‘Medications? I have a lot, doctor.’ Puan Siti brings out a large transparent plastic bag, bigger than my face. It is filled with different packets of medications. White pills, yellow pills, blue pills- of all different shapes and sizes. One would think she was selling candy. She points to me ‘This big yellow pill – … Read more
Stand Up and Walk I recently visited a 92-year-old lady. She copes with a moderate form of dementia and lives with a maid who is also her caretaker. 6 months ago, she slipped and fell, injuring her knee. Despite it being a minor fall with no broken bones or residual knee pain, she has been … Read more
I found him unconscious. I was called to see this 78-year-old man. He was diagnosed with dementia, but it did not hinder his daily activities prior. He was still able to walk, talk and even eat on his own. That day, his family found him unresponsive and unconscious. They called me, frantic and anxious. I … Read more
Counting Sheep ‘Aiya! I tried counting to 100, changing my pillow, and changing my sleeping positions, but I still could not fall asleep! It has been like this for the past few months. My neck is stiff and I have a headache. I am going crazy!’ Sound familiar? You are not alone. It is more … Read more
All you need to know about swallowing issues as you age, is how to catch signs early, and most importantly, what you can do about it. Difficulty swallowing, otherwise known as dysphagia, is a disorder that affects 10-33% of the elderly population. It stems from the Greek word dys (difficulty) and phagia (to eat). Swallowing … Read more
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has projected Malaysia to be an ageing nation by the year 2030. In 1970, nearly half of the population (44.5%) were aged 14 years and younger, with only 3.3% above the age of 65 years old. Fast forward to 2017, nearly 50 years later, there are 3 older persons for … Read more