Canadians are living longer. Unfortunately, our hospitals aren’t ready for them. Canadians over 65 years old use over 40 per cent of hospital services, a demand that continues to rise. As they age, Canadians hope to stay at home as long as possible. If hospitalization is required, they should expect to go home quickly and […]
Nearly half of Canadians aged 65 and over experience osteoarthritis in their knees. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of bones wears down over time leading to pain, stiffness and decreased mobility. It frequently occurs in the hips and knees — and can be […]
More medical tests, treatments not always the best Prevailing wisdom states that more is better — and it is no different when it comes to our expectation of medical treatments. With the help of the Internet, patients and their families have come to expect intensive tests, treatments and therapies at every life stage. But […]
What astronauts and seniors with frailty have in common For decades, researchers have been studying the effects of reduced physical activity on astronauts during prolonged journeys to space. But what is surprising is one of the uses of that research. Turns out understanding the effects of space travel on the body may be important to […]
Despite having diabetes and arthritis, Verne was a thriving independent 72-year old who lived at home with his wife when he had a stroke. He had excellent emergency care in the hospital and began his recovery there. But he didn’t adjust well after arriving home. He started to show signs of depression and was at […]
Majority of deaths and injuries resulting from natural disasters involve seniors The combination of an aging population with increases in natural disasters has had deadly consequences for seniors. Quebec health authorities estimate that as many 70 people died as a result of the recent heat wave with a humidex of over 40 degrees. Most […]
Solving long hospital wait times requires a fundamental shift in the way we care for the elderly Hospital overcrowding is not a new issue. Limited bed spaces have plagued Ontario hospitals for years and are increasingly straining our system. Not only are long wait times become a shameful expectation when patients arrive in the emergency […]
Canadians are living longer than ever, and we are also taking more medications than ever before. And this can make us sicker, not healthier. A report released last week by the Canadian Institute for Health Information found that one in four seniors in Canada are taking 10 or more medications. That’s a total of 1.6 […]
Canadians 65 years and older now outnumber children 14 years and under, which means our needs as a society are changing. We are succeeding in shifting the aging curve through preventive interventions and better public health — that’s good news. But the changing demographic is causing strains in our health and social care supports. How […]
Older Canadians living with frailty tell us what they need to live better Within a decade, the number of frail, elderly Canadians will double. What does getting old look like in Canada? We need to start listening to the people with lived experiences of frailty and aging in planning and providing care, say Dr. Kathy […]
