There are some things that accompany the aging process over which we have no control, but it's never too late to correct bad habits, according to aging specialists. Giving up the bad habits becomes especially important to our health as we enter the senior years.
Positive change to correct years, sometimes decades, of damaging behavior doesn't necessarily mean making drastic changes all at once. In most cases, it is best to make slow, step-by-step progress for safe, healthy and permanent behavior changes.
According to Alison Moore, M.D., member of the American Geriatrics Society, "seniors should set small goals for themselves to feel a sense of achievement during this process. For example, an evening walk around the block each day is a good start on a long-term exercise routine, and over time will make a significant difference in a person's physical and mental health."
Eliminating bad habits such as poor food choices and lack of exercise - which can lead to weight gain or poor muscle condition - becomes critical to maintaining good health as we age. And, according to Moore, the most important part of successfully changing bad habits is to go into the transformation with a positive attitude.
She 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, whole wheat bread, brown rice) for bad carbohydrates (white bread, white potatoes, 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 are 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.
Source: http://www.seniorsdaily.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1044&Itemid=39
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
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