How to Make Your Golden Years Golden: Aging in America

As we look at legends like Betty White, Clint Eastwood, Harrison Ford, and Helen Mirren, we see men and women who have managed to age gracefully, staying healthy and limber. White passed away only a few weeks before her 100^th birthday. In the past living to be one hundred (or even eighty) was a dream, but with the advances in science and knowledge regarding nutrition, more people are reaching closer to the centenarian age. You can make aging in America a smoother transition toward the 70s, 80s, 90s, and beyond with a few healthy habits.

Make aging in America a healthy journey

Genetics and environment play a massive role in aging. However, you can stack the odds in your favor for aging in America and living longer.

The goal is not to just live longer, but to age gracefully, staying healthy and limber with as few age-related diseases and conditions as possible. This means avoiding substances or situations that can lead to long-term harm, such as overdrinking alcohol, abusing drugs, or engaging in risky behaviors.

The following are a few suggestions to get you started.

Eat well.

If you study centenarians (people who live to be between 100 and 109) and supercentenarians (age 110 and older), you may notice that these people are of average weight. To help control weight, avoid processed foods and aim for healthier fare, like lean proteins, fresh vegetables and fruits, and healthier fats such as olive oil. Contact a nutritionist for help in tweaking your daily diet.

Walk.

Walking is an excellent exercise that most people can do. It is low impact which allows you to increase the intensity as needed. Walking is inexpensive – all you need is a pair of comfortable shoes and a safe place to walk.

If the weather does not permit walking, you can walk indoors on a treadmill, follow along with a walking video, or march in place. Some people walk around their homes and climb the stairs several times to increase their heart rate. Walking will help to improve your cardiorespiratory system and keep your joints from becoming stiff.

Keep all appointments.

Your primary care physician should monitor your health through routine checkups, including annual blood work, blood pressure monitoring, and screenings. To keep annual appointments in mind, schedule them during your birthday month. Screenings are vital for catching conditions before they become evident.

According to the American College of Radiology, mammograms have decreased the mortality rate in women diagnosed with breast cancer by 40%. Thousands of lives are saved annually with early screenings. It may seem like an inconvenience especially if you have several screenings per year, but catching a condition early can be the difference between living a longer and higher quality of life or not.

Seek counseling when you feel overwhelmed.

You may have some concerns or feel overwhelmed and anxious at the thought of aging in America. Who will care for you if you no longer can care for yourself? Who can you trust and where will you live? How exactly can you start a healthy regimen that may serve you for the rest of your life?

Contact our office today to schedule an appointment either in person or virtually with a counselor specializing in geriatrics. Your counselor is familiar with resources for aging in America and can help relieve your fears and instead, focus on planning for the future.