Health briefs

Jan 16, 2012, 3:06 GMT

Finger food suitable for dementia sufferers

Berlin (dpa) - Finger food is a good alternative for dementia patients unable to hold cutlery properly. Small portions are easier for them to hold and facilitate eating without support from a care assistant.

Care providers should, however, ensure that patients are given food they are used to, rather than be tempted to offer them exotic fare.

Thoughtful preparation is essential, so that elderly people can take up the bite-sized portions in one hand and finish them off reasonably quickly. The portions should not be too hot, sticky or crumble easily into small pieces. They should also not contain fish bones or other potentially hazardous parts.

Ceiling lights simulate the sky to boost work

Berlin (dpa) - Brighten up the office with the newest in lights in the form of a simulated sky, complete with sunshine and passing clouds.

The idea comes from the labour and organizational section of Germany's Fraunhofer Institute, a state-funded body that focuses on applied science.

The lighting, set up in the organization's Stuttgart office, is intended to create the impression of sitting outside under the open sky and the anticipated effect is to keep staff awake and focused on their work, according to institute spokesman Matthias Bues.

The tiles on the ceiling, measuring 50 centimetres square, each contain light-emitting diodes, or LEDs. The Fraunhofer researchers made use of red, blue, green and white LEDs to achieve the full spectrum. The institute did not release details on the cost of the office skyscape.

Weight training for elderly helps retain muscle mass, coordination

Berlin (dpa) - Weight training can help protect the elderly from falls through helping to retain muscle mass. In also helps to strengthen ligaments, tendons and joints, and improves coordination, according to Frank Mayer, an orthopaedics professor at the University of Potsdam in Germany who specialises in accident patients.

Training should take place several times a week, with 12 to 15 repetitions per muscle group after a thorough warm-up.

People should work out using weights to between 60 and 85 per cent of their maximum strength, the professor says in a recent article. He also advises having a training programme drawn up in a health and fitness centre by qualified personnel.

Elderly people should always check with their family doctors on the extent to which they should exert themselves, in particular when they have health problems.