All posts tagged: senior citizens

Why older men may be particularly vulnerable to suicide in Singapore

Why older men may be particularly vulnerable to suicide in Singapore

Published by Sam Flores

WHAT CAN BE DONE If older men experience emotional distress differently, experts said support must also be offered differently. The pattern is reflected in SOS’s data. While women accounted for about one-third of suicide deaths in 2024, they made up 62.5 per cent of suicide-related calls and texts received by the organisation. SUSS’ Dr Ko said outreach efforts should be designed around how men naturally build relationships. “Women talk face to face but men talk shoulder to shoulder,” she said, explaining that men often connect through shared activities rather than conversations. Rather than expecting men to join traditional support groups, she said programmes centred on practical activities may feel more natural, allowing friendships and trust to develop over time. Dr Ko pointed to the Men’s Shed model as an example where older men meet regularly to work on practical projects and spend time together.  She said similar approaches could help reduce loneliness by creating opportunities for men to connect in ways they find more comfortable.  Ms Jennie Wan, director of mental health at Montfort Care, …

Doctor Explains Why Older Adults Tend To Repeat Themselves

Doctor Explains Why Older Adults Tend To Repeat Themselves

Published by Jenni Sidey

Most of us have been there at one time or another: our elderly family member is telling the same old story again as if it’s brand-new information. But according to a doctor who works with the elderly, there are important reasons for this, and how we respond makes a real difference. Elderly people often have incredible stories to tell from the long, full lives they’ve led and the wisdom they’ve gleaned from them—and they often have a hilariously unfiltered take on the world. But if you spend a lot of time with aging relatives or family friends, you’ll probably notice some patterns. I’ll never forget the time an elderly man in a hotel lobby just leaned over, apropos of nothing, and casually told me the story of how he escaped a concentration camp during the Holocaust as a four-year-old, or the moment his exasperated wife walked up and said, “Oh, THIS again. Sir, you don’t have to listen to him.” (She needn’t have worried, I was hanging on every word, as one would!) Then there was my …

There Aren’t Enough Geriatricians – Here’s How Older Adults Can Still Get The Right Care | National News

There Aren’t Enough Geriatricians – Here’s How Older Adults Can Still Get The Right Care | National News

Published by Sam Flores

More than 70 million baby boomers – those born between 1946 and 1964 – are alive today. In 2026, the oldest of them are turning 80. With longer lives often comes more complicated health needs: multiple chronic conditions, long lists of medications, balance problems that can increase the risk of falls, and changes in memory. Many older adults also begin relying more on spouses, children or other family members to help manage medical decisions. Ideally, health care in later life should go beyond just treating individual diseases and medical conditions. It should aim to help older people maintain health, independence and optimal quality of life for as long as possible. Doctors and nurse practitioners trained in geriatrics specialize in doing exactly that. As a geriatrician for nearly four decades, I’ve seen how the right care for older people can prevent falls, reduce risk of medication side effects and help patients make medical decisions that reflect their goals and wishes. The problem? There just aren’t enough of us. Finding a health care provider with expertise in …