Senior's Health

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Welcome to the Senior's Health Channel on BC HealthGuide OnLine. Your senior years are a time of change. This easy-to-use channel is designed to help you access the information you need to improve your health and quality of life.

• ImmunizeBC - Immunization can save lives. Learn more about common vaccines, who should get them, and why it is so important to get all of your shots on time.
• Tuberculosis (TB) Overview - Learn more about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of tuberculosis (TB), an infection that mainly affects the lungs but may also spread to other body areas.
• Tuberculosis (TB) Disease - Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection that can affect the lungs and other areas of the body. Learn more about TB, how it is spread, how it is treated, and how to protect yourself.
• TB Skin Test - Tuberculosis (TB) can be detected using a simple skin test. Find out why, when and where to get tested, and what the test results mean.
• What's New in Canada's Food Guide? - A new version of Canada's Food Guide is now available, providing more information on portion sizes and food choices from diverse cultures. It also has tools to help you read food labels and plan healthy meals. Learn more about what the new food guide has to offer.
• Food Poisoning and Safe Food Handling - Learn more about food poisoning, symptoms, treatment, and prevention, including safe food handling.
• Managing Stress - Everyone experiences stress at times. Find information on how you can take charge and manage stress well.
• Preventing Falls - Falls can cause serious injuries, especially for seniors and people with health conditions such as multiple sclerosis or osteoporosis. Find out how to prevent falls at home and outdoors.
• Seniors' Falls Can Be Prevented - Find out the factors that can increase your chances of falling, and learn how to reduce your risk of falling at home and outside the home.
• Osteoarthritis - Learn more about osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, and what you can do to manage it.
• Should I Have Cataract Surgery? - If you have cataracts, is it worth having them surgically removed? Make an informed decision.
• What is 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.
• Early Disease Detection: Screening, 65 Years and Older - People over age 65 may need certain tests to screen for common health problems. Find out more about the tests your doctor may recommend.
• Quit smoking now - If you smoke and want to quit, click on www.quitnow.ca or call 1-877-455-2233. Get 24/7 free information or support on the web and by phone, with counselling services provided by registered nurses. Translation services available in over 130 languages and TTY services for the hearing impaired.
• ActNow BC - Want to make some healthy changes in your lifestyle? The ActNow BC program can help you get started on healthy eating, adding physical activity into your life, reaching a healthy weight, or quitting smoking.
• Dealing with Emergencies - Knowing what to do in an emergency can help you stay calm. Learn how to handle medical emergencies such as heart attacks, strokes, choking, and bleeding.
• Health Advice for Travellers - Learn how to stay safe and healthy while travelling.

If you have any questions, call the BC NurseLine toll-free and speak with a registered nurse available 24 hours every day. A pharmacist is available 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. every day.

Get confidential health information and advice at BC NurseLine. Speak to a nurse to help you understand and manage health concerns, answer your questions about health topics, tests and procedures, and find information on resources in your community. Services are available for those who are deaf or hearing impaired. Translation services are available in 130 languages.

Call BC NurseLine

Call Dial-A-Dietitian

If you have nutrition questions call Dial-A-Dietitian to speak with a registered dietitian available Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm. An allergy dietitian is available Wednesday to Friday 9:00am - 4:30pm. Dietitians offer confidential nutrition information and advice, and guide you to nutrition services in your community. TTY available for deaf and hearing-impaired, and translation services available on request in over 130 languages.

Use the Search tool to help you find the information you need.