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Chapter 5: Growing
Old, But Keeping Fit
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Growing old is a bad habit which a busy man
has no time to form.
- Andre Maurois.
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Most people are scared, indeed, terrified of old
age because they feel that aging is characterized
by a progressive loss of essential body functions
that they have learnt to take for granted over the
years; for instance, loss of vision, hearing, teeth,
memory, intelligence, sexual drive, muscle strength
and vigour. However, it needs to be emphasized that
you can become old healthily; remember that old
age does not necessarily mean progressive deterioration
or susceptibility to a plethora of ailments!
The best way to live to a ripe old age entails possessing
the right genes. In other words, if your parents
and grandparents have led long lives, you are likely
to do so too! However, the fact remains that while
you cannot choose your parents, you can, nevertheless,
increase the chances of your growing old healthily!
Despite the advertised claims to the contrary, there
is no fountain of youth or magic potion that can
prevent the process of aging. And no one has still
answered the key question: why do we grow old? According
to a popular theory, free radicals damage cells,
tissues and organs progressively and as we age the
body's ability to neutralize such damages wanes.
Presently, research is being conducted to test the
anti-aging effects of human growth hormones, DHEA
(Dehydroepiandrosterone), and other hormones, such
as testosterone and estrogen. However, it's too
early to ascertain whether or not any of these hormones
will be effective. The fact remains that there is
still no known drug, pill, or treatment that has
been proven to reverse the aging process or to extend
life. However, the good news is that there is solid
evidence to prove that adopting a healthy lifestyle
can both lengthen and improve the quality of an
individual's later years.
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TIPS FOR HEALTHY AGING
The following points should be borne in mind:
- Ensure a balanced diet, including five helpings
of fruits and vegetables a day.
- Exercise regularly. However, check with your
doctor before starting an exercise programme.
- Go in for regular health check-ups.
- Don't ever smoke. If you have picked up the
habit, it's never too late to stop.
- Practice safety habits at home to prevent
falls and fractures. Always wear your seatbelt
while driving a vehicle.
- Stay in touch with family and friends. Remain
active through work and play and interact regularly
with other members of the community.
- If you drink alcohol, moderation is the keyword.
Let someone else drive the vehicle after each
of your drinking bouts!
- Adopt and maintain a positive attitude towards
life. Do things that make you happy.
Since it's extremely difficult to change the habits
of a lifetime overnight, it would be highly beneficial
to develop good habits right from childhood. Such
habits are likely to pay you rich dividends in the
future, so that you can be playing golf while your
contemporaries are ailing in hospital beds!
Fortunately, aging doesn't have to be a downhill
slides and gaining adequate knowledge about changing
body patterns over time can help you age the healthy
way. Older people have the reputation of being more
mature, experienced and thoughtful. Whether or not
you become wiser as you grow older, you are likely
to become farsighted for sure ! Farsightedness (
presbyopia ) is a change in vision that's a normal
part of aging. Presbyopia is caused by a gradual
hardening of the eye's lens, which impairs your
ability to see up close. Your optometrist may recommend
a pair of non-prescription reading glasses or prescribe
bifocals for you.
Staying active is a terrific way to stave off the
negative effects of aging because it helps your
body maintain, improve and even repair itself. Physical
activity increases flexibility, lowers blood pressure,
strengthens bones, slows down the process of osteoporosis,
and promotes weight loss. The remarkable aspect
about getting fit is that it's never too late to
start. Fifteen to 30 minutes of exercise, with a
warm-up and a cool-down, three or four times a week,
would be ideal. Remember to start out slowly, exercising
for about five to ten minutes twice a week, and
gradually build up to a higher level of activity.
choose an activity that you'll enjoy, and try to
get a friend to accompany you. Brisk walking, swimming
and yoga are just a few of the options. Before starting
your regular exercise regimen, please check with
your doctor about possible complications or risks.
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Ensuring a healthy diet pattern is also very important.
Middle-aged individuals need to increase their intake
of certain vitamins, such as D and B6, while also
simultaneously reducing the number of calories they
consume. Bodily changes caused by aging, combined
with reduced physical activity, could lead to a
situation when you may gain weight more easily in
your 50s than you did in your younger years. Be
that as it may, that excess weight contributes to
health problems more often in older people, including
diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
Contrary to popular opinion, most senior citizens
want to enjoy active, and satisfying sex lives.
The natural process of aging does entail physical
changes that can sometimes adversely affect sexual
intimacy and your capabilities during intercourse.
Women may experience discomfort during sex because
their vagina becomes drier and more fragile. As
they get older, men often notice differences in
their erection patterns, and it may take them longer
to achieve an erection and to sustain it. Also,
the erection may not be as firm or as large as during
their younger years. Anxiety and depression, which
often accompany a chronic illness can also interfere
with your libido. A strong support system is an
important aspect of good health, and seniors can
benefit greatly by being socially active. Community
organisations, clubs and religious places such as
churches and temples are ideal meeting points for
elderly people to socialize and to make friends.
Continue to remain productive, whatever be your
field of activity; this is good for your self-esteem.
Even if you have retired from your job, you can
contribute your time and skills in many ways: for
example, by volunteering for social service organisations;
or teaching part-time in any educational institution.
You could also learn new skills (such as a painting
or becoming computer literate). The ultimate objective
is to keep your brain active !
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The twilight years are also likely to lead to an
unfortunate increase in illnesses, accompanied by
the additional burden of unwelcome medical bills
and the fear of dying and death. As the body ages,
biological systems start failing gradually, and
one starts developing an assortment of medical problems.
Consequently, older patients often have special
health care needs. It is not uncommon for many older
patients to suffer from multiple medical complications:
for example, diabetes, hypertension and ischaemic
heart disease often go hand in hand. Such a situation
also means that they will need to be subjected to
multiple medications; and perhaps consult many different
doctors as well! Thus, while their care pattern
becomes more complex, it also becomes more fragmented!
In fact, geriatric medicine has attained the status
of a specialty in its own right in many parts of
the world, in order to take care of the medical
needs of an aging population.
Most old people face a lot of difficulty in taking
care of their own needs, because of persistent problems
such as deteriorating hearing, failing vision, and
decreasing memory. Many of them tend to be afraid
of becoming dependent on others as they lose control
over their bodily functions. Others dread becoming
disabled and being confined to a wheelchair or bed.
Instances of abuse and neglect of old people are
becoming increasingly prevalent, as the joint family
structure is breaking down in urban India. As a
result, homes for the aged are becoming increasingly
popular in India, so that older people can live
together and support each other, when their own
families are no longer willing to do so.
Remember that illness and aging need not go hand
in hand. If you take good care of your body in the
'morning',it will take good care of you in the 'evening'
of your life.
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