In our continuing series focusing on health and wellness for older adults and the elderly, Part 5 discusses how you can promote better health for memory and sexuality. As noted in previous blog articles in this series, your body goes through a normal process of changes that affect your physical, mental and emotional make-up. Scheduling regular medical, dental and other related human services exams and appointments is important to making healthy lifestyle choices that can reduce the impact of the aging process in older adults.
MY MEMORY
What to expect: As you age, memory becomes less efficient with every day activities. For example, it may take longer to conjure up a familiar name, object, descriptive word or phrase. It may even take a longer period of time to learn new tasks or to perform a routine task.
What you can do about it: To maintain an active memory, older adults have to “feed the brain” through stimulation, diet and proper rest. Here’s your plan:
EAT A HEALTHY DIET: A heart healthy diet provides major benefits to the brain. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains can drive nutrients straight to the brain. Low fat protein sources like fish, lean meat and skinless chicken can turbo-charge the body and brain. Drink plenty of low-sugar liquids such as bottled or tap water, low caloric-no sugar sports drink and natural juices. Vegetables and fruit are natural sources of water to feed the body and brain. Reduce your maximum intake of alcoholic beverages to no more than two drinks per day. Smoking should be eliminated.
BE MENTALLY ACTIVE: Mentally stimulating activities condition the brain to perform at its optimal level; think of how an athlete trains and conditions to perform at their peak best. This will help keep any emerging memory loss at bay. Fun and stimulating activities to fuel the brain can include engaging in a weekly group discussion or club, crossword puzzles and other similar group games, playing and/or listening to music, live concerts and theater performances, learning a new activity or task, volunteering and more.
BE SOCIAL: Social interaction with friends, acquaintances and new introductions are found to be very effective in minimizing stress and preventing depression. Stress and depression are key drivers to potential memory loss.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY/EXERCISE: Daily physical activity and/or an exercise routine dramatically increases blood flow to the entire body and more specifically the brain. Consider gentle and gradual exercise that may include walking, brisk/race walking, yoga and stretching, tai chi, tennis, golf, swimming and more. Not only do these activities help to keep your brain and memory active and intact, you will sleep better and feel better mentally and physically.
MY SEXUALITY
What to expect: As you age, sexual needs, patterns and performance may change. Illness, chronic medical conditions and medications could affect ones ability to perform and enjoy sexual activity. Additionally, vaginal dryness can make having sex uncomfortable for women; while impotence and erectile dysfunction for men can become a concern.
What you can do about it: To promote and attain sexual health for you and your loved one, share your concerns and needs with your partner- communication is essential, productive and healthy. Most importantly, have a conversation with your physician or health care professional regarding specific conditions or concerns where treatment may be offered (i.e. estrogen cream for vaginal dryness and oral medications for erectile dysfunction).
As always, we encourage all seniors and the elderly to consult with a physician and/or health care professional regarding personal health conditions, nutritional, dietary and exercise programs. We also advise to obtain and complete our First Response Personal Emergency Medical Data Form in the event of a medical emergency at home or outside.
To read more of this 5 part blog series, please click on the following links and go to: Part 1 (MY CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM; MY BLADDER & URINARY TRACT); Part 2 (MY DIGESTIVE SYSTEM); Part 3 (MY BONES, JOINTS AND MUSCLES); and Part 4 (MY EYES, EARS; MY TEETH; AND MY SKIN).
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