According to new studies, the cases of epilepsy in older adults are rising around the world. This increases the burden on health services and families. However, there is also a risk of under-diagnosis if not enough people can recognise the signs of epilepsy in the elderly. Older people are also less likely to be referred to specialist epilepsy services. What is Epilepsy? Epilepsy is a neurological illness. A seizure occurs when the brain receives a burst of abnormal electrical activity that temporarily interrupts normal brain function. Some people are able to sense when a seizure …
Age-Related Muscle Weakening: A Helpful Guide
As we age, our muscles weaken and deteriorate. The clinical term for this gradual loss is sarcopenia. Its effects also include a loss of stamina and difficulty completing physical activities. A study in 2018 was picked up by newspapers and interpreted as having found evidence for measures against age-related muscle weakening. However, this was not the case. It found that, by the age of 75, people have up to 50% fewer nerves controlling the muscles. With these weakening connections, the muscles begin to shrink. The muscle fibres, in turn, struggle to contract and this causes muscle …
Sleep Better: 5 Top Tips For Having A Healthy Sleep
Everybody knows how important a good night's sleep is. However, not all of us are getting this. Here are our top tips to help you get the best sleep possible every night. How Much Sleep do we Need? A lack of quality sleep has significant impacts on health including higher rates of stroke, Alzheimer's disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. It also affects mental well-being causing higher rates of depression and anxiety and overall poor mood, energy, and motivation. According to experts, the amount of sleep we need depends on age, gender, and lifestyle. AgeAs we …
Tips on How to Stay Safe Online
The virtual online world can be a difficult one to navigate and people are becoming increasingly susceptible to being targets of scammers. It is important to stay safe online and so we have come up with a comprehensive list of things you can do to ensure you are staying safe whilst surfing the web. Your Privacy: Every webpage online has a ‘Privacy Policy’ which you should use to control how much of your information is accessible to other users and parties. For example, Facebook can allow you to alter whether strangers can see your full or basic profile. This means personal …
Most Common In-Home Injuries for the Elderly
It is important to many of us as we age that we remain independent and stay in our own homes. But staying at home comes with its own set of risks. It is important to be aware of these to keep yourself in the safest possible environment. We become more prone to many injuries as we age. There are also pre-existing health conditions that can affect things such as balance or vision. Some of the most common pre-existing conditions include: Cataracts Glaucoma Arthritis Osteoporosis Parkinson’s disease Cardiovascular disease It is important to consider how these …
Dating Over 50: Top Tips and Best Dating Sites
Dating can be a daunting prospect, no matter your age. However, dating over 50 can be even more of a challenge. The idea of putting yourself out there and getting to know new people can be particularly jarring to those over a certain age, but this needn’t be the case! Dating in your 50s, 60s, or even alter is a great position to be in. After all, you've already had the time to establish who you are and what you are looking for in a partner. Thanks to modern technology, it has never been easier to date and meet new, like-minded people. More and more older people are turning to the …
