Archive for the ‘Aging’ Category
When The Folks Around Here . . .
. . . get to discussing exercise,
I just tell them I’m into resistance training.
I refuse to go to the gym.
Older Couples Share Dental Habits
Couples who have been together a long time tend to have similar dental habits, according to a study conducted by the University of California and the University of North Carolina.
A person with dental neglect is 32 times more likely than others to have a partner with neglect and a person without neglect is 5.4 times more likely to have a similar partner. Persons who are “in denial” about their oral health are 1 to 1 1/2 times more likely to have a similar partner.
Results of another poll by the Sacramento-based California Dental Association include the following:
— Blue is the most preferred color for toothbrushes;
— 47 percent of Americans wet their toothbrushes before applying paste;
— Americans spend an average of 911 hours brushing their teeth during their lifetimes;
— The average number of dental visits in a lifetime is 142, and
— 4 percent of American adults think they have periodontal disease — in reality, closer to 75 percent do.
From High School Science . . .
. . .we were taught the universe
is made up of protons and neutrons and electrons.
But no one ever mentioned the
limitless and ever-increasing number of morons.
Men “Bulletproof” Until Mid-40s
A major health concern in this nation is the fact that many men in their 50s and older haven’t seen
a doctor in years.
With the aging of the baby boomers, more than 150,000 men a month are turning 50 from coast to coast.
“Up until around 45, men are basically bulletproof, so there’s little need to see a doctor,” according to Dr. Gordon Ehlers of Denver. “Men also are not conditioned, as women are, to have annual checkups. All of which leads to a large segment of the population who does not know about or use the health-care system.”
That changes after about 45 because of three critical ailments that begin to emerge – joint deterioration, cancer, and heart disease. The last is the number-one killer around the world.
But the biggest health-care problem is that men who have reached this age do not visit doctors
regularly.
The first critical move for men in this cohort is to begin with an annual general physical exam to screen for general problems, such as stress and anxiety.
The Concept of Zero . . .
. . . has always baffled me.
For example,
if you have two choices
and you take one option away,
you’re left with zero choices.
Shortage of Medical Staff
The aging population not only is creating more demand for medical services, it’s also accelerating the shortage of doctors and nurses as they approach retirement age.
As the 65-and-over population grows by almost 50 percent over the next decade, almost the same percentage of doctors will join that phalanx during the same period.
We expect to be almost 140,000 physician short of what we need by 2033, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges, reports Bottom Line.
To protect yourself, you can look for a younger doctor to care for you should your current physician b e close to retirement. You also can seek a primary care physician affiliated with a group practice so there will be a medical doctor in-house to serve you should your current doctor leave.
How Do Knowitalls . . .
. . .know when
they know it all?
Obesity Weighs Heavily on Elderly
When people think of poor health in the older-adult population, images of frail and underweight individuals often come to mind. But nutritionists and health professionals on both sides of the Atlantic have noted an overlooked “obesity epidemic” affecting more than 30 percent of adults over 60 years of age.
The issue of a few extra pounds pale by comparison for many people when they consider such other old-age issues as dementia, chronic disease, lifestyle limitations, and money woes. Physicians may avoid talking about obesity with their older patients because they think it may be too late to encourage a change in health behavior, experts say.
Here are some facts.
— One in four people older than 50 is considered obese.
— Slightly more than half of adults 50 and older reported being asked during routine medical check-ups about physical activity or exercise. The likelihood of being asked about exercise during a routine check-up declined with age.
— Only one-third of adults 65 and older get the daily recommended level of exercise.
People Keep Asking . . .
. . . why I take so many naps.
Because, I tell them,
it prevents aging,
especially when you take them
when you’re behind the wheel.
Listen to Communicate with Alzheimer’s Victims
A friend has a running gag in which he tells someone he received a solicitation for a contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association but he forgot where he put it. It’s his form of gallows humor to forget the fact that some 5 million Americans are victims of this disorder.
The AA urges victims to be candid about their disease and, at the appearance of its signs, to discuss their symptoms with relatives and friends. Maintaining open lines of communication with people facing dementia are critical to keeping victims, caregivers, relatives and friends on as even a keel as possible as disabilities progress.
The first of a half dozen steps recommended by the AA to everyone around an Alzheimer’s sufferer is to listen. And let the sufferer know they are listening, are being patient, and are trying to understand what he or she is saying.
Many times the emotions being expressed by the victim are more important than the words used. Tone of voice can help you search for the feelings behind the phrases. If you don’t understand what’s being said, ask the Alzheimer’s-afflicted person to point or gesture to let you know what he or she wants.
Even At This Age . . .
. . .an old buddy was worried
about an on-line date he’d made.
I suggested they meet in a gym
and if she didn’t show up
then he’d know they wouldn’t work out.
Positive Attitude Negates Arthritis Pain
Millions of Americans live with arthritis, which occurs in more than 100 forms and at varying levels of severity. But not everyone copes in the same way, even among those with similar signs and symptoms.
People with a positive, proactive attitude are likely to experience less pain and fewer limitations from their arthritis than those who are more negative. And when people feel in control, they’re more likely to use medical-treatment options effectively, medical experts report..
The following are some healthy lifestyle measures that can help people cope with arthritis.
–Reduce stress, because stress increases muscle tension than can worsen arthritis pain. This can set off a cycle of increased pain, decreased ability to function, and more stress.
–Take time to relax in a variety of ways; meditation and prayer can calm your minds while massage or slow and deep breathing help relax muscles. Exercise, such as yoga or tai chi, often enhances relaxation.
–Understand your pain by learning the difference between pain associated with general joint discomfort and what is caused by joint overuse.
–Know when to rest. The feeling of fatigued joints may be a signal to back off or change activities. Painful, inflamed joints may require total rest temporarily or even an immobilizing splint. Whole body rest also is important. If you have trouble getting a good night’s sleep, talk to your doctor about strategies to improve sleep. During the day, rest before you become too tired.
–Use “assistive” devices, such as as jar openers, specially designed kitchen knives, devices to extend your reach, and aids to help you dress, to make common daily tasks less harmful to your joints.
A Good Way . . .
. . . to make a small fortune on Wall Street
is to start out with a large one.
Legs Support Your Health
Hockey Hall-of-Famer Gordie Howe reportedly said it years ago: “The legs go first.”
Maintaining leg strength and flexibility ranks high on the list of physical activities that will slow the aging process and ward off illness. Simple things, such as walking, swimming, jogging, hiking, and biking, not only lengthen one’s life but make those extended years more comfortable and enjoyable.
While watching television, stand up from the chair. If you can do this, and sit back down, without requiring any form of support, you’re doing OK.
Then sit on the edge of the chair and extend one leg out in front of you. Reach down with both hand and try to touch the toes on your extended leg without bending the knee. Now try it with the other leg. Work on this until you can get your fingers within four to six inches – or closer — from your toes.
I Got Musing . . .
. . .the other morning
about what type of work I might do
and I could see myself hanging mirrors
Exercise Exorcizes Pain
Your muscles, ligaments, and tendons have to be stretched regularly to remain limber and
lubricated. You can start before you get out of bed by lying on your side, pulling your knees up in a fetal position and pushing your butt toward your heels for about 10 seconds. This stretches and pulls your spine into proper position. Do this a couple of times on both sides.
When you get out of bed, kneel on the floor and place your palms on the floor under your shoulders and arch your back toward the ceiling for about five or 10 seconds. Reverse the motion and push your back downward while you push your head toward the ceiling. Hold this for five or 10 seconds. And repeat the sequence three or four times.
Now lay stomach down on the floor and do a half-body push-up. Press your hips on the floor and stretch your head and neck toward the ceiling. Hold this position for five or 10 seconds
and repeat the exercise a three or four times.
Now you can stand up. Spread your legs apart as far as you can without hurting yourself and, while keeping your knees straight, bend forward as far as you can. If your hand touches the floor, fine. Hold this for five or 10 seconds and repeat a few times.
If any of these, or any exercises, cause you pain, either modify the motion or quit.
.
The Lady At The Next Table . . .
. . .looked surprised
when I told her
she’d painted here eyebrows too high.
Don’t Answer Ringing in Your Ears
Any ringing, whistling, whooshing or hissing sound in one or both ears when there is no external source of noise could be a sign of tinnitus. Up to 15 percent of adults have prolonged tinnitus that often requires medical evaluation. The problem can interfere with sleep, concentration and daily activities.
Tinnitus often is caused by age-related hearing loss. Exposure to loud noises also can damage hearing and lead to tinnitus. It can be caused by something as simple as a buildup of wax blocking the ear canal. Some medications, certain antibiotics, and cancer drugs can cause or worsen tinnitus. Aspirin taken in excessive amounts can cause temporary ringing in the ears.
There is no cure. A medication change or removal of earwax may diminish symptoms for some people. Beneficial treatment strategies include:
— Amplifying hearing with a hearing aid;
— Avoiding excessive noise, such as using ear plugs when operating noisy machines and tools;
— Avoiding such stimulants as caffeine, nicotine and decongestants;
— Adding soothing background noise, such as quiet music or a fan, and
— Using sedatives or antidepressants when the condition interferes with sleep or causes a high level of anxiety or stress.
If There’s A Will . . .
. . .you’ll find out
how many relatives you have.
A Rose by Any Other Name is – Who?
Remembering names is a lifelong thorn in most people’s side.
A co-worker years ago leaped over the remember-names hurdle by greeting everyone with, “Hello, Judge.” Another colleague made up his own name for people around him, claiming he never used names “your mother called you.”
The initial step to take to remember a name is to pay attention when you’re being introduced. This becomes difficult at a wedding, funeral, service club luncheon or any gathering with a lot of unfamiliar faces.
To help imprinting a name in your mind, repeat the name when you’re introduced. “Nice to meet you, Mike,” will help you remember his name. You may be able to link him to a childhood friend, relative or movie star with the same name. It can help if his or her name has a visual connection. Lily can be linked easily to the flower, Jay with a bird, and Rocky with the movie of the same name.
If you’ve forgotten their name, say so and tell them you’re name.
Mature Life Features 