Seniors' Health Health Article

Definition

Seniors' health refers to the physical and mental conditions of senior citizens, those who are in their 60s and older.

Purpose

For a senior, the aging process and a person's lifestyle will affect health. People who maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, eat nutritionally, and don't smoke reduce the risk for many health conditions. This wellness allows people to live longer and to remain independent for more years. Smoking, obesity (excess weight), and lack of exercise shorten life and increase the risk for many health conditions.

Diet and exercise

Proper diet and regular exercise form the foundation of senior health. A nutritional diet and physical activity can help prevent diseases such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. A healthy diet can also help to manage diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

As people age, there is more of a need to exercise on a regular basis. According to the American Heart Association, the inactive person loses from 3–5% of muscle fiber each decade after age 30. That loss would total 30% of lost muscle fiber at age 60. Exercise helps to boost muscle strength. It could help to improve balance and coordination, and therefore help to prevent falls.

Organizations including the heart association advise that regular physical activity helps to prevent bone loss (osteoporosis) and the risk of conditions such as heart disease, Type II diabetes, colon cancer, stress, and depression. In addition, exercise can help a extend the lives of people with conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Osteoporosis

The longterm effects of hormone replacement therapy are not known. While one study concluded that HRT decreased the risk for breast cancer, another maintained the therapy increased the risk, and several other studies proved inconclusive.