Aging Well
About 1% of
Americans live to be centenarians. You can increase your longevity by avoiding health
issues that come with age. Below are health conditions organized by decade,
tips for preventing them, and resources for healthy aging.
Stages
of Life
20's
Cancer is unlikely in the 20’s, but other health challenges can occur like infertility, muscle atrophy, sexually transmitted diseases, and weight gain. Protect skin with sunscreen and avoid over exposure to sunlight. Follow best practices for hygiene and nutrition. Maintain well-being with exercise and social activity throughout life. Get medical checkups every few years.
Cancer is unlikely in the 20’s, but other health challenges can occur like infertility, muscle atrophy, sexually transmitted diseases, and weight gain. Protect skin with sunscreen and avoid over exposure to sunlight. Follow best practices for hygiene and nutrition. Maintain well-being with exercise and social activity throughout life. Get medical checkups every few years.
30's
Slowing metabolism makes weight control more difficult in the 30’s. Hair may start receding, thinning, or turning gray. Skin cells won't form as quickly as in earlier years. Start using moisturizers and watch for unusual skin growths. Consider coloring to camouflage gray hair. Prioritize well-being with a nutritious diet, exercise schedule, and fitness tracker. Continue getting checkups every few years.
Slowing metabolism makes weight control more difficult in the 30’s. Hair may start receding, thinning, or turning gray. Skin cells won't form as quickly as in earlier years. Start using moisturizers and watch for unusual skin growths. Consider coloring to camouflage gray hair. Prioritize well-being with a nutritious diet, exercise schedule, and fitness tracker. Continue getting checkups every few years.
40's
Serious health issues begin to appear in the 40’s so consider switching to annual checkups. Exercise regularly to avoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis. Men should begin screening for prostate cancer. Women should screen for breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers. Colonoscopies are recommended for both men and women starting at age 45. Research your family health history and ask your doctor about appropriate screening and early treatment for genetically inherited diseases.
Serious health issues begin to appear in the 40’s so consider switching to annual checkups. Exercise regularly to avoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis. Men should begin screening for prostate cancer. Women should screen for breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers. Colonoscopies are recommended for both men and women starting at age 45. Research your family health history and ask your doctor about appropriate screening and early treatment for genetically inherited diseases.
50's
Many conditions
first appear in the 50's, including acid reflux, damaged skin, hair loss, heart
disease, impaired hearing, lactose intolerance, nearsightedness, and sleep
apnea. Immune systems become less responsive so consider getting vaccinated for
flu, hepatitis, pneumonia, shingles, and TDAP. Continue healthy lifestyles, annual
checkups, and screenings. Ask your doctor if you're at risk for artery disease.
Consider monitoring health with a wearable device like an Apple Watch, Google
Fitbit, Garmin Vivo, or Samsung Galaxy.
60's
and Older
Aging accelerates in the 60's. Some may
experience health conditions like Alzheimer's, arthritis, cancer, or cardiac
arrest. Many will have balance, hearing, or vision issues. Vitamin supplements
can offset age-related deficiency of vitamins D and B12. Weight training can
help prevent loss of height caused by compression of aging spinal cords. Drinking
more fluids and eating fibrous foods can prevent constipation that comes with aging. Enhance
your longevity and wellness with aerobics, nutritious diets, mental exercises,
and strength training. Maintain balance with resistance training and yoga
classes. Get a booster for flu, shingles and TDAP. Switch to annual eye exams.
Conclusion
Aging is inevitable, but many age-related problems can be avoided or reversed. Avoid stress, eat healthy, exercise daily, get periodic checkups, and sleep 7 to 9 hours every night. See the accompanying resources for more information about living a long, happy, healthy, and fulfilling life.
Aging is inevitable, but many age-related problems can be avoided or reversed. Avoid stress, eat healthy, exercise daily, get periodic checkups, and sleep 7 to 9 hours every night. See the accompanying resources for more information about living a long, happy, healthy, and fulfilling life.
Apps
Exercise - Nike Training
Meditation - Headspace
Nutrition - Fooducate
Tracking - Apple Health, Google Fit, and Samsung
Health
Weight - LoseIt
Articles
Joanne Declare, Healthy Aging by Decade, Kaiser Permanente, Mar.15, 2015.
Joanne Declare, Healthy Aging by Decade, Kaiser Permanente, Mar.15, 2015.
Michele Marill,
Is This Normal Aging or Not?, WebMD, May 4, 2022.
Sumathi Reddy, The Health Tests You Need at Age 30, 40 and 50, Wall Street Journal, May 18, 2023.
Staff, Aging: Aging: What to Expect, Mayo Clinic, May 31, 2023.
Staff, Complete Guide to
Annual Health Screenings by Age, Columbia University, Jan. 7, 2020
Staff, How Much Does Your Metabolism Slow Down as You Age, WebMD, Oct. 25, 2021.
Staff, Aging: Aging: What to Expect, Mayo Clinic, May 31, 2023.
Staff, How Much Does Your Metabolism Slow Down as You Age, WebMD, Oct. 25, 2021.
Neal Templin, Why You Should Lift Weights in Retirement, Forbes, Apr. 1, 2023.
Books
Stephen Kopecky, Live Younger Longer - 6 Steps to Prevent Heart Disease, Cancer, Alzheimer's, Diabetes and More, Mayo Clinic, Sep. 21, 2021.
Stephen Kopecky, Live Younger Longer - 6 Steps to Prevent Heart Disease, Cancer, Alzheimer's, Diabetes and More, Mayo Clinic, Sep. 21, 2021.
Rosanne
Leipzig, Honest Aging: An Insider's Guide to the Second Half of
Life, Johns
Hopkins Press, Jan. 10, 2023.
Stewart
L. Levine, The Best Lawyer You Can Be: A Guide to Physical,
Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Wellness, ABA Book Publishing, Aug 23, 2018.
Colleen Murphy, The Science of Aging, Princeton University Press, Nov 14, 2023.
Sanjeev
Nanda, A-Z Health Guide - What You Need to Know About Signs,
Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment, Mayo Clinic, Jan. 31, 2023.
Gail
Sheehy, Predictable Passages of Adult Life, Dutton, Oct. 8, 2013.
Videos
Websites
ABA Commission on Aging
ABA Commission on Aging
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