This is an update to post #5 from February 2021. It’s not intended to cover every single health-related issue in retirement, but rather to bring awareness of some common issues, and possibly stir up a little dialogue, or at least shared information.
In previous posts I mentioned my perspective in viewing the future as I observe my 90+ year old parents’ health struggles and what I might experience 25 years from now (assuming I’m blessed to live that long). In post #5 I threw out a handful of age-related potential health issues for thought. Fourteen months of “senior living” later, it’s worth expanding that list and putting it out again for possible comment. Every day brings a new education on one health issue or another.
We’re at the younger end of the age range for this retirement community population we moved into three months ago. Most have been here 15-20 years. Heart disease issues seem to be the most common ailment. At least once a week we hear of another acquaintance suffering a heart attack or stroke. It’s one of the few downsides we’re experiencing in such a community.
My top two health concerns are mental health and mobility.
For mental health, I’m referring specifically to Dementia and Alzheimer’s and their impact on memory. From ALZ.org: “Dementia is the term applied to a group of symptoms that negatively impact memory, but Alzheimer’s is a specific progressive disease of the brain that slowly causes impairment in memory and cognitive function.” To me, the end result is the same. The list of friends impacted by one or the other is expanding as I get older. There’s growing research on causes and possible medical solutions, but both remain great mysteries to the medical community. How does one approach a situation dealing with parents, spouse, siblings or close friends who are suffering from these conditions- as memory loss and personal recognition steadily get worse? What if you are diagnosed with one or the other?
Mobility seems to be another key to maintaining one’s independent lifestyle. One of my parents requires a walker 90% of the time, and moving about continues to become more difficult. For the other parent, a walker is required roughly 30% of the time. They should be in at least some level of assisted living (they are not). The conscience decision to move into assisted living is a lifestyle issue all by itself, and I’m trying not to judge my parents as they continue to put off this decision.
For most people I suspect the family of cancers would be the top health concern. It certainly deserves its own post sometime. Breast cancer and Pancreatic cancer are most sobering to me, but that’s not to downplay other deadly forms of cancer. It’s encouraging to see new standards for screening/detecting cancers, along with effective treatment options that go beyond radiation and/or chemotherapy.
Chronic pain in hips, back, knees, shoulders, elbows, and other joints are a reality for seniors which impact flexibility, stability, and dexterity. Loss of muscle mass and strength through the years are contributors. Here’s a related article:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4156923/
The cholesterol battle and struggles with weight control continue in advanced ages. And seniors are not immune from Type II Diabetes. But these are winnable battles (see below).
A year ago my primary care doctor said he could see the start of cataracts in the eyes, and last month’s hearing test documented hearing loss in on the edges of both frequency ends (“I could have told you that” says my dear wife).
But there’s good news. Keep in mind that I am nothing close to being a medical professional, but there are ways to successfully address so many of these conditions. First and foremost, it’s amazing how many benefits come from increasing the blood flow throughout the body, including the brain, via moderate exercise- to include walking/ stretching- and getting up to move around once an hour during waking hours. But this also includes improving the plumbing for blood flow, which can be accomplished via exercise and changes in diet. Check this out some time:
Do you want to positively address cholesterol, weight, most chronic diseases, heart disease, and get off most medicines in one step? Take some time to research a plant-based diet (which can also taste great).
Which leads to another positive step. Never has so much free, useful, readable medical information been available to us on the internet, streaming podcasts, etc. Spend some time researching. You might want to start at the government’s Medicare website to see what things are available (e.g., search for “Silver Sneaker” program), since you’re paying big bucks for the program.
Last, I am a huge fan of physical therapy. If you have any of the chronic muscle/joint pains mentioned earlier, consider going through a doctor-recommended physical therapy program, even for just a couple of weeks. In the past thirty years, 9 of the 10 times I pursued physical therapy I was able to eliminate the muscle/joint pain completely.
Would love to hear what you’re learning these days as your body gets older!