Many people associate getting older with poor quality of life and a slew of medical conditions. It is important to know the changes expected with aging and what is not normal.
Getting older changes all aspects of life from physical to social, mental, sexual, emotional, and more. One might regard some changes as either positive or negative. The challenge is to ensure you maximize the good aspects and taking deliberate steps to minimize the negative ones.
The Aging Process
Here are some of the common changes that come with aging and are considered normal:
- Your Bones – as you age, the bones become more brittle and thinner as they lose density and mass hence an increased risk of broken bones and loss of height, and stooped posture.
- Your heart – the arteries grow stiffer as you age, resulting in high blood pressure. Fatty deposits may also buildup in your arteries which harden and make them narrower.
- Your brain – people often experience slight forgetfulness as they age and their ability to process new information and perform multiple tasks become slower.
- Your digestive system – the digestive system slows down as you age and does not contract as often as it did when you were younger.
- Your skin – your skin loses elasticity and may begin to wrinkle and sag as you grow older.
- Your senses – as you grow older, your five senses – touch, smell, taste, vision, and hearing – lose their earlier sharpness.
Tips for Aging Well and Maintaining the Great feeling
To age well, you need to have been practicing healthy habits throughout your life. However, it is never too late to start. Small lifestyle changes can have a significant impact on improving your health as you age. Here are some of the recommended practices to put you on the right track to aging well:
- Staying Physically Active
Ensuring you maintain physical activity can help in offsetting numerous effects of aging like improving your balance, keeping you mobile, improving your mood, and contributing to better cognitive functioning.
- Following a healthy, well-balanced Diet Plan
Your body will need proper nutrition to keep your organs working and maintain your immune system. Foods high in fiber and low in saturated fats will be important as part of your diet to achieve your wellness goals.
- Stay Socially Active
Making an effort to interact with your friends, family, and the community will significantly improve your mood, reduce negative feelings, and encourage you towards better physical activity.
- Schedule and Stick to Your Checkups
Do not neglect yourself as you age. Regular checkups from specialists are important and might help catch problems early and treat them before they get worse or bigger.
- Take all Medications as Directed
As you age, you might require different medications for various conditions. It is a no-brainer that you need to stick to your prescriptions as directed by your doctor.
How we can help youShot Health can help you have a better quality of life at old age, or ensure your elderly loved ones have the best quality of life. Our professional and certified nurses provide unparalleled personal care and companion services. Get more information about our service at Personal Care Companion Services – Shot Health.