Supermarkets supporting obesity

Health promotion foundation VicHealth has welcomed new Deakin University research into the nutrition policies of supermarkets, urging retailers to lift their game and make their stores healthier.

5 questions to ask your aging parents' doctors

The population of seniors, or people age 65 or over, in the United States neared 48 million last year and is steadily growing. Consequently, millions of adult children find themselves taking care of their parents’ medical needs.

Comfortably numb – why some older people turn to cannabis for pain relief

When most people think of cannabis users, they probably think mainly of the younger generations. But it’s actually the 45 to 64 age group who show the highest proportion of household spending on cannabis.

Parkinson’s patients missing out in the Illawarra

A meeting of Parkinson’s disease advocates and experts hosted by The Hon. Sharon Bird MP, Federal Member for Cunningham, was held at Wollongong Town Hall today.

Indigenous interpreters at Human Services

Interpreting services are available on-demand over the phone to the Department of Human Services in eight commonly spoken Northern and Central Australian Aboriginal languages.

How to reduce crashes by people with dementia

Requiring physicians to report patients with dementia to state driver’s licensing authorities is not associated with fewer hospitalisations from motor vehicle crashes.

Higher protein diet – low Alzheimer’s risk

A diet adequate in protein rich foods such as meat and legumes reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, new research from Edith Cowan University has found.

‘Smart cane’ could flag gait problems, falling risks

A pair of Vanderbilt University engineers have developed an instrumented cane that not only provides added support, but can also analyse your gait to determine your risk of falling.

Corruption Perceptions Index 2017 – Australia slides lower

The Corruption Perceptions Index released today by Transparency International shows that Australia has fallen again in the CPI score.

Investigation of aged care residents deaths in Townsville

Nurses have been sacked and a doctor reported after the suspicious deaths of five residents at the Queensland Baptist, Carinity Fairfield Grange nursing home in Townsville.

First patient enrolled in advanced prostate cancer trial

The first of 200 patients has been enrolled via 10 Australian cancer centres on an Australian-first nuclear medicine treatment for men with advanced prostate cancer.

Grants to improve support for people affected by cancer

Cancer Australia will support older Australians and their families, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and young people affected by cancer, through $391,000 in grant funding.

Action needed on elder financial abuse reform

The Australian Bankers’ Association has called on the Federal Government to act now on financial abuse against the elderly and resolve three key issues by Christmas.

WA supports a national plan to combat elder abuse

The Western Australian Government has welcomed the announcement that all Australian Attorneys-General - excluding caretaker mode Tasmania's - will develop a national plan to combat elder abuse.

Light intensity exercise linked to lower death risk in older men

Clocking up just a few minutes at a time of any level of physical activity, including of light intensity, is linked to a lower risk of death in older men, suggests research published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Australian Financial Complaints Authority established

ASIC has welcomed the passage through Parliament of the Bill to establish the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA).

New flu vaccines for older Australians

The Australian Government will provide two new flu vaccines to over three million Australians aged 65 years and over – free of charge.

Slow eating speed may be linked to weight loss

Slowing down the speed at which you eat, along with cutting out after dinner snacks and not eating within 2 hours of going to sleep may all help to shed the pounds, suggests research published in the online journal BMJ Open.

Benzodiazepines will not help low back pain

Australians seeking relief from low back pain are being urged not to use benzodiazepines (minor tranquilisers) as part of their treatment.

Singing study to support people with dementia and their carers

The ‘Remini-Sing’ study is seeking participants with dementia living at home with family carers to examine the effects of therapeutic choirs to stimulate memories, emotions and social connection through music participation.

Positive attitudes about ageing reduce risk of dementia

Research has shown that older persons who have acquired positive beliefs about old age from their surrounding culture are less likely to develop dementia.