Health Changes with Aging

Why does our health change as we get older?

One hundred years ago people lived an average of 47 years. Today most men live to be close to 80 and women live to be more than 80. Because people are living longer, they have good reason to be concerned about staying healthy in body and mind as they age.

Some body changes are normal. For example, people often begin to need reading glasses in their 40s or 50s. Much of the ill health in older people, though, is the result of neglected health when they were younger. However, you can often prevent your health from worsening and can sometimes even improve it.

Changes in appearance

Skin loses elasticity and dries as you get older, causing sags and wrinkles. Use of moisturizers and massage help keep skin looking younger. It's up to you whether you want smile wrinkles or frown wrinkles. You bruise more easily and broken vessels sometimes show through the skin. Exposure to the sun also hastens the aging process. Covering up and using sunscreens on exposed skin helps protect you from sun damage. Hair becomes coarser and gradually loses color, but gray or white hair is just as attractive as other colors if properly cared for. Nails become coarser but can appear neat if trimmed.

Internal changes

The heart may not pump as well. Hardened, narrowed arteries or high blood pressure make the heart's work more difficult, resulting in less physical stamina. The lungs lose elasticity, and pollution from the air or from smoking may damage them, causing shortness of breath. Wear and tear causes stiff and sometimes painful joints, particularly if you are overweight or have had joint injuries. Muscles, particularly unused muscles, lose bulk and strength. The brain and nervous system lose nerve cells, causing slower reactions and memory loss. Smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, fatty diet, lack of exercise, and being overweight make these conditions worse. Quitting smoking; limiting alcohol; staying on a healthy, low-fat, high-fiber diet; getting regular exercise; and controlling your weight will help prevent further deterioration.

Health checkups

Have a health checkup every year. Follow your health care provider's recommendations, and take any medicines prescribed according to instructions. Be sure to have your vision and hearing checked regularly, too. Poor eyesight and hearing can be a safety hazard and can add to other health problems. Take advantage of any special health screening tests offered in your community. Women should examine their breasts regularly and men their testicles for lumps or changes in appearance, shape, or size. Always report injuries, bleeding, pains, numbness, faintness, dizziness, confusion, digestive disturbances, urinary difficulties, lumps, skin problems, or any other symptoms to your health care provider right away. Don't wait for your next scheduled checkup.

Tobacco and alcohol

Smoking affects your heart, circulation, lungs, and skin. It is a major cause of cancer. Drinking too much alcohol impairs judgment and coordination. It is involved in a high proportion of motor vehicle accidents, home accidents, and domestic violence. It also affects the heart and circulation and other organs in the body. Cutting down on drinking and quitting smoking can be very hard but will help prevent poor health and possibly early death. Talk to your provider about help.

Social changes and health

Retirement from work brings more leisure time, but it can also bring loss of purpose in life and reduced status and income. Family and friends die or move away and lose touch. The neighborhood changes. It's not surprising that many people become lonely, anxious, or depressed as they get older, even to the point of thinking about suicide. Help is available, though. Your health care provider can prescribe medicine to help, if needed. Eating properly and getting more exercise will improve your general health and make you feel better. Volunteering and helping others can give new purpose and meaning to your life. Joining senior activities can be the start of new and lasting friendships. It may be time to move out of a house that has become too big and empty. Moving to a senior community can give you a family all over again.

Plan for your retirement

If the extra leisure time retirement brings is spent on activities that you enjoy, you'll probably look and feel well. However, if you have no interests or hobbies, you are likely to look and feel miserable and your health is likely to suffer. Those who enjoy retirement are usually those who have planned and prepared for it.

Preparing for retirement

Ideally preparation should start well before you retire. For example, a person who is interested in collecting stamps can stockpile them for years before retirement provides the time to sort them out. If you plan on playing more tennis or golf after you retire, keep in practice so you can really enjoy the game when you have more time. If you like to work with your hands, build up a collection of tools over the years. Plan for your retirement, prepare for it, and have something to look forward to.

Watching your health in retirement

Poor diet and lack of exercise, rest, and mental stimulation can result in tiredness, lack of stamina, and health problems. Too much food, overstrained muscles, and tiring yourself out with too much activity can cause health problems, too. Go for the happy medium. Eat three or four small, nutritious, low-fat, high-fiber meals a day. Get regular exercise. Get enough rest. Take on just as much activity as you find comfortable.