Our Health as We Age

First let us acknowledge that everyone is different, but for a cohort of people there are certain trends we would like you to be aware of.

1. According to doctors, as we age and especially beyond age 80, we may forget words, have difficulty performing cognitive tasks and have slightly slower reaction time in a healthy person. This is because the brain shrinks as we age and have brain cell loss. In some people, notably 10.9% in 2019, according to the National Health and Aging Trend Study, people who get dementia are between age 80 and 84.

2. Vision gets worse as we age. Cataracts occur in close to 70% of people over 80. Hearing loss also occurs, but this can happen in someone’s 40s. People who don’t take their hearing loss seriously go on to develop Alzheimer’s or dementia.

 4. As we age, we lose some of out tastes buds and ability to smell, which causes us to eat less. This is why some older people have a nutritional deficiency. Older individuals lose muscle mass and a slowing metabolism cause eating less. Again, some people in their 60s and older have acid reflux disease.

5. Our bones become more brittle as we age. Women lose estrogen after menopause. These 2 factors cause osteopenia and osteoporosis. Luckily, there are vitamins that work that can reverse these conditions. These conditions cause bones to break and humped over people. It is critical to take the necessary vitamins to mitigate these conditions. Also, our cartilage begins to wear down and people over 65 have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis. This can occur before age 65. Falls are more common as we age and hip fractures occur.

6. We should continue to exercise and stretch throughout life, even if it is just walking. Many healthy 80-year-olds are healthy and agile. They continue to exercise and use weights. There are modifications that could occur with people who have injuries and osteoarthritis. According to doctors, adults, begin to lose muscle mass and gain fat as we age. Sarcopenia hits between 42% and 62% of adults in their mid-80s. Symptoms include difficulty walking upstairs, holding food and shopping bags and even walking. 

7. Skin changes occur as we age. Wrinkles, rougher-looking skin from slower exfoliation and skin cancer. 65 years old is the average year when melanoma shows up, a deadly form of skin cancer. Melanoma is more prevalent in men, but also occurs in women.

8. Many older individuals do not sleep well. People over the age of 80 sleep one hour less than younger people. Many older adults wake up during the night. Older individuals spend less time in deep sleep.

While everyone ages differently and age doesn’t define a person’s health,

it is important to eat a healthy diet, exercise, be around family and friends and lead as full a life as you can.

If anyone needs help with any health care challenge,

please contact Health Advocate experts at info@healthadvocateexperts.com.