This is one of the greatest things in life, but it's something that many people look down upon. The name is easily forgotten, the joint might be a bit sore or you've had a bad night's sleep and it's soon thought to be something major. In the modern world we're so preoccupied with the diagnosis and treatment of ailments, that sometimes we forget about one thing: Not all changes that happen with age are diseases.
Our body and mind change as we grow older. Obviously, there are medical matters that require medical intervention, but many of the changes that are typical are an integral part of growing older. Knowing the difference can help older adults live with greater confidence, and facilitate family support.
Let's find out some facts about ageing that everyone should be aware of.
If they're not demented, they forget things at times that they don't know.
One of the top concerns of the elderly is the loss of memory. If you lose your keys, forget someone's name or enter into a room and don't know what you are looking for, these can all be quite frightening.
However, a few forgetfulnesses are a normal part of aging. The brain develops with time; processing information slightly slower. Not all people that are this age have Alzheimer's disease or dementia.
If you can't remember, but you can remember and/or find something, it is unlikely to be dementia. Impairment in dementia is great and causes difficulty in functioning independently and with daily living activities.
To encourage brain health:
- Keep the mind active: reading, puzzles and learning new skills.
- Maintain social connections.
- Exercise regularly.
- Get adequate sleep.
- Follow a well-balanced diet with the emphasis on fruits, vegetables and healthy fats.
The aging brain functions differently, but can be extremely capable for many years.
It is not unusual to get a stiff neck.
Many older adults realize that they have become more slow moving than they used to be when they were younger. This is typically not indicative of paralysis or serious illness.
The human body loses muscle mass, becomes less balanced and reacts slightly slower as we get older. This could affect walking confidence and walking speed.
Luckily, moving is one of the best solutions.
Exercise regularly can:
- Improve muscle strength.
- Enhance balance.
- Minimize the hazard of falling.
- Increase energy levels.
- Support overall independence.
Some simple exercises such as walking, stretching, swimming or light strength training can work wonders. It's consistency and not intensity.
Keep in mind, "Motion is medicine, particularly in late life.
As the baby grows, his sleep patterns change too.
When many seniors no longer sleep as deeply or for as long as they used to, many are worried. When sleep problems persist, it's important to discuss them with a health care worker but when the person changes their sleep habits as they get older, it's a normal part of growing up.
Older adults often:
- Fall asleep earlier.
- Wake up earlier.
- Experience lighter sleep.
Wake up a number of times during the night.
This may not be a symptom of sleep disorder.
Experts first suggest healthy sleep habits before resorting to sleeping pills. Some people may be at risk of falls, confusion and memory problems with long-term use of sleep medications.
Here are some steps to take to sleep better without using medications:
Enjoy outdoors during the day.
Develop a regular sleep routine.
Don't have a lot of caffeine in the afternoons or evenings.
Get regular exercise.
Establish a soothing night-time routine.
While good sleep is necessary, this can be very different at 75 than at 25.
6. Formulate the right questions and gain the right answers
One of the most prevalent complaints of aged people is body pain. As people get older, sometimes knee pain, stiff hands, and aching shoulder and back pain may be more symptomatic.
Not all pain is a sign of serious illness; however, some may require medical attention, like arthritis for instance.
As the body ages:
- Joints are subject to wear and tear.
- Muskle's loss of flexibility.
- Recovery takes longer.
The nervous system may respond to pain in various ways.
Many people have pain which is responsible for the reduction in activity. Sometimes when you don't move you actually increase your pain, believe it or not.
Physical activity that is appropriate can:
- Improve joint mobility.
- Strengthen supporting muscles.
- Reduce stiffness.
- Promote Quality of Life.
Often, a little exercise, stretching and maintaining a healthy weight can provide a lot of relief.
Let's examine 6 truthes that everyone should be aware of when it comes to aging.
2. Dementia and every other mental decline are not the same thing.2. Don't assume someone is demented because they often forget things.
One of the most common phobias people have when they are older is memory loss. It's frightening when you have trouble finding the keys, remember a name, or when you get in a room and forget what you're in there for.
However, the forgetfulness at times can be a normal part of aging. The brain changes as a person grows older, and may take a little longer to act when processing information. This doesn't always mean that this is a symptom of Alzheimer's disease or dementia.
The basic rule is that, if you forget something, but are able to remember it later, or can find a solution, it is most likely not dementia. Dementia is a degree of impairment which has a negative impact on a person's life and independence.
To encourage brain health:
- Maintain mental stimulation with reading, puzzles and learning.
- Maintain social connections.
- Exercise regularly.
- Get adequate sleep.
Consume a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and healthy fats.
The older brain can operate in a different way, but can be quite efficient for a long time.
3. It is often natural for people to walk slower as they get older.
Many older adults understand that they're not as mobile as they used to be. This doesn't necessarily mean a person is paralyzed or very sick.
You may lose muscle, be a little off-balance, and react a little slower as you age. Such changes may have an impact on walking speed and confidence.
Thankfully, one of the largest answers to this is movement.
Exercise regularly, which can:
- Improve muscle strength.
- Enhance balance.
- Care should be taken to reduce the risk of injuries from falls.
- Increase energy levels.
- Support overall independence.
Getting to the gym for simple exercises like walking, stretching, swimming or light strength training can have a big impact. It's not how hard you try it's how many times you try.
The bottom line: walk is treatment—particularly in the golden years!
For example, there are natural changes to sleep patterns.
When seniors experience a loss of depth and length of sleep as they get older, many are concerned. While it's normal to experience changes to sleep as you get older, if you have trouble sleeping for a long time, consult your health care provider about the problem.
Older adults often:
- Fall asleep earlier.
- Wake up earlier.
- Experience lighter sleep.
- Get up several times at night.
Not all such changes mean that someone has a sleeping disorder.
Experts do not always turn to the sleeping pill first and put into practice good sleep habits first. Long-term use of sleep medications may cause people to fall, become confused and have memory issues.
Using natural techniques for a better sleep:
- Make some time for outside time in the daylight hours.
- Stick to a regular sleep routine.
- Try to keep intake of extra caffeine during late hours.
- Get regular exercise.
- Have a calming bedtime routine.
While good sleep is essential, it's not the same sleep that it was like when you were 25.
4. All aches and pains are not diseases.
Body pain is one of the common complaints of older people. Aches and pains may be experienced in the knees, stiff hands, sore shoulder, and at times in the back, in older individuals.
Some pain, such as arthritis, should be treated by a health care professional, while others do not necessarily mean there is a serious illness.
As the body ages:
- Wear and tear of the joints.
- Muscles tighten up.
- Recovery takes longer.
The discomfort experience may be different in the nervous system processing.
Many may reduce their level of activity when having pain. It actually may worsen pain if you don't move, and you don't believe it until you have tried it.
Physical activity that is appropriate can:
- Improve joint mobility.
- Strengthen supporting muscles.
- Reduce stiffness.
- Enhance the overall quality of life.
Often, this will help a lot with exercise, stretching and weight loss.
5. Remember that the numbers relating to health should be interpreted in the context of specific circumstances.
There are lots of people who become worried when they get their medical test results and they are not as they desire. However, health is more complex than a single number.
For example, cholesterol is beneficial to the body in several ways. It helps create hormones, builds cells and several biological processes.
In the same way, doctors think about a person's condition, general health, past health and behavior prior to deciding whether or not they should treat a certain amount.
This doesn't excuse the disregard of medical advice. Rather, it should be a personal decision in determining health.
Remember, don't look at the lab results but at the big picture!
Physical activity level
Diet quality
Emotional well-being
Social engagement
Self-care skills
Good health isn't just what's written on a report, it's how the person is able to function and how he/she lives.
6. Growing old is NOT a disease!
The most important message is: "Aging is not a disease.
A normal growth stage of every human being.
Unfortunately, many have an ageist mindset in their senior years, rather than a positive one. They get fixated when it comes to the physical changes, every wrinkle or gray hair.
Or to accept the fact of ageing and profit from it, question and learn, take a journey down this road of experience and wisdom, personal growth.
What is really the question to ask is not how can I stop ageing but rather how can I age well?
Healthy aging involves:
- Staying physically active.
- Maintaining meaningful relationships.
- To develop and be educated further.
- Ensuring mental wellbeing.
- Making meaning and discovering happiness in daily activities.
It is not the goal to be permanent youngsters. The goal is to be involved, autonomous and satisfied.
Unspoken Reality of Aging: Loneliness.
While most of the attention given to aging is directed at physical health, this can also be one of the biggest challenges older adults face is loneliness.
Children grow and grow! Few friends leave or pass away. Social networks shrink.
There's lots of evidence that social connection is a huge factor in general health. Wellness is associated with having friends and meaningful relationships.
Holding onto those who are connected can mean for seniors:
- Meeting friends regularly.
- Taking part in the community.
- Joining hobby groups.
- Volunteering.
- Keeping in touch with loved ones.
What you can give your grown children that you can't give them anymore is time from you as a parent. There are other moments that are very special that go beyond medical visits and care giving, such as conversations, meals, walks and shared experiences.
Responsibility for yourself!
One of the top benefits of a healthy lifestyle as you get older is that you are able to live independently.
Older adults should still be involved in the decisions with respect to:
- Their daily routines.
- Their hobbies.
- Their friendships.
- Their clothing choices.
- Their living arrangements.
What they enjoy and wish to do.
Maintaining a sense of control is important in maintaining dignity, confidence and emotional health.
When you're independent, it doesn't mean you've to do everything by yourself! It's a self-made life!
Final Thoughts
Growing old isn't the time to dread. A large number of the changes we go through are "natural" and are a part of a life that has been lived, learned from and enjoyed.
There may be a slight decrease in alertness and quickness of recollection. The gait of walking might be more cautious. Sleep may change. It may cause a bit of aches and pains at times. The experiences do not always indicate disease, but rather are a normal part of aging.
The real reason isn't to become old, it's to grow old in a good way, with good health, with relationships and with happiness.
Because after all it is not a process of natural ageing.
Factors of isolation, inactivity and loss of purpose are much greater things.
Stay active. Stay connected. Stay curious.
Most of all keep on living your life the way you want!
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