For an older adult, a stay in the hospital can come with an unexpected and frightening side effect: delirium. If you’ve ever visited an elderly parent or grandparent in the hospital and found them suddenly confused, disoriented, or not themselves, you’ve witnessed this condition. Hospital delirium is an acute state of mental confusion that happens to many seniors during an illness or after surgery. It’s often called a “hidden risk” because it’s not the illness that brought them to the hospital - it’s a complication that arises from the hospitalisation itself, and it can be easily overlooked or misattributed to something like dementia. However, delirium is usually temporary and treatable, and recognising it early can make a big difference. What Is Delirium? Delirium is an abrupt change in brain function that causes confusion and difficulty with attention and clear thinking. It develops over hours to a couple of days and fluctuates through the day. People may be disoriented, ...

  Retirement is often portrayed as a carefree golden era – a time to relax, travel, and enjoy the fruits of decades of labour. But for many new retirees, the reality can be more complicated. Stepping away from a long-term career and routine can lead to unexpected feelings of sadness, loss, or lack of purpose. Retirement-related depression is a real phenomenon: studies have found that retirees are more likely to experience depression than those still working . In fact, about one in three retirees reports feeling depressed or frequently down after retiring . This emotional struggle can come as a surprise – after all, isn’t retirement supposed to be blissful? The truth is, while retirement can indeed be a joyous time, it’s also a major life transition that brings challenges. The good news is that by understanding why these feelings occur and taking proactive steps, it’s possible to overcome the “retirement blues” and find fulfilment in this new chapter of life. ...