People in the U.S. are living longer than ever before.
Many seniors live active and healthy lives. But there's no getting around one thing: as we age, our bodies and minds change.
There are things you can do to stay healthy and active as you age.
Eating a balanced diet, keeping mind and body active, not smoking, getting regular checkups, and practicing safety habits at home and in the car will help you make the most of life.
Much of the illness, disability, and death associated with chronic disease is avoidable through known prevention measures.
Key measures include practicing a healthy lifestyle (e.g., regular physical activity, healthy eating, and avoiding tobacco use) and the use of early detection practices (e.g., screening for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers, diabetes and its complications, and depression).
Critical knowledge gaps exist for responding to the health needs of older adults.
For chronic diseases and conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, depression, psychiatric disorders, osteoporosis, Parkinson's disease, and urinary incontinence, much remains to be learned about their distribution in the population, associated risk factors, and effective measures to prevent or delay their onset.
Exercise for Seniors
Also called: Seniors' fitness
There is a fountain of youth. Millions have discovered it - the secret to feeling better and living longer. It's called staying active.
Finding a program that works for you and sticking with it can pay big dividends.
Regular exercise can prevent or delay diabetes and heart trouble. It can also reduce arthritis pain, anxiety and depression. It can help older people stay independent.
There are four main types of exercise and seniors need some of each :
- Endurance activities - like walking, swimming, or riding a bike - which build "staying power" and improve the health of the heart and circulatory system
- Strengthening exercises which build muscle tissue and reduce age-related muscle loss
- Stretching exercises to keep the body limber and flexible
- Balance exercises to reduce the chances of a fall
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