Healthy Living for the Elderly

    When does a person reach old age? America's magic number is 65. It's in dispute across the planet. World Health Organization (WHO) says someone who reaches age 50 is an older person. If you’re one of the Earth’s inhabitants who surpasses age 75 – you’re in a select minority. Less than 1 percent reaches the age of 100.

  If you want to become one of the minority who goes beyond age 75, or if your plan is to live to be 100 – you will want to live a healthy life – not bedridden, not in a nursing home, still in the world doing things you love.  
   To help you be healthy when you become elderly, following is a check list of needs and practices to be attentive to and incorporate into your lifestyle to enjoy old age when you arrive.

  Activity - Keep moving - stay active!
..or if you want to keep someone you love in your life longer, help them keep active in a healthy way.
  Be aware of the need for activities that include the following:

   Stay limber – Stretching is very important as we age because ligament and tendons shorten. Any exercise or life activity should include lots of stretching – so stretch!

  Bone density - Include lifting and weight-bearing activities. Bone density decreases with age due to loss of hormones, especially in woman due to decreased estrogen levels after menopause – but weight-bearing exercises can help.

  Muscle mass – We lose muscle mass with age, so weight training is also key to maintaining muscle strength for daily functioning.

  Equilibrium – We lose our ability to balance with age so exercise that includes maintaining balance is important for seniors. Improving our balance prevents  falls, breaking of limbs – or even more serious accidents or concussions. 
Note - dancing is both fun and great for balance.

    Equally important is keeping your interests - reading and social activity - to keep your mental health and to avoid senility and neurological impairment - but that's another issue.

..and finally, eat healthy.
   As the body changes during the mid-years or if illnesses develop, a person may need to relearn to eat or build healthier eating habits. Become informed about nutrition and your specific body needs. This is even more true if you suffer from severe (or even mild) health issues and problems or have inherited genetic vulnerabilities. Nutrition once a sideline medical issue – has become central to healing and maintaining health.

  A rich (man), who is defined as one of less than 1% - is an elderly man or woman with his/her health!