As a communities population ages there are stereotypical diseases and problems that arise. But those problems and issues can be alleviated when people approach healthy aging for older adults. With the help and support of adequate amounts of nutrition, sleep, water and mental health older adults can age gracefully without some of the health and emotional issues that often plague this particular group of people.
And because of the improved public health safety protocols and medical health treatments more people are living longer than ever before. In fact, the average age at death of Americans has increased 30 years over the 20th century. This increased age of an older population plus the increasing numbers of those people contributes to a financial and societal burden on communities.
And aging isn”t just ‘getting old’ but rather is a process that involves a change in biological, emotional, social, and even the financial health that affects a person”s overall health. The wild cards that make a difference in the eventual outcome of the process are disease and the mental attitude of the older adult — both affect the speed of the aging process.
However when older adults are taught and supported through healthy habits, the risks of aging issues will decrease in those populations. Chronic illnesses and diseases will especially place a heavy burden on the health of older adults. They increase health care costs, diminish quality of life and are associated with long-term illnesses.
Medical researchers and doctors have long known that most of these chronic illnesses and diseases are avoidable, preventable and treatable. But the key measures to preventing these illnesses include practicing a healthy lifestyle and the use of early detection practices.
Unfortunately in this fast paced society most people want to continue to enjoy the very lifestyle practices that eventually lead to their chronic diseases and death. These practices include smoking, heavy drinking, recreational drugs, and reliance on prescription medications. And they don”t want to practice the lifestyle choices that will help to prevent these diseases such as regular exercise, a balanced diet high in raw fruits and vegetables, increased amounts of water and lots of good rest.
Another factor in prevention and improved healthy aging for older adults are screening programs and early detection practices. These programs help to find risk factors or chronic illnesses early so treatment can begin. Early detection and treatment of breast cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, colorectal cancers and diabetes can improve the long-term outlook and potential cure of these conditions.
Unfortunately many of the changes which adults find difficult to change in their lives come quickly and a bit easier when the doctor issues an ultimatum or the adult has had a health scare. Adults who have had a cardiac event are often much more amenable to changing their lifestyle habits after the event than before.
