What Health Issues Seniors Should Worry About
- Written by Diana Smith
At some point, each one of us has health concerns. For some, it can happen early on in life, either because of a preexisting condition or perhaps because of lack of care for their bodies; and for others, it happens when they start to age. Not all people who get old get sick, but there is an increased risk, which is why it’s important to know how to take care of yourself as you’re growing older. Remember that half of the work is just in keeping to a generally healthy lifestyle throughout your entire life. But even if you’ve just now decided to take care of your health, there are still things you can do.
Prevent falls
As we age, our bones lose the strength that they once had, which can lead to conditions that include pain in the joints as well as difficulty moving around. There often isn’t anything you can do to prevent this besides staying active for as long as you can to slow down the process, but there is an even more dangerous possibility: falling and breaking something. This is, unfortunately, a common occurrence, because, in addition to the bones being more brittle, we lose our sense of balance as we age, making us more prone to falls. This, however, is something that you can counteract. By practicing skills that require good balance, like yoga, ballet and other activities that require you to stay centered, you can stay on your feet for a lot longer without worrying about falls.
Mental health
There is only so much that our brain cells can regenerate during our life, and as we reach old age, our cognitive abilities will inevitably decrease. This might be very mild and barely noticeable in some people, while in others, it can be extreme. It’s important to learn that mental health is just as important as physical health and recognize the symptoms of common diseases. Despite there being a lot of stigma around aged care homes, they are the best place you can be in if you have a mental disease that is too much for your loved ones to handle. Some people with Alzheimer’s disease need around the clock care as well as a place where they can live freely without being in danger of getting lost or harmed. It’s important not to hide the symptoms of mental illness from loved ones out of shame or fear, because the sooner it is diagnosed, the sooner you can start treatment and slow down the progression of the disease.
Cancer
You may not realize it, but cancer is the second leading cause of death in older citizens. As our immune system gets weaker, we are more susceptible to any disease, including cancer. There is also the case of people “giving up” on their health after they’ve reached a certain age and simply brushing off symptoms as issues of aging. However, with regular screenings, cancer that is caught in the earliest stages can be completely treated. Even if eradicating the disease isn’t possible, the quality of life can be improved immensely with the right care and medication. So, make sure that no matter how old you are, you are going to your regular check-ups at the doctor and taking measures to live a healthy life.
There is no reason why we should draw a line at 65 and say that after that you should kiss your health goodbye. You can live a healthy, happy life for a long time, as long as you make the effort to take care of your health. You might think that you don’t need to be careful, but if you do get sick, it consumes your entire life, so make sure you’re staying on top of your health.
