People who have conversations about their end-of-life preferences are much more likely to be satisfied with the care received
The new year is a good time to put making end-of-life wishes at the top of your to-do list. It's a perfect time to tell family and friends your health-care preferences in case one day you're unable to speak for yourself. This advance care planning is good for your peace of mind and for your loved ones,…Delirium is a serious and common outcome of treatment in intensive care units, affecting from 30 to 80 per cent of patients
Since intensive care units (ICU) were created in hospitals more than a half a century ago, there’s been a steady decline in death rates for individuals who are critically ill and require life support. That’s significant and meaningful progress, and it’s thanks to the pioneering work of doctors, nurses and researchers who have discovered better ways to…
Astronauts and seniors with frailty have much in common and innovative research may help solve problems for both
For decades, researchers have studied the effects of reduced physical activity on astronauts during prolonged journeys to space. But what's surprising is one of the uses of that research. It turns out that understanding the effects of space travel on the body may be important to understanding what happens to us on Earth as we…
You can have too much of a good thing when it comes to medicine for older adults
Prevailing wisdom states that more is better – and it’s 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 sometimes, too much treatment can do more harm than good.…
A national seniors strategy needs to account for complexity in the aging process, including risk and vulnerability
By Russell Williams and John Muscedere Canadian Frailty Network Canadians 65 years and older now outnumber children 14 years and under, which means our needs as a society are changing. We’re succeeding in shifting the aging curve through preventive interventions and better public health – that’s good news. But the changing demographic is causing strains…
The tragic consequences will continue until health ministries' introduce meaningful policy to eliminate gaps in this essential element of personal care
Some years ago, a retired university professor visited my dentistry practice. He was fit and had a pleasant smile. He hadn’t seen a dentist in more than five years, partly because he had lost his private health benefits when he retired, so it wasn’t surprising that he needed dental care. He had most of his…