It’s Entirely Natural - Articles

You cannot reverse the signs of aging but you can certainly make the process less painful. When you know what to expect, you can begin to prepare for it. Growing old is more than just wrinkles and gray hair. There are a few more aches and pains to go along with them!

The oldest documented living person was 122 years old. That is quite a life expectancy! Many people are living longer thanks to better health, medications and living conditions. At the turn of the century, the average life expectancy was around 55 years of age. My, how society has improved … with age of course!

You should expect that your body is going to show those signs of aging. However, you don’t have to take them lying down. You can take as many preventative measures as possible to greatly slow the process. Many older adults are successful. The key to success is a realistic view of old age, a healthy diet and of course, safe exercise for endurance, flexibility, strength and weight.

Brain power

Many older adults worry most about losing their minds to Alzheimer’s or dementia. As long as you eat healthy, exercise and challenge your brain frequently, you should be able to avoid this problem. Keep in mind that some forgetfulness is natural though!

The thinning process

As you age, there are quite a few things on and in your body that tend to thin. Your hair gets thinner as well as your skin. You lose a bit of elasticity as a result. Repeated sun block and moisturizers help a lot.

Your retina thins out affecting vision and your auditory canal thins affecting your hearing. Some blood vessels like capillaries thin, which along with thinner skin, makes you more prone to bruising.

Slowing down

Many body processes start to slow down. You digestion slows which may be the reason why you get heartburn or indigestion. In addition, your metabolism slows which means gaining weight, unless you keep up with exercise to burn calories.

Your joints, muscles and bones contribute to the slowing down process. Bones become less dense and weaker while your joints get stiffer and your muscles weaker. This slows down reflexes. Only through exercise can you greatly slow down this slow body downturn.

Other body issues

Some older adults may experience incontinence because bladder muscles weaken. Sex may be a problem thanks to menopause or erectile dysfunction. Sleep becomes disrupted and you may not get as much as you need to rejuvenate your body and mind. Heart, kidneys and bladder also work less efficiently so you have to compensate with better diet and exercise.

All in all, growing older seems like a raw deal all around. This doesn’t have to be true however. Many older adults have a great time in retirement and love being older and wiser. A lifetime a good habits will buy you a better lifestyle in retirement. Just remember that it is never too late to adopt healthier habits like a better diet and exercise.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Healthy Retirement.

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Tags: aging, brain power, exercise, healthy retirment, Menopause, older adults

You cannot reverse the signs of aging but it certainly doesn’t have to be something to fear. When you know what to expect, you can take steps in advance in preparation of it. Growing old is more than just wrinkles and gray hair. There are a few more aches and pains to go along with them!

The oldest documented living person was 122 years old. That is quite a life expectancy! Many people are living longer thanks to better health, medications and living conditions. At the turn of the century, the average life expectancy was around 55 years of age. My, how society has improved … with age of course!

You should expect that your body is going to show those signs of aging. However, you don’t have to take them lying down. There are many preventative measures that can be taken to slow the process. Many older adults are successful. The key to success is a realistic view of old age, a healthy diet and of course, safe exercise for endurance, flexibility, strength and weight.

Brain Power

Alzheimer’s or dementia is a real and realistic fear for the elderly. As long as you eat healthy, exercise and challenge your brain frequently, you should be able to avoid this problem. Keep in mind that some forgetfulness is natural though!

The Thinning Process

As you age, there are quite a few things on and in your body that tend to thin. Your hair gets thinner as well as your skin. You lose a bit of elasticity as a result. Repeated sun block and moisturizers help a lot.

Your retina thins out affecting vision and your auditory canal thins affecting your hearing. Some blood vessels like capillaries thin, which along with thinner skin, makes you more prone to bruising.

Slowing Down

Many body processes start to slow down. Your digestion slows which may be the reason why you get heartburn or indigestion. In addition, your metabolism slows which means gaining weight, unless you keep up with exercise to burn calories.

Your joints, muscles and bones contribute to the slowing down process. Bones become less dense and weaker while your joints get stiffer and your muscles weaker. This slows down reflexes. Only through exercise can you greatly slow down this slow body downturn.

Other Body Issues

Some older adults may experience incontinence because bladder muscles weaken. Sex may be a problem thanks to menopause or erectile dysfunction. Sleep becomes disrupted and you may not get as much as you need to rejuvenate your body and mind. Heart, kidneys and bladder also work less efficiently so you have to compensate with better diet and exercise.

All in all, growing older seems like a raw deal; however, it doesn’t have to be. Many older adults have a great time in retirement and love being older and wiser. A lifetime of good habits will buy you a better lifestyle in retirement. Just remember that it is never too late to adopt healthier habits like a better diet and exercise.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more informaton on Healthy Retirement.

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Tags: healthy diet, healthy retirment, older adults

To many older adults, living alone means independence. Often times, however, a home can be filled with hazards that can impede the quality of life for a senior. With a few easy modifications, you can live independently for many years to come.

It is great to know that many changes to your home can easily fit into most budgets. The hard part is where to get started! It is important to look at what your lifestyle is and what your needs are. This will likely dictate the primary modifications you will need to implement. Of course, you have to keep your overall safety in mind as well.

The best way to determine what modifications you might need is to go through a checklist room by room. Here are some things you should think about in your planning:

1. Bathrooms and kitchen areas - If you are hindered by arthritis, you will want to ensure that the cabinet knobs are easy to manipulate. Can you turn the faucets on and off easily? If you have balance problems, you will need a bar in the bathtub and probably along the wall or near the toilet for assistance.

Can you easily reach the cabinets above and below your eye level? What about the height of the counter area? Being able to get in and out of the tub is also a consideration.

2. Check the traffic areas like the steps, hallways and stairways. If you have stairs, you will want to make sure that you have handrails on both sides should you lose your balance or need assistance going up and down. Look at the flooring. Is the carpet secure or will it likely trip you at some point? Is the laminate or tile floor fairly smooth? Do you need a lift installed that will take you up the stairs? Sometimes, stairs outdoors can slow down a senior and cause a potential fall. See if a ramp would be more advantageous for gaining entry into the home.

3. Storage areas such as closets can pose a big problem. If you have lost strength in your arms or you have joint issues, chances are that you cannot hold your arms above your head for very long. Therefore, you might want to reconsider any high shelving units in your closets or pantry in the kitchen. Could a storage bin system be more efficient? Look for ways to increase storage so that you don’t have to stoop too low or reach too high. In addition, avoid having to climb a step stool for anything.

4. Flooring options are important. If you have any step-ups or step downs, are these easily seen? Sometimes, seamless laminate or tile floors give the illusion of one floor when there is a graduated step. Are the places where different flooring materials like carpet and laminate or tile meet protected as tripping hazards? Are area rugs protected by slip-proof mats?

5. Ventilation and lighting can be important to maintaining independence. Check for sufficient light sources in each room. Do you have adequate light when you get up in the middle of the night? The lights should also be bright enough to see any potential hazards as well. Do you have good air circulation and vents for heat and air?

6. Assistant devices can increase your independence in living alone as well. Alarm systems help in case you need help. Special speakers throughout the home can ensure that you hear anyone ringing your doorbell. Installing telephones in strategic locations can ensure that you will get to them easily in case of emergency. Checking the electrical outlets and switches is also important too.

There are a variety of things to consider when modifying a home for independent living. However, most things can be easily done and will give you many more years in your own home before assisted living becomes an issue.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Healthy Retirement.

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Tags: healthy retirment, older adults