By Gertie Mourar

Medical advances result in people living longer, and there are more senior citizens now than ever in history. With aging comes the potential for health problems. Some of the most prevalent of these are: arthritis, Alzheimer’s Disease, heart failure, cancer, and diabetes.

Arthritis is not always preventable, as contributing factors such as aging, gender, and family history are beyond one’s control. Eating well, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising can help to reduce joint pain. These combined tactics help to preserve mobility and increase flexibility, and may ultimately reduce discomfort and inflammation.

As people age, cognition often declines. The cause of this change may be a natural aging process. Though, in many individuals, dementia is present, and Alzheimer’s Disease is the most widespread form of dementia. One of the first signs of a problem is forgetfulness. Other symptoms include cloudy thinking, acting out, and poor decision making. Alzheimer’s has four distinct phases and is incurable. However, to retain as much functionality as possible, people should exercise their brains by engaging in reading, interacting with others, and participating in activities that challenge them.

Heart failure is a common issue in the aging population. The heart muscle may weaken over time and thus, may be incapable of pumping adequate amounts of bloods throughout the body. Factors which increase this risk include high blood pressure and obesity. Eating a heart healthy diet, losing weight, and not smoking are all behaviors that will help maintain your heart’s strength and functionality.

Up to 80% of cancers are diagnosed after the age of 55. By age 65, a person’s cancer risk is ten times greater than a younger person’s. Researchers theorize that accumulation of cancer-causing mutations and inflammation-associated tissue changes may increase the risks. There are preventative measures that may lower one’s cancer risk. These behaviors include eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle.

Roughly one third of individuals over the age of 65 are living with diabetes. As with most conditions plaguing the aging population, a healthy diet is essential. Additionally, being as active as possible and maintaining a healthy weight can help to regulate blood sugars. These actions may also help to reduce one’s risk of contracting diabetes in the first place.

With increased longevity comes more potential for health problems. There are ways to reduce your risks of contracting age-related diseases. And if diagnosed, there are methods to manage your conditions. Before making any radical changes to your lifestyle or diet, it is always best to consult your physician.

For information on any in-home needs of Senior friends and family members, please contact Gertie Mourar. She is the owner of Seniors Helping Seniors ®, an in-home, non-medical care agency that strives to match healthy seniors with seniors who need a helping hand. Gertie has an intimate understanding of caring for seniors. She can be reached at 484-366-2521 or shs@apathwayforseniors.com.

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Top photo credit: Meditation via photopin (license)