Health Care News

11th December 2017

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…

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5th August 2016

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…

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28th January 2015

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…

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23rd October 2014

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…

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30th September 2014

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,…

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9th April 2014

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…

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1st April 2014

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…

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29th November 2013

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…

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12th November 2013

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…

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12th November 2013

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…

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12th November 2013

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…

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12th November 2013

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…

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12th November 2013

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…

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25th September 2013

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…

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25th September 2013

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…

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23rd August 2013

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…

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23rd August 2013

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…

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23rd August 2013

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…

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20th August 2013

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…

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15th August 2013

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…

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15th August 2013

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…

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13th August 2013

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…

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13th August 2013

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…

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19th July 2013

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…

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18th July 2013

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…

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16th July 2013

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…

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11th July 2013

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…

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3rd July 2013

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…

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21st June 2013

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…

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20th June 2013

Can sharks prevent blindness?

Eye drops made from a chemical found in the livers of sharks could help prevent blindness. The new drops contain…

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23rd May 2013

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…

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15th March 2013

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…

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14th March 2013

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…

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13th March 2013

Let’s get physical!

We all know exercise is good for us but now research has shown that it is also good for the…

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12th March 2013

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…

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11th March 2013

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…

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8th March 2013

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…

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7th March 2013

Could you save £170?

Baroness Verma, an energy minister, is considering plans put forward by Lord Wigley to pay the winter fuel allowance early…

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6th March 2013

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…

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5th March 2013

Enjoy that juicy steak

In recent years saturated fat has been viewed as the enemy of the heart.  Emerging evidence has suggested that not…

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4th March 2013

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…

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28th February 2013

Cure your cravings

A new herbal supplement claims to reduce appetite and make fatty foods less appealing. Scientists from the University of Liverpool…

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27th February 2013

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…

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26th February 2013

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…

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25th February 2013

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…

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23rd February 2013

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…

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22nd February 2013

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…

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21st February 2013

Get Gran on Facebook!

New research has suggested that using Facebook could help to keep the brain sharp into old age.  Scientists from the…

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20th February 2013

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…

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19th February 2013

Beard benefits

We all have our opinions about beards, many like the clean shaven look while others like to sport a little…

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18th February 2013

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…

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14th February 2013

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…

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13th February 2013

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…

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12th February 2013

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…

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11th February 2013

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…

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8th February 2013

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…

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7th February 2013

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…

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6th February 2013

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%…

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5th February 2013

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…

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4th February 2013

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…

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1st February 2013

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…

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31st January 2013

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…

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30th January 2013

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…

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29th January 2013

Get some sleep!

A good night's sleep has been linked to how well adults remember the events of the following day but new…

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28th January 2013

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…

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25th January 2013

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…

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24th January 2013

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,…

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23rd January 2013

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…

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22nd January 2013

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…

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21st January 2013

Flower power is back!

Flowers have always been used in traditional remedies but now they are being used to treat conditions such as depression,…

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18th January 2013

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…

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17th January 2013

Eat what you want!

Scientists have discovered that after the age of 75, diet is unlikely to make a difference to your health. In…

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16th January 2013

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…

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15th January 2013

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…

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14th January 2013

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…

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11th January 2013

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…

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10th January 2013

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…

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9th January 2013

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…

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8th January 2013

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…

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7th January 2013

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…

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21st December 2012

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…

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20th December 2012

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…

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19th December 2012

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…

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18th December 2012

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…

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17th December 2012

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…

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14th December 2012

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…

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13th December 2012

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…

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12th December 2012

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…

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11th December 2012

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. …

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10th December 2012

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…

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7th December 2012

Get an early night!

Going to bed an hour earlier than normal could help to reduce high blood pressure in just 6 weeks. Researchers…

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6th December 2012

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…

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5th December 2012

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…

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4th December 2012

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…

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28th November 2012

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…

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24th October 2012

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…

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23rd October 2012

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…

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22nd October 2012

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…

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19th October 2012

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…

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18th October 2012

We need younger blood!

According to new research changes in the composition of our blood as we get older can cause deterioration in memory…

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17th October 2012

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…

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16th October 2012

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…

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15th October 2012

Are operations being rationed?

It has emerged that there older people are missing out on operations that are routinely offered to younger patients. A…

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12th October 2012

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.…

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11th October 2012

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…

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10th October 2012

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…

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9th October 2012

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,…

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8th October 2012

Snoring finally pays off

There could be good news for millions of people kept awake at night.  Snoring could get your partner a bigger…

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5th October 2012

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…

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4th October 2012

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…

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3rd October 2012

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…

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2nd October 2012

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…

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1st October 2012

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…

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28th September 2012

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…

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28th September 2012

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.…

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27th September 2012

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…

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25th September 2012

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…

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24th September 2012

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…

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20th September 2012

The silver-surfer army

A think tank has suggested that we should employ a group of pensioners with a good knowledge of the internet…

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19th September 2012

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…

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18th September 2012

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.…

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17th September 2012

Cholesterol risk for diabetics

It has been found that the majority of people living with diabetes are not effectively controlling their cholesterol levels. According…

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14th September 2012

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…

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13th September 2012

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…

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12th September 2012

Millions feeling the pinch

Millions of older people are having to cut back on food due to the increasing rate of inflation. A new…

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11th September 2012

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.…

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10th September 2012

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…

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5th September 2012

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…

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4th September 2012

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…

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3rd September 2012

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…

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31st August 2012

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…

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30th August 2012

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…

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29th August 2012

Food for thought

With so much talk about what causes dementia and how we can treat it, it's no wonder people are looking…

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28th August 2012

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…

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24th August 2012

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…

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23rd August 2012

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…

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22nd August 2012

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…

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21st August 2012

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…

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20th August 2012

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…

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8th August 2012

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…

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7th August 2012

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…

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6th August 2012

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…

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2nd August 2012

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…

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1st August 2012

Another possible cure?

A new study has claimed that a nutritional drink could benefit memory, however others are sceptical about its effectiveness. The…

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31st July 2012

Meditate to stay healthy

There has always been a link between loneliness and deterioration in health but researchers have now concluded that mindful meditation…

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30th July 2012

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…

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27th July 2012

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…

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26th July 2012

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.…

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25th July 2012

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,…

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24th July 2012

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…

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23rd July 2012

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…

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20th July 2012

New Life Saving Pill

A new pill has been studied at Queen Mary University of London with astounding results. The results showed that this…

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18th July 2012

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…

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17th July 2012

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…

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16th July 2012

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…

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12th July 2012

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…

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11th July 2012

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…

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10th July 2012

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…

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6th July 2012

15 minutes of care

Councils in England now expect carers to spend just 30 minutes in the home of someone in need of care.…

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5th July 2012

Were handcuffs necessary?

It has been revealed today that an 84 year old Alzheimer's patient was strapped to a stretcher and handcuffed as…

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4th July 2012

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…

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3rd July 2012

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…

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2nd July 2012

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…

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12th June 2012

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…

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