to change is the advice on how much exercise, when, and […]
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Sleepio week 4 – the going gets tough
I’ve been working my way through the Sleepio programme – designed by experts to help people with long-term sleep problems finally get some decent rest. So far it’s been about looking at aspects of how we prepare for sleep and our connection between sleep and the bedroom. Throughout the programme users keep their own sleep […]
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Official advice on reducing the risk of dementia
There isn’t a cure for dementia, yet. But the World Health Organisation (WHO) has drawn up guidelines to help us reduce our risk of dementia. Focusing on those who are not showing any or little sign of congnitive decline, the organisation has taken a look at the evidence of what may or may not help. […]
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Can we delay the symptoms of dementia?
When They Get Older reader Roger Burgess has been looking at some suggestions around the causes of, and possible ways of delaying, the symptoms of dementia. Here are some of the ideas he has discovered. Roger is at pains to emphasise that he is not a physician or academic – but he has been affected […]
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What you need to know this week
Here’s our regular roundup of news around the UK that affects you and your older friends and relatives. This issue we’re talking about pensions, NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding, potential treatment and preventions for Alzheimer’s and memory loss, hip and knee replacements, finding missing vulnerable people, and avoiding falls. The downside first Mixed age couples are […]
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How can I care for mum with dementia when I can’t cope myself?
Dear Lesley I’ve recently learned my Mum has mixed dementia. She was diagnosed almost two years ago but I’ve only just found out. Since then she has also got septicaemia and pneumonia, although she’s on the mend from the pneumonia now. I have three brothers and I’m the only girl. I’m also the youngest. My […]
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