It’s been said that “to live is to play”. A bonus of aging is more time for leisurely pursuits. Indeed, a 2016 UK study reported that leisure activities and hobbies were by far the most popular aspirations for older adults.

In 2015, Helping Hand aged care centres implemented an innovative, 12-week exercise program to see if it could improve cognitive and functional abilities in older adults with significant memory loss or dementia.

Welcome news for the aged care sector – the Australian government has announced that a long sought-after royal commission will investigate an “industry in crisis”

Jane is 52 years old. She suffers chronic neck pain and impaired mobility, resulting from an occupational violence attack. But she needs to continue her activities in the domestic domain and understands the importance of staying active despite the pain.

What better way to breathe life into aged care than with young children. That’s what intergenerational programs are starting to do in Australia. 

Chronic diseases, impaired mobility and diminished quality of life with aging seem inevitable to most.Although healthy lifestyle habits protect us, researchers say they may have found another way to reverse the aging process.

Although health is core business for hospitals, junk food and soft drinks have long dominated kiosks and vending machines that line hospital foyers and corridors.

People have long thought that dementia is unavoidable if you carry risky genes. Now research is slowly but surely debunking this fateful thinking

While physical decline is an inevitable product of growing old, some people stay stronger and live longer than most. And they tend to cluster in certain regions of the world that have attracted the curiosity of researchers.

Some decline in cognitive faculties is inevitable in the twilight years. But several lifestyle factors can help mitigate waning acuity and increasing forgetfulness.

Advances in mapping the human genome have fostered understanding of our genomic blueprint and its influence on molecular processes, health and disease.

Addressing claims that nutrition supplements can enhance overall health and longevity, a recent review investigated their impact on heart health, stroke and mortality.

Twenty years ago, the term “sarcopenia” – Greek for “poverty of flesh” – was coined to describe the muscle wasting that occurs with aging.

Sparse but increasing evidence points to a delicate balance between weight loss and weight gain in aging.

Protein, an indispensable part of our diet, has multiple roles in the body – particularly in aging for growth, repair and maintaining muscle mass.

At a life stage of increasing frailty and dependence, older adults deserve to be treated with care and respect. A hallmark of a humane society.

Cannabis is popularly known for its mind-altering properties. But this controversial plant boasts abundant secret delights that are now (re)emerging following its prohibition.

Things are looking up for aged care. Nudging retirement and refusing to eat slop, baby boomers are spurring action.

Pill swallowing can be daunting. In fact, one survey revealed around 40% of adults who otherwise had no swallowing problems struggled with pills.

Cannabis, or marijuana, is the world’s most highly used illicit drug. But hemp – although it derives from the same species – will not cause giggle fits, big toenail fascination or insatiable pizza cravings.

People may be living longer, but quality of life tends to wane with aging. The burden of disease increases significantly after age 65.