The author was a hospice nurse for fifteen years. She is now retired in Charlottesville, VA where she attends many medical center lectures at the University of Virginia and listens faithfully to NPR's Peoples Pharmacy broadcast from University of North Carolina on Saturday mornings.
Well, all my life I have heard stories like, "Just wait you'll see what its like to grow old". Meaning of course that aging automatically comes with pain and confusion. Aging doesn't have to be "pain and confusion". Instead it can be an exciting and fun time.
Now in this age of better medicine and better understanding it is known that certain simple things in your life style can make aging a much happier experience. I shall pass some of these tips on to you.
First, A new branch of medical practice is now available. Instead of pediatrics for children, where the doctors see only the young, there are now geriatricians, who are doctors that only see people over 65 years of age. I can't speak for all of them, but the general attitude, the slowness of their speech, and attention is geared to the older person. They also know more about how medicines react in the elder person. It is now known that medicines react differently in the older person than the younger person. Many medical schools have special schooling for the physician who wants to specialize in Geriatrics. I also advise seeing your geriatric doctor before you think you need to so he or she can guide you towards wellness. This way you detect problems early and keep up with the preventive care that is available, often through medicare.
Second, is exercise. Here, the principal is that something is better than nothing. Walking is an easy one. Start small, and gradually add distance and speed. Walking in places like the malls on cold or wet days is a good idea. Swimming or exercise in warm water pools is excellent. Stretches are great for the morning even before you get out of bed. Its recommended that you keep up with 30 minutes of exercise at least three times a week. Thirty minutes a day is even better. Sometime it is good to split this into three, ten minute sessions. Also, those houses with steps that get all sorts of complaints can be very helpful. Steps are really a great way to keep yourself moving. These exercises should help your immune system, as well as improve your sleep. Your pains should slowly decrease. However, you may think your pain has increased when you first begin your exercise routine, but by continuing it, there is a very good chance that your pains will gradually become less.
But do get your doctors okay before starting an exercise routine. There are a few conditions that may be aggravated by excretes, but a lot less than was thought to be years ago. It has been found that more health problems improve or disappear with exercise than are aggravated.
Third, is good nutrition. Eat your vegetables, fruits and some quality meats. Lessen the salts, butter, bad fats and processed food like luncheon meats or canned meats. Try olive oil for cooking. Lessen those rich desserts. Staying away from salt is a challenge. Any prepared food today often has a very high salt content. Check the per serving labels on all prepared food. Facts from research today... In countries where people use no salt " high blood pressure" is seldom found.
I hardly need say "Don't smoke," and limit alcohol to tiny amounts.
Last thing but certainly not least, it has been found that staying involved in "life" adds years of healthy living to ones life.. Staying involved means interacting with the community of people that you know. Do things that keep you thinking and solving life's challenges. Playing games like checkers, and chess as well as writing are great. Cross word puzzles are another great mind exercise. I might add... GET OFF the Couch and turn off the TV. And for that matter, move about and change your activity from anything that absorbs long hours. Another little rule, If you can do something now, don't stop just because you think you are too "old." Its proven through research the retired person who volunteers for things they enjoy lives longer and enjoy a happier life.
Summing this up in a few words, Eat well, sleep well, exercise and watch out for your own health. Don't forget to spend time with your friends.... The age that is increasing the fastest is the group over 100 years of age so take care of yourself...
Information taken from: lectures on aging at the University of Virginia; Medline Plus on the internet; and The Wall Street Journal.