Seniors’ Health

Older Person's COVID Support Line - Aged care advocates

Video: Protecting older people during COVID-19

How can you help protect your elderly parents or grandparents during the coronavirus pandemic? Dr Norman Swan has some tips.

Diabetes in older people

Type 2 diabetes risk increases with age. One of the reasons for this is increasing insulin resistance with age.

Aged care home changes during COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s really important that older people and their families know that there are people and organisations available to help you.

Aged care advocates

Aged care advocates can work with you and your family to make sure your voice is heard. They can help you understand your rights and get additional supports during COVID-19.

Navigating the aged care system

Are you an older person finding it harder or even impossible to do the things you used to do? You may be eligible for Australian Government subsidised aged care services.

Older Person's COVID-19 Support Line

The effects of COVID-19 on older Australians aren't limited to the virus. Information and support for older Australians is available at this support line.

Vaccinations for older people

Older people should be vaccinated against influenza, pneumococcal disease and shingles - 3 common but potentially dangerous diseases. Tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough boosters are also recommended.

Adult immunisation

Adequate vaccination is just as important for adults as it is for children. Find out about the diseases you should consider being vaccinated against.

Pneumococcal disease

Pneumococcal disease is illness caused by infection with the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. Read about the symptoms, treatment and prevention.

Why is lack of sleep linked to dementia?

The link between sleep and dementia is two-way. Dementia certainly affects sleep, but can sleep itself cause dementia?

Caring for Aboriginal elders

Many of our elders aged over 55 will have a long-term health condition such as diabetes, heart disease, or respiratory disease of the lungs. And it's pretty common that as an aboriginal Torres Straight Islander person ages, they will have some disability.

Mixing multiple medications common in older Australians

Rates of polypharmacy are going up in people over the age of 70, and pose risks to their health if not carefully monitored.

Is life purpose linked to mortality?

Could volunteering, wellbeing therapy and meditation increase your life span? This study says I can.

How can older people stay connected during COVID-19?

How can we help older people stay connected and avoid isolation during COVID-19 restrictions?

Coronavirus (COVID-19): tips for carers, families and friends of people with dementia

Tips and advice on COVID-19 for carers, families and friends of people living with dementia.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): tips for people living with dementia

Tips for carers, families and friends of people living with dementia and ideas for ways to pass the time in self-isolation.

How long do hip and knee replacements last?

Asking how long your replacement will last is a common question before surgery, now a new review of the evidence has come up with some answers.

Osteoporosis - symptoms, diagnosis and prevention

As people age, their bone mineral density decreases, leading to an increased risk of osteoporosis.

Can you reduce the age of your brain?

The research is in and it's good news. Older people who do aerobic exercise weekly can improve their cognition and reduce their ‘brain-age.’

Which exercises are the key to preventing falls?

Researched collected the data on over 20,000 people who had fallen; how they had fallen and how they exercised to find out which exercises are best to help prevent falls.

Can you prevent dementia?

Research shows that modifying your lifestyle can reduce the effect of cognitive decline in older adults.

Can exercise boost your mind?

Physical activity has been associated with improvements in physical health, but what about your mental health and cognitive function? A recent study looks into the benefits of physical exercise in older adults.

Amnesia

Amnesia means loss of memory. Transient global amnesia is a sudden temporary episode of memory loss, characterised by the person repeating questions.