Seniors Network

An article in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine claims that the majority of bodies dissected in a post mortem have died of natural causes, eg old age, and are invasive, unnecessary and costly. The numbers could be reduced by 80,000 a year in England and Wales, where 22% of deaths lead to a coroners' post mortem.

The analysis, conducted by a team at Bern University in Switzerland have found that people taking painkillers continuously to treat conditions including arthritis, post surgery pain and frozen shoulder, can increase fourfold the risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke.

Latest research at the City University of New York suggests that magnets may offer a way to boost mental performance. Another study has shown that gym training can rejuvenate the muscles of pensioners in a way that appears to reverse ageing. And a three-and-a-half year study has shown that those who had up to one glass of alcoholic drink a day, mostly wine, developed dementia at a rate of 85% slower than volunteers who abstained.

Research has shown that being involved and caring for something - be it a person, a charity or just a houseplant, can keep your mind active and even make you happier.