As you age, your body will undergo changes that often require lifestyle adjustments. Maintaining your nutrition, physical activity, social life, and sleep schedule, and staying up to date with your routine health visits are good ideas for individuals of any age but may be especially crucial for older adults.
At TPMG, we’re committed to helping you through every stage of life. Try these health tips to improve your health as you age:
- Nutrition is Your Friend
Proper nutrition is crucial for healthy aging. As you age, your appetite may also diminish, but it’s still important to receive nutritious food in your diet to improve your bone health, digestion, bladder control, and more. Look for foods high in fiber such as whole-grain breads, legumes, nuts or seeds, and vegetables. Add vitamin D and calcium-rich drinks, like milk products, to your diet to promote bone health. Additionally, remember to stay hydrated throughout the day. Older adults may feel less thirsty throughout the day, so it’s important to continue to drink fluids to stay hydrated and keep you regular.
- Stay Active
Physical activity works like a natural lubrication for the body. Moving helps the body’s joints, increases blood flow, and reduces stiffness. Older adults are more prone to dangerous falls, muscle weakness, pain, and chronic disease. Physical activity helps with flexibility and stability while preserving independence. Exercise can also improve cognition, release brain chemicals that reduce anxiety and stress, and enhance your social health by encouraging you to leave the house and visit friends.
- Find Opportunities for Social Engagement
Social support and engagement are vital for older adults. Feelings of loneliness often lead to increased social isolation, depression, and anxiety. Health experts agree that staying social can also positively affect your physical health. Active conversations keep the mind sharp and reduce the risk of dementia and memory loss.
- Maintain Your Sleep Health
Sleep is important for individuals at any age, but especially for those of advanced age. Unfortunately, many older adults struggle to stay asleep for the recommended eight hours every night. Pain from arthritis, frequent urination, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and other factors could keep you up at night. To get your best sleep, practice good sleep hygiene techniques, including maintaining a regular sleeping schedule and avoiding caffeine, especially in the afternoon.
- Exercise Your Brain
Staying cognitively engaged helps older adults prevent memory loss and other forms of cognitive decline. Try adding brain games, learning new skills or hobbies, and engaging in activities that challenge both the body and the mind.
- Attend Regular Health Appointments
It’s not uncommon for individuals to put off important health appointments. Fear of new health risks, avoiding discomfort, lack of transportation, or time constraints can make staying on top of routine health checks difficult. Even so, it’s important to make sure you’re up-to-date on routine health checkups, vaccinations, and health screenings. Without routine screening and health checkups, you may not catch dangerous diseases when they’re most easily treated. If you’re not sure about what health appointments you should be making, contact a TPMG primary care provider for more information.
At TPMG, we’re dedicated to guiding our patients through every stage of life. Our team of qualified geriatric medicine specialists provides dedicated senior and adult care for individuals across Hampton Roads. We understand the importance of preserving autonomy while maintaining health and wellness.
