How To Take Care Of Your Body At An Older Age

Around the beginning of the human race, about 30,000 years ago, most people did not live past the age of 30, so the elderly were 25 years old or so. Medical advancements beginning around the 1500s are primarily responsible for the extended live expectancy we enjoy today. Still, from the 1500s to the 1800s, the average life expectancy was 40, and seniors were in their mid to late 30s. Just two hundred years later, it’s at an incredible 83 years, and the ACT Seniors Card recognizes citizens as senior when they reach 60.

Given all the aches, pains, diseases, and disorders associated with old age, is medicine now able to keep us alive longer than our bodies can withstand? Though that may be the case, along with medicine, there is much we can do to help our ancient (compared to our distant ancestors’) bodies grow old more gracefully.

Exercise, the first defense

For most, the older we get, the less active we become. This decrease in movement may be due to physical capability, location, or opportunity. Activity is necessary at every age, but as people grow older, conditions associated with aging make exercise crucial. Staying active can delay many age-related diseases and even extend life expectancy. After all, 83 is the average!

As people age, bones become brittle, and muscles shorten. This combination often leads to a loss of balance and coordination. Exercise increases the density of bones and retains or rebuilds muscle structure, which keeps the body flexible.

Like other muscles in the body, exercise also maintains the heart. A light workout routine will raise a person’s heart rate, and a healthy heart is less susceptible to cardiac disease. A person physically active probably has lower cholesterol and is also likely to be closer to a healthy weight, which protects them from obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes and common sicknesses, such as colds and cases of flu.

Not only does exercise make our body feel good, but it makes our mind feel good too. Activity releases endorphins, making us feel more capable. This can offset psychological issues imbuing drive and energy.

Lastly, exercise makes people feel good and is a great way to spend a good part of long, isolated days that are often the result of retirement. Building up one’s capability to the point where they can take long walks can enable them to join groups of like-minded seniors and make friends, which dispels loneliness.

Treatments

Of course, not many people get to their senior years without a few bumps and bruises along the way. Even the most active suffer from arthritis due to previous injuries or long-term joint wear and tear.

Every older adult should find a primary doctor with whom they can discuss general issues so he or she can recommend specialists as needed. The doctor can also guide their senior patient before beginning an exercise routine.

Non-prescription based treatment, such as alternative medicine, chiropractic care, and geriatric massage, are becoming increasingly popular with aging baby boomers and can provide relief with all sorts of issues customarily treated with medication.

In some cases, these treatment types for seniors do not differ much from those of other age groups. With massage and chiropractic care, limited mobility is a factor the professional care provider must accommodate, especially for seniors using assistive devices, such as a wheelchair.

Massage of a senior’s hands and feet helps to increase blood circulation in many areas of the body and can be especially helpful for those suffering from poor circulation. It can also be beneficial for joint inflammation, arthritis, dermatological conditions (e.g., skin discoloration), muscle and bone deterioration, failing appetite, blood circulation, sleep disorders, mental acuity, tendonitis, bursitis, asthma, emphysema, and high blood pressure. Similarly, things like the right mattress and reclining chairs can help provide the right kind of support for the elderly while seated, ensuring weak joints and muscles are relaxed.

Caring for the elderly

No matter at what age one becomes elderly, exercise is the best defense against innumerable ailments associated with getting older. From heart disease to bone density, the activity can repair and prevent many health risks seniors face.

For those issues that already exist, or those yet to come, finding a good doctor will help seniors make decisions about their care with confidence. Alternative medicine, chiropractic services, and massage therapy can bring many added benefits without the risks associated with prescription drugs and enable people to live longer, healthier lives.