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).

In our continuing series focusing on health and wellness for older adults and the elderly, Part 4 discusses how you can promote better health for eyes, ears, teeth and skin.  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 annual medical and dental exams is very important.

MY EYES AND EARS

What to expect:  EYES:  Older adults as they age may experience difficulty focusing on objects that are close.  Sensitivity to glare and properly adapting to various levels of light increases with age.  This can particularly lead to falling and fall-related injuries in and around the home.  Clouded vision from the aging process can diminish the eye’s lens and can lead to cataracts.  EARS:  The elderly can normally experience a “dimming” of hearing.  Difficulty hearing high frequencies, phone conversations, following a conversation in a crowded room are such examples.

What you can do about it:  Schedule an Annual Wellness Appointment with your primary physician is essential to maintaining optimal vision and hearing.  Consult with your physician to review, manage and modify existing glassware, contact lenses, hearing aids and other corrective or assistive devices.  We recommend our First Response Annual Wellness Appointment checklist to provide you with the proper guidance and checklist tools prior to visiting your physician.  We also advise wearing wrap-around sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat when you are outdoors.

MY TEETH

What to expect:  As you age, gums tend to recede from the teeth.  Medications that treat allergies, asthma, high cholesterol and high blood pressure can cause an increase in “dry mouth” which leads to tooth decay and infection.

What you can do about it:  Better oral health begins with brushing teeth at least twice a day.  Combine with the use of regular, over the counter dental floss and/or an inter-dental cleaner applied at least once or twice a day, as well.  Make sure to schedule an annual (every six months is better) oral dental exam and cleaning with your dentist or dental hygienist.

MY SKIN

What to expect:  Thinning of the skin layers produces less elasticity and makes the outer skin layer more fragile.  Older adults commonly experience a decreased production of natural oils thus making the skin drier in feel and appearance.  Other common conditions include wrinkles, age spots and skin tags (small growths that protrude from the skin) and can be treated and modified in various ways by skin care and dermatology specialists.  Older adults will also bruise more readily as they age.

What you can do about it:  Schedule an annual appointment with your primary physician and/or dermatologist for ongoing review and management of your skin and related skin conditions.  To promote healthy skin, start with this regimen:

• Bathe in warm, tepid water- not hot, steaming water.  Use a mild soap and a moisturizer (facial and body).
• Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.
• Check your skin over the entire body and report any changes or emerging skin conditions/disorders to your physician immediately.
• If you smoke or ingest other related tobacco products, consult with your physician to start a plan or treatment to quit.  Smoking promotes skin damage and wrinkling.

As always, we encourage all seniors 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 5 (MY MEMORY; MY SEXUALITY).