Healthy aging possible for all: Tips to follow
Wine and cheese are known to get better as they get older. The same may be said for adults, if good lifestyle choices are made as we age.
How we age is determined by one part nature, and the other part by nurture. Some things are genetically determined but a person’s lifestyle choices have much more influence on their future health. Eating a well-balanced diet, avoiding alcohol and tobacco consumption, and getting adequate sleep are essential healthy lifestyle choices.
Getting regular exercise correlates to better cognitive and physical function in older adults. It is also known to improve one’s mental well-being. However, when designing an exercise regimen, you should include four components: aerobic exercise, muscle strengthening, flexibility, and balance. Aerobic activities should be made of moderate to vigorous intensity, producing an increase in breathing and heart rate while still being able to carry on a conversation.
Also people are urged to get regular health screenings and immunizations as they get older. Mammograms and colonoscopies are very important, along with checking blood sugar and cholesterol. Women over the age of 65 – and men who may be at risk of having frequent falls – should get a bone density test. Also, for persons over the age of 60-65 years, immunizations for shingle, pneumonia, and tetanus are essential. Getting an annual physical exam should be a part of your lifestyle regimen as well.
For more Wellness tips visit the Health and Wellness Centers website at www.saintleo.edu/healthandwellness or www.cdc/wellness
Teresa Dadez, BSN, RN, BA
Director Health and Wellness Center
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