Healthy Aging

HEALTHY AGING: COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS AND STRATEGIES FOR AGING WELL

Submitted by Pat Avery, CRC Program Coordinator

The discovery of our first grey hair; being offered the senior discount without a request for ID; a “milestone birthday”; a class reunion photo that resembles an ad for AARP; a quiet house; identifying with Harry Chapin’s “Cats in the Cradle” on a deeper level: the process of aging has a way of sneaking up on us when we least expect it. Some aspects of aging are beyond our control. For example, our genetic predisposition to certain diseases or illnesses, our hair loss or greying, or changes in vision related to aging. However, through healthy lifestyle choices we can positively influence how well we age, at any age. First, lets examine some common misperceptions about aging.

• Depression and loneliness are normal

for older adults. This is false. Studies show that older adults are actually less likely to suffer from depression than young people. In reality, aging can offer emotional benefits, such as having long established friendships, memories to share with friends and family, and a life of developing coping skills to overcome adversity.

Certain life events will cause sadness or anxiety, however if these feelings are prolonged or interfere with your dayto-day activities it’s time to see your doctor. Many treatments are available and highly effective.

• The older I get, the

less sleep I need. This too is false. Older adults require the same amount of sleep as their younger counterparts: 7-9 hours a night. Adequate sleep has many benefits including staying alert, reducing falls, and improvements in mental and physical health.

Older persons may have increased difficulty falling or staying asleep, however their overall need for sleep does not decrease.

• Older adults can’t learn

new things. Don’t tell this to Grandma Moses who began her painting career at the youthful age of 78. Older adults certainly can learn new things. Exercising your brain through learning new skills has positive benefits on our cognitive health: “use it or loose it” holds true. So, tackle that NY Times crossword

puzzle! Your brain will reap the benefits.

• It is inevitable that older people will get

dementia. Not true.

While the chance of developing dementia does increase as we age, many factors influence whether we will develop the disease at all. Some determining factors for developing dementia include heredity, age, head injury, cardiovascular health, and education level.

Making healthy lifestyle choices can help mitigate some of these risk factors.

• Older adults should

“take it easy” and avoid exercise so they don’t hurt themselves.

This is another common fallacy. Exercise is essential to aging well. Regular exercise positively impacts our cardiovascular health, provides a boost in our “feel good” brain chemicals, improves balance and reduces the risk of falls. Keep in mind that research shows that even a small amount of exercise can be beneficial. So, park the car farther away from the entrance, take the stairs, add an extra walk with your dog, or better yet join with a friend.

Start small and increase gradually. *Always talk with your physician before starting a new exercise program.

• I’m too old to quit

smoking. It doesn’t matter how old you are, how long, or how much you smoke. Quitting has immediate health benefits, some occurring within hours! Stopping smoking reduces your risk of cancer, heart attack, stroke, and lung disease. You can look forward to improved taste and smell and provide a positive role model and example for your children and grandchildren. For help in quitting, contact the National Cancer

Institutes Quitline at (877) 448-7848 or log on to Smokefree.gov.

To learn more on how to improve your health as you age and enjoy a better quality of life now and in your Golden Years, join us at CCE on Wednesday, September 14th at 2pm as Pat Avery, CRC Coordinator and Bee Moser, MS, Nutritionist present “Healthy Living

for your Body and Brain: Tips from the Latest

Research.” A healthy snack for all to enjoy, as well as recipes and information to help you implement a personal wellness plan for you will be offered. Register in advance by calling CCE at (845) 292-6180, ext. 122, or logging on to our website at Sullivancce.org and clicking on EVENTS which will take you to the Registration link. We look forward to seeing you there!

healthy living for your brain and body

tips from the latest research

an education program by the alzheimer’s association

For centuries, we’ve known that the health of the brain and the body are connected. But now, science is able to provide insights into how to make lifestyle choices that may help you keep your brain and body healthy as you age. Join us to learn about research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement, and use hands-on tools to help you incorporate these recommendations into a plan for healthy aging.

JOIN US FOR A FREE IN-PERSON PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION-SULLIVAN COUNTY

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 14TH AT 2 P.M. AT CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENTION, 64 FERNDALE-LOOMIS ROAD, LIBERTY, NY

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: CALL CCE @ (845) 292-6180 OR REGISTER ONLINE AT https://sullivan.ccext.net/civicrm/event/info