Senior Health: Diet and Exercise for the Elderly

In the current world, aging is aggressively reaching its peak in association with human health. Many people in our society are unaware that the mission to increase life expectancy is an ongoing reality in everyday lives. Living to a healthy old age is possible for each person as long as efficient, beneficial choices are made. In addition to healthy decisions, maintaining physical activity is crucial to healthy aging. As an adult, one should always be mindful of fit living routines and practices. Inputting regular exercise into daily routine is one of the most important foundations in sustaining well-being. The process of aging entails various personal lifestyle changes and is impacted by both consistent implement and social values. Senior health is an important issue that has been brought to light in the past few decades of baby boomers and increasing life expectancy; it brings media and community attention to the difficulties related to aging (3). By simultaneously spreading public awareness about these demographics and promoting healthy lifestyles, all of society, especially the senior population, will flourish in the years to come.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Physical activity is essential to healthy aging (5). As one reaches his or her senior years, physical activity is a necessity that should be implement into everyday living to enable of life of fullest potential. For the general population, regular exercise is optimal for the body and mind, as well as ensuring people look and feel better about themselves in terms of self-image. For example, exercise aids in the regulation of weight, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and joint and bone problems. Detailed clinical studies have shown that the exercise can also prevent many of the health problems that are associated with age. Constant physical activity helps significantly in reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and even some cancers. It facilitates the growth and strength of bones and muscles to ensure an individual’s independence in his or her daily lifestyle without depending on others or medical machines.
Alongside physical activity and exercise, healthy eating is a necessity for those who wish to live full, healthy lives. Stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Nearly forty percent of deaths in America are related to smoking, physical inactivity, poor diet, or even alcohol misuse (5).” Studies have emphasized that one can begin living a healthy lifestyle by watching ones weight, eating healthy, staying physically active, quitting smoking (if one smokes),and preventing injury. By adopting these healthy behavioral changes, it is more than likely that individuals may be able to control or even prevent many of the problems that come with aging.
A chief concern associated with elderly adults is that individuals tend to eat less as they age. Because of this natural habit, it is often difficult to consume all the necessary nutrients needed for good health. Because the amount of food eaten in the older adult population is reduced, it is imperative that these individuals intake a wide variety of nutrient-dense foods to ensure an adequate intake of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. The Department of Health and Aging states, “Greater intake is required of some nutrients in older people so it is important for these individuals to eat lots of nutritious foods. The body’s ability to absorb some nutrients becomes less efficient with age. Medications, smoking and alcohol consumption can also affect nutrient intake and absorption which would then increase the need for certain nutrients (6).”
As indicated by the Department of Health and Aging, the recommended daily servings for individuals who are seventy years old and older include all servings of cereals, (which may include breads, rice, pasta, noodles, etc.) vegetables, fruit, dairy products, and meat. The food guide pyramid for adults aged seventy and up continues to be based on the principles of the government’s “dietary guidelines.” This food pyramid is not only based on guidelines, but also on various accredited health organizations. The Department of Health and Aging declares, “The principles are as follows: make sure to include plenty of variety in one’s diet; diets that include an adequate amount of grain products, fruits and vegetables; diets that are low in saturated fatty acids as well as cholesterol; low to moderate use of sugar, salt and alcohol; and physical activity in balance with energy intake (6).”
As stated on the “Modified Food Pyramid” for aged seventy and up adults, working from the bottom of the pyramid to the top, it is recommended that the individual accumulate at least eight servings of water per day with at least six or more servings of bread, fortified cereal, and rice and pasta group per day. It is recommended that the individual should also consume at least three or more servings of the vegetable group per day along with at least two servings of the fruit group per day. Approximately three servings of the dairy group with at least two servings of the meat group are to be included per day. As far as fats, oils, and sweets, it is recommended that the individual use these types of nutrients sparingly.
Many health problems are associated with aging. An aging-associated disease is synonymous to diseases of the elderly. A few relevant, popular examples include Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. As one ages, the possibility of contracting these diseases increases exponentially. Therefore, diet and exercise play a key role in prolonging the onset of such illnesses and maintaining mental, physical, and emotional health (7). Simple habits such as sleep and therapy can be monumental in preventing memory loss and preserving healthy aging. Much of these factors must be implemented at an early age and maintained throughout life to have an effect; consequently, educating children and adults early on about a healthy, active lifestyle is absolutely critical to success.
Alzheimer’s disease has plagued society without solution for centuries. It is an illness that has crippled both males and females, healthy and unhealthy, young and old. In addition to terminating the progress of individuals emotionally, psychologically, and socially, it represents a stalemate in the biomedical research of our time. Alzheimer’s especially robs people of their lives because it gradually takes away each and every one of their substantial memories and relationships. Even in classic movies like “The Notebook” and “50 First Dates,” Alzheimer’s deprived people of their right to live fully, healthily and happily. The degradation of senior health in terms of this disease highlights the hope that time and scientific advancement will bring an end to the hardships of this ailment.
Arthritis is another medical adversity linked with the older population. Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints (2). Upon repeated misuse and trauma, human joints undergo swelling and stiffness. Recognized as arthritis, these pains are associated with the senior community, as the characteristics of the disease worsen with time. The dementia aspects of this disease make it incurable and permanent (4). The most apparent symptom of this disease is constant joint pain, followed by fatigue. The handicaps of this disability severely hinder the elderly in their ability to walk and move, sleep restfully, and maintain healthy weight. Unexpectedly, arthritis is the number one common cause of disability in the U.S.; this physical impairment has drastic psychological effects as those afflicted experience reduced mobility and interaction in their daily lives. Older patients often become confined to nursing or senior homes, separated from loved ones and the rest of the healthy community. This condition in itself increases the risk for obesity, depression, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and heart problems due to loss in physical activity and societal involvement.
The senior population also experiences numerous cases of Parkinson’s disease, especially after the age of fifty years old. This illness is defined by the breakdown of the central nervous system starting with the brain (2). It is characterized by an inability to control movements and stiffness that give rise to mental and behavioral difficulties. Michael J. Fox, a renowned celebrity of our time, is widely known for his battle with Parkinson’s and its degenerative consequences. In older patients, Parkinson’s inhibits motor functions and early signs of it are often mistakenly dismissed as normal results of aging, another reason behind its association with older individuals.
As people age, they often experience deterioration of senses of vision, smell, and hearing. Sense of smell is usually reduced beyond the age of sixty, but females are proven to be better than men at distinguishing smells. Affected individuals lose the ability to smell or have an altered perception of odors; treatment is possible depending on if the damage is temporary or permanent (4). Insomnia is another common effect of aging that affects people around sixty years old. Much of the elderly population struggle with sleep-related disorders and require sleep aids. These conditions are especially detrimental to senior health because sleep is necessary for rest and rejuvenation, an essential aspect in healthy aging (1).
Senior health is an aspect of the population that is commonly overlooked. It is one of the major concerns of the current healthcare system and the afflicted population. Research supports that a daily routine of healthy diet and exercise utilized throughout life enables a steady, successful process of aging. State-funded programs such as Medicare and Medicaid are designed to aid the elderly in financially supporting the cost of their medications and medical visits. These health insurance programs cater to individuals sixty five years of age and older and or those with Social Security benefits for certain illnesses (8). As has been detailed in recent media and politics, universal healthcare is an epic, ongoing debate involving the government and civilians that possesses the potential to alter the funds and service of human health reform. Its impact on the regulation and advancement in senior health will be monumental in shaping the attitudes of scientists and civilians in perceiving and conquering the problems and solutions of healthy aging.

Appendix: References/Works Cited
1. NIHSeniorHealth. National Institutes of Health. 19 March 2002. Web. 05 April 2011.

2. Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 2001. Web. 2011.

3. Giamperi, M. “Communication and informed consent in elderly people.” Minerva Anerstesiol. (2011)

4. Chopard, G.; Galmiche, J.; Jacquot, L.; Brand, G. “Just noticeable difference in olfaction: a discriminative tool between healthy elderly and patients with cognitive disorders associated with dementia.” Rhinology. (2011)

5. CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention. CDC. Web. 29 Nov 2011.

6. DepartmentofHealthandAgeing. Department of Health and Ageing: Australian Government. Web. 01 Dec 2011.

7. Heidrich, Ruth. Senior Fitness: The Diet and Exercise Program for Maximum Health and Longevity. Lantern Books, March 2005.

8. Lieberman, Trudy. Consumer Reports Complete Guide to Health Services for Seniors: What Your Family Needs to Know About Finding and Financing, Medicare, Assisted Living, Nursing Homes, Home Care, Adult Day Care. Three Rivers Press, December 2000.