People with healthy eating habits and an active lifestyle become healthy seniors. However, it is never too late to start developing habits that lead to a healthy lifestyle as you age. Aging is a natural process of the body, where organ systems start working slower than they did in your youth. This can result in the onset of medical problems, including but not limited to heart disease, body pains, and hearing and vision problems.
If you’re someone who visits your physician for annual health checkups, then your physician may already have informed you about the medical problems associated with aging. An experienced physician will also guide you about habits you can include to a healthier lifestyle and slow down the aging process. Below are some health and wellness tips for seniors looking to improve their lifestyle.
It can be overwhelming to be under constant pressure to stay healthy as you age. The body slows down, your energy levels are slow, and your sleep is disturbed—you start craving the energy and great health of your youth.
With that said, in this article, we provide tips to help you lead a healthy life as you age.
If you suffer from chronic medical conditions, you know how difficult it is to keep track of the multiple medications to take at different times of the day. You can get support from healthcare providers in your community to help you manage your medications.
You can consult a pharmacy in your area and book an appointment for medication management therapy with a qualified pharmacist. They can help you manage the timing of medication intake and guide you about the cost of your routine medications, any vaccinations you may need if you travel, and your dietary choices in line with your health conditions.
It is very important to establish a daily routine during your 30s and 40s, as it serves as a motivation to wake up early as you grow old, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to start. Having a fixed sleep time and wake-up time will help you get adequate sleep and boost your energy levels in the morning. Dedicate time in the morning to physical activity, such as stretches, meditation, or even a walk in the park.
As you age, it is important to include high-fiber and nutrient-rich foods in your diet. As the digestive system slows down with aging, adding fibers to your meal helps to avoid constipation. Vegetables, fruits, and multi-grain bread can help you fulfill your daily nutrition requirements.
Avoid sugar-rich foods and fried items, as they can increase your risk of developing heart disease. The body feels less thirsty as it ages, so drinking plenty of water throughout the day is important. Adequate hydration also prevents constipation and urinary tract infections.
According to a report, nearly one-fourth of adults above 65 years or older consider themselves socially isolated. Older people tend to be lonely due to the loss of their partner, children moving on with their families, and chronic health conditions affecting their social interaction, such as hearing loss or visual impairment.
Loneliness among the elderly has also been scientifically proven to cause depression and anxiety, as well as increase the risk of dementia.
It is important to stay connected with your children, siblings, and other family members as you age. You can dedicate some time and talk to them via audio or video calls.
You can also join some community clubs where group activities for seniors are arranged, such as book clubs, woodwork classes, or even gardening. If you feel like you need to join a group to stay physically fit, you can always search for weekly yoga classes or cycling groups in your community.
As an older adult, a lack of physical activity and creativity can weaken your memory. According to the National Institute of Aging, studies have found that older adults who were involved in creative activities like digital photography or knitting were found to have memory improvement, as compared to those seniors who performed less mentally challenging activities.
You can always keep yourself occupied with crossword puzzles and reading books in your local library. You can also adopt a new hobby that challenges your mind to unleash creativity, such as gardening, knitting, or woodwork. There is no age limit to pursuing hobbies you loved when you were younger but couldn’t follow—you have plenty of time and opportunities to get back to them now.
You can even learn a new game, such as chess or Scrabble, or you can also learn words in a new language. Celebrate these little victories for yourself because they tickle your mind to keep it healthy.
According to a report on the Australian Burden of Disease Study for 2022, heart diseases, cancers, dementia, and bone and joint disorders were leading causes of disease burden among the population of adults aged 65 years or older.
Older adults need to get regular preventive care visits to screen and prevent missing any serious medical illness. Regular screening tests for heart disease, lung, and breast cancers should be scheduled. Current guidelines by the American Cancer Society suggest women above the age of 55 years should get mammograms every 2 years as screening for breast cancer.
It is important to be aware of the diseases which pose a higher risk to your health as you age. Preventive screening tests can help you detect medical diseases at an early stage and reduce the burden of treating complicated diseases on the national healthcare system.
There has been an increase in the life expectancy of adults across the world. According to a fact sheet published by the World Health Organization, 1 in 6 people will be above 60 years by 2030. Better access to healthcare has ensured a better quality of life for older adults, giving them the time to pursue hobbies and higher education. By using the wellness tips above, seniors can also be productive members of society, provided they are living a healthy life.
