Health Care News
Five surprising ways friendships affect our health and…
It’s not surprising that good friendships make us happier. However, what may surprise some people is how much they affect…
Shire Hall to hold a Dementia Friends session…
Shire Hall, our care home in Cardiff, is holding a Dementia Friends’ session at the home to encourage visitors to…
Hallmark Care Homes MD Avnish Goyal Appointed Chair…
Managing Director of Hallmark Care Homes Avnish Goyal has been elected as the new Chair of Care England – the…
Team Recognition Day at Hallmark Care Homes
As the name suggests, ‘Team Recognition Day’ is a designated day where we take the time to celebrate and recognise…
Hallmark Care Homes To Celebrate British Food Fortnight…
Here at Hallmark Care Homes we are proud to say that we get thoroughly involved with Love British Food's national,…
The Dangers Of Vitamin D Deficiency In Older…
As we move into summer, topping up on the 'sunshine vitamin' is easier than ever. Sunlight is good for us in…
5 Essential Health Tips For Older People
We all know it's important to live a healthy life, no matter what age you are. Recent news coverage of…
Gloria Hunniford Opens Our “Cutting-edge” New care Home…
Maycroft Manor, our highly-anticipated new care home in Brighton, was officially opened last week by television and radio presenter Gloria…
3 Great Low Calorie Recipe Ideas To Keep…
Recently there has been much talk in the media about the life extending effects of a calorie restricted diet on…
Questions You Should Ask When Choosing A Care…
Everyone would love to maintain their independence throughout their old age, but sadly this can’t always be the case and…
Simple Ways To Safe-Guard The Mental Health Of…
Ageing can have serious impacts on our mental health. Although some of these issues can stem from illnesses such as…
Questions You Should Ask When Choosing A Care…
Everyone would love to maintain their independence throughout their old age, but sadly this can’t always be the case and…
Simple Ways To Safe-Guard The Mental Health Of…
Ageing can have serious impacts on our mental health. Although some of these issues can stem from illnesses such as…
How Your Diet And Exercise Can Help Prevent…
The recent news that scientists have grown human brain cells in the laboratory, which then formed into miniature ‘brains’, has…
Arthritis and Exercise: Simple Exercises You Can Do…
Now the summer is well and truly gone and we've entered the cold and damp run-up to winter, those nagging…
Diabetes In older people And How It Can…
Since 1996 the incidence of diabetes in the British population has increased by over 100 per cent. By far the…
5 Great Social Activities For The Elderly
Human beings have always lived in groups. From the family unit to the metropolitan sprawl, we’re a social animal. As…
The Top 5 Foods to Avoid For Arthritis…
Anyone who suffers with arthritis knows that sometimes the pain can be difficult to handle. Depending on what area of…
5 Ways Older People Can Reduce Cholesterol in…
Heart disease is the number one killer in the world. It accounts for more than 50 per cent of all…
Depression In The Elderly And How To Manage…
It’s a sad fact but as we age we become more susceptible to depression. Recent studies have revealed that about…
7 Helpful Tips for Supporting a Person Living…
A useful list of 7 important things to remember when dealing with someone who is suffering from dementia. Dementia is…
5 Steps to Recognising the First Signs of…
Generally speaking the onset of dementia is a gradual one, which often makes it a difficult condition to notice in…
The Benefits of A Mediterranean Diet For The…
Everyone knows that a Mediterranean diet is good for you. With its focus on fresh salads, vegetables, fruits, olive oil…
We are living longer and getting wiser
A Danish study has shown that not only are we living longer, but we are also living better quality lives…
Tips to support people living with dementia experiencing…
As we glide past the longest day of the year, the nights will rapidly start to draw in. Caring for…
Can computer games train your brain?
It has been proved that brain-training games can significantly improve memory and language in older people. The study conducted at…
Is there a protective link between cancer and…
An unexplained link between cancer and Alzheimer's disease has been discovered by researchers in Italy. It is thought that those…
Yoga for the Elderly – Four Great Reasons…
Yoga and the elderly don’t seem to go together on first glance. Older people tend to be less flexible…
Three Fall Prevention Tips for the Elderly
There’s no fool proof way to stop falls, but by following these tips you can greatly reduce the likelihood of…
Can sharks prevent blindness?
Eye drops made from a chemical found in the livers of sharks could help prevent blindness. The new drops contain…
Five Great Activities for Those Living With Dementia
Some studies have indicated that for people living with a moderate form of dementia, activities that stimulate the brain can help…
The hip fracture postcode lottery
Some patients are out in 2 weeks, while others are forced to stay in hospital for 6 weeks, according to…
Is your job bad for your health?
Stress seems to be a part of our everyday lives, whether it is at work or at home. A study…
Let’s get physical!
We all know exercise is good for us but now research has shown that it is also good for the…
Live until you’re 150!
Within 5 years drugs could be available to help us live to the ripe old age of 150. The drug…
Is a blood test for Alzheimer’s the way…
British researchers have devised a test to detect Alzheimer's in its early stages. The test looks for a combination of…
Are you being replaced by the internet?
A new survey has shown that grandparents are slowly being replaced by sites such as Google, Wikipedia and YouTube, with…
Could you save £170?
Baroness Verma, an energy minister, is considering plans put forward by Lord Wigley to pay the winter fuel allowance early…
Shelling out more for your medication
You will now be paying more for your regular medication, with the Government announcing a 20p increase in the charge…
Enjoy that juicy steak
In recent years saturated fat has been viewed as the enemy of the heart. Emerging evidence has suggested that not…
Is it too late to save your heart?
New research conducted on mice suggests that those needing to lose weight to protect their hearts should do so sooner…
Cure your cravings
A new herbal supplement claims to reduce appetite and make fatty foods less appealing. Scientists from the University of Liverpool…
72 is the new 30!
Scientists have discovered that a primitive hunter gathered at the age of 30 would have the same chance of dying…
Is loneliness linked to ill health?
It has been known for a long time that loneliness is linked to a decline in mental health with a…
Fish oil and aspirin, a winning combination
New research has found that a combination of fish oil and aspirin could be the key to fighting many different…
Don't add salt
Researchers have said that reducing the amount of salt in our diets could save nearly 20,000 lives in the UK…
Can wine protect your hearing?
Red wine has always been credited with providing different health benefits but now, scientists are saying it could help to…
Get Gran on Facebook!
New research has suggested that using Facebook could help to keep the brain sharp into old age. Scientists from the…
Brain implant to aid Parkinson’s
New hope could be given to people living with Parkinson's disease. A trial has shown that an electrical implant to…
Beard benefits
We all have our opinions about beards, many like the clean shaven look while others like to sport a little…
Do you know how to take your medication?
New research has shown that a significant proportion of people are not taking their medication correctly, putting a huge strain…
Is too much calcium harmful?
Calcium supplements could be doing more harm than good according to new research. Women with high calcium levels could be…
HRT could delay onset of dementia
In previous studies researchers have discovered that 20% of women carry a gene which speeds up the ageing process of…
A step forward for arthritis research
Researchers have developed a new drug which, they claim, can combat rheumatoid arthritis. The drug is modelled on the body's…
New hope for stroke sufferers
Surgeons have been using a ground-breaking technique which can dissolve 'golf-ball sized' blood clots on the brain. The treatment involves…
Are books on the way out?
According to new research older people could benefit from using e-readers or tablets rather than traditionally printed pages as they…
Should we all turn into sun worshippers?
A new study has shown that those who are regularly exposed to sunlight have a reduced risk of developing rheumatoid…
Are you a fan of chewing gum?
If you are, a study has shown that you could be doing your brain some good, with chewers having 10%…
Drug to stop dementia in its tracks
Trials have been conducted on mice which have resulted in a reduction of plaques in the brain and the creation…
Marriage can reduce heart attack risk
Being married has been shown to cut the risk of having a heart attack and makes it more likely you…
Could being veggie be better for your health?
Researchers have discovered that vegetarians are a third less likely to need hospital treatment for heart disease than their meat-eating…
Could this little piggy be the cure?
A new drug made from a protein found in pig brains could improve concentration, memory processing and mood in patients…
Heart disease link to memory
Researchers have found that older women with heart disease were three times more likely to develop problems with skills such…
Get some sleep!
A good night's sleep has been linked to how well adults remember the events of the following day but new…
A walk a day could keep Alzheimer’s at…
New research has shown that a brisk walk a day triggers processes in the brain which could protect against the…
Reduce stress with a hug
According to new research from the University of Vienna, hugging is not only a great way to bond but has…
Life expectancy on the up
In 1951 just 13% of girls born were expected to reach their 100th birthday but among those born this year,…
New anti-stroke drug available on the NHS
A new type of drug which could dramatically cut the risk of stroke has been approved for prescription by the…
Hearing loss can increase dementia risk
A new study has revealed that people who have problems with their hearing could have a greater risk of developing…
Flower power is back!
Flowers have always been used in traditional remedies but now they are being used to treat conditions such as depression,…
Migraines could signal a heart attack
Scientists have discovered that women who suffer severe migraines accompanies by visual disturbance may be at an increased risk of…
Eat what you want!
Scientists have discovered that after the age of 75, diet is unlikely to make a difference to your health. In…
New device could save lives
The NHS watchdog has backed a new blood pressure measuring device which can also detect dangerous heart conditions. The National…
Walk your way to a long life
A new study has shown that older people who take a short walk just four times a week can reduce…
Brain-boosting milkshake now on sale
A milkshake, claiming to reduce the symptoms of early Alzheimer's has gone on sale in the UK today. The drink…
Dementia link to second-hand smoke
Researchers have discovered that breathing in other peoples cigarette smoke increases the risk of severe dementia. It is the first…
Brits have the right idea!
We are known as a nation of tea drinkers, getting through 165 million cups every day, and according to a…
Can coconuts provide the answer?
For some families coconut oil has proved effective in slowly the effects of dementia. There has been no research into…
Dementia risk cut by beta-blockers
Results have shown that men taking beta-blockers, usually used to treat high blood pressure, were less likely to have brain…
Miracle pill, made from tomatoes?
According to new research an easy to swallow pill which harnesses the goodness of tomatoes could be the answer to…
NHS could provide Alzheimer’s cure
Jeremy Hunt has said that the NHS is likely to invest in a new drug which has showed to slow…
Can a joint supplement prolong your life?
US researchers believe that glucosamine could have similar protective properties to aspirin but without the potential side effect of developing…
Taking aspirin could double risk of sight loss
Scientists have been studying the effects of regularly taking aspirin and found that taking the tablet for 10 years can…
The mould that can be good for you
Scientists are discovering that Roquefort, the cheese known for its mould, has anti-inflammatory properties which could help fight against cardiovascular…
Bus drivers to receive dementia training
Thousands of bus drivers across the country are receiving specialist training so they can better help passengers with dementia. This…
Beat your cold in 24 hours
Professor Ron Eccles from the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff University has a few tips for beating a cold in just…
Key stages in Alzheimer’s development
Research has identified 3 key stages in the development of the condition. The stages begin in school age, continue into…
Can loneliness contribute to dementia?
A new study has revealed a link between feelings of solitariness and developing dementia. Researchers in Amsterdam tracked the long…
Pacemaker for the brain
A pacemaker device has been implanted into the brain of an Alzheimer's patient in an effort to reduce memory loss. …
Would you move in with your children?
Research carried out by CarelineUK, manufacturers of pendant alarms for people living alone, showed that when faced with the choice…
Get an early night!
Going to bed an hour earlier than normal could help to reduce high blood pressure in just 6 weeks. Researchers…
Tuck into some tomatoes to help depression
New research has claimed that eating tomatoes just a few times a week could ward off depression. A team of…
Can vitamin D prevent Alzheimer’s?
New research has shown that women should start taking vitamin D supplements. The studies showed that women who don't have…
Is hearing loss connected to dementia?
Recent studies have suggested that there could be a connection between hearing loss and the brain, meaning a greater cognitive…
The ever-lasting flu vaccine
Work has begun in Germany on developing a flu vaccine that may work for life. The experimental vaccine currently protects…
Can HRT protect against Alzheimer’s?
Scientists have found a window within five years of the menopause where hormone replacement therapy actually cuts the risk of…
Exercise for your brain
A study has found that physical exercise rather than mind-stretching activities could offer the best protection against developing dementia in…
Special Guest Blog: Age related hearing loss
Despite its descriptive name, age related hearing loss does not affect just the elderly but is a result of maturity…
NHS approves lifesaving pill
The new pill, costing just £1.40 a day, could save thousands of people living with a common heart condition. Ivabradine…
We need younger blood!
According to new research changes in the composition of our blood as we get older can cause deterioration in memory…
GPS shoes to track lost relatives
New shoes have been released for sale in the UK which contain a built-in tracking device which can be used to…
Can a nasal spray detect Alzheimer’s?
A nanotechnology nasal spray is being developed which uses tiny magnetic particles in an attempt to detect the disease early…
Are operations being rationed?
It has emerged that there older people are missing out on operations that are routinely offered to younger patients. A…
Drink more water!
Drinking a litre of water a day could benefit Alzheimer's sufferers by removing aluminium from their bodies and preventing cognitive decline.…
Drink decaf to save your sight
New research has shown that drinking more than three cups of coffee a day may increase the risk of vision…
New drug could slow memory loss
Combined results from two trials have found that a new drug, solanezumab, could slow the speed of memory loss by…
Flu jabs to be postponed
Doctors across the country are having to postpone flu jabs for patients due to a shortage of the vaccine. Crucell,…
Snoring finally pays off
There could be good news for millions of people kept awake at night. Snoring could get your partner a bigger…
Can cities become dementia friendly?
Slow routes for elderly walkers, less street signs and special training for shop staff and taxi drivers could transform Britain's…
Can aspirin slow brain decline?
A new study has shown that taking an aspirin a day may slow brain decline in women with a high…
Benefits cut for the elderly
The Prime Minister is facing demands to cut benefits paid to the elderly, primarily winter fuel payments. The benefit gives…
Are we on the verge of a diabetes…
The number of cases of diabetes is set to increase by 700,000 by 2020, due to Britain's obesity problem. Diabetes…
Launch of new dementia campaign
A new campaign has been launched by the Department of Health, supported by the Alzheimer's Society, to encourage people to…
New research into brain aging
Biologists at the University of Portsmouth have been awarded £600,000 to research little-known brain proteins and their impact on brain…
Sleeping pill increases dementia risk
A new study has revealed that sleeping pills, taken by an estimated 1.5million Britons, can increase the risk of dementia.…
Third of elderly people are lonely
Age UK and YouthNet have discovered that 34% of people over 65 admitted to feeling lonely either some, most or…
Too scared to leave the house
According to a new survey more than a third of people over 50 are afraid to leave their homes at…
Can a free bus pass improve your health?
Taking advantage of a free bus pass could be improving the health of many older people. A new study has…
The silver-surfer army
A think tank has suggested that we should employ a group of pensioners with a good knowledge of the internet…
Calling off the search
Leading pharmaceutical companies are downgrading the search for new treatments for Alzheimer's. This comes after a series of failures of…
Is countryside living causing Alzheimer’s?
New research suggests that growing up in the countryside can double the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in later life.…
Cholesterol risk for diabetics
It has been found that the majority of people living with diabetes are not effectively controlling their cholesterol levels. According…
Green tea boosts brain power
A new study has shown that not only is green tea good for your heart, it can boost memory as…
Minimum alcohol prices to save lives
5,000 British lives could be saved each year if the Government imposes a 50p minimum price for a unit of…
Millions feeling the pinch
Millions of older people are having to cut back on food due to the increasing rate of inflation. A new…
Popular Chinese herb doesn’t stop Alzheimer’s
Scientists have found that a Chinese herb, previously claiming to improve memory and mental sharpness does not prevent Alzheimer's disease.…
Fish oils help slow age decline
A new study has shown that moderate exercise and a regular intake of fish oils should help maintain mobility in…
Overdose drug to help diabetes
New research suggests that a drug used to reverse the effects of a paracetamol overdose could reduce the risk of…
Be active and live longer
It is a widely assumed that being overweight, a smoker or heavy drinker can shorten life expectancy but it isn't…
Dancing can help dementia patients
Danzon, a street dance craze in Mexico, has been shown to improve the symptoms of dementia with sessions twice a…
More reasons to eat chocolate
We all know that chocolate is not the healthiest choice but it has been to improve brain function and now…
Alzheimer’s linked to unhealthy diet
New tests have found that there could be a link between insulin and the development of Alzheimer's. This means that…
Food for thought
With so much talk about what causes dementia and how we can treat it, it's no wonder people are looking…
Does gender really affect dementia?
Research shows that female hormones could be the reason for the increase risk of dementia, which could mean that hormone…
Women decline faster than men
Results have shown that men's brains are better at coping with Alzheimer's than women, even when both are at the…
Obesity bad for the brain
Everyone knows that being overweight is bad for your health, but new research has shown that carrying around that extra…
Gum disease linked to dementia?
The link between brushing and health is not a new one, with studies showing that there can be a link…
Could an eye test detect Alzheimer’s?
With the knowledge that Alzheimer's can cause changes in the eye and the way the patient sees the world, researchers…
Hooray, chocolate is good for you!
According to researchers, a daily chocolate fix could be the secret to halting Alzheimer's. It has been found that a…
Exercise to prevent falls
Falling currently costs the NHS £4.6 billion a day with 1 in 3 over 65's experiencing one a year. Simple…
Life-saving pill ready for approval
A pill costing just £1.40 a day is set to be approved by the NHS. The new pill could save…
Alzheimer’s drug trials shelved
A new drug, which was designed to halt the development of plaque in the brain, has failed in the later…
Are pine cones the answer?
New studies have shown that with a simple daily tablet we may be able to prevent the progress of Alzheimer's…
Another possible cure?
A new study has claimed that a nutritional drink could benefit memory, however others are sceptical about its effectiveness. The…
Meditate to stay healthy
There has always been a link between loneliness and deterioration in health but researchers have now concluded that mindful meditation…
What’s in a name?
It seems that we could all be upsetting up to 97% of the older generation by using the wrong names…
No carbs for me please!
A recent study has looked into how diet can affect the chances of developing dementia.T he results showed that those…
Will vaccinating children protect the elderly?
Two to seventeen year olds are going to be offered the annual flu vaccine in an attempt to prevent hospitalisations.…
Many missing out on basic heart care
Many elderly people are missing out on simple heart treatment which could improve their quality of life. Newcastle University found,…
Can sleep indicate the need for care?
A lack of sleep has previously been linked with diabetes, weight gain and strokes; however, it now seems that a…
Drinking alcohol a dementia risk
Results show the idea that some alcohol being good for ageing brains may not be true and may in fact…
New Life Saving Pill
A new pill has been studied at Queen Mary University of London with astounding results. The results showed that this…
Can sleep help to predict dementia?
Presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Vancouver, studies have found another possible way to predict the onset of…
A new way to pick up our loved…
A newly developed database is helping to determine when an elderly person is likely to fall, allowing preventative action to…
Is the way you walk a sign of…
A recent study has shown that the speed we walk can indicate whether we will go on to develop dementia…
Can Alzheimer's be predicted?
A new study conducted at the Washington University School of Medicine how shown that signs of the disease can appear…
An end to the postcode lottery of care
It will be announced this week that the most radical reforms for 60 years will take place. Councils are to…
Do bees hold the key?
New research conducted on bees has shown that increased social activity can reverse brain aging. This could signal the beginning…
15 minutes of care
Councils in England now expect carers to spend just 30 minutes in the home of someone in need of care.…
Were handcuffs necessary?
It has been revealed today that an 84 year old Alzheimer's patient was strapped to a stretcher and handcuffed as…
What's your happiest memory?
A recent study was conducted by the Alzheimer's society, in conjunction with BUPA, and the results were released to launch…
Dementia care is a postcode lottery
A recent Department of Health report revealed that depending on where you live, someone living with dementia could be 53…
Step in the right direction for Alzheimer’s research
A recent study in Switzerland has shown that suffering from a brain infection in early life can increase the chances…
Is dementia triggered by stress?
Research conducted in Sweden showed a greater risk of dementia in those who reported stress in middle age, while Scottish…