Page 24 - KC Cunningham Issue

A guide for family, friends and loved

ones in preparing for the effects of the

growing elder population …a Public

Service from “Those Who Care”

Provided by Visiting Angels
America’s Choice in Homecare! ™

Physical Fitness and Our Aging Population

It’s not a secret that we are living longer. However, what eat better, he became healthier. He lost his diabetic
may not be widely acknowledged is that the United States tendencies and even improved his heart, to the point that
now has more elderly citizens than teenagers. How is this doctors felt his last ten years of life were all a result of his im-
possible? Medical technology certainly has much to do with proved life style – and he did not even incorporate exercise
prolonging life, yet just living longer does not mean you into those changes.
are living a healthier life. For example, simply walk through Aging is not only the accumulation of genetic reactions in
nearly any senior apartment complex in America and look our bodies, but the accumulation of poor habits, in the forms
at how many folks are sitting watching television all day of eating and physical activity. When we let “ourselves go,”
long - just sitting all day long. Are these seniors healthy? we allow these poor habits to take effect on our already ag-
Or, are they aging more slowly than their parents did due to ing bodies, speeding the process along. Take for example
increased medical advances and medications? I, as many of the number one problem with our elderly - falling. Falling is
you would, vote for the latter. the result of a person’s inability to maintain balance. This is
24 So, how to change this situation? Physical activity is the a result of the person’s psychological fear of actually falling
answer. Now I know that doesn’t surprise most of you, (and the resulting physical damage the person may incur,
however, the scope of the affect of regular physical activity i.e., broken hip, fractured arm, etc.), and their physical inabil-
on developing a “healthy” life style is impressive. Regular ity to stop themselves from actually falling (which requires
exercise can even go so far as to eliminate the need for muscle strength). Thus, a regular routine of not only aerobic
medical intervention with regard to many of our illnesses that exercise, but also strength training would go a long way in
seem to be so prevalent in today’s world. An example would helping to eliminate the incidences of falling, especially in
be diabetes. We would agree that many Americans are over- our elder population. For as our muscles gain strength, so
weight. We would also agree that as we age, we tend to put does our ability to control our bodies’ movements, thus the
on needless pounds. And, we might also agree that many of increase in the ability to prevent a fall.
those needless pounds are a direct result of a lessening of Exercise, both aerobic and weight training, is the way to go,
regular physical activity (not to mention an unhealthy diet). for all adults. The programs that include these two forms of
One result of this increase in weight is the strong possibility exercise will assist in reducing the need for medical interven-
of developing diabetes. My dad was a typical middle class tion, especially as we age. With less required medical inter-
businessman in the 60’s and 70’s. He regularly had his “two vention, our elder population can remain more independent
martini” lunches, and, I can’t remember a day seeing my dad for longer periods, and, isn’t that what we all fear the most,
exercise, other than ride the golf cart around eighteen holes losing our independence? So, think of ways that exercise
on Saturday morning. can be incorporated into the caregiving process. Talk to your
Granted the life style of the day was not as advanced with loved one to see how they feel about increasing physical ac-
respect to exercise as it is today, so the proliferation of tivities in their routines. You are already making a significant
“gyms” as we understand them now had not yet begun. Also, difference in the lives of your care recipient. Wouldn’t it be
“back in the day,” people’s routines lent themselves to more nice to have them be around even longer, and maybe even
exercise (i.e., cutting their own lawns, shoveling their own get healthier in the process?
driveways in the winter, painting their own houses, etc.). Yet,
we know now that regular exercise and better eating habits,
or being “fit,” is the way to go if you want to live a healthier
life. That requires some effort on the part of an individual in
order to achieve the desired result: live not only longer, but
healthier. As my dad began to lose weight, stop drinking, and
March/April 2010