Seniors’ health

#Seniors' health

Manage your health in your 70s and older

By Dr. Ahmed Hafez

Key facts Ask your doctor about regular cardiovascular health checks. Go for your cancer screening tests when you get the reminders. Have regular sight and hearing checks and falls risk assessment. Aim for a healthy lifestyle by eating well, being active and limiting alcohol and smoking. Have regular dental check-ups and the recommended vaccinations. Health screening tests If you are in your 70s or older, there are some things you can do to help manage and prevent health conditions that are more common at this age. Talk to your doctor about what tests you need, based on your current health

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Trips (falls)

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts 1 in 4 people who are aged 65 and over have at least 1 fall per year. Falls are often due to gradual physical changes that affect the way we move, or hazards in and around the home. Falls can cause hip fractures and other serious injuries that may need longer hospital care and have long term effects. There are many things you can do to reduce your chance of having a fall. It is important to see your doctor if you have had a fall, even if you were not injured. Why are falls a particular concern

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Seniors (eye health)

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts Many eye conditions are more common in older people. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help you keep good vision into older age. Optometrists are trained health professionals who can assess the health of your eyes and prescribe corrective lenses if needed. Regular visits to your optometrist are important to help identify and treat problems before they cause permanent vision loss. Eye conditions that are detected early may be easier to treat. Eye-health tips for over-60s Many people associate older age with poorer vision. It’s true that there are many eye conditions which are more common in older age.

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Rheumatoid arthritis

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic (long-term) disease that can cause pain and swelling in your joints. People who have rheumatoid arthritis often experience times when their joints are particularly painful. It is important not to delay speaking to your doctor if you think you may have rheumatoid arthritis. Starting treatment as soon as possible helps avoid serious symptoms. You can slow down further damage to your joints and manage pain with medicines, exercise and lifestyle changes. What is rheumatoid arthritis? Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic (long-term) disease that can cause pain and swelling in your joints. Rheumatoid arthritis

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#Nervous system diseases #Neurology #Seniors' health

Alzheimer’s disease

By Dr. Ahmed Hafez

Overview Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that causes significant deterioration in mental performance. This leads to impairment in normal social and occupational function. Unfortunately, AD is an incurable condition that has a variable clinical course. It is the most common cause of dementia. Dementia Dementia describes a clinical syndrome that is characterised by a significant deterioration in mental function that leads impairment of normal function. In healthcare, we measure ‘normal function’ by activities of daily living (ADLs). These are a series of routine activities that people should be

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#Fitness and exercise #Healthy lifestyle #P #Seniors' health

Physical activity (older people)

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts Keeping active helps you stay physically and mentally strong. Aim for about 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days, but any amount of activity is beneficial — even just a few minutes. Strength and weight-bearing activities can increase bone density, helping to prevent osteoporosis. Consider exercising with a friend, and choose activities you enjoy, to help you stay motivated. Physical activity guidelines for older people Why should older people stay active? Whatever your age, you can enjoy the benefits of physical activity. There’s a host of health reasons to stay active and it doesn’t have to

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Parkinson’s disease

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts Parkinson’s disease occurs when the nerve cells in your brain don’t make enough of a body chemical called dopamine, which affects your movement and mood. Common symptoms may include tremors, muscle stiffness, slowing of movement and posture changes, but confirming if you have Parkinson’s can take time. There are a wide variety of other symptoms that you may or may not experience, and could be caused by different conditions. Parkinson’s disease usually occurs around age 65 years, but some people can be diagnosed when they’re younger than 45 years. Medicines, surgery and lifestyle changes can all help treat

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Mental health (older adults)

By Sama Mohamed

Older people and mental health Your mental health is important Your mental health is a central part of your overall wellbeing. If you don’t have good mental health, it’s possible you also don’t have good self-esteem or you don’t feel confident and able to face life and its challenges. Being mentally healthy is important, not just so you can get through the day but so you can maintain healthy relationships with others, and appreciate life to the full. So if you feel like your mental health is not as good as it could be, look for support before you reach a crisis point (see ‘Where to

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Manage your health in your 60s

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts Have regular eye tests, dental check-ups and vaccinations. Ask your doctor about regular cardiovascular health checks. Go for your cancer screening tests when you get the reminders. Once you are over 65 years have your hearing checked and a falls risk assessment. Aim for a healthy lifestyle by eating well, being active and limiting your alcohol intake and not smoking. What health screenings tests should I have at 60? Talk to your doctor about what tests you need, based on your current health and family history. Most healthy people in their 60s should have the following tests. Every

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Incontinence – an overview

By Sama Mohamed

What is incontinence? Incontinence ranges from having just a small leak of urine to completely losing control of your bladder or bowel. More than 5 million Australians have some form of incontinence, from young children to older people living in care. More than 6 in 10 women and about 3 in every 10 men will be affected in some way. In women, incontinence is more common as they get older. Most don’t ask for professional help. Incontinence, however, can often be cured, or at least treated and managed. The first step is to talk to your doctor. Types of incontinence A

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Hypertension (how to lower)

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts High blood pressure (hypertension) is when a person’s blood pressure is persistently higher than it should be. High blood pressure raises the risk of heart disease, stroke and chronic kidney disease. High blood pressure doesn’t usually have symptoms, so regular blood pressure checks are important. High blood pressure can be treated with lifestyle changes and medicines. Lifestyle measures alone can be enough for some people to lower their blood pressure. What is blood pressure? Blood pressure is the pressure of your blood pushing on the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood around your body. It

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#Ear diseases and disorders #H #Seniors' health

Hearing loss

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts Hearing loss is usually permanent. Treatment involves improving the hearing you have. Exposure to loud noise can cause hearing loss. Most people experience some degree of hearing loss as they get older. Protecting your hearing is vital to prevent any hearing loss from getting worse. If you are concerned about your hearing, see an audiologist for a hearing test. What is hearing loss? Hearing loss makes it difficult or impossible to hear speech and other sounds. There are different types of hearing loss, and they can range from mild, moderate, severe, or profound. Some types of hearing loss

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Healthy eating (over 60)

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts People aged over 60 need more of certain nutrients than younger people. Nutritional needs also differ between older men and older women. If you are not as active as you were, you may need fewer kilojoules. If you’re eating less, you’ll need to ensure your diet has a higher concentration of nutrients. Maintaining a healthy weight can help you be more active and help preserve bone health and muscle strength. Should my diet change as I get older? Eating well when you’re over 60 will help you maintain your health and independence. A good diet can also help

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Healthy bones

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts Healthy bones are dense and strong, support your body and help you to move around. As you get older, your bones naturally become weaker and less dense. Sometimes your bones can become too fragile, and they may get damaged or break even from small injuries, such as a minor fall. The foods you eat, medicines you take and medical conditions you have can all influence the health of your bones. You can keep your bones heathy by making sure you get enough calcium and vitamin D, exercising regularly with weight-bearing activities, stopping smoking, and drinking in moderation. Healthy

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Glaucoma

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts Glaucoma is a common eye problem that causes vision loss due to damage to the optic nerve. If untreated, glaucoma can cause blindness. There are 2 main types of glaucoma: open-angle and closed-angle glaucoma. Glaucoma can also be described as primary or secondary, as well as chronic or acute. Acute angle-closure glaucoma involves sudden, severe eye pain with nausea and vomiting, headache and blurred vision. This is an emergency and you should seek prompt treatment so you don’t lose vision. Regular eye tests by an optometrist can mean early treatment and reduce you chance of long term damage

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Geriatrician

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts A geriatrician is an expert in caring for older people. Geriatricians can help manage a wide range of problems for healthy ageing. You will need a referral from your general practitioner to see a geriatrician. The role of a geriatrician What is a geriatrician? A geriatrician is a specialist doctor who is an expert in the health of older people (those aged 65 and older). A minimum of 6 years full-time training is needed to specialise in this area. When should I see a geriatrician? You might decide to see a geriatrician if you are older than 65

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Depression in older people

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts Depression is a mental health condition that can affect people of any age. More than 1 in 10 older people experience depression. The 3 main causes of depression in older people are poor physical health, social isolation and loss. If you have signs of depression for 2 weeks or more, or you are concerned that you may have depression, don’t delay — speak to your doctor. Ageing does not make treatments for depression less effective — with the right treatment, you can recover from depression whatever your age. What is depression in older people? Depression is a mental health

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