Do you remember your first day of school? High school graduation? Your first car? Your first child? Your 30th birthday? Your child's graduation? The birth of your grandchild? Your 50th birthday?
These are all milestones in life — notches on the belt of the mature adult.
Just as you may remember these great experiences, I am sure you cannot recall the first day you were diagnosed with diabetes? The first medication you had to take? The day you were told that you had high cholesterol? Nor the day your primary care provider told you to lose 15 pounds or else?
These also are notches on the belt of the mature adult.
Sometimes we are so wrapped up in what is going on around us that we forget to pay attention to those things that may affect us the most.
The mature adult population is one that faces a decline in health. Why not implement changes that would keep you at your current health status for as long as possible?
For mature adults or seniors, age 50 and older, a safe environment and health-care services are especially important because the risk of injury and disease increases, while the chance of changing behavior decreases.
Areas of concern among this population are independence; optimal physical, emotional, mental and sexual health; and social functioning among other adults.
At this stage of life, many people have developed at least two chronic diseases. No matter what chronic disease you may be managing it is important that you make an effort to improve your overall behavior to promote a healthy lifestyle and live better and longer.
The primary goal in this age population is to try to eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables every day, while keeping the diet low in saturated fat.
This is vital for maintaining health in this population. A balanced diet decreases the occurrence of chronic diseases and the likelihood of complications from illnesses or conditions they may have.
Mature adults should talk to their primary-care provider regarding supplements or vitamins to ensure that they are getting all the nutrients they need to stay healthy.
Another goal for this population is maintaining optimal function of the body.
This population is at high risk of falls because of chronic diseases, medications and other factors that could alter a person's walk or increase their chances of being dizzy.
Physical activity is important in this age group because it maintains health, reduces anxiety and depression and decreases hospitalizations and doctor visits.
Simple exercises can be beneficial, such as walking, sweeping, gardening or riding a bike. It is important that exercises are weight bearing, but exercises do not have to be strenuous to be good for you.
This is the age range in which maintenance of chronic conditions — diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol — is important to decrease the chances of complications and maintain optimal health.
This is where the patient-doctor relationship is important because treatment needs to be individualized so that the patient has no problem doing what needs to be done to maintain health.
Pneumonia is the biggest risk among this population, especially those with chronic diseases. Therefore, it is important that individuals in this population, those older than 65 in particular, are vaccinated yearly for influenza.
This population is at highest risk for developing cognitive impairments, such as dementia, depression and anxiety. Therefore, it is important that cognitive ability is maintained.
Just as in the middle adult population, there are a number of things the mature adults can do to maintain optimal cognitive ability, including crossword puzzles, reading the newspaper and participating in other activities that allow them to interact with other people.
The greatest risk for this group is falls, which can lead to fractures in the hips, wrists, legs, etc.
For this reason, it is important that the mature adult has an environment that is as hazard-free as possible.
This means homes should be free of rugs or other objects that may cause them to trip and fall. There also should be grab bars on the walls in the homes, good lighting and clear pathways, especially to the bathroom in case they have to get up during the night.
This age group is in the period of life when there a variety of things affecting their health and their ability to take care of themselves. It is important that small changes are implemented in order to sustain their current health status while keeping them as independent as possible.
Why not help our more mature adults maintain their health status? How can you help the mature adults in your life?
For more ideas about how to promote optimal health for seniors, visit the Centers for Disease Control Web site at www.cdc.gov. For other ideas, contact your primary care provider.
- Courtney Young, MPH, a native of Greenwood, is currently working on her master's degree at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. She is a second-year nursing student in the Family Nurse Practitioner program.
