The key to ageing well: Having a sense of purpose
Positive thinking, supporting grandchildren or completing a satisfying project are linked to walking faster, sleeping better and experiencing less chronic pain in later life, new research has found. The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), revealed that having a sense of purpose and feeling engaged in ‘worthwhile’ activities
read more
Life as a ‘sandwich carer’: ‘The emotions can be a rollercoaster’
At forty-one, Amanda Jones has children, a partner and work that she enjoys. She is also a primary carer for her 73-year-old mother who has dementia. She is one of the 1.3 million people in the UK known as a ‘sandwich carer’ – those who have the dual responsibility of caring for sick, disabled or
read more
Free condoms go to sexually active elderly to halt rising rate of STIs
Pensioners are to get free condoms to stem the rising rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among the elderly population. ‘Jiggle, Wiggle’ campaign A campaign named ‘Jiggle, Wiggle’ is targeting older people across Derbyshire, where the NHS will give out condoms at GP surgeries and other local venues. Rebecca Spencer, general manager of the initiative,
read more
Millions failing to take free health checks that could spot dementia
NHS England is urging people over the age of 40 to make a New Year’s resolution to take up a free health check. Fewer than half of eligible people in England have taken up the offer over the last five years, despite it being free for people between 40 and 74-years-old. The 20-minute assessment, carried
read more
Driving with dementia: New guidelines advise when it’s time to stop
New guidelines have been published to help doctors and health care professionals assess when people living with dementia should stop driving. ‘Driving with Dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment’ – created by Newcastle University and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) – helps medical teams with the appropriate assessment and management of people living with
read more
Welsh farmer produces ‘natural’ dementia drug by ditching sheep for daffodils
A sheep farmer in the Welsh Black Mountains has turned his farm into fields of yellow daffodils, after a drug derived from the flower was found to be effective in slowing the progress of dementia. Certain varieties of daffodils produce galantamine, and their ability to do this increases when they are grown at higher altitudes
read more
Cancer could soon be detected through a revolutionary breath test, scientists have revealed
The Breath Biopsy device is being trialed in the UK and is designed to analyse molecules that could indicate the presence of cancer at an early stage. It is the first test of its kind to investigate multiple cancer types and could save thousands of lives. Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald, lead trial investigator at the Cancer
read more