As you age, a healthy lifestyle becomes more important than ever. Your health care needs change, and so do the questions you have about your health and the health care services available to you. You might want to know more about what you can eat to keep your body as strong and healthy as possible, or you might be looking for tips on how to avoid falling as your sense of balance changes.
We have brought together topics about some of the more common health concerns seniors face in British Columbia. We have also provided some useful websites that will help you make informed decisions about your health and health care.
Featured Topics
Advance Care Planning
Advance care planning is the process of thinking about and writing down your wishes or instructions for future health care treatment in the event you become incapable of deciding for yourself.
Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of mental decline or dementia in older adults. Learn more about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Cataract Surgery
If you have cataracts, here is some information to help you make an informed decision on having them surgically removed.
Dementia
Dementia is a loss of mental skills that affects your daily life. Learn about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment for dementia.
Early Disease Detection: Screening, 65 Years and Older
Early disease detection can be an important tool towards maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Learn more about how you can detect certain diseases earlier.
Elder Abuse
Learn about how to recognize the signs of elder abuse and how to take steps to prevent it.
- Abuse and Neglect of Older Adults: Information for Family Caregivers (HealthLinkBC File #93b)
- Abuse and Neglect of Older Adults: Understanding Gender Differences (HealthLinkBC File #93c)
- Elder Abuse
- Financial Abuse of Older Adults (HealthLinkBC File #93d)
- Preventing Abuse and Neglect of Older Adults (HealthLinkBC File #93a)
Emergency Preparedness
Preparing for, planning and managing in disasters such as forest fires, floods, slides, earthquakes, and storms requires special consideration of seniors’ needs. Learn about what you can do to make sure you and your family are prepared for an emergency.
- Caring for Seniors in Residential Care in an Emergency (HealthLink BC File #103c)
- Community Evacuation Information for Seniors (HealthLinkBC File #103a)
- Seniors as Emergency Response Volunteers (HealthLinkBC File #103b)
Flu
As you age, you may be at higher risk of complications from influenza. Influenza vaccines are a safe and effective way to help you stay healthy and prevent illness. Learn more about why it is recommended that seniors get the inactivated influenza vaccine.
Healthy Eating
Choosing healthy foods for meals and snacks can help seniors feel their best every day.
- Healthy Eating and Healthy Aging for Adults (HealthLinkBC File #68j)
- Heart Healthy Eating (HealthLinkBC File #68a)
Hearing Loss
About 60 to 70 per cent of people over the age of 65 have hearing problems. Learn about the sign of hearing loss, the different types of hearing loss, and what you should do if you think you have hearing loss.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death for men and women in B.C. Learn more about the causes of heart disease and what you can do to manage it.
High Blood Pressure
Learn about high blood pressure and lifestyle changes you can make that may help prevent it.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a health condition that affects your bones. Learn about prevention, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis.
Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease results from a problem with certain nerve cells in the brain. It affects the way you move and your balance. Learn more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment for this health condition.
Preventing Falls
Falls can cause serious injuries, especially for seniors. Find out how to prevent falls at home and outdoors.
Stroke
A stroke is the sudden loss of brain function. Learn about important lifestyle changes to help reduce your risk of stroke and improve your health.
The full list of seniors' health topics
Useful Websites
These websites provide more health information to seniors living in British Columbia.
Healthy Families BC - Seniors
The Healthy Families BC website encourages families to work together to create healthier lives, schools, communities, and workplaces for all British Columbians. The website provides practical tips on healthy eating and healthy lifestyle choices. The program also includes specific information and resources for seniors.
SeniorsBC
SeniorsBC provides more information for seniors living in British Columbia.
