Senior Health

There’s nothing like laying your head down, and drifting into a restful and restorative sleep at the end of a long day. You deserve that. You close your eyes and look forward to feeling refreshed the next time you open them in the morning. But sleep does not come this easy in elderly individuals.   […]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that COPD affects almost 16 million Americans, and it ranks fourth on the causes of mortality or deaths in 2018 [1,2]. The statistics could be higher as more than 50% of individuals with weak respiratory function did not know they had COPD [3]. So what is […]

Grandpa sits on a chair, head bowed. He has already fallen asleep, lulled by the comedic banter coming from the television. It’s only ten in the morning and he’ll take another nap after lunchtime. He would also excuse himself from the dinner table before the clock hits 8 pm, shuffling back to his room and […]

Aging skin is a common concern for most individuals. When you reach the age of 60, you will experience wrinkles, sagging of the skin, and dryness, which are just some of the visible signs of aging. These are results of the several changes that your body goes through as you age, and it is related […]

Introduction  We all know that sunlight is an essential part of our life. In fact, sunlight and metabolism go hand in hand. We are often too scared to go out in the sun because we are told of its risk for cancer, sunburn, etc. Just as much as our plants enjoy the sun, we also […]

It can start with a joke, a groan as you’re rising from the chair. “I’m getting old!” The joints are creaky door hinges that need to be oiled. Then, there’s the grating feel in what used to be a smooth walk. All of these things can slowly culminate into a dull and constant ache right […]

Aging is an unavoidable process that puts the elderly individual at risk for disease and nutritional deficiency. Malnutrition, according to the World Health Organization, encompasses the imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and nutrition and includes three broad groups: undernutrition, micronutrient-related malnutrition, and overweight or obesity; however, malnutrition is often used interchangeably with undernutrition […]

Introduction The importance of good nutritional intake for the elderly provides adequate micronutrients and antioxidants (vitamins and minerals) to reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, maintain healthy muscle mass, hormone balance, and provide energy for everyday activities (1).  I have highlighted some of my original example recipe ideas that older adults may want to incorporate […]

In the trailer for the movie “The Father”, there is a scene where Anthony Hopkin’s character shouts “I’m not leaving my flat!” A grimace forms on his face. His voice is heavy, frustrated, and stern. He repeats the line, each word enunciated clearly, “I am not leaving my flat!”   But the gut punch comes […]

Have you noticed a red flag marking low hemoglobin levels in your last laboratory results? You might be having anemia, a low number of red blood cells, or a low hemoglobin concentration in your blood. It is a common medical issue – studies state that more than 10% of people over 65 suffer from anemia, […]

The immune system acts as our body’s frontline defense that fights against infections. It also captures malignant cells and auto reactive cells — the cells that attack their own. Aging is a natural process and it is characterized by predictable changes in the body and as we age, we become more susceptible to diseases. This […]

What causes older adults to fall? As we age, we can experience a gradual decline in vital bodily tissues and functions that contribute towards mobility and balance (1, 2). These include; muscle mass, bone density, tendon elasticity, and joint strength (1, 2).  The extent of degradation (loss) can increase fall risk after the age of […]

Heart pounding, hyperventilating, thoughts racing, and a sense of impending doom sitting heavily on the chest. Is anxiety always like that? It can feel like it. But in an older individual, anxiety is rarely that simple.   What does anxiety look like? The American Psychiatric Association defines anxiety as the “anticipation for future threat”. On […]

Dementia — and its stepwise decline  Dementia is an umbrella term that covers different disorders and Alzheimer’s disease comprises the majority of it. It is a disorder characterized by a decline in at least one cognitive domain such as learning and memory, language, executive function, attention, perception, motor or social cognition [1]. Most seniors suffering […]

Aging is a part of the circle of life. Your once young parents, who brought you up and were there for you whenever you needed it, may need your help now. You probably want to do everything to make the final chapters of their lives happy, and their end dignified. But how do you achieve […]