Is a person's age more than just an number? Yes and no. Today the news made note that Nancy Reagan is celebrating her 90th birthday. Last week, at the conference we attended, a friend was serenaded in the hospitality suite to mark her 90th birthday. Betty White is spry and active at 89 and Ernest Borgnine is past 90 and still working. There are people well into their 8th and 9th decades celebrated for their level of activity on a regular basis. The thing to keep in mind is that they are celebrated because they are outside of the norm. Most of us are not physically active and in good health past 75 or 80. It is advantageous of us to begin to help gradually as our loved ones age.
We need to acknowledge that our loved ones are probably slowing down as they age. Bone strength can be promoted by weight bearing exercise but bone loss will eventually catch up with all of us as we age. Women represent a greater percent of those who experience osteoporosis because of two factors. Women have less bone mass at the peak of skeletal strength and we live longer into the ages that result in bone loss. Men will also experience bone loss as they age but they start with more. Other effects of increasing age include a loss of muscle mass and strength, diminished collagen under the skin which results in wrinkles, and diminished sensory sensitivity.
A diminished sense of taste and smell makes food less appealing and appetites often decrease. This will result in weight loss and poor nutrition if we don't find ways to help our aging relatives find ways to enjoy food with more intense flavors as well as good nutritional content.
Keeping active physically will improve bone mass and muscle strength. It will be helpful to promote exercise if we attend classes or the gym at the same time. If you ask them to come to support you in your efforts to be more fit they may see it as a means to help you even if it is really the other way round. Of course, it never hurts to be more active ourselves.
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