Introduction to Aging and Geriatrics
Great improvements in medicine, public health, science, and technology have enabled today's older Americans to live longer and healthier lives than previous generations. Older adults want to remain healthy and independent at home in their communities. Society wants to minimize the health care and economic costs associated with an increasing older population. The science of aging indicates that chronic disease and disability are not inevitable. As a result, health promotion and disease prevention activities and programs are an increasing priority for older adults, their families, and the health care system.
Many people fail to make the connection between undertaking healthy behaviors today and the impact of these choices later in life. Studies indicate that healthy eating, physical activity, mental stimulation, not smoking, active social engagement, moderate use of alcohol, maintaining a safe environment, social support, and regular health care are important in maintaining he...More
Fast Facts: Learn! Fast!
What healthy choices should those who are aging make?
- Choosing a doctor is one of the most important decisions anyone can make. The best time to make that decision is while you are still healthy and have time to really think about all your choices.
- Studies show that endurance activities help prevent or delay many diseases that seem to come with age. In some cases, endurance activity can also improve chronic diseases or their symptoms.
- You can improve your health if you move more and eat better!
- As you grow older, you may need less energy from what you eat, but you still need just as many of the nutrients in food.
- The Federal Government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly encourage older adults to be immunized against flu, pneumococcal disease, tetanus and diphtheria, and chickenpox, as well as measles, mumps, and rubella.
- Sunlight is a major cause of the skin changes we think of as aging ? changes such as wrinkles, dryness, and age spots.
What medical issues can those who are aging face?
- Age can bring changes that affect your eyesight.
- About one-third of Americans older than age 60 and about half the people who are 85 and older have hearing loss. Whether a hearing loss is small (missing certain sounds) or large (being profoundly deaf), it is a serious concern.
- Menopause is the time around the age of 51 when your body makes much less of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone and you stop having periods, which can cause troublesome symptoms for some women.
- The risk of osteoporosis grows as you get older. Ten million Americans have osteoporosis, and 8 million of them are women.
- Prostate problems are common in men age 50 and older. There are many different kinds of prostate problems and treatments vary but prostate problems can often be treated without affecting sexual function.
- Loss of bladder control is called urinary incontinence and at least 1 in 10 people age 65 or older has this problem.
- In order to meet the criteria for an Alzheimer's disease diagnosis, a person's cognitive deficits must cause significant impairment in occupational and/or social functioning.
What mental health issues can those who are aging face?
- Because the aging process affects how the body handles alcohol, the same amount of alcohol can have a greater effect as a person grows older. Over time, someone whose drinking habits haven?t changed may find she or he has a problem.
- There are many reasons why depression in older people is often missed or untreated. The good news is that people who are depressed often feel better with the right treatment.
News Articles
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Home-Based Care Teams Offer Help for Those With Dementia
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Resources
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Articles
- Introduction to Aging and Geriatrics
- Aging and Your Eyes
- Aging and Depression
- Alcohol and Aging
- Arthritis
- Can We Prevent Aging?
- Choosing a Doctor You Can Talk To
- Exercise and Physical Activity: Getting Fit for Life
- Fit and Fabulous as You Mature
- Forgetfulness: It's not what you think
- Getting Your Affairs in Order
- 10 Healthy Eating Tips for People Age 65+
- Hearing Loss
- Hormones After Menopause
- Hyperthermia
- Hypothermia
- Medicines and Older Adults
- Osteoporosis: The Bone Thief
- Preventing Falls and Fractures
- Prostate Problems (Men)
- Sexuality in Later Life
- Shots For Safety
- Skin Care and Aging
- Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease
- Urinary Incontinence
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News
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Questions and Answers
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Book & Media Reviews
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Self-Help Groups
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Links
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Videos
- Why Sleep is Good For Your Brain
- Getting a Jump on Osteoporosis
- Difference Between Alzheimer's and Dementia
- Signals You May be Ready for Joint Replacement
- Seniors and Tai Chi
- We Aren’t Saving For Retirement. This is Why We Must.
- How Much Sleep is Enough?
- Let’s talk about depression – focus on older people
- Follow Your Gut: Microbiomes and Aging
- Exercise Increases Life Expectancy
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29 more
- Keys to Aging Well
- Neurology: Testing for Alzheimer's
- Sleep and Aging
- Recognizing the Early Signs of Dementia
- Improving Muscle Health
- Dementia – it affects us all
- A User's Guide to Healthy Aging
- Hear Better: Quick Tips to Care for your Hearing Aid
- What Do To When You Are Concerned About an Older Driver
- A Better Read on Balance
- Breaking Down Hip Fractures
- How to Keep Your Brain Fit Boost Your Memory and Fight Dementia
- Age Related Muscle Loss
- Natural Disaster Planning Part 1
- Natural Disaster Planning Part 2
- Natural Disaster Planning Part 3
- Living for Longevity: The Nutrition Connection - Research on Aging
- Normal and Abnormal Aging and the Brain
- The 6 Stages of Retirement
- Retirement Well Being
- 6 Questions to Help You Find Meaning in Your Life after Retirement
- Falls Prevention in People with Dementia
- Taking Steps to Prevent Falls
- The Impact of Exercise on Cognitive Functioning
- Using a Computer, Social Activities Tied to Reduced Risk of Memory Decline
- When older adults need a hearing exam
- Addiction in the Elderly
- Healthy Aging: Promoting Well-being in Older Adults
- Comprehensive Planning for Health and Illness
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Addictions
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Aging & Elder Care
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Emotional Well-Being
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ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
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Adoption
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Child & Adolescent Development: Overview
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Child & Adolescent Development: Puberty
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Child Development & Parenting: Early (3-7)
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