As I approach my birthday this month, i'm reminded that there are many who are “afraid” of getting older. This has not been a big issue for me as I am very aware of the alternative to getting older is to stop living, but I must admit that some of the conditions that are typically thought of as “older adult issues” have made me pause and think.
In medical training, we are taught that older adults are at increased risk for falls. While this is true, it doesn’t necessarily have to be the case for everyone. Studies have shown that adults who live an active lifestyle that involves not only aerobic activities but also flexibility training and balance training, can decrease the risk of falling significantly. It is recommended that we (yes, we) participate in flexibility and balance training 2-3 times weekly. While many adults walk or do other leisure activities that help them stay fit, I find that many are not working on these 2 very important components of physical fitness.
Another myth that is widely believed is that memory loss is a natural result of getting older. We are not talking about the occasional forgetting where you put your keys or walking into a room and forgetting why you are there. These things can happen to people of all ages due to the many distractions we are bombarded with daily. I am talking about persistent issues with short term memory. This again is not the result of normal aging. Often, we have memory issues due to other things that are not related to dementia. For example, poor sleep habits, high stress and poor nutrition can contribute to poor memory.
I have heard it said that older adults need less sleep, and this is another myth that I would like to “bust” today. We know that all adults function optimally when they get 7-8 hours of sleep daily. This includes older adults. Studies have shown that, in adults over 65 years, participants that had poor sleep quality had more difficulty with problem solving and concentrating than others who had good sleep. Additionally, another large study showed that adults in their 50s and 60s who got 6 hours of sleep or less had an increased risk of developing dementia alter in life.
This conversation would not be complete without a small discussion about depression and loneliness that many older adults experience. This is often prompted by one’s own declining health or the health of a spouse, the loss of independence or the loss of friends or a significant other. It is important to recognize that as we age it is extremely important to maintain our social connections. This is often made difficult if changes in vision or hearing prevent one from doing activities previously enjoyed. I cannot overemphasize the need for maintaining and starting new relationships as we age. Socially connected adults have lower rates of heart disease and report improved physical and psychological well-being. If you are struggling with depression, anxiety, or loneliness we encourage you to reach out as there are several resources that can help you get reconnected.
Healthy aging is possible, but it starts today.
-Dr. Litty
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