Aging is a natural part of life. Medical advancements have come a long way in prolonging life, providing a better quality of life and fighting the most common age-related diseases and disorders but, ultimately, we all age. The best way to move gracefully through older age is to understand how aging affects your mind, body and overall health. This overview of the effects of aging can help shape your strategy for aging well.
Your Brain
The human brain is the most complicated biological structure on Earth. Scientists are just beginning to scratch the surface of how the brain works, and more importantly for this article, how the brain changes as we age. Cognitive decline is an important part of aging. Simple, non-critical examples could be forgetting where you put your reading glasses or occasionally mixing up names. More serious examples include dementia brought on by Alzheimer's disease and other serious brain issues. For seniors, regular visits to the doctor can help keep tabs on the state of your brain and keep it functionally optimally as you move through the later stages of life. According to the Gomez Trial Attorneys, brain injuries can be caused by accidents, while an infection or stroke occurs through non-violent events and can lead to lasting damage to brain tissue.
Your Mobility
Seniors risk losing their cherished ability to move around. According to Comfort Keepers, most people prefer to stay in their homes as they get older for a variety of reasons. The families, friends and neighbors that you live around your whole life are in close proximity, and you feel comfortable in your home. Maintaining your mobility is crucial for remaining in your home and avoiding the need to move to a retirement community. Regular exercise and generally staying active are important for keeping your mobility. In cases where you may not be able to get around as easily as you would like, options like automatic lifts to go upstairs and walking devices can help enormously.
Falls and Accidents
As you get older, it’s likely that you will fall more easily. This can be caused by various factors, including osteoporosis and decreasing vision. Falls are a serious concern and can occur in the shower, in the garden or going up or down stairs. Seniors who experience serious falls are at risk of breaking their bones and even losing their ability to live independently. Understanding this can help you to make sure that you take the proper precautions so that you don’t fall.
Getting older can be difficult for some people, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t be prepared for it. A proper home and medical planning regimen can allow older people to foresee the potential challenges of aging and overcome them. You do have the ability to age well and with dignity.
As you age, it’s also important to have a retirement plan in place. Learn more about how you can have a stress-free retirement in this book!
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