Study Finds Even Senior Citizens Are Not Too Old to
Benefit from Changing Bad Habits
Geriatric expert offers suggestions on how seniors
can change some common bad habits
April 24, 2009 - Its never too late to benefit
from changing bad habits, says a study that looked at 2,000 senior
citizens. The studys author offers seniors professional advice on how
to succeed in changing some of the most common bad habits of many older
people.
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The study followed seniors who were current
smokers, past smokers and had never smoked. The three groups were
compared after five years to see if there was a link between smoking and
the speed at which participants walked.
It was discovered that smokers showed a
significantly slower pace in their gait than those who had previously
smoked. These study results suggest that even at an older age, changing
bad habits such as smoking can positively impact a senior's health later
in life, according to the author.
Eliminating bad habits such as poor food choices
and lack of exercise which can lead to weight gain or poor muscle
condition has been an ongoing struggle for seniors. And, according to
Alison Moore, M.D., member of the American Geriatrics Society (AGS), the
most important part of successfully changing bad habits is to go into
the transformation with a positive attitude.
Research linking bad habits such as smoking and the
direct impact on a senior's health will be presented during the American
Geriatrics Society's Annual Meeting April 29 - May 3 in Chicago.
Dr. Moore, an Associate Professor, Division of
Geriatrics, UCLA School of Medicine,
offers the following suggestions to help older adults conquer some of
the more common bad habits:
Bad Food Choices: Excess weight can cause
multiple health problems and complications, including diabetes, heart
disease and stroke. Substituting good carbohydrates (sweet potatoes,
wheat bread, brown rice) for bad carbohydrates (white potatoes, white
bread, white rice) and adding lean proteins, while limiting foods with
high fat and sugar contents, will help seniors maintain a healthy
weight.
Smoking and Drinking: Smoking and excessive
alcohol intake is proven to have negative health effects on a person at
any age, but seniors who smoke and drink regularly increase their
chances of more advanced medical problems. The effects of many
medications are altered when mixed with alcohol, which can pose serious
health risks, especially for seniors taking multiple medications.
"Couch Potato Syndrome": As people age, they
often slow down and feel like they can't do as much as they did when
they were young. While physical activity sometimes becomes restricted
due to health ailments, that doesn't mean the brain needs to slow down.
There are a variety of activities seniors can do to keep their minds
focused and sharp, including word puzzles, interactive games, joining a
book club or participating in other social and volunteer activities.
Adjusting Medications: The majority of
seniors are on multiple medications and sometimes find it difficult or
too bothersome to remember when and which medications to take each day.
As a result, some seniors "adjust" their daily medication routine
without talking to their physicians. To help keep medications organized
and alleviate frustration, seniors should use weekly or monthly pill
boxes and have a family member or friend help them fill pill boxes on a
regular basis or make a color coded chart to help keep track of their
pills and the times they need to be taken.
Lack of Exercise: Keeping physically active
is integral to keeping the heart, mind and bones healthy. For some
seniors, physical restrictions make exercise a challenge, but there are
still small ways to incorporate physical activity into a daily routine,
such as parking further away from the store to get in a short walk. And,
programs such as yoga, Pilates or Tai Chi can help with balance and
weight loss and can be adapted to all levels of physical ability.
About American Geriatrics Society
Founded in 1942, the American Geriatrics Society (www.americangeriatrics.org)
is a nationwide, not-for-profit association of geriatrics health care
professionals dedicated to improving the health, independence, and
quality of life of all older people. The Society supports this mission
through activities in clinical practice, professional and public
education, research, and public policy. With an active membership of
over 6,500 health care professionals, the Society has become a pivotal
force in shaping attitudes, policies, and practices in geriatric
medicine.
