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Baby Boomers Put the Hurt on the Health Care System
July 28, 2005 - The oldest of the Baby Boomer
generation will turn 60 this fall, and unlike their predecessors, they
aren’t afraid to visit the doctor. In fact, their interest in staying
healthy coupled with their sheer numbers are taxing the health care
system more than any group in history.
“The impact of the boomer generation’s aging on the
health care system has been referred to as an age quake because
medically, it is the equivalent of a massive earthquake. The demands on
the system are enormous and growing,” says University of Michigan Health
System family physician Lee Green, M.D., M.P.H.
Boomers have a different set of expectations for
their health care than generations past.
“When my grandparents reached old age, health care
was something that people avoided, but boomers seek it out,” Green says.
“They expect to be healthy, stay healthy and be fixed when they aren’t
healthy.
“Boomers are making more doctor visits and using a
lot more prescription medications. Many of these medications are new and
quite expensive, and the number of lab tests that have to be done to
monitor all this is enormous.”
Members of the post World War II era, born between
1945 and 1965, baby boomers represent the largest group of health care
consumers in the country.
Green urges boomers to establish healthy lifestyles
and receive annual health screenings.
“A large number of people are developing obesity
and age-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure
and high cholesterol,” Green says. “That dominates the health care
system.”
Prevention and screening are the most important
issues for boomers, and prevention is more important, Green says. A
balanced diet and daily exercise – tried and true tactics – are
essential.
“Prevention is really about lifestyle,” he says.
“It’s the ‘eat your vegetables’ common sense that really makes the
difference in how long you live and how healthy you are getting there.”
Boomers should avoid prepared, high-fat and
high-salt foods, Green says. For information on a healthy diet, boomers
can reference U-M Integrative Medicine’s Healing Foods Pyramid at
http://www.med.umich.edu/umim/clinical/pyramid/index.htm.
Physical activity is a critical, yet often
neglected, part of staying healthy. At least 30 minutes of moderate
physical activity five times per week is recommended. Green suggests
that boomers choose a physical activity that they enjoy, such as biking,
water exercise or aerobics, and join a related club. Of course, any
significant changes in physical activity should be discussed with your
physician.
People who have no self-destructive habits, such as
smoking or excessive drinking, could expect to live into their 80s,
Green says. But it’s never too late to begin making lifestyle changes.
For example, the health benefits of quitting smoking are immediate and
substantial at any age, including an almost immediate improvement in
circulation and a decline in the level of carbon monoxide in the blood.
There aren’t necessarily any major screening issues
that begin at age 60, but people in this age group need to make
physician visits every year, Green says. Those 60 and older can also
work on prevention.
For example, it is possible to delay or prevent the
onset of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, a group of symptoms involving
progressive impairment of brain function.
“People who eat a healthier diet have less
Alzheimer’s disease,” Green says.
Furthermore, patients who have lower cholesterol
and a more active physical and mental lifestyle will not only stay more
mentally aware, but are less likely to suffer from series of small
strokes that can lead to dementia.
Boomers approaching age 50 have more time to begin
prevention measures, if they haven’t already.
“Age 50 is where breast cancer screening really
becomes important,” Green says. Women should get annual mammograms at
age 50 and beyond.
Screening for bowel cancer, which is less
talked-about but can be cured if caught early, should begin at age 50.
The American Cancer Society recommends screening
tests annually beginning at age 50 to men who have a life expectancy of
at least 10 years. Men at high risk should begin testing at age 45.
Prior to testing, men should have an opportunity to learn about the
benefits and limitations of testing, for early prostate cancer detection
and treatment.
Because the usefulness of breast and bowel cancer screenings is clear,
Green advises that people pay most attention to these and other
screenings that are recommended based on their family history and
risk-factors such as ethnic background.
At the back end of the baby boom population is the
group turning 40 this year. Women in this age group should start
thinking about getting a baseline mammogram. Exercise, too, plays a more
important role.
“A change in thinking needs to happen around age 40
about exercise,” Green says. “When you’re past 40, exercise is no longer
a recreational pursuit; it’s part of your health and needs to be thought
of as that kind of priority.”
Vaccinations for adults are important, as well,
especially for people in their 50s, Green says.
“The vaccine to prevent pneumococcal pneumonia is
generally of benefit at age 55 or older. Another good reason to be seen
annually is to get the flu shot,” he says, noting that tetanus shots
should also be updated every 10 years.
Even with today’s continuously advancing medical
technology, there is no miracle pill one can take that will counteract
the effects of human aging. A baby boomer’s best defense against time
may quite literally be a good offense.
“Primary prevention, meaning taking steps to not
get the disease, is truly the best treatment,” Green says, “The most
important thing for baby boomers or anyone else who hopes to live to a
healthy old age is to establish a healthy lifestyle and live that
lifestyle into old age.”
Many baby boomers are interested in ideas such as
the whole-body CAT scan to serve as a screening technique. According to
Green, these are just “unfortunate distractions.”
“CAT scans are fashionable, CAT scans are fancy,
but vegetables will make you live longer,” he says.
Tips:
•Learn your family’s medical history and discuss it with your physician.
•Know your personal medical history and keep a record of all
medications, immunizations, shots, hospital visits and surgeries.
•Try to get 30 minutes or more of moderate physical activity at least
five days per week.
•Choose a physical activity that you enjoy doing, such as biking, water
exercise or aerobics, and join a related club. Note: Discuss significant
changes in physical activity with your physician.
•Eat lots of whole grains, vegetables and fruits, while avoiding
prepared, high-fat and high-salt foods.
•Get routine medical exams and the screenings recommended for a person
of your age, sex and medical history.
•Prepare for visits to the doctor by writing down questions you have and
recording details about your symptoms.
•If your health plan offers them, take classes on quitting smoking,
nutrition, exercise and stress reduction. Support groups or counseling
may also be available.
For more information, visit these Web sites:
U-M Health Topics A-Z
Colonoscopy information
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/umcolon.htm
Mammograms
http://www.cancer.med.umich.edu/learn/mammogram.htm
University of Michigan Integrative Medicine’s
Healing Foods pyramid
http://www.med.umich.edu/umim/clinical/pyramid/index.htm
Eating Healthy Snacks
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/aha_snack_sma.htm
Eating Foods Low in Salt
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/aha_svhpt-na_car.htm
Diabetes: Food Management
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/aha_diabfooa_crs.htm
Exercise: It’s never too late to improve your
fitness
http://www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2004/hmelderly.htm
Memory and Aging
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/ummemory.htm
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