Put in a call to your primary care physician
Lay down and see if it goes away
C.
D.
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Talking to geriatricians—medical doctors who specialize in aging adults—can give us a better understanding of how to maximize our quality of life as we get older. Take Northwell Health’s poll on what is most important to your own healthy aging journey. Then test your knowledge with our healthy aging quiz.
Do you know how to age healthfully?
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1,500
B.
5
4
3
2
1
America is getting older. 10,000 U.S. adults turn 65 every day. By 2035, the number of adults over the age of 65 will surpass children under 18. Our aging population is the reason why Northwell Health prioritizes healthy aging in older adults.
How many people turn 65 every day in America?
A
6
7
8
B
10,000
C
5,000
Healthy aging means a better quality of life.
This one may seem obvious, but many people don’t think ahead as they grow older. Research suggests that our brains think of our future selves as entirely different people — which may leave us unprepared for the way our needs will change.
Why is healthy aging important?
Healthy aging lessens the burden on the healthcare system.
Both
Remain physically and mentally active
Participating proactively in being healthy yields longevity and better quality of life. That means pursuing a complete exercise routine that addresses your aerobic fitness, strength and flexibility. You’ll also want to remain socially active and stimulate your mind through pursuits such as reading, doing puzzles and learning new languages or skills.
What’s important for us to do as we age?
Be social and stay engaged
Know what activities matter most to you and prioritize them
D
All of the above
True
False
A new study of resistance exercise and the elderly found that even people in their 80s and 90s — who had never lifted weights before — showed significant gains
At a certain age, the body stops being able to add muscle.
High fat, low carb diet
As you age, your body requires roughly 50% more protein than a younger adult to better preserve muscle mass and strength to maintain a certain quality of life. Protein also help increase the body's immune functions. Failing to eat enough protein can decrease your stamina, leave your skin fragile, and slow down your ability to heal from wounds or recover from illness. Your best sources of protein are lean meat, seafood, beans, dairy, nuts and seeds.
What type of diet is best for healthy aging?
High protein diet
Raw diet of grains, seeds, and vegetables
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major health problem that is common in older adults. Your body's network of blood vessels, known as the vascular system, becomes less efficient as you age. Arteries get stiffer and veins can narrow, causing blood pressure to go up. This can be true even for people who have heart-healthy habits and feel just fine.
As we age, blood pressure can become an issue, even if you eat healthy and exercise.
The sole responsibility of your doctor.
Working in concert with your primary care doctor and a trusted third party will help you remain proactively involved in your health. Designate someone who can help with medications and your health goals to make sure any medical treatment aligns with what matters most to you. This is part of what’s known as the 4Ms of age-friendly care – staying mobile, knowing what matters, managing medications, and staying mentally active.
Medication management and medical treatment decisions should be
Shared between you and your doctor, although ultimately, it’s your responsibility.
A partnership between you, your doctor, and someone you trust to help you make decisions.
Age-friendly care is a newer innovation borne out of a change in health care philosophy. Rather than just treating the symptoms of disease, forward-thinking health care systems like Northwell emphasize preventive care, which helps patients avoid illness in the first place. Age-friendly care fits into a preventive framework. Maria Torroella Carney, MD, MACP, an internist, geriatrician, and palliative care physician with public health experience at Northwell Health, explains: “Age-friendly care is something Northwell promotes to help seniors and their caregivers achieve the best possible health outcomes.” As such, Northwell is integrating an Age-Friendly framework in all its adult acute-care settings, primary-care ambulatory sites, and post-acute-care locations, including skilled nursing facility, home care, and hospice. This framework focuses on the 4 Ms of age-friendly care – mentation, mobility, medication, and what matters most.
The model of Age-Friendly Care is found in all health settings.
We hope this journey has enlightened you about the nuances of aging gracefully and healthfully. Remember, the path to a fulfilling older age is a blend of knowledge, proactive health choices, and understanding the unique needs of aging bodies. Stay curious, stay informed, and continue consulting with geriatricians to tailor a lifestyle that best suits your golden years. Thank you for participating in our poll and quiz. To learn more about resources available to you and your loved ones, please visit the link below.
Thanks for participating and we hope these facts can maximize quality of life throughout the aging process.
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