Consuelo H. Wilkins, M.D.
Advances in research and health care have helped increase life expectancy from 68.1 years in 1950 to 77.8 years in 2005. Sadly, large differences in life expectancy exist between racial groups and socioeconomic status and African Americans have much shorter life expectancies compared to other Americans. Life expectancy in the predominantly African-American north St. Louis zip code 63113 is 64.2 years compared to 79.1 years in the predominantly white south St. Louis zip code 63109. African Americans who do live beyond age 65 often endure more physical/functional limitations.
Although various factors such as access to health care and differences in treatment options/choices contribute to these substantial differences in life expectancy, many older adults expect to have a decline in health. This expectation and the acceptance of poor health often lead to not reporting symptoms/changes to their physician (or family) and reluctance to seeking health care early.
I have always been passionate about caring for older adults and wanted to be a geriatrician even before I knew the official name for the occupation. My grandparents and ‘adopted’ grandparents were very influential in my life and were all very generous, caring, patient, and wise.
Unfortunately my grandparents’ health caused them to have significant declines in their ability to function independently. While they accepted the changes ‘gracefully’, I often wondered whether simple changes could have kept them more independent and healthy.
Families often unintentionally help older adults lose their independence. A common example- an older adult who was previously independent asks family members to do their grocery shopping. Family wants to be helpful so they don’t ask why their loved one doesn’t want to or isn’t able to do their own shopping, they simply do the task. But slowly, the family begins to assume more responsibilities. The changes in function may go unrecognized until there is significant functional impairment. Even then, families (and the older person) will say, ‘they are just getting old’.
The truth is- there are very few changes that occur due to aging alone. Most functional changes seen in the elderly are due to chronic diseases and can often be treated, especially if recognized early.
Here are some tips to avoid the premature/excess disability that often accompanies aging. The tips are listed in three categories: prevention, screening, and treatment.
Prevention-
– Exercise- it’s never too late to start. Studies show that even people over the age of 85 can benefit from exercising 3 or more days a week. Simple exercises such as walking can particularly help improve balance, prevent falls and maintain bone density. This is important to preventing fractures which are the most common injuries in older adults.
– Eat healthy. A nutritious diet is important at every age. By maintaining a healthy body weight, symptoms of arthritis can be significantly reduced.
Screening-
– Getting screened for the most common cancers is very important to identify cancer in its earliest possible stage. Screening for breast cancer with mammography should begin at age 40 and screening for colon cancer should begin at age 50 (unless you have other risk factors for these cancers such as family history. Men should speak with their physicians regarding the need for prostate cancer screening at age 45 or earlier. There is no age limit for screening so it should continue as long as the person is healthy enough to benefit.
– Screening for high blood pressure (yearly), depression, osteoporosis, and several other conditions is also recommended.
Treatment-
– Chronic diseases like diabetes often contribute to impairments in the elderly such as impaired mobility, visual impairments, and occasionally amputations. It is important to continue treatments for chronic disease until the prescribing physician cancels the treatment.
It’s important to remember that individuals and their families have a role in aging successfully!