HealthyLife Articles

Category: Mature Health: Over Age 50

Stress Relief For Caregivers

Mature Health: Over Age 50

If you’re the primary caregiver for a spouse, parent, or other relative, you face a tough challenge. Here’s what you can do to make the workload easier.

* Set up the sickroom on the main floor, so you don’t have to continually go up and down stairs.

* Purchase or rent equipment that will make caregiving easier. Examples include an electric hospital bed, an over-bed table, and a walker or wheelchair.

* Keep clean bed linens, towels, washcloths, hand lotion, drinking cups, and other supplies in or near the sickroom.

* Develop a daily schedule and stick to it.

To reduce the stress of your ongoing responsibility:

* Delegate some tasks to family and friends.

* Investigate community services that provide transportation, deliver meals, and provide other kinds of help.

* Enlist the services of a home health care agency. The social service or discharge planning department of your hospital, Social Security Administration, local agency on aging, county public health department, or your physician, can refer you to an agency in your area.

* Plan to get out of the house to shop or socialize at least one day a week.

* Find out if the cost of hiring help to care for someone at home is covered by your medical insurance provider, Medicaid, or Medicare. The Veterans Administration may be able to provide financial assistance for veterans’ medical or nursing care.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
A Diet For Lifetime Health

Mature Health: Over Age 50

Studies show that some older adults are deficient in vitamins B6, B12, and folate (a B vitamin). To guard against vitamin deficiencies, plan a diet that includes food sources of these nutrients.

* Lean meats, chicken, organ meats and fish, are high in B6.

* Milk, eggs, and lean meats are excellent sources of B12.

* Asparagus, brussels sprouts, and almost all green, leafy vegetables are high in folate. Other sources are cantaloupe, orange juice, and fortified grain products.

* Citrus fruits, tomatoes, cantaloupe, strawberries, green pepper, and broccoli are rich in vitamin C.

It is also important to get adequate protein and calcium daily. Low-fat dairy products are rich sources of calcium. Two servings a day of 2 to 3 ounces of meat, chicken, or fish provide the protein you need. Other sources of protein include cooked dried beans, peanut butter, milk, and eggs.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Don’t Be Duped By Antiwrinkle Creams

Mature Health: Over Age 50

Don’t be misled by over-the-counter skin care products that claim to get rid of wrinkles. There’s no such thing. The closest thing to a wrinkleremoving cream is retinoic acid, a synthetic form of vitamin A. Applied to the skin surface, retinoic acid increases blood flow and stimulates skin cells called fibroblasts to produce new collagen (a protein that keeps skin smooth). This process can help to reduce tiny wrinkles and make deep wrinkles less noticeable. Retinoic acid also speeds up the rate that your skin’s cells move to the surface and die off to be replaced with new cells, so your skin looks younger.

Retinoic acid is available as Retinol in over-the-counter products and by prescription under the trade name Retin-A. Regular vitamin A has no effect on wrinkles, whether it’s taken orally or applied directly to the skin.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Tips For Good Digestion

Mature Health: Over Age 50

Around the age of 40, people begin to notice that they can’t tolerate certain foods as well as they used to. As you get older, your stomach produces a smaller volume of digestive enzymes and other secretions, and your body may not digest or absorb foods as easily as it did when you were younger.

If you are prone to digestive problems, follow these tips.

* See a dentist if you are having trouble with your teeth or dentures. Poorly fitting dentures, sensitive teeth, and diseased gums can make chewing difficult.

* Eat smaller, lighter meals, spaced throughout the day, instead of heavy meals. As a person ages, the blood supply to the small intestine declines, hindering the absorption of nutrients from a sudden, large delivery of food.

* To prevent gas and bloating, don’t gulp liquids or talk while chewing food.

* Limit the amount of gas-producing foods you eat. Cabbage, onions, and cooked dried beans are common offenders.

* Eliminate milk products from your diet if they cause bloating, intestinal gas, or diarrhea, but be sure to supplement your diet with calcium. (You may be able to tolerate small amounts of milk products if you treat them with Lactaid, a digestive aid sold in many health food stores.

* Avoid wearing tight clothing around your waist at mealtime.

* Don’t lie down for at least 2 hours after you’ve finished a meal, and don’t eat right before bedtime.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Guard Against Macular Degeneration

Mature Health: Over Age 50

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of central vision loss for those over 55 years of age. The central part of the retina (the macula) deteriorates, leading to loss of “straight ahead” vision. One or both eyes can be affected. If you are 50 years of age or older, ask your eye doctor to check for macular degeneration at routine vision exams. Ask, too, for a simple home screening device that lets you check for signs of macular degeneration on your own.

To reduce the risk for macular degeneration:

* Keep your blood pressure at a normal level.

* Maintain a healthy weight.

* Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit.

* Protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Wear sunglasses with UV block. Wear a wide-brimmed hat.

* Talk to your doctor about taking a high dose vitamin and mineral supplement to reduce the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Healthy Aging

Mature Health: Over Age 50

Physical activity is a cornerstone of healthy aging. Studies show people who exercise regularly live longer and may live better, without pain or disability.

If you exercise on a regular basis, good for you! Keep it up! If not, now is the time to start. Check with a doctor before you begin an exercise program. Choose activities you can do and enjoy. Start out slowly and progress slowly. Some exercise is better than no exercise.

Research shows that eating a Mediterranean-style diet has both physical and mental health benefits that support healthy aging. This eating style includes plenty of vegetables and fruit, whole grains, healthy fats, more fish and less processed foods.

Staying mentally active is linked to physical and mental health and may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Find ways to lower stress and increase emotional well-being.

Exercise your memory and your mind. Continue to learn new things. Read. Join a club.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Help For Bladder Control

Mature Health: Over Age 50

Many people are inconvenienced and embarrassed by urinary incontinence-they leak urine when they laugh, cough, sneeze, or lift heavy objects.

Incontinence can be caused when muscles used to control the bladder weaken due to childbirth or prostate surgery. Neurological complications caused by injury or stroke, or neurologic disease (like multiple sclerosis) can also weaken bladder control. So can diabetes. But the most common cause of urinary incontinence in the older population is what doctors call urge incontinence or bladder instability: Frequent, involuntary bladder contractions release small amounts of urine.

If urinary incontinence is a problem for you, see a urologist, a doctor who specializes in problems and diseases of the urinary system. Medications, biofeedback bladder training, exercise, or surgery can improve or cure urinary incontinence.

To help manage urinary incontinence:

* Empty your bladder at least every 2 hours.

* Avoid highly spiced foods, which irritate the bladder. Avoid caffeine and alcohol at least 4 hours before bedtime.

* Practice Kegel exercises to improve bladder control. To feel the muscles to be exercised, practice stopping the flow of urine.

Then practice the following three exercises.

* Squeeze these muscles for 3 seconds, then relax the muscles for 3 seconds. Do this ten times, three times a day.

* Squeeze and relax the muscles as quickly as possible. Repeat ten times, three times a day.

* For women only: Imagine pulling up a tampon in the vagina. Hold for 3 seconds. Then bear down as if having a bowel movement, holding for 3 seconds.

* If you wear sanitary pads or incontinence pads, change them often to prevent odor and infection.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Help For Hearing Loss

Mature Health: Over Age 50

Do people seem to mumble a lot lately? Do you have trouble hearing in church or theaters? Do you lose the thread of conversation at the dinner table or at family gatherings? Does your family repeatedly ask you to turn down the volume on the TV or radio?

These are signs of gradual, age-related hearing loss called presbycusis. High-pitched sounds are especially difficult to discern. Another way to detect this problem is to hold a watch to your ear. If you can’t hear it ticking, see an otolaryngologist (a physician who treats disorders of the ear, nose, and throat) or an otologist (a physician who specializes in ear disorders).

You should also get help if one or both ears ring continuously, or if loud noises cause pain in your ears.

Hearing loss from presbycusis cannot be restored, but hearing aids. along with the following self-help methods, are helpful.

* Ask people to speak clearly, distinctly, and in a normal tone.

* Look at people when they are talking to you. Watch their expressions to help you understand what they are saying. Ask them to face you.

* Try to limit background noise when having a conversation.

* In a church or theater, sit near, but not in the front row. Sit in the third or fourth row with people sitting around you.

* To rely on sight instead of sound, install a buzzer, flasher, or amplifier on your telephone, door chime, and alarm clock.

Also, an audiologist (hearing therapist) may be able to show you other techniques for “training” yourself to hear better.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Hospice Care

Mature Health: Over Age 50

Hospice care is for people with a terminal illness. To enter a hospice program (and to receive Medicare benefits), a doctor’s diagnosis is required stating that life expectancy is no more than about 6 months. No efforts are made to prolong life or to hasten death. The patient is kept comfortable and pain free. Hospice eases the process of dying. Most referrals for hospice come from doctors. Hospice care may be provided in:

* The home. Eighty percent of persons enrolled in hospice are cared for at home.

* A hospital

* A nursing home

* A hospice facility

The bulk of care, especially with home hospice, is usually given by family members and friends. It is supported by a hospice care team which includes doctors, social workers, therapists, volunteers, clergy, nurses, and family members. The team plans care that ensures quality of life. {Note: VA offers Hospice & Palliative Care.}

Most health insurance plans include the option of hospice care. Medicare and Medicaid cover the costs if the facility or hospice organization is certified by them. Under Medicare, the length of stay is two 90 day benefit periods. This may be followed by a 30 day period. Extensions are available. Persons must be certified to be terminally ill at the start of each period.

Sometimes patients are charged if they do not qualify for reimbursement. Hospice care is based on need. No one is rejected for lack of finances.

Some advantages to hospice care include:

* Availability of 24 hour a day, 7 day a week assistance. This is true for hospice care in hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice facilities. Find out if the home hospice program offers this service.

* Respite for family caretakers when care is given in the home

* Emotional comfort and support by trained hospice staff and volunteers

* Bereavement counseling

Resources

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization

1-703-837-1500

www.nhpco.org

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Housing Options

Mature Health: Over Age 50

Some people find the upkeep for a house too demanding. Health concerns may not allow some people to meet these demands. Consider other housing options:

* Condominium. This is a townhouse or apartment that is privately owned. A fee is charged to cover maintenance of items like the lawn, swimming pool, etc.

* Co-Operative. This is a housing facility where everyone owns a share. People live in unit apartments and vote on key issues.

* Rental. A landlord takes care of maintenance. Residents pay a monthly rental fee plus a security deposit.

* Retirement Community/Assisted Living Facility. Residents live independently, but have services available to them. These include recreation activities, meals served in a common area, transportation. Often a social worker or counselor is on site. There may be age restrictions.

* Federal Housing. This is independent living for those over 62 years old with low to moderate incomes.

* Group Housing/Adult Custodial Care Homes. These provide room and board for those in need of nonmedical care. Help with daily living makes this option well suited for Alzheimer’s patients.

* Life Care at Home (LCAH). Services are given in one’s own home. Start up and monthly fees apply. A manager personalizes a program of care to meet the client’s needs.

* Intermediate Care. This is a residence for those who should not live alone, but can manage simple personal care, like dressing. Meals are provided. Cleaning services and nursing care are offered on site.

* Nursing Homes. These are designed for people who require care 24 hours a day. These are medically supervised. Find and compare nursing homes in your area atwww.medicare.gov/NHCompare/home.asp.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026