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Health

The latest health updates and new discoveries that affect older Australians — from COVID-19 and chronic conditions to the simple preventative steps that can help you live life to the full.

A complete guide to understanding restless leg syndrome
Starts at 60 Writers avatarStarts at 60 Writers
Common health conditions
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It's a method many of us were taught as children, but is it really safe to clean your ears with cotton buds? Source: Getty Images.
Health issues

Is it safe to clean your ears with cotton buds?

Is it safe to clean your ears with cotton buds?

We’ve all been in a situation where we’ve satisfied an itch in the ear by scratching it with a cotton bud or used a swab to remove excess earwax, but how safe is it to clean your ears with cotton buds and other apparatuses?
Source: Syda Productions/Canva
Mental health and wellness

Recognising the red flags: How to tell if your loved one may be struggling with mental illness

Recognising the red flags: How to tell if your loved one may be struggling with mental illness

Learn how mental health issues in older adults can arise and why they remain treatable, even in the presence of chronic illnesses.
The University of Queensland (UQ) researchers monitored the injuries and expenses spent on aged care residents and found that fall injuries accounted for 20 per cent of annual care expenditure. Source: Getty Images.
Healthy ageing

Study reveals hidden costs of falls in aged care could cost millions to health care system

Study reveals hidden costs of falls in aged care could cost millions to health care system

While almost half of all hospitalisations and injury deaths occur from falls, a new study has now revealed that fall- related injuries in Australia's aged care sector could cost the Australian health care system hundreds of millions of dollars each year.
Source: Getty Images.
Foot health

Ten natural home remedies to help manage and relieve bunions

Ten natural home remedies to help manage and relieve bunions

In addition to being painful and irritating at times, bunions can also be unsightly. Learn how you can relieve some of that inflammation with these natural remedies.
Source: Bananastock from Photo Images.
Healthy sleeping

How 2024’s most comfortable mattress in a box could fix your back pain and save your sleep

How 2024’s most comfortable mattress in a box could fix your back pain and save your sleep

With nearly 600 positive reviews and a 4.8-star rating, this undisputed champion of comfort has well and truly earned its title.
Why snoozing in front of the tube might not be as harmless as it seems. Source: Getty Images.
Good health

Why falling asleep with the TV on could be robbing you of a healthier tomorrow

Why falling asleep with the TV on could be robbing you of a healthier tomorrow

Ever found yourself drifting off to dreamland with the television still on? Well, you might want to think twice before making it a nightly ritual.
When to worry about body odour, an expert weighs in. Source: Getty Images.
Common health conditions

What your body odour might be telling you about your health

What your body odour might be telling you about your health

Body odour is something we’ve all dealt with at some point, and while it can be embarrassing—or even nose-wrinkling—it might also be a sign of underlying health issues.
Source: Getty images
Health

Could your toaster be harming your health?

Could your toaster be harming your health?

Grabbing a piece of toast in the morning for a quick breakfast may seem like an easy and healthy option for some but a new study has revealed it could be harming your health.
Source: Getty Images.
Good health

Want faster access to innovative medicines?

Want faster access to innovative medicines?

You can take some small but important steps, here and now, to help bring about change.
Source: Getty Images.
Common health conditions

The colour of your ear wax could be telling you something about your health

The colour of your ear wax could be telling you something about your health

The colour of ear wax can reveal a lot about your health. So, if you’ve noticed a change in the colour of your ear wax or are questioning if it’s normal for it to look or feel a certain way, there’s actually a good explanation.
While there are various factors that can lead to constipation in over-60s, there are also many effective treatments. Source: Getty Images.
Common health conditions

Struggling with constipation? Experts reveal the causes and how to get relief

Struggling with constipation? Experts reveal the causes and how to get relief

Constipation can be incredibly frustrating and uncomfortable. Leading experts share with Starts at 60 the causes and the most effective treatments.
Source: Getty images
Health

Health risks and top tips for losing midlife weight

Health risks and top tips for losing midlife weight

Learn the best ways to shed excess weight as you age. Learn about diet, exercise, and hormonal changes that contribute to midlife weight gain.
Source: Getty images
Health

How long can you expect to be out of action after undergoing a hip replacement?

How long can you expect to be out of action after undergoing a hip replacement?

When you think about hip replacement surgeries, chances are you envision being immobile, experiencing lots of pain and being bed ridden for long periods of time while you recover. While it’s certainly a big operation, it’s usually not as bad as people think.
Source: Getty Images.
Diet and nutrition

Studies reveal fizzy drinks and ready meals link with heart disease and death

Studies reveal fizzy drinks and ready meals link with heart disease and death

You might want to rethink that easy dinner plan next time.

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Taking control of your health: the easy steps to living younger longer

While ageing is inevitable, healthy ageing is the difference between simply ‘getting older’ and ‘ageing well’ – all it takes is a bit of work. Get practical tips of things you can do every day for a healthier, happier version of you.

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Intimacy Q&A

Questions from the community to our sex expert

Help! I’m 69 and love my husband dearly, but I can never climax. Why is there no pills to help women?
Polly Hemphill-Duchen avatarPolly Hemphill-Duchen
Experts
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Help! I’ve developed feelings for a friend whose wife is in care
Relationships

Help! I’ve developed feelings for a friend whose wife is in care

Help! I’ve developed feelings for a friend whose wife is in care

Relationship expert Polly offers her advice on falling for a friend with a partner in care.
Help! How do I get more moisture down there?
Experts

Help! How do I get more moisture down there?

Help! How do I get more moisture down there?

Relationship expert Polly suggests various approaches, including natural supplements and moisturisers, to combat vaginal dryness post-menopause and enhance sexual comfort and pleasure.
Help! Is my 70-year-old husband’s high sex drive normal?
Experts

Help! Is my 70-year-old husband’s high sex drive normal?

Help! Is my 70-year-old husband’s high sex drive normal?

Relationship expert Polly provides guidance on managing differing sex drives in a relationship, fostering open communication, empathy, and emotional connection for a more fulfilling and intimate bond.
Help! How do I start a new intimate relationship with someone?
Experts

Help! How do I start a new intimate relationship with someone?

Help! How do I start a new intimate relationship with someone?

Relationship expert Polly gives tips for those starting a new sexual relationship and advises them to communicate openly about their desires and pleasures to create a more fulfilling experience.
Help! My husband’s constant sexual desires are spoiling a happy relationship
Experts

Help! My husband’s constant sexual desires are spoiling a happy relationship

Help! My husband’s constant sexual desires are spoiling a happy relationship

Relationship expert Polly gives advice on how to overcome sexual shame and foster intimacy in a marriage.
Help! My husband and I want more intimacy in our relationship
Experts

Help! My husband and I want more intimacy in our relationship

Help! My husband and I want more intimacy in our relationship

Relationship expert Polly understands the struggle of lacking intimacy in a long-term marriage and offers empowering communication tools to help you express your needs and desires for affection in your relationship.
Help! How do I teach my partner what I want or desire?
Experts

Help! How do I teach my partner what I want or desire?

Help! How do I teach my partner what I want or desire?

Relationship expert Polly shares practical tips for effectively communicating your sexual desires to your partner, fostering a fulfilling and open-minded exploration of mutual pleasure.
Help! How do I heal and allow myself to open up sexually again after a troubling past?
Experts

Help! How do I heal and allow myself to open up sexually again after a troubling past?

Help! How do I heal and allow myself to open up sexually again after a troubling past?

Relationship expert Polly offers guidance and empowering exercises to help survivors of unwanted physical attention reclaim their bodies, heal, and rediscover the pleasure of sexual touch.
Help! My wife (67) can’t orgasm since having a full hysterectomy
Experts

Help! My wife (67) can’t orgasm since having a full hysterectomy

Help! My wife (67) can’t orgasm since having a full hysterectomy

Discover the secrets to reviving pleasure in your relationship after menopause with advice from our relationship expert Polly.
Source: Getty
Experts

Help! How can I overcome mental barriers and enhance my sexual experience with my new partner?

Help! How can I overcome mental barriers and enhance my sexual experience with my new partner?

Relationship expert Polly suggests that individuals facing difficulties maintaining an erection should have a candid discussion with their doctor to explore alternative options in order to foster a satisfying and safe sexual relationship.
Help! I’ve had my prostate removed and am unable to have an erection
Experts

Help! I’ve had my prostate removed and am unable to have an erection

Help! I’ve had my prostate removed and am unable to have an erection

Relationship expert Polly says that while managing ED following a prostate removal may seem challenging, orgasms and enjoyment of sex can still be experienced in different ways.
Help! My wife (74) says intercourse hurts too much and lube is uncomfortable
Experts

Help! My wife (74) says intercourse hurts too much and lube is uncomfortable

Help! My wife (74) says intercourse hurts too much and lube is uncomfortable

Relationship expert Polly advises seeking alternative options for pain and dryness during intercourse, and encourages sexual experimentation and redefining expectations.
Help! Does having an enlarged prostate cause erection and orgasm problems?
Experts

Help! Does having an enlarged prostate cause erection and orgasm problems?

Help! Does having an enlarged prostate cause erection and orgasm problems?

Relationship expert Polly suggests exploring alternative pleasurable sensations and incorporating external stimuli to ease the pressure of having a completely hard erection when dealing with an enlarged prostate and high PSA.
Help! I’m a 60-year-old woman and my orgasms are not as intense as they used to be
Experts

Help! I’m a 60-year-old woman and my orgasms are not as intense as they used to be

Help! I’m a 60-year-old woman and my orgasms are not as intense as they used to be

Relationship expert Polly suggests that while age-related changes may affect the intensity of orgasms, there are alternative ways to experience deep pleasure.

Ask a sex expert

If you have questions about intimacy but are too shy to ask, we’ll ask a sex expert for you. Ask anything — this is a completely judgement-free zone. All questions are anonymous.

Submit your question

Expert contributors

Health ExpertKusal GoonewardenaThe Active Living Coach
Health ExpertRick HayThe Superfoodist
Health ExpertDr Kieran KennedyThe Mental Health Expert
Health ExpertDr Ross WalkerThe Healthy Living Guru
Health ExpertVan MarinosThe Exercise Scientist
Written byViviana WuthrichThe Mental Health and Ageing Expert
Written byPaul McKeon
Exercise physiologistJoel WarmanHead of Wellness Centre at Shine Birtinya Retirement Living
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